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! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.
TRADITIONAL, NOT POPULAR BOY NAMES
Lynne writes:
Our fourth baby will be here any day now. We’ve been calling him Kermit all along, because somehow our three year old got the idea that this baby is a frog. But for an actual name we’re pretty stuck.
We like traditional names, but prefer names that our kids won’t have to share. As much as I love Catherine’s name, and always wanted that name for my first daughter, the whole Catherine-with-a-C thing gets old, and there are other Katherines in our friends group.
We do like saints’ names, but I really want to love the name more than anything.
Vincent’s name has been perfect, and we’re looking for another boy name just like that. We also like that he gets called Vincent all the time now, but if he wants to in the future, he could be Vince.
Our boy’s name for Catherine was Benedict, but Ben is too short for me, and now we realize that there are lots of Bens. (Though not so many Benedicts!)
My husband tends to like really different names. He’s suggested Ambrose, Sebastian, and Clement. Sebastian is too popular, though we don’t know any. And I’m not sure I’m into Ambrose or Clement.
Also, I don’t think I want to repeat initials, but maybe I’m being too fussy now.
Our last name starts with Mac and the second part rhymes with Story.
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
NAMING A BROTHER FOR CATHERINE, VINCENT, AND MIRIAM
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new son!
I think you’ve got a good list of criteria – just enough to narrow your options, but not so much to be limiting. Let’s sum them up:
- Traditional first name, preferably associated with a Catholic saint
- Not the kind of name that automatically gets shortened (like Benedict/Ben), though a potential nickname option is appreciated
- Probably won’t begin with C, V, or M
- Not too popular, not too out-there
I’m so tempted to suggest names like Kenneth, in hopes of leaning into the in utero nickname Kermit! But alas, I don’t think any of the options work that well.
Instead, let’s start fresh. Some of these feel a little older, while others are more contemporary.
TRADITIONAL BOY NAMES YOUR SON (PROBABLY) WON’T HAVE TO SHARE
ABEL
We know it’s an Old Testament name, though we tend to hear it as the word. Able, as in capable. Besides the feuding brother, there’s another Saint Abel from the eighth century.
ALBERT
It’s so delightfully old school, and yet who could argue with Albert?
EDWIN
There’s something smooth about Edwin. Way more than Edward or Edmund, right?
FELIX
It’s an old school name, but that X at the end makes it feel very current. It’s a midpoint between popular Alex and Max and super old school Augustine and Ignatius.
LAWRENCE
No one is naming their sons Lawrence – not in big numbers anyway – but this is a name that just plain works. It’s traditional, has fun nickname options – Lars, Lawrie/Laurie, Ren – and everyone immediately recognizes. Strictly speaking, Laurence is an equally valid spelling … but Americans favor Lawrence-with-a-W pretty significantly.
PETER
In my mind, Peter belongs in the same category as Henry and Theodore. That’s not quite right, though. Peter never ranked in the US Top 25 and it’s been out of the Top 100 since the 1990s. So it’s obviously classic and nicely uncommon.
ROBERT
The story of Robert is similar to Peter, except that back in the day? Robert was number one! There are lots of grandpa Bobs out there, but not nearly as many little Bobbys and Robbies. If Albert is darling, but a little too old school, Robert might strike the right note.
SIMON
Simon sounds smart and traditional, but again? It’s far less popular than you might guess.
Overall, I’m drawn to Felix. It checks all the boxes on your lists, plus that final letter X makes it so very cool. Catherine, Vincent, Miriam, and Felix.
I’d put Edwin a close second. One benefit to Edwin is potential nickname Ned, which is fun and vintage. Though Eddie can be sweet, too.
I think you have a great list of possibilities! Benedict Mac*ory sounds so good, and I’d encourage you to give Ambrose more consideration.
From Abby’s list, I especially like Albert, Edwin, and Peter.
I’m attached to the idea of finding a way to reference the Kermit the Frog story, which is adorable! Here are some ideas (for first name or middle name):
Dermot or Dermod – A variation of the Irish saint’s name Diarmaid; the name Kermit is a variant of the Gaelic surname MacDermot
Thaddeus – An alternate name of Saint Jude; lends itself to the nickname “Tad” as in tadpole
Leland – According to his fictional biography, Kermit the Frog was born in Leland, Mississippi (which also happens to be the birthplace of his creator, Jim Henson)
Jeremy or Jeremiah – Referencing Jeremy Fisher, the frog from Beatrix Potter’s stories
Francis – The patron saint of animals and the namesake of Pope Francis
And here are some other saints’ names that might fit your criteria:
Anthony
Dominic
Eugene
Fabian
Gerard
Jerome
Joseph
Killian
Nicholas
Quentin
Roman
Stephen
Xavier
Love your name list. Ambrose is my fav from your list. I came to suggest Ruben and Peregrine (Perry/Pip)
I was at a primary school event last night, and so of course was listening to the names 😉
The one that stood out to me was Stuart! I think Catherine, Vincent, Miriam and Stuart sound wonderful together.
Others that I don’t think have been suggested (I’m not going back to check): Hugh, Angus, Hamish.
I made my list before reading the comments, so there are some repeats!
Dominic
Lewis
Nathaniel
Desmond
Rafael
Isaac
Anthony
Frederick (but might be shortened to Fred)
I was coming to suggest Laurence (my preferred spelling). I always think it has a similar feeling to Vincent.
So, I’ve nothing to add because all of my other thoughts have been suggested, but I would like to highlight my favourites from the comments: Philip (love!), Desmond, Edward … and I have a soft spot for Alistair and Edwin, too.
All the very best!
Peter was my first thought! Also seconding Thomas and Nathaniel from the comments.
-Alistair
-August
-Frederick
-Ignatius
-Leonard (or Leopold, or Leonidas)
-Nicholas
-Patrick
Patrick! One of the first saints I think of, and its a good name for sure with cute “Pat” as a nickname (or alternatively, Rick).
Other saint names I like are:
Blaise
Basil (although pronunciation makes this tricky to wear)
Nicholas
Jude
Silas
Linus
Sylvester
Paschal
There’s some really suggestions already given, I’ll try not to repeat:
Cyrus
Reuben
Caradoc
Emmett
Isidore
Malachi
Peregrine
Gideon
Jethro
Oh I love Abby’s suggestion of Peter. I work in pediatrics and can’t remember the last time I’ve met a Peter! I am not very familiar with saints names but here are some names in general that I think could work:
Xavier
Zachary
Leo
Julian
Patrick
Adam
Thomas
Nathaniel (!)
Adrian
Timothy
Dermot!
It rhymes with Kermit, but avoids the Muppet connection. It’s unusual and distinctive, but made up of simple and familiar parts. It’s a saint name (the Anglicised form of St Diarmaid the Just, a 6th century Irish saint); it fits in perfectly with Catherine, Vincent and Miriam – no repeating initials or rhymes; and it works well with the last name.