Little brother for Caspian

Name Advice
1

Hello

[name_f]My[/name_f] son’s name is [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and we are having another little boy.
Thinking of this one has been really difficult, once we’d decided on [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] at 4 months we never went back, this one we’re going round in circles.
We love how different [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] is and want that for our second, but the other more different ones we’ve thought of feel even more “out there” than we’d really like to go.
We’ve got it down to two but we’re just not sure what people’s thoughts would be of them.

[name_u]Artemis[/name_u] (this is probably our top pick as it seems to match [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] the most but bit worried about people thinking this is a girls name?)

[name_m]Merlin[/name_m] (really love the way this as a name and how it sounds, but it’s just the potential teasing, if anyone knows a [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] and knows if this is a big thing for them?)

2 Likes
2

[name_u]Artemis[/name_u] being the Greek goddess makes it a female name in my book. I love [name_m]Merlin[/name_m].

3 Likes
3

I love love love Merlin,I’m not a big fan of [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] through and I think people will definitely think that it’s a girls name,it also doesn’t go well with [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] in my opinion,but you could maybe use it as middle name if you like it so much

1 Like
4

I don’t care for [name_u]Artemis[/name_u], especially on a boy, and think I’d reserve [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] for the middle. [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] is undoubtedly a cool name, but it’s not as out there as those two. Are you looking for something more one of a kind with your new little one?

Some suggestions:

D’artagnan (a literary guilty pleasure of mine)
[name_u]Orion[/name_u]
[name_m]Aurelius[/name_m]
[name_u]Constantine[/name_u]
[name_m]Balthazar[/name_m]

5

[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] & ________:

[name_m]Osiris[/name_m]
[name_m]Oren[/name_m]
[name_u]Evren[/name_u]
[name_m]Torian[/name_m]
[name_m]Josiah[/name_m]
Lucius/Lucian
[name_m]Omri[/name_m]
[name_m]Piers[/name_m]
[name_m]Balthasar[/name_m] “Baz”
[name_m]Alistair[/name_m]
Malachi/Mordecai/Kaius/Kyler “Kai”
[name_m]Ambrose[/name_m]
[name_m]Desmond[/name_m]
[name_u]Harland[/name_u]
[name_m]Ryland[/name_m]
[name_m]Waylon[/name_m]
[name_u]Zephyr[/name_u]
[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m]
[name_u]Auberon[/name_u]
[name_m]Darius[/name_m]
[name_m]Ignatius[/name_m]
[name_m]Nicodemus[/name_m] “Nico”
[name_u]Hezekiah[/name_u] “Zeke”
[name_m]Nehemiah[/name_m]
[name_m]Lazarus[/name_m]
[name_u]Lior[/name_u]
[name_m]Ansel[/name_m]
[name_m]Leander[/name_m]
[name_m]Cormac[/name_m]
[name_m]Luther[/name_m]
[name_u]Onyx[/name_u]
[name_m]Magnus[/name_m]
[name_u]Bellamy[/name_u]
[name_m]Stellan[/name_m]
Irdris
[name_m]Abner[/name_m]
[name_m]Boone[/name_m]
[name_m]Quade[/name_m]
[name_m]Hoyt[/name_m]
[name_m]Hershel[/name_m]
[name_m]Kiel[/name_m]
[name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m]
[name_u]Peregrine[/name_u]
[name_u]Noam[/name_u]
[name_u]Roan[/name_u]
[name_m]Quimby[/name_m] “Wim”
[name_m]Evander[/name_m]
[name_u]Valor[/name_u]

1 Like
6

I love [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] for you!! What a cool choice!!

7

[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] is a beautiful name.

I have to say when I read [name_u]Artemis[/name_u], although i’d read that you’re having a boy, I still automatically assumed that was a girls’ name choice. :woman_facepalming:t2:

[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and…

Vesselin
[name_u]Valentine[/name_u]
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m]
[name_m]Emrys[/name_m]
Oaken
[name_m]Conan[/name_m]
Ciaran/Kieran
[name_m]Aneurin[/name_m]
[name_u]Griffin[/name_u]
[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]
Coen/Coenwulf
[name_u]Rohan[/name_u]
[name_m]Huon[/name_m]
[name_m]Perseus[/name_m]
[name_m]Gilbert[/name_m]
[name_m]Asriel[/name_m]
[name_m]Endymion[/name_m]
[name_m]Orpheus[/name_m]
[name_u]Penrose[/name_u]
[name_m]Erasmus[/name_m]
Cillian/Killian
[name_m]Ronan[/name_m]
[name_m]Arcturus[/name_m]
[name_u]August[/name_u]
[name_u]Koa[/name_u]
[name_u]Milan[/name_u]
[name_m]Mervyn[/name_m]
[name_m]Melwin[/name_m]
[name_u]Alwyn[/name_u]
[name_m]Elton[/name_m]
[name_m]Eoin[/name_m]
[name_m]Uriel[/name_m]
[name_m]Redwood[/name_m]
[name_u]Oleander[/name_u]
[name_m]Truett[/name_m]
[name_u]Emmett[/name_u]
[name_m]Amadeo[/name_m]
[name_m]Vittorio[/name_m]
[name_m]Vincent[/name_m]
[name_u]Florian[/name_u]
[name_m]Lucian[/name_m]
[name_m]Gwion[/name_m]
[name_m]Ossian[/name_m]
[name_m]Renan[/name_m]
Greig
[name_m]Gregor[/name_m]
[name_m]Gregory[/name_m]
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u]
[name_m]Finnian[/name_m]
[name_u]Callum[/name_u]
[name_m]Ruan[/name_m]
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u]
[name_m]Simeon[/name_m]
[name_m]Esmond[/name_m]
[name_m]Devereaux[/name_m]
Robichaux
[name_m]Emir[/name_m]
[name_m]Osman[/name_m]
[name_m]Aloysius[/name_m]
[name_m]Augusten[/name_m]
Sylvan/Silvan
[name_m]Aurelio[/name_m]
[name_m]Erik[/name_m]
[name_u]Ariel[/name_u] (ah-ree-el)
[name_u]Arie[/name_u]
Lunan

1 Like
8

I must say, I see Artemis as a girl’s name and I feel Merlin is a little too out there for a first name. I adore Caspian though - it’s in that sweet spot between familiar in its similarity to the name Caspar and unusual as a more obscure place/literary name.

Here are some ideas for you:

Darcy
Apollo
Claude
Zuma
Roosevelt
Atlas
Dashiell
Twain
Idris
Ambrose
Elio
Orion
Taliesin
Miro
Atticus
Odin
Lucius
Seneca
Hawthorne
Indio
Malachi
Phineas
Jett
Roman
Tavish
Rex
Ulysses
Banjo
Aurelien
Fifer
Stellan
Otis
Valentine
Mars
Hawke
Jem
Florian
Keats
Magnus
Phoenix
Rufus
Wilde
Cosmo

1 Like
9

I suppose [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Valerian[/name_m] are too close to one another, but boy, they’d make a handsome sibset.

1 Like
10

Caspian’s style is difficult to match for a sibling. It’s relatively rare in usage but familiar to most people’s ears. It feels at once classical and distinguished whilst fitting with current naming choices. It also has a whimsical or fantasy quality due to The Chronicles of [name_f]Narnia[/name_f].

[name_u]Artemis[/name_u] and [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] are both great names. [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] draws on the classical ties while [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] draws on the fantasy. The ‘s’ carrying through [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] gives them a more cohesive sound. While [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] is relatively rare in usage, it is still used more than twice as often for girls than boys based on UK and US data. The [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] Fowl novels feature a male [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] but this association would not be as well known or as long term as the female Greek deity. This is part of the package deal with [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] so you’ll need to decide if it’s something you can overlook. I think [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] would be surprising at first, but as with other unexpected name choices, the effect would soon wear off.

You haven’t asked for suggestions but the sense I’m getting from your post is that you’re not entirely sure that either of your top names are quite right. I’m wondering if you would be open to alternative names that are similar to [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] and [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] but without the issues you’ve raised. If so, perhaps you would like the following.

The male version of [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] would be [name_m]Artemio[/name_m]. It’s a lot rarer than [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] but intuitive to understand. [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Artemio[/name_m]. Very similar to this is [name_m]Arsemio[/name_m]. [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] is also similar in sound to [name_m]Arturo[/name_m]. It’s familiar but a distinct alternative to [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]. [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Arturo[/name_m]. [name_m]Aramis[/name_m] would also suit and shares most of the same sounds. [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Aramis[/name_m]. I also think [name_m]Arkady[/name_m] might appeal. It has classical roots and shares in that dreamy quality with the link to [name_f]Arcadia[/name_f]. [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Arkady[/name_m].

[name_m]Merlin[/name_m] gets me to [name_m]Marlon[/name_m]. It’s so very close to [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] and comes without the wizard imagery. [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Marlon[/name_m]. There’s [name_m]Marvin[/name_m] too, a little clunkier than [name_m]Marlon[/name_m]. [name_u]Sterling[/name_u] is very distinguished and carries through the ‘s’ sound. [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Sterling[/name_u]. I like [name_m]Percival[/name_m] for the same reasons. [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Percival[/name_m]. Lastly, I’d like to suggest [name_m]Alban[/name_m]. It still has a couple sounds in common with [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] with the ‘l’ and the ending sound but it happens to share with [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] the meaning ‘white’. That could be a sweet link between brothers. [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Alban[/name_m].

4 Likes
11

[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] is cool. I agree with others that neither option feels right. How about [name_u]Marlin[/name_u] instead of [name_m]Merlin[/name_m]?

Excuse double ups
[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]
[name_m]Fitzwilliam[/name_m]
[name_m]Evander[/name_m]
[name_m]Truett[/name_m]

12

[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] related to water(sea) could be [name_u]Remi[/name_u], this name also related to the water.

13

I think [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] fits really nicely with [name_m]Caspian[/name_m]! It feels like the same vibe and similar styles. I don’t think there would be too much teasing unless there’s an association I don’t know about?

Some other suggestions…
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Calloway[/name_u]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Jasper[/name_u]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Felix[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Walter[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Humphrey[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Dexter[/name_u]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Sylvester[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Elias[/name_u]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Fitzgerald[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Adrian[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Orlando[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Hayes[/name_u]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Augustine[/name_u]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Montgomery[/name_u]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Griffin[/name_u]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Simon[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and [name_u]Marlin[/name_u]

1 Like
14

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] there.

I think I would die happy if I met brothers named [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] & [name_u]Artemis[/name_u]. :joy: I love [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] for a boy…it’s my male cat’s name! We call him [name_u]Ari[/name_u] 90% of the time, because he’s too goofy to pull off such a beautiful strong exotic name as [name_u]Artemis[/name_u]. But anyway, [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] obviously gets my vote! It totally gives off the same mystical yet strong vibe of [name_m]Caspian[/name_m]. It sounds harsh to me as a girl name, even though [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] was a Greek goddess. But what’s wrong w/naming a boy after a strong powerful (potentially mythical) woman? Especially since it’s a super unique name for boys or girls.

That all being said, I don’t think that [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] is a bad choice either. It’s not my personal style, because I just don’t like the sound of it for some reason. But I don’t think it has too much teasing potential to use. People will get used to it if it’s attached to a sweet little boy.

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] my rambling helps. :slight_smile:

1 Like
15

i think merlin goes great with caspian!! i also do really like artemis w caspian, but i think people would automatically assume it was a girl’s name.

some ideas:
atticus
atlas
orion
jasper
ambrose
evander
stellan
desmond
hugh/hugo
arthur
marlin
marlowe
sasha
morgan
draco
ronan
emrys
jupiter
falcon
aspen
kieran

16

I think [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] and [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] go really well together as siblings! I personally don’t mind [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] for a boy, but if you’re worried about gender confusion, I think the [name_m]Artemas[/name_m] spelling is almost always male / could avoid some of those problems. [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] is also a great choice for you, and I think it does go well with [name_m]Caspian[/name_m], but I don’t know if together they might be too ‘fantasy’ - maybe that’s just because of the TV show [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] being my main association with the name.

17

Thank you all so much for your input, we’re probably going to go back and forward with this one a lot!

We do really love the names, it’s just as @kachenka says [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] sits in this really unique space, whilst at the same time not being too far out there- though ppl still had their opinions when we were still deciding cough my mother ;D she does love it now…

It’s interesting a lot of the names mentioned are on my list that I’ve spent many years building! I just wish we could get the right feel from them(and DH wouldn’t veto!)

Things like Emrys(with [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] as middle name), [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m], Mordred, Archer(but then little [name_m]Archie[/name_m] Sussex came along), Edmund(bit too obvious with Caspian), [name_m]Sherlock[/name_m], [name_u]Orion[/name_u], [name_u]Oberon[/name_u], [name_m]Aramis[/name_m], [name_m]Aurelius[/name_m], Fitz-anything(DH definite no on these), [name_m]Finneas[/name_m], [name_u]Marlow[/name_u] & Magnus(last two are my cats names) plus many more!

[name_u]Atlas[/name_u] is Caspian’s second middle name.

Because of CS [name_m]Lewis[/name_m] I’d love it if any of the Tolkien names on my list felt a little more suitable and complimentary to Caspian… eg Stryder/Aragorn we like but just feel too heavy for a little boy or even a man… and a lot of the elvish/hobbit nahmes are too obvious or so out there they’d be forever spelling and explaining.
[name_u]Peregrine[/name_u] is sweet but i trip over it when I say it and DH said no…

It’s so crazy you mentioned [name_u]Sterling[/name_u] as it was actually one that wasn’t on our final list and then we switched too it, had completely “decided” (with [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] as the second middle) but then questioned since it’s not got the the sort of literary/mythical feel to it that [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] has, we’ll probably still bounce back and forward on it tbh… we’ve got a few months to go!
I do like [name_m]Arthur[/name_m], but just it’s a little bit more common usage…

[name_m]Merlin[/name_m] has always been a bit of a guilty pleasure of ours, the magical quality, the sound of it is gentle and nice (though I’m not a big fan of it shortened to Merl).
It’s just the very famous wizard factor, I’ve heard it’s used a bit more in [name_m]Wales[/name_m], we’re in [name_f]England[/name_f] and some people I know have said they knew Merlin’s at school and it wasn’t a massive deal…
On the right child it would be fantastic, but if he just wants to melt into the background it doesn’t leave much room to hide.
We certainly get stronger opinions about this one from people we tell cough my mother ;D

[name_u]Artemis[/name_u] always felt a bit more of a masculine girls name for me(I’d use it when gaming) & with the A.Fowl books it felt a bit more neutral, but when I did some looking through comments in naming websites the view was overwhelmingly female only due perhaps to more general knowledge of the origin?

I do wonder if it’s rare enough out in the world that most people wouldn’t really have come across that many of either gender to have an idea if they didn’t know the origin.

We’d probably call him Artie/y.

I don’t so much mind about it being originally a goddess, she’s quite a cool one, it was my DH’s only pick for a boy and he’s not so into changing the spelling, it’s just if DC would ultimately mind as he got older, the eternal question!

I guess the responses here do show it’s got a bit of a neutral-ish vibe… and it’s really nice to know the thoughts of some more people, I’m a little hesitate to bring them too much out in the open before we’ve really got a sense ourselves.

As you might be able to tell I’ve given it a lot of thought and still don’t have anything concrete!

1 Like
18

Thank you, @MichelleM it’s really nice to hear a few more people’s thoughts on it without feeling beholden to their opinions.

We have had positive reactions for Artemis when we’ve told a few people, it’s my own researching that’s made me question a bit more I suppose!

19

Thank you @kachenka this is very thoughtful and I really appreciate your comments.
As I mentioned in another comment, you have some very similar, and even exact, names that we’ve considered.
It might end up with a short list and a see what he’s like when he’s here situation, though I do wish we could feel more confident beforehand.

1 Like
20

For a boy I say [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] over [name_u]Artemis[/name_u], thing is it rhymes with [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] so may sound funny.

I’m sorry but [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] is a girls name. I know On here it is unisex but [name_u]Artemis[/name_u] is the name of a goddess and I cannot fathom putting her on a son