Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.
A BROTHER FOR REID and GIBSON
AK writes:
I’m wondering if you have any name suggestions for a 6th child?
We’re looking for a boy name. His middle name will be Dale.
Siblings are:
- Reid Dale
- Gibson Dale
- Sadie Marguerite
- Ida Geneviève
- Hazel Evangelina
Our last name rhymes with Owen.
We would love any help!
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
FINDING FRESH OPTIONS
Abby replies:
Congratulations on baby six!
I’m going to make a few assumptions about your style and preferences:
- Because you haven’t repeated initials thus far, I’m going to assume we’re avoiding names that start with G, H, I, R, or S. This rule gets harder to follow as our families grow, but I’m guessing we can work with this constraint.
- We’re looking for polished boy names. That doesn’t mean classic – I don’t hear Charles or David appealing. While Reid and Gibson sound like 21st century picks, I can imagine both names at home in the 19th century, too. There’s a strength and a quietly traditional energy to names like this, and I’m guessing we’re looking for the same.
- Your boys’ name style is slightly different from your girls’ name style. While your daughters’ names feel distinctly vintage, I’m not sure we’re looking for the masculine equivalent of Ida, Hazel, or Sadie. A name like Archie, maybe, doesn’t feel quite right.
- Also noteworthy: your kids’ names all have different ending sounds. After five children, that’s quite a feat! I think this might be harder to continue, but I’m bearing it in mind.
- Popularity isn’t a major factor. At least, your kids’ names span the Top 100 to the not-in-the-Top 1000.
- Lastly, I’m guessing you don’t use nicknames. At least not anything derived from your children’s names.
FINDING POLISHED BOY NAMES
ARCHER
A strong sound, with an ending that hasn’t been used previously.
BECKETT
A good blend of strong, surname style with a smooth polish.
CALLUM
Callum blends traditional roots with a name that isn’t especially popular in the US, at least not until recent years.
JASPER
A little bit on the vintage side, Jasper feels like a brother for Ida, Hazel, and Sadie, but also a good match for your boys’ names.
MILES
A well-established first name with a bit of surname style, Miles splits the difference between Reid and Gibson.
TOWNES
While Townes doesn’t crack the current Top 1000, it fits in nicely with current trends.
XAVIER
An old school name with a distinctive sound.
WELLS
William might be too traditional, but Wells is a 21st century alternative to Will, with a sprinkling of well-being and positive energy.
Overall, I really like Archer Dale for your son’s name. I think it’s the right balance, one of those polished boy names that’s not quite vintage or modern. I love it with Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida, and Hazel, too. If not Jasper, then I’ll put Miles a close second.
Love your children’s names. Of the names suggested, I especially like Miles and Everett.
Following the rule of not repeating beginnings or endings and trying to come up with some new ideas for siblings, Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida and Hazel…..
Knox
Clark, Clarke
Truest
Merritt or Merrill
Kent
Porter
Walker
Webber
Kendrick
Warner
Hewitt
Thayer
Job
Stuart, Stewart
Tolliver
Whitaker
Winslow
Thoreau
Conall
Sayer
Eldridge
Clement
Zen
Marshall
Clarence
Rupert
Leander, Lysander
Errol
Oakes
Innes
Roscoe
Mercer
Pollack
Corbett
Rhodes
Cato
Linus
Darrow
My niece is Sadie Marguerite too! Also, it’s the name of J. Edgar Hoover’s sister. Would an Ed- name appeal? Edgar, Edmund, Edwin.
Dane, Blaise, Cliff or Clifford, Kenneth, Franklin, Leroy, Vincent, Tyler, Sawyer, Carter, Pierce, Chase, Heron
First thought upon reading what you wrote was Davis as well!
Abby’s suggestion of Miles was the next thought.
Logan might appeal.
Logan Dale
Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida, Hazel, and Logan
Landon could be your speed, too.
Landon Dale
Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida, Hazel, and Landon
Briscoe!
Briscoe Dale
Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida, Hazel, and Briscoe
August?
August Dale
Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida, Hazel, and August
Cormac?
Cormac Dale
Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida, Hazel, and Cormac
Murray?
Murray Dale
Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida, Hazel, and Murray
Kincaid?
Kincaid Dale
Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida, Hazel, and Kincaid
Victor?
Victor Dale
Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida, Hazel, and Victor
Congratulations to the whole family and best wishes to you. Big families are wonderful!
I love the suggestion of Townes. It makes me think of Townes Van Zandt and it seems like the total vibe of Reid and Gibson! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Townes_Van_Zandt
OH – good point!
Reid, Gibson, Sadie, Ida, Hazel, and…
Edwin Dale
Calder Dale
Arlo Dale
Felix Dale
Franklin Dale
Like A, I’m here to suggest Davis! Love the alliteration and it feels right in this set. I’m not sure of the exact surname, but perhaps one of these offers alliteration, which can sound quite snappy with the right name.
Brooks
Cormac
Jones
Truett
York
Another batch of names you might like:
Lennox
Flynn
Cashel
Albion
Desmond
Marius
Edmund/Edmond
Linus
Lowen
Auden
Ansel
Virgil
Calder
Chester
Clement
Cyril
Cedric
Sending all best wishes!!
Congrats on baby 6!
Davis was the first name to pop into my head. It offers its own initial and ending sound plus fits perfectly alongside Reid and Gibson (and Ida, Hazel, and Sadie!) The alliteration of Davis Dale is fun too
Other ideas:
Elliot
Spencer
Everett
Theodore
Jonas
Wyatt
Jacoby
Vincent
Peter
Congratulations on your baby number six. Very blessed.
Some ideas with different ending sounds.
Wyatt Dale
Curtis Dale
Conrad Dale
Zachary Dale
Victor Dale
Casper Dale
Joseph Dale
Jacob Dale
Dominic Dale
Jethro Dale
Callum Dale
Hi! So many ideas for you…
Wellington (nn could be Wells-I know Abby suggested as full name, but just an idea)
Wright
Frazier
Fielding
Cordell
Vaughn
Otto
Roscoe
Oscar
Angus
Otis
Atticus
Victor
Eugene
Frederick