Martha is expecting her second baby -- a brother for her daughter Rosa.
Martha writes: "I think because we assumed our next baby would also be a girl - and had a name picked out (Pearl Ava Adelaide) - but, as it’s actually a boy, we are now on the back foot! We are a British and Chinese / Scottish couple living in London.
We have some names we like but aren’t 100% certain or agreed on: Levi, Sterling (these two are my favourites), Vincent (my husband’s favourite), Sid and Fyfe so would be very grateful for any inspiration!
We also quite like Ray, Rudy and Spike - though we’re keen to avoid two names beginning with R so these will probably feature in the middle.
Names we like but can’t go for: Ezra, Leo, Patrick, Miller.
Names people have already suggested and we’re not that keen on: Finn, Flynn, Otto, Fox, Rory, James, Arthur, Archie, Max, Milo, Oscar.
We also want to avoid anything super classic like Henry, William or Edward."
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I love your quirky vintage style! I have to say, not repeating an R initial was so hard because there just seem to be so many R names that fit your style, but I do understand not wanting to repeat an initial. I like the Scottish vibe running through your picks, so for reference, I have listed the Scottish popularity as well as England and Wales (E&W).
Asa - As you have mentioned Levi and Ezra, perhaps you would like sleek Biblical Asa. It ranks at #663 in England and Wales (E&W).
Bruno – Quirky Bruno has been rising across Britain in the last few years. It now ranks at #384 in E&W and #296 in Scotland.
Calvin – This friendly retro surname-first name ranked in the Scottish top 100 from 2009 to 2017 and was #116 in 2019. In E&W it ranks at #575.
Clyde – Taken from the River Clyde in Scotland, Clyde has a great vintage vibe thanks to its use in the 19th century.
Cyrus – A kingly name which ranks at #707 in E&W.
Digby – A preppy peerage surname which has seen plenty of use as a given name. It currently ranks at #1030 in E&W.
Douglas – A Scottish place name-turned-surname-turned-first name. Douglas has a solidly vintage Scottish vibe with easy nicknames Doug and Dougie.
Eric – Popular in Scotland from the 17th century, and a popular flapper name, Eric ranked at #126 in E&W and #278 in Scotland.
Fergus – This affable Gaelic name meaning "man of vigour" has been in the top 200 of Scotland since 1974. In 2019, it ranked #136 in Scotland and #541 in E&W.
Fletcher – A preppy-cool surname which brings to mind medieval archers. It ranks at #293 in E&W and #355 in Scotland.
Fraser – A Scottish clan name which has ranked in the Scottish top 100 since at least 1950. In 2019, it ranked #79 in Scotland and #240 in E&W.
Harris – Harris is an English surname derived from Harry, but it is also the name of the largest island in the Outer Hebrides. As such, it has been in the Scottish top 100 since 2004 and currently ranks popularly at #5. It is #290 in E&W.
Keir / Kerr – Both Keir and Kerr are Scottish surname-first names derived from a Scottish place name. Kerr ranks at #204 and Keir at #216 in Scotland. Keir ranks at #1518 in E&W and Kerr is unranked.
Kenneth – Scottish Kenneth is a medieval kingly name, revived by Sir Walter Scott. Ken is found as the Chinese 肯 (ken).
Lennox – A Scottish placename which is now a stylish first name, ranking #388 in England and Wales.
Mac / Mack – Sid, Ray, Spike and Fyfe on your list reminds me of streamlined Mac(k). Mac and Mack rank at #1506 and #1587 respectively in E&W, though they rank at #233 and #355 in Scotland. Mac(k) can be used alone of as a nickname for Cormac, Magnus, Macauley or any Mac- surname.
Murray – A surname derived from Moray in Scotland. It has ranked in the Scottish top 100 since 1994 and ranks at #1316 in E&W.
Sol – Sometimes short for Solomon, Sol is also a name in its own right, as the Latin word for "sun" and the name of the Roman sun god. It ranks at #952 in E&W. In a similar style is Biblical Saul at #1001.
Sonny – A retro diminutive with a sweet boyish charm. It ranks at #103 in E&W.
Winston – An English surname-first name with plenty of vintage charm. It ranks at #616 in E&W.
Woody – A short form of Woodrow or simply a nickname taken from wood. Harrelson and Toy Story have made it accessible and it currently ranks at #362.
