Unique names for boys can be a challenge. These parents like unique boy names and are thinking of naming their new son Oak. But much as they love the name, there are some roadblocks that might push them in a different direction.

　　Chantel writes:

　　We are team green for baby #3, due in October. We currently have one of each: Elowyn Magnolia and Arthur Jack Ruger. Our girl name is picked out, but we’re having a harder time choosing for a boy.

　　Our son’s first two names are honor names. Ruger is a fun little add-on.

　　Right now, we are thinking Oak Garcia Crockett if it’s a boy. I also like Wulfric, Walton, Hendrix, Indigo, Harrison, Floyd, Ruben, Morrison, and Merritt as middle names. Obviously, I love unique names for boys! And I’m wavering on Oak. We know we won’t use Oaklee or Oakley.

　　Mostly I’m wondering: is Oak too similar, as we often call our older son Arthur Jack. And should we use a longer middle name, or just stick with two middles again?

　　I would love a few more suggestions to think about!

　　The Name Sage replies:

　　On paper, Oak Garcia Crockett is great. It mixes a modern nature name with unexpected surname choices.

　　But when I say it aloud? Oak Garcia gives me pause. The ‘k’ of Oak runs into the ‘g’ of Garcia: Oakarcia.

　　If you’ll call your son Oak 99% of the time, then it’s probably not an issue. But if you routinely refer to your kids as Elowyn and Arthur Jack, I imagine you’ll find yourself calling your new baby by a longer name, too. And maybe that’s why you’re wavering.

　　Where does that leave you?

　　First, you can commit to careful enunciation and repetition, coupled with an awareness that it might not work. Unusual names take time to remember.

　　Or maybe you can just call your son Oak, no middle. If that’s not an option, I wonder if you’d consider another longer Oak- name. Besides Oakley, there’s Oakes, Oakton, Oaken, and Oakland.

　　I’m also tempted to suggest you consider Hendrix, Harrison, or Walton as a middle name. Oak Hendrix, maybe?

　　And, of course, Oak could be the middle name, at least if you like another name enough to consider it.

　　Let’s make some new combinations:

　　Harrison Oakes

　　Hendrix Garcia Oak

　　Merritt Garcia

　　Merritt Oakes

　　Merritt Walton Oakes

　　Oak Harrison

　　Oak Hendrix

　　Oakland Garcia Wulf

　　Oakes Walton Garcia

　　Oakes Ruben Garcia

　　Oaken Crockett Garcia

　　Wulfric Crockett Garcia

　　Looking at the list, I think Merritt splits the difference between unexpected Elowyn and traditional Arthur best. Any of the combinations seems like a fit for your family, though I really like Merritt Garcia and Merritt Oakes. (Or maybe …Merritt Garcia Oakes?)

　　But if keeping Oak as a first name matters most, I do think the solution is to choose a single, longer middle. Oak Hendrix and Oak Harrison would be my picks. They’re slightly more familiar as given names, just like Elowyn’s middle, Magnolia. And both combinations are easy to say in full, should you choose to use them together.

　　Okay, readers, we could use your help on this. Let’s have a poll – should they keep Oak or find another name? And please suggest your favorites in the comments.