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.
THE RIGHT NAME FOR A LONG-AWAITED DAUGHTER
Marissa writes:
We have a beautiful eleven year old daughter named Harper Allison. After years of heartache trying to grow our family, I had finally accepted that it wasn’t meant to be.
And now we’re expecting, and I’ve been holding my breath every step of the way, and now we’re at that point where it’s really real and our second daughter will be here any day. (For lots of reasons, I am likely to be induced on December 20th if I don’t go into labor before then.)
Talking about names used to be something that I loved, and I read your posts all the time. But then I had to stop, and now I feel like I’m overwhelmed by so many things, including choosing a name. It’s a joyful, happy kind of overwhelm but it can still be paralyzing.
Here are our thoughts:
- Billie – At first, we joked about calling a son “little Billy.” At one point, it felt bittersweet because we’ll never have that son, but now I wonder if it’s the right name for a girl? Harper suggested it because of Billie Eilish, and I think my daughter has great taste, and this is really growing on me.
- Blair – I’ve loved this name forever, but is it too short with our last name? I thought so with Harper and I think I still do.
- Keaton – I’m not really sure where this name came from, but lately it’s on my mind.
- Delaney – My husband’s favorite for Harper. I’ve never really liked it, but if I have Blair on this list, I have to have his favorite, too.
We’re thinking about using the middle name Marjorie, for my late mother-in-law. We could also possibly use Katherine, my mother-in-law’s middle name, which was after her mother, my husband’s grandmother.
Our last name sounds like Chris, but spelled differently.
I’m not sure if we’re looking for new ideas, but I know I’m not ready to settle on a name just yet.
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
TRUSTING YOUR LIST
Abby replies:
Oh my goodness – congratulations on your second daughter! I completely understand not thinking about names.
That means, though, that there’s not a lot of time. So I’m not going to expand your list beyond the basic choices you’re working with now.
I tend to agree with you about Blair. It’s a great name, but if it’s not an immediate yes, then I’d take it off your list. With a short, sounds-like-Chris surname, it’s probably not the best fit.
I am going to put a few new names into mix, based on Katherine, Marjorie, and maybe even your name, Marissa. And I’m going to do something different and suggest names in combinations because I do think that might move the process along.
NEW SUGGESTIONS
MAREN
Marjorie and Marissa share the letters Mar, and does Maren. Strictly speaking, Maren is a Scandi form of Maria, or possibly a cousin to Marina. But it works as an honor name for you and your mother-in-law, while sounding like the kind of tailored, surname name you love.
RORY
I’ve suggested Rory as a nickname for Marjorie, but it also works as an update to that traditional name. It’s not exactly the same style as Harper and Blair, but it fits in that same general category.
TOP COMBINATIONS
BILLIE BLAIR
If only because Blair has been on your list for so long.
BILLIE KATHERINE
A mix of a new name, plus your mother-in-law’s middle. I like the way it blends a short, casual first with a more classic, elegant middle.
BILLIE KEATON
This drops the family name connections, but puts two of your favorites center stage. Also, Keaton isn’t such a leap from Katherine. If you’d feel like it’s an honor name, then I’d see it that way, too.
RORY KATHERINE
I really do think Rory is a perfect sister name for Harper, with family ties, too.
RORY KEATON
A completely, 2020s update to Marjorie Katherine.
MAREN DELANEY
From the Mar- of your name and your mother-in-law’s name, with your husband’s favorite first in the middle spot.
My favorite is probably Billie Katherine, but if you’re open to Rory or Maren, then Rory Katherine and Maren Delaney shoot to the top for me, too.
If not Blair, what about Briar? Briar Marjorie and Briar Katherine both sound great!
Billie seems like a perfect, meaningful choice. I especially love it combined with Katherine, and I like that Katherine would honor multiple generations of ancestors.
I am loving the suggestion of Willow nn Billie for you. Another idea that occurred to me is Mallory, perhaps nn Rory. I also really like Rory Katherine or Rory Maren.
I don’t think you can top Billie, really. I love the idea of letting a much older sibling have a say in the new baby’s name, because I think it helps create a bond between them right from the start.
Having said that, I do want to suggest Lainey. It takes the ending of Delaney and visually shares the “lai” of Blair. Harper and Lainey are so perfect as sisters!
Delaney Blair Chris was my first thought. Maren Blair and Maren Katherine are great. Would Marissa, Harper, and Maren be too much of the -AR sound, especially since they all have a different -a sound?
I’m one of those people who prefers a formal name for Billie. There’s Wilhemina, Willow, and Willa, or a -bel name like Campbell, Clarabel, Isobel, or even just Belle, called Billie.
Pleeeease give us an update on what you choose, and congrats!
Billie is perfection. And since it’s for her dad, I love Maren in the middle to honour you as well as Marjorie.
It’s sweet that that Billie is a suggestion of your daughter, and a nod to dad. I honestly can’t think of a better name for you.
Sybil is also one of my fave ways to get to Billie, but in this case I don’t think it’s needed. Harper is unisex and tailored. With Billie Eilish and Billie Holiday, I think it makes the sisters a subtle musical set.
Congratulations on this long awaited little sister.
What about Sybil with Billie as a nickname?
Sybil Marjorie
Sybil Katherine
Sybil “Billie” & Harper
Best wishes & I hope the delivery goes very smoothly!
Cristina
Many congratulations!!
I like the suggestion of Willow Katherine it’s really beautiful.
So many wonderful abbreviations can be made with this too.
No reason why Billie couldn’t be a term of endearment for a pretty name like Willow.
Or straight forward Billie Katherine.
Harper and Willow
Harper and Billie
Both are lovely.
All the best.
Congratulations on you daughter! How exciting!
Would you consider Willa or Willow with the nickname Billie? I feel like this gives you the best of both worlds; a feminine, tailored name similar to Harper AND the fun punchy nickname that your daughter is pulling for (and that you like as well!)
Harper and Willow “Billie”
Harper and Willa “Billie”
Willow Katherine, Willow Marjorie, Willow Blair
Willa Katherine, Willa Marjorie, Willa Blair
I also love Abby’s suggestion of Maren!
Some other ideas:
Tessa
Gemma
Eden (similar sounds to Keaton)
Mara
Hallie (similar sounds to Billie)