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.
IT TOOK EVERY LAST SECOND TO NAME OUR DAUGHTER
Danielle writes:
We really struggled to name our daughter, but we both love the name we eventually chose: Esther Madeline. We pronounce Madeline to rhyme with line, sign, and fine.
I can’t believe it, but we’re having even more trouble naming our second. We will find out sex in a few more weeks, but given how hard it was to name Esther, I don’t want to wait.
We both come from big, extended families and also work with children. Our general feeling is that we’d prefer our child’s name doesn’t remind us of anyone we already know well. But we’re not the kind of people who can make up a name or choose something futuristic. Ideas like choosing a place that means something to us, etc. just don’t feel right.
It has been a relief that people react to Esther’s name with so much enthusiasm. I was very worried that others would call it an old lady name, not in a good way.
We have a long list of names we like, but have ruled out because they’re taken by close family or too strongly associated with a child we’ve known in the past.
NAMES WE CAN’T USE
- For boys: Theodore, Benjamin, Jasper, Max, Charlie, Owen, Philip, Oliver, Henry, Michael, Nathan, Nicholas, Joseph, Jack, Matthew, Miles, George
- For girls: Charlotte, Emily, Anna, Katherine, Eliza, Sarah, Amelia, Louise, Josephine, Colette, Margot, Frances, Beatrice, Cecilia, Rosalie
A name we seriously considered for Esther was Marjorie, but it felt like it had a lot of baggage. I don’t think that’s necessarily changed, so we still probably wouldn’t use it, but we do like it.
We prefer names that are used in full, so Esther is always Esther, not Essie/Estie, etc. It’s another reason we probably wouldn’t consider a name like Benjamin, because it’s always (at least in my experience) going to be Ben.
Our last name starts and ends with an S, and sounds like Spokes, so names that end with S like James or Thomas don’t sound right.
For a middle name, we’re considering Daniel for a boy, but we don’t have anything in mind for a girl yet.
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
DISTINCTIVE NAMES FOR ESTHER’S NEW SIBLING
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new baby!
When one parent works with children, it always feels like lots of names are automatically ruled out. Double that, and it probably feels like there are no names left, right?
The good news? It’s not actually a case of choosing a completely one-of-one name. It’s just a question of finding something that you haven’t heard yet.
Esther ranks in the current US Top 200 and has since 2016. There are lots of vintage names like Esther with similar popularity rankings that could possibly work. We’ll focus on names with a strong sound that are unlikely to be shortened.
I’m sure at least some of these will automatically bring to mind another child that you’ve known. But I feel like this list came together pretty quickly, so hopefully one of these – or something suggested in the comments – will be just right for your new baby.
BOY NAMES LIKE ESTHER
ANTHONY
I know that Anthony can shorten to Tony. But in this generation? Anthony is almost always used in full. It gives a sort of polished, gentlemanly vibe. (Thanks to Bridgerton, at least in part.)
CALVIN
Again, Calvin might be Cal. But it’s more like Essie for Esther – optional, not automatic.
GRAHAM
I’m not sure Graham matches Esther’s era perfectly, but I think it has the same vibe – traditional, unexpected, with a strong sound.
EDWIN
I love Edwin with Esther – as long as you don’t mind the repeating E initial.
OTTO
With names like Arlo and Leo so popular, Otto fits right in. But it also reads a little old school.
PETER
Another timeless classic, currently underused.
REX
There’s a bite to Rex, a strong and distinctive sound.
VINCENT
Used in full, Vincent is traditional, creative, and slightly unexpected.
GIRL NAMES LIKE ESTHER
DOROTHY
Elmo’s goldfish is named Dorothy. And with Wicked in theaters so recently, it’s hard to not think of Oz. Overall, I think this helps us hear Dorothy as a vintage favorite that succeeds for a daughter born in 2026. Bonus: it shares the rhythm of Marjorie.
HARRIET
Believe it or not, Harriet fails to chart in the current US Top 1000. Despite this, it’s a name that everyone knows. I think it could be perfect for Esther’s sister.
HELEN
Helen is a little more common, but not by much. It fits with vintage names like Esther: serious, established, and a little bit sepia-toned, too.
IRENE
One hundred years ago, Irene read like a spirited, fresh name for a daughter. I think that makes it a perfect choice for Esther’s sister today.
MABEL
A vintage name on the upswing, Mabel benefits from the popularity of other -bel ending names, as well as that bright Mae syllable.
OLIVE
Olivia is the #1 name in the country. Olive is her understated sister.
VERA
With two powerful meanings – faith and truth – Vera is a brief, complete name that carries a lot of significance.
VIVIAN
One of the first names that came to mind, Vivian combines a memorable sound with enough vintage energy to match Esther.
Overall, I’m really drawn to Edwin or Peter for a son. Edwin Daniel or Peter Daniel, maybe?
For a girl, I like the idea of Dorothy Irene. But I also want to suggest using Marjorie as a middle name. I wonder if you’d like Helen Marjorie?
For a daughter, I think Anne is worth considering. I would love to meet a little Anne. And Anne is both serious and bright enough to be a little sister for Esther.
For a son, maybe Robert? I generally hear Robert used in full these days. But what I’d really love to suggest is Clive. I really like the sound of Clive and am hoping we may hear it more some day. Esther & Clive?
There are so many great girl names that could pair with Esther-
If you don’t mind alliteration (but not the same sound) how about Edith?
I adore the name Dorothy, so that is my top choice for you. Other names I really like with Esther: Naomi, Miriam, Irene, Cleo, Carys, Pearl, Rose, Blythe, Susannah, Phoebe.
For a boy: Irving, Franklin, Virgil, Zachary, August, Caleb, Adam, David, Jerome.
Esther Madeline Spokes and . . .
Cecily has the same rhythm of Emily, Rosalie, and Marjorie, with the sound of Cecilia. Cecily also reminds me of Charlotte and Colette. Cecily Anna Spokes, maybe or Cecily Louise? I love Cecily and Esther.
Theodora might be too close to Theodore on your “can’t use” list, but it’s also adorable old-lady and reminds me of Josephine and Beatrice. Esther and Theodora are great together!
If you like Margot and Marjorie, would Matilda appeal? I love the idea of Matilda Emily or Matilda Eliza as a sister for Esther Madeline.
Is Rosemary too close to Rosalie? I’m biased, since it’s one of my all-time favorite names, but I think it’s so elegantly vintage and classic. Rosemary and Esther are perfect sister names.
Alice is beautiful and classic, with the -s ending of Beatrice, Louise, and Frances. Alice Margot Spokes or Alice Dorothy Spokes are lovely, and Alice and Esther are a great pair.
Is Georgia or Georgiana too close to George on the “can’t use” list? If not, I think they’re excellent choices, reminiscent of Charlotte and Josephine. Georgiana is a little bolder, but I love it with Esther- it feels very Austen.
Is Lucy too short? It feels like the perfect alternative to Louise, and sounds great with Esther. I also love Ivy and Jane for you. Jane in particular is lovely with Esther.
For boys, what about August? It’s gentlemanly and sophisticated, just like Esther. August Daniel Spokes sounds great.
Or William? Will and Liam are common nicknames, but I doubt people will default to them. William Daniel and Esther Madeline sound perfect together.
From the comments, I love Arthur, Simon, and Frederick. I know a teenage Frederick (always called Frederick, never Fred) who wears it perfectly.
Maybe Walter? Wally is cute, but Walter in full is elegant and intellectual. Walter Daniel Spokes sounds great, and I love Walter with Esther.
If Louise is on your girl’s list, could Louis work for a boy? Pronounced Lewis or loo-ee, it’s adorable. I love Louis and Esther.
From the comments, I love Arthur, Simon, and Frederick. I know a teenage Frederick (always called Frederick, never Fred) who wears it perfectly.
Best of luck and congratulations!
Don’t know how I messed Nathan in your list of cannot use names. Sorry!
Maybe Seth, Jude or Nolan instead?
Esther and Grace for sisters?
Esther and Bethany or Nathan maybe?
Maude is my favourite girl suggestion for you – it’s so underused, but so lovely and fits just right with Esther. Pearl also fits this category for me! And if Daniel would be the middle name for a boy, why not Danielle for a girl (after you!) I do love Dorothy and Harriet but I feel like people would more automatically try to nickname those, which you’re trying to avoid.
For a boy, how about Ansel or Ivan or Scott? I also like Abby’s suggestion of Otto.
Good luck!
Boys: Alfred, Arthur, Eric, Grant, Harris, Ian, Jasper, Leo, Mark, Max, Paul, Ray, Roger, Simon, Victor, Vincent, Virgil, Warren,
Girls: Ada, Adele, Barbara, Clara, Claudette, Della, Evelina, Fay, Hope, Iris, Jeanne, Laura, Marie, Maude, Mavis, Nadine, Nina, Opal, Ruth, Ursula, Yvette
Also…
Esther &
Portia, Calla, Jemima, Andra, Audra, Celia
or
Hugo, Victor, Carl, Alfred, Elliot, Oscar
Best wishes!!
Dorothy is such a great suggestion! I like Harriet a lot too. Would you consider Ruth even though it’s one syllable? Oh, Nadine is lovely and underused. She sounds just right with Esther.
For a boy, how about Hugh, Frederick, Gordon, Desmond, or Malcolm? I especially like Desmond and Malcolm with Esther.
Congratulations and good luck!