Ethan Paul and Ava Cate need a name for their brother... Ian, Ely, Nolan, or ?

[101mom]

I'm 34 weeks and starting to stress about a name for our little guy. My son is Ethan Paul, daughter is Ava Catherine (Cate). Both middle names are family names. I didn't realize how popular either of their names were when I fell in love with them. Oops.

I guess I have a thing for vowels and short-ish names. I also like easy to say, easy to spell... nothing funky. Classic spellings. Though my other kids have popular names, that's not my strong preference necessarily. I do want it to sound good with Ethan and Ava

Middle name will be James. Last name ends in "____ks"

Our current top considerations:
Ian James
Ely James
Nolan James

Names we like, but for one reason or another (dh doesn't like, friend/enemy, doesn't flow with siblings, too popular) won't use:
Dylan
Ben
Tyler
Carter
Evan
Gavin
Reid
Liam
Aiden
Jake
Isaac

Not interested in:
Oliver
Aaron
Ivor
Asher
Eric
Elijah
Noah
Owen

So, 1) what do you think of our top 3 considerations and 2) what other suggestions do you have pretty please? I'm desperate and feeling stumped and stressed. My friends and family are frustrated with me because we haven't loved their suggestions yet... not to discourage you! LOL

Thanks!

[libbyj06]

I personally think Ely and Ian are a little too close in sounds to Ethan. But I think Nolan sounds good. It has the same ending as Ethan so they are compatible, but not too matchy. Nolan James sounds really good. Ethan Paul and Nolan James are great for brothers! I think Ely would better than Ian if you really like Ely a lot. Ely James sounds nice.

[101mom]

Thank you. So, btw, what does Ely make you think of?
My mom hates it because it makes her think of death and doom... book of Eli...

[kassieb11]

Nolan James ____ks is my favorite I am not too keen on siblings having the same letter name unless all the siblings have the same letter name, one of my quirks haha so Ely is out for me, I agree with Libby Ian also sounds too close to Ethan.

[everwaiteing]

I really love your two older children's names!

I agree with pps that Nolan seems the best on your list. Ian sounds just like Ethan except without the /th/ in the middle. Ely might be misspelled, and when people see it in print, they might confuse it with the girl's name Ellie. James is a terrific middle name.

[nat108]

Ely & Ian depend on how you are pronouncing them
Does Ely=Eli? To me it doesn't. There is a school near me called Ely "ee-lee". If you want "ee-lye" you should spell it Eli. I like Ely & Eli, but they are a bit close to Ethan. I LOVE Ely but of the two, Eli is the best with Ethan

"ee-an" is way too close to Ethan but "eye-an" is fine

Nolan is also close to Ethan but I'd go with that

[samjaymc]

I think Nolan goes best with your older children's names

[jeska]

I definitely think Nolan is best with your other kids.

I only like Eli spelled this way, and Ian is way too close in sound to Ethan.

[babyoneday]

If its ee-LYE it should be spelled Eli although I am not into siblings having the same first initials. Ethan and Ian are way too similar, practically the same name! Nolan is nice but has the same 'an' ending as Ethan making them a little matchy for my taste.
How about...

Callum
Hugh
Hugo
Zac
Caleb
Connor
Samuel
Oscar
Henry
Harry ?

[babyoneday]

If its ee-LYE it should be spelled Eli although I am not into siblings having the same first initials. Ethan and Ian are way too similar, practically the same name! Nolan is nice but has the same 'an' ending as Ethan making them a little matchy for my taste.
How about...

Callum
Hugh
Hugo
Zac
Caleb
Connor
Samuel
Oscar
Henry
Harry ?