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.
NAMING A SISTER FOR WALLACE
Jenna writes:
We named our son Wallace Matthew, and we love how it’s traditional and easy to spell, but still surprises every one who hears it. My one big worry was that people would try to call him Wally, but that hasn’t happened at all.
Now we’re expecting our second, and probably final, baby early in the new year. It’s a girl! I’m so excited to name a daughter, but I feel like names are much harder this time.
Our short list for Wallace also included Malcolm, Hector, Conrad, and Graham.
For a girl, so far we have:
- Edith “Edie”
- Constance, but probably not Connie
- Millicent, but I feel like this is a name I’m supposed to like more than I do like; I do really like Millie
- Winifred, same thing with Winnie as with Millie/Millicent
- Viola, but I get a very Southern, exaggerated pronunciation of this name sometimes (we live in a big Southern city now, but we’re both from other parts of the country, so maybe it’s a regional thing?)
One reason I’m hesitant about Millicent/Millie and Winifred/Winnie is that our last name sounds like the girl’s name Kristy (different spelling). So Winnie Kristy is a little sing-songy to me. I don’t mind it with Edie as much, because I’d want to call her Edith, too, but if I’m naming her just for the nickname, it feels like it shouldn’t end with the same “EE” sound as our last name.
Wallace’s middle name is for my husband. For our daughter, we’re leaning towards Katherine as her middle name, for my mom, but we could maybe use Kate if that works better.
Can you help us think of more names? I feel like the right choice is just hanging out there somewhere and I keep missing it!
Read on for my response and please leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE NAME WALLACE?
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughter!
Here’s what leaps out at me: there are very specific qualities you appreciate in your son’s name. While there’s no rule that says your daughter’s name has to share them, I think it might be helpful to use them as a guide:
- Wallace is traditional and immediately familiar, but very uncommon for children born in this generation.
- While Wallace can be shortened, it really doesn’t have to be – and so far you’ve consistently used his name in full.
- Spelling and pronunciation are easy, at least for native English speakers.
- Wallace may be uncommon, but it fits in with current favorites for boys, like Miles and Brooks.
Looking at your girl’s list, you’re drawn to strong names, perhaps less on the frilly and feminine side.
CURRENT LIST
I would drop Millicent/Millie and Winifred/Winnie for the reason you’ve identified. You’re inclined to shorten them, and you’re prefer to avoid a name ending with the EE sound. That feels like a mismatch.
Viola, too, seems like it should be dropped. I do think a Viola-like name might work for your family beautifully, but this particular name seems challenging. (I didn’t really notice it at first, but I do hear multiple pronunciations for this one, depending on regional accent. So … yes, I think you’re right to know it could be an issue.)
That leaves Constance, which I love as a sister for Wallace, or Edith. While you might sometimes call Edith “Edie” for short, it’s more of a both-and situation, with the names used interchangeably. I think that works with your surname.
And I think Constance Katherine and Edith Katherine sound perfect together. Constance is far less common than Edith, but overall I think I like Edith Katherine Kristy better than Constance Katherine Kristy, so I’d give it the edge.
The only possible drawback is that Edith is slightly more common – hovering around the US Top 500. I think that’s still plenty rare.
But let’s see if we can find some alternatives that fit the same profile as Wallace and are at least as uncommon as Edith.
A SISTER FOR WALLACE: UNCOMMON AND TRADITIONAL
ADELE
Names like Adeline and Addison have had a good run. But despite the fame of singer Adele this spare, classic version has remained uncommon. Wallace and Adele sound great together. You might shorten it to Addie sometimes if you choose, but I think Adele without a nickname might be exactly your style.
DELPHINE
I considered plenty of names ending with -ine and -line, like Emmeline. And there are lots of options, like Marceline, in this category. I’m going to suggest Delphine, because there’s a feminine, even delicate, quality that might appeal. But it’s still spare and nickname-proof.
ESTELLE
Stella is a Top 100 favorite, but Estelle could be the spare, sophisticated alternative.
FLORA
Viola makes me think of Flora. Equally vintage but easier to pronounce.
MAUDE
If you love Winifred and Millicent, I wonder if Maude would appeal, too? I think Maude Kristy sounds so strong and memorable, and Maude Katherine is a great combination.
MIRANDA
A Shakespearean name with a great meaning: admirable. It rose in use during the 1980s and 90s, but never really hit a saturation point like Jessica. I think it works nicely today.
ROSALIND, ROSAMUND
Lovely Rose names, elegant and refined. Rosie could present the same problem as Winnie or Millie, but just Rose is another nickname option that works, as in Rosa.
TAMSIN
A contracted form of Thomasina, Tamsin has never really been used in the US, but it’s fared better in the UK. I’m not sure Wallace and Tamsin match perfectly, but I like that sort of vaguely-British energy.
Overall, I’m most drawn to Edith from your original list, and Maude from mine. I think they share the same qualities as Wallace without being too similar. They’re strong, vintage names. And they’re great with Katherine as a middle name, and your surname, too.
Congratulations!!
How about Penelope for a sister for Wallace
I love Edith!
Other ideas:
Wallace and Maxine
Wallace and Louise
Wallace and Marie
Wallace and Ellen
Wallace and Agnes
Wallace and Blythe
Wallace and Vera
Loving Wallace + Blythe SO much!
I love Edith! I think it’s hard to beat, it’s so perfect with Wallace. A few other ideas:
Beatrice or Beatrix with the nickname Bea is super cute, Beatruce reminds me of Edith and Millicent. Beatrice and Wallace. Wallace and Bea. Beatrice Kate Kristy. Beatrice Katherine Kristy.
I also think Harriet with the nickname Hattie is adorable. Hattie Kristy isn’t perfect but Harriet Katherine Kristy is lovely, and I like Harriet and Wallace.
Matilda is another great one! Tilly and Mattie are cute nicknames but not automatic. Matilda and Wallace works well, and I like Matilda Katherine Kristy.
Cordelia reminds me of Constance, but Cora is a little more like Viola. Cordelia Katherine Kristy is very alliterative, but super cute, and Cora Kristy has a great rhythm. I love Cordelia and Wallace!
Dorothy has a whole host of cute nicknames, including Dottie, Dora, and Dolly. Dorothy Kristy isn’t perfect but I love Dorothy Kate, and I think Dorothy and Wallace are great together. Dorothea is another option.
Similarly to Dorothy is Theodora. Teddy and Dora are nicknames but I think Thea is my favorite, it reminds me of Viola. Theodora Katherine Kristy is pretty, so is Thea Kristy.
I also love Florence from the comments, and Flora from Abby’s suggestions. Florence Katherine Kristy, called Flora, is adorable. But I’m not sure if it beats Edith! Good luck!
I have a few thoughts that you may completely disregard, but here goes anyways. You named Wallace and don’t want anyone to call him Wally. Yet the sister names I see all come with nicknames you want to use. I’m curious about that. Why can’t Constance just be Constance or Millicent just be Millicent? Or is it that you think people are more likely to nickname girls? I wonder if you call little sister by a nickname to start, if people would actually start trying out Wally, thinking you are in fact a nickname family. Maybe that’s overthinking it but that’s where my mind went. Also, why not Jenna for her middle name? Big brother got dad’s name and us moms use our own names far too rarely IMHO.
Okay, so I love Constance from your list. That would be the only one that would give me a truly “No way, Constance?!” feeling like meeting a Wallace would. You’re right that Millicent, Winifred seem like the natural choice, and Edith and Viola feel more familiar because they’re used more (or at least the Vi-sound with Violets out there.) Maude is the same from Abby’s list. And then it avoids nicknames except of course Maudie. I would love to meet a sibset of Wallace and Maude.
This is definitely a fun one, look at all the suggestions you’ve gotten. I am a huge fan of Pearl (and I hate to burst your bubble LadyRay but our cat is Pearl and she’s Pearlie 90% of the time – not that that should scare you off using it.) Irene gets a thumbs up. Joan too and Prudence. And omg yes Beverly, Gladys, Myrtle! (Omg your Agatha comment made me laugh, Istas)
Barbara
Enid
Ida (but I fear this would be misheard as Isla)
Thelma
This is a fun one! My impression of Wallace is it’s just a bit too dusty for most people (and a bit farther up family trees to feel like a dad or grandpa name), nor has it been used in pop culture with the exception of Wallace and Gromit. Yet it’s totally familiar. So you’re looking for a rare gem indeed, because vintage girl names have been hot for awhile.
Has anyone suggested Geneva Katherine Kristy?
Or Irene Katherine Kristy?
I think Edith Katherine is perfect! But I also like Maude Katherine & Constance Katherine (honestly Constance has the most Wallace vibe to me). I’ll also throw Flora Kate into the mix from Abby’s suggestions. I’ll also throw out Martha Kate, Agnes Katherine, and Beatrice Katherine!
A few others: Marian or Marion; Anne, Annemarie, Celia, Delia,Edwina, Esme, Hope, Jacqueline, Jane, Jean, Joan, Luella, Marie, Margaret, Myra, Patricia, Philippa, Rosemarie, Rowena, Therese, Yvonne
Florence also has that -nce ending like Constance.
Florence is a clever option! It also allows for Abby’s suggestion of Flora as a nickname.
Good point, Andrea!
First off, congratulations on your daughter and wishing you the best on your journey to her arrival!
Perhaps Wallace’s sister’s first name could be…
VERONA — You mentioned liking VIOLA, so why not another name that starts with the same letter? “Verona Katherine Kristy”.
BLOSSOM — You liked “Malcolm” then how about “Blossom”? This seems like a wildcard choice but I think it fits what you’re looking for: feminine but not frilly. Sweet but with a quiet strength. “Blossom Katherine Kristy.” Plus, word names are trending but word names aren’t a new thing at all.
ZELDA — Wallace has a sort of old school charm to it and I feel like “Zelda Katherine Kristy” might be straightforward to spell.
GWENDOLYN — Familiar but not a name you hear all the time nor is “G” a commonly-used first name initial. Certainly not as frequently-used as “E”. “Gwendolyn Kate Kristy”? Even if your last name was spelled with a “C” or “Ch” to start, it would be rhythmically balanced.
PEARL — Short, sweet, solid and doesn’t suggest any nicknames with the EE-sound. Easy to spell. From Baroque period to the 1950s with strings of pearls, it’s recognizable and carries value in more ways than one. “Pearl Kate Kristy” or “Pearl Katherine Kristy”.
I am hopeful you and your husband will find the best name that represents your daughter. Enjoy the days leading up to her due date!
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