My wife has given me the job of naming our son

Boy Names
1

And I need help…

I’ve got a short list of names that I like, but can’t decide on one to go with. We know the middle name will be [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] after my grandfather but aside from that I can’t lock in a first name. Some of the names on my list are already in our family but I think they’re removed enough for it not to be too much of a problem. Our surname is Horwood, if that helps.

[name_f]My[/name_f] short list:

[name_m]Oscar[/name_m]
[name_u]Cameron[/name_u] (my cousin, 16yrs old)
[name_m]Joshua[/name_m]
[name_m]William[/name_m]
[name_m]Henry[/name_m] (my cousins son, who is also the newest baby in the extended family, 18mnths old)

I’m not absolutely married to a name on this list, so if you have other suggestions that will go well, I’m open to them. I prefer strong, classic names.

So what do you think?

2

[name_m]Hi[/name_m]! [name_f]Welcome[/name_f] to Namberry.

That’s a nice list in theory, but many of them sound off with your surname. The “a” ending of [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] runs into the “Hor-” beginning. [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] is also difficult because of the quick transition from “ar” to “Hor”. [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is alliterative with your surname, and a little sing-songy. I’d cut all three of these on the grounds of just not sounding great with your surname.

That leaves [name_u]Cameron[/name_u] and [name_m]William[/name_m].

The two drawbacks I see there: [name_u]Cameron[/name_u] is trending downward. It’s still a great name, but it will age your son when he’s older-- people will assume he’s about a generation older than he is. [name_m]William[/name_m] is a great name and much more evergreen, but when combined with its derivative [name_m]Liam[/name_m] it’s the #1 name in the US. So, it’s popular. It’s even more popular in the South.

Nevertheless, if I were choosing only from the list you gave, I’d pick [name_m]William[/name_m] as the best all-round name with your surname. [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] works with it great, too.

On that note: why not consider [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] as a first name?

Other possibilities:

[name_u]James[/name_u]
[name_m]Calvin[/name_m] (though it doesn’t really work with [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]…)
[name_m]Roland[/name_m]
[name_m]Martin[/name_m]
[name_m]Simon[/name_m]
[name_m]Jack[/name_m]
[name_u]Elias[/name_u]
[name_m]Silas[/name_m]
[name_m]Abraham[/name_m]/[name_m]Abram[/name_m]
[name_m]Julian[/name_m]
[name_m]Miles[/name_m]
[name_m]Jackson[/name_m]
[name_m]Charles[/name_m]/[name_u]Charlie[/name_u]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m]/[name_u]Theo[/name_u]
[name_m]Malcolm[/name_m]
[name_m]Solomon[/name_m]/[name_m]Sol[/name_m]
[name_m]Finnegan[/name_m]/[name_u]Finn[/name_u]
[name_m]Tobias[/name_m]/[name_u]Toby[/name_u]

Good luck!!!

I’d avoid anything ending in the “-er” or “ah” sound with your surname. I’d also avoid names ending in “o”.

3

[name_m]Oscar[/name_m]- Good solid name.
[name_u]Cameron[/name_u] (my cousin, 16yrs old)- Another good classic. A lovely genial aura.
[name_m]Joshua[/name_m]- Nice classic. The nickname [name_m]Josh[/name_m] or [name_m]Joe[/name_m] is very friendly.
[name_m]William[/name_m]- [name_f]Lovely[/name_f], friendly name- a beautiful classic. The nicknames [name_m]Will[/name_m] and [name_m]Liam[/name_m] are great.
[name_m]Henry[/name_m] (my cousins son, who is also the newest baby in the extended family, 18mnths old)- Another beautiful name. Very strong and handsome.

[name_f]My[/name_f] favourites on your list are [name_m]William[/name_m] and [name_m]Henry[/name_m], but they are all wonderful names. [name_m]How[/name_m] about:

[name_m]Andrew[/name_m], [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] / [name_u]Toby[/name_u], [name_m]Abner[/name_m], [name_m]Edmund[/name_m], [name_m]Edison[/name_m], [name_m]Harrison[/name_m], [name_m]Conlan[/name_m], [name_u]Connelly[/name_u], [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], [name_m]Otto[/name_m], [name_m]Roland[/name_m], [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m], [name_m]John[/name_m], [name_m]Adam[/name_m], [name_m]Gregory[/name_m], [name_m]Clark[/name_m], [name_m]Clyde[/name_m], [name_m]Eben[/name_m] / [name_u]Eban[/name_u], [name_m]Zachary[/name_m], [name_m]Remus[/name_m], [name_m]Mack[/name_m], [name_m]Morrison[/name_m], [name_u]Curran[/name_u], [name_m]Ethan[/name_m], [name_m]Ewan[/name_m], [name_m]Ian[/name_m], [name_m]Samson[/name_m], [name_m]Christian[/name_m], [name_m]Willem[/name_m], [name_m]Christopher[/name_m], [name_m]Hale[/name_m], [name_m]Harry[/name_m], [name_m]David[/name_m], [name_m]Davis[/name_m], [name_m]Daniel[/name_m], [name_m]Wesley[/name_m], [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], [name_m]Callum[/name_m] / [name_m]Calum[/name_m], [name_m]Calloway[/name_m], [name_m]Caleb[/name_m], [name_m]Crispin[/name_m], [name_m]Charles[/name_m], [name_u]Connery[/name_u], [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m], [name_m]Beau[/name_m], [name_m]Declan[/name_m], [name_m]Dermot[/name_m], [name_m]Isaac[/name_m], [name_m]Isaiah[/name_m], [name_m]Moses[/name_m], [name_u]Theo[/name_u], [name_m]Forrest[/name_m], [name_m]Matthias[/name_m], [name_m]Matthew[/name_m], [name_m]Eamon[/name_m], [name_m]Eli[/name_m], [name_m]Egan[/name_m], [name_m]Lewis[/name_m], [name_m]Lachlan[/name_m], [name_u]Elias[/name_u], [name_m]Enzo[/name_m], [name_m]Marcus[/name_m], [name_m]Miles[/name_m] / [name_m]Myles[/name_m], [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u], [name_m]Solomon[/name_m].

4

[name_m]Oscar[/name_m]- Good solid name.
[name_u]Cameron[/name_u] (my cousin, 16yrs old)- Another good classic. A lovely genial aura.
[name_m]Joshua[/name_m]- Nice classic. The nickname [name_m]Josh[/name_m] or [name_m]Joe[/name_m] is very friendly.
[name_m]William[/name_m]- [name_f]Lovely[/name_f], friendly name- a beautiful classic. The nicknames [name_m]Will[/name_m] and [name_m]Liam[/name_m] are great.
[name_m]Henry[/name_m] (my cousins son, who is also the newest baby in the extended family, 18mnths old)- Another beautiful name. Very strong and handsome.

[name_f]My[/name_f] favourites on your list are [name_m]William[/name_m] and [name_m]Henry[/name_m], but they are all wonderful names. [name_m]How[/name_m] about:

[name_m]Andrew[/name_m], [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] / [name_u]Toby[/name_u], [name_m]Abner[/name_m], [name_m]Edmund[/name_m], [name_m]Edison[/name_m], [name_m]Harrison[/name_m], [name_m]Conlan[/name_m], [name_u]Connelly[/name_u], [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], [name_m]Otto[/name_m], [name_m]Roland[/name_m], [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m], [name_m]John[/name_m], [name_m]Adam[/name_m], [name_m]Gregory[/name_m], [name_m]Clark[/name_m], [name_m]Clyde[/name_m], [name_m]Eben[/name_m] / [name_u]Eban[/name_u], [name_m]Zachary[/name_m], [name_m]Remus[/name_m], [name_m]Mack[/name_m], [name_m]Morrison[/name_m], [name_u]Curran[/name_u], [name_m]Ethan[/name_m], [name_m]Ewan[/name_m], [name_m]Ian[/name_m], [name_m]Samson[/name_m], [name_m]Christian[/name_m], [name_m]Willem[/name_m], [name_m]Christopher[/name_m], [name_m]Hale[/name_m], [name_m]Harry[/name_m], [name_m]David[/name_m], [name_m]Davis[/name_m], [name_m]Daniel[/name_m], [name_m]Wesley[/name_m], [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], [name_m]Callum[/name_m] / [name_m]Calum[/name_m], [name_m]Calloway[/name_m], [name_m]Caleb[/name_m], [name_m]Crispin[/name_m], [name_m]Charles[/name_m], [name_u]Connery[/name_u], [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m], [name_m]Beau[/name_m], [name_m]Declan[/name_m], [name_m]Dermot[/name_m], [name_m]Isaac[/name_m], [name_m]Isaiah[/name_m], [name_m]Moses[/name_m], [name_u]Theo[/name_u], [name_m]Forrest[/name_m], [name_m]Matthias[/name_m], [name_m]Matthew[/name_m], [name_m]Eamon[/name_m], [name_m]Eli[/name_m], [name_m]Egan[/name_m], [name_m]Lewis[/name_m], [name_m]Lachlan[/name_m], [name_u]Elias[/name_u], [name_m]Enzo[/name_m], [name_m]Marcus[/name_m], [name_m]Miles[/name_m] / [name_m]Myles[/name_m], [name_u]James[/name_u], [name_m]Jeremy[/name_m].

Good luck and welcome :).

5

[name_f]Welcome[/name_f] to Nameberry!
I really like [name_m]Henry[/name_m] H0rwood if you are fine with the same initials and sharing a name. [name_m]Henry[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] has nice flow.
Some suggestions:
[name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Louis[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Paul[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Jasper[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Samuel[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Aaron[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_f]Francis[/name_f] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Zachary[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]George[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]

6

[name_m]Hi[/name_m], thanks a lot for the reply. I had suggested the idea of [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] as a first name but my wife isn’t a fan, she’s happy for me to name him on the condition that [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] is only a middle name, which I think I prefer too if I’m being honest.

I live in Australia so the popularity and trending of names probably aren’t as important to me, it’ll be different depending on where you come from. Many of the names on your list, for example aren’t ones that I’d ever have thought of, yet they may be popular in the USA (appreciated suggestions none the less).

The two on my list I was leaning towards were [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] or [name_m]Henry[/name_m] although I completely agree with how [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] Horwood might sound a little awkward. The alliteration with [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is something that I didn’t like at first but it’s quite grown on me and it goes better with [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] as a middle.

7

[name_m]Oscar[/name_m], [name_m]Henry[/name_m] and [name_m]William[/name_m] are my favourites from your list. I’d happily use any of them myself :slight_smile: I quite like [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] too, though I find it a little dated to the 90s (especially with nn [name_m]Josh[/name_m]) and I wouldn’t say [name_u]Cameron[/name_u] was classic in the slightest. I don’t think any of the 5 sound off or wrong with your surname unless you’re particularly adverse to the alliteration, which I find charming.

I’m probably repeating a few here but I think these fit right in with the names on your list: [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], [name_m]Harry[/name_m], [name_m]Joseph[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_m]Luke[/name_m], [name_m]Peter[/name_m], [name_m]Archie[/name_m], [name_m]Angus[/name_m], [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_u]Freddie[/name_u], [name_m]Jago[/name_m], [name_m]Alexander[/name_m], [name_m]Dominic[/name_m], [name_m]Reuben[/name_m], [name_m]Felix[/name_m], [name_u]Tristan[/name_u]…

8

I think [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood sounds great! :slight_smile:

9

[name_m]Ah[/name_m], ok! I’m American and definitely wouldn’t know how certain names are perceived in Australia.

I also wanted to point out one other thing you may not have thought of, but what would you have named a daughter? And are you planning to have more kids? Sometimes it’s helpful to make a list of names for the gender you aren’t having, too, just to see if any on the two lists rule each other out and if you are OK with that. Like for example two names my partner and I like a lot are [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] and [name_m]Lucian[/name_m]. But obviously if we used one, we couldn’t use the other later. [name_m]Just[/name_m] something to consider in case you love a name like [name_f]Willa[/name_f] or [name_f]Harriet[/name_f] or something.

I still think [name_m]Henry[/name_m] Horwood is a bit too sing-songy (just my personal taste!) but not in an entirely bad way. Maybe try saying it out loud a bunch to yourself and your wife?

Personally for rhythm, I’d try to pick a 3-syllable first name to go with [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] and Horwood. Something like [name_u]Elias[/name_u] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood sounds really good to my ear. And [name_m]Eli[/name_m] is a good nickname. But of course it’s really subjective and personal!

10

From your list I like [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] or [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m].

I wouldn’t use the [name_u]Cameron[/name_u] or [name_m]Henry[/name_m].

Other suggestions:

[name_m]Oliver[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_u]Aiden[/name_u] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_u]Curtis[/name_u] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Vincent[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_u]Logan[/name_u] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_u]Jude[/name_u] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Levi[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Eli[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Ryder[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]

11

[name_m]Henry[/name_m] Horwood is so quirky. I actually really like it. As for [name_m]Oscar[/name_m], do you pronounce it without the “r” on the end? That makes all the difference. [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] Horwood in an American accent sounds a bit stuttery with the ar/or sounds back to back.

13

As an aussie, the normal pronunciation for us would be to not sound the “r” at all. It would be more like “Oska”

Thanks for the feedback. Its funny, my grandfathers full name was [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] [name_m]William[/name_m] Horwood and it was a bit of a running joke in our family that he was always refered to as “[name_m]Gavin[/name_m] [name_m]William[/name_m]”, more often than just “[name_m]Gavin[/name_m]”. Probably one of the few people ive ever known to actually get some mileage out of their middle name. So naming my son [name_m]William[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood has a bit of significance, my only major problem with it is that i cant stand the nickname “[name_m]Will[/name_m]”. [name_m]Bill[/name_m] or [name_u]Billy[/name_u] is ok with me, but i really dislike [name_m]Will[/name_m], enough to allllmost put a line through it. I have the same issue with [name_u]Cameron[/name_u], i really like the name but hate when its shortened to [name_u]Cam[/name_u] or [name_f]Cammy[/name_f].

15

I wouldn’t use a name used recently by other family members. I really love [name_m]William[/name_m]! Not sure about with [name_m]Gavin[/name_m], though. I also like [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] as the first name.

16

[name_m]How[/name_m] refreshing to have a dad in charge of baby naming! [name_f]Welcome[/name_f] to NB.
I think you’ve got a nice list started.

I do have a couple of thoughts:

  1. I would avoid [name_m]Henry[/name_m]. A) your cousin just choose this name. So there will always be two “[name_u]Baby[/name_u] [name_m]Henry[/name_m]’s”. I understand why the name is awesome but that brings me to B) There are some initials that I would recommend avoiding. AA, ASS, KKK etc. HH is one of those. In some communities HH stands for Heil Hitler. (If your cousin’s last name is Horwood as well I would I would probably not mention this to any family member ever but it would be enough to sway me from the name).

  2. [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] is an awesome name. I can understand wanting to honor a grandfather by using it as a mn. It sounds handsome, strong and compassionate to me. I think a fun, spunky name would go with it really well.

[name_f]My[/name_f] personal favorite [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] combos are: [name_m]Zane[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] and [name_m]Leonidas[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m].

  1. With [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] as a mn I’d avoid names that end in -n. It sounds a little odd to me.

  2. If you are still open to suggestions these might work for you as well: [name_m]Cedric[/name_m], [name_m]Felix[/name_m], [name_m]Zachary[/name_m], [name_m]Jasper[/name_m], [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], [name_m]Vincent[/name_m], [name_m]Cyrus[/name_m], [name_u]Emmett[/name_u], and [name_u]Noel[/name_u].

17

[name_m]Henry[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood – [name_m]Henry[/name_m] Horwood is definitely my favorite. I like it a lot. It’s quirky but not weird. It sounds great with [name_m]Gavin[/name_m]. It’s a true classic name, but with your surname it feels more special and interesting.

What do you think of the nn [name_m]Hank[/name_m]?

18

Since [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] is after your grandfather and the baby will (presumably) have your last name, are there any names from your wife’s side of the family that you like? Could you use her maiden name or a name from one of her grandfathers for instance? I also like the alliteration of [name_m]Henry[/name_m] with your last name, but maybe you would also like

[name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood
[name_m]Roger[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood
[name_m]Frederick[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood
[name_m]Joseph[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood
[name_m]Connor[/name_m] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood
[name_u]Chase[/name_u] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood
[name_m]Augustus[/name_m] (or just [name_u]August[/name_u]) [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood
[name_u]Elliot[/name_u] [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] Horwood

19

What about [name_m]Jacob[/name_m]?

20

Believe me, [name_m]Ive[/name_m] been going back and forth a lot in my head over whether or not its ok to choose the name. So today, i called my cousin and just explained that my wife and i really like the name and that its on our shortlist but if he had any issues with us using it we would gladly put a line through it and move on. I told him to be honest and not just say its ok if he really didnt want us to use it. He was totally cool with it, which is a load off my mind.

As for the Heil Hitler initials, im not all that concerned about that. To be honest it hadnt even crossed my mind, in fact the full initials would be HGH (human growth hormones) haha.

Its funny, i was just thinking today that im not sure what nicknames you could have for [name_m]Henry[/name_m]. Part of the appeal of the name [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] for me was using [name_m]Ozzy[/name_m] or [name_m]Oz[/name_m] as nicknames. I’ve never met a [name_m]Henry[/name_m] before and ive got no idea what nickname they’d have, you cant really shorten it and it already ends in “y”.

21

[name_m]Ive[/name_m] always liked the name [name_m]Jacob[/name_m] and my best friend during high school was a [name_m]Jacob[/name_m]. But for me, i dont think id be able to use it only because i had a pet dog named [name_m]Jake[/name_m] for 15 years and while i know its a different name, its very similar and i just connect the two. I know its weird, but it happens.

22

Back to the [name_m]William[/name_m] suggetions how do you feel about [name_m]Liam[/name_m] as a nickname? To me that makes the most sense. I love that it has such a connection to your grandfather, but I competely understand haveing issues with nicknames and that causing issues with the original name. [name_f]My[/name_f] second thought would be to use your grandfather’s name [name_m]Gavin[/name_m] [name_m]William[/name_m] as all of your other choices seem to have some issues.