Name Help: A Sister for Aurelia and Teodor

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!

Lo writes:

I could really use the power of the hive mind to find a name for my daughter, due in November.

Siblings are Aurelia Rae and Teodor Beckett.

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

Abby replies:

Congrats on baby number three!

Let’s talk about your style for a minute. When it comes to first children, I think style is one of those discussions that can be glossed over. Maybe you say you’re all about classic names but end up choosing Avery over Beatrice. That’s fine! Happens all the time.

But when you have two children already, especially when their names go together so well?

Style matters, because parents are forever striving to balance such things.

Aurelia and Teodor feel traditional but unexpected, nicely pan-European, delightfully elaborate. Both can be shortened, but in full? They’re rich in sound and meaning. And they’re current names, the kind of names that fit in on the playground, while still standing out – just a bit.

So we’re looking for a girl’s name that is:

• At least three syllables
• Has plenty of history
• Doesn’t sound too much like her siblings’ names
• Feels a little bit timeless, but very at-home in our moment, too
• Pairs well with a briefer, more modern middle

That’s a big list of requirements, and lots of names feel like they might fit … which feels like a really big challenge, doesn’t it?

A SISTER FOR AURELIA and TEODOR

CELESTE

Aurelia mixes strength with a certain prettiness. I think that’s true for Celeste, too, even though maybe it’s a little short.

DAVINA

Despite the long-time popularity of classic David, Davina has never quite caught on. But it fits with favorites like Olivia and Elena.

HELENA

Often I don’t suggest Helena because pronunciation can be a headache. But that’s true for Aurelia and Teodor, too, so I suspect that won’t scare you off a great name.

MARIANA

Like Teodor, Mariana is a classic. But it’s not often heard, at least not today. Then again, it depends on your frame of reference. Mariana ranks in the Top 100s of the Czech Republic and Chile. It’s big in Brazil. Spell it Marianna, and it also makes the Top 100 in Poland. Still, it feels just slightly different, just like Aurelia and Teodor.

PALOMA

I’m not sure if Paloma would conflict with your given name or feel like a subtle nod? It’s such a lovely name, Spanish for dove, with all sorts of ties to Pablo Picasso. I love the way it feels as richly meaningful and symbolic as Aurelia.

PERSEPHONE

Speaking of meaning and symbolism, in myth, it’s Persephone that brings the change of seasons. If you’re on board with longer given names, Persephone feels like a match for Teodor and Aurelia. And while it’s relatively uncommon, it fits right in with Chloe and Penelope.

SERENA

One of the first names that came to mind. Serena means peaceful – literally, serene. It’s feminine, timeless, and works in several languages.

VERONICA

I’ve often called Veronica a quirky classic. I stand by that description, and yet, I don’t think that’s your style – but Veronica still feels like a fit. Maybe it’s the rhythm and length with Aurelia and Teodor, or maybe it’s the sense that all three names offer lots of history.

Overall, I’m stuck on Paloma – if it’s not a clash with your given name. My second choice is probably Serena. But let’s open this up to the community.

What would you name a sister for Aurelia Rae and Teodor Beckett?