Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. We discuss readers’ name questions.
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!
Melanie writes:
I am due with our fifth baby early in 2024. Names have always come easily to us, but this time it feels like we just can’t decide.
It’s also the only time we’ve found our baby’s sex in advance. We’re having a girl! For us, we probably had three or four more boy names we could’ve used, but girls’ names have always been a little harder. This is probably our last baby, and I think I’m also feeling overwhelmed knowing this is the last name I’ll choose!
Our four children’s names are:
- Katharine Grace, usually called Katie but now Kate as she’s getting older. Katharine is a very important name on my side of the family, though the older Katharine is called Kathy.
- Lidia Marie, usually called Liddy. Lydia was my favorite name, but my husband preferred it spelled Lidia. It’s been a little bit of an issue, but she doesn’t seem to mind.
- John Matthew, called Jack. John is an important name for my husband’s family. His dad is also John, and it’s my husband’s middle name but our Jack is the only (living) Jack in the family.
- Samuel Henry, called Sam. I love this name so much! I’d always imagined naming a baby boy Sam, and I love the way Jack and Sam sound together.
Names we’ve discussed so far:
- Margot, partially because I really like the name and partially because Margaret is a big name in my husband’s family, but this generation already has a Margaret, called Maggie.
- Eliza/Elisa/Elise, from my middle name, Elizabeth, but I don’t really want to use Elizabeth, and I’m not sure about the nickname Ellie. It’s sweet, but we know lots of Ellies already.
- Ellen, one of my long-time favorite names, but I worry that it’s maybe a little quiet compared to Katharine and Lidia?
- Miriam, completely new to my list, but I like it so much! My husband isn’t sure, and I don’t know about nicknames, but Mimi could be really sweet!
- Evangeline, has been on my list forever. I know it’s too long (like Elizabeth) but I really like the nickname Evie/Eve/Eva and I feel like I can’t let it go. My husband is less enthusiastic, but he says he doesn’t hate it.
- Alice, a name that has been on our list since Jack, but has always been more of my husband’s pick than mine.
- Rosalie – another name that has been on our list for ages, and I think we could both be happy with it, but I’m worried we’re overlooking something. If we don’t name her Rosalie, we’d probably use the middle name Rose.
What do you think? Is one of these names it, and we’re just not seeing it? Or is there some other name we should think about?
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughter!
Naming is that rare parenting task that gets harder. We know so much more! And we know so MANY more children, too. Knowledge, it turns out, isn’t always helpful when it comes to this kind of decision.
I do think any of the names on your current list could be perfect with Kate, Liddy, Jack, and Sam. They’re all traditional but with a cozy-casual vibe.
Of course, lots of girls’ names fall into that broad category. I’ll suggest a few more, but first let me rate your current shortlist, from least to most suggested.
7. ELLEN
I agree with you that there’s a simplicity to Ellen. And yet, I don’t think it’s too basic. If anything, it’s one of my favorite under-the-radar names. But, but, but … the only obvious nickname for Ellen is Ellie, and since you’re not crazy about it, I’m inclined to put it last.
6. ALICE
It’s lovely with Katharine and Lidia, but it sounds like you both don’t agree.
5. EVANGELINE
I like this name even better with your older kids’ names: Kate, Liddy, Jack, Sam, and Evie. Swoon! But as with Alice, if you’re not both on board, it moves down the list.
4. MIRIAM
Is there an echo in here? Again, Miriam is perfection, but I’m not sure it’s so good that it makes up for your husband’s hesitation. (But a thousand yeses to Miriam called Mimi!)
3. ELIZA or ELISE or ELISA
This might be my top name except … do you have the Ellie issue again? Elise/Elisa could be Elsie and Eliza could be Liza or Lizzie, but it’s still a factor.
2. MARGOT
What a great name! Love it with your older kids’ names, too, but … will you miss the lack of an easy nickname? Is this stepping on your family member’s toes?
1. ROSALIE
I do think this is the name to beat. First, because you agree. Second, because it’s got the same great style as Katharine and Lidia, Jack and Sam. And the nickname works, too: Kate, Liddy, Jack, Sam, and Rosie. What’s not to love?
But since you’re hesitating, let’s consider a few more possibilities.
A SISTER FOR KATE, LIDDY, JACK & SAM
CECILIA
I’d call Cecilia a classic, but it probably feels a little more vintage than strictly traditional. Nickname Ceci/Cece would fit with your older kids’ names so well!
ELIZABETH
Yes, I know – it’s off your list. But … what if you called her Betty? All the time, just like your Katharine is always Katie/Kate. It’s a fresh, vintage nickname with plenty of spirit, instantly familiar and seldom heard all at the same time.
ELOISE
I’ve waved off other El- names because of the Ellie issue. But Eloise can so easily be Lola that I’m tempted to call this the one El- name that might just work!
GENEVIEVE
If Evangeline isn’t quite it, could Genevieve be the name that satisfies you both? Nickname Evie could work for Genevieve every bit as well, or there’s Gen, Genna, Vivi, Gigi …
LUCIA, LOUISE
What do you think of Lucia or Louise called Lucy? Or Lucinda, Louisa, Lucille, Lucienne … or some other Lou-/Lu- name?
MARIANA
If Miriam is not quite right, does Mariana satisfy? Mimi could work as a nickname, along with other choices, like Mia.
TERESA
Nickname Tess/Tessa sounds so much like a sister for Kate, Liddy, Jack, and Sam.
VERONICA
I love the way Veronica feels quirky and different, traditional and classic, all at the same time. Shorten it to Vera, Vica, Nica, Vero, or Ronnie, or even just Vee.
From your choices, my vote goes to Rosalie. From my list, if I can’t convince you of Elizabeth called Betty, then I’ll vote for Genevieve as a strong alternative to Evangeline.
How about Elinor? One thing I notice is that your daughters have classic names with spellings that are uncommon. Elinor is a legi, classic spelling right out of Jane Austen’d Sense and Sensibility. It could be turned into Elin/Ellen, Ellie, Nora, Nell, Nellie, Ella or whatever other nickname you can think of. I like Elinor Margot but Elinor Rose is certainly quite pretty too.
The existing names are all biblical or saints, so Miriam/Mimi/Miri jumped out of your list for me, although the other ones also fit. Miriam Rose or Miriam Elise would both be lovely.
Other possibilities:
Greta (Margaret/Greta or just Greta)
Magdalena/Lena
Audrey
Mary Margaret/Margo
Evelyn/Evie/Elyn (if you really like Ellen) [Note, Ellen is also the middle sound of Melanie]
Rosemary or Mary Rose, called Rosie
Delaney/Laney (subtle tribute to mom Melanie)
Delia/Dia/Dilly or Cordelia/Dilly
Susannah/Susie/Sana
I pointed out elsewhere that Rosalie could have as nns Sallie or Salie (prn with the Z sound like Rosalie). Sarah/Sally would also fit your naming style.
If you want to lean into Pride and Prejudice in a different way, you could use the name Darcy. Kate, Lidia, and Darcy feel like sisters.
Rosalie is beautiful.
What I’m hearing is you wish you could have had Margaret as it’s a family name. My suggestion is use the meaning Pearl as the middle name.
Rosalie Pearl
Omg, @Iris has a great point! Why not go all in with Mary Jane? Such a sweet underused name.
Miriam feels like the best fit with her big sister names. Those names with those spellings feel from a different era. Mimi is an adorable nickname! Miriam Rose. You could also call her Ree?
Evangeline is so so lovely. Why shouldn’t your caboose have her own syllable count? If your partner can be swayed, I’d go for it.
If you like Ellen but feel it doesn’t ‘fit’ would you consider Helena? That would eliminate the nickname potential of Elli. Nell or Hennie would be sweet. Or Elinor and call her Nora?
Good luck!
Miriam is my favorite of your possibilities. Nickname options could be Mimi, Mia, Mira, and Miri.
I don’t see anything wrong with a second Margaret in the family. Margaret called Margot is distinctly different than Margaret called Maggie, but you know best how this might be received in your specific family.
Elin, pronounced EE-lin might be an alternative to Ellen.
Eleanora is right up there with Evangeline in the “big name” category, but it could shorten to Ella, Nell, Nella, or Nora. I really like Nora — Kate, Liddy, Jack, Sam, and Nora.
Alicia is a bit of a bridge between Elise/Elisa and Alice. Allison might be another possibility.
I also like Abby’s suggestions of Genevieve (nn Evie) and Teresa (nn Tess/Tessa). The fourth daughter we didn’t have would have been named Therese Isabel B., nicknamed Tess/Tessa/Tibby.
Best wishes to you!
As a Jane Austen fan, I must warn you that you’ve got 2 out of 5 Bennett sisters, so Elizabeth would be great if you love that association, or too much if you don’t want that (I would do it!)
Rosamund is a great alternative to Rosalie.
I also love Claire for you, but no obvious nickname.
Annalise would give you a nod to Elizabeth, with a completely different name.
Kate, Liddy, Jack, Sam and Annie.
If dad doesn’t like Evangeline, maybe Evelyn?
Kate, Liddy, Jack, Sam and Eve.
If you like Margot but want to avoid Maggie, Marigold is very close and you can use Mary as the nickname.
Another name that seems to fit your family is Madeline nn Maddie.
I think you could use Eliza “Lizzie” or Elise/Elisa “Elsie”. Or Ellen “Nell”. Nell is so cute! If Rosalie isn’t quite perfect, how about another Rose name, like Rosemary or Rosalind? Or if you don’t want to use Evangeline (or Genevieve, as Abby suggested), what about Evelyn, Evelina or Eva? Good luck!
I think Eliza “Lizzie” works really well! Or Elise/Elisa “Elsie”. Or, what about Ellen with the nickname Nell? Another thought- if Rosalie isn’t quite right, what about another Rose name? I think Rosemary is perfect with your other kids names. There’s also Rosalind and Rosamund, but that might be a lot. Or another Eve name? Evangeline and Genevieve are gorgeous, but there’s also Evelyn and Evalina. Or just Eve/Eva!
I agree with Abby that Rosalie/Rosie sounds lovely with your other children, but you sound so blah about it. I would put Evangeline & Miriam at the top of your list.
Katharine, Lidia, John, Samuel & Evangeline. I don’t think it’s too long, you already have 2 kids with 3 syllable names, this is only 1 extra.
Kate, Liddie, Jack, Sam & Evie/Eva is sweet.
Evangeline Rose is gorgeous.
Miriam is lovely too & more unheard than your other choices. Katharine, Lidia, John, Samuel & Miriam -it fits perfectly.
Kate, Liddie, Jack, Sam & Mimi -I love it.
Miriam Rose is lovely, Miriam Alice works too if that’s hubby’s favourite.
My favourite for you would be Evangeline though.
Congrats on baby #5! Rosalie “Rosie” is so absolutely perfect! I’m hard pressed to add any more suggestions. I do think Margaret “Margo” is really lovely as well and is different enough from Maggie to not cause any confusion. Elizabeth called Eliza instead of Ellie helps with the issue of already knowing so many Ellies. I also like your husband’s suggestion of Alice but maybe the nickname Allie is close enough to Ellie (but not nearly as popular) for your liking?
Rosalie “Rosie” Kate, Liddy, Jack, Sam, Rosie
Margaret “Margo” Kate, Liddy, Jack, Sam, Margo
Elizabeth “Eliza” Kate, Liddy, Jack, Sam, Eliza
Alice “Allie” Kate, Liddy, Jack, Sam, Allie