Nina and Ben are expecting their second child soon; a brother for their daughter Cora.
Nina writes: "We are looking for a name ideally with one or two syllables and want to avoid anything which is particularly common. Also one that is obviously a boys name and easy/obvious to spell. The name Cora passed all these 'tests' for us!
We have about 90% decided on the middle name, Frederick, after a family member.
The final challenge is that I'm German and Ben is British and we therefore need the name to 'work' and be pronounced easily in both English and German.
Our list so far:
Felix - cool name which works in adulthood, we like the 'x'. Getting common though? Also, connotation with cats?!
Finn - used by friends, husband thinks too trendy/a fad
Luca - real contender but husband thinks too cutesy (good for a boy,but lacking 'punch' for an adult)
Max - used by friends and fond of it, but very popular and lacking originality?
Milo - too trendy? husband thinks also too cutesy (per Luca comments)
Rex - very strong and like the 'x', my husband's pick but I'm worried if too 'out there'. Also, connotation with dogs?!"
You certainly have a great list. Personally, I think Felix is a great choice: cool yet sturdy. As the generations grow the cat association gets lesser and lesser, so I don;t see this as a handicap for young Felixs.
Maxim – Max is a great name, but also a top 30 favourite. There are plenty of longer forms, but suave Maxim hits a sweet spot -- more substantial and far less common (at only #558) than Max, but less cumbersome than Maximilian or Maximus.
Macsen – Speaking of Maximus, how about this Welsh version, borne by a legendary hero. It’s fairly intuitive to pronounce and say – it's simply MAK-sen. An even easier form (though losing some of its indigenous charm for me) is the Anglicised spelling Maxen. Personally, Macsen Frederick is about the most handsome name I’ve ever heard! Max or Mac could be used as a nickname.
Magnus – Another similar-but-less-common alternative to Max is sophisticated yet virile Magnus. Bearly in the top 500, it ticks the boz as a well known but underused name with bags of style to match. Max or Gus would make great nicknames.
Fergus – Gus could also work as a cool short form for Fergus, a name of Scottish and Irish legendary heroes derived from the Old Irish fer "man" and gus "strength, vigour, courage, fierceness." Angus is another strong choice derived from the same source.
Rufus – A Roman inheritor with a kingly heritage. Having taught a boy with the name, I can verify that it makes an adorable name for a child, and is stately enough to wear well in adulthood – as Rufus Sewell proves!
Axel – The same stylish 'x' in Felix, Rex and Max can also be found in Scandinavian Axel – long used in Germany. Not only is it the Scandinavian form of Absalom, it is also a British surname derived from the Norse name Asketil.
Jago – Jago is a modern-sounding, cool name with links to classic James. It's also uncommon but easily accessible. The down side? It is JAY-go in Britain, which doesn't translate as well in German.
Rhett – When I think of Rex I think of Roman kings and suave Rex Harrison. That in turn makes me think of Clark Cable's equally urbane Rhett Butler. Rhett has all the same clout as Rex, but without the association with dogs. If Rhett on its own is too sparse, how about using it as a short form for dashing Everett.
Rafe – Another Rex-alike is Rafe, the phonetic spelling of the once long-standing British pronunciation of Ralph. It's very cool yet still uncommon in Britain, although it doesn't work so well in German. Perhaps, then, Ralph itself is an option.
Miles – If Milo is too cutesy, Ben, how about the sturdier Miles? This could be your perfect compromise. Miles as the official/adult name with Milo as a childhood nickname.
Roman – Powerful, organised, brilliant...that's the legacy that the Roman's have left. Roman emulates all these things, is easily accessible but sits below the top 100.
Levi – Sleek and cool, biblical and (literally) fashionable. Levi is well and internationally known but still underused in Britain.
Leif – An even less common alternative to Levi is the cool Scandi choice Leif. As it is a Scandinavian name it is pronounced LAYF, which doesn't fit either English or German phonetics. However, people from any country can recognise and adopt the pronunciations of foreign names (the Spanish Jose has little trouble around the world, nor is the Italian Francesco) so I don't see that Leif will be troublesome.
Asher – A highly accessible and friendly biblical choice, meaning "happy." Asher has an obvious spelling, modern sound, ancient routes and ranks below the top 300.
Declan – A well known but underused Irish choice derived from the Old Irish deg ""good, excellent."
Alec – A fresh twist on popular Alex is the svelt Alec. Just as much breeding but a little more unexpected.
Aidric – A rare medieval choice which sounds like a modern spin on Aidan but can claim its origins in the court of Charlemagne. St Aidric bishop of Le Mens in the 9th century and was known or his virtue and civic works.
Harris – A popular choice in Scotland, taken from one of its islands. It is little used elsewhere but is highly usable.
I hope this has been of help. Best wishes name hunting. Please keep in touch!
UPDATE: Welcome Macsen Frederick!
