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.

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CAN WE PUT THESE NAMES TOGETHER?

Melanie writes:

We named our son Jeremy Miles and call him Remy. Jeremy is sort of for my grandfather, Gerald, but we really liked the sound of Remy and I thought it was important for him to have a more serious name to grow into.

If this baby was a boy, we were considering Castellon, a family name from my husband’s side, and calling him Case. It was almost Jeremy’s middle name, but I thought it might be too weird. Now I regret not using it.

But we’re having a girl, and we’re getting some pressure to use Ann/Anne/Anna in her name. Every woman on my husband’s side of the family has some sort of an Anne name (mom Anita, cousin Annette, sister Julianne “Julie” and her daughter Annabelle and so many more.)

I don’t mind it, and I did choose our son’s name, but I’m having trouble making it work with my favorite name: Claire.

Do we put the names together? I don’t want her name to become Claireanne/Clairanne. It sounds like Karen, or some kind of medication. Something like Claranna or Clairanna doesn’t seem right, either.

We discussed Anne Claire or Anna Claire, but I feel like that’s not enough name, and then we’d end up calling her Anne/Anna/Annie, and my favorite name would just be in the middle, which feels like a loss. With so many Anns already, it doesn’t feel fair that she wouldn’t have her own name.

We’d love to hear any ideas you and your readers might have!

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

girl child wearing knit hat with bow; combining Claire and Anna for a daughter's name
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LET’S DECIDE WHAT MATTERS MOST

Abby replies:

Congratulations!

These are the toughest situations. It sounds like everyone can get exactly what they want and we’ll all be happy. But, but, but … I think you’re correctly noticing that there’s a potential outcome that puts your preferences at the bottom of the priority list.

So let’s order our priorities:

  • Your daughter’s name has to be Claire, in way that prioritizes that name, not just tucks it into a middle spot.
  • A secondary consideration is incorporating Anne. It sounds like using Anne as a middle or even an unused part of a formal name – like Julianne – is on the table, right?

HONORING BOTH FAMILIES WITH CLAIRE AND ANNA

ANNACLAIRE

My first thought? Annaclaire, like Annabelle. Assuming, of course, that Annabelle’s name isn’t a barrier to choosing Annaclaire. Another potential pitfall: she might still end up being called Annie. But I think it’s a name that’s equal parts elegant and fun.

CLAIRE CASTELLON

This might be too much of a curve ball, but would using another family name from your husband’s side work? Castellon is a great middle for a daughter or a son, and you already mentioned that you wished you’d used it previously.

CLAIRE CASTELLANNE

This might be a stretch, but what if you respelled Castellon to incorporate Ann/Anne/Anna? It’s out-there, but in the middle spot, that might be perfect.

CLARIANNA, CLARIANNE

Adding a syllable turns Claranna into Clarianna, like Julianna. It’s a bit of a complicated, maybe even frilly name, but it shortens to Clair/Claire/Clairy, not Annie – so that’s a plus.

CLAIRE PLUS A LONGER ANNA NAME/DOUBLE ANNE NAME

Claire Annika, Claire Anne Avery, Claire Eliana, Claire Anne Eliza, Claire Marianne, Claire Anna Jolie, and on and on and on … do any of these appeal? I feel like it’s a way to stick with the family naming convention but put your preferences at the top of the list.

Normally I have a pretty clear frontrunner by the end of these questions, but this time I’m divided. Annaclaire is a great option, but I feel like it prioritizes the family name over your frontrunner.

It’s a bit on the wild side, but I’m really drawn to Claire Castellon or even Claire Castellanne. It preserves the family custom, but puts the emphasis on the name you most want to use every day, plus potentially revives a family name from your husband’s side that you wish you’d used previously.

Readers, over to you! Share your ideas for combining Claire and Anna to preserve a family custom and give their daughter her own identity, too.

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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What do you think?

3 Comments

  1. Claire as the first nane, some sort of Anne name as the middle: Annalise, Annabelle, Annemarie, Annika, Annette, etc.

    Reply

  2. Would you consider Claire-Annie? Nickname could be Clairy. This one is a little more spunky, but it is sweet, I think. Or Claire Annie as first and middle. There are a lot of great options. I think you’ll find the one that suits her best!

    Reply

  3. Congratulations on your baby girl!
    Personally, I would use AnnaClaire, nickname Claire. Does Annabelle usually get called by her full name or a nickname? If she gets called Anna, that’s all the more reason to nickname your child Claire. If Annabelle is often called Belle, it sets the precedent for using Claire for your babe.
    Alternatively, I’d have a long chat with my husband about whether using Anne is important to us or not, and then choose what I want.

    Reply