Unconventional Names like Saylor for a Second Baby

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.

LOOKING FOR NAMES LIKE SAYLOR

Maddie writes:

We named our daughter Saylor Isabelle. It was my favorite name and my partner loved it, too. Our last name sounds like Rem-plus-Lee.

Saylor Matthew was a possibility if she had been a boy. We also liked Rowan, but not with our last name. Silas was another name we talked about strongly. We are not considering either of those names this time.

Our last name makes it so hard to find names. We really can’t use anything that ends in EE/LEE, so names like Marley/Oakley are out.

We have time, but it bothers me that nothing is really working for me. I want to have some kind of an idea before our ultrasound appointment.

I don’t want a common name like Jessica, Ashley, Nick, Jake, and I also don’t like old-fashioned names, so no Sophia or Miles.

Can you suggest names like Saylor for her brother or sister?

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

NAMING SAYLOR’S SIBLING

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your second!

A few things stand out to me:

• While you’re looking for names that feel fresh and different, that’s compared to the names you grew up with in the 1990s. You’re not necessarily looking for a name no one is using, like Bramble. There’s more than one way to define an unusual name, and for your family, that means something fresh and new, right for this generation, but not completely out-of-the-blue.
• Unisex names appeal, and while I’m going to compile a boys’ list and a girls’ list, I think many of these work across gender.
• We’re all about avoiding alliteration. Some families would embrace a name like Rowan Rem-plus-Lee. That’s not you, too, so I won’t be suggesting Ryder, River, or Rylan, either.
• It’s tempting to stick with ends-with-R names, but not sure if that works, either. Lots of names like Saylor share the same two-syllable, ends-with-R structure. But maybe that’s not the right direction? It does establish a pattern, and that could feel limiting in the future.

Okay, so with all of those factors in mind, let’s see what we can come up with.

GIRL NAMES LIKE SAYLOR

ASPEN

A place name/nature name that feels distinctive, but also easy to wear.

BRIAR

Another surname-ish nature name option that seems like it would appeal to anyone who loves the name Saylor.

COLLINS

Names like Colette are conventionally feminine, while Cole and Colin tend to be masculine. Collins sounds gender neutral, but is overwhelmingly used for girls. (More than 1200 girls in 2025, compared to 48 boys.)

MEADOW

Another nature name that feels compatible with Saylor, but still nicely different.

SAGE, SAIGE

I always hesitate to suggest a second name with the same first initial … but I do think Sage, or maybe even Saige, is such good match with Saylor and with your surname, too.

SHILOH

Peaceful Shiloh is a modern name with deep roots – just like your older child’s name.

BOY NAMES LIKE SAYLOR

BOWEN

Rowan is a challenge with an R surname, but could Bowen work?

FINN/GRIFFIN

Finn is a subtle nod to all things sea and coast. Griffin takes it a step farther away. But I think both work nicely with Saylor.

HAYES

Since you mentioned Silas, I’m drawn to other ends-in-S names, like Hayes.

LANE

Another brief, complete choice with a strong sound.

LENNON

If you’re drawn to surnames, Lennon might hit that sweet spot between familiar favorites and newer choices.

WELLS

Another name in the key of Hayes, but with a little bit of a water connection.

Overall, I think Aspen is my favorite for a daughter. And I love Bowen for a boy, a little bit of a twist on Rowan that removes the alliteration, but still preserves that vibrant sound. Bowen Matthew Rem-plus-Lee works well. Maybe Aspen Eleanor or Aspen Eliane Rem-plus-Lee?

Readers, over to you! Can you suggest more names like Saylor for her sister or brother?