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.
We know an Elizabeth Quinn that exclusively goes by Quinn. I was wondering if that would be a solution for you? You’d have a first that matches Adriana but still have the name you love for every day use. It isn’t for everyone – using the middle exclusively – but I feel like this is more doable now that when we were young.
Agree with the group— Emery Elizabeth with Adriana is great! Eden Elizabeth is also sweet. I’ll also suggest Avery Elizabeth for a sibling to Adriana Rose.