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Name Help: A Sibling for Lula

August 31, 2018 By appellationmountain 31 Comments

Name Help: A Sister for LulaName 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!

Savannah writes:

I love your site and read it all through my last pregnancy where we had a daughter named Lula.

We now have a second on the way and are having trouble coming up with a name. We want something more on the rare side but not too unusual as a name. Nothing in the top 100, or ideally even top 1000 of current American names. We like names that are a bit gender neutral and have meaning that speaks to us.

Some names we have talked about are Paloma, Marlowe, Wren, Maeve, Jasper, Percy, Penn, and Pax.

There are name we love but know people with so feel odd using like Sawyer, Harper, Finn, Willow, Rio, Dakota, or Oona.

I feel like these put us in line for a name like Beatrice in terms of meaning and rarity but ease and neither of us love it.

I would love some ideas or your thoughts on where we should be looking or thinking about.

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

Dear Savannah –

Congratulations on your second daughter!

Lula hits all the marks – a rare name that feels easy to wear, not in the Top 1000, but still somehow familiar. Since Lula most often comes from Louise, we usually borrow that name’s meaning: famous in battle. Or were you attracted to the idea of Lu- names connected to the Latin lux, light? Either way, it works.

Compared to Lula, Beatrice feels almost heavy. Maybe a little too traditional and buttoned-up to be a sister for Lula? It could work, of course. But I’m not surprised to hear you’re not feeling it.

So, on to the rest of your list? Paloma, Marlowe, Wren, and Maeve all appear in the current girls’ Top 1000. Jasper ranks in the boys’ Top 200, which seems a little too popular, too.

That leaves Percy, Penn, and Pax. If it turns out that Lula’s sibling is a boy, they’re exactly what you’re looking for! I’d cheerfully choose Penn out of your finalists, if only because it seems rare, but not too out-there. Though those same qualities apply to Percy and Pax, so I think any of the three would work.

Let’s focus on naming a sister, because I think some fresh options might help.

Bette – Pronounce it with one syllable, to rhyme with jet, or say it like Betty. Either way, Bette is spare and sophisticated, a rare, vintage name that seems right at home with sister Lula. I like it best as a single-syllable name, at least for your family. It makes it sleeker, and, if not unisex, a little less frilly.

Briar – There’s something harsh and brambly about Briar, but delicate, too. Sleeping Beauty often adopts the name Briar Rose, which makes many of us think of the name as feminine. But this one appears in both the girls’ and boys’ Top 1000, ranking #880 for boys and #718 for girls. So it’s unisex, but still feels like a sister for Lula.

Carys – You’ve mentioned meaning, and so I went back to this list: Great Girl Names Meaning Love. Carys comes from the Welsh word caru – love. I rhyme it with Paris, though I’ve heard it said more like care-is, too. Actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones gave this name to their daughter way back in 2003, but it’s never caught on in the US.

Elska – A second one from the love list, Elska comes from Norway. Just like Lula reminds us of Lily and Lucy, but claims a different, distinctive sound, I think Elska marks a similar-but-different choice from Ella and all the other -ella names we love.

Etta – On that line of thought, how about Etta? Despite twinning with Emma and Ella, Etta remains outside of the US Top 1000. Etta James – born Jamesetta Hawkins – lends it some jazz. Like Lula, it’s a vintage gem that would’ve felt mainstream a century ago, but today is sadly overlooked.

Linden – If matching Lula in terms of style doesn’t appeal, would you consider another L name? I think Lula and Linden – a tailored, rare, nature-name pick – sound like sisters because of the shared L sound. Other possibilities in this same category: Lennon (though it’s in the Top 500 for girls, and not far behind for boys), Laurel (#597 for girls), or Landry (again, a Top 1000 pick for both genders.)

Maren – Despite being relatively new to the US Top 1000, Maren is making waves. The jumped dramatically, to #633 this year. But it seems like exactly the right style match – feminine, but tailored and unexpected. And it still feels relatively unknown. The meaning is opening to debate, since it’s sometimes linked to the Latin maris, for the sea, and sometimes to traditional given names like Mary and Margaret. That reminds me – two similar options are Maret, a contracted form of Margaret, and Maris, from the Latin word.

Scout – Harper appears in the US Top Ten, thanks in large part to the legendary Harper Lee of To Kill a Mockingbird fame. But her most famous character is Jean Louise Finch, better known as Scout. Despite this association, Scout remains just outside the current US Top 1000. Lula and Scout together sound like sisters – a little unconventional, maybe even bohemian, but very nicely paired.

Zora – Zora comes from a Slavic word meaning dawn, and brings to mind Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston. Like Lula, Zora is a familiar-but-different choice.

Overall, my favorite is Carys. Maybe it’s because the meaning works so well, or perhaps it’s the tailored, but still feminine, sound. I guess I’d have to make Maris a close second, though Maris strikes me as even less familiar as a given name. (It’s not. Or at least that’s not true for last year, when 62 girls were named Maris, versus just 54 newborns called Carys.)

I think Briar also stands out as a favorite, and an excellent sister name for Lula.

Readers, over to you! What would you suggest for Lula’s sister?

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Comments

  1. Nieke says

    October 8, 2018 at 5:45 PM

    I love the suggestion of Dolly, Esme and Romy with Lula!

    I would add:
    Lula and Coco
    Lula and Brynn
    Lula and Daisy
    Lula and Margot
    Lula and Alba
    Lula and Edie
    Lula and Tess

    Reply
  2. Ash says

    September 14, 2018 at 7:04 PM

    Lula + Penny
    Lula + Edah
    Lula + Pearl
    Lula + Lottie
    Lula + Frankie
    Lula + Bellamy
    Lula + Marigold

    I love Lula. It’s on my list as it was my grandmother’s name. It’s so sweet and overlooked.

    Reply
  3. Emily jones says

    September 12, 2018 at 4:10 PM

    Millie & Lula is great!!!!
    I am Emily but Often called Millie as a nickname but I think it’s just as feminine on its own.

    Reply
  4. Guest says

    September 4, 2018 at 4:17 AM

    Alba
    Blithe
    Pearl
    Elodie
    Hattie/Harriet
    Violet
    Brynn
    GL

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    September 3, 2018 at 10:30 PM

    From Savannah’s list, I think Lula and Wren or Lula and Maeve sound the best. I have heard both names on little girls recently, but they are certainly not common in my neck of the woods.

    I’ve always adored Carys ever since having it. I had a roommate one summer in college who spelled it Karis, and that was my introduction to the name. I love the meaning, and that it is uncommon. My only personal reservation in using it in the US is that I know I would constantly be correcting the pronunciation! I suspect people who aren’t into names (aka most people) would try to pronounce it “carries.” The Karis spelling would help prevent that, though.

    Since Zelda was mentioned the another comment, I wanted to say that one sounds great with Lula, as well! I actually have a friend who named her baby Zelda just this year. Just consider that most people associate that name with the video game, but I don’t think that’s a big deal myself.

    Reply
  6. Nessie says

    September 1, 2018 at 5:22 PM

    Some ideas: Petra, Verity, Vera, Magnolia, Piper, Gwen and Esme.
    I love sisters Lula and Gwen or Lula and Esme!

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      September 3, 2018 at 9:11 PM

      Oh, I really like Lula + Gwen!

      Reply
  7. Jaime says

    September 1, 2018 at 2:32 PM

    I like Abby’s suggestion of Maris best. The first name that popped into my mind was Orla.

    A few others:

    Pearl
    Romy
    Britta
    June
    Bonnie
    Zelda
    Zadie
    Bevin
    Bronwen
    Wynne or Winnie
    Zinnia
    Phaedra
    Sonia
    Hollis
    Nell
    Romilly
    Tabitha
    Sybil
    Sidra
    Vada

    Reply
  8. Amity says

    September 1, 2018 at 1:09 PM

    Aveline
    Vienne
    Jovie
    Aviva
    Valia
    Charis or an alternative spelling like Karis
    Carina
    Endellion
    Marisol
    Marina
    Marin
    Nephele
    Merit
    Vale
    Joule
    Delta
    Diana
    Sonora
    Perenna
    Eluned

    Corentin
    Jory
    Teague
    Reeve
    Locke
    Larkin (can be a nn for Lawrence)
    Ash
    Ansel
    Revel
    Indigo
    Everest
    Cosimo
    Credence
    Steward

    Reply
  9. DreamyMoon says

    August 31, 2018 at 11:21 PM

    I adore Lula! Here are some combos I think work well:

    Baby Sister:
    – Lula and Sloane
    – Lula and Sorrel
    – Lula and Edie
    – Lula and Mollie
    – Lula and Selma
    – Lula and Britta
    – Lula and Quinn

    Little Brother
    – Lula and Ansel
    – Lula and Axel
    – Lula and Rex
    – Lula and Arthur
    – Lula and Thatcher
    – Lula and Everett

    Reply
  10. Jean C. says

    August 31, 2018 at 11:09 PM

    I love the suggestion of Carys, and the suggestion of Zadie. I don’t think I can top those, especially Zadie. From your list, I’m a big fan of Maeve, although it might be a little bit more popular than you’re looking for (but don’t let it deter you from using it! It’s so great!).
    I like Viola with Lula, although it’s not exactly clear to me that the second child is a girl.
    If it’s not, for a boy: Percy, Vincent, Matteo, Hugo, Xavier.

    Reply
  11. Em says

    August 31, 2018 at 10:39 PM

    Mali
    Zellie

    Reply
  12. Erin Beth says

    August 31, 2018 at 5:42 PM

    I love the suggestions of Bette (my favorite!), Blythe, and Zora. I would also add Zelda and Imogen.

    Reply
    • Erin Beth says

      August 31, 2018 at 5:49 PM

      Or Esme!

      Reply
    • Erin Beth says

      August 31, 2018 at 5:51 PM

      Or Nina or Olive.

      Reply
  13. Sheri says

    August 31, 2018 at 4:43 PM

    Carys was on our list for a second daughter (Afton was our first) but with Lula I’m kind of in love with Sadie or the less used Zadie because it has more of a vintage spunky nickname feel

    Best of luck!

    Reply
  14. Andrea says

    August 31, 2018 at 2:32 PM

    Aster, Cameo, Coral, Deirdre, Estelle, Garnet, Helene, Honor, Ione, Jessamyn, Nina, Salome, Thais, Xenia, Yvonne, Zinnia

    Reply
  15. Amy3 says

    August 31, 2018 at 1:34 PM

    With Lula I’d want to do something retro and maybe a little nickname-ish. On that score I like the suggestions of Bette (pronounced bet), Etta, and Zora from Abby. I also like Opal, Dolly, Dot, and Bea. What about Polly?

    Reply
  16. Sadie says

    August 31, 2018 at 12:15 PM

    I think Briar and Etta work really well with Lula, and I love pp’s suggestion of Alma (“soul”!).

    Ebba
    Reina
    Romy
    Waverly
    Winona nn Winnie
    Winter nn Winnie
    Zadie

    Arlo
    Bodhi
    Cormac
    Dexter
    Roscoe
    Thatcher
    Wylie

    Reply
  17. Renée says

    August 31, 2018 at 11:58 AM

    Etta Wren – that’s my favorite combo of some of the names you have mentioned here so far.
    Some other lovely options-
    Margot
    Penny
    Olive
    Brynn
    Florence

    Maren from Abby’s list also seems to hit a lot of great notes here… 🙂

    Good luck and Congratson baby 2!! 🙂

    Reply
  18. L. says

    August 31, 2018 at 10:49 AM

    I really want people to weigh in on Carys! I often wonder if it’s generally pronounced like carrot, except with an S ending, or does the first syllable sound like a car you drive. As for your line between Paris-with-a-C or Care-is, I hear no difference between those.

    On another note, I think Lula sounds ultra-feminine and I would pair it with another girl who also has a clearly female name. I think either Paloma or Maeve would be great.

    Reply
    • Renée says

      August 31, 2018 at 12:02 PM

      I thought maybe Carys had a “s” sound at the beginning? Like Paris with an S… ??
      I would also love some clarification on how this name is pronounced properly. 🙂

      Reply
      • appellationmountain says

        September 1, 2018 at 10:43 AM

        Carys is definitely a hard C, like Karys.

        Interesting about the pronunciation questions … the ‘a’ sound is endlessly tricky, and depends so much on regional accents. (Which honestly? We often don’t even recognize we have, because they’re so subtle.)

        Reply
    • Amy3 says

      August 31, 2018 at 1:30 PM

      Rhyming with Paris or pronouncing it care-is are the same for me too, and it’s how I’ve always said this name.

      Reply
      • Maree says

        September 1, 2018 at 7:23 AM

        Pear-iss is a particularly American accent, Paris, rhymes with Carys needs the a in the British Carrie.

        I believe in Wales CArys and CErys are different names with different sounds. That explains the two different options you describe. The C is definitely hard.

        Reply
  19. Alison says

    August 31, 2018 at 8:22 AM

    Love Lula and Blythe!
    What about just Bea? Lula and Bea is adorable

    Also:

    Maude
    Nellie
    Penny
    Ruby
    Sage
    True
    Juno
    Nova
    May
    Tate/Tatum
    Vienna
    Dolly/Dot/Dottie
    Kit

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      August 31, 2018 at 10:30 PM

      Lula and Bea is genius. I love it. I also love the suggestions of Betty and Polly.

      Reply
  20. Allison says

    August 31, 2018 at 8:18 AM

    Portia is a lovely option that is both familiar yet uncommon!

    Reply
  21. Allison says

    August 31, 2018 at 8:17 AM

    Portia is a lovely option that’s is both familiar yet uncommon!

    Reply
  22. Laura Powell says

    August 31, 2018 at 7:58 AM

    Hello, from Abbey’s I think Scout sounds lovely with big sisters name if your still unsure how about:
    Ada
    Alma
    Blythe
    Cleo
    Daisy
    Ella
    Eliza
    Flora
    Gaia
    Hebe
    Ida
    Jean
    Katya
    Lilah
    Molly
    Maura
    Nova
    Nell
    Odette
    Opel
    Petra
    Quintana nn quinn
    Verity
    Willa
    Xanthe
    Zelie

    Good luck

    Reply
    • Emma says

      September 1, 2018 at 9:50 AM

      Lula & Blythe would be darling together!

      Reply

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