• 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: Long and Lyrical Girl Names

September 18, 2020 By appellationmountain 26 Comments

Name Help: Sister for Sebastian, Aurelia, VictoriaName 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!

Rachel writes:

We have a son named Sebastian and twin daughters named Victoria and Aurelia. Now we’re expecting our fourth child. We’re team green this time (as we have boy and girl gear ready to go, LOL!) but it’s making finding a name doubly hard.

If it’s a boy, we’re pretty set on Julian, though we like Augustine/Augustus a lot, too.

But I don’t want to repeat initials. (I’m one of four kids, all with R names, because my parents both had R names. Love my family, but no thank you!)

Girls we’re stumped. While we like long names and use cute nicknames at home, we call our kids by their full names in public. So don’t want something that feels like it would be shortened. (Worried with Victoria but hasn’t happened.)

Plus, feeling this is a girl!

Names we considered:

Evangeline – but I like -a ending names better, maybe?

Isabella – too popular? Almost Aurelia’s name

Liliana – but don’t know how to spell it, and feel like it would just be Lily

What haven’t we thought of that would be perfect?

Read on for my response and please share your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

Dear Rachel –

Congratulations on your new baby!

It can be hard enough finding one name you love, so I completely understand why it’s even tougher to settle on two – knowing you’ll only use one of them. But I think Julian checks every box for a son – it’s a good match for your older kids’ names, and it doesn’t repeat initials. And while I’m sure it can be shortened, to Jules and Juju and lots of other nicknames, it really doesn’t need to be.

Now let’s pause on the initials-repeating question. I hear you loud and clear on having everyone share the same initial. But you have S, V, and A so far. It seems like you could repeat one of those without feeling trapped in a pattern – or even having anyone notice that the names repeat.

I’ve avoided those letters, along with R, for my list. But if you stumble across a name like Saskia or Veronica or Arcadia and feel like it’s meant to be your daughter’s name? I wouldn’t hesitate.

On to the suggestions!

LONG, LYRICAL GIRL NAMES

Cecilia – A flowing name with a lovely, liquid sound, it’s easy to imagine Cecilia being used in full, without a nickname.

Cordelia – A name everyone recognizes, but nearly no one is using, literary Cordelia seems like a great fit with Victoria and Aurelia style-wise … but maybe these ends-with-lia names are too close to Aurelia?

Davina – A feminine form of David, Davina is relatively uncommon in the US. But it’s unlikely to be shortened, and it sounds just right with your kids’ names.

Felicity – You’ve mentioned a preference for -a ending girl names, but maybe Felicity is that name worth making an exception?

Linnea – I agree that Liliana presents a spelling challenge, but how about Linnea? Also known as the twinflower, it’s named for botanist Carolus Linnaeus.

Mariana – Maybe Mariana shares the same issue as Liliana – spelling. But someone Mariana feels like less of an challenge. It’s elaborate and romantic, the perfect sister for Aurelia and Victoria.

Ophelia – If popularity weren’t a concern, I imagine Olivia might’ve been on your list. (But it’s the #1 name for girls in the US right now, so … maybe that rules it out?) I’m suggesting Ophelia instead, with the bonus that it seems very unlikely to be shortened.

Theodora – Theodore is a fast-rising favorite for our sons, and now Theadora is gaining attention for girls, too.

Overall, my favorite is Davina.

I think it hits the same familiar, but not wildly popular note as Aurelia. It’s not likely to be shortened. It doesn’t repeat an initial.

And, of course, if it leaves the door open to naming a future son Julian, should that come to pass.

But let’s open it up to the community, because I know readers will have some great suggestions.

What would you name a sister for Sebastian, Aurelia, and Victoria? 

More names you might like:

  • Name Help: A Sister for LilyName Help: A Sister for Lily
  • Name Help: A Sibling for MabelName Help: A Sibling for Mabel
  • Name Help: A Sibling for LindenName Help: A Sibling for Linden
  • Name Help: A Sister for Eden and MariamaName Help: A Sister for Eden and Mariama
  • Name Help: Same-Named CousinsName Help: Same-Named Cousins

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print

Comments

  1. Francez says

    October 29, 2020 at 7:38 AM

    Elena
    Carolina
    Marcella
    Emilia
    Camila
    Alicia
    Lorena
    Natalia

    Reply
  2. Saraya says

    September 27, 2020 at 7:03 AM

    Isidora
    Francesca
    Viviana
    Eloisa
    Theodora
    Sylviana
    Mattea
    Seraphina
    Olympia
    Elodia
    Minerva
    Frederica
    Simona

    Reply
  3. tam50 says

    September 22, 2020 at 6:37 AM

    Clementine, Matilda or Marigold!

    Reply
  4. David says

    September 19, 2020 at 7:36 PM

    Octavia seems like a perfect fit to me. Great names by the way!

    Reply
  5. Anchor_and_Whales says

    September 19, 2020 at 6:41 PM

    (Written before reading Abby’s ideas or other comments)

    First of all, I think Julian is a perfect choice for a boy in this sibset. Excellent match! Sebastian and Julian both end the same way and have that international flair, but have a different number of syllables, a different starting initial, and all different letters in the beginning. Love it. It’s just the right name.

    For a girl…
    Inspired by Liliana: Mariana. I had a coworker who went by Mariana in full. We all pronounced it Mair-ee-ah-nuh. Each A had a different sound.

    If you love Isabella, go for it. Popularity is a factor to consider, but the possibility of meeting another child with the same name (a possibility with most names) doesn’t outweigh a strong personal preference. Isabella has a beautiful sound, and its A ending matches the other girls’ names.

    If not Isabella, maybe Bellamy. It doesn’t end with A, but it has 3 syllables and the Bella sound, it’s not as popular, and it starts with a fresh initial.

    I imagine you’ve already considered Evangelina? Or Angelina (but it repeats an initial). Or Evelina.

    I notice all the older children’s names are accented on the second syllable. It might be fun to continue the trend if you find a name you love in that category.

    Other ideas:
    Felicity
    Lavinia
    Celestine (similar meaning category to Aurelia – golden/halo/dawn/sky/heaven)
    Clarissa/Larissa
    Julienne (If you like Julian for a boy, but this is your last child and turns out to be a girl, you could feminize it to Julienne. But there is the carrot-cut reference. Not a big deal to me, though.)
    Lucienne

    Reply
  6. Andrea says

    September 18, 2020 at 6:29 PM

    Why not Juliana?

    Also: Bibiana, Calista, Cassandra, Christabel, Christiana, Clarissa, Corinna, Cressida, Diotima, Eloisa, Eloise, Emmaline, Eulalia, Eulalie, Flavia, Florencia, Francesca, Georgiana, Geneva, Genevieve, Ginevra, Ianthe, Isadora, Jacquetta, Jessamyn, Jocelyn, Jordana, Kassiani, Lorelei, Lucasta, Luciana, Mariella, Marina, Marissa, Millicent, Nerissa, Oriana, Persephone, Philomena, Priscilla, Rosabel, Rosanna, Tatiana, Theresia, Theodosia, Zinaida.

    Reply
  7. Sarah Elizabeth says

    September 18, 2020 at 5:37 PM

    I thought of my twin great-aunts names for you: Genevieve or Georgiana

    Reply
  8. Laney says

    September 18, 2020 at 5:08 PM

    I second Geneva, Cassia, and Catarina! All beautiful names with a classic vibe to them like Sebastian, Aurelia, and Victoria are, but much less common. Lucia is gorgeous too, but very popular. Maybe Lucinda instead of Lucia?

    From Abby’s list, I love Theodora, Mariana, and Cecilia.

    I love long, frilly, classic girls’ names too. lol

    I suggest:
    Helena (pronunciation could be an issue though. I prefer Hel-ay-na, but could deal with Hel-ee-na. Not a fan of Helen-ah)
    Anastasia
    Adelina
    Sylvia
    Zinnia
    Juliana (since you have Julian as your boys’ pick, which I love btw)
    Evelina
    Magnolia
    Camilla
    Viviana
    Lilia (my favorite all-time girls’ name and easier to spell than Liliana)
    Marina (similar to Mariana, but less chance of being misspelled)
    Georgiana
    Seraphina
    Jasmina
    Matilda
    Daphne
    Dahlia
    Francesca
    Phoebe
    Tatiana
    Freya
    Viola
    Vera/Veronica
    Isadora
    Dorothea
    Esmeralda
    Rosalie/Rosalina/Rosanna
    Rowena
    Diana
    Vanessa
    Gabrielle/Gabriella (I prefer Gabrielle. Less common and more likely to be called by her full name than Gabriella)
    Sabrina
    Selena
    Serena
    Olympia
    Fiona

    Reply
  9. Renée says

    September 18, 2020 at 2:48 PM

    I also thought of Evangelina right away, but I assume you already thought about adding an A (maybe it gets too long??)

    So we’re avoiding R, S, V, A… and maybe T if you call Victoria ‘Tori’, and B if you call Sebstian ‘Bash/Baz’, at home? And maybe O cause Aurelia has that sound to start… And J in case you have a Julian in future..

    I vote Cordelia from Abby’s list – I know it technically repeats the -lia ending, but I say Aurelia O-RAIL-YA. Phillipa and Natalia are great suggestions.

    But I get a more timeless/global vibe from your set, so how about:

    Sebastian, Victoria, Aurelia & Geneva
    Sebastian, Victoria, Aurelia & Cassia
    Sebastian, Victoria, Aurelia & Lucia
    Sebastian, Victoria, Aurelia & Catarina

    Reply
  10. Zena Eve says

    September 18, 2020 at 1:26 PM

    Dorothea
    Wilhelmina
    Fiammetta
    Isolde
    Philomina
    Rhiannon
    Gwendolyn
    Ilithyia
    Artemisia
    Silviana

    Reply
  11. A says

    September 18, 2020 at 1:18 PM

    Emilia, Miranda, Odessa, and Leona were the first few to pop in my head. All have nickname potential but are also frequently used in full on their own. I like Miranda a lot because it means “wonderful, to be admired” and you don’t hear it too often.

    I love your choice of Julian for a boy!

    Reply
  12. Kirstin G says

    September 18, 2020 at 12:56 PM

    Congratulations! I like the idea of continuing the -a endings. Here’s a few suggestions.

    Luciana
    Eleanora
    Isadora
    Emilia
    Nicoletta

    Reply
    • Megan says

      September 18, 2020 at 2:12 PM

      Isadora is so gorgeous. It feels like a good substitute for Isabella.

      Reply
  13. Jaime says

    September 18, 2020 at 12:21 PM

    I wouldn’t go with another name ending in lia although I like Cecelia and Cordelia. And I’m glad you’re not looking to repeat an initial.

    My faves from both of your lists are:

    Evangeline (Evangelina?)
    Felicity
    Linnea
    Davina

    A few others:
    Fiona
    Claudia
    Carina (love the meaning)
    Lydia
    Francesca
    Estella
    Juliette
    Cassandra
    Lorelei
    Georgina
    Matilda

    I think my fave might Estella or Carina.

    Reply
  14. Thea says

    September 18, 2020 at 10:26 AM

    Love Davina, Evelina and suggesting Olympia. Gorgeous !!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      September 18, 2020 at 2:16 PM

      I like the theme between Victoria, Aurelia, and Olympia.

      Reply
  15. Iris says

    September 18, 2020 at 10:18 AM

    I second Evangeline, Felicity and Cecilia. Felicity is particularly good for avoiding nicknames. Other ideas:
    Penelope, Genevieve, Isadora, Magnolia or Christiana.

    Reply
  16. Brenna says

    September 18, 2020 at 9:47 AM

    I love Abby’s suggestions and agree that one overlapping initial probably wouldn’t be noticeable. If you’re committed to no repeats, maybe:

    Katrina (or Katarina)
    Cressida
    Lenora

    And if you’re willing to stretch the initials rule…

    Seraphina** (to me, Sebastian, Victoria, Aurelia, and Seraphina sound SO lovely together)
    Annabelle
    Julianna (although this would probably make Julian a non-starter if you plan on having more children)

    Reply
  17. Em says

    September 18, 2020 at 9:33 AM

    Marietta

    Reply
  18. Em says

    September 18, 2020 at 9:25 AM

    Mariel
    Mirabella
    Annabella
    Emmeline
    Acacia
    Anastasia
    Emilia
    Seraphina

    Reply
  19. Megan says

    September 18, 2020 at 9:12 AM

    If Julian is your boy name perhaps:
    Juliana, Julieta

    Instead of Evangeline perhaps:
    Evangelina, Evelina, Esmerelda, or Serafina

    Instead of Isabella perhaps:
    Isolda, Bellamy, Mirabelle/Mirabella, or Christabel

    Pretty flowery names
    Bellaflor, Rozabella, Rosalinda, or Rosalia

    Floral Names
    Lobelia, Camelia, Floriana, Jacinta/Xacinta

    From Abbey’s list I quite like Cecilia, Cordelia, Mariana (though I’m partial to Marietta), and Ophelia (a LONG time favorite). I would probably go with Theodosia over Theodora.

    I love Vel’s suggestion of Helena. Along those lines, I might consider Eleanor.

    Last thoughts:
    Have you considered Octavia? It’s a powerful, Latinate name just like Victoria and Aurelia. It also perfectly combines the vowel forward style of Aurelia with the strong vee sound from Victoria.

    Reply
  20. FE says

    September 18, 2020 at 8:46 AM

    How about:

    Philippa
    Louisa
    Eloise (and while I think of it, I know of a little Eloisia)
    Maretta

    And if repeating an initial is a rule that can be broken for the right name, there’s

    Adelaide or Susannah

    Reply
  21. VEL says

    September 18, 2020 at 7:56 AM

    Love Abby’s suggestions of Felicity and Mariana!

    I suggest Helena, Marina, Lydia, Natalia, and Gemma.

    Reply
  22. Julie G says

    September 18, 2020 at 7:49 AM

    Oh, and I like Davina a lot, too!

    Reply
  23. Julie G says

    September 18, 2020 at 7:48 AM

    I came up with a short list before I read Abby’s reply and we only matched on one name, but it is a beautiful name….

    Evangelina
    Eugenie
    Lilliana
    Linnea
    Leelia/Lealia
    Lyra (not long, but so pretty)
    Mariella

    Reply
    • Megan says

      September 18, 2020 at 8:46 AM

      Evangelina was my first thought as well.

      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