Boys' list fattened over the holiday!

Boy Names
1

[name]Happy[/name] [name]New[/name] Year Berries!
Apologies for this ridiculously long post.

[name]Cy[/name] (just [name]Cy[/name]) is a love of mine, but I dislike [name]Cyrus[/name] and its sudden trendiness. I was considering other ways to distinguish the name. My husband thought of using C.Y. initials, and he suggested the beautiful name [name]Crispin[/name] to honor my grandmother [name]Christine[/name]! It’s rare that he would be open to such a fawncy name, so I seized on it immediately and started thinking up combinations. In the process, my boys’ list became a giant SPRAWL! Please help! Your most penetrating opinions are needed!

Names of people we’d like to honor: [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Yu[/name] ([name]Yusef[/name], Ywen), [name]Joel[/name] ([name]Julius[/name], [name]Yael[/name]), [name]Sylvia[/name] ([name]Sylvan[/name]), [name]Christine[/name] ([name]Crispin[/name]), Dear ([name]Darcy[/name]), [name]Joe[/name] ([name]Yusef[/name]), [name]Randolf[/name] (and [name]Raoul[/name] has a related meaning and sounds)
Tree names honor my father, an arborist: Ywen, [name]Yves[/name], Yvain, [name]Linden[/name], [name]Quincy[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name]
Botanical names have some significance: [name]Basil[/name], [name]Yarrow[/name], [name]Heath[/name]
All other names I like for the sound, the meaning, or both.

TO GET TO [name]CY[/name]:
[name]Cy[/name] Ywen, [name]Cy[/name] [name]Linden[/name], [name]Cy[/name] [name]Quincy[/name], [name]Cy[/name] [name]Basil[/name]
[name]Clement[/name] Yaromir, [name]Clement[/name] Yvain
[name]Caspar[/name] Ywen, [name]Caspar[/name] Yaromir, [name]Caspar[/name] Yvain, [name]Caspar[/name] [name]Yarrow[/name]
[name]Claes[/name] [name]Yusef[/name], [name]Claes[/name] Ywen
[name]Crispin[/name] Ywen, [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yves[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] Yvain, [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yusef[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yarrow[/name]
[name]Cadoc[/name] Yvain, [name]Cadoc[/name] Ywen
[name]Claude[/name] [name]Yarrow[/name]
[name]Cody[/name] [name]Marsh[/name]
[name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Yves[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Yael[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Ciar[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Julius[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Clement[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] Yaromir, [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Fionn[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] Caelius
[name]Cyro[/name] [name]Basil[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] Wythe, [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Julius[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Raoul[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] Ywen
[name]Cyrano[/name] [name]Julius[/name], [name]Cyrano[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Cyrano[/name] [name]Yves[/name], [name]Cyrano[/name] [name]Raoul[/name] - probably not, as DH dislikes [name]Cyrano[/name].
[name]Cypress[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Cypress[/name] Yaqub, [name]Cypress[/name] [name]Yusef[/name], [name]Cypress[/name] Yaromir, [name]Cypress[/name] [name]Raoul[/name], [name]Cypress[/name] [name]Randolf[/name]

[name]NON[/name]-[name]CY[/name] POSSIBILITIES:
Ywen [name]Marsh[/name], Ywen Wythe, Ywen [name]Ernst[/name] or Ywen [name]Ernest[/name], Ywen [name]Darcy[/name], Ywen [name]Heath[/name]
[name]Caspar[/name] [name]Lafcadio[/name], [name]Caspar[/name] [name]Linden[/name]
[name]Crispin[/name] [name]Basil[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] Wythe, [name]Crispin[/name] Makepeace, [name]Crispin[/name] Seafrid, [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Zebedee[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Randolf[/name]
[name]Basil[/name] [name]Raoul[/name], [name]Basil[/name] Wythe, [name]Basil[/name] Yvain, [name]Basil[/name] [name]Julius[/name], [name]Basil[/name] [name]Clement[/name], [name]Basil[/name] [name]Lafcadio[/name], [name]Basil[/name] [name]Randolf[/name]
[name]Felix[/name] Makepeace, [name]Felix[/name] [name]Zebedee[/name], [name]Gunther[/name] [name]Linden[/name], [name]Otis[/name] [name]Clement[/name], [name]Otis[/name] [name]Darcy[/name], [name]Ciar[/name] [name]Cadoc[/name]

Y-name possibilities:
Ywen- means yew in Welsh. It honors [name]Yu[/name], and it’s a tree name.
[name]Yael[/name] -pronounced “YAH-el” Close to [name]Joel[/name]. Too Hebrew-sounding perhaps.
Yaqub -Arabic form of [name]Jacob[/name]
Yaromir -Medieval Slavic, means “fierce peace” (love that)
[name]Yusef[/name] -Arabic and Turkish form of [name]Joseph[/name]. And it gets [name]Yu[/name] in there.
[name]Yves[/name] - kind of a cross between “[name]Eve[/name]” and “Yeeve.” [name]Love[/name], but too femme?
Yvain has a beautiful sound and I like the Chretien de Troyes connection, but very close to Ywen without the benefit of “[name]Yu[/name]” sound.

FYI:
[name]Lafcadio[/name]- Name taken from Greek island of Lefkas. Too crazy I know…
[name]Cadoc[/name] (for the Welsh saint)
Caelius ([name]Roman[/name] masculine root name of [name]Celia[/name], another love. From “caelum” -heaven.)
Makepeace- Puritan virtue names are a tradition in my family, and this is a beauty.
Seafrid (means “sea peace”)
[name]Ciar[/name] (“keer” Irish, means black)
[name]Fionn[/name] (“fyoon”)
[name]Claes[/name] (“clous”)
[name]Basil[/name] (“BA-zuhl” not “[name]BAY[/name]-zuhl” I’d pronounce the A like “bad”)

I LIKE BUT PROBABLY WON’T USE:
[name]Elm[/name], Alder, [name]Birch[/name], Acanthus, [name]Victor[/name], [name]Ishmael[/name]

2

Have you considered [name]Cyprian[/name], [name]Cyril[/name] , or the Welsh Cynstenian/Cystennian, Cynan, Cydereyn and Cymry to get to [name]Cy[/name]? Or even [name]Cuyler[/name]? Granted some of the Welsh names would be pronounced with a “k” sound in the beginning but they still have [name]Cy[/name] in them.

From your list, I like [name]Cy[/name], [name]Crispin[/name], [name]Clement[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name], [name]Basil[/name], [name]Felix[/name] and [name]Otis[/name].

These “[name]Cy[/name]” combos flow well and look good:

1 [name]Cy[/name] [name]Linden[/name]
2 [name]Cy[/name] [name]Basil[/name]
3 [name]Cy[/name] Ywen

I like [name]Clement[/name] but many people find it “dated”. [name]Clement[/name] Yaromir is an interesting mix.

I prefer [name]Jasper[/name] but [name]Caspar[/name] is a fine name too!
Best Combos: [name]Casper[/name] Ywen and [name]Caspar[/name] Yvain

[name]Crispin[/name] is a underused saint name that I find appealing. Cripin [name]Yarrow[/name] is my favourite combo.

[name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Marsh[/name] flows well.

I like these combos from your non-[name]Cy[/name] list:

Ywen [name]Marsh[/name], Ywen [name]Darcy[/name], Ywen [name]Heath[/name]
[name]Caspar[/name] [name]Linden[/name]
[name]Crispin[/name] Wythe, [name]Crispin[/name] Makepeace, [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Marsh[/name]
[name]Basil[/name] Wythe, [name]Basil[/name] [name]Clement[/name], [name]Basil[/name] [name]Randolf[/name]
[name]Felix[/name] Makepeace, and [name]Otis[/name] [name]Clement[/name] (love these two combos)

3

Emms, I’ve been waiting for this and now I’m almost drooling!!! [name]Happy[/name] new year present? Yes indeed…

You’ve got a ocean full of names here, so I’m picking ot my favourites (the ones I think you should use, not the ones I would use) and the ones I think are not so good.

[name]Marsh[/name], [name]Yusef[/name], Ywen, [name]Julius[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name], [name]Crispin[/name], [name]Darcy[/name], [name]Randolf[/name] (!!!) are the ones I like the best. I’d love to see [name]Yusef[/name], [name]Julius[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] (or [name]Silvan[/name]?) and [name]Darcy[/name]. And [name]Randolf[/name] (or maybe [name]Randolph[/name]?).
Ywen, [name]Yves[/name], Yvain, [name]Linden[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name]. All amazing. I do love [name]Yves[/name] and Yvain very much.
[name]Basil[/name] and [name]Heath[/name]. [name]Yarrow[/name] makes me itch… but that’s my opinion. [name]Basil[/name] is the best one, it’s sweet and full of spunk and the herb is utterly delizioso!

TO GET TO [name]CY[/name]:
[name]Cy[/name] Ywen is gold! [name]Cy[/name] [name]Quincy[/name] and [name]Cy[/name] [name]Basil[/name] sounds a little bit off. I think you can do better.
[name]Clement[/name] Yaromir: This is THE it-name. If I were a boy I’d want to have this name. [name]Clement[/name] Yvain is decent and solid, but Yaromir wins a hundrend times.
[name]Caspar[/name] Ywen and [name]Caspar[/name] Yvain both sounds amazing to my ears. [name]Caspar[/name] [name]Yarrow[/name] has a good sound too.
[name]Claes[/name] Ywen is a bit cooler I think.
[name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yves[/name] is my favourite of these, but I think you’ve got better combos above and below.
[name]Cadoc[/name] Ywen if I had to choose one.
[name]Claude[/name] [name]Yarrow[/name]: [name]Claude[/name] is very quirky sexy, which I like. [name]Claude[/name] [name]Yarrow[/name] is amazing.
[name]Cody[/name] [name]Marsh[/name] sounds like an annoying little boy detective.
[name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Julius[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Clement[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] Yaromir, [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Fionn[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] Caelius are all great names. Picking one (or two): [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Marsh[/name] and [name]Sylvan[/name] Caelius. [name]Marsh[/name] looks good with just about anything, Caelius is simply stunning.
[name]Cyro[/name] Wythe, [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Raoul[/name]: [name]Cyro[/name] Wythe is the clear winner for me. I do think [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Raoul[/name] is badass and sexy though.
[name]Cyrano[/name] [name]Marsh[/name] is very hot, but if hubs says no you have to listen, right?
[name]Cypress[/name] Yaromir makes me very happy indeed. Wonderful, whimsical and strong.

[name]NON[/name]-[name]CY[/name] POSSIBILITIES:
Ywen Wythe, Ywen [name]Ernest[/name]: Wythe makes every name look amazing, but [name]Ernest[/name] looks good with Ywen too.
[name]Caspar[/name] [name]Lafcadio[/name], [name]Caspar[/name] [name]Linden[/name] - Aaaah, Lafacido. Pure awesomeness.
[name]Crispin[/name] Wythe, [name]Crispin[/name] Makepeace, [name]Crispin[/name] Seafrid - [name]Crispin[/name] Seafrid is pretty cool. I like the other two as well.
[name]Basil[/name] Wythe, [name]Basil[/name] Yvain
[name]Felix[/name] Makepeace, [name]Felix[/name] [name]Zebedee[/name], [name]Otis[/name] [name]Clement[/name] - [name]Otis[/name] [name]Clement[/name] is very handsome and dashing, I like the happiness and spunk of the [name]Felix[/name] combos.

I LIKE BUT PROBABLY WON’T USE:
[name]Elm[/name], Alder, [name]Birch[/name], Acanthus, [name]Victor[/name], [name]Ishmael[/name] - please use [name]Ishmael[/name] and Acanthus. [name]Ishmael[/name] Acanthus would be pretty badass I think…

4

[name]Mischa[/name], thank you for your kind and (as usual) levelheaded feedback. Of your suggestions, I do like [name]Cuyler[/name]. I prefer [name]Schuyler[/name], but not sure it makes sense as a full name for [name]Cy[/name]…
I agree with your (and [name]Ottilie[/name]'s) [name]Caspar[/name] combos. [name]Caspar[/name] Ywen and [name]Caspar[/name] Yvain are the best. [name]Crispin[/name]… Yes I’m really loving it right now. Going to have to give it more thought. I think I like [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yves[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] Yvain, [name]Crispin[/name] Wythe most. [name]Do[/name] you think [name]Crispin[/name] Wythe could sneakily become [name]Cy[/name], since Wythe is so Y-heavy? hm…

[name]Ottilie[/name] m’dear: Thank you for all your cheer and encouragement! Yes, [name]Cy[/name] Ywen is solidly lovely. It may outlast the others, but we’ll see. [name]Marsh[/name] is an important family name for my husband, so we may have to get it in there. I find it a little… squashy-sounding, though I like marshes and swamps in general. [name]Clement[/name] Yaromir- I love the meaning, and the sound, but it may be too florid for my husband in the end. His taste in names is much more down-to-earth than mine. We might strike a balance by using such a minimal nickname though.

It may be curtains for [name]Yusef[/name], Yaqub, [name]Yael[/name], [name]Lafcadio[/name], Caelius, [name]Cadoc[/name], [name]Zebedee[/name]… [name]Cody[/name]… I can’t bring myself to part with [name]Raoul[/name] just yet, but husband is not into it.

[name]Cy[/name] Ywen, [name]Cypress[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], Ywen [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] Wythe-
These are the names my husband likes (with some reservations) out of the whole lot! Such a curmudgeon.
Me: “What do you mean, you don’t like [name]Randolf[/name]?! It’s an important family name! It means ‘shield from the wolves!’”
DH: “Yeah. Shield from the wolves. That’s what our kid’s gonna need when you name him Mapplethorpe Pancakes!”
He says, “You’d better hope we have a girl, otherwise " " (opens mouth like a fish) will be his name. We’ll have a nameless boy! Makepeace? I like the sound of it, but we’re not Quaker… [name]Claes[/name]? What’s wrong with [name]Klaus[/name]? [name]Sylvan[/name]? Are we going to have a satyr or a son?” and so forth.

Nevertheless, I still love [name]Basil[/name], Yvain, [name]Sylvan[/name], all these strange woodsy names. Let’s keep playing! I’ll start narrowing down soon.

5

Oh, you hubs sounds pretty funny. We can put him and my boyfriend in a room together and they can be sarcastic and witty together, away from us. I think [name]Cy[/name] Ywen is wondefully striking though.

6

[name]Emma[/name]-- so, so many ideas here. For starters, a question: does your family have Arabic, particularly Lebanese, heritage? I noted the [name]Christian[/name] names [name]Yusuf[/name] and Yaqub, as well as many French-variant saints’ names. Some of the suggestions I’m making below will be partially based on that assumption, so please let me know if I’m wrong.

[name]CY[/name]

Personally, I think [name]Cy[/name] feels incomplete. It’s also homonymous with ‘sigh,’ which isn’t an over-flattering association for a boy.

Re: Welsh [name]CY[/name]- names: as noted, in Welsh these names all have the starting sound ‘kuh.’ There are some lovely beauties there, but it would be a bit contrived to nickname ‘sigh’ from Cynan, ‘Kuhn-nan.’

For many reasons, I want to second [name]Mischa[/name]'s suggestion of [name]Cyprian[/name]. It’s saintly, French (well, [name]Cyprien[/name] is), Arabic, and perhaps uniquely honors your father the arborist by its connection to the cypress tree.

Cyril-- an ancient, venerable, saintly, uncommon-but-familiar name, also given by Arabic-speaking Christians.

Cyriac-- prn with a hard C; from Greek Kyriakos, ‘lord.’ there are more than 25 St Cyriacs. It almost seems like a portmanteau of Cyrano de Bergerac.

Cystennin: not sure how wearable this really is, but it’s the Welsh form of Constantine.

Cyran: another hard C, this is the trim original version of Cyrano. I think it’s trendy -an ending sound makes it ate wearable, we still distinctive.

Welsh saints: these are fairly dense, but here you are:

Cyran (a great 6th c saint)
Cyndeyrn (original form of Kentigern)
Cynfarch (um, not usable)
Cybi
Cyngar
Cyndir

7

Have you considered [name]Simon[/name] or [name]Silas[/name] to get [name]CY[/name] ( or in this case [name]SI[/name])?

I also [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Cy[/name]! But I like [name]Cyrus[/name]! Unfortunately DH doesnt!

8

Hey [name]Blade[/name]. Thank you thank you. No, no Arabic heritage, sadly. [name]Love[/name] the sounds of that language, amazed by the culture… though I haven’t done any traveling in that part of the world, or in [name]Cyprus[/name] for that matter. I don’t think we’ll end up using a name like [name]Yusef[/name] or Yaromir, Yaqub, [name]Lafcadio[/name], Caelius… [name]Just[/name] wanted to put them out there because I find them beautiful. I do think the sound of [name]Cyprian[/name] is luscious, but it really sounds like an adjective to me. Tree names feel more vibrant to me than place names. I spent some time in Tibet, but most Tibetan names sound really contrived for a white [name]Brooklyn[/name] kid. Nature names too I suppose, but that’s non-negotiable! [name]Cy[/name]… I hear what you’re saying about the word “sigh,” but it doesn’t bother me. I’m just not sure if I’ve found a longer [name]Cy[/name]-name or a C.Y. combination that I love as much as [name]Cy[/name]. [name]Cypress[/name] - love the tree, but not sure if “press” adds much to [name]Cy[/name]. Husband likes that one. Agree with you about the Welsh Cs.
As for the saints’ names - No not religious. I love the rituals and the poetry of religion, but I’m pretty groundless in that regard. Husband is decidedly more down-to-earth, likes names that don’t take themselves too seriously.
First heard the name [name]Cy[/name] on [name]Cy[/name] Twombly, who I love. His full name isn’t even close to [name]Cy[/name]. I think it has such a coolness, like the verbal equivalent of a wink. [name]Do[/name] you think the C.Y. initials idea is doable?

[name]Cyril[/name] I like. I will hold onto this one and see if it sticks. I guess, it feels like a bit of an indoor-name, but I like the history and the sound.
[name]Cyriac[/name]-maniac. Cystennin-cyst. [name]Cyran[/name]- I know an awful [name]Kieran[/name]. Cyndeyrn- sounds tangled to me. Cybi- too cute.
Cyngar and Cydir have potential. …Sort of. I do prefer the soft-C I think.

Backtomyroots: Thank you. I love [name]Simon[/name]! But my husband doesn’t. I think I could use it as a pet-name for a [name]Cy[/name]. [name]Silas[/name]- I see the appeal, but I find it a little too farmy. Makes me think of hipsters with big Amish beards. :-b

9

Sorry for the misperception! (btw y iPad keeps auto correcting that to “miso erection”). Ok, the last two thirds:

I think C.Y. Is doable, if slightly contrived. Nicknames don’t really need any grounding whatsoever in the formal name.

Btw I also like [name]Sylvan[/name], nn [name]Cy[/name].

Of your C.Y. suggestions, I would definitely keep:

[name]Clement[/name] (beautiful name, beautiful meaning, great namesakes)
[name]Caspar[/name] (equally handsome with a long historical tradition)
[name]Crispin[/name] (fantastic suggestion by your husband: striking, unusual, cool)
[name]Cyro[/name] (very hip and on-trend; perhaps will strike many as fabricated).

I would reject:

[name]Claude[/name] (“lame,” dislike the historical [name]Claudius[/name]; cannot overcome ‘clod’ problem
[name]Cyrano[/name]: over the top
[name]Claes[/name]: too exotic fr anglophones to pronounce properly or register its beauty
[name]Cody[/name]: are there Codys in [name]Brooklyn[/name]? There’s no [name]Wal[/name]-[name]Mart[/name] there, right?

Suggestions given your desired imagery:

[name]Cabot[/name] (as in the explorer, and the wild northern [name]Bay[/name])
Cadfan (Welsh for battle-peak)
Cadfael (as in the eponymous hero of the [name]Ellis[/name] Peters books; a legitimate medieval Welsh name too)
[name]Caledon[/name] (ancient name for [name]Scotland[/name])
[name]Caradoc[/name] (derived fro Welsh cariad, ‘beloved’; many herod bore the name)
[name]Casimir[/name] (a bit stronger sounding than Jaromir, with the same Slavic beauty and deep roots)
[name]Cassiel[/name] (non canonical angel)
[name]Cathal[/name] (gorgeous Irish name, though the th is prn as an H)
Chariton (masculine version of [name]Charis[/name])
[name]Cheyne[/name]: a definite favorite for you, as it’s medieval French for ‘oak’
Chivan: Tibetan names are so foreign that they’re hard to wear; this is Khmer for ‘life’
[name]Clovis[/name]- half-mythical king of the Franks
Colwyn: name of a lovely Welsh river
[name]Constantine[/name]: it doesn’t get any more regal; numerous good historical namesakes; uplifting meaning
[name]Corbyn[/name]: medieval French word for raven; a transferred surname
[name]Corentin[/name]: chic in [name]France[/name] currently; a saint; means “hurricane” in [name]Breton[/name]
Corydon: a poetic name for the male hero-lover in French verse
[name]Corrado[/name]: romantic Italian variant of [name]Conrad[/name]
[name]Cosimo[/name]/[name]Cosmas[/name] : a saints name meaning, of course, ‘universe’

As for the Ys: are you pronouncing Ywen somewhat close to [name]Owen[/name]? The starting vowel is not like the French [name]Yves[/name], from what I understand. I think it’s lovely, tied with Yvain for its evocative nature. I think [name]Yves[/name] would be constantly misheard as [name]Eve[/name], which might create embarrassing gender confusion. Without Arabic heritage, I wouldn’t consider [name]Yusuf[/name] or Yaqub. Other ideas:

Ybarra: basque for ‘valley’
Yestin: variant of [name]Justin[/name] via Iestyn, the Welsh form
Ynyr: ancient king of Gwent
[name]Ysidro[/name]: gorgeous variant of [name]Isidore[/name]

Woodsy/tree names to honor your father:

[name]Arvid[/name]: eagle-tree
[name]Berkeley[/name]: birch tree meadow
[name]Hawes[/name]: [name]Hawthorne[/name] fruit
Haslett: settment near hazel trees
[name]Holt[/name]: ‘son of the untamed forest’
[name]Laurence[/name]: the laurels
[name]Lindell[/name]: valley of linden trees
[name]Nairn[/name]: river with alder trees
Orrick: old oak tree
[name]Tamarack[/name]: self-evident
Waldwick: village in a forest clearing

10

Have you considered “[name]Schuyler[/name]” as a route to “[name]Cy[/name]”? [name]Crispin[/name] is lovely with nearly anything (although I’m not a fan of “Makepeace”), [name]Cypress[/name] is another great one. “[name]Caspar[/name]” also made me think of “[name]Caspian[/name]”, I don’t know if that’d be to your liking?

Yves is very solid and I’ve never encountered it in the USA (I’m from Montreal), but all the Sylvans I have known have been female.

11

Oh my! What a trove of names!
[name]Blade[/name]: Yes, you’d better be sorry for the miso-erection. But thank you for the names! I am totally agreeing with your “keep and reject” choices. Good points all around. I hear what you mean about [name]Cody[/name]… :frowning: I feel affectionately about it because it was the name my best friend would always call herself when we were playing make-believe as kids. Her middle name is Key, which I thought about swiping too.

[name]Cabot[/name]- love your idea, love Shackletonish types, but I have VT family who are constantly eating [name]Cabot[/name] cheese.
Cadfan- doesn’t feel like enough of an… iconic “name name”… you know how a house that’s house-shaped feels especially good? I want a name that feels nicely contained like that… I think :wink: [name]Caspar[/name], [name]Clement[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] have that. [name]Cyro[/name] I’m not sure about.
Cadfael- I do like the AE, but I haven’t read the books, just watched the silly [name]Mystery[/name] series long ago… don’t love it enough to justify using a Cad name.
[name]Caledon[/name]- nah. I do like Calidore though.
[name]Caradoc[/name]- Like this, though it rhymes with paradox.
[name]Casimir[/name]- Gorgeous but not sure husband will bite.
[name]Cassiel[/name]- [name]LOVE[/name]. And [name]Cassius[/name], [name]Cassian[/name], [name]Cassia[/name] for a girl. [name]Love[/name] this.
[name]Cathal[/name]- Beautiful but so breathy… it doesn’t give much more rootedness to [name]Cy[/name].
Chariton- I think [name]Charity[/name], and Sheraton Motel. Nope.
[name]Cheyne[/name]: Hm… Like that it means oak, but is it pronounced “chain” or “[name]Shane[/name]?” Dislike that it’s almost [name]Cheney[/name]. But I [name]DO[/name] like the sound of “[name]Shane[/name]” though the usual sh-spelling doesn’t do it for me.
Chivan: Not wild about the sound. I do love Ösel, which means “clear light of the sky” …name of a teacher of mine, but there was Ösel Tendzin, who was a pretty dark guy.
[name]Clovis[/name]- This is a beaut. And [name]Clove[/name] too. Somehow very androgynous, and it does make me think of devilish goat hooves… not sure.
Colwyn: Too whispy
[name]Constantine[/name]: Too regal. Somehow I like [name]Constance[/name] but dislike [name]Constantine[/name].
[name]Corbyn[/name]: Of raven names, I prefer [name]Bertram[/name].
[name]Corentin[/name]: I like this one. I might be tempted to call him “[name]Tin[/name]” all the time.
Corydon: I had a “hero-lover” named [name]Cori[/name] before I was married, so no.
[name]Corrado[/name]: I think “carotid” for some reason.
[name]Cosimo[/name]/[name]Cosmas[/name] : I like this a lot, but there is a new baby in my close family named [name]Nova[/name], so not sure. Prefer [name]Cosmas[/name]- the Medici association looms large.

“Are you pronouncing Ywen somewhat close to [name]Owen[/name]? The starting vowel is not like the French [name]Yves[/name], from what I understand. I think it’s lovely, tied with Yvain for its evocative nature. I think [name]Yves[/name] would be constantly misheard as [name]Eve[/name], which might create embarrassing gender confusion.”
It’s “[name]YU[/name]-wen” like [name]Ewan[/name], but I feel that it’s almost a bit like “EE-wen” or that you say the “Yew” sound quickly, so it kind of sneaks up on you. [name]Glad[/name] you like it! [name]Yves[/name] I prefer as a middle rather than a first, but think I prefer the boyish earthiness of Ywen.
Ybarra: [name]Lovely[/name], but I know someone with the last name Ibarra, and I do find it feminine.
Yestin: I see yeast.
Ynyr: You really shouldn’t encourage me with these kinds of vowelless wonders. I love it, but my husband will laugh laugh laugh.
[name]Ysidro[/name]: I like this one. And I love [name]Isidore[/name], [name]Isidor[/name], [name]Isadore[/name]… Ysador?

[name]Arvid[/name]: Beautiful. Like a cross between “earnest” and “avid.” Again, not sure it’s enough of a “name name.”
[name]Berkeley[/name]: Prefer just [name]Birch[/name]- [name]Berkeley[/name] has too many other associations for me.
[name]Hawes[/name]: I hear a silent R.
Haslett: I love the idea of a settlement near hazel trees, but I see “hassle.”
[name]Holt[/name]: [name]Wild[/name] about the meaning, but I hear “halt.”
[name]Laurence[/name]: Hm. Hadn’t considered [name]Laurence[/name]. It’s beautiful. But is it too aristocratic-feeling?
[name]Lindell[/name]: Prefer [name]Linden[/name].
[name]Nairn[/name]: nope.
Orrick: For some reason I think of [name]Little[/name] [name]Otik[/name], that scary Svankmejer film.
[name]Tamarack[/name]: Ooh I love this!
Waldwick: Sounds snippy to me.

Lordy, that was a lot of names! I’m going to post again with a narrowed-down list.

Andalusia (love your name btw!) Thank you. I am really fond of [name]Schuyler[/name]. It’s going on the list. [name]Sky[/name] is probably the more natural nn with this one, but I think [name]Cy[/name] could work.
On [name]Crispin[/name] Makepeace… yes I know, it does sound like “kiss and make peace.” I think I’d want a Y-middle with [name]Crispin[/name] anyway, to get [name]Cy[/name].
[name]Caspian[/name] is too over the top [name]Narnia[/name] for me, but I do love the sound of it.

Ok. I’ll be back later with a new list!

12

[name]Glad[/name] to help-- couple of quick points.

If [name]Cathal[/name] is too breathy, you might like the similarly Irish [name]Carbry[/name] / Cairbre (“charioteer”), [name]Ciaran[/name], Cinaead (original form of [name]Kenneth[/name], “born of fire,”), [name]Conall[/name] (strong wolf), or [name]Cormac[/name] (bad meaning, great namesake).

[name]Cadwallader[/name] is a fantastic Welsh name (also a NYC white shoe law firm) meaning “leader of the battle”

[name]Cassiel[/name] is the angel of [name]Saturday[/name]; Cathiel is the angel of Thursday

[name]Cheyne[/name] is pronounced [name]Shane[/name].

If [name]Corrado[/name] is no good, why not the original [name]Conrad[/name]?

Hazlett is the traditional spelling of Haslett, and it removes the ‘hassle’ worries.

Other C suggestions:

Callistus (from Greek Kallistos; “most beautiful.” Saintly male name).
Cedomir (Slavic again-- “children’s peace”)
Ceferino (Spanish form of [name]Zephyr[/name])
[name]Celestyn[/name] / [name]Celestine[/name] (brings back Caelus, in the modern saintly/Polish form)
Cenric (“bold power” in Old English)
Chandan (Sanskrit for sandalwood)
Charalampos (OK, out there, but Greek for “to shine with happiness”)
Charon (“fierce brightness” in Greek)
[name]Conway[/name] ([name]River[/name] Conwy, ‘holy water,’ in [name]Wales[/name])
Cyneric (KINE-ric, “royal power” in Old English)

I think you have all the good Ys already.

13

OK, this list is really no shorter, but here’s where I’m at. Thanks again [name]Blade[/name]. [name]Cassiel[/name], Cathiel, and [name]Cheyne[/name] are making me happy right now. All of these names, actually! Well, happy and vexed, at once.

[name]Cy[/name] Ywen
[name]Cy[/name] [name]Linden[/name]
[name]Cy[/name] [name]Quincy[/name] (can’t bring myself to part with [name]Quincy[/name], that Q! and quince! ugh. maybe if I don’t use it on a boy it could work as a girl’s mn)
[name]Clement[/name] Yaromir, [name]Clement[/name] Ywen? [name]Clement[/name] Yvain?? [name]Clement[/name] WHAT?
[name]Caspar[/name] Ywen, [name]Caspar[/name] Yvain
[name]Crispin[/name] Ywen (THIS [name]ONE[/name] DOESN’T WORK RHYTHMICALLY, BUT OF THE CRISPINS, IT’S CLOSEST IN TONE TO WHAT I WANT)
[name]Crispin[/name] Wythe - [name]Love[/name] this, but not sure I can get to [name]Cy[/name] this way.
[name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yves[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] Yvain, [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yarrow[/name]
[name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Marsh[/name]? [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Yves[/name]
[name]Cyro[/name] [name]Basil[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] Wythe, [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Julius[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Raoul[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] Ywen - not sure.
[name]Cypress[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Cypress[/name] Yaromir, [name]Cypress[/name] [name]Raoul[/name], [name]Cypress[/name] [name]Randolf[/name]

[name]NON[/name]-[name]CY[/name] POSSIBILITIES:
Ywen [name]Marsh[/name], Ywen Wythe, Ywen [name]Heath[/name]
[name]Caspar[/name] [name]Linden[/name]
[name]Clement[/name] Makepeace
[name]Crispin[/name] [name]Basil[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] Makepeace, [name]Crispin[/name] Seafrid, [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Marsh[/name]
[name]Basil[/name] [name]Raoul[/name], [name]Basil[/name] Wythe, [name]Basil[/name] Yvain, [name]Basil[/name] Ywen, [name]Basil[/name] [name]Clement[/name]
[name]Felix[/name] Makepeace, [name]Otis[/name] [name]Clement[/name]

ALSO ON THE TABLE:
[name]Cyril[/name]
Cyngar
Cyndir
[name]Cabot[/name]
Calidore
[name]Casimir[/name]
[name]Cassiel[/name]
[name]Cassius[/name]
[name]Cassian[/name]
[name]Cheyne[/name]
[name]Clovis[/name]
[name]Clove[/name]
[name]Corentin[/name]
[name]Cosmas[/name]
[name]Ysidro[/name], [name]Isidore[/name], [name]Isidor[/name], [name]Isadore[/name], Ysador???
[name]Arvid[/name]
[name]Laurence[/name]
[name]Tamarack[/name]
[name]Schuyler[/name]
[name]Elm[/name], Alder, [name]Birch[/name], Acanthus, [name]Victor[/name], [name]Ishmael[/name]
Cinaead
[name]Cormac[/name]
Cathiel
[name]Cadwallader[/name] (!)
Cenrid
or [name]Cedric[/name]
Cyneric (lovely, but the pronunciation is bananas!)

14

I feel like [name]Cy[/name] by itself is too nicknamey, so personally I’d probably opt out on that one as a stand alone name. Your idea of using the initials C.Y. to come to [name]Cy[/name] would work well within the family, though it’s probably unlikely he’d have the nickname [name]Cy[/name] outside of the family (perhaps that doesn’t matter to you). What about [name]Silas[/name]? Has the nn [name]Si[/name]/[name]Cy[/name] as well.

If you do go with the C.Y. initials, here are some of my favorite C names:
[name]Cian[/name]
[name]Callum[/name]
[name]Caius[/name]
[name]Cassius[/name]
[name]Conrad[/name]
Caelum
[name]Clayton[/name]
Cianan
[name]Cullen[/name]
[name]Canaan[/name]
[name]Caleb[/name]
[name]Corey[/name]
[name]Cody[/name]
[name]Cassian[/name]
[name]Caledon[/name]
[name]Cadoc[/name]
[name]Cohen[/name]
[name]Constantine[/name]

[name]Don[/name]'t have any Y names on my list, so can’t really help you much there.

15

Thank you Javad! I do agree that [name]Cy[/name] is nicknamey. If I used it as a standalone, I’d want to use [name]Simon[/name] sometimes as a lengthened-nick. [name]Silas[/name] - meh. From your list I like [name]Cian[/name] (like that it’s close to Key), [name]Caius[/name] (though it makes me think of Caligula), [name]Cassius[/name], Caelum, Cianan, [name]Cassian[/name], and [name]Cadoc[/name]. All these nice KEE sounds…
I like the name [name]Keane[/name] too (or [name]Keene[/name]) though it’s a surname.

16

Slightly reduced list.

[name]Cy[/name] Ywen, [name]Cy[/name] [name]Linden[/name], [name]Cy[/name] [name]Quincy[/name]
[name]Clement[/name] Yaromir? [name]Clement[/name] Ywen? [name]Clement[/name] Makepeace? NEED HELP WITH THIS [name]ONE[/name].
[name]Caspar[/name] Ywen, [name]Caspar[/name] Yvain, [name]Caspar[/name] [name]Linden[/name]
[name]Crispin[/name] Wythe, [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yves[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yarrow[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] Ysador (can I spell [name]Isidor[/name] like this?!) [name]Crispin[/name] Seafrid, [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Marsh[/name]
[name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name]…something else?
[name]Cyro[/name] [name]Basil[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] Wythe, [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Julius[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Raoul[/name], [name]Cyro[/name] Ywen - [name]Cyro[/name] flows well with everything. I like how close it is to “[name]Zero[/name],” and it’s very sleek. I think I may prefer the more sentimental names though, with a nn as sleek as [name]Cy[/name]… not sure.
[name]Cypress[/name] [name]Marsh[/name]
Ywen [name]Marsh[/name]
[name]Basil[/name] [name]Raoul[/name], [name]Basil[/name] [name]Clement[/name]… [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Basil[/name]? Confused about [name]Basil[/name]. Very fond of it but not sure what to pair it with.
[name]Felix[/name] Makepeace, [name]Otis[/name] [name]Clement[/name]

OTHER OPTIONS:
[name]Cyril[/name]
[name]Cabot[/name]*
Calidore
[name]Casimir[/name]
[name]Cassiel[/name]*
[name]Cassius[/name]*
[name]Cassian[/name]*
[name]Cheyne[/name]*
[name]Ysidro[/name], [name]Isidore[/name], [name]Isidor[/name], [name]Isadore[/name], Ysador???*
[name]Arvid[/name]*
[name]Laurence[/name]
[name]Tamarack[/name]
[name]Schuyler[/name]*
Alder, Acanthus, [name]Victor[/name], [name]Ishmael[/name]
[name]Cormac[/name]- Oh I do like [name]Mac[/name]! Why can’t I name my future son Macheath?
Cathiel*
[name]Cadwallader[/name]
[name]Cedric[/name]
Cyneric
[name]Cian[/name] (assuming it’s pronounced like [name]Keane[/name], “keen”)*

17

Breaking it down…

For [name]Cy[/name] as a stand-alone, I don’t think a middle which begins with a vowel is needed. You don’t strictly need your Y names as you’ve already got [name]Cy[/name]…

[name]Cy[/name] [name]Linden[/name], [name]Cy[/name] Somerled, [name]Cy[/name] [name]Randolf[/name], [name]Cy[/name] Mederic, [name]Cy[/name] Marshton, [name]Cy[/name] [name]Prospero[/name]

[name]Clement[/name] [name]Yorke[/name], [name]Clement[/name] Yvain, [name]Clement[/name] Yukon, [name]Clement[/name] [name]Ysidro[/name], [name]Clement[/name] [name]Yule[/name], [name]Clement[/name] Wythe

[name]Caspar[/name] Ywen works best!

[name]Sylvan[/name] Cynewulf, [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Arvid[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] Makepeace, [name]Sylvan[/name] Ranulf, [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Ysidro[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] Wythe

[name]Cyro[/name] Calidore, [name]Cyro[/name] Makepeace, [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Cheyne[/name]

– don’t care for [name]Cypress[/name]–

Ywen [name]Cassiel[/name], Ywen Seafrid, Ywen Somerled, Ywen Calidore

[name]Crispin[/name] Wythe, [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yves[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yule[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yorke[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yair[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Young[/name] (like monosyllabic names here)

[name]Basil[/name] Calidore, [name]Basil[/name] Emeric, [name]Basil[/name] [name]Rodolfo[/name], [name]Basil[/name] Talfryn, [name]Basil[/name] Cathiel

[name]Cyril[/name] Makepeace
[name]Casimir[/name] [name]Yves[/name]
[name]Cassiel[/name] [name]Yves[/name]
[name]Cheyne[/name] [name]Yosemite[/name]
[name]Laurence[/name] Ranulf Wythe
[name]Cian[/name] [name]Tamarack[/name]
[name]Arvid[/name] Makepeace, [name]Arvid[/name] Talfryn
[name]Cormac[/name] [name]Marsh[/name]
Cathiel Yvain
[name]Cadwallader[/name] [name]Yann[/name]
[name]Cedric[/name] [name]Ysidor[/name]
Cyneric [name]Yves[/name]

18

[name]Reading[/name] your name lists makes me happy! Good progress.

[name]Cy[/name] [name]Linden[/name]
[name]Clement[/name] Yaromir is lovely, my suggestion is [name]Clement[/name] [name]Ishmael[/name].
[name]Caspar[/name] Ywen
[name]Crispin[/name] Wythe or [name]Crispin[/name] Seafrid
[name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Marsh[/name] is nice, also [name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Tamarack[/name] & [name]Sylvan[/name] Wythe (huge fan of Wythe!)
[name]Cyro[/name] Wythe, [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Marsh[/name] & [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Julius[/name]
[name]Cypress[/name] [name]Marsh[/name] - sounds like a marsh full of cypresses?
Ywen [name]Marsh[/name]
[name]Basil[/name] [name]Raoul[/name] is badass. [name]Basil[/name] [name]Cheyne[/name], [name]Basil[/name] [name]Isidore[/name].
[name]Felix[/name] Makepeace
[name]Otis[/name] [name]Clement[/name]

[name]Arvid[/name] [name]Cassian[/name], [name]Arvid[/name] Makepeace, [name]Arvid[/name] [name]Clement[/name]
[name]Cassian[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Cassian[/name] Seafrid, [name]Cassian[/name] Wythe
[name]Isidore[/name] Wythe, [name]Isidore[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Isidore[/name] Yvain

19

Thanks so much you two nimble namers! I’ve been just dying to respond to all your fabulous suggestions but haven’t had time - torture! Here are the ones I like…

[name]BLADE[/name]:

[name]Cy[/name] [name]Linden[/name], [name]Cy[/name] Somerled (Languid and beautiful. I like Somerset too, but it’s too hissy with [name]Cy[/name]. Somerled is better.)

[name]Clement[/name] [name]Yule[/name] (lovely for a Xmas baby, and a nice way to incorporate [name]Yu[/name]) [name]Clement[/name] Wythe (has such a peaceful feeling) …on the fence about [name]Yorke[/name]. I like the sound with [name]Clement[/name], and the meaning, but I think [name]Richard[/name] II. Maybe my husband and I will feel differently connected to some of these beautiful English names after we travel there next month.

[name]Caspar[/name] Ywen. YES.

[name]Sylvan[/name] Cynewulf (this one’s over the top but so cool I just couldn’t erase it!) *[name]Sylvan[/name] [name]Ysidro[/name], [name]Sylvan[/name] Wythe

[name]Cypress[/name] is out. [name]Cyro[/name] is teetering on the brink.

Ywen Seafrid, Ywen Somerled

[name]Crispin[/name] Wythe, [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yves[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yule[/name], [name]Crispin[/name] [name]Yorke[/name] - all lovely

[name]Basil[/name] Calidore, [name]Basil[/name] Emeric (I like Emeric for a son of [name]Em[/name]) …I want to like Talfryn- love the look of it, and I AM Welshish, but it feels a little out-of-nowhere to me.

[name]Cyril[/name] Makepeace- I was starting to give up on [name]Cyril[/name], but Makepeace strengthens it. Something about the association of [name]Cyril[/name] to the evolution of the alphabet, with Makepeace - I feel like a person with this name might be an excellent diplomat!

[name]Casimir[/name] [name]Yves[/name]- This one’s perfect if I have an intersex child. Ze would be the best-named transbaby this side of the Mississippi!

[name]Cheyne[/name] [name]Yosemite[/name]- Oh I love this. Only we don’t have a special connection to [name]Yosemite[/name], though we’ve been talking about going there. If we fall in love with the place, I might be tempted to use this one.

[name]Laurence[/name] Ranulf Wythe- So beautiful. Maybe a little too formal, esp the two middles. But I love it.

[name]Cian[/name] [name]Tamarack[/name]- [name]Tamarack[/name] is wicked.
[name]Arvid[/name] Makepeace- Cute cute cute.
Nixing [name]Cormac[/name].
Cathiel Yvain - yes.
[name]Cadwallader[/name] [name]Yann[/name] (This is crazypants but I can’t erase it because you have created a thing of weird beauty!)
[name]Cedric[/name] [name]Ysidor[/name]- oh handsomeness!
Cyneric [name]Yves[/name]- I keep wanting to pronounce it cinnarick, like “incinerate” or "cinnamon stick.” Not sure about “Kinerick” …I think [name]Heinrich[/name]… hm.

[name]OTTILIE[/name]:

[name]Cy[/name] [name]Linden[/name]- Husband is mixed on [name]Linden[/name], but I love it. I’ll never forget the first time I heard “Der Lindenbaum.”

[name]Clement[/name] Yaromir - love it but husband does not :frowning:
[name]Clement[/name] [name]Ishmael[/name] - beautiful, thank you! Such a lovely meaning. I think I mistake [name]Ishmael[/name] for a name with lots of bite because I associate it with [name]Moby[/name] [name]Dick[/name]. But actually it’s very soft and full of quiet soulfulness. I see there’s an [name]Ysmael[/name] spelling too! So that’s going on the list.

[name]Caspar[/name] Ywen- a definite favorite

[name]Crispin[/name] Wythe - another favorite

[name]Cyro[/name] [name]Marsh[/name]

Ywen [name]Marsh[/name]- one of husband’s favorites

[name]Basil[/name] [name]Raoul[/name] IS badass! [name]Basil[/name] [name]Isidore[/name] is pure sweetness.

[name]Felix[/name] Makepeace

[name]Otis[/name] [name]Clement[/name] - It’s like [name]Otis[/name] [name]Redding[/name] plus [name]Samuel[/name] [name]Clemens[/name]! Really American and folksy yet dignified.

[name]Arvid[/name] [name]Cassian[/name], [name]Arvid[/name] Makepeace, [name]Arvid[/name] [name]Clement[/name]- love them all!

[name]Cassian[/name] [name]Marsh[/name], [name]Cassian[/name] Seafrid (I probably won’t end up using Seafrid, because there are too many others I love. But isn’t it nice? Makes me think of frigid seas.) [name]Cassian[/name] Wythe- [name]Love[/name] this!

[name]Isidore[/name] Yvain - [name]Romance[/name] squared. I do fear this boy would be born wearing velvet pantaloons and a plumed hat.

I also like:
[name]Caspar[/name] [name]Ysmael[/name] *(or [name]Ishmael[/name])
[name]Cy[/name] Ywen- [name]One[/name] of husband’s favorites. I like it a lot, but it’s very minimal!
[name]Cassiel[/name] Ywen
And [name]Quincy[/name]. Let’s not forget poor old [name]Quincy[/name].

What do you think are the best [name]Marsh[/name] options? I like Ywen [name]Marsh[/name] and [name]Cassian[/name] [name]Marsh[/name]. Is there a [name]Cy[/name] name that won’t be just flattened by [name]Marsh[/name]? [name]Cyro[/name] [name]Marsh[/name] is ok…

20

Woah that was a long post. Sorry guys!