Name suggestions for a boy?
March 6, 2013 5:58 AM Subscribe
We have about a month and a half left before Baby Stardust is here, and we still can't agree on a name. Help?
Here are the criteria:
1. Nothing Biblical or religious.
2. We like classical mythology, but haven't found many useable male names there.
3. Nothing that will be shortened into a more common name. We had "Allister" in the running, but I don't like that it would be shortened into "Al." Likewise, one of my friends suggested "Bertram", but that could be shortened into "Bert."
4. Middle name will be Huxley (Yes as in Aldous). We will be hyphenating our last names.
5. Would prefer the name to be relatively uncommon while still being a real name (nothing on the Kaydin-Jayden-Jaxin axis).
The names that I've backed hardest so far are as follows:
Dorian (because I love the works of Oscar Wilde) and Tristan (after the Arthurian legend).
Husband seems to be backing Conrad or Calvin now, but I don't care for those options.
Other names I've suggested: Rainer, Severin, Ronan, Perseus.
What other names have we overlooked that might fit this criteria?
Here are the criteria:
1. Nothing Biblical or religious.
2. We like classical mythology, but haven't found many useable male names there.
3. Nothing that will be shortened into a more common name. We had "Allister" in the running, but I don't like that it would be shortened into "Al." Likewise, one of my friends suggested "Bertram", but that could be shortened into "Bert."
4. Middle name will be Huxley (Yes as in Aldous). We will be hyphenating our last names.
5. Would prefer the name to be relatively uncommon while still being a real name (nothing on the Kaydin-Jayden-Jaxin axis).
The names that I've backed hardest so far are as follows:
Dorian (because I love the works of Oscar Wilde) and Tristan (after the Arthurian legend).
Husband seems to be backing Conrad or Calvin now, but I don't care for those options.
Other names I've suggested: Rainer, Severin, Ronan, Perseus.
What other names have we overlooked that might fit this criteria?
How about one of the variations of Wayland / Weyland / Galan?
posted by XMLicious at 6:11 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 6:11 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Otto
posted by mikepop at 6:12 AM on March 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by mikepop at 6:12 AM on March 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
Magnus.
posted by three blind mice at 6:13 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by three blind mice at 6:13 AM on March 6, 2013
Finnegan is a fantastic name.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:14 AM on March 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 6:14 AM on March 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
Aldous Huxley's middle name was Leonard. But Leo is a name in itself and, of course, Latin for lion - with the many inferences to classical literature. Also, having briefly profile-stalked you just now it is clear you like cats. So there's that.
Leo is not exactly a common name although it is not uncommon either - it was the 483rd most popular name in the US in 2011, apparently. It also works well with hyphenated family names because it is short.
My tuppence, having been given what was an unusual name once upon a time: if you call your son Perseus or Severin xxxxxx-yyyyyy you're giving him a unique name, for sure. But you're also giving him a name he's got to grow into because there's a lot of it and he'll spend a lot of his childhood having to explain his name, or explain how he spells his name. tl:dr long, unique names are great as an adult but a pain in the ass as a kid.
posted by MuffinMan at 6:15 AM on March 6, 2013 [13 favorites]
Leo is not exactly a common name although it is not uncommon either - it was the 483rd most popular name in the US in 2011, apparently. It also works well with hyphenated family names because it is short.
My tuppence, having been given what was an unusual name once upon a time: if you call your son Perseus or Severin xxxxxx-yyyyyy you're giving him a unique name, for sure. But you're also giving him a name he's got to grow into because there's a lot of it and he'll spend a lot of his childhood having to explain his name, or explain how he spells his name. tl:dr long, unique names are great as an adult but a pain in the ass as a kid.
posted by MuffinMan at 6:15 AM on March 6, 2013 [13 favorites]
Nimrod
posted by ZipRibbons at 6:16 AM on March 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by ZipRibbons at 6:16 AM on March 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
Dorian, Severin, and Perseus will inevitably be shortened to Dory (the fish!), Sev, and Percy (Percy Jackson!). With geeks in the vicinity, Severin may wind up Snape (Severin=Severus=Snape). My name frequently gets shortened to an annoying common version, so I feel your pain. But nicknamers gonna nickname. Unless it's a name of two syllables or less, though even that isn't foolproof: John=Jack, Paul=Paulie, etc. Or the kid may have different ideas: one of my friends hates her common given name (Paula) and instead goes by her initials/monogram (PEG).
posted by nicebookrack at 6:21 AM on March 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by nicebookrack at 6:21 AM on March 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
Phoenix
posted by CarolynG at 6:24 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by CarolynG at 6:24 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Might want to drop by the US Social Security admin's site --- they have popular baby names by decade. Hitting up the 50-100 range from the 1880s though the 1920s or so might give you some options.
For instance: Chester, Lawrence, Leroy, Leon, Glenn, Claude, Morris, Warren, Max, Oliver, Jerome, Archie, Otto, Bruce, Ivan, Felix, Clay, Guy, Cecil, Rufus, Amos, Ross, Reuban, Lloyd.
As an aside, I think your (3) is a tough haul. Kids get nicknames from family and friends, it's a tough thing to hold the line on. Especially the kind of old fashioned Anglophilic names you seem to favour --- anything that's going to look impressive and sensible followed by " esquire" when he's 30 is going to elicit diminutives when he's 3. You may risk someone bestowing a nickname on him behind his back if you insist on him being referred to by the whole enchilada in your presence.
Also, and in all seriousness, you may want to look at Wiki's list of PG Wodehouse characters. Obviously he's a comic writer and some of the names are deliberately goofy. But a lot of them are perfectly normal names for Edwardian England which are slightly unusual today, and that would seem to be bang in your wheelhouse. Examples: Hugo, Everard, Rupert, Aleric, Sebastian, Ashe, Spenser.
posted by Diablevert at 6:25 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
For instance: Chester, Lawrence, Leroy, Leon, Glenn, Claude, Morris, Warren, Max, Oliver, Jerome, Archie, Otto, Bruce, Ivan, Felix, Clay, Guy, Cecil, Rufus, Amos, Ross, Reuban, Lloyd.
As an aside, I think your (3) is a tough haul. Kids get nicknames from family and friends, it's a tough thing to hold the line on. Especially the kind of old fashioned Anglophilic names you seem to favour --- anything that's going to look impressive and sensible followed by " esquire" when he's 30 is going to elicit diminutives when he's 3. You may risk someone bestowing a nickname on him behind his back if you insist on him being referred to by the whole enchilada in your presence.
Also, and in all seriousness, you may want to look at Wiki's list of PG Wodehouse characters. Obviously he's a comic writer and some of the names are deliberately goofy. But a lot of them are perfectly normal names for Edwardian England which are slightly unusual today, and that would seem to be bang in your wheelhouse. Examples: Hugo, Everard, Rupert, Aleric, Sebastian, Ashe, Spenser.
posted by Diablevert at 6:25 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
I don't have time to add name suggestions, but I would like to strongly encourage you to rethink your stance on the "no shortened version" idea.
I have a name that is probably fairly similar to those you're considering (uncommon, a bit longer, old-fashioned), and my parents always strongly discouraged a nickname. Say my name were Georgianna: I can't tell you the amount of time I've wasted correcting people, or explaining that my name is NOT Georgie, or George, or Anna, or Georgeanne (SO close, but still wrong) and yes it would be easier, and no I have never had a nickname -- nope, not even one.
I felt like I had no agency in what I might want to be called -- and it was MY NAME. I felt like I HAD to correct people, even though their use of a nickname might have meant that they enjoyed the familiarity we shared. Instead, I got a lot of funny looks.
And yeah, I could have let it go, but my mom was really, really hardcore about it. Once (in third grade, which by that point had given me a good five years of grief with playmates), I spelled my name differently on a label because I was sick of people misspelling it and hated the extra-old-fashioned form I got stuck with. My mom was livid. "THAT IS NOT YOUR NAME," she fumed. Okay, but... I'm the one who has to live with it! And how powerless did I feel when I wasn't allowed to make a decision about something as fundamental as my own name?
Thing is, people will shorten ANY name anyway, regardless of an obvious nickname, whether you want them to or not (especially if he's a hockey player...) and that just leaves your poor kid to grit his teeth and say, "No, it's not Ben, but BENEDICT," over and over and over again.
Because of my experience, I would actually like to build in as many options as possible (including the middle name) and see what transpires.
posted by Madamina at 6:25 AM on March 6, 2013 [31 favorites]
I have a name that is probably fairly similar to those you're considering (uncommon, a bit longer, old-fashioned), and my parents always strongly discouraged a nickname. Say my name were Georgianna: I can't tell you the amount of time I've wasted correcting people, or explaining that my name is NOT Georgie, or George, or Anna, or Georgeanne (SO close, but still wrong) and yes it would be easier, and no I have never had a nickname -- nope, not even one.
I felt like I had no agency in what I might want to be called -- and it was MY NAME. I felt like I HAD to correct people, even though their use of a nickname might have meant that they enjoyed the familiarity we shared. Instead, I got a lot of funny looks.
And yeah, I could have let it go, but my mom was really, really hardcore about it. Once (in third grade, which by that point had given me a good five years of grief with playmates), I spelled my name differently on a label because I was sick of people misspelling it and hated the extra-old-fashioned form I got stuck with. My mom was livid. "THAT IS NOT YOUR NAME," she fumed. Okay, but... I'm the one who has to live with it! And how powerless did I feel when I wasn't allowed to make a decision about something as fundamental as my own name?
Thing is, people will shorten ANY name anyway, regardless of an obvious nickname, whether you want them to or not (especially if he's a hockey player...) and that just leaves your poor kid to grit his teeth and say, "No, it's not Ben, but BENEDICT," over and over and over again.
Because of my experience, I would actually like to build in as many options as possible (including the middle name) and see what transpires.
posted by Madamina at 6:25 AM on March 6, 2013 [31 favorites]
Behind The Names allows you to use search terms for meanings inside of names. It also allows you to select English (others) and Mythology. (in advanced search settings)
For example, male English name having the key term Merciful appear in its meaning. One name appears:
Clement
Or Mythology male that has star in its meaning.
CASTOR
DÁIRE
GEMINI
LUCIFER
NARCISSUS
POLLUX
This site is great for finding a name for your literary character.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:26 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
For example, male English name having the key term Merciful appear in its meaning. One name appears:
Clement
Or Mythology male that has star in its meaning.
CASTOR
DÁIRE
GEMINI
LUCIFER
NARCISSUS
POLLUX
This site is great for finding a name for your literary character.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:26 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Julian, to go with the Huxley. Most people won't call a boy Julie, and if some friends call him Jules that's not too bad.
posted by zadcat at 6:30 AM on March 6, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by zadcat at 6:30 AM on March 6, 2013 [5 favorites]
Likewise, one of my friends suggested "Bertram", but that could be shortened into "Bert."
Could also be shortened to Bertie, if you're OK with that you can pre-emptively make that his nickname.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 6:30 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Could also be shortened to Bertie, if you're OK with that you can pre-emptively make that his nickname.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 6:30 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Nthing that shortening just happens. Our Owen is often referred to as Owie as a baby, though we'll drop it I'm sure as he gets older.
You might want to consider some names that were really common a decade or two ago. For example, John is now pretty far down the list for babies.
What helped me was thinking of syllable patterns and how many syllables would sound best given you know the pattern of the middle/last name. If you decide you want one syllable that shortens the list considerably.
posted by ejaned8 at 6:31 AM on March 6, 2013
You might want to consider some names that were really common a decade or two ago. For example, John is now pretty far down the list for babies.
What helped me was thinking of syllable patterns and how many syllables would sound best given you know the pattern of the middle/last name. If you decide you want one syllable that shortens the list considerably.
posted by ejaned8 at 6:31 AM on March 6, 2013
Ciaan
posted by unreasonable at 6:34 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by unreasonable at 6:34 AM on March 6, 2013
Rory.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 6:35 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 6:35 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
My sons names are Miles and Ellery (the former after Miles Davis, the latter after Ellery Queen). Both are pretty uncommon, and neither is easily shortened.
The downside: When traveling, there are never any souvenir tchotchkes with their names on them.
posted by jbickers at 6:38 AM on March 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
The downside: When traveling, there are never any souvenir tchotchkes with their names on them.
posted by jbickers at 6:38 AM on March 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
My daughter has preschool classmates named Wolfgang (Wolfy) and Holden. I like the sound of Holden Huxley.
posted by JuliaKM at 6:41 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by JuliaKM at 6:41 AM on March 6, 2013
Rory.
My daughter goes by Rory (short for Aurora), and I love those names dearly, and so does everyone else, and no one has ever, ever, not once, understood it the first time they heard it:
"Rory."
"Lori?"
"Rory."
"Roy?"
Yes, my daughter is named Roy. "Roooar-ree."
"Roey?"
THAT'S NOT A NAME. "Are Owe Are Why."
"Oh, is that short for something?"
It's bloody well short for "Sounded like a good idea at the time" is what it's short for.
posted by Etrigan at 6:43 AM on March 6, 2013 [14 favorites]
My daughter goes by Rory (short for Aurora), and I love those names dearly, and so does everyone else, and no one has ever, ever, not once, understood it the first time they heard it:
"Rory."
"Lori?"
"Rory."
"Roy?"
Yes, my daughter is named Roy. "Roooar-ree."
"Roey?"
THAT'S NOT A NAME. "Are Owe Are Why."
"Oh, is that short for something?"
It's bloody well short for "Sounded like a good idea at the time" is what it's short for.
posted by Etrigan at 6:43 AM on March 6, 2013 [14 favorites]
You can't worry about whether people will hear it right. We went with Melanie, a pretty "ordinary" name, and she gets called Melody all the time. Whatev. People who know her figure it out. :)
posted by acm at 6:50 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by acm at 6:50 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Pegasus
Julius (Jules is not so bad)
Roland
Thaddeus (Thad is not so bad)
Holden
Hayden
Having a short version is not so bad because it gives the child options if he doesn't like the name you chose.
posted by Dansaman at 6:54 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Julius (Jules is not so bad)
Roland
Thaddeus (Thad is not so bad)
Holden
Hayden
Having a short version is not so bad because it gives the child options if he doesn't like the name you chose.
posted by Dansaman at 6:54 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Another vote for Roland (or Rolan?) since you like mythology and legends.
posted by capricorn at 6:59 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by capricorn at 6:59 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
You can't worry about whether people will hear it right.
Yes, this. My name is Jen. JEN. Three little letters, one easy syllable, and it gets mistaken for Jane, Jean, Jone, Janine, and--the most confounding--Jessica ALL THE TIME.
You like Oscar Wilde, why aren't you considering Oscar? It's got the literary street cred you like without being "weird", and it also satisfies the shorter/punchier sounding name it looks like your husband might be pulling for.
posted by phunniemee at 7:01 AM on March 6, 2013 [6 favorites]
Yes, this. My name is Jen. JEN. Three little letters, one easy syllable, and it gets mistaken for Jane, Jean, Jone, Janine, and--the most confounding--Jessica ALL THE TIME.
You like Oscar Wilde, why aren't you considering Oscar? It's got the literary street cred you like without being "weird", and it also satisfies the shorter/punchier sounding name it looks like your husband might be pulling for.
posted by phunniemee at 7:01 AM on March 6, 2013 [6 favorites]
Darius
Wolfram
Belisarius
Murdoch
Niall
Cormac
posted by Segundus at 7:01 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Wolfram
Belisarius
Murdoch
Niall
Cormac
posted by Segundus at 7:01 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Byron
posted by plinth at 7:08 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by plinth at 7:08 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Segundus
posted by Segundus at 7:09 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Segundus at 7:09 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Lucian
Lucius
Westley
Roman
Odin
Thor
posted by lakersfan1222 at 7:11 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Lucius
Westley
Roman
Odin
Thor
posted by lakersfan1222 at 7:11 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Another vote for Leo. I had very similar criteria and now have a tiny Leo on my lap as I type this.
posted by judith at 7:16 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by judith at 7:16 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Like jbickers, I have a son named Miles ... Only headache there is that everyone thinks it's spelled Myles.
How about Ambrose or Eamon?
posted by Jacob G at 7:16 AM on March 6, 2013
How about Ambrose or Eamon?
posted by Jacob G at 7:16 AM on March 6, 2013
Leon and Louis are two of my favorites. (They can, of course, be shortened but they're short enough that they don't necessarily invite it immediately. FWIW, I agree with the folks who suggest easing up on that criterion because it gives your kid some agency.)
I also really like the name Severin, which you mentioned as a suggestion.
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:19 AM on March 6, 2013
I also really like the name Severin, which you mentioned as a suggestion.
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:19 AM on March 6, 2013
Titus Huxley Stardust. Sounds awesome! (although it's more Roman emperor-y)
posted by foxhat10 at 7:25 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by foxhat10 at 7:25 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I like Leo and Oscar.
As for diminutives, you just have to get out in front of it. My daughter has a reasonably common name with a hypocorism (great word!) I hate. I hate it so much I considered calling her something else to avoid it. So when she was a baby, I came up with a diminutive all her own, organically, as a result of saying her full name over and over. It stuck and only rarely does she get called by the short form I hate.
posted by looli at 7:31 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
As for diminutives, you just have to get out in front of it. My daughter has a reasonably common name with a hypocorism (great word!) I hate. I hate it so much I considered calling her something else to avoid it. So when she was a baby, I came up with a diminutive all her own, organically, as a result of saying her full name over and over. It stuck and only rarely does she get called by the short form I hate.
posted by looli at 7:31 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
My friend Katherine gets called Betsy. My name is Kimberly and I hate Kim. EVERYONE calls me Kim at least in the beginning despite never referring to myself as such ever. I'm a consultant now and there's no good way for me to tactfully say "please don't call me Kim" to the people I interact with so I'm stuck.
There is literally no way to avoid the nicknames and you will not necessarily be able to predict it. If you give your kid a name like Perseus, it might as well be "Persecute Me."
posted by Kimberly at 7:41 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
There is literally no way to avoid the nicknames and you will not necessarily be able to predict it. If you give your kid a name like Perseus, it might as well be "Persecute Me."
posted by Kimberly at 7:41 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Etrigan, your daughter should try introducing herself as "Rory, like on Gilmore Girls." :-)
OP, what about Thor?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:44 AM on March 6, 2013
OP, what about Thor?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:44 AM on March 6, 2013
When I put some of your names into nymbler.com, which you may enjoy, it suggested:
Kieran
Liam
Colin
Jasper
Sebastian
Dunstan
Nolan
posted by bq at 7:50 AM on March 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
Kieran
Liam
Colin
Jasper
Sebastian
Dunstan
Nolan
posted by bq at 7:50 AM on March 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
Oscar. But Oscar Huxley Xxxxxx-Yyyyy might be a bit much.
posted by barnone at 8:07 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by barnone at 8:07 AM on March 6, 2013
I know a couple of Dorians. One we call "D" as a nickname. Neither of them would be called a "Dory."
I went to school with a female Rory. I don't remember any issues with her name, and the repeating anecdote above will only make the name more memorable to the confused person.
There's a Tristan at the pool. We also had a Huckleberry for a while.
I don't think kids make fun of names like they used to, but I also live in quite the melting pot of an area. In the preschool class at my daughter's school there are two Hazels and an Obatunde.
posted by frecklefaerie at 8:12 AM on March 6, 2013
I went to school with a female Rory. I don't remember any issues with her name, and the repeating anecdote above will only make the name more memorable to the confused person.
There's a Tristan at the pool. We also had a Huckleberry for a while.
I don't think kids make fun of names like they used to, but I also live in quite the melting pot of an area. In the preschool class at my daughter's school there are two Hazels and an Obatunde.
posted by frecklefaerie at 8:12 AM on March 6, 2013
Clive.
Trivia: C.S. Lewis (Clive Staples), Aldous Huxley and John F. Kennedy all died the same day.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:13 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Trivia: C.S. Lewis (Clive Staples), Aldous Huxley and John F. Kennedy all died the same day.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:13 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I recommend checking out the Baby Name Wizard to see trends in baby name popularity in a really beautiful interactive format.
As for names, I suggest Torr.
posted by partylarry at 8:14 AM on March 6, 2013
As for names, I suggest Torr.
posted by partylarry at 8:14 AM on March 6, 2013
Tristram is a wonderful name.
The Baby Name Wizard also has an amazing search feature -- you can include and exclude names based on popularity, type of origins.
So a quick search with some of your criteria led me to a bunch of names. Here are some of them:
Adolph
Alphonso
Ansel
Armand
Ashley (yes, it is a boy's name --- our son has a gender neutral name that is commonly used for girls in the states as well, and we don't mind the comments on that so much)
Atlee
Aubrey
Basil
Bayard
Beauregard
Bryon
Burgess
Cadogan
Carsten
Cary
Clifford
Clifton
Conroy
Cornell
Cortney
Curtiss
Dana
Darin
Darrell
Darrin
And on and on --- you can do a search for yourself here under Find A Name on the top left of the page.
posted by zizzle at 8:27 AM on March 6, 2013
The Baby Name Wizard also has an amazing search feature -- you can include and exclude names based on popularity, type of origins.
So a quick search with some of your criteria led me to a bunch of names. Here are some of them:
Adolph
Alphonso
Ansel
Armand
Ashley (yes, it is a boy's name --- our son has a gender neutral name that is commonly used for girls in the states as well, and we don't mind the comments on that so much)
Atlee
Aubrey
Basil
Bayard
Beauregard
Bryon
Burgess
Cadogan
Carsten
Cary
Clifford
Clifton
Conroy
Cornell
Cortney
Curtiss
Dana
Darin
Darrell
Darrin
And on and on --- you can do a search for yourself here under Find A Name on the top left of the page.
posted by zizzle at 8:27 AM on March 6, 2013
I have not one, but two friends who have named their son Tycho.
If they hadn't used it (or even if only one of them had), I might have named my son that.
I've always loved the name Finn.
I also like the longer versions: Finbar, Finnigan, Finneus.
posted by Betelgeuse at 8:42 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
If they hadn't used it (or even if only one of them had), I might have named my son that.
I've always loved the name Finn.
I also like the longer versions: Finbar, Finnigan, Finneus.
posted by Betelgeuse at 8:42 AM on March 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm with AreaMan on the Ansel/Anselm/Anson groove -- I was just telling someone the other day how much I liked those names.
Also: Arch, Archer (though clearly not Archibald, which begs for a nickname), Abel.
(Apparently I'm on an "A" name kick these days.) Emmett's nice and doesn't lend itself too easily to shortening (though "Em" is a possibility). Eben.
Oh, also, for mythological: Griffin, Damon (of "& Pythias" fame), Ajax, Ulysses, Jupiter.
posted by katemonster at 9:14 AM on March 6, 2013
Also: Arch, Archer (though clearly not Archibald, which begs for a nickname), Abel.
(Apparently I'm on an "A" name kick these days.) Emmett's nice and doesn't lend itself too easily to shortening (though "Em" is a possibility). Eben.
Oh, also, for mythological: Griffin, Damon (of "& Pythias" fame), Ajax, Ulysses, Jupiter.
posted by katemonster at 9:14 AM on March 6, 2013
Finn, Ross, Mark, Sean, and Roy all have the advantage of being monosyllabic and not usually nicknamable. Russ is another possibility, but people might assume it was short for Russell and potential confusion there.
George seems to be out of fashion these days, and I don't know why. I like Colin and Ian, but they may be too popular right now for you.
Some other names I like that work with "Huxley" for me are Justin, Miller, Tyrone, Clark, and Saul.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:33 AM on March 6, 2013
George seems to be out of fashion these days, and I don't know why. I like Colin and Ian, but they may be too popular right now for you.
Some other names I like that work with "Huxley" for me are Justin, Miller, Tyrone, Clark, and Saul.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:33 AM on March 6, 2013
I like Declan. Finn is getting really popular (for a good reason!).
posted by zoomorphic at 9:50 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by zoomorphic at 9:50 AM on March 6, 2013
Finn
Gareth
Owen
Ian
Dexter (Dex, I know)
Gabe/Gabriel - this is my son's name, no one ever brought up the "angel Gabriel" thing
Simon
Milo
Eammon
Gavin
posted by ersatzkat at 9:59 AM on March 6, 2013
Gareth
Owen
Ian
Dexter (Dex, I know)
Gabe/Gabriel - this is my son's name, no one ever brought up the "angel Gabriel" thing
Simon
Milo
Eammon
Gavin
posted by ersatzkat at 9:59 AM on March 6, 2013
I have a Linus, and I think that'd be a great fit for you.
(Also I have an Oliver and a Miles, not sure about those.)
posted by pyjammy at 10:40 AM on March 6, 2013
(Also I have an Oliver and a Miles, not sure about those.)
posted by pyjammy at 10:40 AM on March 6, 2013
I like Dorian. My nephew's middle name is Caspian, because mom couldn't get dad to budge on it being the first name. Another favorite was Octavian.
posted by catatethebird at 10:46 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by catatethebird at 10:46 AM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thirding Owen; doesn't really need a nickname because it's short & sweet. It sounds nice with Huxley, and I don't know many baby Owens. Though, 60% of the dude babies I know are named Wyatt, so.
posted by Fui Non Sum at 10:49 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by Fui Non Sum at 10:49 AM on March 6, 2013
My friend named his son Felix.
I like Desmond, Ewan, Ian and Oran. Mind you, Oran, while it can't really be shortened -- O? -- it can be turned into the nickname "Orange"...
posted by Lescha at 10:55 AM on March 6, 2013
I like Desmond, Ewan, Ian and Oran. Mind you, Oran, while it can't really be shortened -- O? -- it can be turned into the nickname "Orange"...
posted by Lescha at 10:55 AM on March 6, 2013
Seems like I was on the same page as your husband; Dorian, Conrad and Calvin were all on my (not so) short list. My wife and I just had our first child four weeks ago. We waited until an hour before being discharged from the hospital to finally choose our son's name (Arthur).
Here are the others from my list (most meet your criteria):
Bran
Colin
Edison
Hugh
Jonah
Kai
Oliver
Orson
Owen
Theodore
posted by trueluk at 10:58 AM on March 6, 2013
Here are the others from my list (most meet your criteria):
Bran
Colin
Edison
Hugh
Jonah
Kai
Oliver
Orson
Owen
Theodore
posted by trueluk at 10:58 AM on March 6, 2013
Orion.
posted by feral_goldfish at 11:02 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by feral_goldfish at 11:02 AM on March 6, 2013
Hunter.
posted by feral_goldfish at 11:02 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by feral_goldfish at 11:02 AM on March 6, 2013
Didn't see Avery suggested above. Quinn? Also, Dorr is a name that can't be shortened, and is similar to your Dorian. And in fact, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone outside of my family with that name.
posted by catatethebird at 11:09 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by catatethebird at 11:09 AM on March 6, 2013
Edo.
posted by WeekendJen at 11:40 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by WeekendJen at 11:40 AM on March 6, 2013
You might just give in to your husband on Conrad. It sounds quite nice with Huxley, particularly as you will be hyphenating your last names. Conrad Huxley Smith-Jones has a nice sound. For short first names, Leo and Hugh also a nice suggestion, and you might consider Guy or Ivo or Theo as well.
With a nod to Firefly, you might think about Malcolm.
Also, Madamina (and others) have given you some wise advice: Because of my experience, I would actually like to build in as many options as possible (including the middle name) and see what transpires.
You can name your child, but trying too much to control nicknames he himself likes, or what he ultimately chooses to call himself down the line, is a path you might not want to go down. Many people of my acquaintance have either changed their names, chosen to go by a middle name, or adopted a nickname as their name, and ultimately that is their choice and decision, whatever name you pick. I have to do the official security forms for my office, to give people access to key card zones in my building. I am always coming upon surprises about what people's legal names actually are, as opposed to what they call themselves. So, Gertrude is Daisy (nickname), John is Daniel/Dan (middle name), John is Chris (middle name), Ronald is Eric (middle name), John is Jake (nickname), Denise is Bambi (yes, she really is, it evolved from a nickname of Bambina and she uses it professionally) and on and on ...
posted by gudrun at 11:51 AM on March 6, 2013
With a nod to Firefly, you might think about Malcolm.
Also, Madamina (and others) have given you some wise advice: Because of my experience, I would actually like to build in as many options as possible (including the middle name) and see what transpires.
You can name your child, but trying too much to control nicknames he himself likes, or what he ultimately chooses to call himself down the line, is a path you might not want to go down. Many people of my acquaintance have either changed their names, chosen to go by a middle name, or adopted a nickname as their name, and ultimately that is their choice and decision, whatever name you pick. I have to do the official security forms for my office, to give people access to key card zones in my building. I am always coming upon surprises about what people's legal names actually are, as opposed to what they call themselves. So, Gertrude is Daisy (nickname), John is Daniel/Dan (middle name), John is Chris (middle name), Ronald is Eric (middle name), John is Jake (nickname), Denise is Bambi (yes, she really is, it evolved from a nickname of Bambina and she uses it professionally) and on and on ...
posted by gudrun at 11:51 AM on March 6, 2013
Duncan
Kevin
Wade
Tinker
Oscar
Felix
Briggs
Tilden
Nico
posted by carmicha at 12:10 PM on March 6, 2013
Kevin
Wade
Tinker
Oscar
Felix
Briggs
Tilden
Nico
posted by carmicha at 12:10 PM on March 6, 2013
Another vote for Finn.
My criteria for naming my boy child, whose middle name was also picked out in advance of his first name (family name) was that since he would have his name his entire life (I suppose he could change it if/when he marries, but it's not as common as with women) it had to work for all eventualities. It has to look as good on his gravestone (YES I AM MORBID) as on his birth certificate. It also had to work for all careers - I imagined him being introduced alternately as the starting pitcher for the Red Sox (yes, we live in Boston) or as Supreme Court Justice.
His name is Paulo Henry. He is constantly called Pablo. I did my best, but somewhere someone will always get your name wrong. I can't imagine what he'll be taunted with in school, but I know it'll be something. *I* love his name and it suits him. He has a lot of nicknames, but none are forms of his name - when he was born I thought we'd call him the Portuguese diminutive "Paulinho" (pow-lee-nyo) but it never happened.
Anyhow, I like Finn Huxley a great deal.
posted by sonika at 12:44 PM on March 6, 2013
My criteria for naming my boy child, whose middle name was also picked out in advance of his first name (family name) was that since he would have his name his entire life (I suppose he could change it if/when he marries, but it's not as common as with women) it had to work for all eventualities. It has to look as good on his gravestone (YES I AM MORBID) as on his birth certificate. It also had to work for all careers - I imagined him being introduced alternately as the starting pitcher for the Red Sox (yes, we live in Boston) or as Supreme Court Justice.
His name is Paulo Henry. He is constantly called Pablo. I did my best, but somewhere someone will always get your name wrong. I can't imagine what he'll be taunted with in school, but I know it'll be something. *I* love his name and it suits him. He has a lot of nicknames, but none are forms of his name - when he was born I thought we'd call him the Portuguese diminutive "Paulinho" (pow-lee-nyo) but it never happened.
Anyhow, I like Finn Huxley a great deal.
posted by sonika at 12:44 PM on March 6, 2013
To the people that have suggested Fulk, Cnut and Nimrod, you know that is...a human person? In America in 2013?
Having said that, I have a friend who wanted no-nickname names and she picked Cal and Mack. I also like Archer.
posted by kate blank at 12:46 PM on March 6, 2013 [15 favorites]
Having said that, I have a friend who wanted no-nickname names and she picked Cal and Mack. I also like Archer.
posted by kate blank at 12:46 PM on March 6, 2013 [15 favorites]
Yeah, please don't name a kid Cnut. That's going to cause way too many "misread it the first time" problems in situations like calling the kid's name out at the doctor's office or any other time where someone only has one glance at the name. It will absolutely happen to poor Cnut that he'll get called "Cunt." More than once.
(At least spell it Knut.)
posted by sonika at 12:59 PM on March 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
(At least spell it Knut.)
posted by sonika at 12:59 PM on March 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
I think Conrad Finnegan Huxley sounds so badass that I might just borrow it for my own kid someday.
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 1:24 PM on March 6, 2013
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 1:24 PM on March 6, 2013
I think you should wait until you meet your son to decide this.
In that moment, trust me, you will know his name.
Congratulations.
posted by jbenben at 2:36 PM on March 6, 2013
In that moment, trust me, you will know his name.
Congratulations.
posted by jbenben at 2:36 PM on March 6, 2013
Ciaran/Kieran (sounds like KEErun)
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:48 PM on March 6, 2013
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:48 PM on March 6, 2013
I vote for Finn or Graham.
posted by SkylitDrawl at 6:26 PM on March 6, 2013
posted by SkylitDrawl at 6:26 PM on March 6, 2013
Conrad will inevitably become "Connie."
I think with Huxley as a middle name, you'll want a two-syllable first name to balance it out.
I like:
Liam
Leo
Ansel
Owen
Ian
Eamon
Ryan
Simon
You should totally raid the list of NPR talent for more ideas. Some amazing names there.
posted by elizeh at 8:31 PM on March 6, 2013
I think with Huxley as a middle name, you'll want a two-syllable first name to balance it out.
I like:
Liam
Leo
Ansel
Owen
Ian
Eamon
Ryan
Simon
You should totally raid the list of NPR talent for more ideas. Some amazing names there.
posted by elizeh at 8:31 PM on March 6, 2013
I'm a big fan of the name Liam. It's difficult to be shortened, has a nice symmetry with two syllables and its ancient meaning is, essentially, "protection". It's also still relatively uncommon in the US - a rarer form of the more common "William".
As a second choice, I also like the name Jack. It has a sort of straightforward, clean, strong appeal (to me).
posted by woolly at 7:37 AM on March 7, 2013
As a second choice, I also like the name Jack. It has a sort of straightforward, clean, strong appeal (to me).
posted by woolly at 7:37 AM on March 7, 2013
[Liam] is also still relatively uncommon in the US
I'd check baby name lists if I were you, if you want to avoid trendiness/popularity. At least one baby name list has Liam in the most-popular spot in 2012, and it's in the top 15 in multiple lists I Googled. Finn is also very steadily rising.
posted by dlugoczaj at 3:02 PM on March 7, 2013 [3 favorites]
I'd check baby name lists if I were you, if you want to avoid trendiness/popularity. At least one baby name list has Liam in the most-popular spot in 2012, and it's in the top 15 in multiple lists I Googled. Finn is also very steadily rising.
posted by dlugoczaj at 3:02 PM on March 7, 2013 [3 favorites]
Garvin
posted by maykasahara at 12:26 AM on March 15, 2013
posted by maykasahara at 12:26 AM on March 15, 2013
Response by poster: Update: Baby was born last week. We named him Orion. Thanks for all the suggestions!
posted by Kitty Stardust at 5:08 PM on May 30, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by Kitty Stardust at 5:08 PM on May 30, 2013 [6 favorites]
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