Name 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!
PRETTY, UNEXPECTED NAMES LIKE SARINA
Alexandra writes:
When we were expecting our daughter, we agreed on a boy’s name immediately: Russell, from my mother’s maiden name. But we couldn’t settle on a girl’s name at all, and, of course, we had a beautiful little girl.
Going through our family tree, I discovered a great-aunt named Sarina. I thought the name was pretty, but also strong and a little bit different.
We debated the spelling a lot. I wasn’t sure if Serena Williams might make the name more popular and I worried about The Handmaid’s Tale character, so we kept with Sarina.
I sort of have name regret around this decision, as we have to spell her name frequently. That’s making it even harder to name our second (and last) child – another girl.
My husband’s favorite name is Melanie, but I’m just not into it. I like Julia, but I feel like it’s too serious. We’ve been talking about Robinne, because his dad is Robert, but I don’t like Robin, and I wonder if I’d be back with the spelling headaches again?
All of our children will have my last name as their middle name. It sounds like Morgan. Again, a little bit of name regret, because I like the idea of Julia Robinne, or something like that, but I feel like we can’t do that now.
Our last name sounds like a popular girl’s name, but spelled differently: H—ley.
Help!
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
SURPRISING and ROMANTIC NAMES
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughter!
I have a lot of thoughts, so let’s begin with a list:
- Yes, I can imagine that Sarina is sometimes a spelling headache, and I can see the merits of choosing a name with a single, widely-recognized spelling this time.
- But I’m not sure you have to use your surname as a middle name again. Lots of families do. But just as many families use a family surname as a middle for one child, but not the next. I think maybe it’s worth considering a change.
- Melanie checks the “one obvious spelling” box, but I’m not sure if it’s a style match. I find myself wanting to change it to … Melania? Which feels like another name in the key of Sarina. A good match, but lots of let-me-spell-it-for-you.
- I do like Robinne quite a bit, though. Except then it’s a spelling conundrum, potentially. As of 2023, Robin ranks #793 for girls and #783 for boys. Robyn and Robynn are in use, but there were fewer than five children named Robinne, making it very rare, indeed.
NAMES FOR SARINA’S SISTER
AMARA
An international name that’s rising in use, Amara has several origins and meanings. But I’m choosing it because it’s pretty and modern and has a certain strength, too. Plus, Sarina and Amara sound like sisters without being too similar.
ANASTASIA
A gorgeous, romantic name with history aplenty, Anastasia is sometimes pronounced differently – four syllables or even five? – but it feels very wearable.
CECILY
Because Melanie is on the list, I wonder if you’d like something with a similar rhythm, but a slightly more vintage feel?
ELIANA
Two names that came to mind were Eliana and Liliana, both elaborations of popular shorter names, Ellie and Lily. Eliana, in particular, feels like one where we’ve agreed on a spelling – and it’s this one. I hesitate, though, because both could easily be spelled multiple ways. So while I think this is the right sound, it’s worth considering how strongly you feel about spelling.
JULIETTE
If Julia is close, but not quite, would Juliette appeal? Juliana or Julianne? I love the sound of Juliette with Sarina, and I think it looks a little bit like Robinne.
MIRANDA
As with Anastasia, Miranda is a name that’s been around for ages, but still feels pretty and light, without sacrificing substance. I love the sound of Sarina and Miranda, and I wonder if it’s similar enough to Melanie to appeal to your husband?
ROSALIE
The first name that came to mind when I was thinking through Melanie substitutes. It’s a little more vintage, but feels like a midpoint between your favorites and his.
VIVIANA
Lively, vibrant Viviana feels like an obvious sister for Sarina. Vivian is more popular, but Viviana feels every bit as wearable.
Overall, my favorite is probably Juliette. It’s just a little different from your current favorite, but with a twist.
While Juliet is popular, it ranks #292. Juliette comes in at #160. In this case, while there’s a potential for spelling confusion, you’re choosing the more common option, which should help.
I also like Miranda, though. Not only is it a style match, but I think it’s easy to spell and pronounce.
While you could absolutely use the same middle name, I wonder if it’s worth considering a switch here, too? Sarina (sounds like) Morgan and … Juliette Russell? Miranda Robinne?
Readers, what would you suggest as a sister for Sarina (sounds like) Morgan?
Saskia?
Tamsin?
My first thought upon seeing Melanie was Melina, but that might sound too similar to Sarina.
Other thoughts:
-Cassandra
-Celeste
-Leanna
-Mallory
-Melody
-Nicolette
-Robinette
Robert means “bright fame”, so what about a girl’s name meaning bright?
-Avira
-Clara/Claire/Clarissa
-Elena
-Helena
-Marilla/Marella
Your use of Sarina is kinda stumping me. I thought it was a completely different name that Serena. Different source – Sara, different meaning – Princess, different pronunciation – Sah-reena. However, presumably you checked with your family on how they referred to this great aunt and she used the pronunciation Serena. It might not be a popular opinion, but if it were me, I’d 100% change the spelling to Serena, even at this late stage. I would not want to wear Sarina my whole life, having to tell people it’s actually ‘Serena.’
Since this is your last child, I wanted to suggest you use Russell in the middle for this daughter! I also had the same pattern for my kids – my surname was their middle name, however, I realized after she was named that both my kids got my dad’s surname and nothing from my mom, so I actually changed my second daughter’s middle to my mom’s middle name as a name change before 1 year (it wasn’t too hard, but I’m in BC, Canada.) Anyways, I think the symmetry of one daughter having your father’s surname and one daughter having your mother’s surname is so lovely.
And unless you really love Robinne (or naming your daughter after your FIL) I’d avoid that (and that spelling is a headache waiting to happen.) Wouldn’t that make her name very similar to your FIL? Rob- ‘H-ley.’ I know not everyone cares about honouring lines equally, but I’m pro balance amongst the various lines where possible. And if ‘H-ley’ already honours FIL, and ‘Morgan’ honours your dad, then where is your mom and your MIL in these names? Maybe Sarina came from your mom’s line? But you seem to like digging through family trees, so I’d suggest you dig in your MIL’s line (and your mom if you’re not putting Russell in the middle.) Maybe you’ll find another gem. Or how about using a twist on your name?? I love Xandra!
If you’re just looking for a match with Sarina/Serena, how about a tweak on Melanie and Julia?
Juniper
Elin
Liana
Marlena
Sarina and Serena sound identical in my accent – Suh-ree-nuh.
I have heard people pronounce Serena as Se-REN-uh (like serenity, instead of like serene), so if that’s the case I can understand your confusion!
Melinda or Miranda would be a good fit I think!
Came here to suggest Miranda but Abby beat me to it! I also love the suggestion of Amara!
I love Miranda because it’s similar sounding to Melanie but also feels like a sister to Julia as well.
I think Robin would make for an excellent middle name. I do find the spelling Robinne to be a bit confusing. I wonder if there are other great names hidden in your family tree like how you came across Sarina?
Sarina and…
Aurora
Indira
Annaliese
Octavia
Naomi
Mallory
Felicity
Linnea
Natalia
Mirabel
Mara
Isobel
Leona
Natasha
Zara
My vote is Juliet Robinne! I think it’s fine to change the middle name trend. And I think Juliet is the most common spelling of the name and sounds beautiful with Robinne in the middle!
Jewel
Doveva
Idalia
Talia
Robinette
Elowen
Isidora
Sylvie
Helena
Ivana
Sarina & Melody?
Since Russell means red, you may pick a name that’s related to the color red, like any names from here (I like Poppy): https://appellationmountain.net/the-most-popular-color-names-for-girls-red-rules/
Hi! I love the name Sarina. I hadn’t heard it before and it looks like it is from the Hebrew word “princess” and is related to Sarah, but may also be related to Serena. I think you should lean into the name choice – yes…there will be constant spelling issues, but I have had this with my own name which just lacks an “h” from the traditional “Christina.” Anyway, I think you are looking for names that may be considered vintage names and also with a little twist. This may be why Melanie sounds perhaps too plain. Here are some more ideas: Melusine (to substitute for Melanie), Sasha/Sascha, Constance, Georgiana, Honora, Margaret, Christiana, Albertine (nn Tina or Bertie), Beatrix, Corisande, Eponine, Henrietta, Sigrid, Cosima, and Nikolina. I really like Abby’s suggestions too! Best wishes!
Oh…I meant to write “Henriette” and not Henrietta. I like both, but I feel like “Henriette” has the “Juliet” vibe, but may be even a little more distinctive.