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.
MINI NAMES LIKE XOE
Carlie writes:
My daughter, Xoe Allison, was born when I was very young and single. She’s now 12. I sometimes regret the spelling, but I also like the reason I chose it, because I liked the way “xo” reminded me of love, and she was due on Valentine’s Day.
I am now expecting my first, and likely only, child with my husband. If this baby was a boy, we quickly agreed on Max. I love the way it goes with Xoe’s name, but sounded different, too.
We’re MUCH less decided for a girl’s a name. We have discussed:
- Ava, a name we both really like but feel like we hear a lot. Xoe has a friend with this name, too, so I worry it would be weird for her.
- Ida, a name I’m in love with but think might be too old-fashioned.
- Ada, but Peaky Blinders was our pandemic binge watch when we were newly dating and my husband worries it might be too tied to the show.
- Emi – I considered this name for Xoe but had completely forgotten about it until I was looking for three-letter names. I don’t think I like it as much now, but it does sort of make me feel something …
- Zora, Zara – Maybe I just have a thing for the Z sound? I know there’s no reason to match Xoe perfectly, but I like this idea, too.
One name we won’t use: Zia or Xia. It’s been suggested to me more than once, but my niece is Mia and I think that would be too confusing.
I’m not sure if I need to stop trying to find a mini girl name or if I just haven’t thought of the right one yet?
I do think my husband’s style is much more Max than Xia.
Xoe and I share a last name. It’s very Italian, sounds like Jordan with an A. This baby will have my last name, too, with a middle name from my husband’s side. We were pretty set on Max Hunter, so Hunter is still an option for a daughter. We’re also thinking about Margaret, Evelyn, or Julianne/some form of Julie.
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
MORE MINI GIRL NAMES
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughter!
A few things leap out at me:
Matching matters less when there’s a big age gap.
Conversely, matching can be so much more appealing when there’s a big age gap.
If you’re reasonably confident this child completes your family, then matching is even less of a risk.
Looking at your list, I suspect the right name is already there. I’m going to talk you into it, but just it case you’re not convinced, we’ll come up with some fresh ideas, too.
ADA: THE NAME TO BEAT
Your boy’s name, Max, is like Xoe in key ways. It’s brief and complete. It packs a lot of style into three letters.
And yet, it reads far more traditional than Xoe-with-a-X.
I think that should be your goal for a daughter’s name, too. A short, compact name that reads a little more traditional than Xoe-with-an-X.
Ava is very popular, and Ida maybe too antique. Emi is another novelty spelling, like Xoe-with-an-X. It has plenty of appeal, but I’m not sure it’s quite right.
Ada, on the other hand? It’s perfect! It’s traditional, like Max. A mini name, like Xoe. It’s not as common as Ava, not as rare as Ida. And there’s a story behind how you found the name!
I can’t think of a better choice. I’d use Ada Hunter without hesitation. Or maybe Ada Evelyn?
A SISTER FOR XOE
One note: Mia doesn’t just rule out Xia/Zia. It also means Dia, Fia, Gia, Kia, Lea/Lia, Nia, Pia, Rhea/Ria, Tia, and Via are out, too. Obviously some of those are more or less likely, but they kept popping into my head only for me to realize they really weren’t usable.
BEA
Typically short for Beatrice, Bea could stand on its own. One hesitation: would Bea rhyme with Leah and therefore conflict with Mia?
EVA
An obvious way to choose a name with all of Ava’s charm, but slightly less popular.
IVY
A Top 50 pick, but still less common than Ava.
LIV
A name that shares Xoe’s meaning. (Xoe comes from the Greek word for life; Liv shares a similar meaning in Scandinavian languages.)
MAE
The only downside? If you do have a son in the future, it might rule out Max.
TRU, TRUE
Possibly more modern, like Xoe, but with plenty of appeal.
SKY, SKYE
Skye-with-an-E is the more common spelling, but just Sky works, too.
WREN
A nature name that’s complete and familiar, but splits the difference between daring Xoe and traditional Max.
If not Ada, I love the idea of a name like Wren Margaret or Liv Juliette. They’re fresh and modern, but with roots – a good match for Xoe.
I think Ada is great. And I think that the fact that it’s from a show you watched while you were dating makes it an even cuter choice.
Other ideas:
Roxy
Opal
Ivy
Iris
Thea
Sage
Nina
Leda
Lyra
Noa
I wonder if you could look at Xoe and choose a different linkage? Rather than three letters, what if it was:
Love-Associated:
Amy (has that strong A sound you and your partner like, but it’s way less common these days)
Keeva (anglicized version of Caoimhe, and gives you two high value scrabble letter to boot!)
High-Value Scrabble Letter Names (Q Z J X K are actually the highest!):
Avery (has the Ava sound and sounds great with sister)
Quinn
Jade
Jules (I notice a form of Julie is on the table for the middles, so why not use this up front?)
Word-Play (I love that Xoe to you is xo as in love):
Ily (as suggested by PP – this is literally I Love You and that’s the most adorable pair with Xoe)
Maeve (with Hunter as a middle this is MH – My Heart but may be too obscure)
Something to do with her anticipated birth month or date, like your xo for Valentine’s sister was… without knowing, I can’t really suggest. But say it’s March, maybe Marceline nn Markie; or June could be Juno…
I do like Abby’s suggestions of Ivy or Liv. I’ll throw in Eve (I prefer this to Eva), Vee (I know a 10yo with this name and it wears well) and Viv. But my absolute favourite mini-name which I’d love to wear or bestow on a daughter (if the surname weren’t an issue) is Kit! Xoe and Kit would be absolutely swoon-worthy to me.
Xoe Allison and _________ Jordan+a
My first thought was Eva! Eve is also great. Classic, but with a modern, bright sound. Eva and Max or Eve and Max are great together, as are Eva and Xoe or Eve and Xoe. I also like the connection to Evelyn, one of your middle name options. Ivy is also fantastic.
I also think Ada is super wearable! I’m a teenager and had to Google the show. My first thought is “cute vintage name, similar to Ava and Adeline.”
If Ida and Ivy are quite right, what about Isla/Ila? Or Ily, which has the “I love you” connection to complement Xoe’s “XO”. I think Isla works with Xoe and Max perfectly.
For something more unique, in the key of Xoe, maybe Lux or Luz? Or even Pax? I also love Rue and Una.
Best of luck and sorry for any repeats!
I love that thought that you have put in to connecting your children’s names.
Max and Xoe are great! I agree that Ada is the best choice from your list. I loved Abby’s suggestions of Ivy and Liv. I’ll add in Eve.
I think Liv or Tru are the names to beat from Abby’s suggestions but I also want to add Kaia into the mix (or maybe you would prefer Kya as the spelling to keep it at 3 letters).
Some other ideas (some are 4 letters but I think could work with Xoe):
Noa
Veda
Rue
Juno
Wyn
Rae
Sol
Evie/Evy
Romy
Any chance you would consider Maxine “Max” for your daughter if this will be your last child? Or another longer name that shortens to a 3 letter nickname like Beatrice “Bix” or Isolde “Sol” or Emilia “Emi” ? Just an idea. Good luck!
What about Max for a girl? Max Juliana or Max Juliet would be great. With Xoe, I prefer Ida to Ada, because of that bright I sound. Isla would be another option or Ivy as Abby suggested. I know a 17 y.o. Ida, and it’s on trend but unusual. Eva is lovely too.
I love Sky as a sister to Xoe.
Other options:
Ruby
Jade
Luna
Gwen
Tessa
Rae
Joy
Mel
I love Rae for you because just like Xoe reminds you of love, Rae could remind you of how this little one is a ray of sunshine in your life! Plus this baby will likely come during spring or summer, so a reference to the sun is extra meaningful, just like a reference to love made sense for a February baby.
I love the name Ren. It’s Japanese and means flower or Lotus flower. Xoe and Ren. Sweet.
A few more ideas for girl names that match the spunky and creative quality of “Xoe”-
Ori – means “my light” in Hebrew
Ora – “let’s pray” in Hebrew & also connected to Japanese and Finnish cultures
Iva – not as common as “Ivy,” but easy to say & pronounce
Kae/Cae – creative spellings of “Kay” with connections to different cultures
Sol – “sun”
Mar – “sea”
Ina – mini-name that also sounds good with Xoe, I think.
Evy – sounds like “Ev-ee”
Maybe Xoe & Kae/Cae might be my favorite combo – Kae/Cae have connections to lots of cultures & I think the whimsical spelling of “Kay” works well for Xoe’s sister & for a child and adult.
Best wishes!!