Name Help: A Sibling for RomanName Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every Saturday, 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!

Kayla writes:

With our first, I was so sure and loved the name Roman Edward. It was short, strong, not popular, but not weird, and didn’t have a nickname. Everyone can say it and spell it. Edward is my father’s name.

We had Stella picked out for a girl the first time around, but this time around I’m not sure I like it. And I don’t like that I see it on trending lists.

I’m all over the place with things I like – with a boy I need another strong name to stand up to Roman. I like Sawyer, but my husband feels that it is not strong. I also like O names, Oscar, Otis, Orsen. I like the name Monte, but a friend of mine with a Roman named her second son Monte. I also like Hudson, Beau, Phoenix, Merrick, Lennon, and Theo.

With a girl, I think Sage is at the top of my list. Its fits that short, not popular, but not weird, easy to spell, without a nickname. Also on the girls list: Eden, Flora, Ophelia, Philomena, Josie/Josey, Margaret, Theodora, Harriet, Lydia, Demi, Beatrix, Coraline (Cora), Henrietta, Margot, and Estelle (Stella).

Estelle is a family name, along with Margaret, Lorraine, Yvonne, and Antoinette. My father-in-law is Philip which is why Philomena struck me.

Read on for my response, and please leave your helpful suggestions in the comments.

Hi Kayla –

Congratulations on your baby on the way!

I think you’re experiencing something very common. The shortlist from an earlier pregnancy  often feels completely wrong the next time.

Why is that? In a funny way, I think those names can feel like they belong to your older child. (Even though, obviously, your son’s name isn’t Stella!)

Or maybe it’s just that we hear so many more children’s names once we’re parents. Unless you’ve taught preschool, odds are that you weren’t aware of popular children’s names pre-baby the way that you are now.

A Sibling for Roman: Girl Names

It seems like there might be a difference between your baby naming style for a son and a daughter. For a boy, it seems like you tend towards shorter, nickname-proof picks. Several of the girls’ names on your list are longer, elaborate, and much more likely to be shortened.

The names from your original list that meet the short, nickname-proof, not too popular/not too weird mark are Sage, Eden, Josie, Demi, Margot, and possibly Estelle. Theodora, Henrietta, and Philomena are, at four syllables each, among the longest names for girls.

I do think you’ve got some great choices here already. Sage Philomena combines both styles, and honors your husband’s side of the family, too.

Other possibilities:

  • How about Cora rather than Coraline? While it’s just inside the current US Top 100, I think it hits that short/strong/easy to spell note. Cora Estelle is gorgeous. The problem? It’s not that much less popular than Stella, so it’s worth considering whether that’s a dealbreaker.
  • Thea is much less popular, but feels like a style cousin to Cora. It’s short for Theodora, from your original list. Thea Lorraine is a great combination, or maybe Thea Margaret or even Thea Marguerite.
  • It’s hard to go wrong with Margot. A combination like Margot Estelle or Margot Yvonne seems promising.
  • There’s also Eden, which seems to fit your preferences, and pairs well with many of your family middles. I love the sound of Eden Antoinette, or even Eden Antonia.

A Sibling for Roman: Boy Names

Even if your friend doesn’t mind, I think I’d rule out Monte. While I don’t mind sharing a name among friends, it seems really unusual to repeat two names, doesn’t it?

I do think your shortlist for boys is great. Theo, Hudson, Sawyer, and Lennon all immediately came to mind as ideas for Roman’s brother name! Some other thoughts that aren’t on your original list:

Beckett – Farther down the popularity list than Roman, Beckett feels like a strong choice for a son.

Arlo – I think Theo is great, too, but wanted to mention Arlo. Theo isn’t very common, but Theodore is just inside the current US Top 100. Arlo is rising, but remains around the #500 mark.

Everett – Another -ett ending boys’ name, Everett, like Roman, is just outside the current US Top 100. You might go even farther and use Everest, as in the mountain – though it’s pretty rare as a given name in the US.

Declan – A name with Irish roots, Declan isn’t far behind Roman in terms of popularity.

Archer – Roman is interesting, because even though it’s a strong name, it’s not an aggressive one necessarily. I think Archer can be described the same way. The downside? There was such a thing as a Roman archer, which potentially makes your sons’ names a phrase.

My favorite name from your list is Orsen, though I’m most familiar with it spelled Orson. It’s not common either way. It strikes me as a great, unexpected brother name for Roman, and if you’re looking for strength? Well, Orson comes from the Latin ursus – bear.

If not Orson, I think Theo or Arlo are both really appealing choices. It puts the ‘o’ you like at the end of the name rather than the beginning, but I think the sound works well with older brother Roman.

Since Roman has one grandfather’s name, it seems like Philip is the logical middle name for a second son. Arlo Philip, Theo Philip, Orson Philip, Archer Philip – I think it works well with many of the names we’ve discussed.

Readers, what would you suggest to Kayla?

About Abby Sandel

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20 Comments

  1. Ok, Cora Estelle is absolutely gorgeous! Goes perfectly with Roman Edward. My second choice would be Sage. Maybe with one of the longer names on your list in the middle: Sage Philomena, Sage Ophelia, Sage Theodora, Sage Antonia…what about Sage Philippa?

    For a boy, I think Beckett is my favorite suggestion with brother Roman. But I am not sure on the sound of Beckett Philip. It doesn’t flow well, imo. So with Philip as a mn, I would go with Declan. I also really like Arlo Philip:)

  2. I love Orson! I’ve been pushing my husband to consider it for the future. I think Roman & Orson work well together. I love Otis too. Another strong no nickname pair for Roman is Grant. Grant is strong and has the history to stand up to Roman. I think Warren might be a good fit too.

    For girls I love Sage. My mom is Lorraine so that name holds a special place for me. I think Margot, Flora and Eden are all great with Roman. Margot Lorraine or Margot Estelle are my favorite combos. Girl suggestions: Jane, Juno, Gwen, Olive or Shea. I think Olive and Roman are really nice together!! Olive Philomena or Olive Lorraine.

    1. Roman and Grant sounded so right together that I had to Google it! Sure enough, the bad guy on HBO series Big Love was Roman Grant! I don’t think it’s a dealbreaker, but probably proof that the names work well together.

      Love the idea of Olive as a sister for Roman.

  3. Wow, what a comments list. My grandmother was Estelle, her sister was Ofelia, and my brother is Scot.

    My Nana’s nickname was Stelle, so Stella seems so appropriate to me, it’s a shame it doesn’t feel right this time around. If you used Estelle as a full name, would that make a difference?

  4. Florence with Flora as a nickname would work well. Florence Estelle is GORGEOUS.

    Orson is genius… especially Orson Philip.

    It seems like you have a soft spot for the long ‘oh’ sound. Roman and Flora or Roman and Orson are snappy pairings. You have good taste!

    Best wishes!

  5. For a boy, I think Oscar is perfect. Other ideas: Hugo, Silas, Duke, Dean or Wyatt.

    For a girl, I like Sage but I think Estelle is my favorite. Then just see what nickname comes naturally (maybe none).

  6. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Roman and Beau. Just love these two together. SWOONING.

    I also really like Arlo, although, (gasp, I can’t believe I’m about to say this…) I don’t know if I like it as much with Roman.

    I really like Otto with Roman. Although, I’m not sure if the long O sound is too common sounding with these two.

    I do like Orson, but not nearly as much as Beau.

    For girls:
    You have a fabulous list of names. From what has been mentioned already –
    I love Thea and it pairs well with almost every middle name. This is on our top list if we were to have another girl. (also love Theodora, with nn Thea)

    Margot is fabulous. As is Margaret.

    Other names I like Flora, Pearl, Brigitte, Estelle.

    Good luck!

  7. I also really like Orsen/Orson for a boy. Orson Scott Card is my strongest association, a great SciFi novelist. Orion is another similar choice with a more ancient, mythic feel. Roman feels both ancient and modern to me, so you could go either way. Other suggestions:
    Antony (from Antoinette)
    Gavin
    Nathan
    Soren
    Titus
    Valor
    Griffin
    Vero
    Kade
    Kieran/Kier
    Maddox
    Cyrus
    Marcus
    Tor

  8. I’ll add my daughter’s name, Oona, to the girls’ list since you like O names but didn’t have any for the girls :). it makes me think of adding Otto to the boys’ list as well. Other Os I love: Ottilie, Odette, Ottavia, Oswald. And for the O sound but with A: August/a, Auden, Aubry. I think Anton sounds handsome for you as well.

  9. I think Thea would be a great choice for a girl. Thea and Roman!

    Or what about Emilia? It sounds similar to Thea but it’s a bit more intricate. A lot of names on your list would pair as a great middle name with Emilia. Emilia and Roman.

    For boys, since you have Theo on your list I wonder if you would like Leo? Leo strikes me as super strong and brave (think Leo the lion) yet friendly and approchable all in one bold little package. Leo and Roman, Roman and Leo. Stunning set!

    1. I like this too!

      I also wanted to caution against Otto, as it risks going a little empire-y with Roman. I imagine myself getting tongue tied and saying Ottoman and Romo!

  10. Given that both Thea and Cora were on the list, I immediately thought of Thora.

    For a boy, how about Scott?