Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed. 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.
WHEN YOUR FAVORITE NAME IS ALREADY TAKEN
Jessica writes:
Ever since I saw Cinderella – the one with Lily James – I knew I wanted to name my daughter Ella. My husband was on board, especially because our last name is long and German. (It’s Roth plus the letter N plus berg plus an R.)
Over the summer, my brother and sister-in-law had their baby, and named her Ella. Same last name, and we live nearby and we see each other all the time. Their son (Noah) and our son (Jack) are both three and little besties, so having the girls share the same name is out.
We have never talked about names, so I’m really not mad about it.
If we had a boy, our list was Theo, Leo, Henry, or Luke, all names we thought about for Jack.
But we just found out we’re having a girl. I’m thrilled, but I didn’t really have a list of other names to think about, and right now I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed.
Because our last name is long, I like simple names. It’s never bothered me having a popular name. I’d rather have a popular name than one that’s too different, I just don’t want there to be two Ellas in our family!
Her middle name will be Kathleen, after my mom, though we’re also considering Katherine.
Can you help me brainstorm some new names? I’m so stuck on Ella that my brain just can’t move past it!
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
FINDING A NAME LIKE ELLA
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughter!
Isn’t it funny how our minds work? It sounds like you’re at peace with having a niece with an awesome name … but now you’re staring a blank sheet of paper and can’t imagine what happens next.
We’ve all been there, if not with names then with other decisions.
The good news is that we have lots of information about the kind of names that you like:
- Short names, with smooth sounds
- Relatively common/popular choices
And, of course, names that don’t overlap with Jack, Ella, and probably Noah, too. (My first thought, Stella, is obviously a non-starter!)
It turns out that the really limiting factor is probably popularity. Based on your comments about your surname, I’m assuming you wouldn’t be interested in Penelope or Valentina. If we’re looking at mostly Top 100 and maybe some a bit beyond? By definition, that’s a set list – limited even more if we can only consider names on the shorter side.
Still, I think it’s worth talking over, because there are still plenty of great options in the “name like Ella” category.
A SISTER FOR JACK
AVA
Brief and complete, Ava pairs well with your surname. It’s distinctly different from your son’s name and her cousins’ names, too, but it think it meets the broad definition of a name like Ella.
CLARA
I like the way Jack and Clara would share the same C sound in their names. It’s subtle, but appealing.
ISLA
Almost a perfect substitute for Ella, very close in sound but still a clearly separate name.
LUCY
There’s a high-spirited, old-fashioned appeal to Lucy that Jack shares, too. Plus you’re keeping the lovely L sound of Ella.
SOPHIE
I might’ve suggested Sophia, except Sophie has the same two-syllable simplicity that Ella offers.
TESSA
On paper, Tessa is less common. But I think it’s a perfect choice for a name like Ella. Straightforward sounds, a mix of casual and classic, immediately familiar.
VIOLET
I wonder if something like Violet could work? It sounds nothing like Ella, and visually it’s quite a bit longer. But it’s a popular choice, one that’s immediately recognizable. And it’s just fun, too, isn’t it?
ZARA
Speaking of fun, I think Zara is one of those perfect twists-on-traditional names that isn’t quite as popular as I’d expect. On the downside: you might find yourself explaining “it’s like Sarah with a Z, no H.” On the plus side? Everything else.
On balance, I think Lucy is the obvious choice – completely different, but with all of the same qualities as Ella.
But if you’d like something a little more distinct? Violet would be my choice.
And on balance, I like them both with Kathleen a tiny bit more than Katherine. Though either is great! Lucy Kathleen; Violet Kathleen.
Ada, Alice, Celia, Cora, Delia, Eva, June, Kaia, Leah, Lena, Mira, Nina, Nora, Rosa, Sarah, Sylvie, Talia, Tessa, Thea, Vera, Willa
You felt strongly about naming your daughter Ella after seeing the Lily James Cinderella movie… what about Lily instead? It feels remarkably similar style-wise, and shares sounds while still sounding distinct. Lily and Jack 🙂 Lily Kathleen.
I love also previous suggestions of Anna, Birdie, and Faye.
Some other suggestions: Mae, Millie, Leah
I was going to suggest Rose but then I realized why Rose and Jack sound like such a good pair haha
Clea
Belle
Eve
Lila
Sylvie
Cora
Iris
June
Gwen
Eva Kathleen
Anna Kathleen
Aurora Kathleen
Some great suggestions! Here are some more:
Helen
Calla
Thea
Dora
Lena
Nina
Greta
Hannah
Bridie
Signy
Romy
Mireille
Faye
Lara
Xanthe
Kaia
Best wishes!!
Oh what a wild coincidence! Pretty cool you get to have a niece Ella. But jeez that was The One and would’ve been a slam dunk once you found out it was a girl, so I feel your frustration.
I notice you share an initial with your son. Could you choose the same initial for daddy and daughter? I know a few families who have done this and it’s a sweet and semi/subtle pattern, one that may help you narrow your choices at least. Without knowing his initial (or maybe it’s J too?!) here are some names that I think are sweet and strong like Ella and go with Jack and the surname…some lifted from other strong female characters (Violet seconded, just watch Series of Unfortunate Events!)
Chloe
Emma
Gemma
Holly
Ivy
Lily
Ruby
Sadie
Zoe
Or maybe you’re the one-syllable kids family? Noah & Ella, Jack &…
Eve
Jules
Kate
Maeve
Quinn
Sloan
Tess (I know Abby suggested Tessa but I find Tess 100% spunkier!)
(Wrote before I looked at comments so I’m seconding / thirding some – woot! Kate really seems perfect, and Lily and Gemma and Eve!)
What about just Kate as the first name? It’s short and sweet like Ella, plus moves the namesake to the first-name spot. Kate and Jack are great together! Otherwise, what about Freya? Or Gemma?
Interestingly, this happened to me with the name Ava (and of course, it worked out for the better because I love my children’s names even more). We have a cousin, Ava Kathleen and it’s a perfect name! I also like the idea of Jack and Kate as an honor name for Kathleen. I’ll also suggest Eve or Esme as an alternative to Ella and Indie or Claire as nods to Cinderella. Congrats!
I would suggest Iris Kathleen!!
So many great suggestions from Abby! I really like Ava, Lucy, Tessa, and Violet along side Jack. Tessa would be my overall pick if you want something just slightly less popular but still just as beautiful and straightforward as Ella
Other ideas:
Lily – lots of strong L sounds like Ella
Emily – just something so sweet and Jack and Emily
Anna – a beautiful timeless choice. And again, just so sweet with Jack. Jack and Annie!
Eliza – feels like Ella kicked up a notch but still different enough to not be confused with cousin Ella
Would you consider Katherine as a first name? Jack and Kate, Jack and Katie. Super cute!
Oh what about Hallie? Hallie Katherine, Hallie Kathleen. Jack and Hallie. It shares a lot of qualities with Ella and is such a lovely choice. This might be my favorite!