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Name Help: A Sister for Claire Elizabeth

December 30, 2022 By appellationmountain 20 Comments

Name Help: A Sister for Claire ElizabethName 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!

Meg writes:

My husband and I are expecting our second child, a girl, in February.

Our daughter is Claire Elizabeth. Elizabeth is my middle name, and my mother’s first name. We both liked Claire.

While I love her name, I sometimes wish that we’d found something a little more different or exciting. She has friends with names like Eirlys, Gwendoline, Micah, and Aspen. It’s not that I like any of those names specifically, but I see that we had more choices than we really thought about.

While my husband is open to lots of names, he doesn’t share my sense that we missed out a little, and he isn’t interested in the names I’ve suggested so far, like Echo and Prairie. He thinks they sound kind of crazy on their own, and especially not with a sister named Claire.

Can you and your readers help us think about names that might be a little more creative, but not super out there?

Our last name sounds like Johnson with a BR.

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

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new daughter!

Claire Elizabeth is a timeless, sophisticated name that will serve your daughter well throughout her life.

Still, I see what you mean. Sometimes our worries about names being too different pushes us to choose names that are safer than we might otherwise wish. That’s not to say that you should’ve named her Dewdrop or Moonbeam or Hephzibah, but I can appreciate the urge to consider a wider list of possibilities this time around.

I think one of the keys is recognizing that there are lots of different directions to go.

  • You can choose an equally classic name that’s much less common. Frances, Helen, Marie, Meredith, and Pearl are all traditional, familiar names – just much less popular in this generation than Claire.
  • Or consider an equally tailored name that’s a little more modern. Nature names like Wren and surname names like Sloane strike a more contemporary note, but still sound right when said next to Claire.
  • Keep the first name classic, but choose a more daring middle. Since Elizabeth is a family name, could there be another, bolder family name – like a surname, nickname, or another unexpected choice?

I’m not sure which direction to suggest, but so let’s try a few different things.

BAY

We’re used to women called Kay, and a new generation answers to River and Ocean. So how ’bout Bay? It’s bold, but not so dramatic that it couldn’t be a name for Claire’s sister.

GEMMA

The Italian word for jewel, and a name that brings to mind long-time favorite Emma, while still sounding memorably distinct.

LAINE

I like Laine with Claire – visually similar, but they sound distinct. Bonus: even though Laine reads like a smooth, modern surname, it also brings to mind the traditional Elaine.

LIV

Olivia is the top name in the US, and popular across the English-speaking world. But Liv is a separate, Scandi name meaning “life.” It’s brief, sharp, and just a little bit different.

MABEL

I wonder if you’d like something sparky and vintage like Mabel? It’s a departure from Claire, but only slightly.

MAUDE

A medieval form of Matilda, Maude and Claire sound like sisters to me – but no one expects to meet a baby named Maude.

SCOUT

This would be all sporty, capable word name. Except, of course, To Kill a Mockingbird makes it literary. And I think they sound great together.

VERA

A vintage name with two great meanings – faith and truth – Vera seems like an unexpected match that works nicely.

Overall, I love the look of Claire and Laine, but I’m more drawn to a combination like Claire and Gemma. Bonus points if Gemma’s middle name is a family name that’s a little less traditional. Or maybe even Maude? Claire Elizabeth and Maude Madeline could be perfect.

It really does depend on how you’d like to turn the dial on different.

Readers, over to you. What would you name a sister for Claire Elizabeth that’s just a little more daring?

More names you might like:

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth says

    January 5, 2023 at 11:55 AM

    My niece is Claire Elizabeth, named after me, her sister is Olivia Katherine

    Reply
  2. Em says

    January 3, 2023 at 2:06 AM

    Hazel
    Alice
    Juliet

    Reply
  3. Lynette says

    January 1, 2023 at 10:41 AM

    Loved the suggestion of Laine. Laine Margaret

    Reply
  4. The Mrs. says

    December 30, 2022 at 10:32 PM

    Claire and…

    Geneva
    Blanche
    Amabel
    Eloise
    Estelle
    Corinne
    Terese
    Rosamond

    Congratulations and best wishes!

    Reply
  5. Erin Beth says

    December 30, 2022 at 9:40 PM

    Maeve
    Neve/Niamh
    Blythe
    Joy
    June
    Colette

    Reply
  6. Emmy says

    December 30, 2022 at 7:59 PM

    I like so many suggestions, especially Gemma.
    I’m going to suggest thinking about family name links.
    I note that Claire has the middle name Elizabeth after you and your mum.
    Thinking about this little girl it would be nice if she had a connection to her mum too.
    You could do a variation of Elizabeth as her first name.
    Elise
    Eliza
    Elsie

    I noticed you are Meg, a variation of Margaret. My suggestion is to springboard of your first name.
    Maisie This feels familiar like Claire but isn’t too crazy different. Potential nickname Mae
    Pearl
    Greta
    Mae
    Margo
    Margaret nn Maggie

    I think Maisie is perfect. Add the long flowing Isabella as the middle like her sister. Isabella is a variation of Elizabeth.
    Claire Elizabeth and Maisie Isabella

    Alternatively you could use Isabella as the first name.
    Isabella Pearl is gorgeous.

    If you liked Gemma then perhaps
    Gemma Isabelle

    Reply
  7. Maclary says

    December 30, 2022 at 6:28 PM

    I LOVE Claire. It’s part of my name and one of my daughters has it as a middle name. I think it’s perfect, timeless and pretty. I think you could really go in any direction you want for your second daughter’s name, but please don’t feel disappointed in your choice of Claire’s name because it really is a lovely name.

    You’ve received plenty of great suggestions so far. I’ll add Margaret, Eleanor, Louisa, Daniela, Laura, Priscilla, Esther, Georgia, Susanna, Rachel, Daisy, Ursula, Ingrid, Thora, Rosalie …

    Or you could emphasise Claire’s Frenchness and go for another French name – you’ve got some suggestions already – Genevieve, Simone, Yvette, Giselle, Estelle etc, or perhaps something like Monique, Veronique, Odette, Isabelle?

    Reply
  8. Michelle says

    December 30, 2022 at 6:04 PM

    I love the name Claire!! It is beautiful. I also get looking at the wise array of possible names and wanting to make a “less safe” choice. I like a lot of the suggestions that have been made, especially Maude and Vera. I also think you could lean into the French thing with Claire in looking for a sister’s name such as: Margot, Eloise, Amelie, Lilou, Odette.

    Reply
  9. keats says

    December 30, 2022 at 5:46 PM

    My first thogh Greta. Claire and Greta seem like solid sister names but Greta is quite a bit more rare.

    I really like Iris. Claire and Iris

    What about Gloria? Visually similar but Gloria is much more rare. Claire and
    Gloria

    Or Fiona? Claire and Fiona.

    Or Laurel. Claire and Laurel.

    With Claire as the first child name., You have so many great options to define your naming style.

    Reply
  10. Jean C. says

    December 30, 2022 at 5:30 PM

    For what it’s worth, I love Claire. It reminds me of names (like Elizabeth) that never go out of style.
    Abby’s and readers suggestions are really great! Other (or repeat) names that I like with Claire: Delphine, Simone, Alice, Lydia, Sylvie, Phoebe, Maeve, Eloise, Ivy.

    Reply
  11. Alyssa says

    December 30, 2022 at 4:48 PM

    Some names that come to mind are Lena, Penelope, Lucy, Audrey, Brynn and Elise.

    Reply
  12. ab says

    December 30, 2022 at 4:01 PM

    I love the name Claire! In fact, I chose it for my daughter’s middle name. Her first name is Meredith. As you can imagine, I think Meredith would be a lovely name to pair with big sister Claire. My other daughters have Queens of England names, so Meredith was a “bold” choice for us!

    Other names I like with Claire:
    Athena — Thea is a possible nickname.
    Esme — EZ-may
    Francesca — Lots of nickname options; I’m partial to Ceska (actually Česká, pronounced CHEH-skuh), Chess, Chessa, or Chessie.
    Melanie
    Phoebe
    Tessa — I also like Tess and Therese/Thérèse, which could lead to Tessa or Tess as nicknames.
    Zara

    Reply
  13. Just another Nicole says

    December 30, 2022 at 3:16 PM

    Love the suggestions of Gemma, Wren, Marie, Pearl, and Maud. Any of these would capture the classic grace of Claire plus a little something daring.
    Consider maybe too:
    Irene
    Hollis
    Delphine
    Zelda
    Phaedra
    Allegra
    Tabitha or
    Fern

    Reply
  14. Millie D says

    December 30, 2022 at 3:09 PM

    I personally like the unexpected classics train of thought to pair with Claire. Perhaps Ida Josephine, Alma Violet, Agnes Christabel, Olive Irene, Sylvie/Sylvia Lenore, Ada Louise

    Reply
  15. Kim says

    December 30, 2022 at 2:28 PM

    Some ideas here.

    Claire Elizabeth and…

    Polly Josephine
    Mabel Penelope
    Iris Alexandra
    Louise Antonia
    Flora Hermione
    Tess Cordelia

    Reply
  16. Renee says

    December 30, 2022 at 1:10 PM

    I agree that Claire Elizabeth is timelessly beautiful. If it were me I’d go for Jane or Grace. Another name that no one would be able to place in a certain generation.

    But I do completely feel you on the tempting alternates – the more classic set, the more elaborate set, the more daring set. I’ve made up a few imaginary alternates for my girls. And over the years, they’ve let me know their current ‘wish I was a .’ But if you’ve been thoughtful on you naming, I think you’ve just gotta trust your choice. Honestly meeting a Claire these days feels more refreshing than an Aspen.

    I absolutely love Maude on Abby’s list. (It’s 100% thanks to Inbestigators.) I think Claire & Maude give the set a British feel. Gemma is similar. How about Orla, Quinn, Nell, Iris, Holly, Ivy, Nola, Resz, Lucy, Cate?

    Reply
  17. Steph J says

    December 30, 2022 at 12:42 PM

    My oldest is named Claire Elizabeth. Her sisters are Julianna Grace (we call her “Annie”) and Olivia Kathryn.

    Reply
  18. Andrea says

    December 30, 2022 at 8:53 AM

    Lots of different options. I would probably take a look at the 2022 U.S. popularity stats and pay close attention to names with between 200 and 500 uses. You will have heard of them but they are still somewhat unusual.

    Here are some I might suggest: Ada, Adele, Annalise, Beatrix, Belinda, Bethany, Blythe, Bronwyn, Brynn, Cecile, Cecily, Celia, Celine, Coral, Daphne, Delia, Elowen, Emmaline, Estelle, Evalise, Faye, Fenella, Flora, Genevieve, Giselle, Haven, Helen, Helene, Hope, Irene, Iris, Josephine, Juliette, Laurel, Lillian, Lina, Louise, Lucille, Lucinda, Maeve, Marie, Mathilde, Mirabelle, Moira, Natalie, Olive, Opal, Phoebe, Rosalind, Rosalyn, Rose, Rosemary, Ruth, Talia, Thea, Una, Vivian, Xanthe, Yvette, Yvonne, Zora

    Reply
  19. Iris says

    December 30, 2022 at 8:27 AM

    I love your first daughter’s name, but I understand the need for something less safe, so here are a few ideas:
    Ruby
    Fiona
    Luella
    Marigold
    Petra
    Gianna
    Sienna
    Zara
    Phoebe
    Naomi
    For the middle, something long like Elizabeth, but a little more unexpected:
    Genevieve
    Mirabelle
    Beatrice
    I think something like Sienna Genevieve works with Claire Elizabeth: different but within the same classic lines.

    Reply
  20. Marisa says

    December 30, 2022 at 8:07 AM

    How about Matilda “Tilly”, Tabitha, Florence, Alice, Beatrice or Beatrix, Betsy or Betty, Stella, Maeve, Manon, or Sabine?

    Reply

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