Trying to focus what direction we are heading for our second son.
Our first son is Warren Patrick, and we think Wallace is of a smilies style. Being of the “old man name” genre and less popular are both pros for us. I just don’t feel 1,000% sold on Wallace quite yet.
I came across the name Crosby today and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I like the way it sounds with our surname, the fact that it is a little unexpected and offbeat while still looking recognizable, and I like that the meaning “village of crosses” feels like a subtly heist Ian meaning even if that isn’t the original history behind the name. Husband “isn’t sure” yet but thinking on it.
I literally cannot count how many times I’ve thrown out the name Callahan only for my husband to immediately veto it. Tonight he suggested Callahan as if it was a novel name he had never heard before and said he likes it. I really like the mama, it does seem like I see it online a LOT but according to the SSA it isn’t really that popular? My name is Cali so I do worry it will look narcissistic as if I’m trying to name him after myself?
I voted Crosby… but if I’m honest I’m not sure about any of them.
I think Warren and Wallace are a bit too similar for siblings? I mean they’re both only 2 syllables and the first syllable is pretty much identical, feels kind of like having siblings Ashley and Asher?
And Callahan… it’s a cool name, but like you said Cali and Callahan are very similar, and it certainly has a very different feel to Warren. Though matching with siblings maybe isn’t super important?
Crosby… I like it, it seems to fit best with Warren in a funny way (while still being unexpected)… But it does make me think of Bill Cosby (who’s had a number of allegations against him).
I’m not sure you want any other suggestions, but other “old man” names might be:
Albert
Alvin
Carl
Denzil
Desmond
Harvey
Howard
Lawrence
Marvin
Melvin
Ralph
Raymond
Russell
I love [name_u]Callahan[/name_u] - cool and familiar but distinctive and underused too. I think it all just depends on how comfortable you are with people possibly asking if he’s named after you (not in a narcissistic way, just as a connection to you)
[name_u]Crosby[/name_u] is kind of cool, bubbly but rugged. It does feel ‘celebrity surname’ - not a big deal, but just something to consider.
[name_u]Wallace[/name_u] is so perfectly matched in vibe to [name_m]Warren[/name_m], but they are a tad matchy for me. It doesn’t make them unusable to me - and it’s growing on me as a sib to [name_m]Warren[/name_m].
Overall, [name_u]Callahan[/name_u] is my favourite, but I do think any of these could work!
A few that came to mind:
[name_u]Willoughby[/name_u] → old man clunkiness, the surname-y vibe and the -bee of [name_u]Crosby[/name_u], the length of [name_u]Callahan[/name_u].
[name_m]Raymond[/name_m] → clunky, slightly dated vibes but the kind of edgy [name_u]Ray[/name_u] sound
[name_u]Grady[/name_u] → similar style to [name_m]Warren[/name_m], but similar sound and length to [name_u]Crosby[/name_u]
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m] → length and vibes of [name_u]Callahan[/name_u], solid sound of [name_u]Wallace[/name_u]
[name_m]Alistair[/name_m] → same as above
[name_m]Barnaby[/name_m] → -by of [name_u]Crosby[/name_u], length of [name_u]Callahan[/name_u]
I like [name_u]Callahan[/name_u] best - or even [name_u]Calloway[/name_u], I like both. And if people think it’s associated with you, that’s fine! You’ll have given birth to him and are likely not getting a mention via the last name? I don’t think people would think you’re doing anymore than having a nice link but I’d say most won’t notice or mind either way. That wound be my pick.
(Crosby does go well with [name_m]Warren[/name_m] stylistically, but I don’t love the Cros part of the name (but I might say it too much with a Z sound) and I agree, it is tainted somewhat by Cosby. I’m not keen on [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] meanwhile - don’t like the llace sound - same reason I’m not an [name_f]Alice[/name_f] fan. It’s too matchy for me too, with [name_m]Warren[/name_m]. But if going matchy, I would go [name_u]Walter[/name_u] instead - [name_m]Walt[/name_m] is nicer to me than Wally.)
Some other names (repeats as agreement), in addition to [name_u]Calloway[/name_u] and [name_u]Walter[/name_u]:
I love [name_u]Crosby[/name_u] for you. [name_m]Warren[/name_m] and [name_u]Crosby[/name_u]! [name_u]Callahan[/name_u] is lovely as well but in real life at least where I live, most names get shortened and the adult Calvins I know have become just [name_u]Cal[/name_u]. I’m not sure if this is avoidable especially when he is a bit older. [name_u]Cali[/name_u] and [name_u]Cal[/name_u] is too close and would be confusing.
I love [name_u]Carlisle[/name_u] and my father-in-law’s name is [name_m]Carl[/name_m] soi tried to see it to my husband as an honor name for his dad. He said he doesn’t like the name and “why would we need to honor him he’s weird”. I tried.
Agree there is something about [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] that I don’t love the sound of- I think it’s the way the WALL is emphasized where we live though. It sounds very hick even though it is more of an [name_f]English[/name_f] sounding name.
You listed a TON of names that I LOVE. Loads on your list I would gladly use if my husband would let me. But, again, he vetoed [name_u]Callahan[/name_u] countless times before suggesting it as a name he likes , so I keep re-pitching those names I like in hopes he’ll reconsider.
I LOVE [name_u]Willoughby[/name_u] so so much but my husband insists it’s too out there. You get the very classic nickname [name_u]Will[/name_u], how much more traditional can you get than that?!
I’m also a fan of [name_u]Grady[/name_u].
He suggested [name_m]Barnaby[/name_m] before I ever did and by the time I came around to it he no longer likes it.
I swear naming the child makes you second guess who you chose to reproduce with.
Have you shown him this thread to read through? It’s not as if you’re getting off the cuff thoughts, it’s all well-reasoned, considered advice that is close to what one could call expertise were there not so much variability in play ;). Don’t want to bombard him of course, but he could find this at least food for thought?!
I voted [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] first before reading your description (whoops). I do like [name_u]Wallace[/name_u], but after reading what you wrote I like [name_u]Crosby[/name_u] so much! I love the feel of it and the fact that you keep thinking of it makes me excited for you. I think [name_u]Callahan[/name_u] is a great name, but at least one person is bound to make the connection to your name. And if that bothers you, I wouldn’t use it.
I really like the mama, it does seem like I see it online a LOT but according to the SSA it isn’t really that popular? My name is Cali so I do worry it will look narcissistic as if I’m trying to name him after myself?
so relatable.
I tried.