I’m finding this so confusing. Naming a last baby is really difficult! I also find boys’ names really hard, so for me, finding a name for a third son is almost impossible
I’m glad to hear the general acceptance of [name_m]Octavian[/name_m] amongst you all. But I still have a gut feeling that it’s just a bit too much and I can’t shake that.
I think [name_m]Otto[/name_m] and [name_m]Orlando[/name_m] may have lost their shine a bit too. I’ve tried calling him these names and it just doesn’t feel right. I’m not sure why this is?
Feeling so stuck right now. If there are any other suggestions, please, I’m welcoming all your thoughts and ideas right now x
Have you been calling your baby boy any nicknames since he’s been born? Maybe you can transform one of them into his official name?
I do really love [name_m]Octavian[/name_m] with your boys, but here are some alternatives that will hopefully spark your interest: [name_m]Octavio[/name_m] / [name_m]Octavo[/name_m] – still has that significant meaning, but maybe feels less heavy? [name_f]October[/name_f] – also has the significant meaning, but also with the cute nickname [name_m]Toby[/name_m] and casual sound
You seem to like names starting with vowels, so maybe one of these might fit:
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m], [name_m]Alastar[/name_m], [name_m]Ignatius[/name_m], [name_m]Orion[/name_m], [name_m]Artemas[/name_m], [name_m]Evander[/name_m], [name_m]Auberon[/name_m] / [name_m]Oberon[/name_m], [name_m]Alaric[/name_m]
Other names I think go well with [name_m]Edmund[/name_m] and [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m]:
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m], [name_m]Raphael[/name_m], [name_m]Laurence[/name_m], [name_m]Francis[/name_m], [name_m]Keats[/name_m], [name_m]Thaddeus[/name_m], [name_m]Valentine[/name_m], [name_m]Caradoc[/name_m], [name_m]Cassius[/name_m]
Octavian feels like such a big name to wear but that may just be me. My favourites are Otto and Orlando and love the suggestion of Otto Amias. Orlando August is very handsome as well. Also, there is Otto Orlando and I think the alliteration is nice. Good luck in choosing. You have narrowed it down to a lovely list.
I think it’s really hard especially when sleep deprived and under postpartum fog. Obv not the site for it, but there could be other reasons why this decision is so hard this time around? Is it the last baby and you want to get the name right? I found it easier when I accepted that there were probably a handful of names that could work, and also that a name could only do so much!
I was coming back to say Orlando Thomas (with Orly and Otto as nn) could be awesome! But they’re off the list.
I gave my list of names I would use for a trio with Edmund & Ambrose in an earlier post (if want to find, prob many others from others’ posts) but here are those that are still flowing and some extras:
Felix
Jasper
Casper
Caspian
Hugo
Simeon
Julian
Wilfred (Wilf/Wify/Freddie)
Isaac
Rupert
Seamus
Tobias (Toby)
Conrad
Sebastian
Lucien
Rafferty (Raffy/Raff/Raffa)
Hamish
Vincent
Walter
Magnus
Benedict
I would suggest Theodore too but it’s too popular and you’ll then have Eddy and Teddy even if you use Theo. Was also going to suggest Lysander but I find it a little hard to say after Ambrose - that shouldn’t stop you though as the boys themselves won’t say their names in lists.
Edmund and Ambrose are such literary, gentlemanly names - distinct and not common but still familiar - so I would stick with that, ideally so they each have their own starting letter. Good luck!
That is exactly what I’m searching for in a name! I just thought I would have found it by now
Unfortunately, there are so many that we can’t use. And I keep thinking I’ll have that lightbulb moment when I stumble across the right name, but it’s just not happening.
I like Lysander too! But my husband doesn’t. Same with Leander.
Caspian is a great suggestion, thank you. I’ve always really liked it. Would it be too much to have an Edmund and a Caspian though, with their connection to The Chronicles of Narnia?
Names I like that we can’t use:
Rupert
Wilfred
Lysander
Leander
Gilbert
Pascal
I missed the Narnia connection. It wouldn’t bother me if it were my top name - if Edmund were Peter, perhaps but even then, I’m not sure many people will pick it up, and so what if they do?
Similar vibes to Caspian (and my last efforts, lol):
You’ve so generously offered so many wonderful ideas and I’ve really enjoyed reading all your advice.
So many beautiful names you’ve suggested that I want to add to the shortlist & discuss with my husband. So this must mean I’m not set on the 3 we’d already narrowed our list down to🤦🏻♀️
I’m intrigued by [name_m]Florian[/name_m]. I think it’s lovely!
Gosh, [name_m]Otto[/name_m] is so cute. It’s perfect with [name_m]Edmund[/name_m] & [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m] and it honors your dad. It is sort of popular, I suppose. And that’s me in the U.S. saying that. Are you in the U.K.? Maybe it’s even slightly more popular there, but I’m unsure. [name_m]Octavian[/name_m] does feel really special & definitely unique. Is it crazy (and/or unnecessary) to use [name_m]Octavian[/name_m] nn [name_m]Otto[/name_m]?
[name_m]Orlando[/name_m] is cool, but I don’t love it. For some reason I have a hard time picturig it on a person. Maybe I’m just used to it being a city.
I’ve loved reading through everyone’s comments. Thank you for taking the time to share your advice
You’ve all been so lovely and understanding.
I still haven’t decided on which name to choose and am going around in circles making a case for each one! I feel so hopeless right now and I just hope I reach a decision in the coming days, otherwise he’ll be continue to be nameless
A couple more names to throw into the mix:
Would [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] work? How do you pronounce this? As it’s [name_f]French[/name_f], do you see it causing pronunciation issues?
Is it too left of field to give the name [name_f]France[/name_f] to a baby boy born in 2024? I know it’s rarely used for boys, but it was dad’s brother’s name who he was very close to, so it would still honour dad, but in a different way x
[name_m]Pascal[/name_m] would work great!! That’s my great uncle’s name, and he wears it very well. I would pronounce it pass-CAL intuitively… the only other pronunciation I could see would be pass-CUHL but given the popularity of the Tangled movies (where there is a character called Pascal), I think it should be okay.
I can totally see [name_f]France[/name_f] working on a boy – if [name_m]Francis[/name_m] is accepted, why not [name_f]France[/name_f]? Another alternative to [name_f]France[/name_f] if you’re still not sure could be using the name of a city in [name_f]France[/name_f], for example [name_m]Paris[/name_m], [name_m]Lyon[/name_m], [name_m]Toulouse[/name_m], [name_f]Calais[/name_f], etc.
I pronounce it Pass-Kal (fairly even syllable split, a flat A in pass and longer A in Cal). The French way I guess! Apparently it’s much more popular in the feminine form for girls (Pascale) so there might be some annoying questions for him as he grows up. It’s pretty cool. Don’t adore it but it would definitely work, suits the set, and like that there’s the family connection! Pal, Paz, Pac or Cal all cute nn’s.
Would Blaise be an option? Maybe not, might get Blaze.
(Still hoping for Florian - Florian Pascal would be fab )
You’re having a difficult time of it right now but you’ll get through it. I have some more thoughts if you’re open to hearing them.
I think at this point it might be helpful to reframe the task and simplify your priorities. Choosing a name is one the first big decisions we make for our children but ultimately all our children need is a solid name to identify with before taking ownership of it themselves. I believe there is always more than one good choice, there are probably innumerable good choices, and our children will do well with just one of them.
I say this because the pressure parents feel to choose the right name is often pressure the parents put on themselves. So any way you can lower the pressure or the noise is something worth trying.
So this is how I would approach it if I was concentrating strictly on the essentials. I would look back at my lists for names I’ve enjoyed for a long time. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if they don’t seem to click right now, the odds are you will still enjoy hearing these names in years to come. Does your husband agree on any of these names? If so, that would be my short list.
You could narrow down your list by allowing your husband to choose his favourite from the options. You could choose the name that has been your longest favourite. You could choose the name with the least issues. Whichever way you go, you can be sure that it’s a good choice and will serve your son well.
It’s of course easier said than done, but I hope something works and you can get yourself unstuck. It might mean leaning on your husband or some other criteria to help make the decision. I’m sure the name you ultimately choose will grow on you too and feel right with time. I wish you all the luck!
