A Pretty, Popular Sister for Autumn and Hudson

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

WHEN YOUR LISTS ARE VERY DIFFERENT

Gloria writes:

My new little girl will be here in early 2026, and I’m starting to think we’ll have to call her Princess, like my daughter keeps saying. Because we really don’t agree on names at all.

I have two children, Autumn Elizabeth and Hudson Royce, from a previous relationship.

My fiance and I are now expecting our first.

We agree on a boy name: Liam Anthony, the middle name for his dad and also his middle name.

For girls I’ve gone through so many, but the ones I really like are Aria, Luna, Violet, Lydia, Eloise, Cora, Chloe, Penelope, and Juliette.

He keeps suggesting the same three names: Peyton, Reese, and Blaire.

That’s not really my taste, but also his last name is short. It sounds like the letter J.

I guess Peyton J is okay, but Reese and Blaire are too short.

Can you and your readers help us with some new ideas?

Please read on for my response and share your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

FINDING COMMON GROUND

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new baby!

Here’s what leaps out at me: you prefer well-established names. Popular choices. And so does your partner. So there’s lots of agreement already, which is great!

But style-wise, you’re favoring distinctly feminine choices. Not too elaborate or frilly, exactly – I don’t hear Arabella or Francesca on your list. But I do hear names that immediately read “girl.”

In contrast, names like Peyton and Reese lean unisex.

And I tend to agree about your surname. While a one-syllable first name with a one-syllable last name can be great, it’s not a style that everyone loves. Even Blaire, which seems more like a sister for Autumn, isn’t quite right here, either.

The interesting thing? Autumn is a great compromise choice. It’s used almost exclusively for girls in the US, but has a strong, tailored sound.

If you hadn’t already used it, I suspect your fiance might warm to it now.

In addition to sound, Autumn is a relatively modern name, not really heard much before the 1970s. So we might not be looking at anything too old-fashioned. At the same time, your list does feel more vintage-inspired, with names like Eloise and Lydia striking that note. But some of your favorites, like Aria, do feel more like 21st century favorites.

Let’s see if we can find more names for Hudson and Autumn’s sister that are just like, well, Autumn.

A SISTER FOR AUTUMN AND HUDSON

ELLISON

A modern update to Allison, with the fresh El- of Eloise (and Ella and Eliza, too). It’s a surname like Hudson, but it’s used more commonly for girls. Worth noting: Ellison is actually pretty uncommon, not ranked in the current US Top 1000. Ellis and Emerson chart for boys and girls. The former is slightly more popular for our sons, and the latter for our daughters. They both feel like options, too.

EMERY

But instead of Emerson, I’m suggesting Emery. It’s a blend of traditional Emily and current favorite Avery. Emery arrived in the girls’ US Top 100 in 2018. It feels like an update for Peyton with hints of Chloe and Penelope.

GEORGIA

I suggest Georgia a lot, and I’m suggesting it here again for one reason: it tends to cut across style preferences. People who love names like Reese and parents who are more into Violet often agree on sparky, but traditional(ish) Georgia.

ISLA

I wonder if a name like Isla might appeal to you both? It shares the long I sound of Violet and some of the style of Luna and Aria, but it’s very much a 21st century choice.

PIPER

Speaking of 21st century choices, Piper is modern and tailored, but also feminine and light. I think it could be the perfect alternative to Peyton.

PRESLEY

If not Piper, maybe Presley? I’ll offer it as the ideal midpoint between Penelope and Peyton.

VIVIAN

While this name reads vintage, it’s also tailored and sharp. It’s a feminine name for people who don’t really like feminine names – which might describe your partner’s list!

ZOE

I’m semi-surprised that Chloe hasn’t worked as a compromise. But I wonder if turning the dial from Chloe to Zoe might help? The initial Z makes most names feel far more updated, and Zoe packs a lot of energy into three short letters. Visually, it’s rather tiny compared to Hudson and Autumn, but the sound works nicely.

If I were naming a sister for Autumn from your current list, I’d be tempted to suggest something like Chloe Reese. It’s a popular choice that’s solidly feminine, but reads more like a 21st century favorite that a vintage gem.

If Chloe is a non-starter, and something like Zoe Peyton doesn’t appeal, then I’d suggest Piper. It’s light and musical like Aria, but a little closer to Peyton in terms of style. I really do love a combination like Piper Juliette for you.

Readers, over to you! What would you name a sister for Autumn Elizabeth and Hudson Royce?