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.

Table of Contents

NAMING A SISTER FOR CORA LOUISE

Astrid writes:

What would you name a sister for Cora Louise?

We want something simple to pronounce and spell. Esme Eleanor was our first idea, but have decided to not use it.

Our current list is:

  • Alice
  • Eliza
  • Emery
  • Sylvie

Middle name options are Eleanor, Grace, and Monroe.

Thank you!

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

baby girl with dark hair wearing headband on white blanket; "name a sister for Cora Louise"
Get new posts sent to your inbox!
Don’t miss out! Subscribe and get all the new posts first.

NARROWING UP A GOOD LIST, PLUS ADDING FRESH IDEAS

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your second daughter!

Cora Louise is a lovely name – it’s current and timeless, always a winning combination.

It’s also very easy to spell and pronounce. Are there some girls named Korra? Sure. But the numbers are tiny, and I’m guessing almost no one asks if you spell Cora with a K.

Esme, though? I do hesitate when I say it. Just for a fraction of a second. Because so many girls are named Zoe and Chloe and Penelope that my brain short circuits and wants to say ez-MEE.

Much as I love the name Esme and think it pairs nicely with Cora, I agree that it’s not 10-out-of-10 when it comes to ease of pronunciation.

Let’s look at the names you’re actively considering now, and see if we can add some more options.

EVALUATING YOUR CURRENT LIST

EMERY

I’d rank Emery fourth on your list. While it is pretty straightforward, alternate spelling Emory ranks in the 300s. And it can be re-spelled Amory, Amerie, Emmarie … lots of rare, but plausible, variations. It’s also something of a style switch. I can imagine sisters named Cora and Emery, but one is more traditional and the other more modern.

ALICE, ELIZA

A perfect sister name for Cora. I rank them second and third by the narrowest of margins.

SYLVIE

Sylvie rises to the top, and here’s why. Esme is relatively uncommon compared to Cora. My guess is that parenthood has made you even more aware of what children are named now, and you’ve intentionally sought out a name that’s just slightly different. Sylvie fits that description to a T.

FRESH IDEAS: A SISTER FOR CORA LOUISE

DAPHNE

A little like Esme, but easier to pronounce.

EDEN

An E name that’s nicely straightforward.

GEMMA

A two-syllable, ends-with-A name like Cora, but with a jewel-box sparkle.

HEIDI

Sweet, sparky, and traditional.

JANE

So spare and strong, with default nickname Janie.

MAISIE

An alternative to Esme that shares a little bit of the same sound.

MARGOT

One of the most stylish of traditional names now, an obvious sister for Cora. And yet, I think the spelling and pronunciation is most obvious to native speakers of American English. If your family is bilingual or international – or even if your broader community is – I wonder if Margot is less straightforward than I assume?

VALERIE

There’s something timeless and high-energy like Valerie, just like names on your list like Eliza.

Overall, I’m most drawn to Sylvie Grace as a sister for Cora Louise. I’d put Eliza Monroe a close second.

From my new suggestions, I like Margot and Daphne best. I’d probably put Daphne Eleanor at the top of my list, with Margot Grace second. Maybe even a distant second, because I’m not sure how easily it’s pronounced and spelled outside of an American English setting. Still, it’s pretty common so I think that’s less of a concern now that it might’ve been in 2005 or even 2015.

Readers, what would you name a sister for Cora Louise, with a priority on a straightforward spelling and pronunciation?

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

Read More About Me

You May Also Like:

What do you think?

18 Comments

  2. Tess
    Lucy
    Zoe (Even though it can be spelled in other ways – It reminds me of Esme in sound)
    Iris
    Jane
    Violet
    Hazel
    Audrey
    Matilda

    For the fun of making combos ~ how about Tess Eleanor, Audrey Grace, Hazel Monroe

    Reply

  3. I love Eleanor as the middle name for the second sister. It pairs so well with Louise. Because it is three syllables, I’d like the sound of a one syllable name with it.

    Cor@ Louise and……
    Claire Eleanor
    Anne Eleanor
    Eve Eleanor
    Jane Eleanor
    Kate Eleanor
    June Eleanor
    Ruth Eleanor
    Tess Eleanor

    Reply

    1. I suggested Kate to my husband and he said that it sounded like we didn’t try for the name. I love it tho!!

      Reply

  4. Taking from you love of Esme, I’m going to vote for Maeve Monroe. Sure, the occasional person may say ‘May-eve?’ but I think Maeve is mainstream enough these days.

    I really love Alice on your list. Cora and Alice have their own fairytales (if you count Coraline) and Alice Eleanor is just lovely.

    You have so very many awesome ideas, so I don’t want to pile on too many – my last suggestion is Tess. Coming from someone who has a first child with an -a ending, I definitely wanted a non -a ending for my second and I’m glad I did. Tess Eleanor. I’d venture to say Tess is one of the easiest names ever to pronounce and spell for people. Cora & Tess!

    Reply

  5. Cora Louise
    My first thought was Eloise. A little bit of Eleanor and Eliza, a little bit of Louise. Eloise Monroe, maybe? If Eloise is too close to Cora’s middle name, maybe Elodie? I love Elodie Grace. Other thoughts:
    -Ada
    -Adeline
    -Amelia “Millie” or “Mia”
    -Anna “Annie”
    -Audrey
    -Astrid
    -Belle
    -Estelle “Essie”
    -Eve “Evie”
    -Evelyn “Evie”
    -Freya
    -Isla
    -Juliet “Jules”
    -Lydia
    -Mae
    -Matilda “Tilly”
    -Penelope “Penny” or “Nell”
    -Sophie
    -Stella
    -Vivienne/Vivian

    I love Audrey for you: Audrey Grace, Audrey Eleanor. Or Matilda, if it’s not too long. Matilda Monroe, maybe? A little bit of a wildcard that I think is adorable is Estelle. Essie, Esti, or Stella are adorable nicknames, and it reminds me of Esme and Eleanor. Estelle Grace and Cora Louise, Estelle and Cora, Essie and Cora. Good luck!

    Reply

  6. I really love Alice and Cora together. They have this beautiful antique yet fresh vibe to them. Alice Monroe is a fun pairing of classic and unexpected.

    Eliza and Cora or Sylvie and Cora also feel vintage yet modern much like Alice but the Z and V sounds add an extra level of fun when paired with Cora’s hard consonants and bright O sounds. Eliza Grace and Sylvie Eleanor are lovely

    Here are some other sweetly vintage names with straightforward spelling and pronunciation:

    Cora and June. I like the bold vowel sounds each name has

    Cora and Lucy. Too close to Cora’s middle name or a sweet link between sisters?

    Cora and Sadie. Sadie Monroe is really fun!

    Cora and Ruth. I like the shared R sounds. Coordinated but not too matchy

    Cora and Hazel. Hazel has that zippy Z sound like Esme

    Cora and Haven, Hadley, or Harlowe. These names all feel a bit more modern like Emery but still pair perfectly with Cora.

    Reply

  8. I like Sylvie & Alice a lot.

    Cora & Sylvie
    Cora & Alice

    Here are a few more ideas:

    Calla
    Hannah
    Sophie
    Sadie
    Frances
    Hadley
    Sheridan
    Windsor

    Of these, maybe I like Cora & Sophie the best.

    Best wishes!

    I’m

    Reply

    1. We are now considering June as a middle name. So Eliza June, Sylvie June, and Daphne June are contenders!

      Reply