Oliver, Rhys, Archer, Marcus...others?

Time is ticking and I am in need of some opinions!!! I have posted threads similar to this in the past, and always got great advice, but I am now two weeks away from having my third baby and not decided on a name and need help again!

This baby is a boy, his older brother is named [name_m]Bennett[/name_m], and his older sister is named [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f].

Top names in the running are [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_u]Rhys[/name_u], [name_m]Archer[/name_m], and [name_m]Marcus[/name_m], but my husband and I can’t seem to agree/settle on the “perfect” one. [name_f]My[/name_f] likes and concerns for each are below.

[name_m]Oliver[/name_m] - [name_u]Love[/name_u] this name and think it fits with my other kids - husband doesn’t love it, thinks it is nerdy sounding name.
[name_u]Rhys[/name_u] - Also really like this name, biggest concern is the unisex factor. As long as it is seen as unisex I am okay with that, but I worry that 6 years from now he will be in a grade one class with two little girl [name_u]Reese[/name_u]'s and he will then be seen as having a girl’s name. Other minor concern is that it doesn’t offer a nn or short form as my other kids names do. Also husband would prefer to spell it [name_u]Reece[/name_u] to avoid miss pronounciation, but I am only open to spelling [name_u]Rhys[/name_u].
[name_m]Archer[/name_m] - Like the name, love the nn [name_m]Archie[/name_m] (Not a fan of [name_m]Archibald[/name_m]). Would prefer a name with a nicer meaning ([name_m]Archer[/name_m] = [name_m]Bowman[/name_m])
[name_m]Marcus[/name_m] - Like the name but not a huge fan of [name_m]Marc[/name_m]. Think it fits okay with the my other kids, in the sense of the short forms ([name_m]Ben[/name_m], [name_f]Anna[/name_f], [name_m]Marc[/name_m]) though they don’t necessarily use those short forms. Worry that [name_m]Marcus[/name_m] too dated of a name?

With the first three names listed I also worry about popularity. I don’t necessarily need a completely unique name, but these ones have been climbing and seem likely to continue to do so – thoughts?

Other names we considered: [name_m]Jeffery[/name_m] (too dated? Not special enough?), [name_m]Milo[/name_m] (would love it as a short form for something else - don’t like [name_m]Miles[/name_m]), [name_m]Ozias[/name_m] (just saw this on NB & like it, hubby loves it, but seems to “out there” compared to our other children - maybe if this was our first), [name_m]Jeremiah[/name_m] (just doesn’t sound right with [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] & [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] to me), [name_u]Arlo[/name_u] (like it but don’t love it - again, unisex concerns).

I would love feedback on the names listed, which you think work best, which you wouldn’t use, thoughts on the concerns I’ve listed, thoughts on concerns I haven’t thought of.

Would also love ideas of names you think of that work well with my other children. Meaning of names is important to me and to be honest I don’t think any of these names have as nice of meanings as [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] (Blessed) and [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] (Loving…[name_f]Anna[/name_f] = [name_f]Grace[/name_f]…[name_f]Belle[/name_f] - Beautiful) do (though I am okay with the meanings of [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] and [name_m]Oliver[/name_m]). So if you have any suggestions of fitting names, particularly those with nice meanings, I would love to hear them. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband is Catholic and the children are being raised catholic so we are open to biblical names (I just don’t tend to love most I hear) and to names with spiritual meanings.

Sorry for the long post - time is running out and I really value your feedback! Thank you all in advance for your thoughts, opinions and suggestions.

[name_m]Oliver[/name_m] - Handsome name, closer to the top of my list, my only concern is its popularity. I’m afraid it’s going to make to top 10, seeing it’s already in top 5 in some places.
[name_u]Rhys[/name_u] - I really like [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] and really dislike [name_u]Reese[/name_u]. [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] feels like a distinctive choice while [name_u]Reese[/name_u] like a dated girl name.
[name_m]Archer[/name_m] - I adore it and the nickname [name_m]Archie[/name_m], beyond handsome! I think the meaning is great, think metaphorical… “overachiever”, “winner”, “strong”.
[name_m]Marcus[/name_m] - To be honest, it feels ethnic to me. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, though. It does feel a bit dated, too. I’m not a fan in general, but kinda like [name_m]Marc[/name_m]/[name_m]Mark[/name_m].

While in generally I prefer [name_m]Archer[/name_m], with your other children’s names I really like [name_m]Oliver[/name_m]. All feel classic, sophisticated and very… British.

Other suggestions:

[name_m]Asher[/name_m] (“fortunate”, “blessed”)
[name_m]Felix[/name_m] (“happy”, “lucky”)
[name_m]Tobias[/name_m] (“God is good”)
[name_m]Vincent[/name_m] (“conquering”)
[name_u]Elliot[/name_u] (“Jehovah is God”)
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] (“gift of God”)
[name_m]Jasper[/name_m] (“bringer of treasure”)
[name_m]Frederick[/name_m] (“peaceful ruler”)
[name_m]Andrew[/name_m] (“strong”)
[name_m]Ezra[/name_m] (“helper”)
[name_m]Reuben[/name_m] (“behold”)
[name_m]Simon[/name_m] (“listener”)
[name_u]Jude[/name_u] (“praised”)
[name_m]Garrett[/name_m] (“spear strength”)
[name_m]Angus[/name_m] (“one strength”)
[name_m]Alfred[/name_m] (“wise counselor”)
[name_u]Valentine[/name_u] (“healthy”, “strong”)
[name_m]Ezekiel[/name_m] (“God strengthens”)
[name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] (“God is my strength”)

Thank you very much [name_f]Polina[/name_f], I truely appreciate your feedback on our top names. I also really appreciate your suggestions. I love the meanings of alot of the names you have suggested, though in most cases I love the meanings more than the names themselves! From the ones you listed my top choices would be [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m], [name_m]Felix[/name_m], [name_u]Elliot[/name_u], and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], however I dont love any of these more than [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_u]Rhys[/name_u], or [name_m]Archer[/name_m]. After getting your feedback I am feeling more confient in these top three, just still not sure which one of the three it will be!

I really like all of these names. I agree that [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] feels like a good fit. As far as [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] being unisex–I see [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] as a boy’s name and [name_u]Reese[/name_u] as a girl’s name. I don’t see [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] going to the girls anytime soon. I think you’d have more trouble spelling it [name_u]Reese[/name_u] or [name_u]Reece[/name_u]. [name_m]Marcus[/name_m] is handsome, though somewhat serious sounding to me. Not sure what it means for a name to sound ethnic? [name_m]Archer[/name_m] feels a bit trendier to me, plus shares the A initial with [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f], so for that reason it’s my last pick from you list.

Anyway, I personally like the double letters in your kids’ names, so I might try to continue that theme. Some ideas that might fit:

[name_m]Griffin[/name_m] (nn [name_u]Finn[/name_u]?) or [name_m]Griffith[/name_m]
[name_u]Wallace[/name_u]
[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m]
[name_m]Marshall[/name_m]
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m] - means laughter - double pts
[name_u]Keegan[/name_u]
[name_m]Finnegan[/name_m]
[name_m]Callahan[/name_m]
[name_m]Callen[/name_m]
[name_m]Callum[/name_m] - means dove (peace)
[name_u]Flynn[/name_u]
[name_m]Stellan[/name_m] - means calm
[name_m]Maxwell[/name_m] would be a nice fit if not for the shared ending with [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] :confused:

Anyway, my top 2 from your list are [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] and [name_u]Rhys[/name_u]!

Of your choices, I like [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] best, followed by [name_m]Archer[/name_m]. I’m with you on the meaning behind [name_m]Archer[/name_m], though. For what it’s worth, I don’t find [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] nerdy at all - at worst, [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] is geek chic, but I think it’s more accurate to say [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] is newly hot. Names with a sophisticated sound (which, for boys, we might think of as less masculine/more metro sounding) are no longer for (to use a ridiculously antiquated term) so-called nancy-boys.

But since you aren’t settled on your current choices, you might consider the following:

[name_m]Asher[/name_m] (biblical, means blessed)
[name_m]Ezra[/name_m] (biblical, means help)
[name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] (means venerable AND [name_m]Saint[/name_m] [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] is the patron saint of athletes)
[name_u]Finley[/name_u] (means fair-haired hero, but the concern about girl classmates with the same name would be an issue here as well)
[name_m]Griffin[/name_m]
[name_m]Felix[/name_m] (means lucky)
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] (means soldier OR gracious)
[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m] (means prosperous)

I agree with your hubby and find [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] to be weak sounding.

Also clearly my favourite is [name_m]Archer[/name_m] because we’re going to name our baby boy that!

And guess what I just realized today and looked up today, that must have been meant for you? While [name_m]Archer[/name_m] simply means bowman (although I like to also think of [name_u]Orion[/name_u], my favourite constellation who is a heavenly bowman) [name_m]Archie[/name_m] means “truly brave” and this is what I intend on thinking of when thinking of meaning!

Thank you to each of you has replied, your feedback is very helpful! Your comments are making me feel a little more confident in my top 3 choices ([name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_m]Archer[/name_m], [name_u]Rhys[/name_u]) but I’m not necessarily any closer to committing to one!

Emsky, I agree with you that when written, [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] is all boy and [name_u]Reese[/name_u]/[name_u]Reece[/name_u] is feminine, but I still have concerns about it being seen as a girl’s name when heard out loud. From what I have found popularity wise, is that the masculine form [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] is at about 476 – 549 (depending on spelling), while the feminine [name_u]Reese[/name_u] is at 128, meaning there are lots more little girls [name_u]Reese[/name_u]/[name_u]Reece[/name_u]'s running around than little boy [name_u]Rhys[/name_u]'s - though I too see it as a great boys name and don’t like it at all as a girl’s name.

[name_m]Archer[/name_m] sharing the A with [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] has occurred to me too, and while it does bother me a little, I could get past it because the names don’t have the same sound at all. But I do also agree with you that it comes off as a little trendier of a name, which isn’t exactly what I was going for - that being said I still just [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_m]Archie[/name_m]! (But couldn’t put it on the birth certificate on its own!), and [name_m]Archibald[/name_m] is just not my style!

Freya_1983, thank you for your opinions. I feel exactly the same way about [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], but hubby isn’t convinced. Maybe I need to find him some athletes/tough guy examples with the name [name_m]Oliver[/name_m]!

Alphabetters, Thank you for your opinions and the info on the meaning of [name_m]Archie[/name_m]. It may also interest you to know that the Teutonic meaning of [name_m]Archibald[/name_m]/[name_m]Archie[/name_m] is “[name_f]Holly[/name_f] [name_m]Prince[/name_m]”. I love this meaning so much! Almost enough to put the full [name_m]Archibald[/name_m] down on the birth certificate, but not quite (just can’t get past the “bald” sound)! It might be a bit of a stretch, but if you look at [name_m]Archer[/name_m] as a variant of [name_m]Archibald[/name_m] it does have a much more beautiful meaning. Also, my dad, who was a big hunter, passed a few years back so I would look at [name_m]Archer[/name_m] as a roundabout way of honoring him, as we gave his name to [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] in the middle spot.

Thank you to all of you for your additional suggestions, and particularly for including the meanings…I love the meanings of many of the names suggested, and am going to go back and review/reconsider some of them with my husband. We like to use family names in the middle spots, but have given each of our children double middles, so we are running out! One thing I found out last night is that [name_u]Elliot[/name_u] means “Jehovah is God”, which is also the meaning of my husband’s name. I love [name_u]Elliot[/name_u], and if it didn’t have the same “T” ending as [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] would consider it for a first name for sure, but since it does it is now a front runner for one of the middle names!

Okay, as you can see I am still going in circles, so a couple other questions:

Is there a name that [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] could be short for? This may seem like a silly question, but my husband brought it up last night, if there was a masculine name we like that lent itself to the nn [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] it would allow us to use the name without concern of it being feminized. I’m thinking something like [name_u]Patrice[/name_u] but NOT [name_u]Patrice[/name_u]! Any suggestions!

Also, do you think people will commonly miss pronounce/misspell [name_u]Rhys[/name_u]? [name_f]My[/name_f] husband thinks it will get pronounced [name_u]Rice[/name_u]? I am not overly concerned, but would like your opinions.

Finally, I am seeing [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] and [name_m]Archer[/name_m] popping up a lot on nameberry. As I said in my original post, I know these names are on the rise, and am aware they are likely going to meet other little [name_m]Archer[/name_m]’s and [name_m]Oliver[/name_m]’s, but just how popular I don’t know. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you see these names as being as “real life popular” as they are “nameberry popular”? Thoughts? Have you personally seen any birth announcements with these names in the last year or two?

And one more name that we considered when expecting our last baby was [name_m]Matthias[/name_m]…what are your thoughts on this name with our other kids? I love the meaning and really like [name_m]Matt[/name_m]/[name_u]Matty[/name_u], think it fits with [name_m]Ben[/name_m] & [name_f]Anna[/name_f]. I like [name_m]Matthias[/name_m], but just feel it doesn’t flow off the tong as well as our other kids names do? Would appreciate some feedback on this name as well.

Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you for your help!!!

[name_f]My[/name_f] first thought when reading your post was [name_u]Elias[/name_u].

[name_m]Bennett[/name_m], [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f], & [name_u]Elias[/name_u] sounds perfect. As does [name_m]Ben[/name_m], [name_f]Anna[/name_f], & [name_m]Eli[/name_m].

It’s a variant of [name_m]Elijah[/name_m], and a saint name, though I don’t care for meanings so I can’t recall what the meaning is to judge it there.

[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] would be my next suggestion. Gift from God. nn [name_u]Theo[/name_u], [name_m]Todd[/name_m], [name_m]Ted[/name_m], [name_m]Tad[/name_m].

I know several Olivers in real life but no Archers, but a couple of friends of ours revealed that if they ever had a boy they were thinking of using [name_m]Archer[/name_m].

[name_m]Oliver[/name_m] I would also be concerned about the amount of Olives… much the same way that [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] is being used as [name_u]Reece[/name_u] for girls. It’s not exactly the same - but if you have [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] and two girl friends named [name_f]Olive[/name_f] at a bday party for example it could get a bit much lol.
If you use this site for the US it gives you the popularity of a name over time: http://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
so [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] is at its highest point ever, #73 out of the top #1000 baby names. [name_m]Archer[/name_m] is ranked at #404, but [name_m]Archer[/name_m] is one of the fastest rising in popularity.

[name_u]Rhys[/name_u], I honestly thought it was pronounced [name_u]Rice[/name_u], so for the longest time on nameberry I was like what the heck why are people attracted to the name [name_u]Rice[/name_u], that’s so silly! I think he would get it quite a bit. [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] is ranked at #476, so less popular than [name_m]Archer[/name_m], and combined with the difficult spelling for me anyway I wouldn’t use it! Also [name_u]Reece[/name_u] Witherspoon just makes it so much more popular for girls… combined with you saying its more popular for girls… seriously, cross it off in my opinion! Why put him through that, if he might have the same name as a girl in his class! :frowning:
Also just wanted to say I don’t think it’s a big deal that [name_m]Archer[/name_m] and [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] both begin with an A. I also wanted to say that I don’t see [name_m]Archer[/name_m] as being super trendy, I actually see it just as revitalization of [name_m]Archibald[/name_m] which is a name that has been around since the 12th century. The name [name_m]Archie[/name_m] was in the top 100 names 120 year ago! I would also go with [name_m]Archibald[/name_m] except for the bald part… you know he’d get “[name_m]Aren[/name_m]'t-ya-bald?” lol. Whereas [name_m]Archer[/name_m] is strong and handsome sounding, and will fit right in with all of the other Sawyers, Hunters, Rykers, Harpers etc.

What pronunciation of Matthias would you use?

I love Matias. I had a latino friend named Matias in highschool and I have loved the name ever since. He prn it “mah-tee-ahs”

but I’ve heard other pronunciations that I didn’t like at all.

I know 4 Oliver’s under 5yo.

I only know of a couple dogs named Archer and though I think it’s a great name, I do think it’s really trendy right now, especially bc of the show “Archer”.

I LOVE Archie though. I had a St. Bernard named Archimedes nn Archie because I love Archie so much. lol

Can I just say I had the name [name_m]Archer[/name_m] long before that stupid show!!! LOL

Your children each have lovely names, so I can understand your struggle in trying to find something equally as wonderful for #3!

From your list, I like [name_m]Archer[/name_m] best, even though the meaning isn’t especially great. Maybe since you like [name_m]Archer[/name_m], you’d like the similar sounding [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]? Some might say it’s a little bit of an old man name, but it’s one of my favourites, has a cool meaning (bear…what little boy wouldn’t like that?!?), and of course, there’s [name_m]King[/name_m] [name_m]Arthur[/name_m].

If [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]'s not your cup of tea though, maybe you’d like:

[name_m]Connor[/name_m] (lover of hounds…weird! but…has double n’s like your other 2 children :slight_smile: )
[name_m]Wyatt[/name_m] (brave in war)
[name_m]Eli[/name_m] (ascended, uplifted)
[name_m]Ronan[/name_m] (little seal…a strange meaning, but an interesting one!)
[name_m]Simon[/name_m] (the listener)
[name_m]Levi[/name_m] (joined)
[name_u]Jude[/name_u] (praised)
[name_m]Timothy[/name_m] (honouring God)
[name_m]Ian[/name_m] (the [name_m]Lord[/name_m] is gracious)

I also quite like [name_m]Marcus[/name_m] from your list. [name_f]My[/name_f] cousin named her 4th [name_m]Marcus[/name_m] [name_m]Hendrik[/name_m] this year, and I thought it was a fantastic choice!

Good luck!

I thought I would chime in as a mother of a boy named [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] [name_m]Patrick[/name_m]. I struggled with the spelling and he was born and named [name_u]Reece[/name_u] [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] because I was afraid to go with the cool and original male spelling [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] because no one would know it. Well the first doctor appointment the nurse thought he was a girl since it was [name_u]Reece[/name_u]… I thought I would rather they ask me how to pronounce it then assume he is female… So after 2 weeks I changed his birth certificate to [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] spelling. No one has ever called him [name_u]Rice[/name_u]! Honestly it is a very cool name and we have yet to meet another. I think most of the time you tell someone once how to say it and they easily get and remember. We have nick names for him but once he is an adult I think it sounds very strong yet has a soft airy feel. His brothers are [name_u]Owen[/name_u] and [name_u]Finn[/name_u] - we like the short Celtic names. I actually don’t even feel like [name_u]Reece[/name_u]/[name_u]Reese[/name_u] are the same name as [name_u]Rhys[/name_u]. I think it’s a bit like [name_m]Sean[/name_m], once you know how to pronounce it it becomes automatic. Good luck!

[name_m]Bennett[/name_m], [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] and
[name_m]Eli[/name_m]-Meaning ascended, uplifted, high
[name_m]Dominic[/name_m]-belonging to the lord
[name_m]Lucian[/name_m]-light
[name_m]Griffin[/name_m]-strong lord
[name_m]Zachary[/name_m]-the [name_m]Lord[/name_m] has remembered
[name_m]Patrick[/name_m]-noble, patrician
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m]-mind, intellect and spirit

I like all of your names. [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] goes the best but don’t use it of your hubby thinks it is nerdy! You will find a name you both love. :slight_smile:

Well you guys are great! I was starting to feel pretty defeated this afternoon….[name_m]Oliver[/name_m]’s too popular….[name_m]Archer[/name_m] is too trendy….and [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] is unisex…ugg! But your posts have made me feel better again (blame the pregnancy hormones for the swings!)

Featherb, I love your suggestions, however we have a God son named [name_m]Eli[/name_m] and have met two little [name_u]Theo[/name_u]’s in our small area since my daughter has been born two years ago so I think those ones are out for me. ([name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] though!).

I don’t know what pronunciation of [name_m]Matthias[/name_m] we would use, and I think that is my biggest problem with the name. [name_m]Even[/name_m] once we decide on a pronunciation, will we be forever having to tell people how to pronounce it? I like the “mah-tee-ahs” pronunciation but I think my husband would want to go with the biblical “ma-thy-us” pronunciation. Going to have to chat with him on this one tonight!

Btw – Archimedes is a great dog name!

Thanks for the site info alphabetters! Great info to see.

Thanks for your feedback claireeslise! I like [name_m]Arthur[/name_m], but it’s really the love of [name_m]Archie[/name_m] that draws me to [name_m]Archer[/name_m]….Arttie/[name_m]Arthur[/name_m] just isn’t quite the same for me” I appreciate your suggestions and your opinions on [name_m]Marcus[/name_m] too….I have added [name_m]Wyatt[/name_m] to the “for discussion” list!

Boysmom2, thank you for posting your experience with the name [name_u]Rhys[/name_u]. It is really helpful to hear a “real life experience” perspective of the name. It’s great to know that you have never had trouble with the rice mispronunciation, and that you haven’t met another. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you mind if I ask how old your son is, and where about in the world you’re from? I’m from a small city in [name_f]Alberta[/name_f] [name_f]Canada[/name_f] so just trying to see how relatable your location is to here. Also curious what your nick names for [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] are if you don’t mind sharing” (by the way your kids names go great together – awesome sib set!)

Ella17, thanks very much for your suggestions. I agree that [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] goes best with [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] & [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f]…just wish my hubby saw it as adorable on a child and cool/sophisticated on an adult as I do!

Again, thank you all for taking the time to reply to my post”