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!
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!