UPDATE: She’s here! Scroll to the end of the post to discover the great name Renee and her husband chose for their new addition!
Renee writes:
My husband and I are expecting our second daughter in late November, a little sister for Georgia Louise.
The name Georgia is so perfect for us. There are Georges in both of our families, plus my maternal grandmother’s middle name was Georgina. We love the name because it’s spunky and strong and we hadn’t heard it on anyone except a neighbour our age. We know now that it’s more common than we thought … not super happy about that but no regrets about her name because it suits her perfectly.
We’ve given up trying to find a name as epic to honour family.
We don’t want:
- Another feminized name, so lovely Harriet, Simone, Willa are out.
- It’s not a must, but I’d love a name that doesn’t repeat the two-syllable ends-in-an-a sound – kinda sing-songy with Georgia.
- I generally also like to name a child what you’ll call her – Georgia is just Georgia (so far) and my husband and I are strictly no-nickname too.
I like names that age well and would rather err on the side of too dusty than too cutesy.
Our children will have my husband’s surname which is Hick but add an Sc to the front. It’s a nightmare to pair! I had to give up one of my favourites (Holly) for this reason and most one-syllable names are out as they’re too abrupt (so long Tess and Quinn.)
Here is our current list, along with some questions:
- Maggie – This was the other choice for Georgia. Both strong spunky names in our opinion. My hesitation with using it is that my in-laws had a dog named Maggie who passed away six years ago. My husband has always loved this name and says it’s fine. However, it also seems like every second dog we meet lately is named Maggie. Would you be annoyed to have a common dog name?
- Margo – This feels so perfect with Georgia and I just love the name. French flair, short and spunky and strong. The only hesitation is that it’s my sister-in-law’s mother’s name. I don’t like choosing names already in use in our circles. Does this name ‘belong’ more to my nieces and their cousins to use someday?
- Frances – I feel like this name matches the spunkiness of Georgia. But it kinda bends my ‘no more feminized masculine names’. Plus, that (now former) neighbour named Georgia? Her husband’s name is Frank. Borderline creepy if we ever run into them?
- Roseanne – This name honors our mothers, Joanne and (Melanie) Rose. Rose is a big name on my maternal side. I love Rosie or Annie, despite my no-nickname thing. I actually like that it’s the least-favoured of the Rose variations. It’ll probably land in the middle if we don’t use it.
- Adele – I find this name elegant and spunky. I have a French background and hubby has many French-Canadian friends, so we find ourselves attracted to French names that can work in English well.
- Cleo – This name came to me randomly during our latest ultrasound. A friend reminded me it’s your daughter’s (nick)name! Perhaps you’re best to answer the question – can it age well? I can’t do Caroline to get to it and I find Clementine too southern to go with Georgia.
Names that might be perfect but we cannot use: Lucy, Stella, Sadie, Eloise, Lydia, Fiona, Edie, Penelope, Hazel, Claire, Caroline, Josephine, Daphne.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! We’re open to suggestions, though it does feel like we’ve scoured every possibility.
Read on for my reply, and please leave your thoughtful ideas and suggestions in the comments.
Hi Renee –
Georgia Louise is lovely. It does sound like the stars aligned when you chose your daughter’s name!
Which makes you yet another victim of We-Already-Used-Our-Favorite-Name syndrome.
And yet, you’ve got some great options on your list. Before we take a look at them, let’s talk about your questions.
Should we worry that this name is a dog name?
No.
Okay, that’s easy for me to say. My favorite baby name is *not* also the name of my in-law’s beloved deceased pet. However, what I do know is this: the overlap between popular baby names and popular pet names is huge. Maggie is popular for dogs. So are Charlie, Max, Bella, and Daisy. I know dogs named Molly, Luna, and Jake. We’d all have to rule out an awful lot of great names if the canine top ten were off limits.
Can we use my sister-in-law’s mom’s name?
It depends.
Let’s say you live in sunny California. Your brother and sister-in-law live in Texas. And her mom? Well, she’s long since retired to Florida.
In that case, Margo is absolutely available to you. You won’t often see the other Margo, and if one of her children does decide to name a grandchild in her honor, well … presumably your Margo won’t often see the others.
But if you all live in the same small town and bump into each other at the grocery store? That’s dicier. Even if you all attend the same family gatherings a few times a year, that can be potentially awkward, for all the reasons you’ve identified.
It doesn’t mean you have to cross the name off your list. But if that other Margo were someone I’d see often? I might.
Still Maggie and Margo could definitely stay on your lists.
And now, a question from me: what’s the reason you’re ruling out names that are feminine equivalents of classic masculine names? Do you fear being stuck in a pattern? Or is it something else? Because I do think Frances is a great sister name for Georgia, and there are others, like Harriet, that could be great, too.
Here’s my take on your list, starting with my favorite choice for your daughter.
Adele – Georgia and Adele are a sweetly vintage pair. They’re both formal names that could be shortened – but don’t necessarily invite nicknames. Adele goes nicely with your challenging surname. A perfect fit – except if you were really sold on Adele, I feel like you wouldn’t be writing.
Frances – Is your rule about no-more-feminine-forms one that was made to be broken? Because, like Georgia and Adele, Georgia and Frances are delightfully old-fashioned, but with lots of spirit. They sound like sisters from the 1880s – and yet are very much a modern match-up, too. (As for the former neighbor named Frank, who’s married to Georgia? I wouldn’t fret.)
Maggie – I love the way Maggie stands up to your surname. Georgia and Maggie sound like sisters. And while I’m a fan of formal names, there’s plenty of history for using just Maggie. Assuming you can overcome the canine connection – and I think you should! – Maggie is a great possibility.
Margo – This would be my #1 choice except I’m not clear if your sister-in-law’s mom is really a dealbreaker or not.
Cleo – It’s funny to talk about such an ancient name not aging well. After all, the most famous of the Cleopatras died in 30 BC. But I know what you mean. Still, I think Cleo is more substantial than Lulu or Gigi. No one really expects Cleo to be short for anything. And Cleo’s heyday, at least in the US, was the 1910s – meaning that the name is a vintage revival, not an only-in-2015 oddity. All together, I think Georgia and Cleo are good together, but Cleo does feel different from your other choices, so I wonder if it’s really singing to you?
Roseanne – Another lovely, graceful possibility. It’s been ages since Roseanne was on television, so I think the name is quite wearable. I was tempted to suggest just Rose – until I trying saying it with your surname. Doesn’t really work, does it? And yet, something about Roseanne gives me pause. Maybe it’s this: with all the family associations, Roseanne ought to feel like the obvious, go-to name for Georgia’s little sister. So if you haven’t embraced it, maybe that’s because it’s not quite right. I wouldn’t worry about your tendency to shorten it. Plenty of families have one child with a nickname and one who uses his or her full name. But, like Cleo and Adele, I feel like if this was The Name, you wouldn’t still be deciding.
Other suggestions:
Annarose – If Roseanne isn’t quite it, do you like the names better in reverse order? Annarose is gorgeous and unexpected, too.
Dorothy – Most of the names on your list are two syllables, but seeing Annarose made me think about the possibilities of three-syllable names.
Helen – Hazel is out, so how ’bout Helen? Every bit as vintage and classic, but so underused.
Instead of coming up with more suggestions, let’s have a poll. I’d love to see which name comes out on top!
Readers, which name gets your vote?
UPDATE: Hi Abby! Wanted to update on Georgia Louise’s baby sister. She’s here! smile emoticon Our shortlist wasn’t doing it for us, so we tossed it and brainstormed ways to tie-in to her great-Grandmom Betty (they happen share a birthday and maybe even a feisty and sweet personaliy) so… Betsy Rupert! The middle name is an ode to the park where my husband and I met and we’ll never get to use the name on a son. So Lil Betsy Roo she is. Thanks to you and all your readers for talking us through our name dilemma!
Thanks for posting the update, Abby! I also wanted to close the loop on the Margo dilemma. I asked my SIL and she talked to her mom and they both concurred they’d love yo have another Margo around, as long as (said in her mom’s lovely dry English accent 😉 we spell it ‘correctly’ – meaning, Margot. It really was a contender, but that just wasn’t her. She’s definitely a Betsy!
Not sure if someone already suggested it, but what about Eleanor?
What about Zadie? Spunky with a bit of vintage flair imho. Georgia Louise and Zadie Adele. I like the flow- both Georgia and Zadie have strong emphasis on the first syllable and Louise and Adele have emphasis on the second syllable.
Such great ideas!
A beloved family member of mine was named Ruthann. I love the name!
My grandmother’s name was Priscilla, and I always thought Priscilla Ruth, nicknamed Pru, would be adorable. Feel free to use 🙂
Something spunky? Ramona, sister of Beezus! Does have an -a ending like Georgia though.
If not Roseanne… how about Rosemary? The herb is lovely and strong too 🙂
Philippa. Georgia and Pippa S*hick
Magdalene. Georgia and Maggie S*hick, Georgia and Magda.
Clara. Georgia and Clara S*hick
Thérèse. Georgia and Thérèse S*hick. No strike that one out, ends in an s sound.
Valerie? Zoë? Carlotta / Lottie.
Zélie? Kate? Tennyson? Blythe? Briar?
Fern? Georgia and Fern. I quite like the sound of Francesca S*hick, its sounds good out loud.
Agnes. Corinne. Sabine.
Some dustier ones – Florence, Prudence, Winifred. Mabel again.
And an out-there one – Milan. (fits the consonant heavy, no -a ending, and has a nod to both Joanne and Melanie)
You get bonus points for Milan! Nice one!! If it wasn’t another place name and used on boys where I am, it might be a contender. Florence is another place name and my aunt’s name! Prudence – hmm. I love the song but having ‘prude’ right in your name seems unfair in your teens. Oh Winifred! I do love her. But I love Winifred nn Freddie and that brings me the feminized name issue again.
I like your more fun ideas too. Zelie was on my list for awhile but too obscure for hubby. Briar and Fern are lovely, but for my taste more middle territory. Thanks for all of your ideas!
Had to add some more dusty come-backs for your amusement. Océane, Eugenie, May, Violet, Patience, Bessie, Honor, Maisie, Dolores, Beulah, Naomi, Frieda, Constance, Hester, Rhoda, Carmel, Gwendolyn, Winona, Laney, Xanthe.
Also wanted to say, if your neices grow up with a cousin Margo and a grandma Margo, it would make it an even more treasured family name to them, like how you have multiple Georges from different strands of family.
Of everyone’s suggestions I’d rank them Frances (just call her Frances, no need for Frankie if it annoys you), Margo, Mabel and Daisy. And its a crying shame that Lucy and Stella are out of contention, they go so well with Georgia.
K, I’m done, promise. But it was fun, thanks Renee.
Thank you Jacquie! You rock 🙂
I love Bess so much. I even contemplated the initials B.E. (as in Beatrix Eliza) because our girls will have my surname as a second middle, so ends in S.S., to get me to BESS. But Bess Schick just doesn’t work. Actually, I’ve contemplated about 50% of your new list, so you’re on the right track!
That’s a nice thought about Margo!
I overheard a sister set called Georgia & Lucy in my neighborhood a few weeks ago! It IS a good set. It’s just that our nieces are Lucy&P1ppa!
Maris comes to mind as an option, but it sounds like the last-name-starting-with-S detail keeps it off the table. Any interest in Maren? It shares the “M” of Maggie and the “Mar” of Margo, and is devoid of an easy nickname.
I do love the name Maren! Precisely for the reasons listed. I know I’m probably exasperating people with the long list of reasons why not for names, but this one sounds too similar to my husband’s ex. Bah.
My favorite is Margo.
I also love Beatrice and Iris, but don’t think they’d work with your last name.
Lorna keeps coming to mind. Also, Matilda and Jane. A couple of years ago, hubs and i met a 4yo Dorothy at a cookout. She went by Dotty. It was really charming and surprisingly current. Hubs throws that name into the mix now once he saw how versitile it could be. Really, your list is great. Good luck.
Thanks JMV!! Dorothy nn Dotty is definitely appealing! My husband is a bit of a computer geek so just Dot appeals to him too.
Lorna is interesting. Hmmm. It does have the a-ending of Georgia which we’re trying to avoid. But I like it, it sounds ready for a comeback but still uncommon on this generation. Thanks. Matilda nn Tilly is a long-standing favourite of mine, but not my husband’s. Jane has been tossed around!!! I love classic, simple Jane. It does have the same J-sound as Georgia though.
I think I’m a bit of an outlier when it comes to dogs’ names. For me, they are part of the family. So while I wouldn’t have a problem using Maggie because some people name their dogs that, the fact that it was your husband’s dog knocks it right out of the water for me. I’d have an easier time with an ex-girlfriend’s name, myself.
You have a great list of names. Another French name that occurred to me is Giselle. Don’t know how you feel about the alliteration, but it’s awfully pretty. Me, I’m partial to Roxanne.
Thanks Kim. It does slightly bother me that while my in-laws apparently told my husband it was okay to use Maggie, they didn’t seem thrilled about it. Maggie-dog has a plaque on their property, an album with memories and photos everywhere in their house.
Giselle is gorgeous. Not into alliteration, only because Georgia goes by G quite often when discussed non-verbally. I’ve seen Roxanne come up a bit here so I’ll pass it by hubby. Thanks!
Yeah, please don’t go there. Sooner or later your daughter will read that.
I love Maggie with Georgia! My name is a very common dog name (Molly) and I do get “my neighbor’s/mom’s/cousin’s etc. dog’s name is Molly” comments quite a lot, but it doesn’t bother me. I always take it a bit as a compliment because it’s obviously a great name if people want to say it over and over to their dog. Also love Margo and I think you could definitely do Maggie as a nickname. Good luck!
So glad someone with a ‘dog-share’ name has chimed in! Thanks Molly. This is exactly the perspective I’m looking for. It does mean it’s a great name if pet-owners bestow it a lot. Margo nn Maggie is looking better and better as a compromise!
I love Helen and Georgia. Rosanna feels fresher to me than Roseanne, and for some reason less likely to be shortened to just Rose. I’d also suggest my own two year olds name, Alice, which seems to hit a lot of the right notes for you.
Thanks Monica. Rosanna does feel fresher and more melodic. It’s definitely something I’m considering.
Alice is lovely!! My hubby is into strong consonant sounds (unless it’s an honour name like Roseanne.) He actually told me awhile back he wants a K, M or T name. I told him that was going to really complicate things. But still, that’s why Maggie, Margo, Frances, Clio really work for him. Adele he’s all but vetoed lately actually 🙁
Just a question: why do you believe people will think you’re naming a baby after them as an honour, and not just because you love a name they happen to have? It seems like that is making your lives more difficult than necessary since you know so many well named people. You loved Georgia, and it was extra cool that it honoured tons of people; but you didn’t set out to honour the Georges because you weren’t interested in naming your child George. So I see it as more of a fun coincidence than an honour name. Did I explain that well? For that reason, I see Helen as a fun coincidence, rather than an honour name
ETA: … naming your child George if she had been a boy.
That’s a really nice point, Vanessa. It’s tough to live in a “no repeats” world, isn’t it? I once heard someone reject a name she and her husband both liked because his boss had a grandchild with that name. A grandchild who lives on the other side of the country. Who they will almost certainly never meet. And yet, the name somehow feels taken …
I violated the “no repeats” rule within my office. One daughter shares a name with a (former) coworker and one with a (former) coworker’s daughter. It caused a few laughs, but that is all. But it is why I kept mum on the names until after the girls arrived.
You have some very good points, Vanessa. I had to think on my feelings around honouring and taken names for awhile…. and I’ll continue trying to be more objective about it. Thanks for your thoughts.
In the case of Helen, she won’t think we’re honouring her, because she passed away years ago. But since she was a favourite sister of my FIL and my niece’s middle name is Helen after her, I do believe the question would come up. Sure, we could toss it aside as ‘We just liked it.’ I do believe using any names from within our family would be considered honouring them. And saying it’s not to honour them, we just liked it, would feel odd to me. Margo is an exception, because it’s an in-law, yet I still hesitate which is why I need to clear it up with my SIL.
Using names already in use in our social circle is a different thing. If we used Laurel or Sylvie (friends our age) I wouldn’t consider it honouring them, unless we made that clear, but it would just feel confusing at social events. However, if it was a name we LOVED and felt perfect, we might reconsider, we just don’t have any friend names high on our list – perhaps because I automatically discard them but I’ve had names ‘plague’ me even if they’re on my veto list and that’s when I know to reconsider. I know it’s a tall order, but I honestly would feel best choosing a name that I don’t know anyone using. I wanted our Georgia to be the only Georgia in her family. She is. And she’s the only Georgia a lot of our friends know too. I like that.
I’m definitely loosening my definition of ‘social circle’, believe me. At one time, I would have been that person rejecting my boss’ grandchild’s name that I’d never meet. Now we know people who know a Frances and a Maggie, but it’s not deterring us.
So many great suggestions. Throwing these out because I haven’t seen them yet in the comments. Goldie (says spunky to me, a guilty pleasure name for me); Clementine, called Cleo; or Poppy. My husband votes Dorothy.
Goldie, Clementine and Poppy are GPs for me too! But just that. And would you believe I actually already know a little girl called Golden? And Clementine. And Poppy. I live in a hipster neighborhood 😉
Ha, ha! Love reading your replies. It sure makes posting comments more fun!
I like Adele, Margo, and Dorothy. Georgia Louise is a great name, I’m sure you’ll find something just as great for your second daughter.
Thanks so much Amy3! 🙂
I love Adele, which I voted for above, but just to throw a few more out there:
What about Marjorie as an alternate to Margo or Maggie if there are concerns with those two? To my ear Marjorie sounds just as strong and confident as Margo with a similar elegant and old fashioned feel to Adele. Chloe seems like a cute and spunky alternate to Cleo, but perhaps too common right now? For some reason both Odette and Nadine keep standing out to me as possibilities with your affinity for French names–they both pair well with Georgia without seeming cutesy and (to me have a strong presence). And finally, Rosalie as an alternate to Rosanne? It’s French and feels elegant with just enough spunk?
All of your top choices so far are lovely and will work beautifully so don’t stress yourself out too much! It may be one of those things where as the time gets closer, or once you actually see your daughter it will all click.
Thanks Rachael. We hope something will click once we meet her, as it did with Georgia. It would just be nice to have a confident shorter list for the hospital.
Marjorie is an awesome alternate! I agree it needs a comeback.
Iris Adeline
Beautiful combo! Can’t do anything that ends in S with the surname S*hick. Plus, Iris has some scandal in my family, oh the joys of name associations.
Something similar to Adele that would also pair well with George is Adeline.
How about Daisy? Abby usually suggests Marguerite, which is the french form of Margaret/Maggie. Daisy is a common nn for Marguerite, like Maggie is for Margaret, but Daisy won’t necessarily read as a nn, it stands on its own quiet well. Georgia and Daisy Schick? It has a nice ring.
Of the ones on your list i would go for Adele or Frances. It is sad Harriet is discounted, because that is a great name. Of Abby’s suggestions Dorothy is my favourite!
It’s funny you mention Daisy. It was on our list before we got pregnant with G. It was one of the ones that got tossed aside once we knew an actual human was on the way. Partly because it feels too ‘cutesy’? But one of our nieces has a name that I believe most people would say is too nicknamey and cute and she rocks it in her pre-teens, although she’s not an adult yet. Maybe I need to re-examine my views on cutesy. Or maybe not. Daisy Buchanan also comes to mind. Thanks for your thoughts!
I suggest Rosemary.
I’m 100% behind Cleo. I LOVE it. I love it especially with Georgia. They feel like sisters. Cleo Rose is just a great name. (So is Georgia Louise, by the way.) Now I’m going to be disappointed if you don’t use Cleo Rose. 🙂 My next favorite is the suggestion of Leonie. Marnie would be another spunky sounding name that I feel pairs well with Georgia and matches your style. I think you like Huck Finn names for girls like I like them for boys. Something spunky, freckled, with braids sticking out and maybe a frog in a pocket. (I might be getting carried away.) Dorothy works for me if that is what you are going for. So . . . I think you should name her Cleo Rose but if you don’t, Dorothy or Leonie would be my two second favorites. If Huck Finn is what you are going for than Adele doesn’t work at all. If you are going for a more classic feel, than Adele is a beautiful name.
I LOVE the image of Huck Finn names 🙂 I think I’m going for more Huck Finn than classic… I think? You are one of the only people to endorse Cleo! So thanks for that perspective. It’s rapidly losing it’s place on our list because it feels like the outlier in many ways. Dorothy is definitely catching my eye again. Leonie is gorgeous, but a friend just used it for her daughter and we also know a little Léo.
After reading your request and before reading your list of names I came up with Margo! Then I saw it was your fave too, with the slightest drawback. I would approach your SIL and ask, she might not like her moms name and wouldn’t mind you using it.
The other name suggestions I had were Mavis, Mabel, Phoebe and Edith.
Margo and Georgia are awesome together, Mavis is my runner up. Good luck!
Thanks for the vote on Margo. I’m making a point to go talk to my SIL in the next few weeks.
Phoebe is one of my very faves! But hubby vetoed it 🙁 Edith sounds a bit clunky with the surname and we’ve ruled out Edie as a name/nickname which she would be bound to get. Mavis (any ends-in-an-S) tongue-twisty with the surname. Mabel is in interesting. I’ll mull that one over! Thanks!
Thank you SO MUCH for running my letter, Abby!!
You have some great points. To answer your question about avoiding masculinized names: we just feel like it’s too matchy. Georgia and Harriet aka George and Harry. Just can’t. I feel like it gives the impression a strong name means a boy name with a girly twist. Georgia honestly transcends its relation to George for me, just like it’s not (just) a state. Regardless of the fact she honours four lines of heritage, I’m almost positive we wouldn’t have chosen George should she have been a boy.
Funny you should mention Dorothy! It’s been tossed around but I just haven’t been convinced it has the spunkiness we’re looking for, but now my husband is crushing on it again after reading your reply!!
I need to talk to my SIL soon. We all live within an hour of each other and it wouldn’t be out of the question to have the two Margos in the same room at least once a year. SIL is very no-nonsense and direct, so she’ll either tell me it’s a no-go or be touched and encourage us. I’ll keep you posted!
Thanks again! I can’t tell you how much your advice and the comments help give perspective.
My husband’s grandma had a dog named Gretchen, so when the name was on our list we got a lot of, “But you can’t name your baby a dog name!” I always wanted to just reply, “If it bothers you stop giving the dogs people names!” We ended up not using the name, not because of the dog connection (didn’t bother me at all), but just because our daughter wasn’t a Gretchen. So, I would say, forget the dog, use the name if you love it.
Thanks Alli. My inlaws have a habit of choosing (great) human names for dogs and we’ve half jokingly told them to stop!! I like my pet names to be along the lines of Pickles and Banjo.
I think you’ve generated an amazing list with great possibilities. I totally connect with your style. I like Adele, Maggie, and Margo (my daughter’s name, with reservation due to the family issue you discussed). Of the “Roses”, I like Rosie (that z sound gives this variation some zip). Along the lines of spunky and French, I’d like to offer up Sylvie, if it’s not too complicated with your surname. Congrats and best wishes!
Thanks so much Kim 🙂 I do love Margo and I need to get the potential dilemma squared away soon. There’s a chance I’m worrying for nothing and my SIL will be touched / unaffected. Love Rosie too. Sylvie is a great suggestion and one of my faves, but it’s the name of a good friend.
I think you’ve generated an amazing list and several great possibilities. I totally connect with your style. I like Adele, Maggie, Margo (my daughter’s name, with reservation due to the issue you discussed). I like Rosie (that z sound gives this variation some zip). Along the lines of spunky and French, I’d like to offer up Sylvie.
I like Frances, Adele and Margot (this spelling). What about Violet, Eleanor, Ruby, Audrey, Sylvie or Estelle?
We’re still mulling the spelling options for Margo/t/aux. My husband likes Margot because he says the savvy people won’t get it wrong. But someone pointed out once that it looks like Maggot and now I can’t unsee it 🙁 I honestly love all of your suggestions and they’ve come up for us. A few are people we know. A few are too popular where we live. Thanks for the thoughts!!
One name that always says “SASS!” to me is Ruby. Georgia and Ruby work well together, and Ruby can hold her own with your surname.
I can also see Abby’s suggestion of Helen being very viable. Helen Rose has elegance and spunk. I’ve never known a Helen who was a push-over.
A new idea is Estelle. Georgia and Estelle. Estelle Roseanne. Estelle S*hick works! You like Adele and Stella (but cannot use it), and it definitely is French!
Estelle is my favorite, but you have great taste in names and are going to pick something remarkable for your sweet second daughter.
Best wishes!
Love Ruby! I know two 🙁
Helen is totally within style, but it’s one of hubby’s late aunts that we don’t want to honour over someone else (like our moms.)
Estelle is interesting. I do know one, but it’s not close enough to matter. My husband just said it sounds too elderly for him. I don’t agree.
I appreciate your confidence 🙂 I wish I could be as certain – it feels so much harder this time!
I like Adele, Frances and Margo but spelled Margaux and you can nn her Maggie. I think ruling out all names with nicknames or feminized forms of names is narrowing down your name selection not in a good way. Congrats!
I’m so glad you brought up Margo/aux nn Maggie! That was an idea I had but wasn’t sure if it would fly. We might give up on the no-nickname thing, but I think the feminized thing is a deal-breaker.
My suggestions are Irene or Leonie. My mom suggests Laurel, and I think she might be on to something.
I second Leonie and Laurel!
Leonie was just used by a friend!! And Laurel is a friend’s name, but I do love it. It’s a blessing and a curse to be surrounded by well-named people.
Abigail Rose, Adeline Marie, Beatrice Delphine, Barbara Caroline
I think Roxanne isn’t cutesy and has more spunk than Roseanne.
One of my favorite French names is Camille.
Good luck! We had “We-Already-Used-Our-Favorite-Name Syndrome” as well but with our sons so I can sympathize.
I totally agree that Roseanne lacks spunk, it’s what is holding it back. Roxanne is an interesting alternative.
Camille has come up for us. I always hesitate before pronouncing it. My hubby loves the nn Millie though… Hmm…
I’d vote for either Frances or Abby’s suggestion of Dorothy.
I’d vote for Frances.