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Name Help: Classic Name for a Fifth Daughter

February 15, 2019 By appellationmountain 37 Comments

Name Help: Classic Girl NamesName 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!

Jill writes:

My husband and I are expecting our sixth child, and fifth daughter. We like traditional names, but after four girls, we’ve run out of names we agree on and could use some new perspective.

Our son is William Andrew, mostly called Will.

He’s followed by four sisters:

Anna Elizabeth, called Annie, Annabeth, Anniebee, and AnnaBanana at home, but mostly Anna by everyone else.

Katherine Jane, sometimes called KayJay, but mostly Katie or Kate.

Sarah Veronica, always Sarah. Her middle name was Rose until the very last minute, when we decided we might use Rose for a future daughter.

Eleanor Grace, mostly known as Ellie.

Our last name is long, Polish, starts with a N, ends with a -ski. No one ever says it right, so we want our kids’ first names to be easy. Family names aren’t our thing, unless it’s an accident from a few generations back.

The only name that has been on our maybe list for all this time is Rose. Sarah was almost Sarah Rose; Ellie was almost Rose Eleanor.

If we’d had another boy, we’d planned to use James Henry or James Anthony. Since it’s possible we’ll see use it in the future, we probably want to avoid J names. (So Jane was never a first name option.)

We also like the idea of Elizabeth, except it’s already Anna’s middle name, and we have an Ellie. So that seems confusing.

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

Dear Jill –

Name her Mary!

Wait, did I just blurt that out? Let me back up.

Congratulations on your daughter! It does get tougher as you use your favorite names. But in this case, I’m wondering if you’ve ever considered Mary? It seems like such an obvious sister name for Anna, Kate, Sarah, and Ellie. And you could easily use Rose as her middle name. There’s something very sweet and timeless about Mary Rose, whether you use it as a double name sometimes, like Annabeth, or not.

Except you must have considered Mary already, right? Or Maria or Marie? So I’m going to (try very hard to) move on. Would you consider:

Claire/Clare – Clara almost rhymes with Sarah, so that’s out, but how about classic Claire? The French spelling, with the ‘i’ added – is far more popular in the US today, but you might like the sparer Clare instead. (And I know women and girls with both spellings.)

Louisa/Louise – I feel like Louise is more your style, a tailored name in the key of Katherine and Eleanor. And nicknames? Oh my, do these two names have nicknames! Lou, Lulu, Lucy, Lula …

Lucy – Of course, Lucy isn’t a nickname at all. It’s the typical English form of Lucia just as Mary is to Maria. Or Lucy could be short for Lucille, too, which seems like it might sound right at home with your older girls’ names.

Margaret – I’m having the same reaction to Margaret than I have to Mary. Surely you’ve talked about traditional Margaret already, right? With forms and nicknames galore, it’s easy to imagine Maggie or Meg or Margo fitting in with your family.

Ruth – Ruth carries the same simple elegance as Rose, but it feels a little different, too. And it’s slightly distinctive, I think, a name that’s just different enough.

Teresa/Theresa/Therese – I know a bunch of girls who answer to Tess – or Tessa or Tessie – but they’re actually Theresa, Therese, or Teresa. So it seems like a logical name to suggest.

Okay, I know our readers will have opinions, so I’ll end with this: I love the idea of something like Mary Lucille or Margaret Ruth – two traditional names, but one a little more evergreen, and the other slightly less so.

Readers, what names would you suggest for William, Anna, Katherine, Sarah & Eleanor’s new sister?

More names you might like:

  • 27 Classic Girl Names: Alice, Sophia, Ruth27 Classic Girl Names: Alice, Sophia, Ruth
  • 33 Classic Boy Names: Henry, Patrick, and John33 Classic Boy Names: Henry, Patrick, and John
  • Classic Baby Names: 7 Reasons to Choose a Traditional NameClassic Baby Names: 7 Reasons to Choose a Traditional Name
  • Name Help: Babies We Have NamedName Help: Babies We Have Named
  • 1900s Baby Names: Twenty Neglected Gems1900s Baby Names: Twenty Neglected Gems

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Comments

  1. Duck says

    March 3, 2019 at 8:13 PM

    My mother is Theresa, and I’m almost mad at her, because that means it’s off the list for any of MY children. It’s a lovely name, solid meaning, a three syllable girl’s name, and very few ways to misspell. Rose Theresa and Theresa Rose are both lovely!
    (Rose is also off the table, due to my boyfriend’s last name, I’m noticing a trend in names I suggest to people….)
    I like the suggestions other posters have given, so I’ll just repeat my fondness for both longer Rose names, and the name Beatrice.

    Reply
  2. Courtney Janssen-Grieve says

    February 24, 2019 at 8:58 PM

    Julia!!

    Reply
  3. Nellie says

    February 23, 2019 at 1:10 AM

    Betty- this ones my personal favourite because it’s cute and definitely needs a revival!
    Carolyn- Another favourite because it’s a classic spin on Caroline, and in my opinion “Lynn” sounds softer than “Line”
    Louise- Could call her Lulu or even Lola for short
    Beverly- Sophisticated yet cute for all ages. “Bev” or “Bevvie” for nicknames
    Bridget- It’s not exactly “old” per se, but not you hear often
    Ingrid- Another one you don’t hear much
    Jane- Short and sweet, nickname Janie or just Jay
    Marilyn- Another cute “Lynn” name that I find adorable, also it’s good for if you do end up naming her a Mary name
    Agatha- This ones pretty, and Aggie as a nickname is precious!
    Barbara- This one I’m not so sure about, but Barbie and BeBe are good nicknames
    Theodora- Teddy or Thea for nicknames
    Victoria- Classic with a lot of history behind it

    And that’s all I can think of right now! I absolutely LOVE classic names too 🙂

    Reply
  4. Kate says

    February 21, 2019 at 12:22 PM

    There are so many lovely suggestions here! Avoiding initials already held by older siblings, some ideas:

    Hope
    Rebecca
    May or Mae
    Cora (could be a nn for Corinna or Cordelia)
    Matilda nn Mattie
    Henrietta nn Hattie
    Dorothea nn Thea or Dorie
    Laura
    Laurel
    Lillian
    Violet
    Cecily
    Rosemarie

    Truly, though, Mary Rose is wonderful with this sibling set and I can’t think of anything to top it.

    Best wishes!

    Reply
  5. Cathy Fingeman says

    February 21, 2019 at 4:51 AM

    Jacqueline Rose (nn, Jackie)

    Reply
  6. Julie says

    February 21, 2019 at 1:12 AM

    My immediate thought, before I had even read the suggestions, was Margaret.

    Reply
  7. Myfanwy says

    February 19, 2019 at 3:15 PM

    The Mary Rose is a very famous ship from the Tudor era, Henry VIII’s battle fleet. She has a fascinating history and can be seen in a specially built museum in the UK. A really cool and unusual namesake! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Julie G says

    February 17, 2019 at 9:39 PM

    Do LOVE Mary for you. Also love Alice.

    Mary Evelyn
    Mary Abigail

    Alice Charlotte

    Like Georgia a lot, too.

    Reply
  9. Saraya says

    February 17, 2019 at 4:56 AM

    Rose Emmeline
    Audrey Claire
    Adelaide Lucy
    Lucy Caroline
    Caroline Audrey
    Rose Audrey
    Rosalie Claire
    Lucy Adeline
    Adeline Pearl
    Ruby Adeline
    Caroline Ruby
    Florence Lucy
    Rose Jemima
    Imogen Rose
    Thea Claire
    Dorothy Rose
    Harriet May
    Geneva Lucy
    Thea Florence

    Reply
  10. Emma says

    February 16, 2019 at 3:27 PM

    Here are some combos I was playing around with. Maybe you’ll like one or two. 🙂

    Rose Caroline
    Rose Marianne

    Rosemary Louise
    Rosemary Sophia

    Harriet Rose

    Frances Mary

    Louisa Charlotte
    Louisa Mary

    Margaret Louise

    Lucy Matilda
    Lucy Rose
    Lucy Caroline

    Beatrice Mary

    Lydia Margaret
    Lydia Rose

    Mary Isabella
    Mary Louisa

    Reply
  11. RL says

    February 16, 2019 at 12:45 PM

    I think the recommendations of Mary, Teresa, Helena and Victoria are spot on. As for other names with different letters that others haven’t mentioned, how about:

    Felicity
    Philippa (Pip, Pippa)
    Paulina (Polly)
    Georgia (Georgie, Gigi)
    Clementine
    Lilith

    and a little girl in my son’s class has the name Octavia. I don’t think she has any nn’s, but Tavi would be adorable!

    Reply
  12. Amy3 says

    February 16, 2019 at 10:42 AM

    I love Mary for you. A beautiful, currently under-used classic. There’s an adorable 6-year-old Mary in my building. She’s the only kid Mary I know.

    Lots of other great suggestions too. Some of my favorites are Beatrix, Edith, and Petra.

    Reply
  13. Cathy Fingeman says

    February 16, 2019 at 7:05 AM

    Julia Rose would be pretty, classic and sweet. It’s familiar but not overused.

    Reply
  14. Maree says

    February 16, 2019 at 7:00 AM

    I feel like I missed something… why not Rose? Rose is a classic, wonderful name. Rosemary or Rosemarie perhaps?

    Mary Clare
    May Frances
    Helen Mary (Nellie-May!)

    Reply
  15. andrea says

    February 16, 2019 at 1:01 AM

    For this set of siblings I would like to reiterate on some the previous suggestions –
    Julia
    Charlotte
    Margaret
    Caroline
    Joan
    (If went the Mary route) perhaps a slight variation, Marion, Marilyn, Marybeth?

    Reply
  16. Andrea says

    February 16, 2019 at 12:08 AM

    Barbara — This may be out of style in the U.S., but it’s a very classic name and stylish in other countries.
    Caroline — Classic, less common than Charlotte. Carly or Carrie are cute.
    Frances — Classic, Francie or Frannie or Frankie.
    Grace — a little less common now. Gracie is cute.
    Julia — goes nicely with the other girls, has Jules as the nickname.
    Susannah — Sue, Susie, Zan, Zanna

    Reply
  17. Vanessa says

    February 16, 2019 at 12:04 AM

    Irene Rose or Edith Rose.

    Reply
  18. Patricia says

    February 16, 2019 at 12:03 AM

    I have several classically named girls/women in my family.

    My daughters: Catherine Rebecca, Julianne Patricia, Jennifer Elizabeth, Susanna Jean.

    Catherine’s daughters:
    Sarah Ellen
    Catrina Jane “Cate” — her daughters:
    Mabel Grace
    Camilla Rose, sometimes called “Milla”
    Emma Elizabeth —- her daughter:
    Jane Violet
    Sophia Anne —Sophie as a young girl

    Jennifer’s daughter:
    Miranda Elizabeth “Mira”

    (Among my sons and grandsons are a William “Will” and a James in both generations.)

    There are so many excellent suggestions already. I would like to add Phoebe. I would also suggest that you read through the website British Baby Names. And I agree that Rose would be perfect for this fifth daughter, as either her first or middle name.

    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 16, 2019 at 12:50 AM

      Catherine’s daughters are Sarah, Catrina, Emma, and Sophia. (Indentations to show generations did not come through above.)

      Reply
  19. Sargjo says

    February 15, 2019 at 9:14 PM

    I see a British Royal cluster, which is why Mary and Margaret fit so well! There are two other names besides Victoria that fit: Charlotte and Alice. I like both and prefer Charlotte for you. Charlotte. I know it’s the name of a current royal baby, but given that she joins a big sibset I wouldn’t be worried. I also like Alice but since you have an Anna and an Ellie, I think it smushes in too much.

    Reply
  20. C in DC says

    February 15, 2019 at 6:52 PM

    I’m sort of with Abby on Mary, maybe called Maisie.

    Lydia Rose
    Rosemary Susannah
    Suzette Rose
    Josephine Marie
    Naomi Ruth
    Helen or Helena Rose
    Teresa Joan
    Magdalena Rose
    Madeleine Rose
    Victoria Susan
    Amelia Jennifer
    Jennifer Rose
    Caroline Mary
    Petra Rose
    Ruth Ellen
    Cordelia May

    I could spend all day on these types of names!

    Reply
  21. Jaime says

    February 15, 2019 at 5:53 PM

    I wouldn’t repeat an initial. I think Abby’s suggestions were spot on. Mary Rose would be lovely. I also love Maisie and Meg as a nn for Margaret and Tess for Theresa. I love Rosemary, nn Romy or Rosalie, nn Rose.

    A few others: Lydia (Lydi) or Sybil (Sybi) or Helen (Nell) or Cecelia (Cece) or Beatrice (Bea).

    Reply
  22. Mandie L says

    February 15, 2019 at 4:52 PM

    Will, Anna, Katie, Sarah, Eleanor, and . . . Harriet, Caroline, Beatrix, Grace, Violet, Martha.

    But honestly, I think Rose would be perfect. Or Rosemary, Rosa, Rosalind, Rosalie, Rosaline, etc.

    Sometimes when a name has been on the list for a long time I start second guessing it for no better reason than that I haven’t used it yet, so there must be something better. But if I have loved it a long time it may just be that it was waiting for the right kid. 🙂 (I’m saying this from experience. My 4th has a name that we had on the shortlist for three previous pregnancies, but never seriously considered for him until the moment he was born.)

    Reply
  23. Brenna says

    February 15, 2019 at 4:18 PM

    Mary and Tessa/Tess are both SUCH great suggestions. I love them both with those lovely sibling names. I also really like the suggestions in the comments, especially Rosemary, Caroline, Victoria, and Cecilia.

    Here are a few additional suggestions:

    Genevieve Rose
    Lena Victoria
    Maura Josephine
    Bethany Amelia
    Mary-Rose Elena

    Reply
  24. The Mrs. says

    February 15, 2019 at 4:10 PM

    Florence Rose N_____ski

    William, Anna, Katherine, Sarah, Eleanor, and Florence.

    If you were considering ‘J’ names, I’d suggest June.

    What about Beatrice? She’s royal, classic, and elegant. Bea makes THE most adorable nickname, too.

    Beatrice Rose N____ski.

    Best wishes!

    Reply
  25. A.Waguespack says

    February 15, 2019 at 4:03 PM

    Rosaline Marie would be lovely

    Reply
  26. Rebecca says

    February 15, 2019 at 3:39 PM

    I like Claire
    I also really like Alexandra
    What about Meredith? I actually am not a huge fan of the name but maybe it’s a fit?
    Good luck!

    Reply
  27. Emma says

    February 15, 2019 at 3:25 PM

    I like Louisa, Lucy, & Margaret from Abby’s suggestions; they all sound perfect with the five older sibling’s names. Plus, they’d all work with Rose as a middle name, though I’m kind of favoring Rose on its own. You might even consider Rosemary.

    Already having a Sarah would make me hesitate with Clare and Mary, but they are great options if the similar sounds don’t bother you.

    Overall, I think my favorite would be just Rose. William, Anna, Katherine, Sarah, Eleanor, & Rose sound so classy together!

    Reply
  28. Renée says

    February 15, 2019 at 3:15 PM

    I’m guessing Rose just isn’t feeling right? And you’re trying to avoid another W, A, K, S, E (and J for future possibility James)?

    I love the idea of Mary and Claire and Charlotte. How would you like Fiona? Lila? Naomi?

    Reply
  29. Liz says

    February 15, 2019 at 2:52 PM

    Mary is perfection!! Also like Victoria, Caroline and Julia.

    Reply
  30. Liz says

    February 15, 2019 at 2:51 PM

    Mary is perfection with this sibling set. Love it. I also think Victoria, Caroline and Julia pair nicely.

    Reply
  31. triss says

    February 15, 2019 at 2:01 PM

    *Rose or a longer form seems perfect. Rosemary, Rosalie, Rosalind. I know a little Rosie, short for Rosalind, and it’s adorable for a little girl.
    *Lydia. My grandmother came from a family with seven girls, born in the early 1900s. Their names were Anna, Elisabeth, Amanda, Elma, Lydia, Eva and Rosella. I think Lydia would go very well with your sibset.

    Reply
  32. Sage says

    February 15, 2019 at 1:13 PM

    I really like the names suggested here. Though I have a name pairing suggestion of my own: Victoria Rose!

    Reply
  33. Cortney says

    February 15, 2019 at 1:13 PM

    Millicent Rose nn Millie
    Emily Frances nn Emmie
    Mary Agnes nn Maggie

    Reply
  34. Renée says

    February 15, 2019 at 12:57 PM

    Love the names you have so far! Here’s my top faves for you-
    Caroline Rose
    Mary Rose
    Margaret Rose
    Penelope Rose
    Abigail Rose
    Frances Rose

    Obviously voting for Rose in middle spot. 🙂

    Congrats on baby number 6!! 🙂

    Reply
  35. A says

    February 15, 2019 at 10:38 AM

    Why not Rose as a first name? I also like the suggestion of Lucy or Margaret

    Emily
    Caroline
    Audrey
    Norah
    Victoria
    Charlotte
    Alice
    Beatrice
    Fiona
    Lily
    Iris
    Camille
    Natalie

    Reply
  36. Erin Beth says

    February 15, 2019 at 9:16 AM

    I love the suggestion of Mary for you, with Molly as possible nickname. Margaret nn Maggie would also work nicely and I also quite like Rose. A few suggestions:

    Rose Caroline
    Rosemary nn Rosie
    Margaret Rose
    Caroline Rose nn Carrie
    Lydia Rose
    Victoria Mary
    Charlotte Rose
    Bridget Rose
    Celia Rose
    Cecilia Rose nn Cece

    Reply

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