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Name Help: A Sister for Henry and Alice

July 2, 2016 By appellationmountain 32 Comments

Name Help: A Sister for Henry and Alice

Name 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!

Jen writes:

We’re expecting baby number three in September. It’s a girl. Naming our first two children was easy, but this time, we agree on NOTHING!

Our son is Henry Elliot. Henry has been my favorite boy name forever. Elliot is from my husband’s family tree, but really, we just kind of liked the two names together.

Our daughter is Alice Kimberly. There’s no real story to Alice, it just was the first name we agreed on, and I’ve come to love it more and more. Kimberly is my aunt’s name. She’s also Alice’s godmother, and I wanted Alice to have a name from my side to balance things out.

Last name sounds like Woffet, but with an M.

Names I like, but my husband does not: Cora, Louise/Louisa, Clara

Names my husband likes, but I don’t: Sarah, Emily, Ruby, Daisy, Jane

We agree on Charlotte, but we know three already. (We also know two other Henrys, and we know of one other Alice, but we didn’t know any of them before our kids were born, and somehow I’m not bothered by the idea that there are other kids out there as much as I feel like I’m repeating when I already know the kids.)

Also, Charlotte doesn’t sound great with our last name. That’s probably why we dropped Violet, another name that we almost agree on.

Because his dad and my grandfather are both Joseph, we like the idea of Josephine, but I hate, hate, hate Josie. So I don’t want to use it as a first name. And I really don’t care for nicknames in general. I think that’s why I can’t get behind Jane, which I almost like and might not rule out if we really had nothing else – but would it always be Janie? I don’t irrationally dislike Janie the way that Josie makes me cringe, but it’s still not a name I would choose.

If Alice had been a boy, we would probably have named her Max or maybe Maxwell.

Talking about this is making me nuts, and we’re getting closer and closer to my due date with no names. Help!

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

Hi Jen –

Congratulations on baby #3! It feels like you and your husband have very similar taste in names, and you’ve done a beautiful job naming your older children. I’m sure the right name is close – even if it doesn’t feel that way right now!

We’re looking for a girl’s name that is:

  • Traditional
  • Nickname-proof
  • Goes well with Henry and Alice

A great many traditional names come with nicknames galore. Katherine, Elizabeth, Margaret, and company are all out. But I think there are still quite a few to consider.

Claire – Claire is close to Clara, from your list, but also reminds me of Jane. Unlike Jane, it’s relatively rare to meet a Claire called Clary. (It happens, of course. In The Mortal Instruments, Clary is short for Clarissa.) Claire is classic, and sounds like a sister for Henry and Alice. Plus, I love the sound of Claire Josephine!

Lucy – Lucy sounds a lot like Ruby from his list, but also the Louisa/Louise from your favorites. Henry, Alice, and Lucy work nicely together.

Margot – Daisy is sometimes considered a nickname for Margaret, but you’ve ruled out nickname names. Margot also started out as a form of Margaret, but stands on its own in 2016. I love the way Margot sounds with your surname. (And since you’ve considered Max, I’m assuming you’re on board with the initials M.M.)

Kate – Recommending Margot rather than Margaret made me think of Kate. The downside to Kate is that it could easily become Katie, which is exactly the problem you’re hoping to avoid with Jane/Janie. And yet, I do feel like it fits with your overall style well, so I’ll let you decide if it works or not.

Emma – Normally I don’t recommend the most popular names. Except. Emma would be a great compromise between your Cora and his Emily. And you haven’t mentioned knowing any other Emmas, the way you know Charlottes.

Iris – Because Violet was almost the name, and Daisy is on his list, I wanted to find another floral name. Iris is elegant and nickname proof, but I wonder if runs together a little bit with Alice? To me, Henry, Alice, and Iris sound great together, but I’ll be curious to hear others’ reactions.

Nora – If Cora is out, how about Nora? I think it feels a little more traditional and buttoned-down, but still has some of Cora’s vintage appeal.

Georgia – I would probably call Georgia nickname-rich. There’s Georgie and Gigi, after all, and I could probably find a few more options. Except that the Georgias I know typically don’t use nicknames. So I think Henry, Alice, and Georgia would go together nicely.

Overall, I think Claire is my favorite. It’s so close to names you’re already considering, but it sidesteps the problem of Jane/Janie. Though there are lots of options that work beautifully, and I also love the sound of Henry, Alice, and Nora.

Readers, what would you suggest to Jen? Are there other names they should consider for Henry and Alice’s sister?

More names you might like:

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  • Name Help: Crazy Long List for a SonName Help: Crazy Long List for a Son
  • Name Help: A Sibling for RubyName Help: A Sibling for Ruby

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Comments

  1. Laura says

    August 29, 2020 at 4:15 PM

    I know this isn’t exactly traditional, and the baby is already born, but I adore the thought of MAXIE with the other two. It doesn’t fit your style, but its what first came to the top of my head. Sure, jokes galore. But, if you could look past the jokes, and initial reaction, its a really cute name!

    Reply
  2. Nicola says

    July 10, 2016 at 3:41 PM

    Oh, I’m late to this one but I love a lot of the suggestions, and am going to throw Carrie in the mix!

    Reply
  3. C in DC says

    July 5, 2016 at 9:06 AM

    Mary was the first name to come to mind. Or Marie if you want to stay with 5 letters/2 syllables. Both work with Josephine as a middle. Macy or Maisy, too.

    Audrey Josephine
    Hazel Josephine
    Teresa Josephine
    Delia Josephine
    Betty or Betsy Josephine
    Ella Josephine
    Annette Josephine
    Adele Josephine
    Maeve Josephine
    Flora Josephine
    Fiona Josephine

    (So many options!)

    Reply
  4. adk says

    July 4, 2016 at 10:50 PM

    My favorite suggestion is Nora Josephine. Henry, Alice, and Nora/Norah is gorgeous! If you use the Norah spelling then all 3 kiddos will have names 5 letters long (sweet but subtle connection among them)

    What about
    Eloise (it’s a nice combo of your Louise and his Emily)
    Lydia
    Esther
    Amelia/Emilia
    Evelyn
    Caroline
    Eliza
    Vivian
    Lily
    Ivy
    Vera (this is great with Alice and Henry and virtually nickname proof as well but it also sounds similar to your other choices of Violet and Cora)

    Reply
  5. Connie says

    July 4, 2016 at 9:45 PM

    Suggestions: Thea, May, Rose, Joanna, Flora, Imogen, Eliza, Eloise, Fiona, Belle, Edie, Helen, Elaine, Tessa

    Reply
  6. Stefanie says

    July 4, 2016 at 6:14 PM

    Whoops, hit post too soon. Then I saw your husband nixed Cora, and was bummed. I think you should convince him, but barring that, Nora Josephine is just as good, I think! What lovely names your older two have. Congrats!

    Reply
  7. Stefanie says

    July 4, 2016 at 6:12 PM

    First one to come to mind is Cora Josephine Woffet-with-an-M!

    Reply
  8. Tiffany says

    July 4, 2016 at 2:56 PM

    Before reading the post, I thought of Charlotte. It’s perfect for your style. If it’s out, though, I like the suggestions of Lucy, Eleanor, Emma, and Claire.

    Reply
  9. Caaren says

    July 4, 2016 at 2:23 AM

    What about Isla? Short, pretty, little bit vintage. Isla Josephine sounds lovely. Henry, Alice and Isla.

    Absolutely love the suggestion of Margot.

    Reply
  10. The Mrs. says

    July 3, 2016 at 7:12 PM

    Do you like peaceful Irene? Henry, Alice, and Irene. It is a bit sing-songy with Josephine as a middle.

    How about Estelle? It’s as feminine and tailored as Alice, doesn’t really lend itself to nicknames, and sounds glorious with Josephine. Henry, Alice, & Estelle.
    Estelle Josephine _offet.

    There’s also Maren. Classic and lovely, two syllables like her siblings, underused, and elegant. Maren Josephine _offet.
    Henry, Alice, & Maren.

    Best wishes!

    Reply
  11. Candy says

    July 3, 2016 at 6:04 PM

    Nora Claire?
    Hazel Jane?

    Reply
  12. Nicole Francois says

    July 3, 2016 at 2:32 PM

    I immediately thought of Fern. But I love Fern and love suggesting Fern!! I think Henry, Alice, and Fern is truly lovely though. I know a lot of people above like Claire, and I do too, but I know soooo many baby Claires and Claras (why? How? I don’t know but I’ve met at least five in the last year. Too me these names are too similar to count separately, you know?) I’ve NEVER met a baby Fern. I also love the suggestion of Vera. Other names I like for you:
    Edith
    Daphne
    Carmen
    Joan
    Dorothy (although this one is nickname central, which doesn’t seem to be your thing. Still makes a great sibset I think).
    Mabel
    Simone

    Let us know what you decide!

    Reply
  13. Ette says

    July 3, 2016 at 7:57 AM

    My first thought was Celia or Cecilia. Do you like Lena?

    Caroline or Carolina
    Marion
    Juliet
    June
    Vera
    Ivy
    Sylvie
    May
    Odette
    Eve

    Reply
  14. Sara says

    July 3, 2016 at 6:01 AM

    How about either Marian or Mariel?

    Reply
  15. Erin says

    July 3, 2016 at 12:38 AM

    Cora was my instant thought when I saw your other children’s names. Then, I saw you’ve considered it already and it isn’t your husband’s favorite. Hopefully he can reconsider. It also is lovely with Josephine as a middle. If not, Iris is a close second.

    Reply
  16. Mirabai Knight says

    July 2, 2016 at 11:39 PM

    How about Ruth? Traditional, elegant, and mostly nickname-proof.

    Reply
    • Mirabai Knight says

      July 2, 2016 at 11:39 PM

      Ooh, or Prose!

      Reply
  17. Lola says

    July 2, 2016 at 10:36 PM

    What about Delia, Edith, Julie, Leila, Maeve, Olive and Pearl.

    Reply
  18. Christina Fonseca says

    July 2, 2016 at 9:29 PM

    Lucy and Claire seem like natural choices with Henry and Alice. Lucy _offett, Claire _offett both sound good. Lucy and Alice / Lucy and Claire sound like sisters without being matchy. Best wishes.

    Reply
  19. KaterinaS says

    July 2, 2016 at 9:20 PM

    Claire Josephine is a fantastic suggestion. I also like the suggestions of Viola and May. I know two sisters named Alice and Katie. And those are their give names not nicknames. So Kate could work as well, except for the high probability that people will call her Katie.

    You can also look at the always classic Mary.
    Henry, Alice, and Mary…. though I really do think Claire Josephine is beyond amazing. Best of luck.

    Reply
  20. Sara says

    July 2, 2016 at 9:09 PM

    Alice and Iris are too close for my taste (in fact, my brain smooshed them when I was writing the sentence and it came out “Alis.”

    I like Claire and Lucy, and the suggestion of June is great. June is really growing on me!

    Reply
  21. Liza says

    July 2, 2016 at 5:36 PM

    What about Lily, Layla, Lila or Hazel? I also think Claire Josephine is great.

    Reply
    • Liza says

      July 2, 2016 at 9:08 PM

      Caroline and Beatrice came to me later because Alice and Henry have a sort of British vibe like these 2 – but maybe too long or not nickname proof enough…

      Reply
  22. Kim says

    July 2, 2016 at 4:50 PM

    I love Claire Josephine! I like that Josephine honors both sides of your family, sort of rounds things out in the name honoring department.

    Reply
  23. Patricia says

    July 2, 2016 at 1:50 PM

    I have a 6-year-old granddaughter named Jane and called Jane. I think you can avoid the nickname. (On the other hand, I know a 6-year-old Alice who was given that name to get to “Allie”; she’s called both.)

    I like the suggestion of Claire, but I’d spell it the traditional British way, Clare; I think that goes better with Henry and Alice.

    I think JANE, Clare, Emma, and Lucy work well with Henry and Alice. Margot,Georgia and Iris not so much, and Kate seems too much a nickname/shortening, while Henry and Alice are traditional full given names

    Reply
    • Patricia says

      July 2, 2016 at 7:10 PM

      Just noticed that Mommy’s name is Jen, so Jane is probably too close.

      Really like Clare or Claire Josephine for you.

      Reply
  24. Virginia says

    July 2, 2016 at 1:46 PM

    My suggestions: Anna/Hannah, Grace, Eleanor, Audrey, Stella, Rose, and Julia.

    Reply
  25. Emma says

    July 2, 2016 at 1:14 PM

    Claire, Lucy, Nora, and Georgia are my favorites with Henry and Alice. Claire Josephine is just gorgeous!

    Reply
  26. Kerry says

    July 2, 2016 at 12:55 PM

    Maybe Joanna? Similar to Jane, could be an honor name for Joseph, but a little less nickname prone. (And maybe you mostly hate nicknames that end in -ie).

    Or, if you really want nickname proof, how about May?

    Reply
  27. Kate says

    July 2, 2016 at 12:24 PM

    What about June? I think Henry, Alice and June are lovely together!!

    Reply
  28. Sargjo says

    July 2, 2016 at 12:04 PM

    I love Lucy!! I’ll add Grace, Evelyn and Viola as nickname proof names. I know Evelyn can be Evie and Viola can be Vivi but they really don’t have to be since the initial vowel sounds are different. I know a Josina as well, if you want a less nicknameable form of Joseph.

    Reply
    • emmy says

      July 2, 2016 at 2:13 PM

      I’ve known several Graces called Gracie, which I think is also pretty, but is certainly a nickname.

      Reply

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