A reader writes in asking for help with names for their baby-to-be. They are considering Leo, Bennett, Oakland, and Jacob. They are open to all levels of popularity and they have a bohemian, modern style. The baby’s last name will be Siner.
With no popularity restrictions and some great names for inspiration, we set out to find a name for the newest member of the Siner family.
For this list, we’ll unpack the great options you’ve got going–Leo, Bennett, Oakland, and Jacob–and bring in some other names that have similar vibes and a modern or bohemian style.
First, there’s Leo. This name falls in our “short and sweet” category and can either stand alone or be a nickname for a longer form, like Leonardo, Leonard, or Leopold. It’s currently ranked as the 40th most popular male name in the US, its most popular standing since the early 1900s when it ranked in the 40s. We’re pro-Leo here, but we also like Leon or Levi if you’re looking for another short-but-not-Leo option. For other alternatives to Leo, you can check out this previous post.
Bennett is super handsome and has a sweet meaning for any new parent: “blessed.” It’s not as popular as Leo, falling just outside the top 100, but it’s currently at its most popular point ever in the US! We’ve always loved Ben, and Bennett gives you a different way to get there than the more traditional name Benjamin. When we hear Bennett, we think Barrett and Beckett, so maybe either of those would appeal?
Now onto Oakland. This is the outlier on your list, at least popularity wise. Oakland has never appeared on the US top 1000 baby names, and the name was given to only 85 boys and 22 girls in the US last year (2019 data). But we expect this one to rise! The similar-sounding name Oakleigh appeared in the top 1000 baby names for the first time in 2019 at #854, which may signal a trend. Plus, Oakland fits into two name types parents are loving these days: place names and nature names. Parents are increasingly finding baby-name inspiration in their location and travels, and Oakland brings to mind California. Botanical names, and tree names in particular, are also trending, and the “oak” in Oakland plays into that.
Finally, we’ve got Jacob. This one shows off your traditional side. A long-term biblical favorite, Jacob was the #1 male name in the US from 1999 to 2012. Because it’s a classic, Jacob will never feel dated. It works as well on a baby as it does on an old man, and for that reason it makes a great honor name as well. We love the classics, and Jacob makes us think of other sophisticated favorites like Andrew and Desmond.
All of the names that you’re considering work beautifully with the last name Siner. But if you’re not quiiiiiiite sold on any of them yet, we’ll see what else we can come up with. Leo, Bennett, Oakland, and Jacob all have two syllables, so we’ll give you mostly two-syllable names. But since that wasn’t a stated preference of yours, we’ll throw in a few names of different lengths just to jazz things up a bit. We’re also avoiding names that end with -r, because they tend to sound sing-songy with Siner (Although something like Hunter Siner is probably fine, compared to the more rhymey Ryder Siner or Wilder Siner.)
So, to continue, let’s really lean into that bohemian style you say you like:
- Arlo
- Ashton
- Austin
- Dakota
- Dylan
- Ezra
- Ephraim
- Forrest
- Hudson
- Idris
- Kai
- Luca
- Phoenix
- Remy
- Theo
- Tristan
- Wyatt
Arlo feels like a more Bohemian Leo to me. Ezra is what I’d call a “modern biblical” name that gives us a bit more quirk than Jacob. And Phoenix, Dakota, and Austin are place names with the same edge as Oakland.
Now, let’s go more modern:
- Barton
- Bowie
- Camden
- Carson
- Cullen
- Dawson
- Easton
- Enzo
- Garrick
- Grady
- Hendrix
- Hudson
- Lansing
- Lennon
- Lincoln
- Rooney
- Ryland
- Trenton
- Weston
You can probably see the place-name and surname inspiration in this list! Camden, Hudson, and Trenton are modern sounding place names that work well with Siner. Cullen, Dawson, and Lincoln are last names turned first names that no one would question on a 2021-born baby. And Hendrix, Bowie, and Lennon have rockstar vibes, if you’re musically inclined. Garrick and Lansing are wild cards I threw in and I’m actually really loving them. And I’ve never known a Barton, but I’d be thrilled to meet a baby Bart!
And let’s round out the list with some traditional picks to match Old-Testament Jacob:
- Abram
- Adam
- Asa
- Benji
- Caleb
- Eli
- Gabriel
- Gideon
- Isaac
- Jonah
- Josiah
- Judah/Jude
- Micah
- Miles
- Rhett
- Zachary
Jonah, Josiah, and Judah (or Jude) are less common “J” names that have the same biblical roots as Jacob. Benji is a cute alternative to Bennett with a completely different feel. Micah, Rhett, and Adam are just so handsome and always will be, in my book.
And that’s our list. Thanks for reaching out with your name question, and congrats on your family-member-to-be!
💕 Ava to Zeke
Readers, what are your favorites? What would you name little Siner?
If you want baby name advice or have baby-naming stories to share, we’re here to listen. Send us an email or DM us on Instagram, or check out our Consulting page.