Barnabas and Matthias?

Not pregnant, just working on my list for a future baby…

The name [name_m]Matthias[/name_m] has been on my list for ages, and SO seems to like it more and more. But we already have a son named [name_m]Barnabas[/name_m]… [name_m]Barnabas[/name_m] and [name_m]Matthias[/name_m] both end in -as, obviously, so does that make them too similar to use together? I’m worried that if we have another baby after that, we’ll be stuck with a pattern.
On the other hand, do they go together, are they two completely different styles? [name_m]Barnabas[/name_m] is more clunky and heavy, while [name_m]Matthias[/name_m] seems softer, more playful and is definitely more popular.

Any thoughts?

I think they work. The endings are similar but the stress and sounds make them distinct. They feel stylistically matched too for me

I think they pair together very well actually. If you call [name_m]Barnabas[/name_m] by a nickname or you plan to called [name_m]Matthias[/name_m] by a nickname then it shouldn’t be a problem. Also I don’t think you have to stick to the pattern at all. I think sibling names really don’t have to match at all since they won’t be paired together forever.

I think they could work since they don’t share any other sounds! Is your other child name Hjörtur? If he is, then it definitely wouldn’t create a pattern! The styles do seem different to me, but to other people who aren’t name nerds, I’m sure it would be fine!

I think they’re fine together, especially if you use nicknames. I’m not sure they’re that stylistically matched, but I also don’t find that to be incredibly important.

I don’t think the ending matters, or that a pattern would be created.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you live in Iceland? If yes, I’m aware [name_m]Matthias[/name_m] is very very popular there, but I don’t know the popularity of Hjortur and [name_m]Barnabas[/name_m] to compare. I wouldn’t give a kid a name in the top 20 and another one that only makes the top 600 or something though.
I personally love [name_m]Matthias[/name_m] and think it’s so handsome! I also think that soundwise it strikes a good balance between Hjortur and [name_m]Barnabas[/name_m], at least to the English ear.

@tileishamaree: Hjörtur is the name of my oldest, but [name_m]Barnabas[/name_m] is his half-brother. They have different fathers, which is why their names are quite different in style.

@emmievis: currently I don’t live in Iceland, but I know Matthías is quite popular there. It’s also popular where we live now, so yes, that’s an issue. By the way, [name_m]Barnabas[/name_m] is not on the list of approved names in Iceland, so I couldn’t have used it if I lived there :slight_smile:

I like them a lot together, and considering that you also have an older son with a different name ending, I don’t think you’d be locked into a pattern at all. [name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_m]Matthias[/name_m], by the way! It’s such a solid, stately, international choice.