[name_f]Alyosha[/name_f] is traditionally a nickname for [name_m]Alexei[/name_m], so maybe [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] nn [name_f]Alyosha[/name_f]? (Or a more interesting international variant like [name_m]Alexandre[/name_m] or [name_m]Alexandros[/name_m], that seems more your style.) I can kind of see what your husband means about it sounding like a horse breed, haha, but that’s not a bad thing! (I rode for years so that’d actually be a nice connection for me.)
[name_m]Heron[/name_m]- Would be a quirky, interesting middle for sure, and I like that it has a personal connection for you
[name_m]Prospero[/name_m]- I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_m]Prospero[/name_m]! Most people I’ve asked think it isn’t usable though, not sure why. He’s a rather mysterious character, he’s inherently good but has his flaws and is beautiful in that. I like that he’s one of the few [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] characters to ask for forgiveness after making mistakes. I’ve called him Prosp in my head, haha, and Prose would be an interesting NN (if kind of ironic, given he speaks in verse most of the time).
[name_m]Alasdair[/name_m]: Vintage, soft but strong, unique enough to be different but with familiar sounds. Seems like the name of a real gentleman.
[name_m]Barnabas[/name_m]- growing up in a [name_m]Christian[/name_m] home, this is too close to Barrabas for my comfort. I do like the sound though- [name_m]Barnaby[/name_m] would be lovely.
[name_m]Sylvester[/name_m]- I’m not sure it is one, but sounds like a cartoon squirrel. Spunky, fun, and crazy-in-a-good-way.
[name_m]Maxfield[/name_m]- sounds like a place, maybe a small town in rural/suburban [name_u]America[/name_u]. Fine but I like [name_m]Maximus[/name_m] and Maximillan better.
[name_m]Redmond[/name_m] feels quite charming and intellectual, and a touch Southern. It also feels like waves and water and quaint small towns out [name_f]East[/name_f], because it reminds me of [name_m]Redmond[/name_m] College where [name_f]Anne[/name_f] [name_f]Shirley[/name_f] went in the [name_f]Anne[/name_f] of [name_u]Green[/name_u] Gables series. On that note- [name_m]Montgomery[/name_m] nn [name_m]Monty[/name_m] would be dashing! [name_m]Montgomery[/name_m] is rather proper and buttoned-up, [name_m]Monty[/name_m] free-spirited and sort of “[name_m]Wild[/name_m] [name_u]West[/name_u].”
[name_u]Sterling[/name_u]- Sounds like a sensitive, enigmatic, brooding young artist or musician who’s misunderstood by most but beloved by a few. I like the vibe this name gives off but can’t imagine it on a whole lot of different kinds of personalities, does that make sense?
Cyneric- Since the firsts would just be [name_m]Crispin[/name_m] and Cyneric, I don’t think they’d be too close unless you planned to call [name_m]Crispin[/name_m] Y___, [name_m]Cy[/name_m]- and you don’t have to, you can just call him [name_m]Crispin[/name_m]. Cyneric sounds earthy and natural, like it could be a plant or metal. (probably its similarity to turmeric.) It feels historical and old fashioned in a good way. I could imagine a knight in a story named Cyneric.
[name_m]Acacius[/name_m]- this does feel kind of [name_m]Roman[/name_m] soldier-ish, but not too much so. I imagine someone who’s soft and sensual as well as strong and brave. [name_f]Acacia[/name_f] for a girl would be nice if you don’t use this. [name_m]Acacius[/name_m] nn [name_u]Kay[/name_u] would be great, and Sir [name_u]Kay[/name_u] is a wonderful reference.
[name_m]Laurentius[/name_m] also has the “sh” sound and works with your style, but also rather [name_m]Roman[/name_m] and unusual.