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Name Help: A Sister for Lucinda Kate

September 3, 2021 By appellationmountain 21 Comments

Name Help: A Sister for Lucinda KateName 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!

Bethany writes:

We have a 3 year old daughter named Lucinda Kate. We had planned to call her Lucy, but right now, she’s still mostly Lulu at home, and Lucinda with friends and family.

Kate is for my husband’s mom Kathleen, but I also just loved the way the names flow together.

What I love about my daughter’s name is that it’s a “real” name, but it’s not one that lots of people ever hear. I like that she can choose a nickname. And I love how romantic and just plain fun her full name is to say! We get asked if she’s named after Lucinda Williams, the singer. The answer is no, but ever since we chose the name, Lucinda Williams has grown on me.

Our second daughter will be here at the end of October, and nothing is coming to us as easily as Lucinda’s name. My husband likes Aurora, but it doesn’t have the same kind of nickname options, and I think it’s probably too popular. We both thought about Elianna, but our good friends of have a new baby Ellie. Plus I don’t like the way it would be hard to spell.

Mostly I keep thinking we’ll hear the perfect name, but we’re running out of time!

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

Abby replies:

Congratulations your new daughter!

It sounds like you’re both drawn to longer names, so I won’t try to suggest Claire or Sloane.

The ideal name for Lucinda Kate’s sister will:

  • Be long, probably three or more syllables
  • Easily shorten to at least one obvious nickname
  • Be spelled in a single, straightforward way
  • Not rank in the US Top 1000
  • Feel familiar and not too different
  • Work well with big sister Lucinda’s name

Did I miss anything?

In general, then, we’re looking for a sweet spot. No to names like Katrina and Katerina, that can easily be respelled. But we’ll also (probably) avoid long and lovely names like Dulcinea and Fiorella. They check a lot of the boxes, but they’re so uncommon that I can imagine some headaches and challenges.

A SISTER FOR LUCINDA KATE

ANTONELLA #558

Long and lovely, and easily shortened to Nella or Nell, Antonella feels like one of those names you never hear – even though everyone recognizes it.

EVANGELINE #263

Should you find yourself calling your girls Lucy and Evie, revealing their elaborate, lovely full names will be the most delightful surprise.

LILIOSA unranked

There are plenty of gorgeous Lily names, but many of them are more common – or, like Elianna, could be spelled multiple ways. Liliosa, though, has been around since at least the ninth century. It’s distinctive and different, though Lily is quite popular.

MARIANA #276

Strictly speaking, Mariana could easily be spelled Marianna. It fails this test. And yet, Mariana is far more common. And it’s only one question – one N or two? – as opposed to multiple variations. Plus, Mariana is every bit as strong and lovely as Lucinda.

SERAPHINA unranked

Fiery Seraphina doesn’t quite make the current US Top 1000. In fact, it never has. But it’s a logical sister name for Lucinda, equally dramatic and bold. I’d shorten Seraphina to Sera or Fee.

SUSANNA unranked

Like Mariana, there are two possible Susanna spellings – with or without the ending H. But Susanna regularly outranks Susannah, so I think it’s safe to recommend this version. As for nicknames, besides Susie and Sue, there’s also Suki/Sukie, Zuzu, and Sosie.

THEODORA #834

A classic and enduring name, Theodora is rich with short forms. And it feels weighty and meaningful, a little bit vintage, but still fun to say.

VERONICA #380

I love the sound of Lucinda and Veronica. They’re timeless – but not really classic – names. Both have energy to spare. I’d shorten Veronica to Vera, Vero, Vica, or Vee – but Ronnie/Nicki are choices, too.

So many of these names are great with Lucinda that it’s tough to narrow it down!

My top pick is probably Evangeline. Like Lucinda, it offers an easy, built-in nickname. But if Evangeline feels a little too familiar to you, then I think I’d opt for Susanna. Like Lucinda, it’s a name everyone knows, but no one is using.

Readers, what would you name a sister for Lucinda Kate?

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Comments

  1. Cathy Fingerman says

    September 7, 2021 at 2:24 PM

    Augusta/ nn Gussie

    Reply
  2. Maclary says

    September 5, 2021 at 9:04 PM

    I love Lucinda Kate! Here’s some names that came to mind which feel similar to me:

    Fiona nn Fifi
    Sabrina nn Bree
    Bianca nn Bibi
    Alexandra nn Alex, Sasha, Lexi
    Johanna nn Jojo, Hannie
    Daniela nn Dani
    Rosemary nn Rosie, Romy, Rory
    Naomi nn Mimi
    Colette nn Coco, Lettie
    Beatrix nn Bea, Trixie
    Natasha nn Nat, Tash, Asha
    Saskia nn Sass
    Yolanda nn Andi
    Erica nn Ricki
    Francesca nn Fran, Frankie

    Reply
  3. Alison Doherty says

    September 5, 2021 at 1:41 PM

    I love the suggestion of Antonella and Theodora. I also think Calliope, Delphine, Genevieve, or Vivienne.

    Reply
  4. Candy says

    September 4, 2021 at 10:27 AM

    Penelope or Clarissa would make a nice fit. So many one syllable middles to pair with either: Rose, Jane, Rae…….

    Reply
  5. Jonquil says

    September 4, 2021 at 4:47 AM

    I love Lucinda Kate and would like to add Penelope Jane and Rosalind Fleur to the mix

    Reply
  6. alex says

    September 3, 2021 at 11:43 PM

    My first and only thought was Matilda.

    Reply
  7. Megan says

    September 3, 2021 at 11:22 PM

    Evangeline was my first thought, but I like Effie with Lulu.

    We have a baby Seraphina who we call Sadie.

    I really liked the suggestion of Phillipa, but what about Pepper? Lulu and Pepper

    Reply
  8. Jean C. says

    September 3, 2021 at 10:16 PM

    My first thoughts before I finished reading were Evangeline and Ramona, and Abby and commenters already covered those but really they are so great! Especially Evangeline. Lashley mentioned that there are many songs about Evangeline, and my personal favorite is The Mother by Brandi Carlisle. So so so good. I also think Rosemary could work (Romy!).

    Reply
  9. Liz says

    September 3, 2021 at 9:38 PM

    Love the suggestions of Miranda and Ramona and all of Abby’s suggestions, but especially Veronica. It is more spare than some of the other suggestions, but I also like Bridget with Lucinda.

    Reply
  10. keats says

    September 3, 2021 at 9:36 PM

    What about Valentina? Lucinda and Valentina seem well paired. And Valentina has a long history of use. I know it is growing in use in the US but it is a fabulous name. Lulu and Vivi. Lucy and Val.

    Reply
  11. Erin Beth says

    September 3, 2021 at 7:15 PM

    I love the name Lucinda Kate! My first thought for Lulu’s sister was Philippa nn Pippa. Other favorites:

    Dorothea nn Dot or Dottie or Thea
    Aurelia nn Goldie or Lia
    Augusta nn Gussie
    Althea nn Allie or Thea
    Antoinette nn Nettie
    Helena nn Nell or Lena
    Cassandra nn Cassie or Cass or Cat
    Claudia nn Cleo or Didi
    Georgina nn Gigi
    Miranda nn Mimi or Miri
    Rosamund nn Rosie or Sam or Sammie
    Adelaide nn Addie or Daisy or Della
    Clarissa nn Clary

    Reply
  12. Marisa says

    September 3, 2021 at 6:30 PM

    Lucinda is very unexpected! I really like the suggestion of Antonella—Nell, Toni, Anna… so many nickname options! Others that come to mind: Miranda, Natalie, Corinne, Matilda, & Wendy.

    Reply
  13. FE says

    September 3, 2021 at 6:16 PM

    Don’t forget Anna or Annie as a nickname for Susannah (I’m biased, but much prefer the spelling with the h).

    My Susannah also gets Zannah/Sannah from 1 cousin, although to everyone else she is always Susannah in full.

    Like Lucinda, it’s familiar but not heard a lot … and it’s fun to say.

    And how cute are these combinations:?!:

    Lucinda & Susannah
    (for everyday use)

    Lucy & Anna or
    Lucy & Annie
    (for potential all the time nicknames)

    Lulu & Zuzu or
    Lulu & Zannah
    (for home)

    Perfect

    Reply
  14. Lashley says

    September 3, 2021 at 5:38 PM

    I’m curious if you want to lean into the musician/song title vibes or avoid it. There are multiple songs called Evangeline, but the one by Emmylou Harris came to my mind, which is in the realm of Lucinda Williams, just FYI. I guess names in song titles comes up for Susanna and Ophelia and a million other names though, so maybe we shouldn’t rule those out!

    Amelia (Millie, Amy/Amie, Lia)
    Juliana (Juju, Ana, Julie)
    Eloise (Lo or Lolo are such cute alts to Ellie)
    Ramona (Roma, Mo, Mona)

    So many good options! I bet you’ll choose something great

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      September 4, 2021 at 6:56 AM

      Oh, Lashley – good thought! And there’s a funny-sweet love song to Evangeline sung in The Princess & the Frog, too.

      Reply
  15. Carrie says

    September 3, 2021 at 5:36 PM

    Arabella Nn Ari, Bella or Bell
    Mayela Nn May

    Reply
  16. Katie says

    September 3, 2021 at 5:31 PM

    Millicent or Rosamund/Rosalie

    Reply
  17. stefanie says

    September 3, 2021 at 4:30 PM

    I’m biased by the Lucinda I know and her mama’s style, but maybe:
    Bernadette/Bethel called Betty/Birdie/Bernie
    Tallulah
    Alba/Alma

    Reply
  18. KM says

    September 3, 2021 at 1:56 PM

    I love this question, I feel like Lucinda is a different style than a lot of the questions we see! So that’s really exciting, and Lulu is a darling nickname. I really like Liliosa, Seraphina, and Mariana, though I don’t think Mariana has the same unexpected quality as Lucinda and the others. And I accidentally misspelled Seraphina the first time I typed this out, so that could be an issue. Is Aurelia an option? Ophelia? Geneva? Cordelia? Valencia?

    Reply
    • Dani says

      September 3, 2021 at 3:11 PM

      I also love this question! I love a girl’s name that has lots of consonants but still maintains a certain softness, so many of Abby’s suggestions are EXACTLY what I would have said– Evangeline, Seraphina, Susanna and Theodora are all long time favorites. And though Veronica may not have the relative softness of the others, I just adore it so much in all its “clunkiness.” So beautiful and underused! I would like to add Marguerite to the mix.

      Reply
  19. Iris says

    September 3, 2021 at 1:32 PM

    If not Aurora, what about Aurelia? She could go by Aurie, Goldie, Aura…
    Other options:
    Ophelia nn Ollie
    Marigold nn Mari, Maggie, Margo, Molly…
    Philippa nn Pippa
    Georgiana nn Gigi, Gia, Ana…

    Reply

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