[name_m]Hi[/name_m] all! Due with baby #2[name_f][/name_f] next month and feeling really stuck on a name!
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We like classic, timeless names that aren’t boring and also aren’t super trendy. The name must have one clear, obvious spelling and pronunciation. [name_f][/name_f] Bonus points if it isn’t biblical and if it easily translates to other cultures/languages (we’re American). We are most drawn to 2-syllable names.
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Our 1yo’s name is [name_f]Emma[/name_f]. If we had another girl, she’d probably be [name_f]Sophie[/name_f].
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Currently the front runners are [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], [name_m]Samuel[/name_m], [name_m]Bennett[/name_m]. I worry that [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] and [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] are a little dull and [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] is a little trendy.
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We have also discussed [name_m]Callum[/name_m] and [name_m]Julian[/name_m], but they don’t feel quite right. We like [name_m]Henry[/name_m] and [name_m]Lucas[/name_m], but they are sooooooo popular where we live.
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We have large families and the following names are already “taken”: [name_m]Caleb[/name_m], [name_m]Isaac[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_m]Theo[/name_m], [name_m]James[/name_m], [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m], [name_m]Miles[/name_m], [name_m]Silas[/name_m], [name_m]Noah[/name_m]. A lot of these would have been front runners and I’m having a hard time moving past them honestly.
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Any thoughts on our current list or other suggestions would be appreciated!
Your front runners are fine – they all work as siblings for [name_f]Emma[/name_f], and “dull” is a personal opinion. If you don’t think that [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] and [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] are bad/boring names, don’t worry about the possibility that someone somewhere else does.
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[name_m]Bennett[/name_m] is a little trendy, but it’s actually been on the top 1000 chart nearly every year since they started keeping it – so it does have some staying power. [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] is my personal favorite of your front runners.
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If you want more suggestions, what do you think of… [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Jasper[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Milo[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Leo[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Jonah[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Jonas[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Isaiah[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Oscar[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Jude[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]George[/name_m]
[name_f]Emma[/name_f] is very sweet! [name_f][/name_f] And all your options are great. [name_f][/name_f] I love the classic [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] and [name_m]Samuel[/name_m], and have been loving [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] lately and his lovely meaning (being a form of [name_m]Benedict[/name_m], which is an old name, I don’t find him that trendy at all, although the surnamey aspect of it does lend itself to that image, I would agree). [name_f][/name_f] [name_m]Callum[/name_m] and [name_m]Julian[/name_m] are also great, classic names. [name_f][/name_f] (Does [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], [name_m]Callan[/name_m], or [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] feel any better than Callum?)
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The names your families have already used are super lovely names (I particularly love [name_m]Caleb[/name_m], [name_m]Isaac[/name_m], [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m], and Noah!). [name_f][/name_f] How close is your family? [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]My[/name_f] family isn’t super large but there is a love of repeated names (especially when honoring a matriarch or patriarch)… [name_f][/name_f] I wouldn’t see an issue reusing those names especially given their familiarity and wide usage across English-speaking countries, but if it doesn’t feel usable to you, then we’re happy to suggest other options!
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What about these?
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[name_m]Lewis[/name_m] (or Louis) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Reuben[/name_m] (another [name_m]Ben[/name_m] option but more unexpected than [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] and less trendy-feeling than Bennett?) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Jonah[/name_m] or [name_m]Jonas[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Wesley[/name_m] or [name_m]Wells[/name_m] (or even Walker) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Edmund[/name_m] (I know a family with an [name_m]Edmund[/name_m] and an Emma; I always thought they were really sweet together) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Flynn[/name_m] or [name_m]Finley[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]George[/name_m] (classic like [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], [name_m]Samuel[/name_m], [name_m]Julian[/name_m], but could use the nn [name_m]Geo[/name_m] which feels a bit like Theo?) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Dominic[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Xavier[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Lorcan[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Declan[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Desmond[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Max[/name_m] (or [name_m]Maxwell[/name_m], Maximilian?) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Adler[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Graham[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Grant[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Soren[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Rowan[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Rory[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Owen[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Elliot[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Ezra[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Everett[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Quinn[/name_f] or [name_m]Quincy[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Hugo[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Hayden[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Oscar[/name_m] (similar feeling to [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] but maybe more usable?) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Milo[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Cyrus[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Leo[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Avery[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Cullen[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Reid[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Rhys[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]Andreas/Andrew [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Davis[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Leon[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]August[/name_m]
[name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] and [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] are both timeless and strong, though I understand your concern about them feeling a little dull compared to your more unique choices. Both names definitely have staying power, but if you’re looking for something with a bit more spark, I can see why you might want to explore other options. [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] is a great name and definitely fits the “classic but not boring” criteria. It does have a bit of a trendy vibe right now, but it’s not overly common, and it pairs well with [name_f]Emma[/name_f]. [name_m]Callum[/name_m] and [name_m]Julian[/name_m] are lovely as well, but I understand they don’t quite feel right [name_f][/name_f]- they’re classic yet distinctive, and sometimes it’s just about finding the name that truly resonates. [name_m]Henry[/name_m] and [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] are both wonderful, but I totally get why their popularity might make you hesitant, especially in your area.
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Overall, though, all of these options would fit very well!
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Here are some more suggestions: [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Atticus[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Corbin[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Elliot[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Finley[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Grayson[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Harvey[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Jasper[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Joel[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Landon[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Rueben[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Sawyer[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Wesley[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Wilbur[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Wyatt[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Xavier[/name_m]
[name_m]Beckett[/name_m] maybe? Like [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] & [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] but a little less popular, and with a really cute meaning “bee cottage/ beehive”). It is a little trendy but I think it’s super handsome with [name_f]Emma[/name_f].
[name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] and [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] aren’t dry or dull at all! If you’re having trouble changing your mindset on these names, there are some creative nicknames that could make them more “interesting”? Things like [name_m]Jamie[/name_m] or [name_m]Min[/name_m] for [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] or Amu or [name_f]El[/name_f] for [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]?
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[name_m]Bennett[/name_m] is adorable, and while it is trendy it may still be worth it for you?
I like [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- solid but with still something interesting about it [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Bennett[/name_m] is cool too [name_f][/name_f]- it is more ‘on trend’ than [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] and [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], but it doesn’t feel trendy [name_f][/name_f]- I think the [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_m]Austen[/name_m] ‘Bennet’ family?
Firstly I really like the classic feel of your names!
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I think [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] & [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] are gorgeous such handsome classics with a cuddly warm feel definitely not boring but this opinion is of course subjective but I love them. I think [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] is lovely but agree not as classic as [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] or [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]. I absolutely love [name_m]Callum[/name_m] & [name_m]Henry[/name_m] they are so sweet and sound great with Emm@. I like the summery feel of [name_m]Julian[/name_m] he has a distinguished feel. Regarding [name_m]Lucas[/name_m] he isn’t my favourite I prefer Luca/Luke. [name_f]My[/name_f] absolute favourites are [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], [name_m]Samuel[/name_m], [name_m]Henry[/name_m] + [name_m]Callum[/name_m]. I think with Emm@ and potential sister [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] (you may have more kiddos you never know) I would be inclined to use [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] or [name_m]Henry[/name_m]. They both have a classic friendly feel whilst having their own individual initial.
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You’ve had lots of lovely suggestions so please count any repeats as me being in agreement with the berries
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[name_m]Reuben[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Maxwell[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Oscar[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Jasper[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Seth[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]William[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Robin[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Samson[/name_m] (jazzes up [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] a little!) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Flynn[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Finley[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Levi[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Simeon[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Tobias[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Gideon[/name_m]
It does sound as though your heart is still with the names on your taken list. It would make it hard to connect with other names when you’re in with love something else.
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If it’s been troubling you, it might be worth reconsidering if all those names really must be out of contention. What is the real impact of repeating the name? [name_m]Will[/name_m] there be genuine confusion between people or are you hoping to not upset someone else? [name_m]Will[/name_m] it cause long term conflict or just temporary surprise?
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On your short list, [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] and [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] stand out as the most fitting brothers to [name_f]Emma[/name_f]. I like them both. Is your worry more about other’s reactions to the names or about your own feelings? I would ask: which name feels most like you and your family? If you and your family were the only people in the world, which name would you choose?
Alec - I feel Alec is classic and timeless and transcends cultures . There is one spelling , and pronunciation. It also has some of the Grau tires of the other names you like - soft sound , has a C like Isaac , Callum Lucas but a less biblical tie ( Alexander is in the bible but not Alec) . I think it goes well with Emma and is also 4 letters and 2 syllables
Hugo - another name that I feel transcends time and goes so well with Emma ! 4 letters 2 syllables . And I love the meaning. I also think it’s a pretty international name , that works in all stages of life
Owen- maybe a little more popular than you had envisioned but I think it hits all the markers .
Otis- maybe little more on the trendy side but I think Emma and Otis are darling. I love that they both start with vowels
Reid - this one I think breaks most of your parameters but I think it works so well with Emma. It is only one syllable , and there are other spellings ( Reed) . But I feel like I haven’t heard of many but it’s also timeless
I think [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] fits really well with [name_f]Emma[/name_f]! I don’t find [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] any more trendy than [name_f]Sophie[/name_f], but that does vary a little depending on where you live. It does make it hard there’s so many names taken in your family already! There’s a lot of great options there.
Thank you so much, everyone!!! I appreciate all the validation on our current list and the very thoughtful suggestions you all made! Definitely lots of fresh options to consider. Thank you!
[name_f]Emma[/name_f] and [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] put me in mind of [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_m]Austen[/name_m], but not in a bad way. Now that I have written them down, I would say they sound splendid together. [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] and [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] are far from boring options. They are good, traditional and solid names. But I think you are on to a winner with [name_m]Bennett[/name_m]. You get the lovely [name_m]Ben[/name_m] as a nickname in a more unexpected first name.
