Hello - I’m pregnant with our second son and we’re tossing around a few names, thought I’d seek some feedback.
[name_f]My[/name_f] toddler’s name is [name_m]Wilson[/name_m] [name_m]Oak[/name_m]. [name_m]Wilson[/name_m] has some family ties (honoring some family members named William) and [name_m]Oak[/name_m] is meaningful to my husband and I for a few reasons.
We’re considering [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] for this baby. No family ties or honor, we just like it. We’ve talked about using another nature name in the middle, maybe even a tree name. I like [name_m]Elm[/name_m], but I’m wondering if [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m] is A) too “try hard” to match with [name_m]Wilson[/name_m] [name_m]Oak[/name_m] and B) a bummer since both [name_m]Wilson[/name_m] and [name_m]Oak[/name_m] have some kind of meaning to us whereas [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] and [name_m]Elm[/name_m] would both be just “because we like them”?
Thoughts? Alternatives? Open to anything! Thanks in advance!
Not every name you choose for your kids has to have some sort of specific, special meaning to you! Many, many, many parents just choose names because they like them- the spelling, the sounds, the vibe they get from it. It’s not like every single one of the hundreds of thousands of parents who have named their kid [name_m]Jayden[/name_m] actually had a connection to that. If you really like the name, go for it- you’re supposed to like a name. I would rather name a child a name “just because I like it” than name them a name I’m only choosing because I have a connection to it, like naming it after a relative. I don’t think it’s trying hard to match- tree names are really cute and give off a nature-y feeling.
Both [name_m]Wilson[/name_m] [name_m]Oak[/name_m] & [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m] are very handsome names and work perfect together as brothers! I don’t think the way you came to find and love [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m] is weird at all and I love how their naming stories differ.
This is reassuring, thank you [name_m]Silvan[/name_m] is so cool. I’m going to float with that one for a while and run it by my husband tonight. I like that it’s a little more unique than [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] too. Thanks so much!
Moving onto baby boy #2 you honestly do not need to go with a name that is an honour option or is meaningful. Lots of parents use names that they love or goes with their chosen naming aesthetic or works well with the sibling name or is something that both parties can just compromise on as that can be a challenge! So I really do not feel you need to overthink the fact that you haven’t chosen an honour option or a name with deep personal connection. You can just go with a name you love! Furthermore once the name you love is bestowed onto your son then it will be meaningful as it’ll be your son’s name
I think [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m] is a lovely name. [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] is handsome, has a boyish charm and feels very stylistically in keeping with your older son’s name. Wils0n & [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] are very handsome together. [name_m]Elm[/name_m] makes a peaceful middle name choice with a sweet nature connection. I agree [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m] feels purposeful with Wils0n 0ak very matchy which could result in difficulty when it comes to naming future children. You may feel slightly pigeonholed into choosing another surname choice with a three letter tree name in the middle. However I could be overthinking but maybe choosing another nature middle name may work nicely such as [name_m]Rowan[/name_m], [name_m]Linden[/name_m], [name_m]Cedar[/name_m], [name_m]Cypress[/name_m], [name_m]Adair[/name_m], [name_m]Forest[/name_m], [name_m]Beech[/name_m], [name_m]Hollis[/name_m] or [name_m]Hawthorn[/name_m]. I think they work breakup the three letter matchy theme with the middle name whilst still having the tree name. I love the idea of [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Hollis[/name_m], [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Adair[/name_m], [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Cypress[/name_m] & [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Rowan[/name_m]! But really choose the name you love [name_m]Elm[/name_m] is adorable.
Concerning first names I do really love [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] but if you’re not completely sold maybe other ideas that feel similar to [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] could be [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] or [name_m]Solomon[/name_m].
[name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m] is nice! For me, you liking the names is meaning enough - you’ve put thought into them and will have chosen them with care. That’s no less important and no less meaningful than a family honour name - it’s special in its own way. And the middles form a connection between your boys without being too in your face?
If it does worry you, you could consider if there are any nature names that are meaningful to you - or see if there are any family related choices that work?
Other wise, some other less ‘matchy’ nature middles could be:
Thanks for the thought out response! You’re not wrong about pigeonholing ourselves if we were to have more kids in the future, but this will be our last so we shouldn’t run into this! It’s funny that you recommended [name_m]Hollis[/name_m] - that was the name we planned to use for this baby if it was a girl. I LOVE [name_m]Hollis[/name_m] on a girl; I could maybe consider it in a middle name spot for a boy but it would take some “undoing” of the feminine association I’ve had with it for years. I also love the name [name_m]Linden[/name_m], but my husband isn’t on board with that one.
Another middle name we’ve tossed around is [name_m]North[/name_m]. I’ve loved it since long before it was a Kardashian name and was so frustrated when [name_m]Kim[/name_m] used it for fear it would become unusable. Thoughts on [name_m]North[/name_m] in the middle name spot for a boy? Is it “too Kardashian” now? [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]North[/name_m] or [name_m]Silvan[/name_m] [name_m]North[/name_m] perhaps?
[name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m] is so handsome!! I don’t think it’s a problem at all to use a name just because you like it, and the only way [name_m]Elm[/name_m] could be too “try hard” would be if you didn’t like the name but felt compelled to use it in order to match [name_m]Wilson[/name_m].
Following up – Another middle name we’ve tossed around is [name_m]North[/name_m]. I’ve loved it since long before it was a Kardashian name and was so frustrated when [name_m]Kim[/name_m] used it for fear it would become unusable. Thoughts on [name_m]North[/name_m] in the middle name spot for a boy? Is it “too Kardashian” now? [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]North[/name_m] or [name_m]Silvan[/name_m] [name_m]North[/name_m] perhaps?
It might depend on where you live. KUWTK is pretty popular in the USA and parts of Europe, but I think especially because it’ll be a boy and his middle name, it won’t be a big deal- a lot of people don’t know who [name_m]North[/name_m] [name_m]West[/name_m] is and I think most people won’t even notice because it’s on a boy. I think both [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]North[/name_m] and [name_m]Silvan[/name_m] [name_m]North[/name_m] are really cute! However, one concern that might occur would be the fact that [name_m]Silvan[/name_m] and [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] end in N, so it might run together with [name_m]North[/name_m] a bit, like Sullivanorth or Silvanorth. However, I still really like both.
[name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m] sounds like a good sibling combo with [name_m]Wilson[/name_m] [name_m]Oak[/name_m].
Some other nature // tree related names; [name_m]Ash[/name_m], [name_m]Alder[/name_m], [name_m]Linden[/name_m], Fir
Some other first names for sibling [name_m]Wilson[/name_m]:
[name_m]Florian[/name_m]
[name_m]Callum[/name_m]
[name_m]Lawrence[/name_m]
[name_m]Dillion[/name_m] / [name_m]Dylan[/name_m]
[name_m]Stephen[/name_m] / [name_m]Steven[/name_m]
[name_m]Elias[/name_m]
[name_m]Gregory[/name_m]
[name_m]Bennett[/name_m]
[name_m]Matthew[/name_m]
[name_m]Andrew[/name_m]
[name_m]Daniel[/name_m]
I think [name_m]Hollis[/name_m] is very unisex and would definitely work as a middle name for [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m]! I also think as this is your last baby you shouldn’t worry about pigeonholing yourself into a theme. The matchy [name_m]Elm[/name_m] is very cool with 0ak.
Moving away from trees and onto [name_m]North[/name_m]. Personally I do prefer [name_m]Elm[/name_m] + [name_m]Hollis[/name_m] however [name_m]North[/name_m] is cool, more unexpected and feels edgy. I do have the Kardashian association but this doesn’t make it unusable. So really it comes down to which name you prefer my favourite would be your original name of [name_m]Elm[/name_m] especially as pigeonholing yourself isn’t a concern.
Out of [name_m]Silvan[/name_m] & [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] I prefer [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m]!
[name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m], [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]North[/name_m], [name_m]Silvan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m] and [name_m]Silvan[/name_m] [name_m]North[/name_m] would all be fantastic options! I think [name_m]North[/name_m] is only too Kardashian as a female first name. I think it’s totally useable in the middle spot for either gender and in this case works really well with [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] or [name_m]Silvan[/name_m]!
I don’t think [name_m]Elm[/name_m] is weird! I love the suggestions of [name_m]Silvan[/name_m] & [name_m]Ash[/name_m], though I think [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] & [name_m]Elm[/name_m] work well too.
And if it makes you feel better, my name is very specifically picked out and has “reasons,” my sister’s was “because it sounded good,” and we’ve never had any issues!
[name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] [name_m]Elm[/name_m] is so handsome!
I definitely don’t think [name_m]Elm[/name_m] is “weird” - lots of botanical names are used for people too!
While the names do match in style, I don’t think it comes off as trying too hard. I enjoy sibsets that appear ordered and well thought out, so this combination looks and sounds so appealing to me!
“Because you like them” is a totally valid reason to choose a name. Some time we love names for their meaning, their sound, their look, their sentiment… there’s lots of reasons to love a name and whatever reason drew you to these names is completely valid.
Wil$on O@k is a great name. I like the idea of [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] with it. I’d like to suggest [name_m]Foster[/name_m] as a middle name. I believe the meaning has something to do with “ keeper of the forest.”
Wil$on and [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] or even Wil$on and [name_m]Foster[/name_m] make a nice brother pair.
congratulations!! w!lson o@k is such a sweet name!
i think w!lson o@k and sullivan elm goes well together, both are very sweet names and sound good together.
personally i don’t think it really matters!
my dad has liked my brother’s name since he was a teenager, always said when he had a son he was going to name him 0scar. whereas my name was decided two hours before i was born because my parents saw it on the credits of a movie.
my middle name was chosen because they heard it and thought it was pretty. though my brother has two middle names, the first is my dad’s first name and the second is both my grandfather’s middle name.
his name is full of meaning and mine has barely any, though it has never bugged me in the slightest!
i think sullivan and elm are such sweet names and if they feel right you should definitely go for them!
[name_m]Silvan[/name_m] is so cool. I’m going to float with that one for a while and run it by my husband tonight. I like that it’s a little more unique than [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] too. Thanks so much!
