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!
Kelsey writes:
We’re expecting our second baby in July, a sister for Charlotte Jeanne.
If this baby were a boy, we’d have gone with Henry Joseph, which was our boy name for Charlotte. But it’s a girl!
We’d previously agreed to name a second daughter Elizabeth, but I’m having second thoughts.
First of all, we know a few Elizabeths. And while I don’t regret Charlotte’s name and it suits her so well, I’m bothered a little that it’s a Top Ten name. I’m not a wild and crazy namer AT ALL, so I’m not saying I want something different. It’s more a feeling that Elizabeth just doesn’t excite me.
Also, because we know some little Elizabeths, I expect that we’ll end up calling her something else. The ones we know are Ellie and Lizzie. Which is fine, but I really like that Charlotte is always just Charlotte.
I keep looking at lists, but nothing is jumping out at me. Can you and your readers help?
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Abby replies:
How exciting to be expecting a second daughter!
So often we have a rock solid list of names for our children … but then, once we start our families, that list shifts in subtle ways.
It sounds like having a child – and spending more time with other families of young children – has made you realize some things about Elizabeth. Because I agree – while I know plenty of Elizabeths who use the name in full, there’s a real temptation to shorten it for a child.
Happily, there are lots of traditional girl names that fall into the same broad Charlotte/Elizabeth category that might address your concerns – and make a great name for Charlotte’s sister!
I’ll draw from my list of substitutes for Charlotte, plus a few more than seem to fit your style.
NAMES FOR CHARLOTTE’S SISTER
ADELAIDE
Another royal name with a distinctive sound.
ELIZA
Here’s a thought: while we tend to shorten Elizabeth, I typically hear Eliza used in full. Would this name appeal to you instead?
JOSEPHINE
Elegant, spirited, and like Charlotte, gently French.
LOUISE
Every bit as classic as Charlotte, and not likely to be shortened.
MARGOT
A rising favorite, another traditional name that feels twenty-first century ready.
PENELOPE
An energetic name that’s just plain fun to say.
ROSALIE
Rose might work, but it’s a little short maybe. Rosalie could be the perfect sister name for Charlotte.
VIVIAN
Tailored and upbeat, Vivian isn’t quite as classic as Charlotte, but it’s a solid style match.
Josephine was very first thought. But my favorites for you are Margot and Vivian – familiar, but not nearly as popular.
I’m not sure how it would sound with your surname or any middles you have in mind, but I can imagine happily saying “These are my daughters, Charlotte and Margot” time and time again.
Charlotte and Henry and Elizabeth read “British Royalty” to me, so if you want inspiration, perhaps looking at those family trees would beget inspiration? =) Alternatively, if you want to AVOID that look, something like Roselie or Grace will dispel that impression.
Rosalie, Georgia, and Victoria would all be great with Charlotte.
Dorothy
Annalise
Eleanor/Elinor
Louise
If nicknames are your thing, could you see yourself using Betty as a nn for Elizabeth?
Lydia, Anna, Sophie, Ella, Genevieve or Emily.
I really like the suggestion of Margot I would like to add : Adrienne * Laura * Violet * Hazel * Mabel *
I love so many suggestions from Abby and in the comment – Louise and Rosalie (or Rose) jump out at me from Abby’s list. I also think Lucy, Alice, and Victoria all feel like perfect fits from the comments. If you want to keep something similar to Elizabeth but a little less common and less likely to shorten to a nickname, I love Elise (or maybe Bethany?) Also maybe Lydia?
I think the suggestions of Alice, Iris, Eliza, Isabelle and Lucille are perfect. I’ll add Beatrice, Matilda, Sylvie, Elise, Rosalind.
Estelle
Beth
Helena
Rose
Meredith
Willow
Susan/Suzette
Jewel
Gwendolyn
Skye
Jane
Fern
Clementine
I think that the name Charlotte leaves a lot of room to choose either another true classic name or one that is traditional, but perhaps quite not as timeless. I love the suggestions of Lucy, Alice, Victoria, Nora, Eloise, and Annabelle/Annabel, as well as Josephine and Margot from Abby’s list. I think this is a great list to start off with, but I’d also like to add a few names that I haven’t seen suggested yet:
Sophie Isabelle Lucia/Lucille Audrey Eleanor Stella Sadie Valerie Iris Molly Georgia Olive Miriam Other Margaret nicknames, such as Maisie, Greta, and Daisy Dorothy Julia
So my first thought was of course Josephine too. But I’m thinking that Victoria is way better. Not top ten but definitely historical credentials. Plus while you can shorten Victoria, it isn’t a default. Vicky is to Charlie – optional but not inherent. And I personally love repetition of letters between sibling names, so the repeat of c, a, r, o, & t is a huge plus for me. To me, it makes the names sound like they belong (which is completely a personal preference thing). Charlotte and Victoria. And plenty of room for Henry if you decide to continue!
Love Margot, Louise, Grace, Lucy, Marie, Alice. I’d lean into standalone names so was coming here to suggest Audrey, but above poster has good point if you are saving Henry. Other ideas: Willa, Fiona, Gemma, Nina, Daphne.
Anna, Audrey (unless you’re still reserving Henry), Autumn, Lucy, Nora. I really love Eliza and Rose. Since it’s pretty common these days for kids to go by long formal names with no nickname, if you like Elizabeth but not Ellie or Lizzie, you could squash any nicknames that arise (at least until she’s school age, when she can make her own decision). While Elizabeth is an evergreen favorite, it’s probably a lot less common to hear a mom call “Elizabeth!” across a playground than “Charlotte!” since so many Elizabeths do use a nickname.
I love Charlotte & Adelaide!
Also, I can’t not suggest my daughters’ names, which are always used in full:
Charlotte & Harriet
Charlotte & Susannah
I’ll throw in the names of the sisters of some Charlottes I know: Grace, Madeline, and Rebecca. Also Emma, which might be too popular for you, but would you like Emmeline?
Or would you like Annabel? It appeals in many of the same ways Elizabeth does but is less expected.
Catherine, Naomi, Eloise, Marie, Andrea.
If you want a classic name that’s not super popular, then I suggest Rose.
Or you could choose Lucy, Claire or Grace, which are popular, but not that popular.
But since you seem to have a preference for British royal names, I have to suggest Victoria or Alice.