Finding A Mini Girl Name to Match Xoe

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.

Readers, over to you! What would you name a sister for Xoe Allison?