Reader Lindsay is having a tricky time finding a name for her third baby.
I am in need of some assistance naming our baby boy (making his debut in January). I have a set of 3 year old twins named Noah and Elyana. Our last name is Williams and my husband loves the name Liam for this next one, however Liam is short for William…so are we naming our baby William Williams ? I want something more unique…I love Everett:) I am Jewish and he is Christian…would be nice to do something that reflects our backgrounds too?
Liam is indeed a variant/nickname of William. It’s not exactly like naming him William Williams, but it’s close enough that I would probably think twice about using it, too. I like the name Everett, which would sound lovely in a sibset with Noah and Elyana. It’s a little sharper with that final “T” sound, but still flows beautifully—and it’s not too close to Noah and Elyana to make it tricky for you or your kids, like an Aiden/Jayden sibset.
I think Everett would make a lovely choice if that’s what you like. Keep in mind, though, that it’s currently on a sharp spike in popularity. It probably won’t be a problem for your son, but if the run continues, there’ll be an Everett in every class within a few years.
But Everett doesn’t reflect your Jewish background, as Noah and Elyana both do. Here are a few suggestions to consider beyond your pick:
Emmett is a Hebrew name that means “truth.” It’s also on a bit of a hot streak right now, currently in the top 200 names in the U.S. It’s similar to your favorite Everett, and also fits nicely with his siblings’ names.
Adam is similar to Liam, without the repetition—it’ll sound lovely with Williams. It’s still in the top 200, but on a very slow decline. It means son of the earth.
If you like short nickname names like Liam, perhaps Bram, a variant of Abraham, could suit the bill. It’s best known as the name of Dracula author Bram Stoker.
Some other cool names to consider: Owen, Elijah (though perhaps too close for comfort to Elyana), Levi, or Leo.
What do you guys think? Any other names you think might fit the bill for Lindsay?
Need some help finding a great baby name? Try our Baby Name Finder to get some great suggestions—or if you’re at a loss, email me at lamilbrand@gmail.com, and I’ll be happy to try to help you find a name. (And don’t forget to keep up with the latest in baby names by liking In Name Only on Facebook!)