Lots of great dilemmas in my inbox! Reader Lisa has an exciting challenge (and a short timeframe—hope we get this help to you in time):
My husband and I are really stuck for a name for our Baby Boy #3. We used our two “dream” names for our first two sons, Julian and Anthony, and now can’t think of a 3rd name that will fit with all our criteria.
In our case, both our other sons’ names are Latin-based and fit with our last name, a very Italian-sounding Molinaro. So we’d like our third pick to work with our last name as well, however I have huge reservations about making the whole name sound “super-Italian” as I call it. In addition, I’d like the 3rd name to fit with our first two, so for example: Julian, Anthony, and Billy, wouldn’t go together in my opinion. To complicate matters further, I’m a teacher, so I’m turned off of a number of names, and my husband and I just can’t seem to agree. Here’s where an unbiased 3rd party, such as yourself, could be helpful.
Some other “would-be-nice” criteria for the name include:
– also 3 syllables
– is more of a classic name, rather than a hot-right-now name
– doesn’t end in an “O” – i.e – Franco, Juliano, etc.
I’m immediately thinking of the old-school Latin “us” names, which have become so hot lately. Some picks I love: Augustus, Atticus, Darius and Magnus, which are up-and-comers, but not yet everywhere. (I especially love Augustus, which may eventually be on an upswing thanks to the book/movie The Fault in Our Stars, but is currently just inside the top 700.)
There are a couple of names that have a stronger Italian connotation, but I like with your other picks. Have you considered Dante, Dominic or Salvatore?
And finally, a few options that also come from Latin, but don’t end in “us.” I like Francis, Felix, and Maximilian. (Max Molinaro just sounds pretty great to me!)
So help Lisa out: What other names go with Anthony and Julian? Share your favorites in the comments!
If you’re looking for a great name, start your hunt with our Baby Name Finder, and send along your dilemmas to me at lamilbrand@gmail.com. And don’t forget to like In Name Only on Facebook to keep up with the very latest in baby names.
