• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Request a Name

Appellation Mountain

Where every name has a story

  • Baby Name Advice & More
  • Master List: Girl Names
  • Master List: Boy Names
  • Private Baby Name Consulting

Name Help: A Sister for Piper EmmaLee

February 24, 2023 By appellationmountain 23 Comments

Name Help: A Sister for Piper EmmaLeeName 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!

Lauren writes:

We had a really hard time choosing our daughter’s name. I’m Lauren, and my husband is Dylan. We took sounds from both our last names to make a new one for our family. It’s Ree$e, like the peanut butter cups.

With Piper, we knew we wanted her name to be longer than one syllable (because Ree$e) and not something old-fashioned in any way. We aren’t into nicknames. (I hate it when people try to call me Laurie.)

Emma was a name we liked but thought was too popular, so we added Lee and we really like the way it looks/sounds.

Our boy name with Piper was Hudson.

We don’t really have another girl name we agree on. Names we have ruled out so far:

  • Peyton – don’t want to repeat initials
  • Paisley – same problem
  • Raelynn/Raylinne – can’t agree on a spelling, they all sort of look wrong to me
  • Marley – just isn’t right
  • Harlow – kind of want to avoid H names because we still like Hudson if we do have a boy in the future
  • Sutton – friends just used this name
  • Lainey – don’t like it as much as Laine, but Laine Ree$e isn’t great
  • Saylor – love this but Dylan says no

I keep looking at lists, but I feel like nothing really stands out to me. What am I missing?

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

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your second daughter!

So here’s the brief: we need something modern and tailored. Nothing that starts with an H or a P. Preferably two-syllables and probably nothing that shortens to an obvious nickname.

Yeah, that still leaves a LONG list of possibilities, doesn’t it?

Still, I think there might be some names that are just a little bit different from your current-but-not-quite list that we can consider.

A SISTER FOR PIPER EMMALEE

BELLAMY

A surname pick with a great meaning: beautiful friend.

EMERSON

Maybe it’s too close to EmmaLee, but maybe that’s why it seems like a natural for your list.

FALLON

A fast-rising Irish surname that sounds great with Piper and your surname.

KINLEY

One of the first names that came to mind, a substitute for Paisley and Lainey.

LANGLEY

As with Kinley, this is a -ley ending surname that feels like it checks all the boxes.

LARKIN

A sweet surname name, one that brings to mind the songbird, just as Piper suggests musical instruments. One note: Larkin actually started out as a medieval nickname for Laurence, so this one is closely tied to Lauren, too.

MARLOWE

If you love Harlow, but want something that doesn’t start with H, Marlowe is the logical – and lovely – substitute.

SAWYER

Another -r ending pick that feels like it belongs on the same list as Piper.

TATUM

Another fast-rising surname choice with a bright, distinctive sound.

WHITAKER

Polished Whitaker is rare as a first, but very wearable.

Overall, my favorite is Marlowe. It’s great with Piper, doesn’t repeat initials or sounds from anyone in your family and seems current without being too trendy or popular.

If you’re stuck for a middle name, I wonder if something like AvaMae or another double name would appeal?

Readers, over to you! What would you name a sister for Piper EmmaLee?

More names you might like:

  • Name Help: Another Elizabeth?Name Help: Another Elizabeth?
  • Name Help: Not Logan JuniorName Help: Not Logan Junior
  • Name Help: A Sister for Beatrice and EleanorName Help: A Sister for Beatrice and Eleanor
  • Name Help: A Sister Name for (maybe) JackName Help: A Sister Name for (maybe) Jack
  • Name Help: My Name Looks Like a TypoName Help: My Name Looks Like a Typo

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print

Comments

  1. Laura says

    March 2, 2023 at 4:09 PM

    Piper and Larkin are both bird names, so I think they are a great fit. (Sandpipers and Larks)
    Willow keeps the nature theme. So those are my favorites.

    Reply
  2. Em says

    March 1, 2023 at 11:47 PM

    Sawyer was what popped into my mind when you said Saylor. Then I saw Abby suggested it.

    Other ideas…

    Finney or Finley

    Kinsley (alternative to Kinley)

    Campbell

    Ridley

    Hartley (starts with H)

    Miller

    Emmalee sounds like Emily in my head (unless I’m mispronouncing it). I wonder if you’d like an alternative spelling/sound of a name so it feels a little different for a middle name like….

    Rosemarie

    Reply
  3. A says

    February 27, 2023 at 3:48 PM

    Piper and…

    Tessa
    Hallie
    Eden
    Juno
    Juniper
    Gemma
    Quinn
    Quincey
    Ainsley
    Kenzie
    Wren
    Larkin
    Lola
    Gracen
    Tatum
    Ivy
    Lennon
    Willow
    Campbell
    Raegan
    Anniston
    Halliday
    Landry
    Nova
    Isla
    Lila/Lilah
    Lyric
    Violet

    Reply
  4. GalNamedGuy says

    February 27, 2023 at 1:20 AM

    Marlowe and Fallon were great suggestions…

    Came to say Willow Annabelle or Sadie Maebelle for Piper Emmalee’s sister.

    Congrats!

    Reply
  5. Alison Doherty says

    February 25, 2023 at 5:43 PM

    My votes is for Marlowe or Emerson … or I was also thinking Quincy which I love on a girl and goes really well with Piper!

    Reply
  6. Alyssa says

    February 25, 2023 at 12:41 PM

    I think Keaton, Keegan, or Avery could work nicely with Piper!

    Reply
  7. Maclary says

    February 25, 2023 at 4:50 AM

    I wonder if Carly would work as an alternative to Marley? I like the sound of Piper and Carly together. Charlie or Farley could work too. Or maybe Keely or Kylie?

    I also thought about Gemma, since you said you liked Emma and then used it with Lee as a middle name. You could still use Gemma as a first name for Piper’s sister.

    Reply
  8. LadyRay says

    February 25, 2023 at 1:07 AM

    My immediate thought was … “SCHUYLER” just like a previous poster had mentioned! Perhaps you’d like the “Skylar” or “Skyler” spelling more?

    — “MOLLY ” also sounds like a sibling for “PIPER” to me. (Piper & Molly)
    — “PAYSON” is a different take on the name that exists on your current list: “Peyton”. I remember the first time I hear this name was on the tv series, “Make It or Break It”. (Piper & Payson)
    — “BRYONY” or “BRIONY” (Piper & Briony)
    — “VERA” (Piper & Vera)

    Reply
  9. Hannah says

    February 24, 2023 at 11:48 PM

    Some great suggestions! I especially like Abby’s idea of Marlowe (or Marlo/Marlow).

    From the comments, I love Eden, Quincy, Ainsley, and Eliza.

    Piper EmmaLee and…

    Adair
    Addison
    Alair
    Campbell
    Gracelyn/Gracelynn
    Grayson/Greyson/Graysen/Greysen/Gracen
    Talia

    I was going to suggest Ivy and Nova, but when I put them with your last name, it sounded a bit like “virus”… so I would avoid names with a V sound in the last syllable!

    Would love an update once Piper’s sister arrives!

    Reply
  10. Renee says

    February 24, 2023 at 7:41 PM

    Here to second Quincy and how about:

    Indy
    Jovie
    Miley
    Juno
    Remy
    Elin (EE-lynn)
    Scotia (Sco-sha)

    Those give me the same vibes as Piper.

    Reply
  11. Maclary says

    February 24, 2023 at 6:11 PM

    How about Willow as an alternative to Harlow?

    Delaney could work instead of Lainey, but perhaps it has too much possibility of being nicknamed. Elaine has similar sounds but is definitely more old-fashioned! Maybe Elena, or just Lena (pronounced Lay-na?)

    Selah is a name that sounds similar to Saylor but might be different enough to sway your husband. Skylar or Shiloh could be other possibilities. Baylor, too, or Bailey.

    Or … Ayla or Leila or Isla?

    Ainsley shares sounds with Paisley and Lainey. Greer seems to fit your style but perhaps isn’t great with your last name. I like Tamsyn for you too, for no particular reason.

    Reply
  12. diane says

    February 24, 2023 at 4:38 PM

    Some other suggestions for middle names are….
    EllaMae
    AnnaMae
    MaryAlice
    MaryGwen
    MaryAnne
    MaryBeth
    MaryLou

    Reply
  13. diane says

    February 24, 2023 at 4:24 PM

    Pip3r and….
    Collins
    Cassidy
    Sydney
    Teagan
    Reagan
    Quincy
    Kinsley ( prefer it with an s)
    Landry
    Lennon
    Merritt
    Ellis
    Darcy
    Schuyler
    Noa
    Sutton
    Lyric
    Austen

    Reply
  14. Becca says

    February 24, 2023 at 3:31 PM

    I love most of these suggestions. With suggestion of Kinley i actually thought Linley was a better mix between Paisley and Lainey – but since your name starts with L maybe no L names?

    What about Raegan instead of Raelynn.

    Leighton?

    My faves are Fallon, Tatum and Linley

    Reply
  15. CD says

    February 24, 2023 at 2:22 PM

    Great suggestions all, and I think Marlowe fits.

    Others I thought of were Kendall, Kennedy and Morgan.

    Reply
  16. C in DC says

    February 24, 2023 at 2:20 PM

    Tula or Tallulah. Uma. Juno. Juniper. Arbor. Eliza. Vesper or Vesta. Zola. Viola. Leighton.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      February 24, 2023 at 3:03 PM

      OH Juniper … LOVE that with Piper …

      Reply
  17. ab says

    February 24, 2023 at 2:05 PM

    Maybe you could consider place names for Piper’s sister:
    Abilene — I love this as a name, but I would likely default to Abbie as a nickname.
    Aspen
    Bristol
    Chelsea
    Eden — I thought of this independent of A’s suggestion, so that’s 2 genuine thumbs-up. : )
    Holland
    Kendall
    London
    Nola

    I love Marie’s suggestion of Merritt. Marit, meaning pearl or lady, is another option.

    Reply
  18. Marie says

    February 24, 2023 at 1:39 PM

    Landry
    Merritt
    Aubrey
    Lyonne
    Oona

    Reply
  19. A says

    February 24, 2023 at 12:12 PM

    I have friends with similar naming styles and here are some of the names they used or have talked about liking (I may have some of the spellings wrong):

    Cambry
    Reagan
    Teagan
    Gracen
    Campbell
    Kinsley
    Lennon
    Hazel
    Ivy
    Eden !!!

    I think Eden would be lovely along with Piper. Two syllables, tailored and modern, not typically shortened. Eden is spot on! Ivy works great as well

    Eden Harlow
    Eden Laine
    Eden Saylor
    Ivy Sutton
    Ivy Larkin
    Ivy Tatum

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      February 24, 2023 at 3:04 PM

      Eden is a great suggestion!

      Reply
  20. Iris says

    February 24, 2023 at 10:55 AM

    Teagan
    Lennox
    Avery (but Ava)
    Riley
    Finley
    Scout (1 syllable but I like how it sounds with the last name)
    Zoey
    Ivy
    Lilah

    Reply
  21. Julia says

    February 24, 2023 at 9:56 AM

    Tatum is a nice suggestion.
    I’ll add Arlo. Harlow sound without the H problem. Similar vibes to Piper. I’ve heard it on girls.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


POPULAR POSTS

Tweets by @appmtn
Visit Appellation Mountain's profile on Pinterest.

Copyright © 2023 · AppellationMountain.net on Genesis Framework · Privacy Policy · Log in

We use cookies to ensure you the best experience on our website. If you continue using this site, we will assume that you're happy with it. Learn moreOk