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!
Reanna writes:
Hi! I am pregnant with my third girl and I’m stumped on names!
My 2 daughters are Aria and Eva.
I love the names Ella and Lola, but Ella is too close to Eva, and my husband dislikes Lola.
His pick is Layla or Cora.
I’m undecided about Layla.
Cora is cute, but we have a niece named Coral, so that’s out in my opinion.
Help!
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your third girl!
Three-in-a-row does mean that you’ve probably used up a bunch of your favorites, right?
And I agree – Eva would be very close to Ella, so it’s not ideal.
Cousins called Cora and Coral sound awfully close. It might be workable if Coral is a) much older; b) doesn’t live anywhere close enough to visit regularly; and c) has a different last name. Preferably some combination of all three! But it sounds like that’s not the case, so that rules out Cora.
It’s tempting to suggest Nora, Flora, and Aurora as substitutes – but I’m guessing you’ve already ruled them out?
Thinking about Aria and Eva, they’re definitely short and sweet. But maybe there’s a little glam, there too?
A SISTER FOR ARIA and EVA
BELLA
The -bella sound is big, from Isabella to Bellamy. But that doesn’t take anything away from this name. It’s high-energy and bright, with an irresistible meaning: beautiful.
ISLA
Isla is a little bit like Ella, but it’s visually different. And the long-I sound – eye-lah – seems distinct, too.
LILY
Are you open to a name that doesn’t end with a? Because Lily seems like a natural alternative to Layla and Lola.
LUNA
You’re so close on L names! Have you ever considered Luna? It’s a night sky favorite with a cool, current sound and vintage status – a lot like your older daughters’ names!
LYLA
Also spelled Lila and Lilah, the first syllable rhymes with sky. It’s an alternative to Lola and Layla, and maybe a great way for you to meet in the middle?
MILA
After listing Isla and Lyla, I have to pause and remind myself that Mila sounds like Mia-with-an-L: mee lah. It was the first name that came to mind when I read that Lola was out.
TESSA
A sweetly vintage name, Tessa sounds like a sister for Aria and Eva, but the sounds are completely different.
VERA
A strong and storied name, Vera can mean hope or truth.
WILLA
Another name in the Bella-Mila-Lola-Layla camp, with that great -la ending.
My favorite is Mila. Aria, Eva, and Mila feel like they share just enough style and sound to be perfect for sisters, without feeling like the names overlap.
But I wonder if a name like Isla or Luna might appeal to you both?
And, of course, the idea of Lyla could be the perfect not-quite-Lola, not-quite-Layla option.
Eliza sounds pretty with the others, though I’m not sure if you want to repeat an initial. I like the suggestion of Lyra, though I also see Layla working! Audrey or Ophelia? Florence? Daphne? Alice?
Abby, you nailed it! No need to add more options.
Lila, Luna and Mila are my fave’s from Abby’s suggestions.
Isla, Oona, Uma, Lula (Tallulah?), Yara, Olive, Sienna, Beata, Zoe, Zola, Josie, Posey, Remy, Jolie
What about Lyra? It links well with the musical meaning associated with Aria. I think Aria, Eva, and Lyra are lovely together.
I’m here for Orla, Lyla and Isla. They all have that starlet vibe to me, to go with the sisters. Sounds like you’re fine continuing with another a- ending, but not necessarily another vowel that us name nerds love for a pattern? LOL. If it were me, and especially if you’ll have more kids, I think I’d love another vowel – an I ideally – but not another a- ending, sooo…
Ivy
Izzy-Rose
Imogen
Ione
If you’re just trying to make a split between Lola and Layla, Lula is a great suggestion on here (and of course Lyla), or how about Luella or Lucia? Or Leanna as a nod to you?
Also, just to double check, your Eva is EE-va, not AA-va? I know two people (old adult, one child) who use the latter pronunciation so I never assume.
Aria, Eva, and Maia
Aria, Eva, and Rose (Rosa could also work)
Aria, Eva, and Violet
Aria, Eva, and Lena
Aria, Eva, and Mira
Aria, Eva, and Lucy
Aria, Eva, and Kiera
Aria, Eva, Eloise
Aria, Eva, Eleanor
Aira, Eva, Della
Aria, Eva, Orli or Liora
Aria, Eva, Una
Aria, Eva, Leia
Aria, Eva, Heidi
Aria, Eva, Nola
Is Etta different enough from Eva?
Orla, Isla, and Lyla are all excellent suggestions as well.
Lula is my suggestion.
Twyla or Orla!