Dilemma: now egretting using nickname names for first two children

General Name Discussion
1

[name]Hi[/name] all. I’ve been lurking on these boards for a couple of months now, but have only just created an account.

Here’s my dilemma. I have two boys named [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name]–that’s it. It started with [name]Charlie[/name]. We thought about giving him the “full” name [name]Charles[/name] but didn’t like it. We figured we’d just call him [name]Charlie[/name] anyhow, and [name]Charlie[/name] works well as a stand-alone name, so we went with just [name]Charlie[/name]. Then we had our second boy. Again, we loved [name]Sam[/name], but didn’t like [name]Samuel[/name] so much. So he was just [name]Sam[/name]. Now, I’m about 32 weeks with my third (not sure of the gender), and I’m regretting that we didn’t use more formal names for the first two because I find them tricky to match.

I feel boxed in with [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name], especially when it comes to boys names. There isn’t really a third male nickname-name that I love, and everything else that I like feels mismatched to me. I tend to like old-fashioned names.

Husband doesn’t have much input AT ALL, and I’m feeling pretty stuck on this.

My only real ideas so far have been:

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Alex[/name] (but I don’t love [name]Alex[/name])
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Nathaniel[/name] (but [name]Nathaniel[/name] feels too formal with the first two)
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Daniel[/name] (again, formality issue)

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Isla[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Iris[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Elisabeth[/name] nn [name]Ellie[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Lila[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Harriet[/name] nn [name]Hattie[/name]

Ideas? Suggestions? I’m really at a loss here, and I’d love some input!

2

Firstly, I think [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name] are fine and very handsome! I don’t think you should feel pressured to use another nickname name, especially if you don’t love them. And I don’t know where you are in the world, but I’d recommend looking at the popularity charts for [name]England[/name] and [name]Wales[/name] as there’s currently a trend for vintage nicknames :slight_smile:

[name]Daniel[/name] and [name]Isla[/name] are my favourites from your lists, but there’s also:

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Harry[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Liam[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Finn[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Jack[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Oscar[/name]

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Evie[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Lily[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Lucy[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Milly[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Poppy[/name]

:slight_smile:

3

I think i would consider short names without much nn potential.[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] and

[name]Adam[/name]
[name]Drew[/name]
[name]Dean[/name]
[name]Eric[/name]
[name]Eli[/name]
[name]Glenn[/name]
[name]Joel[/name]
[name]Kent[/name]
[name]Leo[/name]
[name]Mark[/name]
[name]Miles[/name]
[name]Paul[/name]
[name]Ray[/name]
[name]Roy[/name]
[name]Scott[/name]
[name]Zeke[/name]

[name]Anna[/name]
[name]Beth[/name]
[name]Eve[/name]
[name]Faith[/name]
[name]Grace[/name]
[name]Hope[/name]
[name]Ivy[/name]
[name]Jane[/name]
[name]Jean[/name]
[name]Kate[/name]
[name]Lily[/name]
[name]Lila[/name]
[name]Mary[/name]
[name]Nora[/name]
[name]Nina[/name]
[name]Opal[/name]
[name]Rose[/name]
[name]Sadie[/name]
[name]Tessa[/name]
[name]Willa[/name]

4

Personally, I’d avoid [name]Daniel[/name] with [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name] because to me, [name]Dan[/name] is too close to [name]Sam[/name].

I really like the suggestions of [name]Jack[/name], [name]Liam[/name], [name]Eve[/name], and [name]Willa[/name].

5

[name]Welcome[/name] to NB!

I can see the dilemma that you’re having. I don’t think that you’re necessarily boxed into using a nickname name for your next child, but I agree that a name like [name]Daniel[/name], which has an obvious nickname that people might expect you to choose rather than using it in full, might not be ideal.

For girls, I really like the previous suggestions of [name]Ivy[/name], [name]Jane[/name] and [name]Jean[/name].

Here are some other, varied ideas for you.

BOYS:
[name]Asher[/name]
[name]Henry[/name]
[name]Jude[/name]
[name]Kit[/name] (this can actually work for either gender, since it’s a nickname for both [name]Christopher[/name] and [name]Katherine[/name]!)
[name]Luke[/name]
[name]Owen[/name]

GIRLS:
[name]Alice[/name]
[name]Claire[/name]
[name]Edith[/name] ([name]Edie[/name])
[name]Fay[/name]
[name]Kit[/name]
[name]Thea[/name]

Good luck!! :slight_smile:

6

I think [name]Alex[/name] and [name]Daniel[/name] work fine with [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name]. [name]Nathaniel[/name] does seem a little long compared to the others but the style is basically the same. Would you consider [name]Nathan[/name] or [name]Nate[/name]?

Some suggestions:
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Hank[/name] ([name]Hank[/name] can be a nn for [name]Henry[/name] or stand on it’s own)
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Toby[/name] ([name]Love[/name] this! but i’m not really fond of the longer forms - [name]Tobias[/name], [name]Tobiah[/name] or [name]Tobin[/name].)
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Abe[/name] (or [name]Abram[/name])
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Leo[/name] (It can be short for [name]Leonardo[/name], [name]Leonard[/name], or [name]Leopold[/name] but it’s definitely used on it’s own.)
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Luke[/name] (A lot of people named [name]Lucas[/name], [name]Lucius[/name], [name]Lucian[/name] end up using [name]Luke[/name] anyway - I know a few.)
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Reed[/name] (Not a nn but short and sweet like the other two.)
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Liam[/name] (Some use it as a nn for [name]William[/name] but I’ve seen people use just [name]Liam[/name] as a FN.)

All of the girls names work very well with [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name]. My favorites are [name]Isla[/name], [name]Iris[/name], and [name]Harriet[/name] nn [name]Hattie[/name]. I think it’s fine to give a girl a longer FN.

7

[name]How[/name] about [name]Nate[/name]? [name]Nathaniel[/name] is too formal with a [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Charlie[/name], but [name]Nate[/name] is Great!

8

I like [name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Leo[/name]. They sound great together!
Or, how about [name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Theo[/name]?

For a girl, I like [name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Maggie[/name] or [name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] & [name]Kate[/name] :slight_smile:

9

I find it funny when parents try too hard to match sibling names. They are all individuals who will have their own lives.
I think [name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Nathaniel[/name] sound fine together. [name]Nathaniel[/name] is a great name.
from your girl names I like [name]Iris[/name] and [name]Elisabeth[/name]

10

I would say stick with short names. However, I don’t think opposite gender sibs need to match. [name]Elisabeth[/name] and any other longer, more formal girl name is fine.
For boys, I’d go with names like
[name]Jesse[/name]
[name]Reed[/name]/[name]Reid[/name]
[name]Cole[/name]
[name]Jake[/name]
[name]Jack[/name]
[name]Dane[/name]

11

Well, instead of [name]Nathaniel[/name] what about [name]Nathan[/name] or [name]Nate[/name]? Or instead of [name]Daniel[/name] what about [name]Dan[/name] or [name]Danny[/name]? What about… [name]Henry[/name], [name]Jack[/name], [name]Mick[/name], [name]Aaron[/name], [name]Noah[/name], [name]Eli[/name], [name]Louie[/name], [name]Alec[/name], [name]Silas[/name], [name]Wyatt[/name], or [name]Neil[/name]?

I really like [name]Iris[/name] and [name]Lila[/name] for a girl. [name]How[/name] do you feel about, [name]Alice[/name]? Or [name]Ann[/name]? [name]Claire[/name]? [name]Maggie[/name]? [name]Mae[/name]? [name]Wendy[/name]? [name]Rose[/name]? [name]Ruby[/name]? [name]Lilly[/name]? [name]Violet[/name]? [name]Louise[/name]? [name]Viola[/name]? [name]Finley[/name]? [name]Lucy[/name]?

Those are the first names that came to mind. Good luck!!

12

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name] and [name]Daniel[/name] fit perfectly imo. [name]Daniel[/name] really isn’t all that formal at all, imo at least.
What about [name]David[/name], [name]James[/name], [name]Jack[/name], [name]John[/name]?

13

I like [name]John[/name] with [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name]. If you really wanted a nn you could call him [name]Jay[/name] or [name]Jack[/name].

14

While not necessarily nicknames, some of these are short enough to fit. Sorry for any repeats.

[name]Walt[/name]
[name]Reeve[/name]
[name]Kyle[/name]
[name]Keith[/name]
[name]Brian[/name]
[name]Bryce[/name]
[name]Lewis[/name]
[name]Andy[/name]
[name]Paul[/name]
[name]Frank[/name]
[name]Will[/name]
[name]Liam[/name]
[name]Jake[/name]
[name]Joe[/name]
[name]Dean[/name]
[name]Dylan[/name]
[name]Sean[/name]
[name]Shane[/name]
[name]Seth[/name]
[name]Ryan[/name]
[name]Evan[/name]
[name]Vince[/name]
[name]Quinn[/name]
[name]Max[/name]
[name]Trey[/name]

[name]Celia[/name]
Ashka
[name]Reese[/name]
[name]Chris[/name]/[name]Kris[/name]
[name]Ellie[/name]
[name]Lori[/name]
[name]May[/name]
[name]Emmy[/name]
[name]Ella[/name]
[name]Cora[/name]
[name]Cara[/name]
[name]Carrie[/name]
[name]Sierra[/name]
[name]Sarah[/name]
[name]Penny[/name]
[name]Mary[/name]
[name]Hallie[/name]
[name]Haley[/name]
[name]Gretta[/name]
[name]Marta[/name]
[name]Lisa[/name]
[name]Vera[/name]
[name]Keira[/name]
[name]Eliza[/name]
[name]Lizzie[/name]
[name]Maddie[/name]
[name]Lilly[/name]
[name]Olive[/name]
[name]Beth[/name]
[name]Lena[/name]
[name]Ally[/name]
[name]Terri[/name]
[name]Tory[/name]
[name]Jade[/name]
[name]Julia[/name]
[name]Bea[/name]

15

I immediately thought of [name]Henry[/name]. I also like the suggestions of [name]Leo[/name] and [name]Jack[/name].

For girls, [name]Molly[/name], [name]Rose[/name], [name]Kate[/name], [name]Nell[/name], and [name]Tess[/name] all come to mind.

16

[name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name] are fine as they are, don’t worry about giving them [name]Charles[/name] or [name]Samuel[/name]. I do like [name]Samuel[/name] but I find [name]Charles[/name] too old man, like [name]Prince[/name] [name]Charles[/name].

For boys, you might like [name]Alex[/name], [name]Jack[/name], [name]Toby[/name], [name]Rory[/name], [name]Luke[/name], [name]Jake[/name], [name]Liam[/name], [name]Harry[/name] or [name]Adam[/name].
For girls, I don’t think it really matters if you use a longer name.

17

Hmm…
I’m assuming you in live in the USA? As in the UK where I am nickname-names are more commonly used than formal names. I know and have heard of loads of [name]Charlie[/name]'s and [name]Sam[/name]‘s but know only a couple of [name]Charles[/name]’ and [name]Samuel[/name]'s. I think you need to take a ‘British’ view on this and ditch the whole worry of feeling boxed in by your son’s names not being the formal choices. [name]Don[/name]'t dwell on this fact! It’s common you’re in [name]Britain[/name] and every other boy is called [name]Sam[/name] and [name]Charlie[/name] ; )

Your ideas…
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Alex[/name] - it works yet I think [name]Alex[/name] almost feels forced onto the sibling set. I’m more of [name]Alexander[/name] fan compared to just ‘[name]Alex[/name]’ as a stand alone name.

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Nathaniel[/name] - I think [name]Nathaniel[/name] is too long for [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name]. A gorgeous choice. [name]Just[/name] doesn’t work. [name]Nathan[/name] maybe?

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Daniel[/name] - It works yes [name]Daniel[/name] is the formal choice but I think because their all short, simple names; the sibling set works!

Suggestions:
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Archie[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Alfie[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Max[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Leo[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Harry[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Henry[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Ben[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Milo[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Jack[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Liam[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Jake[/name]

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Isla[/name] - I think [name]Isla[/name] feels to ‘modern, unique, exotic’ for [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name] which are rather simple choices.

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Iris[/name] - It works [name]Iris[/name] is a cute timely vintage name and works effortlessly with [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name]. Three brilliant vintage choices.

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Elisabeth[/name] - [name]Ellie[/name] works in this sibling set whereas [name]Elisabeth[/name] just feels far to formal.

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Lila[/name] - She works with [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name], [name]Lila[/name] has a lot of spunk and seems to mirror [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name] really fashionably. I think combinations is great.

[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Harriet[/name] - I think [name]Harriet[/name] despite her formality works effortlessly in this combination just because [name]Harriet[/name] has this really British upper-crust aura. She seems to go with [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name] because their also popular British baby names. The theme of [name]Britain[/name] runs through this sibling set perfectly. I think [name]Harriet[/name] works so well. I also love [name]Hattie[/name].

Suggestions:
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Millie[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Daisy[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Alice[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Beatrix[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Ella[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Anna[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Evie[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Molly[/name] (not a fan but this name may appeal to you and is super popular in the UK)
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Amelia[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Mia[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name], [name]Sam[/name], and [name]Effie[/name]

[name]Hope[/name] this helped x

19

I don’t think you have to stick with nn’s for either another boy or girl.
You could branch out a bit with short but full names.

[name]Rory[/name]
[name]Able[/name]
[name]Viola[/name]
[name]Elva[/name]
[name]Echo[/name]
[name]Esme[/name]
[name]Zoe[/name]
[name]John[/name]
[name]Ian[/name]
[name]Orrin[/name]
[name]Quinn[/name]
[name]Zane[/name]
[name]Lyle[/name]
[name]Flora[/name]

20

I think you actually have a lot to work with here! [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name] do sound great with [name]Alex[/name]. [name]Daniel[/name] isn’t bad, but not ideal for the sibset. [name]Nathaniel[/name] does sound too formal, but [name]Nathan[/name] might work.
other ideas to go with [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name]:
[name]Jack[/name], [name]Lee[/name], [name]Luke[/name], [name]Drew[/name], [name]Ty[/name], [name]Ben[/name], [name]John[/name], [name]Blake[/name], [name]Clarke[/name], [name]Cody[/name], [name]Jake[/name], [name]Gabe[/name], [name]Shawn[/name], [name]Troy[/name], [name]Zack[/name], [name]Gus[/name], [name]Teddy[/name], [name]Chase[/name], [name]Chance[/name], [name]Theo[/name]

As for the girls, the only one I’m not sure really “goes” is [name]Elizabeth[/name]. What about just [name]Beth[/name]?
other ideas:
[name]Anna[/name], [name]Claire[/name], [name]Leah[/name], [name]Grace[/name], [name]Marie[/name], [name]Mia[/name]

21

[name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name] are two of the few names I prefer to the ‘full’ names they’re traditionally derived from. The others are [name]Leo[/name], [name]Harry[/name], [name]Toby[/name] and [name]Milo[/name], all of which I think sound good with [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Sam[/name] as brothers. I know they’ve all been mentioned before, just thought I’d add my support.

[name]Anna[/name] is the girl’s name I think goes best with those two names :slight_smile: