You guys! The newest (2021) baby name stats from the Social Security Administration were released Friday, and I didn’t even realize it for two days!! That really tells you how bonkers things are here right now! What were you reactions? Did anything strike you as surprising or disappointing?

Also, Happy Mother’s Day to all you physical mothers and spiritual mothers!! I hope you had a wonderful day!! I hope you all enjoy this consultation from Theresa Zoe Williams!

Mama Melissa writes in asking for help naming baby boy, baby #6 overall. Melissa writes,

“I worked with Kate last year on a name for our baby girl, and found out shortly after that we are expecting again! A little sweet surprise baby boy, due on July 25th!”

Baby boy will join big siblings:

Graham Michael

Joseph Richard nn Joe or Joey

Lucy Kay

Zelie Marie

Isla Frances

Graham and Joseph were both names of important priests in their lives and the boys’ middle names are family names. Lucy and Zelie have family names in the middle, too. Kate did a consultation for Isla Frances and Mama Melissa says of the whole name, “I like the more modern name paired with a classic!” I kept that in mind when doing this consultation.

For this baby, they are considering using Christopher in some capacity but Melissa doesn’t like the nickname Chris. Perhaps she’d like the more offbeat Topher? She writes,

“[H]e is due on St. Christopher’s feast day, and that is one of my husbands very favorite names! It’s also the name of his oldest brother and the next priest in line of our priests! So I do feel like Christopher needs to happen! We’ve thought about Christopher Jude or Jude Christopher! … I’m also worried about Christopher being too long! I tend to like shorter names! I really like Jude, but also am having a hard time picturing that as a first name! My husband likes it, but doesn’t love it.”

Some other names they’re considering are Patrick, Benedict, Charles nn Charlie, Thomas nn Tommy, Luke, and Callum. Swoon!! Some names they can’t use include: Leo, Dominic, Peter, John, Max, and Ryan.

Let’s get to the names!

Some thoughts on names they like but don’t feel like the one:

Jude- Great name! Fits in so well with their other kids’ names. I love this name and I adore Jude Christopher. Jude bridges the gap between ultra-Catholic names like Joseph, Lucy, and Zelie and more modern or covertly Catholic names like Graham and Isla. This is a great fit with their brood.

Patrick- I like this name a lot and think it fits in with their other kids really well. My only concern is that it’s a little more bland than most of their children’s names. I do like the sound of Patrick Christopher, though!

Benedict- This name is a little stuffier, to me, than their other kids’ names. Benedict Christopher is really nice, though. Perhaps they’d like Bennett (a form of Benedict) or Beckett better?

Charles nn Charlie- This is a great name and that reflects in the number of little Charleses and Charlies running around now. I like this with their other kids but I’m not a fan of Charles Christopher.

Thomas nn Tommy- This gives me the same feel as Charles. I like Thomas Christopher, though.

Luke- I like this name but agree that it’s too close to Lucy. I like the feel of this name, though, so I kept that in mind when coming up with suggestions.

Callum- I LOVE this name! It’s Scottish, like they like, means “dove,” there are saints to go with it, and it’s not popular but not weird. I think this name checks all of their boxes. I actually like how Callum Christopher sounds, too (I don’t usually go for alliteration, but this one just flows so nicely). I’d love to see them use this name.

Okay, on to new suggestions.

1) Declan

This is an Irish name meaning “man of prayer.” Isn’t that such a great meaning? When they said they like Callum, this was the first name that came to mind. It’s Irish, has a great meaning, and has a saint to go along with it (St. Declan was the first bishop of Ardmore, Ireland), and isn’t too popular. It does sit at #102, so they might encounter another one, but I don’t think that should sway them at all. Declan Christopher is amazing! And Declan goes really well with their other kids. It’s an old name but feels more modern and bridges the gap between Graham and Isla and Joseph, Lucy, and Zelie really well. If they don’t use Callum, this is my choice for them.

2) Everett

I was trying to think of names between Patrick and Callum and this name came to mind. It’s a style match for Graham, which I think is important in balancing out their kids. It doesn’t have a Catholic connection, as far as I can find, and it means “wild boar” but I don’t think these things should deter them since they’ll be using super strong, Catholic Christopher in the middle.

3) Owen

This is another Celtic name meaning “well-born.” It currently sits at #22, making it deceptively popular. I like the sound of brothers Graham, Joseph, and Owen and the sound of Owen Christopher. It’s also a deceptively Catholic name, being the name of several saints including St. Nicholas Owen. This is also a style match for Graham meaning it’ll bridge the gap between Graham and Isla and Joseph, Lucy, and Zelie. I love this name for them.

4) Nolan

Another style match for Graham, this is an Irish name meaning “famous” or “loud.” It sits at #61, meaning it’s pretty popular but not so popular that they’ll hear it all the time. I couldn’t find any Catholic connections with this one, either, but again, I don’t think that should deter them. I love siblings Graham, Joseph, Lucy, Zelie, Isla, and Nolan and I love how Nolan Christopher sounds.

5) Edmund

This name seems way more popular than it is, but it’s actually out of the top 1000! They may run into other little Eddies, but most of them will be Edwards not Edmunds. I love this name for its meaning “rich protection” and it’s saintly connections. St. Edmund was king and martyr and there’s also martyr St. Edmund Campion. For something a little different, they may also like Campion, meaning “champion,” and call him Cam, Campy, or Champ. I love how both Edmund Christopher and Campion Christopher sound. Either of these names bridge their love of more modern sounding names with more saintly names.

6) Cormac

This name was directly inspired by their love of Callum. It means “charioteer” and is out of the top 1000. There are also several saints to go along with it. Cormac Christopher has such a nice flow. This name is a little different than their other children and other names they like but I think it’s not too out there. Nicknames include Cory and Mac, both really great for a little boy!

7) Dashiell

Callum and Declan made me think of this name. Its meaning is unknown but it is Scottish in origin! Graham and Dashiell make such great brothers, too! Dashiell is so dashing and handsome and goes so well with all of their other kids. Dashiell Christopher is super handsome and accessible. Nickname Dash gives this great pep and zing for a little brother, too.

These are my thoughts. What do you think?

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I’m back on hiatus from doing consultations (though check back from time to time, as I hope to open up a few spots here and there as I’m able), but Theresa Zoe Williams is available to help you! Email her at TheresaZoeWrites@gmail.com to set up your own consultation! (Payment methods remain the same.)

For help with Marian names, my book, Catholic Baby Names for Girls and Boys: Over 250 Ways to Honor Our Lady (Marian Press, 2018), is available to order from ShopMercy.org and Amazon (not affiliate links). It’s perfect for expectant parents, name enthusiasts, and lovers of Our Lady!