Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed.
We rely on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight.
Angela writes:
My husband and I are expecting our first child together. We both have children from previous relationships. In age order, their names are:
- Bryce James, his girlfriend Maddie and their son Greyson James
- Marlo Kate
- Hana June
- Cooper Riley
In addition, my kids have a half-brother named Leo Michael.
There’s a large age gap between this baby and the older siblings. It may be our only child together, but that isn’t certain. Here are my questions:
Can we use James?
I love the name James for a son. It’s my husband’s name, it’s already used as Bryce’s middle name, and it was passed on to Bryce’s son Greyson as his middle. We wouldn’t create a junior, and the children would likely use different nicknames. Still, is it odd to use James again when it’s already repeated in the family? My husband was named for his grandfather and also grew up with a cousin named James.
If it’s a girl, should we use James as her middle name?
We favor two girl names, Daisy and Edie, and we’ve mostly settled on Edie. I love the sound of Edie James, but I worry about having too many Jameses in the family and whether the choice feels trendy.
If not James, what would you suggest?
We don’t have many other names on our list. We might consider Hendrix, which echoes my mom’s maiden name, Hendrickson, but my nephew is Henry, so Hendrix feels too close, and I’m not convinced I love it as a first name.
Please read on for my reply and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new baby!
Blended families and long gaps between children bring special naming considerations. They can also create warm family connections; in my family I grew up close with relatives who were much younger or older than me, and those relationships are meaningful. That perspective informs my thoughts below.
Let’s address your questions one at a time.
Can we use James?
Yes, I think you can. Your stepson doesn’t go by James, and he chose to give his son that name as a middle name rather than a first name. Naming your son James would honor your husband and create a connection across generations without creating a junior. Given the age gap, it’s less likely an older sibling would feel replaced. If you’re unsure, a brief, open conversation between your husband and his older son could clear any doubts.
James Hendrix checks many boxes: it honors family while feeling classic and grounded.
If it’s a girl, should her middle name be James?
Using James as a girl’s middle name works well. James is not easily feminized—forms like Jacoba or Jacqueline feel different—so using James unchanged is a common modern choice. While James is trending as a unisex option, it still reads as a classic name rather than a fleeting fad. If this might be your last child, it’s worth considering keeping the name in the family. Edie James is a lovely, balanced combination.
If not James, what would you suggest?
If you decide against James, consider names that feel current but traditional in tone. A few possibilities:
- Cameron
- Dylan
- Everett
- Hudson
- Knox
- Miles
- Owen
- Wesley
Some pair nicely with Hendrix as a middle name, and James could still serve as a middle option if you want to honor that family connection without repeating it as a first name.
Readers, any advice for Angela? Do you think they’ll regret using James … or more likely regret not using it, either as a first or a middle name?