Rosie has written in for help on naming her soon-to-arrive son. Her eldest, Elizabeth Grace, is named after great grandmothers on both sides and a great-great grandmother. They liked that it was a classic name with lots of family connections. The surname begins with R and sounds similar to 'rhubarb'.
This time, they are struggling to settle on something. Rosie's husband has suggested some usual choices, while Rosie is keen for something that reflects their Scottish/Irish, English/Scandinavian heritage or with family ties.
Choices they have partially agreed on:
Robert – A family name on both sides. They both like the nickname Bobby. Other "traditional English" names (Henry, Edward, George etc) have been rejected.
Austin – The name of a beloved relative. Rosie worries that it seems to be becoming very popular and people think of it as a new or modern name.
Ranulph – They are not sure this would work with their surname or what it can be shortened to.
Reuben – Surname issue.
Tore
Torsten
Otto
Wilfred
Connor
Alfred – Like but are not keen on Alfie.
Arthur – Like but are worried it would be shortened to Artie.
Middle Name choices:
David – family name but Rosie finds a little uninspiring.
Graham – Rosie's father's name but he actually dislikes it.
Douglas – Rosie's father's middle name.
Blaise – Rosie always liked Blaise as a middle name but others react to it negatively.
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I can see the dilemma you are faced with. Your daughter's name felt so right, managing to tick all the boxes and honour so many people. You want the same for your son, but the choices aren't presenting themselves quite so neatly this time.
Your Choices:
Robert – This seems like an obvious choice, given it is a family name on both sides and you both like Bobby as a nickname. With such a solid traditional name as Robert, a more adventurous middle name would work well. Robert Blaise "Bobby" is very handsome. Or Robert Grant (see below) to honour your father or Robert Austin.
Austin – Austin isn't as popular or as modern as people may think. It first reached the top 100 (at #100) in 2009, but has since then fluctuated above and below that mark.It currently sits at #89 alongside the likes of Leon, Seth and Caleb. Austin is the English vernacular form of Augustine, and back in the Middle Ages, that was the standard (and quite common) form of the name. So it has plenty of history.
Ranulph – I love that Ranulph is traditional yet uncommon choice. It is alliterative with your surname, but I find it rather stylish, much like January Jones or Robert Redford. Ralph or Rafe would make excellent nickname choices in my opinion.
Scottish-Scandinavian cross-over:
When the Vikings came to Britain, they brought their names with them, several of which took route and flourished in Scotland. These names, therefore, have both a Scottish and a Scandinavian heritage in one.
Lachlan – A Scots Gaelic name meaning "lake land/fjord land" aka Scandinavia. It was used as a nickname to mean "a Scandinavian" and soon adopted as a traditional Scottish given name.
Sorley – Both Sorley and Somerled are Anglicised forms of the Scottish name Somhairle which itself derived from the Old Norse name Sumarliði "summar-farer." It, too, was used in Scotland to mean "a Norseman."
Aldan – This Scottish medieval name has two origins: The Scots Gaelic form of Aldwin, or a variation of the Norse name Haldane "half-Dane."
Keir / Kerr – Both Keir and Kerr are Scottish surnames derived from the Old Norse kjarr "brushwood, marsh ground."
Ronald – The British form of the Norse name Rognvaldr (rǫgn "advise, decision, might" and valdr "ruler") which was adopted and continually used in Scotland since medieval times.
Ivar – A Scandinavian name meaning "yew (i.e. bow) warrior." It was a common Viking name which established itself in Scotland and Ireland in the spelling Iomhar.
Evander – Though Evander itself is a Greek name meaning "good man," it was long used as an English rendering of the Scottish Iomhar, and therefore Ivar.
Magnus – Again, Magnus is neither Scottish or Scandinavian in origin: it is Latin meaning "great, important." It does however have strong Scandinavian routes having been borne by King Magnus I of Norway and Denmark (1024-1047). It soon spread from Scandinavia to the Orkneys, Shetlands and Scottish highlands where it has been in use ever since.
Traditionals:
Edgar – Just as historic as Edward, but much less common and quirkier. It became rendered as Adair in surname form, which becam a first name in Scotland, and in Ireland was used as a variant of O'Daire.
Edmund– As with Edgar, Edmund is traditional yet not overdone, which was borne by a king of Scotland. Both Ned and Ted make for stylish nicknames.
Angus – A ancient Irish and Scottish traditional meaning "excellence." In Irish myth it was borne by the god of youth and poetry.
Albert – Arthur and Alfred leads me to equally upright Albert. If Albie or Bertie doesn't thrill you, how about the medieval Scottish variant Halbert giving you the nickname Hal.
Gilbert – A Germanic name introduced by the Normans. In Scotland and Ireland, however, Gilbert was used to render the native name Gilbride. Bertie is a possible nickname, as is the medieval Gib.
Bertram – A classic medieval choice meaning "bright raven."
Honour Variants:
Rupert – If you decide not to use Robert, you might consider the German form, Rupert.
Blane/Blaine – A twist of Blaise, Blane is and Irish name which was borne by a Scottish saint.
Alexander – An ancient Greek name borne by Scottish royalty. When I think of Graham I think of Alexander Graham Bell. A tentative link, but one that I think works if the honour is meant.
Grant – Graham was adopted as a surname by the Scots from the place name Grantham in Lincolnshire. The first element is possibly the Old English name Grante, which survives as Grant today.
Dougal – Like Douglas, Dougal is also a Gaelic name derived from dubh "black, dark." Dougal means "dark foreigner" which was used in Scotland as a nickname for a Norseman. A name with both Scottish and Scandinavian links which is also connected to Douglas.
