We have two gorgeous girl names that we’re 100% sold on, but no boy names that I love nearly as much! DH and I seem to like unique or uncommonly used older names. For example, our favorite name is [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and it’s ancient form of [name_f]Mary[/name_f] - definitely not unheard of, but not common either. Our problem, however, has been finding boy names that have the same essence as our two favorite girl names - [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] and [name_f]Norah[/name_f].
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with the Gaelic name, [name_u]Niall[/name_u]. It’s phonetically beautiful and definitely uncommon, but I’m worried it’s TOO unique. We both come from conservative Southern families and I’m worried that it could sound (for lack of a better word) “weird” in the region/culture we live in. A silly concern, I know, but still something I think about for baby’s sake.
Thoughts?
Any similar name suggestions?
Also, if anyone identify what style of name we seem to be into, that might be helpful! I can’t put my finger on it exactly!
Hello!
I think [name_u]Niall[/name_u] is lovely. It’s not what comes to mind when I think of a brother to [name_f]Miriam[/name_f]/[name_f]Norah[/name_f], but it definitely works with them! The sound is simple enough that I doubt anyone will find it too weird. Plus it’s reminiscent of the familier [name_u]Neil[/name_u].
Old-fashioned, familiar but underused boy names:
[name_m]Amos[/name_m]
[name_m]Benedict[/name_m]
[name_m]Clyde[/name_m]
[name_m]Clark[/name_m]
[name_m]Conrad[/name_m]
[name_m]Casper[/name_m]
[name_u]Dorian[/name_u]
[name_m]Damian[/name_m]
[name_m]Edmund[/name_m]/[name_m]Edgar[/name_m]/[name_m]Edward[/name_m]
[name_m]Ford[/name_m]
[name_u]Francis[/name_u]
[name_m]Harvey[/name_m]
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m]
[name_u]Lawrence[/name_u]
[name_m]Leon[/name_m]
[name_u]Lionel[/name_u]
[name_m]Matthias[/name_m]
[name_m]Maximilian[/name_m]/[name_m]Maximus[/name_m]/[name_u]Maxime[/name_u]
[name_m]Phillip[/name_m]
[name_m]Rupert[/name_m]
[name_m]Tobias[/name_m]
[name_m]Victor[/name_m]
[name_m]Vincent[/name_m]
[name_m]Walter[/name_m]
But to be honest, your top pick [name_u]Niall[/name_u] makes me think of friendly, fun names with maybe an Irish/Scottish vibe. Names like:
[name_u]Beau[/name_u]
[name_m]Callahan[/name_m]
[name_m]Cormac[/name_m]
[name_m]Callum[/name_m]
[name_m]Clayton[/name_m]
[name_m]Duncan[/name_m]
[name_m]Dashiell[/name_m]
[name_m]Desmond[/name_m]
[name_u]Ellis[/name_u]
[name_m]Felix[/name_m]
[name_u]Flynn[/name_u]
[name_m]Finnegan[/name_m]
[name_m]Griffin[/name_m]
[name_m]Heath[/name_m]
[name_m]Hamish[/name_m]
[name_m]Joel[/name_m]
[name_u]Kieran[/name_u]
[name_u]Luca[/name_u]
[name_m]Lachlan[/name_m]
[name_u]Orion[/name_u]
[name_u]Percy[/name_u]
[name_u]Rhys[/name_u]
[name_u]Rory[/name_u]
[name_u]Remy[/name_u]
[name_m]Reuben[/name_m]
[name_u]Spencer[/name_u]
[name_u]Sullivan[/name_u]
[name_m]Xander[/name_m]
I think [name_u]Niall[/name_u] could totally work -it’s similar enough to names like [name_m]Miles[/name_m], [name_u]Noel[/name_u], [name_u]Kyle[/name_u] or [name_u]Kai[/name_u] that it works
I’d say you like names that are slightly off beat but established and easy to pronounce. There’s a kind of softness to them too
With [name_f]Norah[/name_f] and [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], these names came to mind
I love [name_f]Miriam[/name_f]! [name_f]Norah[/name_f] is lovely too, but way popular (at least in my area; midwest U.S.) I think that [name_u]Niall[/name_u] is beautiful (in a boy way!) as well. I wouldn’t worry what you think your families will think. Once they see a sweet little nephew/grandson etc., they’ll fall in love w/him & the name attached to him.
Most names that remind me of [name_u]Niall[/name_u] are also Gaelic, but lets see…
I think [name_f]Nora[/name_f], [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], & [name_u]Niall[/name_u] are lovely together. I feel like it’s a name you would hear in the old south.
Thanks so much!! I’m so glad you think so about [name_u]Niall[/name_u] - I just can’t get it out of my head! And I think you’re SPOT ON with the friendly-fun names with a Scottish vibe! I’m definitely into Gaelic names probably because DH and I both share a Scottish heritage. [name_m]Joel[/name_m] has been on our list for a while and I keep coming across [name_u]Rory[/name_u] as well - I love them both!
YES definitely! Off-beat but established - I love it! Ooh and [name_m]Asher[/name_m] is actually a family name so that’s definitely on the list! I’m loving [name_m]Ronan[/name_m] too! Thanks!
Thanks so much!! And yes, I know [name_f]Norah[/name_f] has gotten super trendy and that usually turns me off of names but I’ve always liked it - I don’t know why! I’m also loving these other Gaelic names! Especially [name_m]Ewan[/name_m], [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u], and [name_u]Noel[/name_u] - gosh they’re pretty!
[name_f]Norah[/name_f] and [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] are gorgeous and both give me a european storybook/fairytale vibe, they seem like the names of strong heroines.
[name_u]Niall[/name_u] is a great option! I dont think it’s too out there.
I hope this doesnt deter you (because it shouldnt) but one of the One Direction boys is called [name_u]Niall[/name_u], he’s also gone solo. So that prob makes it much more familiar (to a particular generation anyways)
