Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed. 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!
THEY NEED A LIST FOR NUMBER THREE
Jo writes:
We have two girls, Audrey Joan and Hazel Beth.
My husband chose Audrey and I chose Hazel, and I think this process works for us:
- We both list all the names that we’re thinking of, usually around 12ish to 20ish
- We swap lists, cross off the ones we really can’t stand
Because my husband felt strongly that Audrey was the only name he liked from my list, we agreed that I’d get final choice for our second child. In that case, there were probably three names that we both liked, and I chose Hazel.
This time it’s my husband’s turn to make the final choice, but I still need a good list, and I hope you and your readers can help!
Since we were expecting Audrey, we agreed on these rules:
- No family first names
- No nickname names/full names only
The problem is that I feel really not-creative about boy names, and I think my husband is in the same place. We haven’t swapped lists yet, but I think we’re both stuck on traditional names like William, Joseph, and James. We know lots of boys with names like Hudson and Crew, but those feel too trendy to me. And I can’t really imagine naming a kid Cedric or Ambrose, though I almost wish I was brave enough!
So what are the obvious brother names for Audrey and Hazel?
His middle name will probably be Mark and our last name sounds like Win plus Nic.
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
IDENTIFYING THE TOP QUALITIES FOR A BOY’S NAME
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new son!
I think you’re in that really interesting – and challenging, and all-too-familiar! – place with boys’ names. It can feel harder to strike the right balance between traditional and trendy.
But I think your girls’ names can serve as a really good guide. Based on Audrey and Hazel, the right name will be:
- Current, in the sense that it probably ranks in/near the US Top 100
- Traditional, in the sense that it has been used in the past and/or has a story that makes it feel more like a vintage revival than a modern discovery
- As you mentioned previously, nickname-proof!
The fun part, of course, is that you’re not exactly looking for The Name. You’re looking for The List that will lead to a good final choice. So rather than suggest compromises, I’m going to push towards the more current end of the list – because it sounds like your husband has the other side covered!
A BROTHER FOR AUDREY AND HAZEL
CARTER
Polished surname name Carter has been around for ages, ranking in the US Top 1000 nearly every year since 1880.
DYLAN
A Welsh name made familiar by poet Dylan Thomas and singer Bob Dylan, this name feels traditional but in a very current way – just like Audrey and Hazel.
EVERETT
Names like Bennett and Beckett might sound a little abrupt with the TT ending and your surname’s strong CK final sound. But Everett has an extra syllable, and it makes all the difference.
GRAYSON
Like Carter, a polished surname that feels like a first.
LEVI
An Old Testament name transformed into an American favorite thanks to Levi Strauss and the jeans that bear his name.
REID
Strong, bright Reid is a timeless, enduring kind of name.
TATE
Along the same lines, Tate is just four letters and a single syllable, but it’s a distinctive choice.
ZANE
Zane has been a go-to name in recent generations, and it straddles the current/traditional line with ease.
My favorite is Levi. Audrey, Hazel, and Levi – three different first initials, three distinctive ending sounds, but somehow they feel compatible. Grayson is a close second. I’d probably rank Reid higher, except Reid Mark is a little bit abrupt.
Congratulations
I love the idea of a N end sound.
Branson Mark
Stephen Mark
Nathan Mark
Hope you find the perfect name
I like Dylan Mark from Abby’s list! I would also think about Samuel Mark, August Mark, Nicholas Mark, Harrison Mark, and Elliot Mark.
2 girls & now a baby boy! Congratulations!
My first thought was Hugo. Audrey, Hazel & Hugo Win+Nic. Do you mind if two of them share initials?
I also really like Abby’s suggestion of Levi. And other commenters’ suggestions of Owen and Ian.
Hugo Mark
Ian Mark
Owen Mark
Levi Mark
I also like Seth, but not with Mark.
What about Simeon?
Also thought I’d mention that even though our family loves nicknames, my middle son has so far escaped having one. His name is Michael, and nicknames just don’t stick. His best friend sometimes calls him Mickey, but it’s because she knows he hates it. Lol He doesn’t respond to it. So, if there’s a name you like but don’t love the obvious nicknames, you don’t have to use them.
On that note, I’d suggest:
Audrey, Hazel & Callum
Audrey, Hazel & Benjamin
Audrey, Hazel & Peter
Audrey, Hazel & Malcom
Ha! I made my list and then come to find I’m seconding many so we must be on the right track. I also read your ‘no nickname names/ full name only’ as not using a nickname name, not that you don’t want a name that may have nickname opportunities?
Elliott
Simon
Isaac
Tobias
Wyatt
Zander
Roman
Keaton
Abby has already made so many wonderful suggestions; Everett, Reid, and Zane are my favorites! I especially like Zane if this is your last child because then you have A to Z which is kinda fun
Other ideas:
Nolan Mark. Audrey, Hazel, Nolan
Owen Mark. Audrey, Hazel, Owen
Isaac Mark. Audrey, Hazel, Isaac
Elliot Mark. Audrey, Hazel, Elliot
Calvin Mark. Audrey, Hazel, Calvin
Lewis Mark. Audrey, Hazel, Lewis
Spencer Mark. Audrey, Hazel, Spencer
I wonder if Davis could be a winner? A bit offbeat but not as bold as Cedric or Ambrose; a bit fresher than traditional David. Or Jonah instead of Joseph?
Davis Mark. Audrey, Hazel, Davis
Jonah Mark. Audrey, Hazel, Jonah
Grant would be a great traditional yet not overused choice and it sounds so good with Audrey and Hazel but Grant Mark isn’t the best flow. But if you aren’t set on Mark as a middle name then it could be a nice choice. Audrey, Hazel, Grant.
Todd
Emmett
Luke
Philip
Tobin
Seth
Oscar
Adam
Ivan
Paul
My first thought was Graham.
Or maybe Elliot or Ian.
Hi-You said no nickname-names, but does this mean that you want a name that doesn’t have a nickname ever? (For example, Archie is a nickname-name, but Stephen may have the nickname Steve.) I am including a number of names that might work for you, but some of them can be shortened to have nicknames. Anyway, here are some more ideas: Samuel, Henry, Lennon, Easton, Julian, Oliver, Wyatt, Martin, Frederick, Ansel, Corin, Ethan, Hugo, Louis, Maxwell, Orson, and Stephen. I think they all go well with Mark as a middle. Since Audrey & Hazel are not super traditional, names that are slightly less traditional like Wyatt, Julian, and Hugo might go really well as a brother’s name for those two! Best wishes!
Simon! Fits all the criteria, maybe a bit less popular than the top 100 but still not unfamiliar. I also like Jacob as an option but the possibility of falling into “Jake” as a nickname may not be ideal.
Congratulations to you all.
Audrey Joan and Hazel Beth
A boys name with two syllables like your daughters with the one syllable middle name of Mark would sound lovely together.
Have you considered
Isaac Mark
Jacob Mark
Aaron Mark
David Mark
Caleb Mark
These are biblical based
Or
Connor Mark
Howard Mark
Leonard Mark
Garret Mark
These all have a different choice of ending from Audrey and Hazel.
Best wishes to you and happy choosing.