This list is what happens when two English majors have a baby. I’m due at the end of [name]October[/name] (not finding out the sex) and our lists keep getting bigger not smaller. We’ve recently gone on a veto-ing rampage, and are still left with a huge list. I’m open to suggestions, of course, but I’m really looking for feedback and impressions. The preferred middle names are [name]James[/name] and [name]John[/name], possibly [name]Nicholas[/name], all names to honor the memory of my FIL. Our last name sounds like [name]Free[/name]-Toil (equal emphasis). [name]Fire[/name] away! I’ve got a thick skin.
[name]Ivo[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] (EYE-vo)
[name]Toussaint[/name] [name]James[/name] (pronounced like [name]Tucson[/name])
[name]Reed[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
Aubyn [name]James[/name] (family name)
[name]Cabot[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
[name]Barnaby[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Theodore[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Teddy[/name]”
[name]Atticus[/name] [name]John[/name]
[name]Bertram[/name] [name]John[/name]
[name]Tristram[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Zevon[/name] [name]James[/name] (rhymes with [name]Devon[/name])
[name]Finch[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
[name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name] “Ten” or “[name]Tenny[/name]”
[name]Thackeray[/name] [name]John[/name] (rhymes with [name]Zachary[/name])
[name]Jolyon[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] ([name]JOLE[/name]-ion)
[name]Ambrose[/name] [name]John[/name]
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name] (We might use [name]Pip[/name] as a nn even though it’s a bit too LOTRish…but it is actually from [name]Angela[/name] [name]Carter[/name]'s last novel, Wise Children, my dh’s favorite)
[name]Orlando[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Orly[/name]”
[name]Worthy[/name] [name]James[/name] (family name)
[name]Tarquin[/name] [name]James[/name]
Copeland [name]James[/name] (family name)
[name]Pryor[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Tavish[/name] [name]John[/name]
Fenwick [name]James[/name] “Fen” (family name)
[name]Hawthorne[/name]/[name]Hawthorn[/name] [name]James[/name] (I like it without the E, dh likes it with)
Macabee [name]James[/name] (family name)
[name]Banyan[/name] [name]James[/name]
Wyeth [name]James[/name]
[name]Sparrow[/name] [name]John[/name]
Rushdie [name]James[/name]
My favourites are [name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name], [name]Theodore[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name] ([name]Pip[/name] is an adorable nickname, you should totally go for it).
Not so much
[name]Bertram[/name]- love the idea of it but dislike nn possibility of [name]Bert[/name]
[name]Asa[/name]- high teasing potential
[name]Toussaint[/name]- it’s not bad I just feel like this kid will constantly have to be spell his name to ppl.
[name]Ivo[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] (EYE-vo) When I think of [name]Ivo[/name], I think of the villain from Sonic games, Dr [name]Ivo[/name] Eggman Robotnik. His peers might end up thinking the same.
[name]Toussaint[/name] [name]James[/name] (pronounced like [name]Tucson[/name]) I think it sounds nice, but with a spelling so different from the pronunciation, he may have a tough time.
[name]Reed[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] Solid name
Aubyn [name]James[/name] (family name) I really like this one
[name]Cabot[/name] [name]James[/name] I think of cheese when I think of [name]Cabot[/name]
[name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] I can’t get away of thinking of names ending in “a” as being girl names
[name]Barnaby[/name] [name]James[/name] [name]Barnaby[/name] seems a bit intimidating to me for some reason
[name]Theodore[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Teddy[/name]” A bit mundane compared to your other choices
[name]Atticus[/name] [name]John[/name] A pleasant combination
[name]Bertram[/name] [name]John[/name] Not fond of the potential “[name]Bert[/name]” or “Tram” as nn
[name]Tristram[/name] [name]James[/name] [name]One[/name] of my favs
[name]Zevon[/name] [name]James[/name] (rhymes with [name]Devon[/name]) Interesting combination. Maybe too bold?
[name]Finch[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] Not sure about naming a boy after a delicate song bird
[name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name] “Ten” or “[name]Tenny[/name]” Cute
[name]Thackeray[/name] [name]John[/name] (rhymes with [name]Zachary[/name]) Interesting, not sure what sort of nn are going to come up. Might be hard for him to have one at all
[name]Jolyon[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] ([name]JOLE[/name]-ion) I like this one a lot
[name]Ambrose[/name] [name]John[/name] Feeling neutral on this one
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name] (We might use [name]Pip[/name] as a nn even though it’s a bit too LOTRish…but it is actually from [name]Angela[/name] [name]Carter[/name]'s last novel, Wise Children, my dh’s favorite) Sounds fanciful, but with a cute nn; I like it
[name]Orlando[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Orly[/name]” This comes off more LOTRish to me, as I think of [name]Orlando[/name] Bloom
[name]Worthy[/name] [name]James[/name] (family name) Personally not fond of adjectives as first names
[name]Tarquin[/name] [name]James[/name] Neutral
Copeland [name]James[/name] (family name) A little meh, but I understand honoring family
[name]Pryor[/name] [name]James[/name] Not too keen
[name]Tavish[/name] [name]John[/name] Kind of a fun name
Fenwick [name]James[/name] “Fen” (family name) I think it sounds rather dashing
[name]Hawthorne[/name]/[name]Hawthorn[/name] [name]James[/name] (I like it without the E, dh likes it with) I like it, and with the e
Macabee [name]James[/name] (family name)Makes me think of macabre
[name]Banyan[/name] [name]James[/name] Makes me think of bunion
Wyeth [name]James[/name] Interesting
[name]Sparrow[/name] [name]John[/name] Not fond of little birds as boy names
Rushdie [name]James[/name] In a rush to die? It doesn’t sit well with me
[name]Hope[/name] that helps you narrow it a bit, and hope I didn’t come off too tersely!
Here are the names I like. I have bolded my favorites.
[name]Ivo[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] (EYE-vo)
[name]Reed[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] [name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
[name]Theodore[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Teddy[/name]” [name]Atticus[/name] [name]John[/name]
[name]Zevon[/name] [name]James[/name] (rhymes with [name]Devon[/name])
[name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name] “Ten” or “[name]Tenny[/name]” [name]Thackeray[/name] [name]John[/name] (rhymes with [name]Zachary[/name]) [name]Ambrose[/name] [name]John[/name]
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name] (We might use [name]Pip[/name] as a nn even though it’s a bit too LOTRish…but it is actually from [name]Angela[/name] [name]Carter[/name]'s last novel, Wise Children, my dh’s favorite)
[name]Orlando[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Orly[/name]” [name]Tarquin[/name] [name]James[/name]
Copeland [name]James[/name] (family name) [name]Tavish[/name] [name]John[/name]
Fenwick [name]James[/name] “Fen” (family name) [name]Hawthorne[/name]/[name]Hawthorn[/name] [name]James[/name] (I like it without the E, dh likes it with)
[name]Banyan[/name] [name]James[/name]
I think [name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name], [name]Thackeray[/name] [name]John[/name], and [name]Tavish[/name] [name]John[/name] are my favorites!
I think the problem I have with most of these names is that they sound better with [name]John[/name] or [name]James[/name] in the first name spot. Here are my favorites as is:
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name] or [name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name] (it’s a tie)
Honorable mention: [name]Bertram[/name] [name]John[/name] (I love [name]Bertram[/name] NN [name]Bram[/name], but am not convinced a future son would thank me for giving him that name!)
What an awesome list! English major here too, I can’t imagine having to deal with two of me!
[name]Ivo[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] (EYE-vo) — like
[name]Toussaint[/name] [name]James[/name] (pronounced like [name]Tucson[/name]) — I think he’s going to have pronunciation problems. It will probably be a headache. Scratch off list or change to [name]Tucson[/name] (which is still cool)
[name]Reed[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] — not as exciting as most of the other names but it’s solid
Aubyn [name]James[/name] (family name) — family names are always my weakness. Keep.
[name]Cabot[/name] [name]James[/name] — Not totally sold on this.
[name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] — like
[name]Barnaby[/name] [name]James[/name] — personally not a fan of [name]Barnaby[/name]
[name]Theodore[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Teddy[/name]” — cute
[name]Atticus[/name] [name]John[/name] — [name]Atticus[/name] is cool, but I feel like it’s kind of trendy these days.
[name]Bertram[/name] [name]John[/name] — like it…
[name]Tristram[/name] [name]James[/name] — Hard to say.
[name]Zevon[/name] [name]James[/name] (rhymes with [name]Devon[/name]) ---- Awesome.
[name]Finch[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] — I prefer [name]Nicholas[/name] [name]Finch[/name]. Not sold on [name]Finch[/name] as a first name.
[name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name] “Ten” or “[name]Tenny[/name]” ---- Awesome.
[name]Thackeray[/name] [name]John[/name] (rhymes with [name]Zachary[/name]) — In theory this name is awesome, but I always feel like I have a lisp when I say it and it makes me giggle.
[name]Jolyon[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] ([name]JOLE[/name]-ion) ---- Whoa. Never heard that. [name]How[/name] cool.
[name]Ambrose[/name] [name]John[/name] — For some reason, [name]Ambrose[/name] has always rung feminine to me.
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name] (We might use [name]Pip[/name] as a nn even though it’s a bit too LOTRish…but it is actually from [name]Angela[/name] [name]Carter[/name]'s last novel, Wise Children, my dh’s favorite) — Like it.
[name]Orlando[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Orly[/name]” — Cool.
[name]Worthy[/name] [name]James[/name] (family name) — Again, family names.
[name]Tarquin[/name] [name]James[/name] ---- [name]Love[/name] [name]Tarquin[/name].
Copeland [name]James[/name] (family name) — not a huge fan of Copeland.
[name]Pryor[/name] [name]James[/name] — I think because I’ve heard it so much as a last name and never as a first, I’m having a hard time falling in love with this.
[name]Tavish[/name] [name]John[/name] — Along with [name]Tarquin[/name], this is also on my list. So cool. And “[name]Tav[/name]” or “Tavvy” is so cute!
Fenwick [name]James[/name] “Fen” (family name) — love it.
[name]Hawthorne[/name]/[name]Hawthorn[/name] [name]James[/name] (I like it without the E, dh likes it with) — It’s okay. If you’re going to use it, I prefer the E.
Macabee [name]James[/name] (family name) —[name]Mack[/name] is a cute nickname but it’s my least favorite of your family names.
[name]Banyan[/name] [name]James[/name] — this is cool.
Wyeth [name]James[/name] — like it.
[name]Sparrow[/name] [name]John[/name] — kinda trendy, not really a fan
Rushdie [name]James[/name] ---- to closely associated to [name]Salman[/name] Rushdie in my opinion, even though he’s a worthy namesake.
Favorites:
[name]Tavish[/name] [name]John[/name]
[name]Tarquin[/name] [name]James[/name] — btw, how cute would these two be as twins?!
[name]Jolyon[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
[name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name] — love the nn “Ten”
[name]Zevon[/name] [name]James[/name] — “[name]Zev[/name]” super cool
[name]Ivo[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
Regardless, your son is going to be handsomely attired with a bad@ss name.
[name]Ivo[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] - I like it, but you’d forever be getting strange pronunciations…
[name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
[name]Barnaby[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Theodore[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Atticus[/name] [name]John[/name]
[name]Finch[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
[name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Thackeray[/name] [name]John[/name] - [name]Thackeray[/name] is one of my ultimate guilty pleasures.
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Hawthorne[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Ivo[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] (EYE-vo) - that’s not how [name]Ivo[/name] is pronounced. Correct would be EEvo. [name]Don[/name]'t like either.
[name]Toussaint[/name] [name]James[/name] (pronounced like [name]Tucson[/name]) - it’s OK
[name]Reed[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] - bit boring
Aubyn [name]James[/name] (family name) - love this
[name]Cabot[/name] [name]James[/name] - think of [name]Meg[/name] [name]Cabot[/name], teenage girl writer
[name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] - dislike [name]Asa[/name]
[name]Barnaby[/name] [name]James[/name] - it’s lovely
[name]Theodore[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Teddy[/name]” - nothing against it
[name]Atticus[/name] [name]John[/name] - it’s OK
[name]Bertram[/name] [name]John[/name] - old gentleman’s name and too Catholic
[name]Tristram[/name] [name]James[/name] - I think correct spelling is [name]Tristan[/name]
[name]Zevon[/name] [name]James[/name] (rhymes with [name]Devon[/name]) - it’s OK
[name]Finch[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] - love this
[name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name] “Ten” or “[name]Tenny[/name]” - dislike
[name]Thackeray[/name] [name]John[/name] (rhymes with [name]Zachary[/name]) - lovely
[name]Jolyon[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] ([name]JOLE[/name]-ion) - like this
[name]Ambrose[/name] [name]John[/name] - it’s nice
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name] (We might use [name]Pip[/name] as a nn even though it’s a bit too LOTRish…but it is actually from [name]Angela[/name] [name]Carter[/name]'s last novel, Wise Children, my dh’s favorite) - love [name]Peregrine[/name]
[name]Orlando[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Orly[/name]” - like this
[name]Worthy[/name] [name]James[/name] (family name) - dislike
[name]Tarquin[/name] [name]James[/name] - dislike
Copeland [name]James[/name] (family name) - it’s OK
[name]Pryor[/name] [name]James[/name] - dislike
[name]Tavish[/name] [name]John[/name] - dislike
Fenwick [name]James[/name] “Fen” (family name) - like this one
[name]Hawthorne[/name]/[name]Hawthorn[/name] [name]James[/name] (I like it without the E, dh likes it with) - lovely, either way
Macabee [name]James[/name] (family name) - dislike
[name]Banyan[/name] [name]James[/name] - dislike
Wyeth [name]James[/name] - dislike
[name]Sparrow[/name] [name]John[/name] - it’s cute, not for adult
Rushdie [name]James[/name] - no
Congratulations.
These names make my heart beat a little faster:
[name]Tarquin[/name] [name]James[/name] (I met a real life [name]Tarquin[/name], he was in his 40s, and a bit of a silver fox, made me love the name more!)
[name]Ambrose[/name] [name]John[/name]
Aubyn [name]James[/name] (Prefur Auben, or [name]Alben[/name] but they are all strong, handsome names, and family connections always deserve extra points)
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name] - [name]Pip[/name] is so cute!
[name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Reed[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
Wyeth [name]James[/name]
These, not so much:
[name]Thackeray[/name]
[name]Worthy[/name]
Cobot
[name]Jolyon[/name]
[name]Banyan[/name]
I’m an English graduate too and I love love [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Peregrine[/name]. Here in the UK the usual nn is ‘[name]Pen[/name]’ which I think is a nice graduation into adulthood from [name]Pip[/name] too. Aubyn [name]James[/name] is definitely a close second for me. And [name]Bertram[/name] would be on my list too as I love the nn [name]Bertie[/name] which is, again, the usual over here. X
My god, I love your naming style. My favourites from your list are:
[name]Ivo[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] (I like it better with [name]James[/name])
[name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] (Again, like it better with [name]James[/name])
[name]Theodore[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Teddy[/name]”
[name]Atticus[/name] [name]John[/name]
[name]Zevon[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Finch[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name]
Wyeth [name]James[/name]
[name]Sparrow[/name] [name]John[/name] (I like this better with [name]James[/name] too).
[name]Ivo[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] (EYE-vo)
[name]Reed[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
[name]Theodore[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Teddy[/name]”
[name]Atticus[/name] [name]John[/name] (or [name]James[/name])
Copeland [name]James[/name] (family name)
[name]Tavish[/name] [name]John[/name]—or [name]James[/name]
Fenwick [name]James[/name] “Fen” (family name)------[name]LOVE[/name] This one
[name]Hawthorne[/name]/[name]Hawthorn[/name] [name]James[/name] (I like it without the E, dh likes it with)----I like the E
Names I like and would not use…Guilty Pleasure Names?
[name]Toussaint[/name] [name]James[/name] (pronounced like [name]Tucson[/name])
[name]Cabot[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Barnaby[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Bertram[/name] [name]John[/name]
[name]Tristram[/name] [name]James[/name] (I always think of the snack cracker Trisket
[name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name] “Ten” or “[name]Tenny[/name]”
[name]Tarquin[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Thackeray[/name] [name]John[/name] (rhymes with [name]Zachary[/name])
[name]Banyan[/name] [name]James[/name]----I love this—maybe too new to my ears, have not heard it before as a name
Names I do not care for
Aubyn [name]James[/name] (family name)
[name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] (never liked [name]Asa[/name])
[name]Zevon[/name] [name]James[/name] (rhymes with [name]Devon[/name])
[name]Finch[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]—[name]Little[/name] birdy
[name]Jolyon[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] ([name]JOLE[/name]-ion)
[name]Orlando[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Orly[/name]”
[name]Worthy[/name] [name]James[/name] (family name)
[name]Ambrose[/name] [name]John[/name]
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name] (We might use [name]Pip[/name] as a nn even though it’s a bit too LOTRish…but it is actually from [name]Angela[/name] [name]Carter[/name]'s last novel, Wise Children, my dh’s favorite)—I like [name]Pip[/name]…[name]Just[/name] not the birdy
[name]Pryor[/name] [name]James[/name]—From a long time ago…[name]Richard[/name] [name]Pryor[/name] going up in flames
Macabee [name]James[/name] (family name)-----See Macabre
Wyeth [name]James[/name]
[name]Sparrow[/name] [name]John[/name]----[name]Little[/name] Birdy…would use for a girl
Rushdie [name]James[/name]—like [name]Salmon[/name]?
Rushdie [name]James[/name] (like [name]Rush[/name] to die? Not a pleasant name)
[name]Jolyon[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] (I think it would be mispronounce joe-lion)
[name]Worthy[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Ivo[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] - doesnt flow very well, maybe [name]Ivo[/name] [name]James[/name]
[name]Toussaint[/name] [name]James[/name] (pronounced like [name]Tucson[/name]) - IF ITS PRONOUNCED LIKE [name]TUCSON[/name] SPELL IT THAT [name]WAY[/name]! save your child a lifetime of grief and having to stop and spell or correct people
[name]Reed[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] - doesnt flow Aubyn [name]James[/name] (family name) - not bad
[name]Cabot[/name] [name]James[/name] - doesnt flow
[name]Asa[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] - doesnt flow
[name]Barnaby[/name] [name]James[/name] - fuddy duddy name that is NOT ready for a comeback
[name]Theodore[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Teddy[/name]” - classic, done.
[name]Atticus[/name] [name]John[/name] - like [name]James[/name] here better
[name]Bertram[/name] [name]John[/name] - [name]Bert[/name] is a horrible and boring nickname
[name]Tristram[/name] [name]James[/name] - DONT PUT A KID THROUGH A LIFETIME OF ‘HUH? DID YOU [name]SAY[/name] [name]TRISTAN[/name]?’ [name]Tristan[/name] gives the same effect and vibe without causing problems
[name]Zevon[/name] [name]James[/name] (rhymes with [name]Devon[/name]) - trying to hard to be different, you know like you are trying to spice up [name]Devon[/name]
[name]Finch[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]
[name]Tennyson[/name] [name]James[/name] “Ten” or “[name]Tenny[/name]” - recently used in Hollywood, plus [name]Tenny[/name] is a shoe [name]Thackeray[/name] [name]John[/name] (rhymes with [name]Zachary[/name])
[name]Jolyon[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] ([name]JOLE[/name]-ion) - spelling and pronounciation horrors
[name]Ambrose[/name] [name]John[/name] - no flow
[name]Peregrine[/name] [name]James[/name] - i think of the falcon. if i were a kid again id rather you name me [name]Pippin[/name] than this fuddy duddy mouthful
[name]Orlando[/name] [name]James[/name] “[name]Orly[/name]” - seems to be becoming popular. why not Warlow?
[name]Worthy[/name] [name]James[/name] (family name) - not bad, usually dont like names that seem to force wealth, self esteem, or achievements on a kid
[name]Tarquin[/name] [name]James[/name] - okay, reminds me of [name]Star[/name] Wars Copeland [name]James[/name] (family name) - not bad
[name]Pryor[/name] [name]James[/name] - cant see it being used on a child, just a man
[name]Tavish[/name] [name]John[/name] - not real life realistic
Fenwick [name]James[/name] “Fen” (family name) - not bad for a olden name
[name]Hawthorne[/name]/[name]Hawthorn[/name] [name]James[/name] (I like it without the E, dh likes it with) - in this case, people will be expecting the ‘e’ due to [name]Nathaniel[/name], keep it if you use it but think its too heavy a last name for a kid or adults first name
Macabee [name]James[/name] (family name) - too much of a name especially for a kid [name]Banyan[/name] [name]James[/name] - not bad, sounds like something i cant remember
Wyeth [name]James[/name] - spelling and pronounciation horrors
[name]Sparrow[/name] [name]John[/name] - trendy, feminine
Rushdie [name]James[/name] - what is this? and thats what everyone else will think too.
