Tory is expecting her third baby -- a boy -- to join Thomas Jed and a Pippa Xanthe.
Tory writes: "Expecting baby no 3 who we know is a boy. Sadly my husband and I differ hugely in our ideas for names!! You can probably tell that I have been relegated to middle names for the last 2.
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I'll be honest: this request started out easily enough -- I can list numerous suggestions to match your list -- but trying to find names that were similar to your taste but would also fit a middle ground for a traditionalist proved harder. I can see why you have struggled to find the perfect name.
Miles – For me, Miles/Myles fits the perfect middle ground of a name which is perfectly traditional and widely recognisable, but yet also uncommon in usage (#179) and a little quirky.
Gabriel – Just as solid and Biblical as Thomas (and at #67 it is hardly unusual) but with an individuality and urbane edge.
Ned – I solid and traditional name with heaps of individuality and charm. It is similar to Jed, but that could be a nice link between brothers.
Ellis – A modern sounding name which is centuries old. Ellis was in good use in the Middle Ages because it was the English vernacular form of Elias. It is easy to spell but not overly common.
Jesse – A biblical patriarch and an 18th century country boy, Jesse has a sturdy lineage while still retaining a quirky charm.
Ralph – A traditional name which hails back to the Vikings, Ralph is a name with serious affable appeal and style.
Rafe – Or how about the phonetic spelling of the alternate (but equally traditional) pronunciation of Ralph?
Ewan / Euan – The Scottish cognate of Owen - both ancient and sleek Celtic names - which is easy to spell and pronounce as well accessible. It's not overused however (both spellings below the top 300) with a great fresh feeling.
Finn – An ancient, heroic name of Irish mythology which is easy to spell, traditional, yet still spunky. At #100, it isn't overused either. Variants Finlay, Finnian and even Griffin are worth considering as well.
Finlo – For a further twist on Finn, how about the cool Manx form of the name, Finlo?
Vaughn – Vaughn's usage and history are ancient. It's the anglicised form of the Welsh word fychan "little" and was used as name from the Middle Ages to mean "Junior" or "the Younger." It's cool and sleek but not too outlandish.
Joel – An amiable and sleek Biblical choice which is perfectly ordinary without being at all common.
Lance – An ancient Germanic name which feels sleek and cool without being too showy or flashy. Lance is a name which everyone knows but is a hidden gem below the top 1000.
Willem – William is a strong, classic, kingly name, but sits in the "Harry/Henry/James/David" camp. So how about the Dutch form Willem -- easy spell and pronounce but with a slight twist on a perennial classic.
Otis – Heaps of character, easy to spell, easy to pronounce. Otis has a high-society feel as well as a a cool factor thanks to Otis Redding.
Jowan – The Cornish form of John, Jowan has familiar sounds (part Joseph - part Dylan) with an easy spelling but cool individual streak.
James "Jem/Jago/Jamie" – I know James is one of the traditional names that you want to break away from, but as a perfect compromise, how about using a quirky familiar name with James as the formal name. Medieval nickname Jem, Scottish Jamie or Cornish form Jago all make cool and quirky "familiar" names for James.
I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.
