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Name Help: Long, Uncommon Girl Names

April 21, 2017 By appellationmountain 38 Comments

Name Help: long uncommon girl namesShe’s here! Welcome Guinevere. Please see Brenda’s comment below.

Brenda writes:

After reading your blog for ages, I am so excited to be writing in for name advice for my first little one, due in August! I am facing an opposite challenge from most of your readers – as a single mom, I don’t have a partner to discuss name ideas with. So I would be so grateful for your advice.

I tend to like slightly longer names that are not too popular, but still straightforward to spell and pronounce (especially as my last name, which is similar to “Churchill”, gives people all sorts of problems). I’d like to avoid names starting with B, C, K, and J.

And I just found out – it’s a girl! For a boy, I had three names that I love: August, Theodore, and Wesley. For girls, I am having a much harder time and I’m still not confident I’ve found “the one”, so I would love some thoughts and new ideas.

My current list includes: Athena, Felicity, Matilda (nn Tilly), Norah, Ramona (nn Romy), Serena, Theodora (nn Thea), and Vivian.

Thank you so much for your help!

Brenda

Please read on for my response, and leave your helpful suggestions in the comments.

Hi Brenda –

Congratulations on your new daughter! And I appreciate the reminder – as challenging as it can be to make a decision with a partner, it’s equally difficult to settle on The Name without someone to chew over the possibilities. It’s an honor to help fill that role!

Your long list is gorgeous – traditional but unexpected, and pretty straightforward in terms of spelling and pronunciation.

But I do see a few subtle differences, and so I’d encourage you to ponder two questions:

  • How important is popularity? There’s no right answer here. A Top Ten name can be a great choice; so can something super-obscure. But you do list two names from the current Top 100: Vivian and Norah. (Though it’s spelled Nora in the Top 100, with Norah hovering around the 150 mark.)
  • Do you prefer a nickname? Again, no right and wrong approach. Some people strongly prefer nicknames – often if they grew up without the option themselves! Others adamantly oppose the idea. Most of us fall somewhere in between. But if you can find a clear answer, it shortens your list – Athena and Serena feel more nickname-proof, while Theodora “Thea” and Ramona “Romy” offer built-in short forms.

Because I tend to be pro-nickname, I find myself gravitating towards Theodora, Ramona, and Matilda.

A few others that fit in that category include:

Genevieve – Vivian reminds me of Genevieve. The sounds are similar, but Genevieve ranks around the 175 mark in the US. It’s still familiar, but slightly less common. Genevieve also comes with nicknames galore: Vivi, Gen, Evie, and Gigi all come to mind.

Marguerite – Margaret makes for a nickname-rich, traditional name. But if you’d like something a little less common, consider Marguerite. It’s the French form of the name, and while it ranked in the US Top 100 a century ago, today it’s pretty rare.

Millicent – Matilda makes me think of Millicent. Go-to nickname Millie feels an awful lot like Tilly, too. If you’re concerned Matilda is a smudge too common, the similar Millicent sidesteps that problem.

Persephone – I’m not sure if this style of name appeals to you. Persephone is often suggested as a substitute for Felicity, but it also sounds something like Felicity. Persephone shortens to Persie/Percy or Sephie – maybe not as natural a nickname as you’d like. But it hits the mark for longer, familiar girl names that remain uncommon.

Susanna/Susannah – Here’s the biggie. Neither spelling charts in the current US Top 1000. Some of that might be because parents debate the -h or no -h ending. In 2015, 190 girls were named Susanna, while parents chose Susannah for an additional 79 daughters. Combined, that’s enough to crack the list. But even so, they remain traditional, familiar, but rare. If you don’t care for Susie, there’s always Zuzu as a nickname.

But let’s return to nickname-proof options for a minute:

Daphne – Like Persephone, Daphne makes a substitute for all of those -e ending Greek picks, like Chloe, Zoe, and Penelope. Rarities in this category abound. There’s Circe, Phryne, and Xanthe, too. But Daphne feels like a good compromise. It ranks in the Top 400 and everybody recognizes the name, but it’s not really trending.

Esther – Esther is more popular than you might guess. It’s just outside the current Top 200. And yet, I think it has that feel you’re going for – vintage, familiar, not over-used. It makes a good alternative to tailored Vivian and vintage Norah.

Verity – Take virtue-name Felicity, mix in the ‘v’ sound of Vivian, and you might arrive at Verity. It means truth, which seems like a solidly meaningful choice. With the rhythm of Emily and lots of traditional picks for girls, Verity fits right in – but it’s definitely a rare, stand-out choice.

Overall, I think Matilda from your original list might be the strongest candidate. It comes with a great nickname, but requires none. It hits the sweet spot of straightforward, long, but not too common choices.

Matilda feels current and cool, but also timeless. And while it’s catching on, it remains outside of the current Top 500. Even if it does head straight up the charts, your Matilda will probably be one of one.

Readers, let’s help this mom-to-be out! What do you suggest for her daughter? Do you agree that Matilda feels like a great choice? Or is there something else that feels like the best choice?

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Comments

  1. Brenda says

    January 31, 2019 at 7:22 PM

    OP here – I am coming back to this way late as my daughter is 1.5 years old already. And I ultimately named her…drumroll… Guinevere! She is called by her full name, as well as the nicknames Gwen and Gweni. I liked the nickname Evie too, but that one didn’t stick. But I love that this name is so classic, unique and elegant, but also with plenty of short and sassy nickname options too. I did debate a bit on the spelling, but ultimately I decided to stick with the real, traditional spelling. Thank you again to everyone for all of the great suggestions – picking just one name is hard (though I cheated a bit by also giving her two middle names lol).
    – Brenda

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      January 31, 2019 at 8:26 PM

      Brenda, thank you SO much for letting us know! And ohmygoodness, Guinevere is a gorgeous name. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Megan says

    April 29, 2017 at 2:26 AM

    Love your list. I have a Adelaide and a Millicent (Milly) we are expecting our 3rd girl (6th baby) in sept we are naming her Gertrude. Nickname Gertie or Trudy we like old fashion family names. Also on our list that I haven’t seen is Wilhelmina, Henrietta, and Johanna. Good luck!

    Reply
  3. Marie says

    April 24, 2017 at 7:36 AM

    Adelaide!
    Easy to spell and pronounce, long and uncommon. And there are lots of nickname possibilities: Addy, Adela, Adele, Dela, Heidi.

    Reply
  4. Mandie L. says

    April 23, 2017 at 7:59 PM

    I LOVE your list. There are several on it that my husband would veto due to popularity, but your style is right up my ally! From Abby’s suggestions, my favorite is Verity – it has been on my own shortlists a couple times.

    We feel like we really hit a home run with Saranna. It’s very rare, but we almost never have problems with it as far as pronunciation/spelling, other than being asked whether it’s one or two n’s.

    Reply
  5. Brenda says

    April 23, 2017 at 6:14 PM

    Hey I’m the OP, and I wanted to say a huge Thank You to Abby and everyone who commented – so many great suggestions! To answer Abby’s excellent questions, I do tend to lean towards less popular, nickname-rich names.

    Lately the name I keep coming back to from my original list is Ramona – do others think this name sounds current, or too 60s/70s/80s? And could I use any of the nicknames Romy, Rory, Rae, or Minnie with it? I’ve always liked the idea of having a name with several nn options, and see which one sticks organically.

    Such a big decision – I’m glad I still have just under 4 months to think about it!

    Reply
    • Mandie L. says

      April 23, 2017 at 7:51 PM

      I definitely think Ramona could give you Romy, Rae, or Minnie. I don’t see Rory, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work. The lovely thing about organic nicknames is that they can be anything that you (as nickname giver) come up with through association. In my family a Ramona would probably end up long term with something like “Lisa” via a brief stint as “Mona”.

      Reply
    • Julie Ledkins says

      April 23, 2017 at 8:50 PM

      I do think most people will think of Ramona and Beezus, when they first hear the name, Ramona. It also makes me personally think of Ramone, since there is only one letter difference. If you like the Beverly Cleary books and keep returning to the name…go for it! And I think any of those nicknames work for Ramona, though Rory may be a bit of a stretch. I don’t think a nickname has to be a straight derivative though. Mona is another nn option.

      Reply
    • FJE says

      April 23, 2017 at 8:54 PM

      Hi Brenda! I taught a 4y/o Ramona recently (nickname: Momo). I thought her name was perfectly current but delightfully different. Love, love the name Ramona — would like to see it more widely used.

      Reply
    • Kelsey D says

      April 23, 2017 at 10:52 PM

      I love Ramona. 🙂 a little Mona… sigh. Love it!!

      It actually reminds me of Veronica, which was going to be my suggestion – Veronica gives you a ton of nn… Vera, Roni, Rooney (like Rooney Mara), Nica, etc.

      Good luck!!

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        April 24, 2017 at 11:26 AM

        I second the idea of Veronica too!

        Reply
      • Annie says

        April 27, 2017 at 4:11 PM

        I think Ramona (Mona) is beautiful. Hadn’t thought of Minnie for Ramona but that is so cute! Mo/Momo is adorable as well. You could let her personality help you choose with the nicknames. I love the O sound. Good luck with your choice!

        Reply
    • Lashley says

      April 24, 2017 at 12:09 AM

      I know a kindergarten-age Ramona, so it feels appropriate for a kiddo to me. I think any of your nickname ideas could work, but the gal I know most often goes by Mo!

      Reply
    • Renee says

      April 24, 2017 at 5:33 PM

      I think it sounds up-and-coming, it’ll fit in fine with her classmates. I do think of Beezus, but that’s just a fun association. The only Ramonas I know are in their late 30s, and both just go by the full form. I think you can get any nickname you want, but a few come more naturally than others (I don’t see Rory or Rae, more likely to go Mo). If she’s calling to you, use her! Solid choice.

      Reply
      • appellationmountain says

        April 25, 2017 at 10:28 AM

        Yes! I very much agree with everything Renee wrote, Brenda! Ramona is great. The literary associations are fun, not a negative at all. I like Romy as a nickname, but it’s always interesting to see what feels right. The lovely Aela Mass named her gorgeous daughter Ramona late last year. (You can find Aela here: http://twomomsmakearight.com)

        Reply
    • Sarah says

      June 17, 2017 at 8:58 AM

      Ramona is gorgeous and it doesn’t sound dated at all to me. It’s the perfect balance of unusual but familiar.
      Other options you might like: Eloise, Mirabelle, Magnolia

      Reply
  6. Amity says

    April 23, 2017 at 11:55 AM

    Really like the suggestions of Geneva, Marjorie, Felicity, and Verify. Others I didn’t see mentioned yet: Andromeda, Harmony, Marina, and Endellion.

    Reply
  7. Lisa T. says

    April 23, 2017 at 6:51 AM

    Theodora
    Imogen
    Louella
    Morgana
    Elodie

    Reply
  8. Maree says

    April 23, 2017 at 4:39 AM

    Veronica
    Anastasia

    Vee or Vivi / Ana!

    Reply
  9. Liza says

    April 22, 2017 at 4:51 PM

    Felicity is my fav from your list. What about Beatrice? Or Theodora switched to Dorothea? I think Wesley is super cute for a future boy!

    Reply
  10. Andrea says

    April 22, 2017 at 6:49 AM

    Ariella, Euphemia, Evelina, Finola, Flavia, Francesca, Gemma, Ginevra, Helena, Henrietta, Leonie, Octavia, Philippa, Priscilla, Rowena, Tamsin, Vienna, Willa, Zenobia, Zinaida.

    Reply
  11. Candy says

    April 22, 2017 at 5:38 AM

    My two favorites from the post are Theodora and Genevieve. Another possibility: Arabella.

    Reply
  12. Kim says

    April 22, 2017 at 2:05 AM

    Theodora nn Thea is my favorite!

    Reply
  13. Jaime says

    April 21, 2017 at 9:51 PM

    I love Ramona, nn Romy from your list! And I love the suggestions of Daphne, Susannah and Millicent. I think Margot could be darling as well. Either on its own or as a nn for Margaret.

    Reply
  14. Brooke says

    April 21, 2017 at 8:44 PM

    Love Felicity, Matilda and Theodora from your list, and the suggestions of Millicent and Verity! I’ll add Dimity, Adelaide, Romilly and Araminta

    Reply
  15. Emmie says

    April 21, 2017 at 8:00 PM

    Athalie

    Reply
  16. Sara says

    April 21, 2017 at 5:12 PM

    I can DEFINITELY suggest long and uncommon girl’s names!

    Admiranda, Alethea, Belleflor/Bellefiore, Carabella, Damiana, Desiderata, Dulcinea, Elisanna/Elisande, Eusebia, Eudeline, Euphrosyne, Eulalia, Fionnghuala/Finola, Feliciana, Frideswide, Galiena, Gwenllian, Hippolyta, Honoria, Honorata, Hyacinthe, Idonia, Illuminata, Justiniana, Leocriscia, Madalgaria, Natalia, Narcissa, Odelina, Onofria, Pantasilea, Petronilla, Peregrina, Priscilla, Queniva, Quiteria, Rosceline, Romelia, Sapience, Sapphira, Setembrina, Theodelinde, Ursilda, Urraca, Valentina, Vermilia, VIolante, Winifred, Yolanda, Ysoria, Zacharia.

    I’ve tried to strike a balance between “sort of out there” and “not so out there”. If I had gone for the “really out there” ones, I could’ve done loads more, but…restraint. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Dutch says

    April 21, 2017 at 3:17 PM

    Isadora
    Odessa
    Apollonia (nn. Pollie)
    Callista
    Clarissa
    Cressida
    Georgina
    Lavinia
    Nerissa
    Ophelia
    Phedora
    Rosanna
    Roselie
    Rowena
    Sybella
    Zinnia

    Reply
  18. s morris says

    April 21, 2017 at 2:09 PM

    Julianne, Gillian, Caroline (pretty common, but very pretty), Constance

    Reply
  19. C in DC says

    April 21, 2017 at 1:17 PM

    Anastasia, Natalie/Natalia, Nadia, Teresa, Georgina, Harriet, Magdalena, Eloise, Veronica, Michaeline, Raphaela, Geneva, Viveca, Lucinda, Suzette, Lillian

    Reply
  20. Cece says

    April 21, 2017 at 12:59 PM

    Great suggestions, Abby!

    I’ll throw out…
    Tabitha
    Annalee/Annalynn
    Geneva
    Lucille/Lucienne
    Estella
    Bridget
    Francine

    Reply
  21. Emily says

    April 21, 2017 at 12:48 PM

    I’ve always loved Augustana for a girl!

    Reply
  22. Diana says

    April 21, 2017 at 12:36 PM

    This is literally my name style, I named two daughters from here, and I see their names on these lists. So Two thumbs up, guys. Keep it coming. A few more that I never got to:

    Gillian
    Theresa
    Aurelia
    Antonia
    Bernadette
    Harriet
    Isadora
    Nicola
    Justina
    Philippa (nn Phil or Pippa)
    Rosemary
    Theodosia
    Zelda

    Reply
  23. Renee says

    April 21, 2017 at 12:14 PM

    Congratulations! Such power and responsibility! It looks like you have some great choices, so just a matter of finding one or three that hits you like August, Theodore and Wesley hit you?

    Speaking of those, you said your ‘first child’ so I’m going to assume your plan is for more children. In that case, a method of narrowing and searching might be to see what sister names you like for your boy names? Would you rather have a Theodora or a Theodore, for example? If you want to save Theodore, then I’d obviously veto Theodora. But Felicity, Matilda, Ramona, Serena fit. It doesn’t sound like love though. I love Abby’s suggestions of Genevieve and Marguerite – sooo good and ahead of the trend. How do you feel about Delilah or Meredith?

    I’m going to assume you put the boy names in order of your preference though (and Theodore is climbing so fast, you may not want to use it in the future) so let’s talk about a sister for August! If you’re the type to like short-forming your kids name to initials (like I do) I’d skip Athena, but perhaps keep Thea? August is #195 and a climber.I’d skip Norah and Vivian, as Abby suggests – I think August needs a more uncommon sister name and something without an obvious nickname. So Daphne is great! Just Thea? Or Vera? Nola?
    Eve? Simone? Giselle? Celeste? (maybe too matchy with August, or maybe kinda sweet.)

    If you’re just looking for some crowd love for the names on your list, I’d put a major vote in for Felicity and Serena! I could see them as sisters, I could see them as sister names for any of your boy names, I love the meanings (happy, serene) and both come with enough nicknames to play with (Flick, Flossie, Liddy, Lit, Ree, Seren.)

    Reply
  24. Jamie says

    April 21, 2017 at 11:21 AM

    Adelaide
    Eleanor
    Elodie
    Gwendolyn
    Helena
    Lillian
    Lucinda
    Marjorie
    Penelope
    Rosalind
    Savannah
    Seraphina
    Sylvia/Sylvie
    Tallulah
    Victoria

    Reply
  25. Jules says

    April 21, 2017 at 10:38 AM

    You like Vivian, so what about Sylviana or Viviana/ Vivianna? Other suggestions are Evangeline (nn Eva, Vange, or Evie but it’s very popular), Winifred (nn Winnie), Willa (pretty nn resistant), Seraphine/Serafine (not a straight forward spelling, I know), Emmeline (nn Emme or Emmy), Francesca (nn Frankie), Imogene (nn Emma), Cecelia (nn Cece), Florence, and Naomi. My favs from the post are Theodora and Verity.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      April 21, 2017 at 11:17 AM

      Great suggestions with Sylviana, Viviana/Vivianna – those make a lot of sense, Jules! And oh, Evangeline could be perfect.

      Reply
    • Sharalyn says

      April 21, 2017 at 12:26 PM

      Evangeline is only 270something, so less popular than quite a few mentioned. I think it’s the Eva/Evie nn that is super popular as they can be nns for Evelyn, Ever, Every, Eve, or even Genevieve.

      You could also use Vangie, Angie, or Lina for a nn for Evangeline.

      Reply

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