British Baby Names

Name Help: A Brother for India and Camilla

 

Delia is awaiting the arrival of her son -- a brother for India and Camilla "Cammie".

Delia writes: "It would be nice to have a name that goes with the girls, in that they are not particularly unusual but at the same time, not common or rising fast in popularity. Though we were drawn to three syllabled names for the girls, we don't mind the length of his or whether it's a longer name that can be shortened or something shorter that wouldn't be.

I am half German. Baby boy's middle name will feature my Grandfather's name in some form, which is Wolfram. So either: Wolf (or in full with my husband's grandfather's name to split it from our surname) Wolfram Rex.

My husband is half Indo-Mauritian which is reflected in our surname, so we lean towards names that are very much British so that our children's names reflect their mixed heritage.

Names on our list so far are:

Max
Miles
Milo -- my husband prefers this over Miles, I think I do too but worry about it becoming more common in usage
Jonah -- we are not religious but I love the flow of the name)
Axel -- which is a family name on my side. I think it may sound a little hard compared to the girl's names, but we love how uncommon it is.

If Camilla had been a boy she would have been Sebastian Wolf, which we still love, but we are no longer as keen on Seb which I feel it would certainly get shortened to."

 

 

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The good news is that you have a strong sense of style, which is reflected in your girls' names, so the names below are all in the same mould as your favourites. 

 

Asher – Halfway between Axel and Jonah sits fiendly Asher, an Old Testement name meaning "happy, blessed". 

Atticus – A suave Roman name given literary credentials thanks to To Kill A Mockingbird. 

Barnaby – A New Testament name with a friendly vibe and a literary edge thanks to Charles Dickens. 

Digby –  Can a name be cuddly and refined at the same time? Absolutely! And like Milo, Digby fits the bill perfectly.

Dominic – Like Sebastian, Dominic is a stately Latin name borne by Popes and Saints throughout history. 

Elliot– A medieval British name derived from the Biblical Elias. 

Felix – A Roman name meaning "happy, blessed" which, like Sebastian, was very popular among early Christians.

Gabriel – A strong yet gentle name that has been borne by pioneers and royalty. 

Hector – Hector is a strong name that fits the bill of being traditional and known whilst also being uncommon.

Jasper – Sharing Sebastian's sophistication, Jasper is a Tudor name with roots back to ancient Persia.

Laurence – Much like Sebastian, Laurence comes from a Roman name denoting a place of origin. For Sebastian it was Sebastia; for Laurence it's Laurentium. Also like Sebastian, Laurence has a lot of use in Christian Rome. Laurence was non-uncommon n England from the Middle Ages onwards and was properly established by the Tudor age. 

Leonard – An Old Germanic name meaning "lion-brave", Leonard has been a staple since the Middle Age. 

Lucas – Another Latin name that hails from a place of origin (in this case, Lucania). Lucas is the sophisticated older brother of perennial Luke. 

Magnus – Magnus is a Roman name meaning "great, mighty" and also shares Old Norse heritage. I love the nickname Gus for Magnus, but Mac or Max equally work.

Maxwell – Max and Axel meet together in Maxwell, a Scottish name with a smooth style. 

Nathaniel – A Biblical name, a Shakespearean character, and favoured by aristocrats post-Protestant Reformation.

Robin – Robert is uncommon yet feels deeply traditional. Variant Robin has a fresher feel, yet it has just as much history. 

Silas – Echoing the sounds of Miles and Milo, but rather than ranking within/just below the top 100, Silas is uncommon at #792 but recognisable thanks to its Latin heritage.

Vincent – From the Latin vincens meaning "conquering, winning," and popular in Christian Rome, stately Vincent is uncommon but a recognisable gem.

 

I hope this has been of use—best wishes with settling on the perfect name.

 

Name Help: A Sister Name for Alice

 

 

Steph is expecting her second child  — gender unknown — a sibling for Alice.

Steph writes: "We are not planning on finding out the gender for baby number 2 but already have a boys name in mind [after family].

The problem we have is finding the perfect girls' name, we absolutely love the name Alice so it was so easy the first time around but struggling to find something we love this time.

We are looking for a name that compliments Alice, a beautiful vintage / literary name and seem to gravitate towards names starting with E like Eleanor (Ella), Emilia, Elodie. We also quite like Lydia or Harriet (Hattie) but there’s nothing we really love."

Names they cannot use: Charlotte, Evelyn, Sophie and Athena

 

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Alice has so much going for it. It's a strong name, borne by medieval royalty (and was once the most popular name in Medieval England) but also has the gentility of Victorian princesses and the antique charm of literary characters created by Dickens and Austen. 

 

Amelie – A variant of the popular Amelia but with a sleek French twist. Like Alice, Amelie boasts royal connection and was used by Amélie of Orléans, Queen of Portugal. 

Beatrice – Like Alice, Beatrice has an awful lot going for it. It has a great meaning, has been borne by queens and princesses since the Middle Ages, and has a wealth of nickname options. 

Clara – Clara is a Roman (and therefore Italian heritage) name meaning  "clear, bright, famous". It is also a literary name, borne by the protagonist in Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker and) was also used by Austen, Dickens and Charlotte Bronte. 

Edith – In terms of matching Alice in terms of strong meaning, heritage and wonderful, pioneering namesakes, Edith is a perfect compliment. 

Eliza – A genteel Georgian and Victorian name with a feisty edge. Eliza is a spunky short-form of queenly Elizabeth. It also has plenty of literary clout. Eliza is the intelligent and courageous protagonist in Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin and Eliza Doolittle is the delightfully plucky heroine of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and musical My Fair Lady.

Eloise – Like Alice, Eloise is a medieval name with Germanic roots. Eloise was the subject of a great medieval romance and was used alongside Alice in the Middle Ages.

Felicity – A lovely virtue name meaning "happiness" which hails right back to a Roman goddess.

Grace – Sweet yet strong, Grace is a staple virtue name used by Dickens and the Brontes. 

Imogen – A Shakespearean heroine who is based on the legendary first "Queen of Britain". It is a strong yet sweet name with plenty of nickname options.

Lucy – Lovely Lucy is an ageless perennial that, much like Alice, never truly goes out of style. It was not only used by Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë, it is perhaps best known as the plucky heroine in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. 

Mabel – With its wonderful meaning of "lovable", Mabel shares an equally rich medieval heritage as Alice. 

Margot – A French twist on regal classic Margaret. La Reine Margot (1845) is a novel by Alexandre Dumas and the name was also used in Evelyn Waugh's novel Decline and Fall (1928).

Martha – A steady and sweet Georgian-era name, borne by Scandinavian royalty, and with a wonderful "dragon-slaying" medieval legend. 

Matilda – Like Alice, Matilda is a Germanic name brought over by the Normans to become one of the most common names in the Middle Ages. Several warrior queens answered to the name and later became a Georgian and Victorian darling.

Ottilie – Elegant Ottilie is gaining more attention for its refined style. To Ottilie is a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Penelope – Pretty and strong, Penelope is a wonderful character in Greek mythology who is loyal and never bends from her principle, even under extreme pressure.

Phoebe – A Greek goddess of bright intellect and of the moon, whose name became a Georgian staple and was used by both Shakespeare and Tennyson.

Pippa– Bouncy, uplifting Pippa is a shortened form of queenly Philippa, made famous by Robert Browning's Pippa Passes (1841).

Rose – Not only does sweet Rose evoke the beautiful flower, it came into use as a given name in Britain thanks to the Old Germanic name Hrodoheidis meaning "famous sort" and therefore shares the element heit "sort, type" with Alice (from the Germanic name Adalheidis "noble sort"): Hrodoheidis > Rohesia > Rose / Adalheidis > Adelisa > Alice. Dickens and Tennyson used the name in their works. 

Verity – Another lovely virtue name which is sweet and accessible yet pleasantly unexpected. 

 

I hope this has been useful for you. All the best in searching for the perfect name. 

 

Name Help: A British-Canadian Boy

 

James and his partner are expecting their first child soon: a boy!

Luke writes: "I’m from England and she is from Canada so there are some differences in taste we are contending with.

We both like names leaning towards nickname-y. But I am also conscious of not burdening someone with a name that sounds too informal or childish. Their name shouldn’t hinder them as an adult. We’re also not keen on names starting with F [same initial as surname].

My top names are Jack, Harry, Charlie, Dylan, Tom.

My partner’s top names are Bobby, Miles, Levi, Rio, Charlie."

 

 

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It is common for parents to worry about how a name will grow with their child. But, names are cyclical and grow with each generation. Once upon a time, Graham, Derek, Janet and Linda would have pretty much only been used for children. They were -- by virtue of their usage -- inherently childish names. But that generation grew up and became professionals. They are now deemed 'grandparent' names.

Thousands of boys have just started school with top 20 names (when they were born) like Harry, Charlie, Jack, Alfie and Freddie. When these boys grow to adulthood, their names will be the norm amongst their generation and won't be deemed childish, but instead typical names. 

Aiden – A stylish yet solid Gaelic name meaning "fire" that stylistically sits between Dylan and Rio. 

Archie – Charlie is on both your list, so it seems obvious to suggest sound-alike Archie which has roots right back to the Anglo-Saxons. 

Arlo – Arlo might seem new, but already sitting at #27, there will be plenty of professionals in the future who answer to this name. Edmund Spenser lends the name a literary edge, while The Good Dinosaur gives it Disney pedigree. 

Austin –  Austin is a historic name which feels thoroughly modern. Austin was the medieval English vernacular form of Augustine meaning "belonging to Augustus." Augustus itself is a Latin word meaning "venerable, revered, majestic, magnificent, noble" famously chosen by the first Roman emperor.

Beau– A name that once spoke of cutting-edge fashion and the epitome of style, Beau is now an easy-going yet stylish choice which is not uncommon in Canada. 

Blake – A sleek surname which has firmly established itself as a literary-inspired first name. 

Eli – A rising Biblical favourite in England and already popular in Canada. 

Ellis – Like Austin, Ellis feels like a modern surname-first name but actually it was a given name first -- in Ellis's case, an English medieval vernacular form of Elijah. 

Ezra  – Sleek Biblical Ezra means "helper" in Hebrew which ranks in the top 100s of both England and Canada.

Evan – A staple British name, in use since the 15th century, and an edgy twist on traditional John. 

Isaac – A happy Biblical name (quite literally as it means "to laugh")  with a strong heritage of belonging to scientists and mathematicians. 

Lucas – The original Roman form of Luke which, conversely, now puts a modern spin on perennial Luke. Both are popular in England and Canada. 

Max – From a grand Roman name to a stately royal choice, Max is now an upbeat, stylish choice. 

Oscar – An Irish name meaning "friend of deer". Oscar appears in Irish mythology as the grandson of Fionn mac Cumhaill and later became a royal name in Europe.

Owen – A British staple, featuring in Arthurian legend, and borne by many members of medieval royalty. It sits between Dylan and Miles stylistically. 

Rory – A friendly Celtic name once borne by ancient kings. 

Rowan – The name Rowan comes from several sources but it is most commonly associated with the rowan tree which is a native tree in both Britain and Canada. Perfect for a British-Canadian boy! 

Theo – Derived from stately Theodore, Theo is a name which is popular in both Britain and Canada. It has all the history of Tom, and all the interest of Rio. 

Toby – Toby is the medieval English form of Biblical Tobias. It is a friendly name that feels ageless. 

Zachary – A happy Biblical name with the same upbeat notes as Charlie and Harry but with the same grounding as Miles and Levi. 

 

 

I hope this has been of use—best wishes with settling on the perfect name.

 

Name Help: A Sibling for Adelaide

 

Amelia is expecting her second child -- gender unknown -- who will be a sibling for her big sister Adelaide.

Amelia writes: "We like the names Frederick, Edward, Sebastian. If Adelaide was a boy she would have been Rafferty but we have since had friends use this name.

Other contenders for Adelaide were Margot (shortened to Maggie) which we still love but a friend called their daughter Margot, so we are possibly thinking Magnolia but is this less classic?
Other girls names we like are Henrietta, Verity, Genevieve, Beatrice, Elizabeth (but this is our daughters middle name).

We like longer traditional sounding names that can be shortened. Adelaide gets shortened to Addie or Ada."

 

 

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What I love about Adelaide is that it an elegant royal name that is both classic and quirky. From its medieval roots and noble meaning -- the eldest daughter of William the Conqueror was named Adeliza / Adelida / Adelidis / Adelaide (spelling wasn't fixed at this time) -- up to its Regency and Victorian era vibe bolstered by charitable Queen Adelaide. 

Personally, I think Magnolia is a beautiful way to get to Maggie. Other options include Magdalene, Magdalena, Marigold and Magda. 

 

Annabel – The medieval Scottish form of Amabel (from the Latin amabilis "lovable") which feels chic and ladylike. The poem Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe gives the name a literary edge.

Aurelia – A lovely lyrical Latin Aurelia has the fabulous meaning of "golden" and is connected to the Roman elite.

Cecily – A medieval powerhouse that English princesses answered to starting with a daughter of William the Conqueror. It was used by Oscar Wilde in The Importance of Being Earnest lending it a Victorian literary vibe. 

Constance – Another of William's daughters answered to this sweet and steady name as well as many other royal women, including the reigning rulers of Sicily and Antioch. 

Eloise – Like Adelaide, Eloise's origins are ancient Germanic via Norman French. It became famous thanks to a renowned romance and it still retains its romantic qualities today. Ellie 

Elspeth – A twist on traditional Elizabeth but just as classic. Elspeth is actually the source of Elsie but Ellie and Eppie also work.

Emmeline – Just like Adelaide, Emmeline is a flowing, elegant name with medieval roots and a darling Victorian-era style.

Evangeline / Evelina – Evangeline is a gorgeous literary name, penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow for the heroine of his poem Evangeline (1847) and made famous by the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Evelina shares Adelaide's philological journey (Germanic → Norman) and is a relative of Ava. 

Helena – From Empress Helena, the revered and canonised mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, to the daughter of a mythical king of Britain, and later Princess Helena, daughter of Queen Victoria. There is plenty of regal namesakes for Helena. Nell or Lena make for sleek nicknames. 

Lilian – A medieval pet form of queenly Elizabeth that is now classic all in its own right. Lily or Lila could be short forms. 

Marina – An epithet of Venus and a Shakespearean heroine. Princess Marina of Greece became a darling of the public in 1934 and there was a spate of little Marinas named after the glamorous princess. Mari, Marnie, Mina or Minnie could be used as a nickname.

Theodora – A stately name with ancient pedigree borne by several Byzantine empresses and Edwardian princesses (a sister of Prince Philip was Theodora). 

Virginia - Borne from royalty thanks to Queen Elizabeth I. Ginny, Vinny, Vera could be used as nicknames, or if you are feeling uber-cool, Virgo. 

Vivienne –The sleek French form of the Latin Viviana, ultimately from the Latin word for "alive".Viviane is the name of the Lady of the Lake in Arthurian legend which likely comes from an ancient Celtic name. Tennyson used the spelling Vivien for his poem 'Vivien' (1859) as the name of the enchantress who captured Merlin.

 

Alistair – A stately twist on Alexander which lends itself nicely to upbeat Alic.

Barnaby – Quintessentially English, Barnaby is the medieval anglicised version of Biblical Barnabas which became known around the country thanks to the Saint. It's quaint Victorian vibe comes thanks to Dickens. 

Cedric – A literary name created by Sir Walter Scott for his novel Ivanhoe (1819) based on a similar ancient Celtic name. While retaining its Victorian style, Cedric has been given a modern literary image thanks to heroic Cedric Diggory. 

Douglas – Friendly, charming and unexpected, Douglas has an old-time appeal that works well amongst today's Archies, Stanleys and Chesters while still standing out.

Franklin – Another 'fits in but still stands out' name. Franklin has ancient roots right back to the estimable Frank tribe and has a literary link thanks to Chaucer's The Franklin's Tale.

Gabriel – Similar in style to Sebastian, Gabriel is a stylish, urbane name that has royal links and heavenly associations.

Laurence – Just like Sebastian, Laurence comes from an ancient place name and, thanks to its meaning of "laurel" is connected with victory. Suave Laurence Olivier epitomises the name. 

Magnus – With Roman and Norse links, Magnus has a wealth of history and even royal credentials. Gus, Mags, Mack or Max can all be used as short forms. 

Matthias – Kings and emperors have answered to this Latin form of Matthew which feels chic and interesting while still being familiar. 

Maximilian / Maxwell – Maximilian has been used since the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (1456-1519) and was well used within royal houses after. Maxwell comes from Scotland meaning "Mack's (aka Magnus) stream" 

Nathaniel – A sleek and sophisticated Biblical name, sitting between Frederick and Rafferty in terms of style. Nathaniel can also boast literary roots thanks to Shakespeare and Dickens. 

Tobias – The longer, original Greek and Latin form of Toby which has plenty of old-school charm.

Wilbur – With Anglo-Saxon roots, Wilbur has both engineering and literary pedigree thanks to Wilbur Wright and Wilbur Smith. 

Wilfred – A stylish Anglo-Saxon name with literary roots and Victorian vibes. 

 

I hope this has been of use. Best luck with finding the perfect name. 

 

UPDATE: Welcome, Beatrix! 

Name Help: A Sister Name for Matilda

 

Steph is expecting her second child  — gender unknown — a sibling for Matilda Florence.

Steph writes: "A boy will be Frederick Charles after two beloved great-grandfathers, but I am stuck for girls. My other options from last time don't seem to stand up to the strength of 'Matilda'... Martha, Jemima, Lily, Isla, Francesca, April all appealed but not as much. I keep coming back to Jemima as it has the same number of syllables as Matilda, but I don't think it's 'the one'.

I made various suggestions to my husband last time which were vetoed: a few Cornish names as we both have Cornish heritage, and I love Ottilie but he said it was too 'out there' for where we live in Yorkshire! I have a good friend called Kerensa and have always adored her name but am hesitant to name a child after her (maybe an alternate spelling?)

Our surname [begins with N] so I have ruled out anything ending with an 'n'. We would ideally like something from British literature or places we have been or lived (Italy, Germany, ). We both share a Cornish heritage, and my husband is a quarter Italian. We both like full names that can be shortened rather than a diminutive as a given name. Nothing in the top 10 preferably, although that’s not a sticking point. We are both sure that we don’t want a name too rare that it would need constant spelling-out or explanation.

 

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Matilda has so much going for it. It's a strong name borne by medieval warrior queens (who really lived up to its mighty in battle meaning) but also has the gentility of Georgian princesses (such as Princess Sophia Matilda) and the antique charm of Victorian characters created by Dickens and the Brontes. Add to that the multitude of nickname options and I can totally see why it is a tough act to follow. 

I appreciate why you want to avoid names ending in 'n' because of your surname, but I think it all comes down to flow. For example, I think Vivian Norman sounds great, while Juno Norman or Eleanor Norman sounds clunky. So, with your surname in mind, I have added some 'n' ending names, but only ones I think flow well with your surname. 

 

Amelie – The French form of popular Amelia with a twist, derived from the Germanic word amal meaning "work". Like Matilda, Amelia has been borne by British royalty, and Amelie was used by Amélie of Orléans, Queen of Portugal. 

Beatrice – Like Matilda, Beatrice has an awful lot going for it. It has a great meaning, has been borne by queens and princesses since the Middle Ages and has a wealth of nickname options. Beatrice is also a dual English-Italian choice, having been popularly used in Italy for centuries. Dante immortalised his fair Beatrice in many of his works, and Shakespeare used Beatrice for his strong-willed heroine in Much Ado About Nothing.

Clara – Found as much historically and currently in Germany as it does in Britain, Clara is a Roman (and therefore Italian heritage) name meaning  "clear, bright, famous". It was borne by the protagonist in Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker and (like Matilda) was also used by Austen, Dickens and Charlotte Bronte. 

Delilah – The Biblical Bad Girl that I, and many scholars, argue is actually a great feminist icon. It has been established as a name in Britain since the 17th century and was well used in Yorkshire in the 19th century. 

Edith – In terms of matching Matilda for a strong meaning, heritage and amazing, pioneering namesakes, Edith is your girl. Edie makes for a delightful nickname.

Eliza – A genteel Georgian and Victorian name with a feisty edge. Eliza is a spunky short-form of queenly Elizabeth (great for a Jubilee year baby!). Eliza is the intelligent and courageous protagonist in Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin and Eliza Doolittle is the delightfully plucky heroine of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and musical My Fair Lady.

Elodie – A chic French name with German roots. “To Elodie” (1904) is a poem by Irish poet John Todhunter.

Eloise – Like Matilda, Eloise is a Germanic name of famous medieval legend. It has a lovely melodic sound yet a strong backbone.

Harriet – Harriet is a great pairing with Matilda. It has strong Germanic meaning, a Georgian and Victorian literary heritage, and a great wealth of nicknames.

Imogen – A Shakespearean heroine who is based on the legendary first "Queen of Britain". It is a strong yet sweet name with plenty of nickname options.

Isabel/la– Isabel and Isabella may seem sweet and demure, but like Matilda they were borne by fierce medieval queens. Queen Isabella, wife of Edward I, was known as the She-Wolf of France when she took power from her ineffectual and unpopular husband and Queen Isabella (properly Isabel) of Castille ruled Castille in her own right alongside her husband Ferdinand and were considered the most powerful monarchs of their age. Isabel was extremely popular in the Middle Ages, even more so than the cognate Elizabeth, and ranked just below Matilda in the 14th century.

Lydia – A lovely Latin name with a literary vibe and a timeless quality.

Orla – A beautiful Irish name with the lovely meaning of "golden princess". Oro is also the Italian word for gold. 

Penelope – Pretty and strong, Penelope is a wonderful character in Greek mythology who is loyal and never bends from her principle, even under extreme pressure.

Sienna – Siena is a beautiful Italian city which has strong matriarchal ties. Sienna is often how it was spelt in Britain and Germany thanks to St Catherine of Siena (spelt Sienna in German and English) and this is the spelling which is most common in Britain today.

Tabitha – Similar to Jemima, Tabitha is another sweet Biblical choice turned Victorian darling.

Tamara – The River Tamar is key part of Cornish topography. Tamara itself comes from the Biblical girls' name Tamar "date palm" and was borne by a medieval queen of Georgia.

Victoria – The name of a goddess of victory and a reigning queen (as well as a whole host of other royals). Victoria -- like Matilda -- is ladylike but strong.

I hope this has been useful for you. All the best in searching for the perfect name. 

 

Name Help: A Brother for Freya

 

Sanne is awaiting the arrival of her son -- a brother for Freya.

Sanne writes: "We are a Belgian-British couple. Our favourite boy name was Odin, but because of the close relation to Freya we feel that that wouldn't work well.

What makes this very difficult is that we need a name that is both easily pronounceable in English as in Dutch. That already eliminates some of our other favourites such as Merlijn, Leander, and Arthur. My partner's choices right now are Sirius (which I don't like because of Harry Potter) or Tristan. I like Rohan or Darwin. But none of them feel like 'the' name.

 

I think our name tastes are towards the mythological and historical or with a special meaning, but still easy to write and pronounce.

 

Popularity is important to us, but we only care about the popularity where we live, which is the Flemish part of Belgium. For example, Freya is a hugely popular name in the UK but not so much over here, which is why we ended up using it. Ideally, we would like a name equally or less popular than Freya."

 

 

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As you know, Flemish is not my area of expertise but I have done my best to find names that I think should work in both languages. In terms of popularity, from May 9, 2012 to May 9, 2022, 172 girls named Freya were born in Flanders, so I have used these same dates as a guide for popularity. I'll refer to it below as "Flanders 12-22".

 

Alban – Both a Latin and an ancient British name, the latter derived from the Celtic *albiyo "world". Three saints have borne the name including the first British-born saint.

Arlo – With 29 Flemish Arlos recorded in 12-22, Arlo is uncommon in Flanders but a top 30 choice in Britain, much like Freya. Arlo was used by Edmund Spenser for the place Arlo Hill in his epic poem 'The Faerie Queene' (1590).

Atlas – Atlas is the name of a Titan in Greek mythology who is the guardian of the pillars which keep the sky and earth apart. Mythology also has it that Atlas taught mankind how to read the stars and turned the heavens so that the stars revolved. In 1585, Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator (1512-1594) dedicated his work Atlas, sive cosmographicae meditationes de fabrica mundi to the Titan Atlas. The publication of this work eventually led to "atlas" being used to describe a collection of maps. It is uncommon (but not too rare) in both Britain (ranking #366 in England and Wales) and Belgium (21 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22).

Austin –  Austin is the medieval English vernacular form of Augustine meaning "belonging to Augustus." Augustus itself is a Latin word meaning "venerable, revered, majestic, magnificent, noble" famously chosen by the first Roman emperor. 37 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22.

Beau– A name that once spoke of cutting-edge fashion and the epitome of style, Beau is now an easy-going yet stylish choice. 14 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22.

Dexter – A cool Latin name meaning "on the right hand, right side" but also "skilful", "proper" and "favourable" and often symbolic in biblical verses for strength. 1 boy was given the name Dexter and 3 boys were named Dex in Flanders 12-22.

Emrys – An old Welsh form of the Ancient Greek name Ambrosios meaning "immortal, divine". Ambrosius Aurelianus -- known as Emrys Wledig in Welsh -- is a semi-mythical Sub-Roman Britain hero who later became associated with Merlin of Arthurian legend. 4 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22.

Ezra  – Sleek Biblical Ezra means "helper" in Hebrew and has a pan-European appeal. 45 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22.

Felix– A Roman name which is used across Europe thanks to its having been borne by no less than 44 saints and 3 popes. It has the lovely meaning of "happy, fortunate". 166 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22.

Kai – An older form of the Welsh Cai, found in medieval Arthurian legends such as the tale of Culhwch and Olwen where he is the foremost warrior at the Court of the King Arthur. (He is known as Sir Kay in English). Its use in Scandinavia, Germany, and Holland may be down to its use originally as a short-form of names such as Kajetan, Nicholas and Gerhard. 26 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22.

Lowen – A Cornish name meaning "happy, glad, joyful." It is reminiscent of the Dutch diminutive of Lodewijk -- Lowie. 11 boys were named Lowen in Flanders 12-22 and 152 were named Lowie.

Magnus – A  strong Latin name meaning "great, mighty" which was used by the Romans and borne by the likes of Pompey the Great. Magnus was also used to Latinise the Old Norse name Magni, derived from the Old Norse magn "might, strength." In Norse mythology, Magni was a son of the god Thor so there is a lin with Freya, but it is a subtle one. 38 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22.

Oberon – Oberon is a king of the fairies in medieval and Renaissance literature made famous by William Shakespeare. Oberon or Auberon is found in Britain found from the thirteenth
century and ultimately derives from the Germanic Alberich (from alf “elf” + ricja “ruler” thus “king of the elves.” Alberich was a legendary sorcerer who appears in the epic sagas of the Merovingian court between the fifth and eighth centuries. There was 1 boy named Oberon in Flanders 12-22 and no Auberons.

Oscar – An Irish name meaning "friend of deer". Oscar appears in Irish mythology as the grandson of Fionn mac Cumhaill. 172 boys were given the name Oscar in Flanders 12-22.

Otis – Otto's English little brother, has plenty of charm and style. 191 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22.

Owen – A Welsh staple, featuring in Arthurian legend, and borne by many members of medieval Welsh royalty. 49 boys were named Owen in Flanders 12-22.

Rex – A stylish name meaning "king" in Latin and also an English surname meaning "dweller by the rushes," In the Victorian era, it was a common short form of Reginald. 3 boys were named Rex in Flanders 12-22.

Robin – Robin originally started out in the Middle Ages as a pet-name for Robert and became associated with the little red-breasted bird by the 16th century. Famous outlaw, Robin Hood, adds a mythological vibe. 45 boys were named Robin in Flanders 12-22.

Rowan – The name Rowan comes from several sources but it is most commonly associated with the rowan tree and as the anglicised form of the Irish Ruadhán meaning "red, red-haired". 9 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22.

Ruben – A Dutch-friendly form of the Biblical Reuben meaning "behold, a son". Reuben is a top 50 choice in Britain, while Ruben is #123 in England and Wales. It brings to mind the famous Flemish artist Sir Peter Paul Rubens. 33 boys were given the name in Flanders 12-22.

 

I hope this has been of use—best wishes with settling on the perfect name.

 

Name Help: A British Name for Chinese Parents

 

Mandy is expecting a little girl and is looking for a British name to complement her Chinese name. 

Mandy writes: "My husband and I are both Chinese, and we met while studying at Oxford. Those years were the best time in our lives that we really wanted to give our baby a British name. The Chinese name will be Jinxuan, where Jin(瑾) means jade, a beautiful gem. It also has a meaning of purity and nobility. While Xuan(萱) means a flower in the fairytale that makes you forget all the worries and sadness. 

It would be appreciated if you could help us find a lovely name for our baby girl. The British name does not necessarily have to be associated with the Chinese name."

 

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I love the meaning of Jinxuan. It has such depth to it which is clearly what has captured you about it. With that in mind, I have looked for names with similarly aspirational meanings that still feel classically English. I have also looked for some links to Oxford as that is the reason you are looking for a British name in the first place. 

 

Ada – A Victorian English favourite, used since the Middle Ages, meaning “noble”. It was made famous by Ada Lovelace, writer and mathematician and a daughter of Lord Byron.

Adele / Adela – Like Ada, both Adele and Adela come from the Germanic word adal “noble” and have their roots in the early Medieval period. Adelaide and Adeline also share the same source.

Agatha – Derived from Greek ἀγαθός (agathos) meaning "good, happy; excellent; upright, honourable", Agatha has been used in Britain since the Middle Ages. It was famously borne by author Agatha Christie who lived in Oxfordshire.

Alice – Alice is a quintessential English choice. It is the Medieval English form on Adalheit, an early German name meaning “noble sort”. It was, in fact, the most popular name in England in the 14^th century. For a link to Oxford University, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was the famous creation of Oxford alumnus Lewis Carol.
Carol named his heroine after Alice Liddell whose father was the Dean of Christ Church, and she spent part of her childhood living in the college. 

Audrey – The late medieval form of the Anglo-Saxon Æðelþryð meaning “noble strength”. It became famous thanks to a Saxon princess and saint of East Anglia. Audrey is also borne by a Shakespearean character and, of course, the graceful and elegant, Audrey Hepburn. 

Eleanor – A medieval queenly name which has long use in Britain. Several famous Oxford women have borne the name Eleanor including Eleanor Rathbone. who became the first Oxford woman to be elected to parliament, and Eleanor Jourdain, Principal of St Hugh's College, Oxford from 1915 to 1924.

Elizabeth – Considered a quintessentially English name and borne by our current monarch of 70 years. For an Oxford link, philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe studied at St Hugh’s College.

Gemma – From the Latin gemma meaning "gem," "jewel," or "bud." It is one of the names for the brightest star in the constellation Corona Borealis, the "Northern Crown," literally representing the jewel in the crown. There are examples of its use in Medieval England but it became especially popular in Britain in the late 20th century. It is not so well used for babies in Britain now, though many of the mothers answer to Gemma.

Iris – Meaning "rainbow.", Iris was the name given to the Greek goddess of the rainbow. The iris flower was so named in the late 14th century thanks to the number of rainbow-like colours of its different species. Dame Iris Murdoch was a prize-winning author and philosopher who studied at Somerville College and later became a Fellow of St Anne's, Oxford.

Ivy – Ivy is the name of an evergreen vine which was used to symbolise friendship and fidelity. Ivy became popular in Britain in the late 19th century and one of these recipients was Ivy Williams, first a student, then tutor and lecturer in law at the Society of Oxford Home-Students (now St Anne's College) who was the first woman to be called to the English bar in 1922. She also became the first woman to be awarded the degree of Doctor of Civil Law at Oxford in 1923.

Jessamine / Jessamy – The Middle English form of Jasmine, the name of a beautiful fragrant flower. Both Jessamy and Jessamine have been in use since the 18th century. Jessamine was used in poetry including works by Spenser and Oscar Wilde. According to Victorian floriography, Jasmine represents "amiability, good-naturedness."

Juniper – A sweet botanical name that in Victorian times represented chastity/purity and protection. 

Katherine / Catherine  – An English classic -- borne by our beloved future queen -- which is elegant, classic yet not too common. The true etymology of the name is disputed but since the early Christian era, it became associated with Greek καθαρός (katharos) meaning "pure" and the spelling was adjusted to fit that meaning. 

Lucy – Lovely Lucy derives from the Latin lux meaning "of light" and the name has been a staple in Britain since the Middle Ages. The beloved character, Lucy Pevensie, was created by Oxford alumnus and Fellow of Magdalen College, C S Lewis, for his Narnia series. 

Lyra  – The name of the constellation of the harp, Lyra makes me immediately think of Oxford University. Lyra Belacqua is Philip Pullman's plucky young heroine in his award-winning trilogy, His Dark Material) who grows up in Oxford University (albeit in an alternate reality). The series was followed up with Lyra's Oxford and The Book of Dust.  Pullman is himself an Oxford alumnus. 

Margaret – Another English classic which is underused today (though variants such as Daisy, Maisie and Margot are popular) but has been a queenly staple in Britain since the Middle Ages. Margaret has the beautiful meaning of "pearl" and the daisy flower has been associated with it for centuries. Lady Margaret Hall is also an Oxford College. The first-ever female Prime Minister of Great Britain, Margaret Thatcher, also studied at Oxford.

Phoebe – From the Greek meaning "bright, pure, radiant," in Greek Mythology, Phoebe was the name of a Titan goddess of bright intellect. The name was established in Britain in the 16th century and was quite common by the 18th. It is also borne by a character in Shakespeare's As You Like It (1603) and a moon of Saturn.

Poppy – For thousands of years, the white and red poppy flower has been known for its medicinal properties; particularly as pain relief, or for reducing anxiety, linking with the meaning of Xuan(萱). Added to that, Poppy is a bright and happy name which is popularly used by British parents for its upbeat sound.

Rose / Rosa – The rose is a beautiful flower featured in many fairytales as it has long been a symbol of romance and love. Added to this, long before Rose was adopted as a given name in honour of the flower in Britain. it was already in use as an Anglicised form of the Norman name Roheis meaning "famous sort". Rose was #30 in England in the 14^th century and it has been regularly used ever since. 

Rosamund – A beautiful medieval name which derives from hros "horse" and mund "protection" but was early on associated with Rosa Munda  "pure rose," and Rosa Mundi "rose of the world" -- titles used for the Virgin Mary. 

Vera – A Latin name meaning "true, real, genuine", a Russian name meaning "faith" and an Albanian name meaning "summer". Vera grew popular in Britain in the late 19th century and was in the top 100 from 1900 to 1944. Vera Brittain --writer, feminist, socialist and pacifist -- was a student at Somerville College, Oxford.

Virginia – This is more a suggestion based on homophony. Jinxuan makes me think of Ginny in English, which is a nickname for Virginia. Virginia means "virginal, pure" and was associated with Elizabeth I. The state of Virginia in the USA is named for her.

 

I hope there is something here that you find beautiful for your daughter.

 

Name Help: A Sister for Sadie, Felix and Betsy

 

Elyce is expecting her third daughter  —a little sister for Sadie, Felix and Betsy.

Elyce writes: "Our name tastes are probably best described as vintage/old fashioned but not very common. It has to flow well with Sadie, Felix and Betsy and not be too off theme. 

We thought we were sold on the name Cleo, we’ve loved it for years and it was the last girls' name on our list, when we found out we were having another girl it was decided. However, I’m from Australia and tragically there’s a little girl over there missing and it’s been all over the news so it’s made us think twice as we don’t want to be insensitive or people to think we’ve taken her name. It’s tarnished it for us a bit and some people will just associate it with that story. So we’ve been struggling to come up with a name we love as much. 

 

We think we love Etta at the moment. Willa, Posie, Clementine and Primrose are other names we’ve played around with but then second-guessed. Clementine we both love but given it can be pronounced both ‘teen’ and ‘tyne’ puts us off a bit as we feel we will forever letting it go or correcting people. We love Rose but it’s far too popular as a middle name or hyphenated. I loved Iris but that’s a no from hubby. 

 

We’d like to avoid S F and B names so as not to duplicate with Sadie, Felix and Betsy. We like to stay out of the top 100 really, or at least outside of the top 70, it would have to be a name we love to be more popular."

 

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I love the sleek vintage feel -- almost cottagecore style -- of your set. Swoon-worthy! Your current list are all absolutely wonderful. I really don't think you can go wrong. Here are more in a similar vein that I think might appeal:

 

Annie– One of the ultimate vintage names. Annie has a sweet and timeless quality that has been used as a familiar name for powerhouse Anne for centuries (much like Sadie comes from classic Sarah and Betsy from Elizabeth). You could imagine them all running around in a Jane Austen novel. It ranks at #132.

April – A sweet month name that is more unexpected than May but fresher than June. It ranks at #265.

Audrey – Derived from an Anglo-Saxon name meaning "noble strength", Audrey's heritage is deep, from a Saxon princess to Shakespearean character and, of course, the eternal icon of grace and elegance, Audrey Hepburn. It ranks at #319 in England and Wales but is #29 in Australia. 

Cora – Just as ancient and appealing as Cleo with plenty of flapper-flair. It was an alternate name given to the goddess Persephone and associated with spring and new life. It ranks at #153.

Dulcie – An antique name that dates back to the Middle Ages which literally means "sweet". In a nod to your home-land, Dulcie had the most use in Australia in the 20th century making it perfectly vintage. It ranks at #771 in England and Wales. 

Effie – An adorable diminutive for Greek Euphemia meaning "good news, good words spoken". It was especially common in Scotland for centuries where it was used as an English rendering of Oighrig. It ranks #204.

Eloise – A romantic medieval name with a sweet vintage sound. 

Hazel – A gorgeous vintage nature name that took off with the Victorians. It is a popular top 100  choice in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand but more of an undiscovered gem in Britain, ranking in a sweet spot of #153.

Honor – A sleek, historic name that has been used since the Middle Ages and was common in the Georgian era, suiting Sadie, Felix and Betsy perfectly. It ranks at #1164.

Juno – Similar in style to Cleo, Juno was the name of the Roman queen of the gods and protector of women. It ranks at #485.

Lena / Lina – A short form of names ending in -lina, used since at least the 14th century in Britain and across Europe. Today it has a sleek flapper sound and ranks at #186.

Lois – Felix is a Latin name from the New Testament; Sadie and Betsy are diminutive forms of Old Testement Hebrew names Sarah and Elizabeth. Lois fits perfectly as it is a pocket-powerhouse name from the New Testament. It ranks at #258.

Marnie – A retro diminutive of elegant and royal Marina. It ranks at #119.

Nina – The name of the Sumarian goddess meaning "lady of the waters", but, since the Middle Ages it was used as an Italian diminutive of names ending in -nina and also  a Russian pet form of Anna. It ranks at #145.

Pearl – Beautiful gemstone Pearl was once used as a nickname for Margaret (meaning "pearl") but became a name in its own right in the 19th century. It ranks at #271. 

Pippa – Lively, bouncy Pippa is a short form of queenly Philippa, made famous by Robert Browning's Pippa Passes (1841). It ranks at #120.

Polly  – Used since the Middle Ages, Polly is a sweet diminutive of Mary (in keeping with Sadie and Betsy's heritage). It was common for Victorian Marys to go by Polly in their everyday lives. It now ranks #205.

Rosa – If Rose seems overused to you, how about the Latinised version Rosa. Like Rose, Rosa was a top 100 favourite throughout the 19th century and currently ranks at #160.

Winnie – Winifred has an ancient pedigree, but it found success with the Victorians who loved its medieval style. Winnie developed as a sweet short form. It ranks at #223.

 

I hope this has been useful for you. All the best searching for the perfect name. 

 

Name Help: An Accessible Irish-Scottish Heritage Name

 

Isabelle and Ronan are expecting their first child -- gender a surprise.

Isabelle writes: ."I am Scottish born and my husband is from the Republic of Ireland. We do come from Catholic families albeit not exactly religious. We want a name that is able to incorporate both of our backgrounds and cultures, that is both Irish and Scottish. 

My husband travels a lot for work and sometimes I do join him so we would like a name that is either easily understandable or able to be shortened to a nickname, as although we live in Ireland, we know that it could be possible for us to move elsewhere where a heavily Irish or Scottish name would be a potential issue. 

 

Names we cannot use due to family and friends already using are Brian, Seamus, Iona, Darragh, Lachlan, Niall, Hamish, Patrick, Quinn, Caitlin, Caitriona, Fiona, Murphy, Mackenzie, Fergus, Cillian, Padraig, Malcolm, Therese, Moira, David and Kieran. My maternal grandmother was half French, and I am named after her but we are unsure of using something other than Scottish-Irish but are open to any ideas you may have. 

 

I like names that have a nice meaning behind them or are culturally meaningful and so on. Other than that I do like names that can be shortened or have a nickname so it fits throughout life from birth to adulthood. 

 

My husband Ronan has grown up around quite traditional Irish names and does like the meaning behind those Gaelic names either Irish or Scottish. He does not like unisex names though or anything too long as we might use a double-barrelled surname. As he works in the entertainment industry he does not like pop culture names or anything like that. My husband also does not like names such as Lili or Kali or Birdie, and likes normal spellings but is flexible on using traditional Irish or Scottish spellings or not.  

 

Some names that we have been considering but are not sure about are Finn, Oscar, Oisin, Calum, Alexander, Aisling, Rosalie, Isla and Freya. I like Aoife but worry about pronunciation outside of Ireland and with potential childhood bullying over it too. I don’t want my baby to end up bullied because of their name.

 

 

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Gaelic names are so beautiful -- you are really spoiled for choice. Finding one that is phonetically transparent in English is a little harder but the good news is they do exist. The world is opening up now and Irish names are getting more international recognition. Names like Saoirse, Sean, Seamus, Niamh etc are all quite widely travelled these days.

You mentioned worrying about potential bullying. It is a completely understandable fear for any parent, but I honestly don't think name-bullying exist amongst youngsters today (and I am speaking here as a primary school teacher with over a decade's experience). Children today grow up amongst so many different names from all over the world -- India, Poland, Africa, Turkey to name just a few -- and it is the norm for them. We no longer live in a world where most of the children in a class have a top 20 name. 

 

Alannah – Essentially, Alannah is a feminine form of the Ancient Celtic name Alan. This spelling, however, is directly influenced by the Anglo-Irish word alannah, from the affectionate Irish Gaelic phrase a leanbh meaning "O child, dear child".

Alba – Similar in sound and style to Aoife, Isla and Freya on your list, Alba is not only a Roman name, it is also the Gaelic name for Scotland that once belonged to the Scottish Kingdom of Alba. Alba also means "dawn" in several European languages and is a popular name currently in Spain, France, Denmark and Belgium, so it travels extremely well all over the world.

Annabel – Lovely Annabel is often assumed to be a combination of Biblical Anna and the Latin Bella. However, its origins are very much Scottish. Dating from the 12th century, Annabel developed in Scotland, most likely as a form of the common medieval name Amabel (from the Latin amabilis "lovable").   

Arabella – Like Annabel, Arabella is also a Scottish creation. Although it is often mistaken as deriving from the Latin ara "altar" and bella "beautiful", it actually derives from the Late Latin orabilis meaning "benevolent". One notable bearer is Lady Arabella Denny (1707–1792), an Irish philanthropist who devoted her life to helping the poor.

Bethia – Bethia is a Biblical name meaning "daughter of God". It is mentioned in the Bible as being a daughter of a Pharoah; some have attributed the name, therefore, to the adopted mother of Moses. Bethia was especially used in Scotland from the 16th century as it was used to render the Scottish name Beathag (a diminutive of Scots Gaelic beath "life") into English.

Cara – A lyrical Irish name meaning "friend" in Gaelic. It also means "beloved" in Italian which gives the name Continental currency. 

Finola / Fenella / Finvola – Modern forms of the legendary Fionnuala, one of the children of Lir who was transformed into a swan in Irish mythology. The name was extremely popular in Ireland in the Middle Ages and Finola MacDonald "Ineen Dubh" (c.1550-1608), was a Scoto-Irish queen of Tyrconnell who ruled in her husband's stead when he became senile. Finola was more common in Ireland, while Fenella was popularised by Sir Walter Scott in Peveril of the Peak (1823) giving it a Scottish feel. Finvola is the Latin form, made famous by the ballad, Gem of the Roe about the beautiful daughter of an O'Cahan chief who married a Scottish laird. Nola is a short form that could be used independently.

Nora – Flapper-style Nora developed in Ireland from Honora ("honour") via the Irish form Onóra and variants Nóra and Nóirín.

Orla – One of the most accessible and beautiful Irish names around: easy to spell and pronounce. Composed of the elements or "golden" and flaith "sovereign, ruler, noblewoman", its meaning is also lovely. Even though Orlaith is used, Orla is the more common spelling in Ireland currently.

Saorla – Another sweet flaith "ruler" name, this one combined with saor "freeman, noble". Saorla is distinctly Irish in style but not too hard for non-Irish speakers to say.

Una – An ancient Irish name that appears more than once in mythology. It was borne by a fairy queen and the clever wife of Fionn mac Cumhaill.

Violet – A sweet floral name that has ties to both the Virgin Mary and Scotland. Long been associated with modesty, in the Middle Ages the violet was known as "Our Lady's Modesty" and a story developed that the violet turned from white to purple to reflect Mary's mourning. For this reason, several Renaissance Madonna and Child paintings depict violets. Violet also had a long history in Scotland -- much more so than England and Wales -- being in use there since the 15th century.

 

Brody –  A lively Scottish name that has numerous meanings, but links with the Irish Brady and Brollaghan. Brody is the most common spelling in Ireland ranking at #120.

Cormac – A name that appears more than once in Irish mythology and makes for a sleek modern name, too. There is even a Scots Gaelic form, Cormag, which shows its early use in Scotland, also.

Finlay – If Fionn feels too short, perhaps Finlay will appeal. It has been used in both Scotland and Ireland since at least the 10th century -- though most likely even earlier.

Finnian – Another Finn-derived name that has been borne by several Irish saints.

Flynn – A dashing Irish surname-turned-first name meaning "descendent of Flann" which itself was a quite popular early Irish name and borne numerous saints, a High King and a renowned poet.

Lorcan – The "little fierce one" borne by Kings of Leinster and the native name of St Laurence O'Toole.

Oran – An Irish saint who travelled through Scotland with Saint Columba. Even though Odhran is more common in Ireland at #93 currently. Oran is only marginally less popular at #132.

Rory – An upbeat and friendly traditional Gaelic name, borne by kings, which was well used in both Ireland and Scotland since the Middle Ages.

Rowan – Not just the name of the lovely rowan tree, Rowan is also a Scottish surname derived from places named Roan in Scotland and the anglicised form of Gaelic name Ruadhán. St. Ruadhán / St. Rowan (d.584) is considered one of the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland".

Shay – An anglicised form of Séaghdha meaning "esteemed, majestic" in Gaelic. This is the most common form in Ireland currently, ranking at #53. It is also the most common form in Scotland at #164.

Tristan – A handsome name which derives from the Pictish (from Scotland and Ireland) name Drustan. One Pictish king, Drustan son of Talor, is the subject of legends told of how he travelled to the Hebrides and was wounded while rescuing a princess that was about to be given as tribute to three giants. 

 

I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.

 

Name Help: Naming First Child

 

Nicola is expecting her first child.

She writes: "My husband and I are expecting a baby boy in mid-December and have found names we both LIKE but seem to disagree on the names we each LOVE. The baby's surname is relatively common (one syllable), and so I'm keen that his first name won't feature in the Top 10 most popular names of 2021 lists. Here are some names that I loved but that my other half has said no to:

Otto 

Cassius 

Lando

Espen 

Jago

Remy

Archie (because we have a close friend who has used this name recently)

Henry (because we have a close friend who has used this name recently)

 

My other half really loved Dougie (Douglas), but it was exactly his Grandfather's name. I feel I'd prefer to give the baby something uniquely his own in his name rather than a carbon copy of another relative. He also likes Jude but I struggled to think of nicknames with that name. 

 

Names we both like are:

Rupert

Reuben

Finley (I prefer just Finn but worry it's too short with the relatively short surname too)

Tristan

 

But we're struggling to really fall in love with one of the above in particular, even though we both like them all.

 

 

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The like but don't love conundrum is remarkably common. Mostly, I think it sparks from the fact that we put so much pressure on finding the most amazing name -- it's a lot to live up to. I'm a big advocate for having a shortlist with you in hospital and seeing what feels right when you meet little one. 

 

Asher –  Sitting between Biblical Reuben and Jude and cool Otto and Lando is the upbeat Biblical choice Asher with the gorgeous meaning of "happy, joyful". It ranks at #189, so it is uncommon but not unheard of. 

Barnaby – Matching Rupert's preppy polish, Barnaby is a friendly up-and-coming choice. 

Chester – A happy, preppy vintage choice that fits the same style as Rupert and Douglas/Dougie.

Dominic –  A classic stylish but oh-so-friendly choice that is familiar but sits just below the top 100. Plus, it sounds amazing with your surname. 

Elliot – Another name that I think flows beautifully with your surname, Elliot is a smooth tailored choice like Rupert, Tristan and Reuben. 

Ezra – This cool, upbeat Biblical choice has made a name for itself in recent years and now sits comfortably at #59.

Felix – Quirky Latin name that means "happy, lucky". It currently straddles the illusive familiar-but-not-too-common divide perfectly. 

Flynn – A dashing Irish name with the 'lovable rogue' quality. I feel like there are enough consonants in Flynn for your tongue to get round to work with your short surname. More so than Finn even though it is just an extra ‘L’ essentially.

Gabriel – A handsome Biblical choice that suits all ages. I, personally, really like the alliteration with your surname. 

Jasper – A British traditional, a gemstone and a descendant of the Biblical Casper, meaning "treasurer" in Persian, which history gave to one of the Wise Men. A lovely (but subtle) seasonal name for a December baby.

Jonah – In the style of Jude and Reuben is gentle fellow Biblical name Jonah meaning "dove" symbolic of peace.

Milo – A sweet historic name that has the stylish -o ending. 

Otis – Otto's brother name that has more of a retro vibe. 

Roman – A historic name that feels modern, sleek and stylish.

Rory–  Remy + Rupert + Finley = friendly Celtic Rory. It has plenty of charm and lots of character. 

Rufus – Rupert and Reubens first sound is also found in quirky, kingly Rufus.

Vincent – If your husband likes Douglas "Dougie", I wonder whether he would like Vincent "Vinnie". Vinnie ranks at #119 and Vincent at #126 -- in good use but not too common. 

 

I hope this has been of use. Best wishes with settling on the perfect name.