Hello, Nameberryites! Our second child is due in about three weeks. We have a girl’s name provisionally picked out ([name]Iona[/name] [name]Beatrice[/name]), and we’re pretty settled on [name]Silas[/name] as a first name for a boy. But we’re having trouble settling on a middle name to go with [name]Silas[/name].
Our surname has the same general syllabic & vowel structure as the word “bassett” - 2 syllables, emphasis on the first, short A in the first syllable - in case that helps you with sound/flow issues.
So here are the main contenders right now. We both want it to be a name with some family connection or meaning, not just something we happen to like.
One option is [name]Jack[/name] - the first name of one of my grandfathers, who was an important and well-beloved figure in the family. I love the name [name]Jack[/name], but we prefer not to use something with popularity ratings so high as a first name. My husband thinks it could work as a middle name… but I cannot yet convince myself that [name]Silas[/name] [name]Jack[/name] “[name]Bassett[/name]” works, in terms of sound and flow. [name]Jack[/name] seems too short and pointy for that middle position, somehow. But I promised to try getting used to it, and I am! If you like it, tell me why!
The other option on the table right now is [name]Pascoe[/name] - the middle name of my grandfather’s mother, who was also a beloved figure. And it’s a fine Cornish name, recognizing my Cornish ancestry. I think [name]Silas[/name] [name]Pascoe[/name] “[name]Bassett[/name]” sounds great… but DH isn’t sold yet. He’s trying to get used to it and see if he warms to it. Any thoughts on that combination? …
I was about to say [name]Silas[/name] [name]Benjamin[/name] “[name]Bassett[/name]” sounded great, but then I read the rest of the post…What about [name]Silas[/name] [name]Jacoby[/name] “[name]Bassett[/name]”? I think you need something longer, personally…
Given that you want the middle name to have significance, I think [name]Jack[/name] is fits well. I don’t like that with [name]Pascoe[/name], all the names have two syllables. Something with 3 syllables might be nice but since [name]Jack[/name] is signficant then I’d go with that. The flow is not terrible and I tend to forgive a little awkwardness for meaning. I like the [name]Jack[/name] combo because all the names have a similar short a sound (actually, [name]Pascoe[/name] does too), which makes for a cohesive name.
I vote [name]Silas[/name] [name]Jack[/name] “[name]Bassett[/name]” (I love [name]Silas[/name] by the way!)
Hmm…[name]Pascoe[/name] and [name]Jack[/name] share your last name’s short a vowel sound (if I’m pronouncing [name]Pascoe[/name] correctly) :-), so [name]Jack[/name] [name]Bassett[/name] and [name]Pascoe[/name] [name]Basset[/name] sound pretty “a” heavy (short a) to me. Hmm… I agree that a longer middle name would work beautifully for the flow.
[name]Silas[/name] [name]Barnaby[/name] (only if you’re an alliteration fan, of course)
[name]Silas[/name] [name]Donovan[/name]
[name]Silas[/name] [name]Evander[/name]
[name]Silas[/name] [name]Nathaniel[/name]
[name]Silas[/name] [name]Phinean[/name]
[name]Silas[/name] [name]Raphael[/name]
I actually really like [name]Silas[/name] [name]Jack[/name]! [name]Silas[/name] [name]Pascoe[/name] is good, but I think [name]Silas[/name] [name]Jack[/name] is much nicer.
I do think [name]Jill[/name] has a good point about both [name]Jack[/name] and [name]Pascoe[/name] with the a in [name]Bassett[/name], but if you’re choosing between the two for family significance (and since both have the same issue), I would definitely vote for [name]Silas[/name] [name]Jack[/name].
[name]Silas[/name] [name]Jack[/name] [name]Bassett[/name] sounds fine to me–finer, maybe, because it honors someone special to you. Sure, a three syllable middle name might flow better, but it is not often, really (is it?) that we say all three of our given names aloud. You mention the [name]Jack[/name] (one syllable wedged in between two) sounds “short and pointy”, which I can see/hear too, but in a neat way the short [name]Jack[/name] also emphasizes itself, which makes for a good tribute to the [name]Jack[/name] you’re honoring. Ultimately it will be your choice–whether you want to sacrifice a name with perfect rhythm (again, a 3 syllable middle name would be my vote for this), for the sake of honoring [name]Jack[/name], which I would probably do. Having [name]Jack[/name] in there still provides you with a lovely name, by the way–just a little choppier than one other you might select. Good luck!
I like [name]Silas[/name] [name]Jack[/name]. Although [name]Jack[/name] is becoming more popular, you would be using it as a namesake… plus it’s the middle name and you are using a great, unique first name.
Meaning trumps flow for me, so I’d pick [name]Silas[/name] [name]Jack[/name]. [name]Just[/name] as a thought though, [name]Jack[/name] didn’t happen to be a nn for [name]James[/name], did it? [name]Silas[/name] [name]James[/name] is even nicer to me, if that had been your relative’s full name. If not, I’d still go with [name]Silas[/name] [name]Jack[/name] over [name]Silas[/name] [name]Pascoe[/name].
