Trouble Naming Boy #2

Pregnant with boy #2 and having a really hard time finding a name that we like for more than a couple days. Everything the hubby and I can agree on we end up tossing because it sounds too similar to our first son’s name, are afraid it is too trendy, can’t agree on a middle name, and so on. Our first son is named Haytham [name_m]Gunner[/name_m] and our last name is 3 syllables. We like names that have an old English or southern charm or that are cowboy cool. While Haytham is actually an Arabic derived name, the context in which I heard it made me think it was an old English name and I thought it would be perfect for the southern gentleman I want my son to be. I want his brother’s name to be in line with the same idea. Here are some of the names we have tossed around and reasons we haven’t settled on them:

[name_m]Miles[/name_m] - getting very close to top 100

[name_m]Tucker[/name_m] - think it pairs particularly well with Haytham but don’t care for its meaning and know another girl who recently named her baby this

[name_u]Everett[/name_u] - love the meaning but am afraid it is a trendy name

[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] - can’t come up with a middle name. Fell in love with [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u] as a name but then thought it sounded too much like the landmark court case [name_f]Roe[/name_f] v. [name_u]Wade[/name_u]

What are your thoughts on these names/ my issues with them? Particularly [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u] because I really do love that one. Are my fears rational? Any thoughts/suggestions/advice? I’m getting really frustrated.

If you’re worried about trendy all of your names may be too close to the top, although I am partial to [name_u]Rowan[/name_u]. [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_m]Barton[/name_m] [name_u]Wade[/name_u] or [name_m]Murdock[/name_m] [name_m]Miles[/name_m]?

I like Haytham. It has a cool meaning, and it’s one of those names that feels familiar but is actually very unusual. Haytham is so unusual that I’m having trouble imagining him with a brother named [name_m]Miles[/name_m], [name_m]Tucker[/name_m], [name_u]Everett[/name_u], or [name_u]Rowan[/name_u]. So I guess I’ll disregard and consider the names on an individual basis.

[name_m]Miles[/name_m] - I would recommend checking [name_m]Miles[/name_m]'s popularity in your state. If it isn’t in the top 100 I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I just checked the national numbers, and there were 3,639 boys named [name_m]Miles[/name_m] in 2014. If they were divided evenly amongst all 50 states there would be about 73 per state. That’s not very many at all. But if you do want something more unusual, perhaps [name_m]Giles[/name_m] or [name_u]Niall[/name_u]?

[name_m]Tucker[/name_m] - I do think this is the best fit with Haytham. It’s very southern, and stylistically I feel like it’s what you’re looking for. What about another occupational name? [name_m]Fletcher[/name_m], [name_m]Thatcher[/name_m], [name_m]Archer[/name_m], [name_m]Turner[/name_m], [name_m]Carver[/name_m], [name_m]Bridger[/name_m], [name_m]Garner[/name_m], [name_m]Tanner[/name_m], [name_m]Miller[/name_m], [name_u]Porter[/name_u]…?

[name_u]Everett[/name_u] - This is my favorite name on your list. It is trendy but has more of a modern classic feel along the lines of [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] and [name_u]Michael[/name_u]. Yes, I really do think it has that potential! It’s not a “new” name in any case. You might also like Truett/Truitt or the more Germanic [name_m]Everard[/name_m].

[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] - I like it, but it’s starting to feel like a go to name for parents who want something kinda traditional and kinda outdoorsy. I did think of [name_f]Roe[/name_f] vs [name_u]Wade[/name_u] when I saw [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u]. That problem can be solved with a different middle name though.

A few ideas…

[name_m]Waylon[/name_m]
[name_m]Travis[/name_m]
[name_u]Roscoe[/name_u]
[name_m]Foster[/name_m]
[name_u]Percy[/name_u]
[name_m]Jasper[/name_m]
[name_m]Cecil[/name_m]
[name_u]Roy[/name_u]
[name_m]Wayne[/name_m]
[name_m]Judson[/name_m]
[name_m]Clark[/name_m]
[name_u]Mercer[/name_u]
[name_u]Monroe[/name_u]
[name_m]Oren[/name_m]
[name_m]Lincoln[/name_m]
[name_m]Tobias[/name_m]
[name_m]Truman[/name_m]
[name_m]Russell[/name_m]
[name_m]Clint[/name_m]
[name_m]Winfield[/name_m]
[name_m]Woodrow[/name_m]
[name_m]Crawford[/name_m]
[name_m]Newton[/name_m]

[name_m]Miles[/name_m] - I love [name_m]Miles[/name_m] but understand your worry since it has been increasingly popular. It’s hard to tell how high on the popularity charts it will climb.

[name_m]Tucker[/name_m] - I agree that [name_m]Tucker[/name_m] seems to fit what you’re looking for well. I don’t think it’s a big deal if you know someone with a baby [name_m]Tucker[/name_m] if you are super close with them. I personally don’t think a name’s meaning is a huge deal since almost no one will know the meaning of the name and people don’t really seem to talk about what their own or others’ names mean. But what matters is if it bothers you.

[name_u]Everett[/name_u] - I love this name. Very handsome. I wouldn’t call it trendy exactly since it is a well-established name with history but it does seem like it has been increasing in popularity. Again, hard to tell how popular it will become. I doubt there will be several kids with this name in his class, though. He may run into another [name_u]Everett[/name_u] occasionally.

[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] - I like this name and I do like [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u]. I understand your concerns but middle names are rarely used in everyday life and if anything, the combo sounds more like “Row and [name_u]Wade[/name_u]” instead of “Row V. [name_u]Wade[/name_u],” so I don’t think it’s a big deal.

Are you looking for further suggestions? I think [name_m]Brooks[/name_m], Truett, [name_u]Sterling[/name_u], [name_m]Whittaker[/name_m], [name_u]Flynn[/name_u], [name_m]Cole[/name_m], [name_m]Weston[/name_m], [name_m]Deacon[/name_m], [name_m]Pierce[/name_m], [name_m]Rhodes[/name_m], [name_m]Gannon[/name_m], [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u], [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], [name_m]Callahan[/name_m], [name_m]Lawson[/name_m], [name_m]Dalton[/name_m], [name_u]Brady[/name_u], [name_m]Bennett[/name_m], [name_m]Quentin[/name_m], [name_m]Clayton[/name_m], [name_m]Ford[/name_m], [name_u]Jameson[/name_u], [name_m]Garrison[/name_m], [name_u]August[/name_u], and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] might be in line with what you are looking for.

I wouldn’t worry about the name [name_u]Wade[/name_u], I think it’s a great name that isn’t used often enough.

I’ll suggest a few alternatives…
[name_u]Cade[/name_u]
[name_u]Tate[/name_u]
[name_m]Greg[/name_m]
[name_u]Pace[/name_u]
[name_u]Chase[/name_u]

Or possibly:
[name_u]Lyle[/name_u]
[name_m]Brent[/name_m]
[name_u]Blaine[/name_u]
[name_m]Colm[/name_m]
[name_m]Grant[/name_m]
[name_m]Boyd[/name_m]

Trying to come up with some names that aren’t getting too trendy:
[name_m]Alec[/name_m]
[name_m]Gavin[/name_m]
[name_m]Garrett[/name_m]
[name_m]Mathis[/name_m]
[name_m]Abram[/name_m]/[name_m]Bram[/name_m]
[name_m]Tabor[/name_m]
[name_m]Brogan[/name_m]
[name_m]Mitchell[/name_m]
[name_u]Keegan[/name_u]
[name_u]Bryce[/name_u]

[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] is the only one I don’t worry about being too trendy because I like it that much and I honestly don’t see it getting popular in my area. I’ve never met or heard of one. Names like names like [name_u]Aidan[/name_u], [name_m]Weston[/name_m], [name_m]Colton[/name_m] and [name_m]Brantley[/name_m] are the ones that are everywhere around here. I really don’t even see [name_u]Everett[/name_u] getting that popular around me. But what do you think of the [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u] and [name_f]Roe[/name_f] vs [name_u]Wade[/name_u] thing? Is that an association you think many would make that runs the name?

I’ll add that while I am frightened of a name being too trendy, I also don’t want a name as unique as Haytham this time. I love my son’s name, but I hate having to spell it out every time I tell it to someone and I’m sure he will find it tiresome as well.

Fair enough. I like [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u] a lot actually. I don’t think a lot of people would make that association. And I personally don’t find that association to be negative so there you go. I wouldn’t overthink it you can’t anticipate everything other people are gonna think and feel, and half the time it’s not even worth the worry. [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u] is a great name.

I appreciate all the replies. They have been very helpful, especially with helping me gauge the Roe v. Wade thing. I’ll add that another reason I’m leaning toward this one is its meaning, “little redhead.” I have a feeling this one will be redheaded like his brother. But then again, he probably won’t be if I pick that name. What do you think of Clay as a possible alternative middle name for Rowan if we do decide to go that route, but not use Wade?

I do like the sound of Thatcher and many of the occupational names as well. I just find them a bit boring meaning wise but I guess that shouldn’t matter too much because the only people that will ever even really consider it are me and his daddy.

I like many of the suggested alternative names. Some are even ones that I’ve considered but ruled out for one reason or another. Clayton I like a lot but sister in law already likes to call Haytham Hay and I would die with a Hay and Clay nn combo. Also really like Waylon, but the dog’s name is Raylan and I think that would be tough.

With a brother named Haytham I think [name_m]Thatcher[/name_m] is a perfect name. [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u] is good as well, I did think “that sounds like something…” But I didn’t associate it with roe v wade until you pointed it out.

Regarding [name_u]Rowan[/name_u], it’s not necessary to have a middle name, esp. if your last name is uncommon. Unfortunately, I know many girls named [name_u]Rowan[/name_u].

Have you tried [name_u]Chase[/name_u], [name_m]Archer[/name_m], [name_u]Hunter[/name_u], [name_m]Jack[/name_m], or [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], since you like [name_m]Miles[/name_m]?

Old English: [name_m]John[/name_m], [name_m]Robert[/name_m], [name_u]Robin[/name_u], [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_u]James[/name_u], [name_m]Alfred[/name_m], [name_m]Algernon[/name_m], [name_m]Arthur[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_m]Henry[/name_m], [name_m]Harold[/name_m], [name_m]Ferdinand[/name_m], [name_m]Frank[/name_m], [name_m]Charles[/name_m], [name_m]William[/name_m], [name_m]Richard[/name_m], [name_m]Chester[/name_m], [name_m]Hubert[/name_m], [name_m]Horace[/name_m], [name_m]Maximilian[/name_m], [name_m]Reginald[/name_m], [name_m]Gerald[/name_m], [name_m]Alistair[/name_m]…research the plays of [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] that take place in [name_f]England[/name_f], and look at the first names of the characters

Southern charm: Anything Biblical, esp. Old Testament Biblical, [name_m]Garret[/name_m], [name_u]Lyle[/name_u]

Cowboy cool: Anything Old Testament Biblical, [name_m]Wayne[/name_m], [name_u]Wade[/name_u], [name_u]Brady[/name_u], [name_u]Jesse[/name_u]…research some old Western films, and look at the names of the characters

If I’m being totally honest, the first thing I thought of with [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u] was [name_f]Roe[/name_f] v. [name_u]Wade[/name_u] and I thought it was a bit odd. Is [name_u]Wade[/name_u] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] an option? Since you like [name_m]Clay[/name_m], I also like [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_m]Clay[/name_m]. It has a very similar sound and feel as [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u] but without the [name_f]Roe[/name_f] v. [name_u]Wade[/name_u] connection. I also love [name_m]Tucker[/name_m] from your list and think it checks all the right boxes.

The first name that popped in my head that I haven’t seen yet is [name_m]Boone[/name_m] (one of my personal favorites). [name_m]Boone[/name_m] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] and [name_m]Boone[/name_m] [name_u]Everett[/name_u] are really cool combos.

Yeah, I’m thinking [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Wade[/name_u] is ruined for me. So far I’ve been set on the names I’ve listed, though that may change so I do appreciate the alternative suggestions. I am just trying to find the perfect combo. I really like the following three:

[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_m]Clay[/name_m]
[name_m]Tucker[/name_m] [name_u]Wade[/name_u]
[name_u]Wade[/name_u] [name_u]Everett[/name_u] (Thanks for your suggestion of [name_m]Boone[/name_m] [name_u]Everett[/name_u]. I think it definitely had something to do with making me think of switching [name_u]Wade[/name_u] to the first spot.)

I’m surprised I like [name_u]Wade[/name_u] in the first spot, but here’s why I think it works. While it lacks the (for lack of a better word) pretty factor of the other names I tend to favor it has a masculine cowboy cool that makes up for it. And it’s balanced by the more pretty, intricate name [name_u]Everett[/name_u] in the middle. Also, it completely answers my fear of the name being too trendy. Like you suggestion of [name_m]Boone[/name_m], [name_u]Wade[/name_u] is nowhere near being trendy. I think Haytham, [name_u]Wade[/name_u], and [name_m]Tucker[/name_m] if we ever have another boy make an awesome subsit. What do you think? Any faves from those three? I wish this were easier.