Name for Baby Boy #2

Hi Everyone,

We’ve been working on finding the right name for our second boy. Both my husband and I really like the name Barrett, however we’re concerned it’s too close to our nephews name, Bennett. Is it?

A couple other names that we’re still considering are:

Garrett

Warren

Deacon

Grant

Whitt

Wyatt

Sawyer

We’ve also talked about using a family name as a middle name. The family names we’ve talked about using are Benton and Mckinley, there are other options, but those are our top two. I’ve had a hard time finding names that seem to flow well with Benton.

Also for more context. Our first son’s name is Micah. Some names I like that my husband does not are:

Bauer

Byron

Logan

Huck

Zane

Turner

Monroe

Amos

Thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

Congratulations! [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] and [name_m]Barrett[/name_m] would be too similar for siblings, but I think it’s ok for cousins. I guess it depends how often you’re going to see them to some extent. If you live close by and see them so often that the boys will essentially grow up like brothers, I’d personally avoid it. But if you only see each other a few times a year it’s fine.

From your joint list, I think [name_m]Micah[/name_m] goes best with [name_m]Sawyer[/name_m], [name_m]Whitt[/name_m] & [name_m]Wallace[/name_m], but I have to say my favourite pairing is [name_m]Micah[/name_m] & [name_m]Amos[/name_m].

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[name_m]Bennett[/name_m] & [name_m]Barrett[/name_m] are definitely pretty similar names, although the differing starting sounds help prevent too much confusion (ex [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] & [name_m]Benji[/name_m] would be too close for me). I’d ask yourself how often you see your nephew, and if your sister/brother would be at all miffed at the similarity between the names.

Would [name_m]Barrett[/name_m] regularly be going by a nickname, like [name_m]Bear[/name_m]? That might also help to separate the names a bit more!

From your list, I think [name_m]Garrett[/name_m] is a great alternative for y’all! Also loving [name_m]Grant[/name_m], [name_m]Warren[/name_m], & [name_m]Wyatt[/name_m]! Those would all flow great with [name_f]Mckinley[/name_f] in the middle spot as well.

A few other suggestions:
[name_m]Emmett[/name_m]
[name_m]Alcott[/name_m]
[name_m]Elliott[/name_m]
[name_m]Marshall[/name_m]
[name_m]Reid[/name_m]
[name_m]Jude[/name_m]
→ [name_m]Benton[/name_m] works as a middle with [name_m]Reid[/name_m], [name_m]Jude[/name_m], & [name_m]Marshall[/name_m]! I think he flows better with a one syllable first name and/or names that don’t contain a strong T sound

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And here are some suggestions for names I think go well with Micah, and are similar in style to your joint list.

Micah and…

Jasper
Tobias
Archer
Asher
Caleb
Darius
Emmett
Sterling
Ansel
Reuben
Anders / Anderson
Dashiell
Roman
Pierce

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I really like [name_m]Sawyer[/name_m] and [name_m]Grant[/name_m] with [name_m]Micah[/name_m]! [name_m]Sawyer[/name_m] especially has a similar softness that I enjoy about [name_m]Micah[/name_m]. I do think [name_m]Barrett[/name_m] works, and it is fine for cousins to have close names!

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[name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_m]Sawyer[/name_m] [name_m]Benton[/name_m]! [name_m]Micah[/name_m] and [name_m]Sawyer[/name_m] :blue_heart: :blue_heart:

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Thank you for the list! We really like [name_m]Reuben[/name_m] but it’s another close family members name. We also like [name_m]Beau[/name_m], but it’s our dogs name (my husband got his dog before we were together).

Thank you! That is very helpful!

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If I had a [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] then my sibling or in-laws had a [name_m]Barrett[/name_m], I would be annoyed, so imho it’s too close! I can see you like the -tt ending though, and think [name_m]Wyatt[/name_m] is a great option! [name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_m]Micah[/name_m] and [name_m]Wyatt[/name_m] together!

With Micah, from your list, I like:

Whitt (either middle, prob McKinley) would myself go for Whitby/ Whitaker nn Whitt - Whitby here - but I can see the spunkiness of Whitt
Deacon (McKinley)
Sawyer (either middle)
Barrett (McKinley) “Bear” (unless within a couple of years of age and/or cousins that are more like siblings, cousins with similar names is usually fine - I have for eg nieces called Isabel & Belle and there’s no confusion or concern. But would only use with nn Besr being default)
Garrett (McK) - not my style/ doesn’t translate as well to where I live (nor does Barrett) but can see its appeal and how it works with Micah. Only use of OK with possible nn Gary.
Wyatt - I like Wyatt in general, just not sure re the repeat Y sound -MY-cah and WY-att? It’s handsome though for sure.

Warren and Grant are just a tad harsh to my ear.

Other names (that pair with Micah, and have that southern flair):

Levi
Jude
Joss
Jesse
Elias
Caleb
Hollis
Hayes
Heath
Ethan
Brody
Brooks
Everett
Callan
Orson (Sonny or Bear via meaning)
Jennings
Sullivan
Zachary
Shepherd

I love [name_m]Grant[/name_m]. [name_m]Barrett[/name_m] and [name_m]Benton[/name_m] would be too close for me.

[name_m]Just[/name_m] wanted to say I love your name list! A lot of these are very similar to my style.

As far as naming similarity: I think it will come down to how your nephew’s parents would feel about it. But as far as the kids’ perspective: I have two cousins close to my age whose names are pretty similar to mine. One is literally a variant of my name. Growing up, our families would visit 1-2 times a year and it was always fine, no confusion.

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My cousin and I have the same name. I saw her all the time when I was growing up. Neither of us nor our parents cares. I think [name_m]Barrett[/name_m] and [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] would be fine. However, if you think it’d cause too many issues, I think [name_m]Whitt[/name_m] McKinley sounds really nice with big brother [name_m]Micah[/name_m].

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Thank you so much!

[name_m]Barrett[/name_m] is lovely, and feels fine for a cousin to [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] to me, and the nns [name_m]Bear[/name_m] and [name_m]Rhett[/name_m] are so sweet! I think I would avoid the middle [name_m]Benton[/name_m] with [name_m]Barrett[/name_m], but [name_m]Barrett[/name_m] McKinley is fine imo and very sweet with [name_m]Micah[/name_m]! I also love [name_m]Deacon[/name_m], [name_m]Grant[/name_m], [name_m]Whitt[/name_m], and [name_m]Sawyer[/name_m]. I think McKinley sounds great with all of those, and I like [name_m]Sawyer[/name_m] [name_m]Benton[/name_m] a lot too!

What a shame about [name_m]Zane[/name_m], because he feels perfect with [name_m]Micah[/name_m] to me!

[name_m]You[/name_m] tend to favor surname choices, from what I can see, so what about these?

  • [name_m]Rafferty[/name_m] [name_m]Benton[/name_m]
  • [name_m]Rafe[/name_m] Benton/McKinley
  • [name_m]Flynn[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Sumner[/name_m] Benton/McKinley
  • [name_m]Cullen[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Reed[/name_m] Benton/McKinley
  • [name_m]Murray[/name_m] [name_m]Benton[/name_m]
  • [name_m]Dane[/name_m] Benton/McKinley
  • [name_m]Harris[/name_m] Benton/Harrison McKinley
  • [name_m]Emerson[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Finnegan[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Rowan[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Drake[/name_m] McKinley/Benton
  • [name_m]Cole[/name_m] McKinley/Benton
  • [name_m]Vale[/name_m] Benton/McKinley
  • [name_m]Soren[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Winslow[/name_m] Benton/McKinley
  • [name_m]Baxter[/name_m] Benton/McKinley (or Dexter!)
  • [name_m]Zephan[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Boaz[/name_m] Benton/McKinley
  • [name_m]Caleb[/name_m] Benton/McKinley
  • [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] Benton/McKinley
  • [name_m]Declan[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Holden[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Julian[/name_m] McKinley or [name_m]Jules[/name_m] [name_m]Benton[/name_m]
  • [name_m]Vincent[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Gideon[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Cormac[/name_m] [name_m]Benton[/name_m]
  • [name_m]Reuben[/name_m] McKinley
  • [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] Benton/McKinley
  • [name_m]Samson[/name_m] McKinley

Good luck!

for cousins, I think it should be okay – and tbh, I’ve met sibs with names as matchy. And – you never know, they might grow up to think it’s cool that their names kind of match.
I guess it just depends on if you feel comfortable with the B—tt repetition – how would you feel about announcing it?

Of your other choices, I really like:

[name_m]Garrett[/name_m] → rugged but a hint of preppiness too.
[name_m]Warren[/name_m] → strong, handsome and earthy
[name_m]Whitt[/name_m] → snappy and cool
[name_m]Sawyer[/name_m] → smart and stylish

Some alternative ideas…

[name_m]Truett[/name_m]
[name_m]Everett[/name_m]
[name_m]Marshall[/name_m]
[name_m]Callum[/name_m]
[name_m]Shay[/name_m]
[name_m]Finley[/name_m]
[name_m]Rex[/name_m]
[name_m]Silas[/name_m]
[name_m]Conrad[/name_m]
[name_m]Julian[/name_m]
[name_m]Cedric[/name_m]
[name_m]Nolan[/name_m]

I actually really like [name_m]Barrett[/name_m], but personally I do think it’s a little too close to [name_m]Bennett[/name_m]. They have the same rhythm, both start with “B,” and end with “-ett,” so I could definitely see people mixing them up at family gatherings.

From your list, my favourites with [name_m]Micah[/name_m] are [name_m]Grant[/name_m], [name_m]Wyatt[/name_m], and [name_m]Sawyer[/name_m]. They all feel familiar without being overly common, and they complement [name_m]Micah[/name_m] nicely without sounding matchy.

Some more ideas you might like:
[name_m]Graham[/name_m], [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], [name_m]Beckham[/name_m], [name_m]Reece[/name_m], [name_m]Dean[/name_m], [name_m]Ellis[/name_m], [name_m]Walker[/name_m], [name_m]Knox[/name_m], [name_m]Cooper[/name_m], [name_m]Levi[/name_m], [name_m]Nash[/name_m], [name_m]Fletcher[/name_m], [name_m]Adler[/name_m], [name_m]Carter[/name_m], [name_m]Jasper[/name_m], [name_m]Jude[/name_m], [name_m]Jonas[/name_m], [name_m]Hudson[/name_m], [name_m]Weston[/name_m], [name_m]Bryce[/name_m], [name_m]Camden[/name_m], [name_m]Greyson[/name_m], [name_m]Evan[/name_m], [name_m]Christian[/name_m], [name_m]Nathan[/name_m]

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps!