Come Play in My Sandbox!

Boy Names
1

I seem to finally be hitting my stride with my girls’ list, but now my poor, neglected boys’ list is woefully bare in comparison. I could really use some fresh inspiration. And so I invite you, my dear Berries, to come play in the magical, chaotic sandbox that is my longlist!

The names I’m considering come in two categories. The first are actual “name” names; I’m drawn to literary, historical, mythological, and magical names (bonus points if there are ties to paganism or geekery). Most of my first names fall into this category, but that’s not a rule - it has just happened that way. The second category are word and nature names. I tend to prioritize names that are nature words, but names that are not word names and just have a nature meaning (like [name_m]Caspian[/name_m], for example) go in the first category.

Unfortunately, I’m one of those snobby folks that avoids popularity - the more common a name is, the less I like it, unless it’s one of those [name_u]True[/name_u] Loves that just defies all reason (like [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] or [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]).

Combos that are set:
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] [name_m]Forest[/name_m]
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Taliesin[/name_u]
[name_u]Oberon[/name_u] Fen
[name_m]Emrys[/name_m] [name_m]Valerian[/name_m]

Names I’m considering in category one (bold are my favorites):
[name_m]Abraxas[/name_m], [name_m]Alaric[/name_m], [name_m]Alban[/name_m], [name_m]Albion[/name_m], [name_m]Aldric[/name_m], [name_m]Alistair[/name_m] / [name_m]Alasdair[/name_m] / Aleister (no idea which spelling is best here), [name_m]Altair[/name_m], [name_m]Amadeus[/name_m], [name_m]Amphion[/name_m], [name_m]Andreas[/name_m], [name_m]Ansel[/name_m], [name_m]Antony[/name_m], [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m], [name_m]Arthur[/name_m], [name_u]Asa[/name_u], [name_m]Asahel[/name_m], [name_m]Asher[/name_m], Atreyu, [name_m]Augustine[/name_m], [name_m]Aurelian[/name_m] / [name_m]Aurelius[/name_m], [name_m]Azriel[/name_m]
[name_m]Balthasar[/name_m] / [name_m]Balthazar[/name_m], [name_m]Bardric[/name_m], [name_m]Bayard[/name_m], [name_m]Benedict[/name_m], Bensiabel, [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m], [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m], [name_m]Bram[/name_m], [name_m]Breccan[/name_m]
[name_m]Cadmus[/name_m], [name_m]Cael[/name_m], [name_m]Caius[/name_m], Calcifer, [name_m]Caledon[/name_m], [name_m]Caliban[/name_m], [name_m]Callum[/name_m], [name_m]Canaan[/name_m], [name_m]Caradoc[/name_m], [name_m]Conall[/name_m], [name_u]Constantine[/name_u], [name_m]Conrad[/name_m], [name_m]Cormac[/name_m], [name_m]Corentin[/name_m], [name_m]Cyrus[/name_m]
[name_u]Darcy[/name_u], [name_m]Declan[/name_m], [name_m]Demetrius[/name_m], [name_u]Destry[/name_u], [name_m]Devereaux[/name_m], [name_m]Dionysius[/name_m], [name_u]Dorian[/name_u]
[name_m]Edmund[/name_m], Emeric, [name_f]Endellion[/name_f], Elrond, [name_m]Endymion[/name_m], [name_m]Enoch[/name_m], [name_m]Esmond[/name_m], [name_m]Evander[/name_m], Evren
[name_u]Fallon[/name_u], Faramir, [name_m]Faron[/name_m], [name_m]Faulkner[/name_m], [name_m]Fiero[/name_m], [name_m]Finbar[/name_m], [name_m]Finian[/name_m], Forsythe
[name_m]Galileo[/name_m], [name_m]Gareth[/name_m], [name_m]Gavin[/name_m], [name_m]Gawain[/name_m], [name_m]Gideon[/name_m], [name_f]Gracen[/name_f], Gwydion, [name_u]Gwyn[/name_u]
[name_m]Herne[/name_m], Hyperion
[name_m]Imre[/name_m], Iorek, [name_m]Ishmael[/name_m]
[name_u]Kiernan[/name_u], [name_u]Koren[/name_u]
[name_m]Leander[/name_m], [name_m]Leopold[/name_m], [name_m]Llewellyn[/name_m], [name_m]Lorcan[/name_m], Lorengel, Lorien, [name_m]Lucan[/name_m], [name_m]Lucian[/name_m], [name_m]Lucifer[/name_m], [name_m]Lysander[/name_m]
[name_m]Magnus[/name_m], [name_m]Malachi[/name_m], [name_m]Melchior[/name_m], [name_u]Meredith[/name_u], Meriadoc, Meriwether, [name_m]Morandi[/name_m], [name_u]Morgan[/name_u], [name_m]Morpheus[/name_m]
[name_m]Namir[/name_m], [name_m]Naphtali[/name_m], [name_m]Naveen[/name_m], [name_u]Neptune[/name_u], [name_m]Nicasio[/name_m], [name_m]Nicolai[/name_m], [name_u]Noel[/name_u], [name_f]Noor[/name_f], [name_m]Novak[/name_m], [name_m]Numair[/name_m]
[name_m]Oisin[/name_m], [name_m]Omri[/name_m], [name_m]Oren[/name_m], [name_u]Orion[/name_u], [name_m]Orpheus[/name_m], [name_m]Osric[/name_m], Othniel, [name_m]Owain[/name_m]
Pellinor, [name_m]Phelan[/name_m], Polaris, [name_m]Prospero[/name_m], [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m]
[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m], [name_m]Ragnar[/name_m], [name_m]Rainier[/name_m], Ramiel, [name_m]Rasmus[/name_m], Remiel, [name_u]Rigel[/name_u], [name_m]Riordan[/name_m], [name_m]Roland[/name_m], [name_m]Ronan[/name_m], [name_f]Rumi[/name_f]
Sammael, [name_m]Saladin[/name_m], [name_u]Sascha[/name_u], [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u], [name_m]Scorpio[/name_m], [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], [name_m]Serafin[/name_m], [name_u]Seren[/name_u], [name_m]Severin[/name_m], [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m], [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u], [name_m]Silvan[/name_m] / [name_m]Silvanus[/name_m] / [name_m]Sylvan[/name_m] / [name_m]Sylvanus[/name_m], [name_u]Sinclair[/name_u], Skandar, [name_m]Sol[/name_m] / [name_m]Solomon[/name_m], [name_m]Soren[/name_m], [name_m]Stellan[/name_m], [name_m]Sylvester[/name_m]
[name_u]Tarian[/name_u], [name_m]Thaniel[/name_m], [name_m]Thayer[/name_m], [name_m]Thatcher[/name_m], [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], [name_m]Theron[/name_m], [name_m]Thoreau[/name_m], [name_m]Thorin[/name_m], [name_m]Tiberius[/name_m], [name_u]Tiernan[/name_u], [name_m]Tobias[/name_m], Torben, [name_m]Torsten[/name_m], [name_m]Torvald[/name_m], [name_u]Tristan[/name_u], [name_m]Tycho[/name_m], [name_m]Tyr[/name_m], [name_m]Tyraine[/name_m]
[name_m]Ulrich[/name_m], Umbriel
[name_m]Valdemar[/name_m], Varys, [name_u]Verne[/name_u], [name_m]Vidar[/name_m]
[name_m]Wilder[/name_m]
[name_m]Zimri[/name_m], [name_m]Zoran[/name_m]

Names I’m considering in category two (again, bold are favorites):
Albatross, [name_f]Alchemy[/name_f], [name_f]Arbor[/name_f], Arcana, [name_m]Arrow[/name_m], [name_u]Ash[/name_u], [name_m]Atlas[/name_m], Athame, [name_u]August[/name_u], [name_f]Azure[/name_f]
Baelfire, Ballad, [name_m]Balsam[/name_m], [name_m]Beacon[/name_m], [name_m]Birch[/name_m], Bracken, [name_f]Briar[/name_f]
Carnelian, [name_u]Cedar[/name_u], [name_m]Celadon[/name_m], [name_u]Cerulean[/name_u], [name_u]Ceylon[/name_u], [name_f]Cinnabar[/name_f], [name_u]Cloud[/name_u], [name_u]Clove[/name_u], [name_f]Clover[/name_f], [name_u]Cobalt[/name_u], [name_m]Colt[/name_m], Coriander, Cormorant, [name_m]Cove[/name_m], [name_m]Crow[/name_m]
Dandelion, [name_u]Dove[/name_u], [name_m]Dresden[/name_m], Dusk
[name_u]Echo[/name_u], [name_u]Eden[/name_u], [name_u]Ever[/name_u], Evermore
[name_u]Fable[/name_u], [name_u]Falcon[/name_u], [name_m]Fate[/name_m], [name_f]Fern[/name_f], [name_m]Field[/name_m], [name_u]Finch[/name_u], [name_m]Fox[/name_m], [name_u]Frost[/name_u]
[name_f]Garnet[/name_f], [name_u]Grey[/name_u], [name_m]Griffin[/name_m]
Hallow, Harvest, [name_m]Havelock[/name_m], [name_m]Hawk[/name_m], [name_m]Hawthorn[/name_m] / [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m], [name_m]Heron[/name_m]
[name_u]Indigo[/name_u]
[name_f]Jade[/name_f]
[name_f]Karma[/name_f], Kestrel, [name_f]Kismet[/name_f], Koi
Larimar, [name_f]Lark[/name_f], Larkspur, [name_f]Lilac[/name_f], [name_u]Linden[/name_u], Lodestar, [name_f]Lore[/name_f], [name_u]Lyric[/name_u]
Malachite, [name_f]Mandala[/name_f], Meridian, [name_f]Moon[/name_f], Morrow, [name_m]Moss[/name_m], Myriad, Myth
[name_f]Nebula[/name_f], Nettle, [name_m]Night[/name_m], Nightingale, [name_u]North[/name_u]
[name_u]Oak[/name_u], Obsidian, Oleander, [name_f]Oriole[/name_f], Oryx, Osprey
[name_m]Paladin[/name_m], [name_u]Peace[/name_u], [name_u]Penrose[/name_u], [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m], [name_m]Phelan[/name_m], [name_m]Pine[/name_m], [name_f]Poem[/name_f], [name_u]Poet[/name_u]
[name_m]Quartz[/name_m], [name_m]Quest[/name_m]
[name_u]River[/name_u], [name_m]Ronin[/name_m], [name_u]Rue[/name_u], [name_m]Rune[/name_m], Rook
[name_f]Sable[/name_f], [name_f]Saga[/name_f], [name_u]Sage[/name_u], [name_u]Sequoia[/name_u], [name_u]Shade[/name_u], [name_m]Shale[/name_m], [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], [name_u]Silver[/name_u], Smoke, Solace, [name_f]Solstice[/name_f], [name_f]Sonnet[/name_f], [name_u]Sorrel[/name_u], [name_f]Sparrow[/name_f], [name_m]Stark[/name_m], [name_f]Starling[/name_f], [name_u]Sterling[/name_u], [name_u]Storm[/name_u], [name_u]Story[/name_u], Swift
[name_f]Tamarind[/name_f], Tao, [name_f]Tarragon[/name_f], [name_u]Teal[/name_u], [name_f]Tempest[/name_f], [name_m]Thane[/name_m], [name_m]Thorn[/name_m], [name_u]Timber[/name_u]
[name_u]West[/name_u], [name_u]Winter[/name_u], Wintergreen, [name_m]Wolf[/name_m]
[name_u]Valentine[/name_u]
[name_u]Yarrow[/name_u], [name_u]Yule[/name_u]
[name_u]Zen[/name_u], [name_u]Zephyr[/name_u]

[name_m]Feel[/name_m] free to play with this however you like! Combos can be in whatever order, as long as they have one name of each type. You don’t have to stick to the lists, either! [name_m]Feel[/name_m] free to suggest any names that you feel would fit into either of these categories. If you want to stick to the lists and just come up with some fun combos, feel free! If you don’t feel up to making combos, but you want to offer feedback or suggest new names for either/both list, go right ahead! If you want to wax eloquent about your favorites, describe imagery / colors / feelings certain names invoke, or imagine what a little [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] or [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] would look like, enjoy, or do - have at it! Most importantly - have fun!

I will eagerly read anything and everything you offer, and I usually provide lots of feedback on my posts, so don’t be shy about offering suggestions!

I can’t wait to see what you have to say!

:sparkles:

2

I’ll tell you my favorites and least favorites!

Favorites- [name_u]Asa[/name_u], [name_m]Ansel[/name_m], [name_m]Llewellyn[/name_m] (as a middle), [name_m]Omri[/name_m], [name_m]Oren[/name_m]/[name_m]Orin[/name_m], [name_u]Sascha[/name_u], [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u], [name_f]Arbor[/name_f], [name_f]Clover[/name_f], [name_u]Eden[/name_u], [name_u]Fable[/name_u], [name_f]Garnet[/name_f] (I know one!), [name_f]Kismet[/name_f], [name_f]Lilac[/name_f], [name_f]Poem[/name_f], [name_u]Poet[/name_u], [name_f]Sonnet[/name_f], [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]

Least favorites- [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m], Atreyu, [name_m]Balthasar[/name_m], Elrond, [name_m]Faulkner[/name_m], [name_u]Darcy[/name_u], [name_m]Esmond[/name_m], Pellinor, [name_m]Morpheus[/name_m], [name_m]Tiberius[/name_m], [name_m]Ulrich[/name_m], [name_m]Dresden[/name_m], [name_m]Fate[/name_m], [name_u]Timber[/name_u], Smoke, [name_m]Hawk[/name_m], [name_m]Havelock[/name_m]

I’d suggest: [name_u]Blue[/name_u], [name_u]Sunny[/name_u], [name_u]Ori[/name_u], [name_u]Nev[/name_u], [name_u]Lionel[/name_u], [name_m]Nels[/name_m], [name_m]Avidan[/name_m], [name_m]Lem[/name_m], [name_m]Albie[/name_m], [name_m]Sayer[/name_m], [name_m]Fritz[/name_m], [name_u]Marsh[/name_u], [name_u]Jem[/name_u], [name_u]Onyx[/name_u]

3

@babies123456 - If you feel up to it, I’d be interested in the reasons behind your vetoes, but no pressure!

I’m loving [name_m]Fritz[/name_m], [name_u]Marsh[/name_u], and [name_u]Jem[/name_u] from your suggestions. I like [name_u]Blue[/name_u] for a girl, a la [name_u]Blue[/name_u] [name_m]Sargent[/name_m] from the [name_u]Raven[/name_u] Cycle series.

Thank you so much for your feedback and ideas!

4

Most the the ones I dislike are simply because [name_f]IMO[/name_f] it’s hard to see a child with them. For example Smoke, [name_m]Balthasar[/name_m] and [name_m]Tiberius[/name_m] seem very “rough”? Perhaps too strong to use on a child. Pellinor reminds me too much of [name_f]Elinor[/name_f]. Again just [name_f]IMO[/name_f]. And I really like [name_u]Blue[/name_u] on a girl too!

5

Some combos for you! I’ve gone for ones that I find poetic, mystical and slightly magical- a little earthy and adventurous, a little literary

[name_u]Tristan[/name_u] Nightingale
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m] [name_m]Oisin[/name_m]
[name_m]Stellan[/name_m] [name_m]Caradoc[/name_m]
[name_m]Sol[/name_m] Obsidian
[name_u]Indigo[/name_u] [name_m]Sylvester[/name_m]
[name_m]Lorcan[/name_m] [name_m]Balthazar[/name_m]
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m] [name_m]Altair[/name_m]
[name_m]Atlas[/name_m] [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m]
[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m] [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]
[name_m]Evander[/name_m] [name_f]Poem[/name_f]
[name_m]Magnus[/name_m] Carnelian
[name_u]Darcy[/name_u] [name_m]Wilder[/name_m]
[name_m]Cyrus[/name_m] [name_m]Lorcan[/name_m]
[name_u]Asa[/name_u] Malachite
[name_m]Cormac[/name_m] Polaris
[name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] [name_m]Orpheus[/name_m]
[name_m]Omri[/name_m] [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m]
[name_m]Finian[/name_m] [name_u]Silver[/name_u]

This was good fun - I like your name style!!

6

[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] [name_m]Forest[/name_m] is definitely my favourite of your combos, closely follows by [name_m]Emrys[/name_m] [name_m]Graham[/name_m]! I think our styles are actually really similar so I’m going to have a lot of fun with these names!

The ones I like most from your first list are;
[name_m]Arthur[/name_m], [name_u]Asa[/name_u], [name_m]Asher[/name_m], [name_m]Azriel[/name_m], [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m], [name_m]Bram[/name_m], [name_m]Cadmus[/name_m], [name_m]Callum[/name_m], [name_m]Declan[/name_m], [name_u]Dorian[/name_u], [name_m]Edmund[/name_m], Evren, [name_m]Finian[/name_m], [name_m]Gavin[/name_m], [name_m]Gideon[/name_m], [name_m]Imre[/name_m], [name_u]Kiernan[/name_u], [name_u]Koren[/name_u], Lorien, [name_u]Luca[/name_u], [name_m]Lysander[/name_m], [name_m]Magnus[/name_m], [name_u]Morgan[/name_u], [name_m]Nicolai[/name_m], [name_u]Orion[/name_u], [name_m]Osric[/name_m], [name_m]Prospero[/name_m], [name_m]Rasmus[/name_m], [name_m]Roland[/name_m], [name_u]Sascha[/name_u], [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u], [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], [name_m]Severin[/name_m], [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m], [name_m]Silvan[/name_m], [name_m]Soren[/name_m], [name_m]Stellan[/name_m], [name_u]Tarian[/name_u], [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], [name_m]Thorin[/name_m], [name_u]Tristan[/name_u], [name_m]Ulrich[/name_m], Varys, [name_m]Zoran[/name_m]

And from category two;
[name_m]Arrow[/name_m], [name_m]Atlas[/name_m], [name_u]August[/name_u], [name_f]Azure[/name_f], Baelfire, [name_m]Birch[/name_m], [name_f]Briar[/name_f], [name_u]Cloud[/name_u], [name_m]Cove[/name_m], [name_u]Dove[/name_u], Dusk, [name_u]Echo[/name_u], [name_u]Eden[/name_u], [name_u]Fable[/name_u], [name_f]Fern[/name_f], [name_m]Fox[/name_m], [name_m]Griffin[/name_m], Harvest, [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m], [name_u]Indigo[/name_u], [name_f]Lark[/name_f], [name_f]Lore[/name_f], [name_u]Lyric[/name_u], Meridian, [name_f]Moon[/name_f], Myth, [name_m]Night[/name_m], [name_u]North[/name_u], Oryx, [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m], [name_m]Pine[/name_m], [name_u]Poet[/name_u], [name_u]River[/name_u], [name_m]Ronin[/name_m], [name_m]Rune[/name_m], [name_f]Sable[/name_f], [name_u]Sage[/name_u], Solace, [name_f]Solstice[/name_f], [name_f]Sonnet[/name_f], [name_m]Stark[/name_m], [name_u]Storm[/name_u], [name_u]Story[/name_u], [name_u]Teal[/name_u], [name_f]Tempest[/name_f], [name_m]Thane[/name_m], [name_m]Thorn[/name_m], [name_u]Winter[/name_u], [name_m]Wolf[/name_m], [name_u]Zen[/name_u], [name_u]Zephyr[/name_u]

I noticed quite a few Shakespearean names on there so here are a few more suggestions based off some of my personal favourites -
[name_u]Corin[/name_u], [name_m]Fabian[/name_m], [name_u]Ariel[/name_u], [name_m]Julius[/name_m], [name_u]Puck[/name_u], Florizel, [name_m]Duncan[/name_m], [name_m]Cassius[/name_m], [name_u]Paris[/name_u], [name_m]Orlando[/name_m], [name_m]Titus[/name_m], [name_m]Lancelot[/name_m], [name_m]Leontes[/name_m], [name_m]Antony[/name_m]

Otherwise I would suggest -
[name_u]Dune[/name_u], [name_u]Embry[/name_u], [name_m]Jupiter[/name_m], [name_m]Boone[/name_m], [name_m]Barden[/name_m], [name_m]Link[/name_m], [name_m]Locke[/name_m], [name_u]Percy[/name_u], [name_m]Deon[/name_m], [name_m]Thor[/name_m], Solaris, [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u], [name_m]Gulliver[/name_m], [name_u]Hero[/name_u], [name_m]Duke[/name_m], [name_u]Neal[/name_u], [name_m]Roman[/name_m], [name_m]Zander[/name_m], [name_u]Lake[/name_u], [name_u]Ocean[/name_u], [name_u]Skylar[/name_u], [name_m]Finnick[/name_m], [name_u]Leaf[/name_u], [name_u]Rhys[/name_u], [name_u]Adair[/name_u], [name_f]Valen[/name_f], [name_u]Blaise[/name_u], [name_u]Denver[/name_u], [name_m]Aragon[/name_m], [name_m]Xenos[/name_m], [name_u]Onyx[/name_u]

Now for some combo fun time!!!
[name_u]Indigo[/name_u] [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u]
[name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] [name_u]Poet[/name_u]
[name_m]Roland[/name_m] [name_u]August[/name_u]
[name_m]Soren[/name_m] [name_f]Azure[/name_f]
[name_m]Prospero[/name_m] [name_u]Lake[/name_u]
[name_m]Thorin[/name_m] [name_u]Blaise[/name_u]
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m] Baelfire
[name_u]Luca[/name_u] [name_f]Solstice[/name_f]
[name_u]Orion[/name_u] [name_u]Puck[/name_u]
[name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_f]Moon[/name_f]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Wolf[/name_m]
[name_u]Dorian[/name_u] [name_f]Tempest[/name_f]
[name_m]Finian[/name_m] [name_f]Briar[/name_f]
[name_m]Julius[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u] [name_m]Locke[/name_m]
[name_u]Corin[/name_u] [name_m]Edmund[/name_m]
[name_m]Aragon[/name_m] [name_f]Lore[/name_f]
[name_u]Kiernan[/name_u] Solaris
[name_m]Cassius[/name_m] [name_u]Morgan[/name_u]
[name_m]Orlando[/name_m] [name_u]Sage[/name_u]
[name_m]Callum[/name_m] [name_u]Zephyr[/name_u]
[name_m]Zander[/name_m] [name_m]Night[/name_m]
[name_m]Fabian[/name_m] [name_m]Ulrich[/name_m]
[name_u]Koren[/name_u] [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m] [name_m]Fox[/name_m]
[name_f]Valen[/name_f] [name_u]Echo[/name_u]

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] you like some of my suggestions! <3

1 Like
7

I cannot believe just how much our long-lists cross over - it’s crazy brilliant! In case you’re curious, I went through and kept everything that’s on my own long list: [name_m]Alaric[/name_m], [name_m]Albion[/name_m], [name_m]Alasdair[/name_m], [name_m]Altair[/name_m], [name_m]Amadeus[/name_m], [name_m]Andreas[/name_m], [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m], [name_u]Asa[/name_u], Atreyu, [name_m]Aurelian[/name_m], [name_m]Azriel[/name_m], [name_m]Bram[/name_m], [name_m]Cadmus[/name_m], [name_m]Caius[/name_m], [name_m]Caradoc[/name_m], Emeric, [name_m]Endymion[/name_m], Evren, Faramir, [name_m]Finian[/name_m], [name_m]Galileo[/name_m], [name_m]Gideon[/name_m], Gwydion, [name_m]Ishmael[/name_m], [name_m]Llewellyn[/name_m], [name_m]Malachi[/name_m], [name_m]Melchior[/name_m], Meriwether, [name_u]Neptune[/name_u], [name_m]Nicolai[/name_m] (as [name_m]Nikolai[/name_m]), [name_u]Orion[/name_u], [name_m]Prospero[/name_m], [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m], [name_m]Ragnar[/name_m], [name_m]Ronan[/name_m], [name_m]Rainier[/name_m], [name_u]Sascha[/name_u], [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u], [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m], [name_u]Sinclair[/name_u], [name_m]Sol[/name_m], [name_m]Soren[/name_m], [name_m]Theron[/name_m], [name_f]Alchemy[/name_f], [name_m]Arrow[/name_m], [name_m]Atlas[/name_m], [name_u]August[/name_u], Baelfire (I have never seen this mentioned by anyone - I adore it!), [name_m]Balsam[/name_m], [name_u]Cedar[/name_u], [name_u]Cobalt[/name_u], [name_m]Cove[/name_m], Dandelion, [name_u]Fable[/name_u], [name_m]Field[/name_m], [name_m]Fox[/name_m], [name_m]Griffin[/name_m] (as [name_m]Gryphon[/name_m]), [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m], [name_f]Lark[/name_f], [name_f]Lore[/name_f], Meridian, Myth, [name_u]North[/name_u], [name_u]Oak[/name_u], Oleander, Oryx, [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m], [name_m]Quartz[/name_m], [name_u]River[/name_u], [name_u]Rue[/name_u], [name_m]Rune[/name_m], [name_f]Sable[/name_f], [name_u]Sage[/name_u], [name_f]Sparrow[/name_f], [name_m]Thorn[/name_m], [name_m]Wolf[/name_m] & [name_u]Yule[/name_u]. Also, of your favourites, [name_m]Caspian[/name_m], [name_m]Forest[/name_m], [name_u]Taliesin[/name_u], [name_u]Oberon[/name_u], Fen & [name_m]Emrys[/name_m]. I mean, I’ve never come across someone who’s style is apparently so similar to my own, so that’s pretty cool!

Some suggestions (these are further ones on my own long-list you might also enjoy): [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m], Amulet, Anthem, [name_m]Apollo[/name_m], [name_f]Atlantis[/name_f], Atom, [name_u]Banjo[/name_u], [name_m]Castor[/name_m], [name_u]Cato[/name_u], Cinder, [name_m]Cosmo[/name_m], [name_u]Domino[/name_u], [name_m]Emyr[/name_m], [name_m]Fintan[/name_m], [name_m]Icarus[/name_m], [name_m]Jupiter[/name_m], Mithras, Myrrh, Odyssey, [name_m]Osias[/name_m], [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u], [name_m]Poseidon[/name_m], Ravn, [name_u]Seneca[/name_u], [name_m]Seraphim[/name_m], Sindre, [name_u]Valo[/name_u] & [name_m]Zeus[/name_m].

[I lost track of time and have to go to work now, sorry, but I will return to offer up some combos later if I can]

Ok, so…
Asa Baelfire
Emeric Hawthorne
Ronan Quartz
August Faramir
Endymion Fox
Bram Atlas
Heron Shakespeare
Cove Melchior
Torsten Fable
Nicolai Balsam
Caius Peregrine
Shepherd Aurelian
Gwydion Field
Oryx Llewellyn
Ragnar Frost
Wolf Balthasar
Albion Oak
Wilder Sage
Valentine Caradoc

8

It’s 2.05 a.m. here, I just got up to feed my 1 y/o and decided to have a quick look at the boards only to find this long and ravishing list…Okay, here we go! :wink:

My absolute favorites are [name_m]Endymion[/name_m], [name_m]Atlas[/name_m] and Faramir. Okay, so these are my son’s first and middle names, but I just find them perfect. #totallynotbiased

Well, I don’t really have any reservations about your list since our styles are ridiculously similar, but if I had to eliminate some names, I’d nix these:
[name_u]Asa[/name_u] - not as exciting as the others plus possible teasing potential
Atreyu - will be mispronounced and misspelled
Bensiabel - I do love [name_f]Prunella[/name_f], but most name-nerds would assume it’s just another girls -bel name
[name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] - strikes me as trendy/pretentious rather than just unusual
Calcifer - makes me think of a weird calcium/[name_m]Lucifer[/name_m] mix
[name_m]Enoch[/name_m] - fine name but hubby ruined it for me by saying it reminds him of eunuchs
Meriwether - would be better in the middle name slot, methinks
[name_m]Naphtali[/name_m] - reminds me of naphthalene
[name_f]Rumi[/name_f] - prefer it on a girl
Varys - don’t find it attractive
[name_m]Ulrich[/name_m] - too [name_m]Lars[/name_m] [name_m]Ulrich[/name_m] to me, would only recommend it if you’re a hardcore Metallica fan
Arcana - see [name_f]Rumi[/name_f]
Rook - simply don’t like it
Swift - you have more interesting names on your list

Some suggestions:
[name_m]Ambrose[/name_m]
Iskandar
Faramond
Galador
Melchizedek
Bors
[name_u]Zephyr[/name_u]
Scamander
[name_m]Hamnet[/name_m]
[name_m]Tiberius[/name_m]
[name_m]Hector[/name_m]
[name_m]Ulysses[/name_m]
Dragan
Lorien
Mordred
[name_m]Ozias[/name_m]
[name_m]Sigurd[/name_m]
Dobrunya
Theoden

I might come back later to make some combos, I enjoyed playing in your sandbox a lot…10/10 would come again.

9

@babies123456 - Thank you for your input! I can definitely see what you mean about the similarities between Pellinor and [name_f]Elinor[/name_f], but I’m a fan of softer, more feminine names for boys, so I don’t mind that association. For names like [name_m]Balthasar[/name_m] and [name_m]Tiberius[/name_m], I usually choose a cute, wearable nickname ([name_m]Baz[/name_m], [name_m]Ty[/name_m]) or add a fanciful middle (my [name_m]Balthasar[/name_m] combo used to be [name_m]Balthasar[/name_m] [name_m]Wolf[/name_m] nn Wolfie). Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

@greyblue - I’m so glad you commented! I’ve always appreciated your naming style and your thoughtful insights on other posts. Oh my goodness, these combos!! I am swooning! [name_u]Tristan[/name_u] Nightingale is exquisite, romantic and sparkling with magic. [name_m]Stellan[/name_m] [name_m]Caradoc[/name_m] is so multi-layered! [name_m]Sol[/name_m] Obsidian is handsome and strong. [name_m]Lorcan[/name_m] [name_m]Balthazar[/name_m] is wicked cool! [name_m]Gideon[/name_m] [name_m]Altair[/name_m] is mystical and dashing. [name_m]Evander[/name_m] [name_f]Poem[/name_f] is so romantic and sensitive and full of life and feeling! [name_u]Asa[/name_u] Malachite is so unique and grounded and strong, with a dash of mysticism. [name_m]Omri[/name_m] [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m] is just precious!! It’s so hard for me to find [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m] combos that I love, even though it’s one of my favorite names. [name_m]Omri[/name_m] really adds a touch of whimsy that makes the name just flow! Last but not least, [name_m]Finian[/name_m] [name_u]Silver[/name_u] is so ethereal and elven and magical, like shimmering twilight. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am feeling so inspired!!

@celes - Oooh, thank you for the new suggestions! I’ve really needed an infusion of fresh, unusual names to help me sort out my boys. I’m loving [name_u]Corin[/name_u], [name_u]Ariel[/name_u], [name_m]Julius[/name_m], [name_m]Duncan[/name_m], [name_m]Titus[/name_m], [name_m]Lancelot[/name_m], [name_u]Dune[/name_u], [name_m]Boone[/name_m], [name_m]Link[/name_m], [name_m]Locke[/name_m], Solaris, [name_m]Finnick[/name_m], [name_u]Leaf[/name_u], [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] (!!!), and [name_m]Aragon[/name_m]! And these combos!!! [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] [name_u]Poet[/name_u] is one of the most romantic names I’ve ever heard, and I am swooning! [name_m]Roland[/name_m] [name_u]August[/name_u] is so handsome and strong. [name_m]Soren[/name_m] [name_f]Azure[/name_f] is serene and evocative - I love the pairing of [name_m]Soren[/name_m]'s stern grey with [name_f]Azure[/name_f]'s velvety blue. I’m surprised how much I like [name_m]Prospero[/name_m] [name_u]Lake[/name_u]! I’ve never been able to find combos that made me love either of those names, but together, they just work! [name_m]Gideon[/name_m] Baelfire is everything. I am in [name_u]LOVE[/name_u]!!! I’m really torn on [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Wolf[/name_m]. I find it precious and surprisingly cuddly, but I would want to use [name_u]Teddy[/name_u] as a nickname for [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] and Wolfie as a nickname for [name_m]Wolf[/name_m], so putting them in the same combo would make it so hard to choose, haha. [name_u]Dorian[/name_u] [name_f]Tempest[/name_f] is wickedly magical, full of stormy danger. [name_m]Aragon[/name_m] [name_f]Lore[/name_f] is mystical and intriguing, and it makes me want to learn more about [name_m]Aragon[/name_m]'s history and meaning. And last, but certainly not least, [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] [name_m]Fox[/name_m] is so silky and magical, like a name of a fairy-tale character! Thank you SO MUCH for these ideas! You have an excellent grasp of my style, and I’m so inspired by your suggestions!

@sunniva - WOW!!! Not since the [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] days have I met someone whose style overlapped so thoroughly with mine. Hello, name twin!! Isn’t Baelfire exquisite?? I first heard it on Once Upon A Time, and immediately had to research the name. Upon learning that it refers to the bonfires on Beltane, I was utterly sold! It’s one of the most perfectly pagan names on my list, and I am delighted to find someone else who appreciates it! Thank you so much for sharing the names on your list with me!! I am loving Amulet, [name_f]Atlantis[/name_f], Atom, Mithras (!!), Myrrh, Odyssey, [name_m]Poseidon[/name_m], [name_m]Seraphim[/name_m], and Sindre. I like [name_m]Castor[/name_m], but prefer [name_m]Caspian[/name_m]; [name_m]Cosmo[/name_m], but prefer [name_f]Cosima[/name_f]; [name_m]Emyr[/name_m], but prefer [name_m]Emrys[/name_m]; [name_m]Osias[/name_m], but prefer [name_m]Osiris[/name_m]. These combos are amazing!! [name_u]Asa[/name_u] Baelfire is so unique and magical. Emeric [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m] is strong and handsome. [name_m]Ronan[/name_m] [name_m]Quartz[/name_m] is sleek and edgy, but grounded. [name_u]August[/name_u] Faramir is so evocative, like an elven forest in autumn! [name_m]Endymion[/name_m] [name_m]Fox[/name_m] is romantic and dreamy, with a touch of wildness about it. [name_m]Cove[/name_m] [name_m]Melchior[/name_m] is utterly exquisite, so liquid and magical! [name_m]Torsten[/name_m] [name_u]Fable[/name_u] is grounded and strong but also dreamy, like a storybook. Gwydion [name_m]Field[/name_m] is so evocative, like rolling green countryside in [name_m]Wales[/name_m]. I love [name_m]Wolf[/name_m] [name_m]Balthasar[/name_m], though I think I’d like [name_m]Balthasar[/name_m] [name_m]Wolf[/name_m] even better! [name_m]Albion[/name_m] [name_u]Oak[/name_u] is pure magic, dripping with dreamy Arthurian magic - this might be my favorite one yet! I cannot thank you enough for sharing these gleaming treasures!

@thefairophelia - Needless to say, I am in love with your son’s names, individually, and in combination. I’m in awe of your ability to pack so much magic and wonder, mythology and adventure, not to mention literary cred, into one cohesive name. Hats off to you, darling! I also appreciate you taking the time to explain your vetoes - the perspective is helpful! I’m not ready to let go of Atreyu - the Neverending [name_u]Story[/name_u] character was so inspiring to me as a child. I go back and forth on [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m]. I love the meaning, the way it looks on paper, and the deep connection with Buddhist spirituality, but I don’t like the sound (too similar to Body / [name_u]Cody[/name_u] / [name_m]Brody[/name_m]) or the fact that it’s kind of trendy. I adore Calcifer from Howl’s Moving Castle, but I may save this name for a future pet, haha. Thanks for the feedback! Now for the fun part - suggestions! I’m loving Iskandar, Faramond, [name_m]Tiberius[/name_m], [name_m]Ulysses[/name_m], Dragan, and Lorien. Thank you so much for playing, and you are welcome back anytime! :slight_smile:

Oh my dear, sweet, wonderful Berries, this is exactly what I needed. Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts and ideas with me! It’s wonderful to feel so creative and inspired again!

10

Oh, my, your list makes me swoon! It’s incredible how much this list and my long list cross over. Some of these are more on my list for girls, but this collection has sparked so much creativity!

My favorites from category 1:

[name_m]Abraxas[/name_m], [name_m]Alistair[/name_m]/[name_m]Alasdair[/name_m], [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m], [name_u]Asa[/name_u], [name_m]Augustine[/name_m], [name_m]Aurelian[/name_m], [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m], [name_m]Caius[/name_m], [name_m]Devereaux[/name_m], [name_f]Endellion[/name_f], Evren, [name_m]Gideon[/name_m], [name_m]Leopold[/name_m], Lorien, [name_m]Lucian[/name_m], [name_m]Nicolai[/name_m], [name_m]Oisin[/name_m], [name_u]Orion[/name_u], Polaris, [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m], [name_m]Rafferty[/name_m], [name_m]Solomon[/name_m], [name_m]Sylvan[/name_m], [name_m]Thayer[/name_m], [name_u]Tiernan[/name_u], [name_m]Wilder[/name_m]

Favorites from category 2:

[name_m]Atlas[/name_m], [name_u]August[/name_u], [name_f]Azure[/name_f], Baelfire, [name_u]Cerulean[/name_u], [name_u]Cobalt[/name_u], [name_m]Cove[/name_m], [name_u]Frost[/name_u], [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m], Meridian, Obsidian, [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m], [name_u]Poet[/name_u], [name_u]River[/name_u], [name_f]Saga[/name_f], [name_u]Sage[/name_u], [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], [name_f]Solstice[/name_f], [name_u]Sterling[/name_u], [name_u]Timber[/name_u], [name_u]West[/name_u], [name_u]Zephyr[/name_u]

Now for combos!

[name_m]Alistair[/name_m] [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m]
[name_m]Solomon[/name_m] [name_u]Fable[/name_u]
[name_m]Archimedes[/name_m] [name_u]Sage[/name_u]
[name_m]Oisin[/name_m] Obsidian
[name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] [name_f]Saga[/name_f]
[name_m]Rasmus[/name_m] Meridian
[name_m]Thayer[/name_m] [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m]
[name_m]Sylvester[/name_m] Baelfire
[name_m]Abraxas[/name_m] [name_f]Lore[/name_f]
[name_m]Devereaux[/name_m] [name_u]Grey[/name_u]

11

I am “new” to the Namberry scene but since you gave such helpful feedback on my threads I just wanted to share some (amateur) thoughts. :slight_smile: However keep in mind I am in the process of looking for a name for a baby on the way, so through my particular lens I can’t help but consider what is “usable” - which may be totally different from your goals/perspective!

Out of your combos, [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] [name_m]Forest[/name_m] wins for me - far and away. The double-n endings on [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Taliesin[/name_u] and [name_u]Oberon[/name_u] Fen just don’t have the same kind of…cadence?..as [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] [name_m]Forest[/name_m], and I feel like [name_m]Emrys[/name_m] might cause pronunciation issues. ([name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_m]Valerian[/name_m] though!) [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] also seems a little more common than some of your other names, although I do like it and see it is a “[name_u]True[/name_u] [name_u]Love[/name_u]” for you, which I totally understand. :slight_smile: I like [name_m]Ronan[/name_m]'s meaning a bit more as I love marine life (means “seal”) but [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] just sounds perfect.

As you already know, I am a big fan of [name_u]Cedar[/name_u] as a kind of middle-of-the-road name which ticks a lot of boxes [name_m]IRL[/name_m]. To me, it is unusual enough to not be strongly associated with either gender (which I consider a plus), but common enough that [name_u]North[/name_u] American English speakers recognize it & how to pronounce/spell it. It’s not too unusual that it throws people for a huge loop, but it’s still a fresh nature/word name with positive connotations. Many companies/places are named [name_u]Cedar[/name_u] so people are already familiar with it as a “name” (although not commonly for people). It just seems to work. I am biased though. :slight_smile:

Some other names on your second list would work similarly [name_f]IMO[/name_f]: [name_m]Arrow[/name_m], [name_u]Ash[/name_u], [name_m]Beacon[/name_m], [name_m]Birch[/name_m], [name_u]Clove[/name_u] (although I prefer [name_f]Clover[/name_f] for a girl), [name_m]Cove[/name_m], etc.

Like you, I like a lot of things about [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m], but as a non-Buddhist I would be hesitant to use it due to appropriation concerns. (This is also why I decided not to use [name_u]Sequoyah[/name_u] for my son, even though I very much wanted to.) I also feel [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] is a little too trendy.

My Farsi-speaking friend named her daughter [name_f]Noor[/name_f]. She mentioned that the pronunciation is important to her - not exactly rhyming with “moor” but almost like “neur.”

I would love to meet an Obsidian [name_m]IRL[/name_m]!

I very much like [name_f]Solstice[/name_f] and considered it for my son but decided it would work better on a girl. Same goes for Coriander.

I had a [name_m]Griffin[/name_m] phase for a bit, but for some reason I am totally over it now! I think [name_u]Finn[/name_u] is a great name on its own, and I know many people love it and want to use it, but some hesitate as it sounds like a “nickname” to non-Irish ears and go for [name_m]Griffin[/name_m] as a way to get to the nickname [name_u]Finn[/name_u]. Now that I have met a few Griffins I still find it cute but for some reason have a hard time picturing it on an adult. I still like it way more than most typical names, but it just lost its initial appeal for me.

Well, those are some random thoughts. Thanks for sharing your beautiful naming taste with us!

12

Oh and P.S. overall I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] your names so much! I see soooo many of them as beautiful, usable…just love them and really enjoyed reading your list. I think you should be a professional name consultant :lol:

13

I love your style! I’m not going to do combos because honestly I’m terrible at them. I will give you feedback

I would nix:
[name_m]Lucifer[/name_m]- I like the sound of this and I typically don’t care about social norms. I just think even a lot of open parents may be weary about letting their kids play with a [name_m]Lucifer[/name_m]. Calcifer is amazing

Vlademar- I love this. I used it as a mn but unless you are honoring someone I don’t think I would use it as a fn due to Putin (even with the different spelling)

Oleander- I hesitate to nix it as it’s one of your favorites. I just see it turning into [name_u]Ollie[/name_u] which doesn’t seem to be “you”

I love:
[name_m]Way[/name_m] too many!! I am considering [name_m]Ferdinand[/name_m] nn [name_f]Fern[/name_f] so that sticks out

I am sad [name_m]Njord[/name_m] isnt on here but maybe he is your deity? Maybe [name_f]Fjord[/name_f] would be cool

Would add: opal, [name_m]Pluto[/name_m] [name_u]Mercury[/name_u], [name_m]Cosmo[/name_m],

14

Have you considered the name [name_u]Erie[/name_u]? It’s unisex and it’s the name of a lake (nature) so I guess it might interest you.

[name_f]Edit[/name_f]: I thought you said something about nature names lol. I feel like it would fit your baby name style though.

16

I came upon Baelfire the same way, and I even posted about it here [link] several years ago – unfortunately, it is not generally liked it seems. I still love it though.

I’m glad you liked many of my suggestions and combos.

17

Ooh, this was such fun to wake up to this morning!!

@emarias22 - I love so many of the names you chose as your favorites! And these combos are just exquisite! [name_m]Alistair[/name_m] [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m] might be the most pagan name I’ve ever heard, and I absolutely love it. [name_m]Solomon[/name_m] [name_u]Fable[/name_u]!!! This was on my list years and years ago, before I deconverted from Christianity, but seeing it brought back all the love I’ve always had for this name, and I may need to put it back on the shortlist. I like [name_m]Rasmus[/name_m] Meridian on paper, but when I say it aloud, my tongue trips over the double M’s. [name_m]Thayer[/name_m] [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m] is so beautiful, pale shades of blue and grey - it feels like the soft downy feathers under a falcon’s wing. [name_m]Abraxas[/name_m] [name_f]Lore[/name_f] is so fun and spunky with a bit of wickedly magical twinkle to it. And I love the gallant feeling of [name_m]Devereaux[/name_m] [name_u]Grey[/name_u]. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with me!

@lubru - It’s so good to hear from you! I’ve been enchanted with your naming journey, and we have similar taste, so your feedback is most welcome! I do love the “little seal” meaning of [name_m]Ronan[/name_m], and one of my favorite book characters is [name_m]Ronan[/name_m] [name_m]Lynch[/name_m] from [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] Stiefvater’s [name_u]Raven[/name_u] Cycle series (highly recommend it to anyone who loves fascinating characters and weird, magical happenings). I just can’t let go of [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] though. It has so much meaning to me spiritually. Rowans are sacred trees in many branches of paganism, dating all the way back to the ancient Druids. It is used in wands, staves, ship-building, divination tools such as rune sets or Ogham staves, and dowsing rods. Its bark is used for tanning, dye, and magical ink. The berries are edible and used to make jams and liquor; they represent the forces of creation - blood, life, death, rebirth. [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] trees are home to benevolent fairies and if one grows near your home, it is natural protection against evil spirits and negative energies. In Norse tradition (which is what I practice), our creation stories say the first woman was made from a [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] tree, which is why women are the ones who practice seidr, their particular type of magic. The trees are believed to restore lost youth, increase psychic abilities, ward off spirits, heal certain illnesses, and guard the gates to the Otherworld. [name_u]Taliesin[/name_u] is in part for the famous Welsh poet, and in part for the young man named [name_u]Taliesin[/name_u] Myrddin Namkai-Meche who was stabbed by a white supremacist on public transit in the town where I lived at the time. I rode that train on a daily basis. He was defending a teenage Muslim girl from harassment, and his last words were, “Tell everyone on this train that I love them.” The violence rocked our community, and I have never forgotten his act of love. Of all the names I have collected over the years, [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Taliesin[/name_u] might be the one with the most meaning to me.

But I digress! I do love [name_u]Cedar[/name_u], but I start to worry that I have too many C names, between [name_m]Caspian[/name_m], [name_f]Cypress[/name_f], [name_f]Cosima[/name_f], and my current crushes, [name_m]Cove[/name_m] and [name_f]Corisande[/name_f]. What do you think? I would use [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] in a heartbeat if I weren’t worried that people would think he was named for the television show - it’s okay, but quite flawed, and I wouldn’t name a child after it! I love [name_m]Beacon[/name_m] - it feels so warm and hopeful to me, like a lighthouse. I definitely go back and forth on [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m], and will probably never use it for a human, despite my spiritual connection to the name (one of my mentors is Buddhist; I worked with him for many years, and he taught me so much!). I didn’t realize [name_f]Noor[/name_f] was pronounced that way! Is it terrible that I like it a little less now? I definitely prefer Coriander on a boy (love the nn [name_m]Anders[/name_m]!), but [name_f]Solstice[/name_f] could go either way for me - I feel like it really needs an excellent “Name-name” to go with it to really make it sing. I definitely feel like [name_m]Griffin[/name_m] nn [name_u]Finn[/name_u] is one I should love, especially with the Gryffindor connection, but somehow it’s hard for me to feel it, know what I mean?

That is SUCH high praise! And quite the synchronicity… I’ve been thinking of starting a name blog of my own recently, especially after seeing the lovely “Ask Jonquils” thread! Thank you so much for your feedback and your kind words! <3

@lightasafeather Hello, my dear! I’m so glad you joined us! Thank you for explaining your veto votes - that kind of constructive criticism is really helpful to me. I agree that Lucifer is probably too much, considering that his grandparents and many of his aunts and uncles are conservative Christians. I love the sound of it, but you’re right, I can get a similar sound from Calcifer, and it would be far less problematic. I definitely don’t want any Vladimir Putin associations either! Oof, you’re right, I really don’t like Ollie as a nn for Oleander. I don’t like Lee either! Anders would be cute, but I don’t know. I’ll have to think about this one, or just use it in the middle. Ferdinand nn Fern is utterly precious!!! This one definitely jumped a few places in my favorites! You’re half right about Njord. He’s not on my list because Skadi is one of my primary deities, and she might not be very pleased if I named my son after her ex-husband, haha. Fjord is a lovely idea though! I don’t know why it’s not already on my list. Thank you for your feedback!!

@gothbeans - I do love nature names! My second list is composed entirely of word and nature names. I love the sound of Erie and that it’s homophones with “eerie,” which gives it a creepy-cool gothic vibe. Thanks for the suggestion!

@jonquils - squeeee! I’ve been hoping you would stop by! I didn’t want to dump this dilemma in your “Ask Jonquils” thread because it’s so involved, but I’m thrilled that you provided feedback anyway! Your name style is pure magic, and I love so many of the names you chose as your favorites! And oooh, these combos! Time to swoon! Winter Augustine is really beautiful and evocative. August / Augustine are always strongly associated with autumn colors in my mind (probably the shared au-), and it’s interesting to see that paired with the silvery white of Winter. Tiberius Fate is handsome, strong, and self-assured. I can see why you paired Atlas and Conrad, but I think I actually like them better apart - Atlas has a whimsical, nautical feeling to me, while Conrad is all brash German strength with a hint of New England prep school. Gwyn Baelfire is absolutely dripping with magic and lore! Rook Leopold is pure alchemy - Rook has such an aura of shadow and mystery about it that is tempered by Leopold’s gallant gentlemanly demeanor. I’m utterly smitten with Faramir Morrow on paper, but when said aloud, I worry that the repeated M’s and “are” sounds get tangled up. What do you think? Gideon Penrose is grave and thoughtful and poetic. Pellinor Wolf is gorgeous - I love the way softer, more feminine Pellinor gentles Wolf into something more cuddly and less ravenous. Fallon Shepherd is such a dreamy, peaceful combination. Endymion North - be still my heart!!! Endymion is all rolling green hills under starry skies, and it pairs perfectly with the silver-against-blue-velvet that is North. I love it!! Constantine Yarrow is interesting. I love the idea of Yarrow, but I can never seem to love it in a combo or on a hypothetical child. I also love the idea of Sage Alban, but I think I’d prefer Alban Sage - maybe Albion Sage? Ooh, food for thought. Eden Wilder is a beautiful mix of tranquility and wildness, but I think the combination becomes too modern for my taste. I’m loving the whimsy and cheek of Finch Alistair! Beowulf and Knight are both fantastic names! I’m not sure if I love them in a combo, but Beowulf could be a great middle / way to get to nn Wolfie. Thank you so, SO much for your input! All of the confetti!

@sunniva - Goodness, those are some heated reactions! I would definitely use it in the middle name slot after reading that. It’s not enough to make me turn down the name altogether, because I’m pagan AF, and all those heatheny associations make me just love it more! But out of deference to my future child, I’d give them something more wearable to go with it, so they can avoid teasing or “pass” among Christians if they so choose. Thanks for the feedback! You’re wonderful. :slight_smile:

Sending you all my love and gratitude for engaging with my name hoard! I’m considering many of your suggestions, and one has already made it all the way to the shortlist!

18

Wow This list is overwhelming and I totally understand why you need help.

First I’m gonna go over the name combos you have:
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] [name_m]Forest[/name_m]- I love this name. I think it would work best for an actual child bc it’s not too out there. It makes me think of a little prince :slight_smile:
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Taliesan- although I prefer [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] on a girl, I do think it fits well with your style. Not sure how to pronounce Taliesan but if it’s [name_u]Tal[/name_u]-ee-sin then I think the names kinda run into each other. Perhaps [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Constantine[/name_u] or [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Darcy[/name_u]?
[name_u]Oberon[/name_u] [name_u]Ren[/name_u]- this name makes me think of a character from a futuristic movie or book. I really like it.
[name_m]Emrys[/name_m] [name_m]Valerian[/name_m]- nothing to say for this one, I really like it.

Now onto your list (I’m gonna stick the bolded):
[name_m]Alaric[/name_m]- strong, masculine and I love how unique it is
[name_m]Alban[/name_m]- not a fan, not sure why but it sounds evil to me
[name_m]Albion[/name_m]- has a nice, fresh sound to it
[name_m]Alastair[/name_m]- I prefer this spelling. I really like this name. It has a unique twist but is well known
Atreyu- I kinda love this name. I like the u at the end. It’s very different but easy to pronounce
[name_m]Balthasar[/name_m]- I know this name from [name_m]Romeo[/name_m] and [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]. It’s ok, I’m kinda neutral on it
Calcifer- don’t like it. It’s too close to calcium. An alternative that’s nature themed- Conifer
[name_m]Caradoc[/name_m]- eh, it’s ok, not my fav. It has a weird sound
[name_u]Constantine[/name_u]- great, strong name. I really like it
[name_u]Darcy[/name_u]- I’ve seen it as a girl name but never a boy. I think itd work better as a middle though
[name_m]Declan[/name_m]- I’ve noticed this name is beginning to get popular. I don’t like it, but it’s a handsome name
[name_m]Edmund[/name_m]- I’m pretty neutral on this name. I’d never use it- it’s a little too old fashion for me
[name_m]Evander[/name_m]- I adore this name! It’s modern, unique and has the possibility to be [name_u]Evan[/name_u] so it’s a little more common for the kid.
[name_m]Endymion[/name_m]- I’m just gonna say it (sorry) but I dislike this name. It’s very odd it sounds forced and a little too made up
[name_m]Finbar[/name_m]- it’s a cute name and flows well
[name_m]Galileo[/name_m]- love this name although I’d never name a child this. I feel like it’s too much of that makes sense
Gwydion- not a fan. It’s too weird
[name_m]Herne[/name_m]- it’s ok. Sounds like a typo of [name_m]Herb[/name_m] so it’s not my favorite
Hyperion- don’t like this one either. It seems very made up
[name_m]Leander[/name_m]- a nice name. I like it better then Oleander. It seems softer. Definitely could work in today’s climate
[name_m]Leopold[/name_m]- classic but has the possibility to be modern Bc of the nn [name_m]Leo[/name_m]. I like it
[name_m]Llewellyn[/name_m]- interesting. Not sure how to pronounce it. It’s long and confusing so not a fan
[name_m]Lucian[/name_m]- I love this name. It has a smooth sound
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m]- [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] THIS NAME. it’s like a fresher version of [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]. Great possibilities for nicknames too
[name_m]Magnus[/name_m]- a little too close to a condom brand for me…
[name_m]Melchior[/name_m]- it sounds depressing like the word melancholy, but I like the sound of it
[name_u]Meredith[/name_u]- don’t like it for a boy
[name_m]Morpheus[/name_m]- don’t think this would be good for an actual baby. Seems like a monster/robot name
[name_m]Numair[/name_m]- sounds foreign. I like it
[name_u]Orion[/name_u]- a great, steady name for a boy. It’s has the perfect mix of unique yet common
Polaris- haven’t heard this one before but I like it I could definitely see this on a little boy
[name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m]- not a fan, it’s odd
[name_m]Ragnar[/name_m]- again not a name I would use for an actual baby but seems like a good one for a cat lol
[name_m]Rainier[/name_m]- I love this name (it’s actually my dogs name). It’s modern and naturey just a great name
Remiel- it’s is an adorable name! It’s a great alternative to [name_u]Remington[/name_u] if u want to use the nn [name_u]Remy[/name_u]
Sammael- better than [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] but don’t like the nn sam
[name_u]Shiloh[/name_u]- don’t like it too much, seems like a pet name and it’s too feminine for a boy for me
[name_m]Silvan[/name_m], etc- it’s ok, a nice strong name
[name_u]Sinclair[/name_u]- eh it’s ok not my favorite
[name_m]Solomon[/name_m]- a handsome, strong name. Common yet uncommon. It’s nice
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m]- doesn’t seem to fit your style but a nice name nonetheless. It’s a classic so of course it would work
[name_m]Tiberius[/name_m]- it seems like a name that would be hard to live up too
[name_m]Tristian[/name_m]- good, hardy name, [name_f]IMO[/name_f] it’s not a strong name tho
[name_m]Tycho[/name_m]- I really like this name! It’s unique and kinda reminds me of typhoon
[name_m]Tyr[/name_m]- don’t like it bc it’s pronounced like tire
[name_m]Wilder[/name_m]- I adore the name [name_m]Wilder[/name_m], it’s strong, unique, but noticeable. I like it better as a middle tho
[name_m]Atlas[/name_m]- this name is growing on me. I love the meaning and the strength it has to it
[name_u]August[/name_u]- not my favorite but it’s a nice name. It’s becoming popular though
Baelfire- interesting. [name_m]Don[/name_m]’t know if I’d name as actual child this but it’s a nice guilty pleasure
Bracken- fits right in with names like [name_u]Brayden[/name_u] and [name_m]Braxton[/name_m]. I like it
[name_f]Briar[/name_f]- I like this name but I don’t think it’d work well as a first
[name_m]Cove[/name_m]- love love love this name for a boy. Again I like it as a middle
Dandelion- eh it’s ok. I prefer other flower names like [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] and [name_f]Hyacinth[/name_f]
[name_u]Fable[/name_u]- like a fairy tale? I like it, it’s an interesting choice.
[name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m]- adore the name, I’ve actually been thinking about adding it to my signature. Can’t find a good nn for it tho
[name_m]Heron[/name_m]- don’t think it fits well as a boy name
Kestrel- very pretty bird and I love it as a name but maybe better for a girl
Morrow- don’t much like it, it seems like a sad name
Nettle- makes me think of kettle so not my fav
[name_m]Night[/name_m]- I prefer [name_f]Nyx[/name_f] but for a girl. It seems too heavy for a boy if that makes sense
[name_u]North[/name_u]- don’t like it because of [name_u]Kim[/name_u] Kardashian’s kid names [name_u]North[/name_u]
Oleander- love this name. It’s a nice, well rounded, uncommon name
[name_m]Peregrine[/name_m]- this name is growing on me. I think it’s usable and definitely a nice boy name
[name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]- adore this name. It’s strong and just a cool name
[name_u]Silver[/name_u]- it’s a cool name just seems like a pet name tho
[name_f]Solstice[/name_f]- I like this as a girl name
[name_f]Sparrow[/name_f]- like it as a girl name
[name_m]Stark[/name_m]- like iron man. Lol I like it it’s a good name
[name_m]Wolf[/name_m]- love this name. It’s coming back into style
[name_u]Valentine[/name_u]- don’t like it. Seems like an easy name to make fun of

[name_m]Leander[/name_m] [name_m]Cove[/name_m]
[name_m]Peregrine[/name_m] [name_m]Herne[/name_m]
[name_m]Rainier[/name_m] [name_m]Finbar[/name_m] ([name_m]Rainier[/name_m] is a nature name)
Bracken [name_u]Sinclair[/name_u]
[name_u]Orion[/name_u] [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m] [name_m]Wolf[/name_m]
[name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Evander[/name_m]
[name_m]Atlas[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]

19

@emmalou23 - oh my goodness! Thank you for such detailed feedback! I was so excited to dive into this today.

[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Taliesin[/name_u] is pronounced ROH-wen tal-YES-in. In my previous response, I rambled on about the name and what it means to me personally, so this is one combo that is staying the same. I appreciate your feedback though, truly!

Interesting that [name_m]Alban[/name_m] sounds evil to you. I wonder why? It’s on the list because the Druidic version of the Wheel of the Year, which is what the pagan sacred holidays are called, has different names for four of the holidays. Instead of [name_u]Yule[/name_u], the [name_u]Winter[/name_u] [name_f]Solstice[/name_f] is called [name_m]Alban[/name_m] Arthan; Ostara, the [name_f]Spring[/name_f] Equinox, becomes [name_m]Alban[/name_m] Eilir; [name_f]Litha[/name_f], the [name_f]Summer[/name_f] [name_f]Solstice[/name_f], becomes [name_m]Alban[/name_m] Hefin; and Mabon, the [name_f]Autumn[/name_f] Equinox, becomes [name_m]Alban[/name_m] Elfed.

I love the suggestion of Conifer!

[name_u]Darcy[/name_u] is for the Pride and Prejudice character.

[name_m]Endymion[/name_m] is from Greek mythology. He was a beautiful, gentle shepherd who was beloved by [name_f]Selene[/name_f], the goddess of the moon. She loved to watch him sleep, so [name_m]Zeus[/name_m] put him under an enchanted sleep and gave him eternal youth so that he could stay that way forever. Some scholars theorize this is the precursor to the myths of enchanted sleeping kings such as Glendower and [name_m]Arthur[/name_m].

I go back and forth on Gwydion. I love the story and mythology behind the name, but I don’t like that when said aloud, it sounds like a weird version of [name_m]Gideon[/name_m].

[name_m]Herne[/name_m] the [name_u]Hunter[/name_u] is an antlered spirit in English folklore who haunts [name_u]Windsor[/name_u] [name_m]Forest[/name_m]. He’s featured in [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] and associated with the gods [name_m]Pan[/name_m] and Cernunnos. Again, I love the story behind this name, but I’m not sure the sound is my favorite.

Hyperion is a lesser-known figure in Greek mythology, one of the twelve Titans, god of Watchfulness, [name_f]Wisdom[/name_f], and the [name_m]Light[/name_m] and father of the sun, moon, and dawn. I’m not usually keen on H names, but I loooove the sound of this one when said aloud!

[name_m]Llewellyn[/name_m] is one of those quintessentially Welsh names that can be hard for English speakers to pronounce. The first double-L is aspirated, so the Welsh pronunciation is something like HLOO-ell-in, but here in the US, people just say LOO-ell-in. It’s also the name of the largest pagan publishing company.

Yikes!! I hadn’t even thought of the Magnum / [name_m]Magnus[/name_m] similarity. I think that one’s getting stricken from the list.

[name_m]Morpheus[/name_m] is the Greek god of sleep and dreams whose name means “shaper,” and I love the fact that together this means “shaper of dreams.” He’s also an oracular, mentor-like character in The Matrix, one of my favorite movies of all time. I adore this name, but I recognize that it’s among my more unusual choices, so I would probably save it for the middle name slot.

Isn’t [name_m]Numair[/name_m] fantastic?? It’s an Arabic name meaning “panther,” and to me it feels so sleek and silken and subtly dangerous. I got the name from [name_f]Tamora[/name_f] [name_m]Pierce[/name_m]'s Tortall series.

[name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] is pronounced TALL-ah-mee. He was a famous Greek astronomer. This is another one I’d probably save for the middle name slot.

I loooove [name_m]Ragnar[/name_m]. [name_m]Ragnar[/name_m] Lothbrok was a legendary Viking king and the main character of the TV show Vikings for the first several seasons. I had [name_m]Ragnar[/name_m] [name_m]Wolf[/name_m] on my list for a long time, but it seems kind of harsh next to many of my other firsts, so I’m debating about what to do with it.

[name_m]Tyr[/name_m] is actually pronounced TEER, like the tears you cry. I’m glad you pointed out the potential pronunciation issue. I go back and forth about this name a lot, but ultimately I think I’m taking it off my list. [name_m]Tyr[/name_m] is the Norse god of justice, and as a Norse pagan, he is one of my primary deities. I have decided against naming any of my children after my gods. As someone who was indoctrinated into Christianity from birth, I want my kids to be free to choose their own religious path rather than being dedicated to a deity before they are old enough to understand and consent.

It’s interesting how sometimes negative feedback makes you change your mind about a name, and sometimes it makes you realize just how much you love it. Baelfire is that way for me. The more people critique the name, the more fiercely I defend it, which tells me that this one probably belongs on the shortlist. Definitely in the middle slot, though.

Ack, I did not think Bracken was similar to [name_u]Brayden[/name_u] or [name_m]Braxton[/name_m] at all, and I strongly dislike those associations! It’s a nature name for a type of fern, and it was a character in one of my favorite books growing up. I’m going to have to have a think over this one.

Ooh, [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m] would go perfectly with the other names in your signature! My favorite nicknames are [name_m]Thorn[/name_m] and [name_m]Hawk[/name_m], but you could also use [name_m]Hank[/name_m], [name_f]Hattie[/name_f], [name_m]Thor[/name_m], [name_m]Tor[/name_m], etc.

Nettle is one of my favorite herbs, but it’s hard to forage - it will sting the crap out of you if you’re not properly protected! I’ve been in love with this name ever since years ago someone suggested it as a nickname for [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m].

And now on to the combos! Squee!

[name_m]Leander[/name_m] [name_m]Cove[/name_m] is gorgeous - lyrical, dreamy, gentle, and magical. It makes me think of waves lapping at the shore of a secluded beach. [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m] [name_m]Herne[/name_m] is so handsome and full of magical references! I’m really taken by the repeating hard-C / K sounds in Bracken [name_u]Sinclair[/name_u]. It’s a very striking, unusual combo, but is it too preppy compared with my other names? [name_u]Orion[/name_u] [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] is gentle, starry, and ethereal, and gives me similar vibes as many of my [name_m]Endymion[/name_m] combos. [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] [name_m]Wolf[/name_m] has a powerful wilderness energy to it that I really love. [name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Evander[/name_m] is dashing and full of vivacity. And last, but certainly not least, [name_m]Atlas[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] is swoonworthy! I love the adventurous spirit of [name_m]Atlas[/name_m] paired with the shy, cuddly gentility of [name_m]Theodore[/name_m].

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to leave me all this feedback!

I think I’m going to evaluate the list and start a new thread with my updated long lists and combo possibilities. Responses are still welcome in the meantime!

20

Came back to make some combos as I’m having some ice cream - it makes me feel inspired! Sorry for any repeats.

[name_m]Amadeus[/name_m] [name_u]Frost[/name_u]
[name_m]Archimedes[/name_m] [name_m]Bram[/name_m]
[name_m]Severin[/name_m] [name_m]Atlas[/name_m]
[name_m]Peregrine[/name_m] [name_m]Tyr[/name_m]
[name_u]Morgan[/name_u] Nightingale
[name_m]Antony[/name_m] [name_m]Balthasar[/name_m]
[name_u]Sage[/name_u] [name_m]Melchior[/name_m]
[name_u]Noel[/name_u] Wintergreen
[name_m]Arthur[/name_m] Pellinore
[name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] [name_m]Celadon[/name_m]
[name_f]Kismet[/name_f] Bensiabel
[name_m]Omri[/name_m] [name_f]Tarragon[/name_f]

21

My fav suggestions would be
Skender [name_u]North[/name_u] (prefer this spelling)
[name_m]Declan[/name_m] [name_m]Fox[/name_m]
[name_m]Nicolai[/name_m] [name_u]Silver[/name_u]
[name_m]Melchior[/name_m] [name_m]Atlas[/name_m]
[name_m]Caius[/name_m] [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m]
Emeric [name_u]Falcon[/name_u]
Emre [name_u]Sequoia[/name_u] (prefer Emre to [name_m]Imre[/name_m])