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!
MATCHING A HALF-SISTER’S NAME
Charlotte writes:
I’m expecting my first child with my husband at the end of November. It’s a girl! I also have a 10 year old stepdaughter, Adriana Rose.
For background, I’ve always disliked my old-fashioned name. (I know it is very popular now, but I felt like someone’s granny growing up with it, and I hate being compared to Charlotte York from Sex and the City.)
My favorite names are Quinn, Remy, Sutton, and Emery. Pretty much the opposite of mine, but also very different from Adriana’s name.
My husband doesn’t really have strong opinions about our daughter’s first name. He would like her middle name to be Elizabeth, after his mom, which is fine with me.
Our last name rhymes with Paris, but starts with an H.
My questions are: should I try to match my stepdaughter’s name more, or am I overthinking that? Any feedback on the names I like and any more names I should consider?
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
HALF-SIBLINGS: MATCHING IS FINE, BUT MOSTLY DON’T CLASH
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your daughter!
This question comes up a lot, and I think the best advice is this:
Matching is fine, if you want to. But it’s not required. Instead, the key is to avoid clashing.
Samantha’s little brother shouldn’t be Samuel. Jade’s new sister can’t really be Jane.
Anything that could make your stepdaughter feel excluded or replaced by her new sibling is off limits.
This list might help you think through whether your favorite names are too close to Adriana’s name.
All that said, I think all of the names you’re considering work beautifully. They’re more modern and less traditionally feminine than Adriana – or Charlotte, of course! – but they’re great names for a daughter.
CURRENT FAVORITES
EMERY
I love the way Emery balances midway between traditional Emily and modern Emerson.
QUINN
A favorite among tailored names for girls. One hesitation – and this might be me – but Quinn Elizabeth sounds so much like “Queen Elizabeth” that I hesitate.
REMY
A twenty-first century favorite.
SUTTON
A new favorite for our daughters, and another great choice.
FRESH SUGGESTIONS
BLAIR
One of the reasons Blair works so well: it’s just slightly different from tailored, classic Claire.
EDEN
It’s not quite a surname name, like Remy or Sutton, but I think Eden has the same vibe.
LAINEY
Lane is more conventionally masculine, while Lainey is a fast-rising favorite for girls. You might split the difference and name her Laine, allowing for Lainey as a possible nickname.
MARLOWE
There’s something about O-ending names, and I think Marlowe is one of the best.
PALMER
I can’t decide if the final R in Palmer is an issue with your surname or not, but I like Palmer for you quite a bit, so I’m adding it to the list.
RORY
Speaking of Rs, Rory is heavy on the sound. I like it as an alternative to Remy. Pop culture has made Rory solidly unisex in the US. Another option: Rory can be short for lots of longer, more feminine names. (Aurora or Caroline, maybe?) So if you do decide to opt for something that’s more of a style match for Adriana, a name that shortens to Rory could be the best of both worlds.
SAGE
A color name, an herb, and a virtue, too, since sage can mean wisdom. As brief as Quinn or Blair, but with plenty of style.
VIVIAN
Again, if you do try to edge just a little bit closer to Adriana, style-wise, I think Vivian might be one of the best options. Tailored, strong, easily shortened to Viv, but still perceived as feminine.
Overall, I really like Emery Elizabeth Rhymes-with-Paris. Maybe it’s because Emery and Adriana are both three syllables? But I also love Marlowe Elizabeth with Adriana Rose. Lastly, is your husband open to forms of Elizabeth? Because something like Marlowe Elise might also be lovely.
Readers, over to you! Share your best ideas for girls’ names that go with Adriana Rose.
Agree with the group— Emery Elizabeth is a top choice with Adriana. Eden Elizabeth is also sweet. I might also suggest Avery as a similar great alternative with sister Adriana.
Agreeing that the goal is to avoid a clash with your stepdaughter’s name, which I don’t think applies to any of your favorite options.
I agree with Abby that “Quinn Elizabeth” sounds like “Queen Elizabeth”. Would Quincy Elizabeth, Quinn Elisa, or another variant work?
Emery Elizabeth H-rr-s flows beautifully and complements Adriana. The combo does produce the initials EEH, but I think if you have a healthy sense of humor, that’s a non-issue.
Remy and Sutton are also great.
A few additional possibilities that might be your style:
Dylan
Esme
Greer
Sloane
I love the idea of narrowing it down to two or three you’d be equally happy with, then inviting your stepdaughter to help with the final selection.
I think Emery is the name to beat! I really like it with the surname, the middle name, and the sibling name. As others have pointed out, there is something about the sound and the flow that works nicely with Adriana.
Other favorites for you:
Mallory
Sheridan
Elliott
Fallon
Tierney
Blair
Sloane
Rory
Sage
Congratulations on your daughter and sister for Adriana Rose.
Would you like Rosemary Elizabeth where you can use Remy, Emery or Romy as the shortened name, but she can have a fuller version to fall back on if she wants to later on in life.
Or different spelling of Rosemarie?
Sweet connection to your step daughter too.
I love Emery Elizabeth or Remy Elizabeth for you! Vivian Elizabeth is also beautiful! My only other thought was Ivy Elizabeth or Blythe Elizabeth. But you already have some wonderful choices!
I actually LOVE Emery for you, and with big sister’s name – they share the REE sound and are both 3-syllables, so to me they sound lovely said together. Plus, the nickname Em brings it back to a more traditional vibe, and Emmy is sweet.
I do wonder if you’d consider combining Emery with Elizabeth and name her Ellery? Your style is not my style usually, but I think Ellery is gorgeous. Then you choose a name from your side for the middle or just one of your faves – Ellery Quinn is amazing! She’ll have his surname I assume. Or use part of Elizabeth for the middle – Beth for example.
Quinn, Sutton, Remy are all super cute too. Does Adriana have a preference? My friend’s daughter was 12 when her first half-sister was born, and she actually came up with her name after they just couldn’t land on one. Maybe a fun way to include her?
I don’t think the names need to match and your list is great so don’t overcomplicate it!!
DOH Adriana is not 3-syllables, forgive me. But Emery and Adriana are both of longer syllable length, so sound pleasing together 😉 Although I suppose some people pronounce it Em-REE.. I do not.
I think you should choose a name you love and not worry about whether they match or not. I think Emery from your list is a great choice. I like how both Emery and Adriana start with a vowel. Abby’s suggestion from Eden would be perfect too.
Your list feels very tailored yet feminine. Here are some other ideas if you are open to more suggestions:
Zoe Elizabeth. Adriana and Zoe (A to Z!)
Mara Elizabeth. Adriana and Mara
Tessa Elizabeth. Adriana and Tessa
Gemma Elizabeth. Adriana and Gemma
If you do want something that matches a bit more to Adriana then maybe Emilia called Emmy which is close to Emery and Remy.
Emilia Elizabeth
Adriana and Emilia. Adriana and Emmy
Hi-
I think you should go with a name you and your husband love. Unless it really clashes and sounds strange with Adriana Rose, I think any of your choices will work.
Here are a few more combinations I like for you:
Gemma Elizabeth
Dahlia Elizabeth
Sloane Elizabeth
Eloise Elizabeth
Freya Elizabeth
Ophelia Elizabeth
Faye Elizabeth
Lyra Elizabeth
Thea Elizabeth
Best wishes!
I agree with Abby: Emery Elizabeth is my favorite.
Other combos I like:
Harper Elizabeth.
Ember Elizabeth
Willow Elizabeth
Zoey Elizabeth
MacKenna Elizabeth
I don’t think there is a problem with different naming styles for half-siblings. It’s natural that they are different in these circumstances. Also, styles can change a lot in 10 years!
Quinn Elizabeth is so over the top, but I love it! Plus, you won’t use the middle name in daily life.