Name for our second bub?

General Name Discussion
1

Hello all,

This site was recommended to me by a friend who knew I was struggling with names for our second baby. I’ve been looking around and am pleasantly surprised by the wonderful ideas and comments on this site, it seems like you all really care about each others naming issues.

So my problem that I hope to get some help with… I have a 2 year old son named Bugsy [name]William[/name]. By know your probably thinking, how odd, these people are crazy!!! I haven’t seen any mention of Bugsy on here so I guess it will be disliked by most.
But let me explain, my husband fell in love with the name Bugsy when he was 11, now for me names were never a big deal (having a son named Bugsy has changed that slightly) and the fact that [name]Jack[/name] felt so strongly about the name won me over for it to be a middle name, [name]William[/name] Bugsy it was.
However, the moment he was born [name]Jack[/name] called him Bugsy, not [name]William[/name], and in that moment I knew that we couldn’t go back. When he was born it just fit, and believe me Bugsy suits him just fine as he grows up! He gets called Bugsy by his dad and [name]Billy[/name] by me, some of the time, so the odd name wont be too much of an issue as he grows up, he can be [name]Billy[/name] if he wants. Sorry for the long story but I’ve been explaining it for 2 years. Please keep an open mind, Bugsy isn’t the name we are giving opinions on today :slight_smile:

Now on to my issue, how do you follow Bugsy…?? Any ideas? Here’s some names we’ve been contemplating, but nothing really sticks.

BOYS:
[name]Penn[/name]
[name]Hugo[/name]
[name]Finley[/name]
[name]Otto[/name]
[name]Tristan[/name]

GIRLS:
[name]Poppy[/name]
[name]Nellie[/name]
[name]Scout[/name]
[name]Clover[/name]
[name]Polly[/name]

We’ve got 4 months to go so I’m not in an absolute rush but I’d love some suggestions and advice.

Thanks,
[name]Lila[/name]

2

Thanks for the story behind Bugsy. It’s charming and helps clarify the choice, which helps us give advice (and indeed makes you seem less crazy :stuck_out_tongue: ). It’s true: how does one follow Bugsy/[name]Billy[/name]? I think you’re on the right track with many of these! Bugsy [name]William[/name] is playful, decidedly spunky up front and grounded by classic [name]William[/name]. While the name Bugsy is gutsy and fun, I wouldn’t call it “light” per se… So here are some thoughts:

[name]Penn[/name]: I think this would work pretty well. It avoids the issue of juxtaposing a “real” name against brother Bugsy altogether, and I think it feels young and fun.
[name]Hugo[/name]: I like this choice with Bugsy for its snappy length, unusual ending, and spunk, but I personally don’t care for the repeated “ug” letters (visually) in the middle. If that doesn’t bother you, I think this is nice.
[name]Finley[/name]: This feels very Irish and “poppy,” even a bit trendy, next to weightier Bugsy. This is the least fitting of the bunch [name]IMO[/name].
[name]Otto[/name]: [name]LOVE[/name] this choice with Bugsy. I think it is unusual, simple, and has that rough-and-tumble fun feel. I’m not sure what middles you’re considering, but a classic could lighten and “normalize” it beautifully: [name]Otto[/name] [name]James[/name], [name]Otto[/name] [name]Robert[/name], etc.
[name]Tristan[/name]: Like [name]Finley[/name], [name]Tristan[/name] feels quite different from Bugsy to me. It has this wispy, light, Romantic hero vibe that clashes with down-to-earth Bugsy.

Other boys’ names I would recommend:
Short, fun, “O” names (like [name]Hugo[/name] or [name]Otto[/name]): [name]Arno[/name], [name]Arlo[/name], [name]Milo[/name], [name]Oscar[/name]
Slightly clunky vintage picks (also like [name]Hugo[/name] and [name]Otto[/name]): [name]Reuben[/name] (nn [name]Ben[/name]?), [name]Rufus[/name], [name]Walter[/name], [name]Arthur[/name] (nn [name]Bear[/name]?), [name]Quentin[/name] (nn [name]Quinn[/name])
Lighter-but-still-grounded (in the vein of [name]Finley[/name]): [name]Flynn[/name] (very similar, but feels a little tougher), [name]Tavish[/name], [name]Angus[/name]
Surnames (like [name]Penn[/name]): [name]Monroe[/name], [name]Fletcher[/name], [name]Hopper[/name], [name]Wilder[/name], [name]Gower[/name], [name]Duff[/name], [name]Perry[/name], [name]Tobin[/name] (nn [name]Toby[/name]? [name]Ben[/name]?), [name]Whistler[/name] or [name]Whittaker[/name] (nn [name]Whit[/name])

The girls’ names on your list are, interestingly, all quite casual, mostly vintage nicknames. I would be careful of getting too cutesy, esp. with sibling Bugsy.

[name]Poppy[/name]: This is one that, to me, feels a hair too cute, but I like it for its energy. I do think a classic middle could ground it a la Bugsy ([name]Poppy[/name] [name]Margaret[/name], for instance), but [name]Poppy[/name] and Bugsy together might feel a wee bit too saccharine together. I feel conflicted: I like it, I don’t, I do, I don’t. Sorry if that’s unhelpful…
[name]Nellie[/name]: I like [name]Nellie[/name]. I prefer just [name]Nell[/name] or a longer name ([name]Ellen[/name], [name]Elinor[/name]) with [name]Nellie[/name] as a nickname; [name]Nellie[/name] makes me think a bit of the R&B singer, [name]Nelly[/name]. And while I think [name]Nellie[/name] and Bugsy (or [name]Nell[/name] and Bugsy) are sweet together, [name]Nellie[/name] and [name]Billy[/name] seem too similar to me.
[name]Scout[/name]: I confess I have a sweet spot for [name]Scout[/name], esp. on your list. I love that it doesn’t end in an -ee sound, that it is feisty and not too sweet, that is has a great literary namesake… Bugsy and [name]Scout[/name] (or [name]Billy[/name] and [name]Scout[/name]) sound perfectly paired and ready for adventures! [name]LOVE[/name] it.
[name]Clover[/name]: Far too cutesy for me. I also think of bugs in clover patches when Bugsy and [name]Clover[/name] are side by side. (I think of bugs on poppy flowers with [name]Poppy[/name], too…) That’s just my opinion, though.
[name]Polly[/name]: I like [name]Polly[/name]. I think it is underused and sweet with some nice vintage charm. I think Bugsy and [name]Polly[/name] are a quaint, fun duo.

Other suggestions…
Spunky nature names (like [name]Poppy[/name] and [name]Clover[/name]): [name]Juniper[/name] (nn [name]June[/name], [name]Junie[/name]), [name]Ivy[/name], [name]April[/name] or [name]May[/name], [name]Daphne[/name], [name]Violet[/name], [name]Hazel[/name], [name]Olive[/name]
Vintage nicknames that stand alone well (like [name]Polly[/name] and [name]Nellie[/name]): [name]Milly[/name], [name]Mae[/name], [name]Sadie[/name], [name]Sukey[/name], [name]Tansy[/name], [name]Elsie[/name], [name]Tess[/name], [name]Bess[/name], [name]Hattie[/name], [name]Zadie[/name], [name]Gwen[/name], [name]Wendy[/name]
Vintage longer names: [name]Pearl[/name], [name]Elsa[/name], [name]Etta[/name], [name]Flora[/name], [name]Phoebe[/name], [name]Faye[/name] (love this)

3

I think Bugsy is charming and quirky! I think I like it.
Of your boys names I really love [name]Hugo[/name] and [name]Finley[/name]. I think they are handsome and that they are good solid names. [name]Finley[/name] is a little more on the popular side, so I would lean towards [name]Hugo[/name]. I also think [name]Hugo[/name] and Bugsy are great together. [name]Penn[/name] and [name]Otto[/name] are ok. [name]Tristan[/name] I don’t care for and I find that it doesn’t go well with Bugsy at all.

From the girl’s list I really like [name]Poppy[/name] and [name]Scout[/name]. [name]Poppy[/name] might be an easier name to grow into as an adult, so I would lean towards [name]Poppy[/name].

4

I actually grew up across the street from a little boy who everyone called Bug–I think his real name was Mikey. I don’t think it’s really a name I can see on a president, but it’s not completely horrific.

I immediately thought of Rigby as a match with Bugsy.

But I guess it depends on how much you want to go with the same sorta “style”. Most of your options are a tad bit different but not too out there, which is sort of in between Billy and Bugsy.
I think if I were you I’d go for a really unique name that would match with Bugsy, but that also had a rather normal nickname.

Hartley “Lee” “Arty”
Clancy “Lance”
Ratcliff “Cliff”
Dewey
Finch “Fin”
Lennox “Knox”

I think for girls, it’s less important that the names feel equal. I think Poppy, Polly, Nelly, and Clover are all great names that would work great with your family. I’m not big on Scout because it feels too much like a dogs name to me, but I can see the allure.

5

From your boys list, [name]Finley[/name] is the only one that I really like, [name]Penn[/name] stands out because I always thought of it as a girls name. Some suggestions: [name]Milo[/name], [name]Saul[/name], [name]Lysander[/name], [name]Wolfe[/name], [name]Nelson[/name], [name]George[/name], [name]Fox[/name], [name]Samson[/name], [name]Oswald[/name], [name]Carter[/name], [name]Jerome[/name], [name]Henry[/name], [name]Jaxon[/name], [name]Carlos[/name], [name]Jem[/name]?
I love [name]Scout[/name] from your girls. Hands down it fits with Bugsy perfectly and I think it’s great, it’s actually on my own list - albeit in the middle spot - still a great name :slight_smile:

6

Hey OP, I just want to clarify – is Bugsy your son’s given name? Or is it his middle and a nick?

Bugsy is beyond cute. There’s something ruggedly handsome yet adorable about it. I’ll always think of the movie with [name]Jodie[/name] [name]Foster[/name], but in this generation, the association won’t be too strong. I love it!

Anyway, I think [name]Otto[/name] and [name]Hugo[/name] work best. BUT, if Bugsy is only a nickname, I’d consider giving your other sons a longer name, as well, and coming up with a spunky nick for it. [name]Francis[/name] to [name]Franco[/name] could be cool. [name]Nicholas[/name] nn [name]Klaus[/name], [name]Cole[/name]. [name]Christopher[/name] nn [name]Kipp[/name]. [name]Gunnar[/name] nn [name]Gunn[/name]. [name]Gunnar[/name] and Bugsy sounds darling together.

For girls, I’d avoid something super cutesy, so not feeling [name]Poppy[/name] or any of your other choices. Except for maybe [name]Clover[/name]. With Bugsy, I like [name]Margot[/name], [name]Cleo[/name]. I think next to Bugsy, any daughter of yours could pull off the nickname [name]Cricket[/name], too, something to think about.

7

I definitely think something equally as fun and quirky as Bugsy is needed here and the ones that match that for me are [name]Penn[/name], [name]Otto[/name], [name]Nellie[/name], [name]Scout[/name] and [name]Polly[/name].

Bugsy and [name]Scout[/name] just work together, as do Bugsy & [name]Penn[/name]/[name]Otto[/name].

Suggestions…
Bugsy & [name]Peregrine[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Evander[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Carlisle[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Giles[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Milo[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Quinn[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Leland[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Alaric[/name]

Bugsy & [name]Alma[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Willow[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Agnes[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Ottilie[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Adelaide[/name]
Bugsy & [name]Clementine[/name]

8

[QUOTE=cosmonaut;1737287]Hey OP, I just want to clarify – is Bugsy your son’s given name? Or is it his middle and a nick?

Bugsy is his first name on his birth certificate. Probably one of the only birth certificates with Bugsy on it!

Thank you everyone for all you opinions and suggestions, I am beyond happy that you all like Bugsy… Literally, it brought a huge smile to my face!

Now onto your suggestions, some of them are fantastic and I will be throwing them in my husbands face! One’s I like:
BOYS:
Fletcher
Hopper
Whistler
Wolfe
Fox
Jem
Milo

GIRLS:
Mae
Tess
Willow (Willow and Billy?)
Ivy
Violet

Thanks again, please keep youf opinions coming!
Lila

P.S What do you think of Kit or Kip for a boy?

9

Bugsy is his first name on his birth certificate. Probably one of the only birth certificates with Bugsy on it!

Thank you everyone for all you opinions and suggestions, I am beyond happy that you all like Bugsy… Literally, it brought a huge smile to my face!

Now onto your suggestions, some of them are fantastic and I will be throwing them in my husbands face! [name]One[/name]'s I like:
BOYS:
[name]Fletcher[/name]
[name]Hopper[/name]
[name]Whistler[/name]
[name]Wolfe[/name]
[name]Fox[/name]
[name]Franco[/name]
[name]Jem[/name]
[name]Milo[/name]

GIRLS:
[name]Mae[/name]
[name]Tess[/name]
[name]Willow[/name] ([name]Willow[/name] and [name]Billy[/name]?)
[name]Ivy[/name]
[name]Violet[/name]

Thanks again, please keep your opinions coming!
[name]Lila[/name]

P.S What do you think of [name]Kit[/name] or [name]Kip[/name] for a boy?

10

I really like your son’s name, awesome choice.

Of your boy names, I think that [name]Penn[/name] and [name]Otto[/name] fit the best. I also like the name [name]Tristan[/name], but the other two fit better.
Of the girl names, I really like [name]Polly[/name] and [name]Scout[/name]!

Good luck and congrats on the soon-to-be here baby!

11

[name]Just[/name] noticed your newest post on the thread.

Of the suggestions you received for boys I think that [name]Fletcher[/name] is awesome. I have heard it used. The name sounds like it would be great on a little boy, a teenager, or adult! Plus it sounds good with your son’s name.
Of the suggestions you received for girls I like [name]Violet[/name] and [name]Tess[/name], both so pretty!

I have heard [name]Kit[/name] on a girl and a guy, I think it could work either way! [name]Kip[/name] is nice, but reminds me of a puppy.

12

I really like [name]Kit[/name] on boys and girls. For an inexplicable reason, [name]Kip[/name] seems short and incomplete, like a random syllable sound, while [name]Kit[/name] feels like a “real” complete name.

Depending on the middle name, you might be able to pull [name]Fox[/name] as a nickname from [name]Fletcher[/name] ([name]Fletcher[/name] [name]Knox[/name]? [name]Fletcher[/name] [name]Maddox[/name]? [name]Fletcher[/name] [name]Maxwell[/name]? Or something else with a distinctive O or X sound?). [name]Foster[/name] might get you there, too: [name]Foster[/name] + a name with an X like [name]Rex[/name], [name]Saxon[/name], [name]Maxwell[/name], [name]Knox[/name]…). I really do like [name]Fletcher[/name], though!