See the results of this poll: Which sibset do you prefer?
Respondents: 54 (This poll is closed)
- Archimedes & Ptolemy (Archie & Tully) : 27 (50%)
- Archimedes & Oleander (Archie & Ollie): 27 (50%)
We grew up with Oleander all over our yard and neighborhood so there is a deathly negative association to the name ground into me by my mother 
That being said, I never considered it as a name until now and I think despite my connection it is still very handsome and totally usable, imo anyway. I doubt most people have such a negative connection to the plant. I also really like Meadowlark as a sometimes nickname maybe?
I like the nn [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] for [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m]
Not a fan of Oleander because it reminds me of [name_m]Orlando[/name_m] [name_f]Florida[/name_f].
I appreciate you finding Oleander still usable!
I figured if other poisonous plants like Hemlock and Belladonna are still usable then Oleander shouldn’t be off limits (and it really is such a beautiful flower!)
It hadn’t occurred to me to use the middle name as a nickname but it’s a great idea! Thank you for your feedback.
Wow now that you mention it there is quite a bit of similarity between Oleander and [name_m]Orlando[/name_m]! Not sure how I never noticed lol.
I adore both [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] and Oleander. But if I had to chose one, I’d go with [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m]. I think it sounds best with [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m]. It’s just one of those names that makes me swoon.
I really love your naming style, btw.
This is a tough choice as both names are fantastic. Oleander has been floating around on my maybe list for a while now but I worry about its suitability for use in real life. Would people initially think of the poisonous plant upon his introduction? That said, I’m sure that family and friends would quickly lose this association and would only think of your little boy if you chose this name.
[name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] is so wonderful with brother [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m] and I love the nickname [name_u]Tully[/name_u]. As I said before, I really like both names but [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] gets my vote as it’s such a strong choice and sounds really refreshing. I’d love to meet a little [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m]! You also wouldn’t have to worry about his name having poisonous connotations.
As individual names, although I’m warming to Oleander, [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] is always going to get my vote as top name, should I ever have two sons. But I agree [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m] and [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] could be a touch themey, especially if you have more children in the future. Plus as weird as it sounds, I feel like [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] almost isn’t grand enough in sound or feel (even length?) to quite match [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m]. Oleander has a certain grandeur that I think goes well with [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m], as do [name_m]Endymion[/name_m] and [name_m]Belvedere[/name_m]. [name_m]Isidore[/name_m] is another favourite, and I don’t think the similarity to your son’s middle is an issue, but I can more imagine him with sweet and boyish sounding [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m]. It’s almost like [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m], Oleander, [name_m]Endymion[/name_m], & Beldevere are one sibset and [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m], [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m] (I didn’t think religious at all btw), & [name_m]Isidore[/name_m] are another. Sorry it’s so based on feel and sound, I’ve just spent a long time thinking about what a little [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] would be like.
In short, I think Oleander (plus [name_m]Endymion[/name_m] & Beldevere) go best with [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m] in my opinion, but [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m]’s still one of the best names out there haha. And as for [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m]’s nns, [name_u]Olly[/name_u] could also work, and I have Tolly, Lemy, and [name_m]Tommy[/name_m] too ([name_u]Lee[/name_u]/[name_m]Leo[/name_m] maybe?).
I like both of them, and while I think [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] goes better with [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m], [name_m]Endymion[/name_m] pairs just as nicely with [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m] and has an “oomph” to it that [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] doesn’t have.
Oh, this is tough! I really love both of them with your sons name.
I voted for Oleander because I think it’s so handsome, and maybe is more familiar. but [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] is growing on me. I think it’s so sweet, and I love the nn [name_u]Tully[/name_u].
I also really like [name_m]Endymion[/name_m], [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m], and [name_m]Isidore[/name_m].
[name_m]Endymion[/name_m] is magical to me, and I think it pairs nicely with [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m].
[name_m]Peregrine[/name_m] is one of my favorite names. It’s so handsome, and sweet. I don’t think of it as saintly (I actually think of [name_m]Peregrin[/name_m] from [name_m]Lord[/name_m] of the Rings! Hes my favorite character!)
[name_m]Isidore[/name_m] is such a handsome name. It was the name of my great grandfather (though his was spelled [name_m]Isadore[/name_m]), and I’ve always loved it. It’s funny, I actually have the opposite problem. I’d love to name my son [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] someday, but then use [name_m]Isadore[/name_m] in a middle spot for a second son (if I’m blessed with two!) I’ve always wondered if itd be too close, but I dont really think it is. It’s not like it’s two first names, and the ‘dore’ might even be a cute shared connection.
You have such a great list, its really hard picking a favorite. I’m sorry!!
(Also really love Meadowlark as a middle! So handsome and soft.)
I’m torn - I think [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] goes really well with [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m] and I think it has a wonderful sound, but what I really like about [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m] is that it’s unusual and full of history, but it also has a very familiar, short and everyday nickname. And that’s what makes Oleander so appealing. I love the flow and sounds of it as well as the possibility of [name_u]Ollie[/name_u]. Could [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] have the nickname [name_u]Olly[/name_u] maybe? I think it could work and then I think I’d probably go with that.
I personally know a [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m], he goes by many nicknames (Tol, [name_m]Lem[/name_m], [name_f]Emy[/name_f], Olem being a few of them.) It suites him and is a great name to be bestowed on anyone.
However, I must agree with Autumnreverie. [name_m]Endymion[/name_m] sounds best with [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m]. Both names have undeniable charm and airs of gravitas that go hand-in-hand with eachother.
I really appreciate all of this feedback!
You all have excellent input.
We still have about another year before before we begin ttc again, and I don’t necessarily mind having a short list when the time comes, but we had Achimedes picked out for a good 7- almost 8 years before we were even expecting. In all that time I never thought about other boy names, so I’m kind of in a boy frenzy now.
And I love all of the nickname suggestions! Honestly the nickname potential of these names is part of what put them above everything else on my short list.
Oh this is exciting, your names never fail to be fascinating! I prefer Oleander to [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] because that way you don’t have to use another ancient Greek name if you have a third child, it’s easier to pronounce and for some reason [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] sounds a bit simple next to [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m].
Oleander Meadowlark is really handsome! Wouldn’t use it myself as I find it to be too nature-y, but I’d love to meet one. As for Oleander being the poisonous plant I really don’t think that’s a dealbreaker. I also don’t think [name_m]Isidore[/name_m] sounding like [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] is an issue, it’s just a middle name after all.
I don’ think [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m] (my second favorite after Oleander) is too saintly at all! Never associated it with religion and didn’t even know about that till recently.
[name_m]Belvedere[/name_m] is usable but I do think it sounds a bit snobby. [name_m]Endymion[/name_m] is nice but for some reason I never really warmed up to it.
Thank you for your feedback! While picking another ancient Greek name would be a problem for me, (we really only plan to have 2 unless we have multiples, in either event I’m only getting pregnant twice lol) you definitely aren’t the only person to note that [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] sounds less grand next to [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m] and I definitely think it’s a fair critique. I’m loving Oleander Meadowlark but am also considering Oleander [name_m]Peregrine[/name_m]. Meadowlark is just so sweet though and I got very excited when my partner suggested it because I’d considered it as a middle before but never mentioned it too him. It’s quite wild how in sync our name tastes are (for boys anyway, girls have been a bit more trying.)
I’m really glad to here so many think that [name_m]Isidore[/name_m] could still work, and you’ve confirmed my fears about [name_m]Belvedere[/name_m]. I can’t seem to bring myself to knock it from the list because it’s so gorgeous, but I doubt we’ll end up using it, at least not as a first name.
Honestly this thread has been so enlightening. It’s been a while since I posted about my own name considerations and I’m so glad I did.
I find [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] too matchy with [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m]. I vote for Oleander. Your other name suggestions are all good.
If you do go with Oleander, and you’re worried about what your son would think about his name, Wikipedia says the plant has some nicer uses too:
"Both Pliny and Dioscorides stated that oleander was an effective antidote to venomous snake bites if mixed with [name_u]Rue[/name_u] and drunk.
A 2014 article in the medical journal Perspectives in Biology and Medicine posited that oleander was the substance used to induce hallucinations in the Pythia, the female priestess of [name_m]Apollo[/name_m], also known as the Oracle of [name_f]Delphi[/name_f] in Ancient Greece.[58] According to this theory, the symptoms of the Pythia’s trances (enthusiasmos) correspond to either inhaling the smoke of or chewing small amounts of oleander leaves, often called by the generic term laurel in Ancient Greece, which led to confusion with the bay laurel that ancient authors cite.
In his book Enquiries into Plants of circa 300 BC, Theophrastus described (among plants that affect the mind) a shrub he called onotheras, which modern editors render oleander; “the root of onotheras [oleander] administered in wine”, he alleges, “makes the temper gentler and more cheerful.”
But I didn’t vote because I like [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] and Oleander both a lot!
This is some spectacular insight! The connection to the Oracle of [name_f]Delphi[/name_f] makes me feel like Oleander isn’t too far removed of a name from [name_m]Archimedes[/name_m] after all!
I love how often toxins and poisons, when pulled apart or mixed with other things, yeild useful medicines. [name_m]Science[/name_m] is fab.