Why?

[agirlinred]

This is inspired by a similar thread in the girls' names forum. Share what your favorite names and/or combos are for a boy and why they're your favorites.

[ashthedreamer]

Caleb Elias Joseph - I've always been a bit enamored of the Biblical Caleb's legacy... he was this awesome warrior who stood up for God and believed in Him above all else, and it's a legacy I want to pass onto my son. Besides, I just love Caleb. I've loved Elias for a while, but last summer I met this little old man named Elias, and he was so quirky and funny, like an 80-year-old James Bond, and yes, he really did tell me, "It's Elias, Elias _____. But you can call me Eli." Like he was some debonair Bond, hahaha. I wouldn't be naming my son after him, but the association of that Elias still sticks with me, and I love that it adds a bit of spark to the combo. To me, anyway. Plus, I've always loved the stories about Elijah, and Elias is a form of Elijah. Joseph (and his coat of many colors) has always been a favorite of mine, and I just loved Caleb and Joseph together. Recently I realized that Joseph honors my sister, too, since she has a Christmas name, as do I (Natalie and Marie), and Joseph could be after Mary's Joseph.

Everett Joshua Charles - Everett is a name that has been steadily growing on me over the last few years, and it's to the point now where I adore it! Caleb and Everett are always on my mind, haha. I love its classy, almost regal, New England-ish feel, and I love the occasional nn of Ev. Joshua is a name I've loved for a long time but have been scared off of it because it's my cousin's name, and he had hurt me pretty badly in the past. But I really wanted to honor Jesus in one of my combos, and Joshua is a form of Jesus, and I absolutely love it with Everett, so it stays. I assume I'll get some "Like Josh? Really?!" comments, but I'll just explain that it's after my heavenly father, not my earthly cousin. Charles is in honor of my mom, who always wanted a little Charlie but never got one. If I ever do get a little Everett Joshua Charles, she will have every right to call him Charlie, haha. She's wanted a Charlie so badly, and I would love to be able to give her one. To everyone else he would be Everett/Ev, but far be it from me to keep Charlie from her.

Jack August Cole - Jack I love because it's laid-back and short-and-sweet and classic and charming all in one. John is a huge family name for me, so I like that Jack honors all the men in my life. August I've always liked, but then I came across Covert Affairs, which is one of my favorites... There's a blind man on the show named Auggie, and he deals with his handicap so well. He doesn't let it affect him, and I hope that August will serve as a reminder to my kids that all people deserve to be treated equally and respectfully, and that includes people with disabilities. Since Jack and August have so much significance, I like that Cole really doesn't. I just love how it sounds with Jack August, and I've loved Cole for a while, so it works for me.

Asher Patrick - love the very biblical feel of Asher, and the charming nn Ash. I absolutely love it. This is the combo not completely settled on my list yet... all I know is I really love Patrick with it. I suppose Asher could be after me, but it feels so conceited to say so. When I put Asher on my list, it wasn't because I wanted to honor me--I just really love the name.

Grayson Isaac Jude - I love the surnamey vibe of Grayson, and the dashing nn Gray. It honors my grandmother (mn Grace), which is why it's so high on my list (that, and Gray. I just love Gray!). Isaac was the only MN I really liked with it, but I love that it means "he will laugh" and Isaac is a great Biblical hero. I love all the Biblical associations for Jude, as well--the Lion of Judah, that it means "praise", etc.

Brody Elliot Daniel - again, I love Elliot's connection to Elijah. I love Daniel because of its biblical associations, its classicness, and every day when my mom dropped us off at school, she would tell us, "Dare to be like Daniel!" Maybe that's half the reason I love Daniel so much. I'm not sure why I adore Brody so much... it's just so sweet and down-to-earth, but has a bit of a smart edge to it.

Spencer Ezra Gray - I'm still trying to tell myself why Spencer stays on my list! I've never really loved it, but I can't seem to let it go. It sounds so smart and works so well with my list, and I do sort of love that it reminds me of Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds, haha. Ezra I love for its Biblical connotations, and Gray, again, is for my grandma. I do sort of feel guilty about this combo, though, as my baby sister says Spencer Haley and Ezra John are her top choices for each gender, haha.

Bailey Elias Charles - I absolutely love Bailey. When I first started getting serious about names, I liked it for a girl, but that quickly changed. Bailey has been on my list for years, and I can't imagine not loving it. It just sounds so sweet and perfect for a little boy--and a grown man! I would love to meet a boy/man named Bailey, and if I wasn't so chicken, this might be on my top 5. I love that Charles is a nod to my mom, and Bailey Elias Charles's initials (BEC) are in honor of my sister (who often goes by Bec/Beck).

Boone Isaiah Leo - Daniel Boone was always one of my favorite historical characters as a child, so this would definitely be in honor of him. I love his sense of adventure and the way he kept pushing ahead, and his love for his family. Hopefully, if I ever have a Boone, he'll grow up to love Daniel Boone, too! Isaiah I love for the Biblical associations, and Leo... I've just liked it for a long time. I like that it reminds me of the Lion of Judah, and I imagine a good-hearted little Leo. I just love it.

Avery Ian George - I don't know why this is down so far, as it could overtake Grayson anyday. I love that Avery honors my grandfather's ancestral line, and there's this great audio drama called Adventures in Odyssey with the perfect hero, John Avery Whittaker. I think if I ever had an Avery, he would love the connection, since I plan to bring my kids up on Odyssey just like I was brought up on it. Ian is a form of my dad and brother's names, and I just adore George with Avery (especially Avery Ian!).

I also love Booker, Zane, Beckett, Noah, and Henry...

[agirlinred]

Ashley, I love how much thought you've put into your combos. Your boys will be lucky to have such meaningful and handsome names! Everett Joshua Charles and Spencer Ezra Gray are especially swoon worthy.

[sabrinafair]

oh I like Bailey on a boy!

Caleb Elias Joseph - I've always been a bit enamored of the Biblical Caleb's legacy... he was this awesome warrior who stood up for God and believed in Him above all else, and it's a legacy I want to pass onto my son. Besides, I just love Caleb. I've loved Elias for a while, but last summer I met this little old man named Elias, and he was so quirky and funny, like an 80-year-old James Bond, and yes, he really did tell me, "It's Elias, Elias _____. But you can call me Eli." Like he was some debonair Bond, hahaha. I wouldn't be naming my son after him, but the association of that Elias still sticks with me, and I love that it adds a bit of spark to the combo. To me, anyway. Plus, I've always loved the stories about Elijah, and Elias is a form of Elijah. Joseph (and his coat of many colors) has always been a favorite of mine, and I just loved Caleb and Joseph together. Recently I realized that Joseph honors my sister, too, since she has a Christmas name, as do I (Natalie and Marie), and Joseph could be after Mary's Joseph.

Everett Joshua Charles - Everett is a name that has been steadily growing on me over the last few years, and it's to the point now where I adore it! Caleb and Everett are always on my mind, haha. I love its classy, almost regal, New England-ish feel, and I love the occasional nn of Ev. Joshua is a name I've loved for a long time but have been scared off of it because it's my cousin's name, and he had hurt me pretty badly in the past. But I really wanted to honor Jesus in one of my combos, and Joshua is a form of Jesus, and I absolutely love it with Everett, so it stays. I assume I'll get some "Like Josh? Really?!" comments, but I'll just explain that it's after my heavenly father, not my earthly cousin. Charles is in honor of my mom, who always wanted a little Charlie but never got one. If I ever do get a little Everett Joshua Charles, she will have every right to call him Charlie, haha. She's wanted a Charlie so badly, and I would love to be able to give her one. To everyone else he would be Everett/Ev, but far be it from me to keep Charlie from her.

Jack August Cole - Jack I love because it's laid-back and short-and-sweet and classic and charming all in one. John is a huge family name for me, so I like that Jack honors all the men in my life. August I've always liked, but then I came across Covert Affairs, which is one of my favorites... There's a blind man on the show named Auggie, and he deals with his handicap so well. He doesn't let it affect him, and I hope that August will serve as a reminder to my kids that all people deserve to be treated equally and respectfully, and that includes people with disabilities. Since Jack and August have so much significance, I like that Cole really doesn't. I just love how it sounds with Jack August, and I've loved Cole for a while, so it works for me.

Asher Patrick - love the very biblical feel of Asher, and the charming nn Ash. I absolutely love it. This is the combo not completely settled on my list yet... all I know is I really love Patrick with it. I suppose Asher could be after me, but it feels so conceited to say so. When I put Asher on my list, it wasn't because I wanted to honor me--I just really love the name.

Grayson Isaac Jude - I love the surnamey vibe of Grayson, and the dashing nn Gray. It honors my grandmother (mn Grace), which is why it's so high on my list (that, and Gray. I just love Gray!). Isaac was the only MN I really liked with it, but I love that it means "he will laugh" and Isaac is a great Biblical hero. I love all the Biblical associations for Jude, as well--the Lion of Judah, that it means "praise", etc.

Brody Elliot Daniel - again, I love Elliot's connection to Elijah. I love Daniel because of its biblical associations, its classicness, and every day when my mom dropped us off at school, she would tell us, "Dare to be like Daniel!" Maybe that's half the reason I love Daniel so much. I'm not sure why I adore Brody so much... it's just so sweet and down-to-earth, but has a bit of a smart edge to it.

Spencer Ezra Gray - I'm still trying to tell myself why Spencer stays on my list! I've never really loved it, but I can't seem to let it go. It sounds so smart and works so well with my list, and I do sort of love that it reminds me of Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds, haha. Ezra I love for its Biblical connotations, and Gray, again, is for my grandma. I do sort of feel guilty about this combo, though, as my baby sister says Spencer Haley and Ezra John are her top choices for each gender, haha.

Bailey Elias Charles - I absolutely love Bailey. When I first started getting serious about names, I liked it for a girl, but that quickly changed. Bailey has been on my list for years, and I can't imagine not loving it. It just sounds so sweet and perfect for a little boy--and a grown man! I would love to meet a boy/man named Bailey, and if I wasn't so chicken, this might be on my top 5. I love that Charles is a nod to my mom, and Bailey Elias Charles's initials (BEC) are in honor of my sister (who often goes by Bec/Beck).

Boone Isaiah Leo - Daniel Boone was always one of my favorite historical characters as a child, so this would definitely be in honor of him. I love his sense of adventure and the way he kept pushing ahead, and his love for his family. Hopefully, if I ever have a Boone, he'll grow up to love Daniel Boone, too! Isaiah I love for the Biblical associations, and Leo... I've just liked it for a long time. I like that it reminds me of the Lion of Judah, and I imagine a good-hearted little Leo. I just love it.

Avery Ian George - I don't know why this is down so far, as it could overtake Grayson anyday. I love that Avery honors my grandfather's ancestral line, and there's this great audio drama called Adventures in Odyssey with the perfect hero, John Avery Whittaker. I think if I ever had an Avery, he would love the connection, since I plan to bring my kids up on Odyssey just like I was brought up on it. Ian is a form of my dad and brother's names, and I just adore George with Avery (especially Avery Ian!).

I also love Booker, Zane, Beckett, Noah, and Henry...

[smash12]

The only boy combo I know I love right now is,

Everett William. Everett has been my favorite boy name for over 3 years now and if my dd had been a boy that is what she would have been named. William is after my Father who is the best Dad a girl could ever hope for. I have always wanted to honor him with a boy named after him.

@ashthedreamer I LOVE your combos. You have put so much time and love into the names you have picked and it shows. they are fantastic.

[sabrinafair]

River Jordan - River because I love how serene, and calm they can be, and yet be wild at the same time. I also love the imagery a river evokes. Jordan to be honest isn't a favorite at all. However, the name together holds special meaning to me because the Jordan River is where Jesus was baptized. I also love the name River because of this scripture: John 7:38.

that has to be my favorite combo.

[agirlinred]

I'm in the process of redoing my list, but here's my top name for a boy.

Charles Edwards: Charles is a name I've always loved, especially with the nickname Charlie. Somehow it just doesn't feel like there are enough Charlies in the world. Charlie is friendly, laid back, and always smiling. Charlie reminds me of old denim, chocolate labs, and blue skies over open fields. I love the country and the South, and all of the sights and sounds that make me feel warm inside are somehow rolled into the name Charlie. My great-grandfather's name was Charlie (not Charles) and he was quite the character. He died when I was a baby so I don't remember him, but I do love hearing stories about him. My grandfather is named Charles, although he goes by his middle name. My grandparents live on a farm with lots of surrounding woods, and some of my favorite childhood memories are walking through the woods and finding old pieces of pottery with my grandfather. (There used to be a small town and plantation where my grandparents' farm is.) There are more men named Charles/Charlie in my family than you could wave a stick at, but if I were honoring anyone with the name Charles it would be my great-grandfather and grandfather. Edwards is my grandmother's maiden name. I've done so much genealogy research and heard so many stories about her family that I feel very strongly connected to them, almost like I knew them. They were a sweet, friendly bunch and full of characters. I'd be able to tell my son all sorts of good and funny stories about the family he's named after.

I would call him Charlie almost always, so the combo might as well be Charlie Edwards.

[malaria]

I only have one name that I really really love, and that is River William.

River is packed with meaning for me, although some of it is really me specific. The most surface thing is that most of my friends call me Mar, which is the spanish word for sea, and I would definitely occasionally call him Rio, the spanish word for river. The next thing down is the vibe River gives me. I often get described as the 'free-spirited' one, and I can't see my kid being much different, so the happy go lucky calm free spirit image feels right for a future son. I also love the imagery of River. Rivers, for me, kind of represent the life cycle in a way. They start off small trickles of water, crashing down from the sky and hitting the ground in what I'm sure is a very violent manner for such a small drop of water, trickle into something small, gaining momentum and growing bigger, until it eventually ends up with all the other water at the end of the water cycle. I also like the Huckleberry Finn connection of the river being Jim and Huck's escape from society, just free to be themselves. I would like to be able to instill in my son that no matter what anyone tells him, it's alright to be himself, and in a way, it's built into his name.

William is just my grandfather's name. My grandfather has been the only stable father figure I've ever had, and I'm really grateful to him for it. There was a period of about three or four years where my dad just wasn't there, and I'm glad I had him to lean on as a positive male role model. I would just really like to honor him.

Honestly though, I can't imagine loving a name more. It's perfect for me in every way.

[esrever88]

Asher Matthew - This is my son's name. Matthew honors a dear friend of my husband's who passed away, while Asher is a nod to my Jewish heritage and I love that it means "blessed" or "happy", since that's exactly how I felt when he was born. Early on, before we'd even conceived yet, we talked about names and as soon as I mentioned Asher my husband immediately said, "That's it. That's the one." And that was the end of it!

For a second son, we'll probably use either Michael or Victor for a middle - Michael would honor my father, and Victor would honor my mother-in-law. My current idea is Hiram Victor - I attended Hiram College in Ohio, so that's a deep personal tie for me, and I love that it's both a Jewish name to match Asher, and has roots in American history as the original first name of President Grant.

[jennipea382]

Well, I don't have THAT much thought put into my names but.. I'll throw a few out there haha. The middle names could be switched around, this is just what I like at the moment!

Callum Jude - I love Callum because it's modern sounding and uncommon. I also like the nn Cal. Jude is yes, a Beatles related name. I grew up listening to the Beatles with my dad a lot and love their music. Across the Universe is also my all time favorite movie.. pretty sure I watched it 3 or 4 times in one week, haha.

Elliott David - Elliott has grown so much on me lately. I just love it! I'm sad it's now on the girl's list. I'm hoping it stays at the bottom. I'm not going to let it stop me unless it turns into the next Riley (a name I LOVED for a boy until it got super trendy and more popular for girls). David is my dad's name and also my fiance's best friend's name, so it has meaning for both of us.

Ian Louis - I like Ian because it's modern (see a bit of a trend with these names? haha). It's simple, yet a little different. Louis is both of our grandfather's names (though mine pronounced loo-iss and his was loo-ee).