We need help deciding on our baby boys name. Our last name is one syllable and we would prefer to use the name [name]James[/name] as a middle name but are open to something different. Our A list is more of a conservative traditional list with [name]Liam[/name], [name]Owen[/name], gideon, and [name]Abel[/name]. Our B list is a little more off the beaten path with everly, beckham, [name]Joaquin[/name], and [name]Cassius[/name]. What does everyone think?
Questions: Is the A List designated for firsts while the B list is for middles (besides [name]James[/name])? Or do the two lists have more to do with separating your choices by style? Or is one your list and the other your husband’s?
I think that [name]Gideon[/name] is the only one that really works with [name]James[/name] from the A list. [name]Liam[/name] [name]James[/name] feels like a lot of M while [name]Abel[/name] [name]James[/name] is a lot of the long A sound. [name]Owen[/name] [name]James[/name] sounds ok, but kind of closed off. I don’t think the flow is quite right. [name]Gideon[/name] [name]James[/name] changes up the number of syllables and flows well. I also think that [name]Gideon[/name] gets far less use than the other A List choices, which helps make it more “off the beaten path,” or (in other words) a good compromise between the two lists. If you are into nicknames, [name]Dee[/name], [name]Deon[/name], and [name]Guy[/name] are all fun.
Of the B List, I think [name]Joaquin[/name] [name]James[/name] is the best. I think [name]Everly[/name] is trendy, made-up-looking ([name]IMO[/name]), and feminine (which is fine, but your other choices suggest to me that you prefer solidly masculine names). [name]Beckham[/name] is similarly trendy and super celeb-tied. I like [name]Cassius[/name], but personally wouldn’t go for two names ending in -s ([name]Cassius[/name] [name]James[/name]). What about [name]Cassian[/name] [name]James[/name] or [name]Caspian[/name] [name]James[/name]? [name]Joaquin[/name] [name]James[/name] is a fantastic mix of unusual and traditional; JJ is a neat nickname if you like it. And because it’s a version of a Biblical name, it too strikes me as a great way to compromise or pull the best aspects from your two lists.
So [name]Gideon[/name] or [name]Joaquin[/name] get my vote! While I think [name]Gideon[/name] [name]James[/name] flows a bit better, I personally prefer [name]Joaquin[/name] by a smidgen. I think it has a little more cool factor without trying too hard. But both sound awesome.
On your A list, I love everything except for [name]Abel[/name]. On B list, [name]Joaquin[/name] would be my pick!
I think [name]Gideon[/name] [name]James[/name] would be a handsome pick. [name]Gideon[/name] is offbeat enough that [name]James[/name] works really well with it.
i agree with pp that [name]Gideon[/name] [name]James[/name] or [name]Joaquin[/name] [name]James[/name] would be gorgeous! I do think [name]Liam[/name] [name]James[/name] works as well.
I like [name]Liam[/name] and [name]Owen[/name]