Nickname Names for Boys: The Best Name for Bess’ Brother

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CLASSIC NAMES WITH FRIENDLY NICKNAMES

Rachel writes:

After going through every name ever, we named our daughter Elizabeth, and call her Bess. People sometimes hear Tess, but it’s easy to explain and mostly people tell us they love her name.

Her little brother will be here early in the new year, and we cannot agree on a name. We know we’d like another traditional long name with a shorter nickname, hopefully something a little different.

So far we haven’t found it!

Names we’ve ruled out:

• Theodore/Theo/Teddy – Because I just can’t with Ted. I blame the Mark Wahlberg movies. It feels like every kid we know is Theo or Leo.
• Charles/Charlie – If they’re not Theo or Leo, our friends are naming their kids Charlie.
• Alexander/Alex – Not really what we have in mind, but this is my nephew’s name anyway.
• Harry/Henry – My husband insists that all he hears is Harry Styles. I’m not sure I see a problem here, but okay.
• James/Jamie – It’s just not right, even though I’d like it to be.
• Benjamin/Ben – My husband’s brother’s name. Doesn’t seem fair.
• Samuel/Sam – Probably the name we’d choose if we had to choose today, but I think it’s just okay for both of us.

Our daughter has a family name that sounds like Tori as her middle name, and right now we’re planning to give it to this child, too, though we’re open to choosing a different family name if that ends up making more sense.

Our last name sounds like Conor-with-an-S.

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

ADDING TO THE LIST

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

There’s this problem with naming a boy.

For generations, parents were far more inclined to give creative, even fanciful names to our daughters. The total list of names in use was just plain longer for girls.

We don’t feel that way now, but decades and decades of limiting our choices for boys means that fewer names feel immediately familiar and accessible.

In other words? You might hear these names and immediately dismiss them as old-fashioned or too out-there. But I think they deserve consideration. You just might have to think about them a little longer to feel like they’re the right fit.

ARTHUR/ARCHIE

Yes, Archie is traditionally associated with Archibald. But the sound is pretty much there with Arthur, too.

EDWARD/NED

I know what you mean about Ted. Despite my love for Theodore and Teddy, Ted feels like it’s not quite ready for revival. Ned, though? I think it’s delightfully old-fashioned, a name that’s riding bikes and skipping stones in small town America circa 1925. There’s also the principled Ned Stark – short for Eddard – from Game of Thrones.

FRANCIS or FRANKLIN/FRANK or FRANKIE

Into the early 1920s, Frank ranked in the US Top Ten. It’s been stuck in style limbo for years, though Frankie is trending for girls. But either Francis or Franklin has potential as a classic choice for a son with some cool, throwback nicknames.

GEORGE/GEORDIE

There’s something a little bit British about George – but then that’s true for Bess, too, isn’t it? Georgie is a possible nickname, but so is Geordie. (Pronounce it like Jordy.) It’s unexpected, just like Bess.

JONATHAN/JON

If you know lots of boys called Theo and Charlie, I suspect there are Jacks in your circle, too. So while it’s tempting to suggest Jonathan called Jack, I’m going to stick with Jonathan called Jon. Yes, John is an evergreen name, a former chart-topper. But today it’s uncommon, and Jonathan-called-Jon is even less common.

OSCAR/OZZY

A very current combination, Oscar shortened to Ozzy is traditional, but with plenty of edge.

SIMON/SY

Nearly no one is using Simon for their sons in the US right now. It hasn’t ranked in the US Top 200 since 1901. But everyone knows it and thinks of it as a rock solid, traditional choice. Bonus? It shares nickname Sy with stylish favorites like Silas.

THOMAS/TOM

On paper, Thomas has always been quite popular. And it is a former Top Ten name, worn by everyone from Thomas Jefferson to Tom Holland. But it doesn’t feel that common somehow. I like Tom as an alternative to Sam, and Tommy is just as sweet as Teddy.

Overall, my favorites are Ned and Geordie. I love the way they sound with Bess. Sort of old school, but also down-to-earth. I’m picturing them all climbing trees together.

I also wonder if Henry has potential if you call him Hank instead of Harry?

Readers, over to you! Can you suggest a traditional first name with a fun nickname for Elizabeth-called-Bess’ new brother?