Traditional but not generic?

[kittybitter]

My husband and I both like sophisticated traditional/classic names, especially those with good nicknames. We named our daughter Katherine Viola, and now we are expecting a boy. I'm finding boy names we might otherwise like to be extremely common to the point of being generic (Michael, Johnathan, David) or newly trendy (Alexander, Oliver). We're not fans of names that sound like they are trying too hard to be old-fashioned (Jeremiah, Grover). But it's hard to find any names left! We've thought about a few specifics, but none is feeling like The One:

Calvin-right blend of a familiar name without being trendy or overused, not sure we love the actual name and can't decide whether it's great or dorky or too closely associated with John Calvin or Calvin and Hobbes

Erik-again, not too common/trendy, we like the name, but it's hard to make nicknames and doesn't flow with the last name

Leo-a family name, but would prefer a longer form and not a fan of Leonardo, Leopold, Leonard, etc.

Christopher-like the name, but perhaps too many Chris's out there

Others: Nicholas, Andrew, Felix, Otis, ...

We are desperately hoping that there's some name we've missed that will be perfect. Any suggestions or thoughts about the names above would be appreciated!! Thanks!

[jersey_gray]

I think Calvin with no nn or with the nn Cal is awesome. I do think of Calvin and Hobbes and would never think of the president. My husband loves Calvin and Hobbes, also we have an orange tabby cat named Hobbes. I don't think Calvin and Hobbes is a bad association at all.

[stripedsocks]

I like Nicholas and Christopher.

Arthur seems to be sliding below the radar, unlike Archer and Alexander, without being a total oddity. I like Alastair as well. Be careful of Felix - it might be a bit trendier than you expect especially in some areas. I like it though.

Joel is on Nameberry's list of names that have hundred+ years history on the US chart yet doesn't feel nearly as well-trod ground as James/Jonathan/Jacob do right now. Jethro would be a bolder option but offers up nicknames like Jet while still having a classic backup.

I'd say Hugh but that's actually shorter than Leo so nevermind.

Names that are slightly dusty but not outre: George, Roland, Dominic, Cassius (I do prefer the Cash-us pronunciation to Cass-ee-us, both are valid), Ephraim, Harvey, Cyrus. Names that feel classic but are kind of popular: Henry, Nathan & Nathaniel. Name that I just checked for popularity that has never been on the US Top 1000 and I'm surprised because I see it on Nameberry all the time: Dashiell.

[juliet.a]

I like Calvin and Leonard! There are waaay too many Christophers out there, and i think its too matchy with Katherine.

Love the suggestions of Joel, Dominic & Roland also, and would like to add just a few more:

August/Augustin
Theodore
Isaac
Vincent
Quentin
Ezra
Jesse



Hope I've helped!

[everwaiteing]

Nicholas, Christopher (but not keen on Chris), David, and Eric are all long-time favorites of mine. I also think Oliver and Leo are wonderful. Here are others in the same vein that you might like:

Edmund
Gregory
Walter
Maxwell
Aaron
Mark
Frederick
Timothy
Samuel
Kenneth
Stuart
Quentin
Peter
Scott

[kittybitter]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I still like Calvin, but are Calvin and Katherine too similar? We usually call her Kate. I also like Alastair, but think it's too British for my family background. I love Theodore/Theo, but it is quite popular in my area and I have a couple of friends with little boys named Theo. We also know a Dashiell/Dash.

I think everwaiteing and I have the same taste in names, as I like all those names. For some reason none of them really grabs me quite enough.

Thanks again!

[ashthedreamer]

I love Calvin! I think Katherine and Calvin are fine, and honestly, I don't think of Calvin and Hobbes at all, and John Calvin is a good association for me. I think it's both quirky and classic, it's perfect. Another one along those lines imo is Patrick--if you don't like Pat, I think he could be Paddy, Pax, or even Ricky/Rick/Trick, all of which are pretty cool.

If you like Leo but not Leonard(o), Leopold, etc., have you considered Elliot or Leander? They're less common ways to get to Leo, but I've heard them several times and think they work. I really like Nicholas (especially if the nn was Cole!) and Otis (although I think it might be better as a MN. I also love Oliver.

What about something like Daniel, Gabriel, Samuel, Nathaniel?

I think with Christopher (or even Christian) you could use the nn Kit (unless Katherine goes by Kit/Kitty, of course, lol... that didn't really cross my mind until now), or Topher/Ian for Christopher/Christian respectfully.

I like the suggestion of Isaac, as well. Or maybe Benjamin?

Good luck!

[sadlola]

I like Calvin. I don't think it's too matchy with Katherine, especially since you call her Kate. Kate and Calvin sound wonderful together.

I like Nicholas (nn Nick) too. I think Timothy, Abraham (nn Abe), Isaac, and Samuel would work as well.

[everwaiteing]

I think Calvin and Kate (Katherine) are great together, not too matchy at all.

[kittybitter]

Great feedback, thanks! I like almost all the suggestions, so maybe one will become a middle name for Calvin (should we go with that name).