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!
Jessie writes:
We have two boys, Alexander “Alex” John, 7, and Ezekiel “Zeke” James, 5. After thinking our family was complete, we’re expecting our third (and this time definitely last!) baby) early in the new year. It’s a girl!
With both of our boys, our girl name was Olivia Mary. Much as I still love the name, I don’t think it’s right for us anymore. We’ve heard it a lot, and there are Olivias in both of our boys’ classes this year. Maybe I’ve just sort of moved on. My husband is happy to still use Olivia, but he’s open to other names, too.
Here are the names that we’re considering now:
ELIZA – Except I don’t like the nicknames Ellie or Lizzie, and I love the way our boys have nicknames. (Olivia would’ve been Livvie.)
NORA – It just sounds so simple next to Alexander and Ezekiel, right? My niece is Eleanor, so that’s out, and I think Eleanora would be too similar, too. Someone suggested Honora or Annora, but they’re not really us.
VIVIAN – I do like Vivi, but Vivian is just kind of okay for me. Our last name is similar to Johnson, and I don’t like the N-N ending sounds.
We’d love some new ideas!
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughter!
Olivia could be the perfect sister name for Alexander and Ezekiel – Alex, Zeke, and Livvie. But I hear what you’re saying. After a few years, sometimes a name that we haven’t used just feels like it belongs in the past.
Plus, Alexander and Ezekiel are names with lots of sound. They’re not really different, exactly – but they’re distinctive choices. A name like Nora does get a little lost next to them, though it sounds more balanced with Alex and Zeke.
So let’s see if we can find some fairly mainstream names with stand-out sounds. We’re looking for something a little longer, with a sparky nickname, too.
A SISTER FOR ALEXANDER “ALEX” AND EZEKIEL “ZEKE”
CECILIA “CECE”
An obvious substitute for Olivia, Cecilia is popular and traditional, but a little less common. I think Cece goes beautifully with your boys’ names.
CORDELIA “CORA”
We all recognize the name Cordelia, but it’s currently outside of the US Top 1000. Nickname Cora makes it even more accessible.
GENEVIEVE “VIVI”
Since you like Vivi, but not Vivian, would the same nickname work for Genevieve? Or maybe another name with a strong VIV sound? There’s always romance language Viviana.
JUNIPER “JUNIE”
The first name that came to mind. Spirited nature name Juniper is actually in the US Top 200, and has more history than you’d guess. Nickname Junie is warm and high energy, but still traditional.
MARIANNE “MIMI”
Or Miriam called Mimi. Or Miri! There’s whole cluster of names related to Mary and Mary Anne with lots of potential. I think Marianne feels like an enduring choice, though it’s currently outside of the US Top 1000. Mariana is more popular.
ROSEMARY “ROMY”
Along the same lines as Marianne, would you consider Rosemary? It’s delightfully old-fashioned, but nickname Romy is all kinds of modern. Rosalie called Rosie is another good choice.
THEODORA “TESS”
There are a surprising number of nicknames for Theodora. I like Tess best with Alex and Zeke, but you could easily consider Thea, Thora, or any of these possibilities. My one hesitation with Tess, of course – maybe it’s too close to your name?
VERONICA “VERA”
A quirky classic, Veronica has history to spare and an arresting, unforgettable sound. But we don’t think of it in the same category as Margaret or Katherine, and I think that makes it a perfect sister name for Alexander and Ezekiel. My favorite nickname is actually Vica, but Vera might be the better choice for your family.
Juniper was my very first thought, and I’m still a fan. Except I’m not sure if it would clash with your sounds-like-Johnson last name or not. If not Juniper, I think I’d vote for Veronica called Vera.
My first thought was Alexander, Ezekiel, and…
JACQUELINE Mary — “Jackie”, “Lina”, or “Leigh/Lee”
Other recommendations…
ZENAIDA Mary — “Zee”, “Zenna”, or “Zadi/Zadie” like “Sadie”
LOUISA Mary — nicknames could be “Lou”, “Lulu”, “Isa”, or “Izzie” (definitely has my vote along with another commenter, so there must be some appeal?)
ROSALIND Mary — she could be “Roz/Ros”, “Rosie”, “Sally”, “Rose”, or “Lindy/Lindie”
Best of luck on your journey for the right name! Hope we’re not confusing you too much w/ options.
Ophelia could be a good alternative to Olivia. Nn could be Fifi, Ollie, Lia or for a stretch I really like Opal.
Lavinia is a fabulous suggestion and I second it! Nn Livvie or Vinnie.
Olympia would give you another vowel different from A and E. Three syllables. Nickname could be Oly.
Alex@nder, Ezeki3l and Olympia
Alex, Zeke and Oly (Ollie)
Using Elizabeth would give you all its many nicknames to choose from….
Ibby, Zibby, Tibby, Liese……
Isobel (Isabelle) is another great vowel name not beginning with A or E. Nickname could be Issy or Belle.
Alexand3r Ezeki3l and…
Elizabeth
Elise
Alex, Zeke and Libby, Lise or Lisi
My oldest’s name is the same as your oldest’s but flipped. So… since my third baby was another boy, I offer you my girl names.
Eliana, nn Anna or Annie
Anastasia nn Sia or Annie
Annika, nn Annie
Adelaide, nn Della (I couldn’t figure out how to get Annie from this one )
But maybe you don’t want to repeat initials. So how about
Alexander, Ezekiel & Lucia
Alexander, Ezekiel & Phoebe
Or Alexander, Ezekiel & Gwendolyn
Avianna — Ava or Vivi
Beatrix — Bee, Bebe, Betty, Trix, Trixie
Caroline — Carly, Caro, Carrie, Kiki
Isabelle — Zazie
Evangeline or Evelyn or Genevieve – Evie
Liliana — Lili
Lucinda — Lucy
Margot — Maggie, Gogo, etc.
Marigold — Goldie, Maggie, Mari, etc.
Susanna — Zuzu or Zanna
Virginia — Gigi
Isabel, Isabelle, or Isabella (nickname “Isa”, “Izzy”, or “Bella”) – Shares the subtle Z sound of your other children’s names
Eloise (nickname “Lo”, “Lolo”, “Lola”, or “Isa”) – Another subtle Z sound, not far from Eliza
Livia (nickname “Livvie”) – Similar sound to Olivia, but ranked at #774 in the U.S. as opposed to #1
Lenora (nickname “Nora”) – Another name that gives you “Nora” without being too close to Eleanor
Magnolia (nickname “Noli”) – The nickname has similar sounds to “Nora” and “Livvie”
Amelia has a similar feel to Olivia, I suggest Emilia as you won’t double up A names
I’m going to suggest looking at Olivia again but change up the nickname to Ivy. Olivia matches well as it’s 4 syllables starts with a vowel and includes V which is a rockstar letter like X and Z. I think having the different nickname makes it fresh.
Vivienne or Violet choosing a V name would bring in that V to match the boys rockstar letters Vivienne or Violet Vi, Ivy, Vivi
Victoria is more traditional but there are lots of modern nickname possiblities.
Evangeline or Evelyn nn Ever is another possibility as they start with a vowel.
Matilda Going back to Mary… I was thinking Matilda has that sassy feel with lots of nickname possiblities.
Florence nn Flora longer name with a nick name like Nora
Millicent Milli Mila
An9ther name suggestion that feels familiar but a bit sassy to me
Saskia
Lydia nn Lydie
Susanna nn Zuzu or Suki
Louisa nn Lulu or Isa
Aurelia nn Goldie or Lia
Mirabel nn Miri or Mimi
Genevieve nn Vivi immediately came to my mind reading your comment about Vivan, so I endorse Abby’s suggestion. I also wonder if Vivienne might have that extra spark you’re looking for – it sounds the same as Vivian to me, but looks so much more distinctive. Or what about Viveka or Aviva? I also wanted to suggest Liviana as an alternative to Olivia, so I’ll add in Aviana as well.