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!
Jess writes:
We have two boys, Arlo James and Hayes Wyatt. Boy names are easy for us, and we sort of assumed that this would be another boy. Our top choice was Beckett, probably with the middle name Cameron.
To be honest, I’m sort of surprised that we’re having a girl! My husband is one of four boys and I have two younger brothers, so I’m very into being a boy mom. We’ve never really talked about girl names. The ones my husband has suggested so far – Emma and Bella – are names that I’ve heard a lot. Or things like Olivia, just too fussy for me.
So I guess we want:
- Not something that we already hear all the time
- Not something with a nickname (I’m Jessica, but I don’t like my full name AT ALL and find it annoying to have to always say “please call me Jess.”
- Not something too long or princess-y
- Not something that sounds like another brother (My sister is trying to convince us to just name her Beckett and call her Bex, but I’m not into it)
Our last name is very Irish – M@c plus C@arthy. But we don’t feel especially Irish, and we’ve tried to avoid the most Irish-y names like Liam, Aidan, etc. even though we like them.
One name we both sort of like is Ruby, but do Arlo, Hayes, and Ruby go together?
Please read on for my response and please leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your daughter!
I know what you mean … when you get in the groove with boy names, it’s tough to wrap your head around girl names, isn’t it?
Let’s start with the good news. If you absolutely had to choose your daughter’s name TODAY, then Ruby would be great. It’s fun with your last name. It works as a sister for Arlo and Hayes. And I think it meets all of your criteria: not too fussy, clearly feminine, nickname-proof. You might hear it a little more than you’d like – Ruby has ranked in the US Top 100 since 2013.
But my guess is that you’d be delighted with a daughter named Ruby.
Let’s try on some more names, though, because sometimes looking through a list is the best way to cement your favorite name – or fall in love with something new!
A SISTER FOR ARLO and HAYES
COLETTE
Originally a French nickname for Nicole (via Nicolette), Colette has long been an independent name. Tailored and feminine, it might be exactly what you’re looking for, especially since you loved the sound of Beckett.
EDEN
It’s a little bit Biblical name, a little bit nature-inspired. But mostly Eden just feels current, a frills-free name for a daughter.
IVY
Ivy packs a lot of sound into just three letters. Brief and complete, it’s the kind of name that feels traditional and fresh at the same time.
LYRIC
While we’re talking about Ivy, how about Lyric? Music-inspired word names can be a great choice, familiar to all but not as popular as, say, Willow or Rose.
JUNO
This goddess name is upbeat and energetic. And while it repeats Arlo’s o-ending, it still sounds like a distinct and different choice.
MAREN
At first glance, Maren seems like another surname name. Except it isn’t at all – it’s a tailored form of Mary.
SAGE
Sage is a little bit of everything – a shade of green, a virtue name signalling wisdom, a nature name referring to the herb. You might also spell it Saige, but the dictionary spelling remains most popular.
WREN
One more word name: Wren, as in the bird. While most people will see it as a nature name, it’s also close to surname names in terms of style and sound.
Overall, I love the sound of Maren – especially with your surname! But if it’s too last-name-like, I wonder if you’d like Ivy? It’s slightly more popular than Ruby, but that V sound is so distinctive. In fact, I really like Maren Ivy as a full name!
Ruby is a lovely name! I’d go for it.
If you want more options, here are some ideas, based on Emma and Bella:
Stella
Willow
Lily
Hazel
Leah
Petra
Chloe
I love suggestions of Maren and Ivy.
Not sure if these have been given already:
Arlo, Hayes, Laken
Arlo, Hayes, June
Arlo, Hayes, Palmer
Arlo, Hayes, Rowan
Arlo, Hayes, Sawyer
Arlo, Hayes, Gracen
I like Willow, Lena, and Mae.
Nora was my first thought. But I like the suggestions of Zara or Thea too. Or mix the two for Tara! What about something like Hope or Joy?
I kind of like the combo Tara Cameron.
Arlo James, Hayes Wyatt and Tara Cameron.
Since your husband likes Emma, have you considered Gemma? It seems like a logical alternative to Ruby (but less common) and I like the sound of it with your boys’ names.
Alternatives to Bella: Nella or Zella? Both feels a little more lively than Bella.
Or how about Liv, instead of the full Olivia?
Willa
I feel like the only reason not to go with Ruby if you really liked it would be if you were determined to avoid anything in the top 100.
Other ideas…
Freya
Lyra
Laurel
Daisy
Willa
Kaia
Romy
Afton
Adair
Adele
Delphine
Sabine
Sylvie
Greer! First one I thought of. Also loved the suggestions of Juno, Ivy, Blair, Lara, Zara, Maren, Sky and Eden for you.
Mae
Brighton
Callie or Calla
Eva or Eve
Lina
Gemma
Blythe
Odette
Isla
Luna
Lark or Larkin
Lake or Laken
Piper
Ruby works great! I also like the suggestion of Nina that some commenters had, and Abby’s suggestion of Ivy. I’ll throw in Briar as well! Arlo, Hayes, and Briar. Please let us know what you decide!
I do think Ruby is just fine with your boys. And I like Abby’s suggestion of Maren!
How do you like Pearl or Jovie?
Ruby is an excellent choice!
Cora
Liv
Ada
Opal
Irene
Sky
Petra
Viola
Thea
Joy
Coral
Fern
I really think Ruby is perfect with Arlo and Hayes. AND it still leaves the door open for a future Beckett, if that’s in the cards.
If y’all are still looking for alternatives though, maybe:
Arlo, Hayes, and Lily
Arlo, Hayes, and Pearl
Arlo, Hayes, and Eve
Arlo, Hayes, and Nina
I love Arlo, Hayes, and Ruby! I think those work really well together. I also think Abby’s suggestion of Ivy would be really sweet with those names. My only other idea was Opal for a less common gem name that feels very spunky and in your style!
Opal is so good
I think you absolutely nailed it with Ruby, fits all your criteria and sounds fantastic with your boys’ names. Plus it has 4 letters like Arlo but shares a “y” with Hayes – ties them all together perfectly to me. Similar to Ruby for me is Hazel but obviously not with a brother Hayes.
I like Ruby.
A few different but no nickname choices worth a thought are Nina, Olive (a simplified version of Olivia) or Lara.
Beryl is the combination of Beckett and Ruby and is a shade of green.
Bette unless you want to reserve Beckett for future use, otherwise Blair and Sloane were my first thoughts for you. Leighton also sticks with the surname vibe, but has overwhelmingly feminine association. Zara, Leia, and Thea all sound great with your boys’ names as well.
The first thing I thought of was Lucy, but that might be too popular (it’s #45).
Checking near the popularity range of your boys’ names, these options pop out
Arlo, Hayes, and Jane
Arlo, Hayes, and Juliet
Arlo, Hayes, and Brooke
Arlo, Hayes, and Phoebe
Arlo, Hayes, and Lena
Arlo, Hayes, and Annie