Strong Names for Avery’s Brother

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 answered publicly on the site, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post for your eyes only? Order one here.

A LONG LIST OF BOY NAMES

Layna writes:

Our daughter is Avery Elizabeth. It’s always been one of my favorite names, and I like the way it goes with our short last name, which sounds like the woman’s name Claire.

We are now due with a boy in August and can’t seem to choose. Lots of names are okay, but none really stand out.

Here is the list we’re working from:

• Beau
• Bennett
• Caleb
• Carter
• Easton
• Ethan
• Hudson
• Jace
• Levi
• Tate
• Walker
• Wyatt

We will probably use the middle name Robert, which is my husband’s middle name and his dad’s name.

I think what bothers me is that our last name can be hard. Sometimes it sounds like our daughter’s name is Avery-Claire, first and middle names. I’m not sure if a short first name would really work for us, even though I think we both like them.

Can you help us go through our list?

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

EVALUATING NAMES FOR AVERY’S BROTHER

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

Going from “names we both like” to “one name we’re giving to an actual human being” can be challenging.

Sometimes we automatically filter through all the questions in our heads: how does this sound with our last name? Do we like the image it presents? Will this name age well? We don’t have to process our decision because the right name just clicks. And that’s magic!

It sounds like that’s what happened with your daughter’s name.

But it doesn’t always work that way.

Let’s see if we can figure out what those questions and filters ought to be and use them to choose a great name for your son.

What criteria have you already established?

• Goes with your short last name, sounds-like-Claire
• Matches sister Avery Elizabeth
• Works with middle name Robert

It sounds like that first concern is most present in your mind, so I’ll start evaluating your list against that question: how well does any potential name for Avery’s brother work with your surname?

EVALUATING YOUR CURRENT LIST

BEAU, JACE, TATE

There’s no reason you can’t use a one-syllable first name with a short last name. Just ask Brad Pitt. But it’s a very strong style choice, and it’s not for everyone. I do really like Jace with your surname, sounds-like-Claire. But I’m probably going to put these near the bottom of the list, as a little bit of variety in terms of syllables is most people’s preference. If you’re divided or uncertain, let’s move on.

CARTER, CALEB

These are great choices with your surname, but again, alliteration is very much a personal preference. If you love the crisp repeat of Carter sounds-like-Claire, go for it. But I’m guessing you’re hesitant, since they’re still on your long list. I do think you might end with another Avery-Claire situation, with others tending to use your child’s first and last name together, if only because it’s such a memorable, fun sound. Again, I’m moving these to the bottom not because they don’t work, but because they might not work well for you.

LEVI, ETHAN

These are more traditional given names with Hebrew roots and Old Testament backstories. I like them both with Avery, particularly Ethan. And I really like Ethan with your surname, too.

BENNETT, EASTON, HUDSON, WALKER, WYATT

A big chunk of your list consists of 21st century favorites. They feel traditional(ish), but they’re not the kinds of names we were hearing frequently in the 1990s. I think all of these work really well as names for Avery’s brother, and they’re all nicely matched with your surname, too. I really like Walker and Wyatt, but that might be more about personal preference than any actual criteria. When I pair them up with Robert as a middle name, that shifts my opinion slightly, and I think Bennett might be the best choice.

Overall, I can see your dilemma: most of these names have potential!

I’m going to choose my three favorites, and then turn it over to the community for more input.

Ethan Robert sounds-like-Claire is my favorite. It’s strong, traditional, current. I love Bennett, too, and I think Bennett Robert is handsome. For a dark horse entry, let’s go with Jace Robert. Yes, a short first with a short last name isn’t for everyone, but I do think it works nicely in this case. And I like the way Avery and Jace sound together.

Readers, over to you. Can you suggest names for Avery’s brother – either from their short list or something that comes to mind?