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!
Kim writes:
Hello there! We have a son, Graham, and are expecting twin girls this spring. We’d both like the female equivalents of Graham – classic and familiar but underused – but are having a tough time agreeing.
We’d like names that are strong versus delicate or overly girly.
We’re open to names that stand on their own, the way Graham does, or names that also have nickname possibilities.
The only names we’ve remotely agreed on are Madeline (my husband’s top pick) and Eleanor, but both are fairly popular (particularly Eleanor) which gives me reservations.
Names I like but my husband doesn’t: Florence, Frances, and Matilda.
Names I like and my husband is possibly open to: Margaret (I like the nickname Maisie), Fiona, Corrine, and Vera.
As far as middle names, we’d like to use Ann – which is my middle name, as well as my mother’s and my mother-in-law’s middle names – and Louise – which was my grandmother’s and my husband’s grandmother’s middle names.
Thank you in advance for any help you can give!
Please read on for my response, and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Dear Kim –
Twin daughters – how exciting! Congrats to you + your family.
Graham strikes me as un-fussy, a straightforward name that is tough to tie to any particular decade. People recognize it. I mean, everyone knows of a Graham or two, right? And yet it’s not a name that repeats too terribly often. I’d guess that the average Graham might go decades before he has a classmate or colleague by the same name. And yet, no one would ever dismiss it as a name that’s too different.
So what’s the feminine equivalent?
It’s not Madeline. You sort of know that already, because it is very popular. But here’s the thing about Madeline: it has multiple potential spellings. I counted eight in the current US Top 1000, and I know of at least two more in use on real kids. Madelyn is actually the most common spelling. Tally them all up, and it’s a name that’s been in heavy use for a decade or more.
Maisie and Fiona do sound like sisters for Graham. And I think they sound like sisters for each other, too!
Actually, lots of the names on your list seem like they have potential. But let’s see if we can think up some fresh ideas.
The challenge is this: names like Elspeth and Tamsin seem like obvious suggestions. But they’re a little too different, aren’t they? So let’s see if we can find something slightly more mainstream, without tipping into Madeline territory.
Brenna – Back in the day, Brenda was big. Jenna, too, No surprise, then, that Brenna saw some use. It peaked in the 1990s. And yet it doesn’t feel like a 90s name, not the way that Brittany and Ashley do. Plus, it means strength or maybe raven … both of which feel auspicious.
Claire – Spare, trim names like Jane and Mae are obvious suggestions. But I think it’s Claire that feels most Graham-like. The challenge here: does that mean that Claire’s sister would also need a single-syllable name?
Elise – Evergreen Elizabeth is always popular, but how about gentle Elise? Originally a short form, it stands on its own today. And, like Graham, I think it feels timeless. Another in this category? Ellen, which couldn’t be a sister for Elise, obviously – but does pair nicely with Graham, and substitutes for the more popular Eleanor.
Maeve – Sharp, stylish, and under-the-radar, Maeve could be great. Except it’s rising pretty quickly, thanks to a mix of an on-trend sound and a character from Westworld. For the moment, Maeve isn’t even in the US Top 300 – but five years ago, Maeve wasn’t in the Top 500. So it’s possible a Maeve born in 2019 might babysit a bunch of kiddos with her name in another fifteen years or so.
Maura – Maura last appeared in the US Top 1000 in 2006. Doesn’t that seem bananas? Like Graham, it has nicely Scottish roots. It’s familiar, but rare. One downside: it might be misspelled Moira, and Moira can be pronounced with an ‘oy’ sound as well as rhymes-with-Laura. I love the idea of Maura and Fiona as sisters for Graham.
Teagan – You’ve mentioned that you prefer strong names, and it also sounds like you’re found of straightforward ones. But is something like Teagan too modern and unisex? It seems to fit your criteria, and yet I’m not quite certain it’s your style.
One additional thought: have you ever considered naming your daughters Ann and Louise? Or Anna and Louise?
With all of these possibilities, here are my favorite combinations:
Anna Madeline and Louise Eleanor – Because your family names are great, strong, timeless choices that sound exactly right with Graham.
Maura Ann and Fiona Louise – They’re a little more conventionally feminine, but not in a frilly way.
Vera Ann and Maeve Louise – Linked by that strong, sharp ‘v’ sound.
Ellen Ann and Frances Louise – Just in case it’s possible your husband might warm to Frances! It’s got so much of what you’re looking for in a name …
Margaret Louise and Frances Ann – Or how ’bout Margaret and Frances, called Maisie and Frannie?
Overall, I’m most curious if you’d consider Louise and Anna. If not, Maura and Fiona seem like a logical pair.
But let’s turn it over to the readers, because I know there will be some great suggestions! What would you name twin sisters for Graham?
I am just now seeing this and am so grateful for the suggestions. Quite sadly, after writing in for name help we lost one of the twins around 12 weeks (which we grieved but have been adjusting to). I decided we should still give her a name – we named her Esme Louise (Esme means “beloved”). Despite our loss, it is still lovely to read through these suggestions – and there are great possibilities for the healthy baby girl we’re still expecting. Thank you.
Oh, Kim, I’m so, so sorry for your loss! Thinking of you and yours.
I always wanted twin girls and I would have named them Jane and Kate.
My father’s name is Graham, his sisters are Christine and Lynette.
He has a cousin called Beverley.
Some names that were contemporary to Graham to consider.
I love Maisie and Fiona as sisters for Graham! What sweet names.
If I had been a boy, I would have been Graham, so I’ll also chime in with my name, Julia, which is maybe too popular for your taste (I love my name). My older sister is Freya Louise (I also love her name).
Congrats on your twins! How exciting.
Esther Anne
Esme Louise
Or be crazy and be like
Esmeralda Anne “esme, mera, essie “
Esperanza Louise “esper, peri, zuzu”
Eve and Faye
Eve and Freya
I think E, F, G would be cute and love Eve with Graham
Strong, vintagey names like Agnes, Sybil, Leona, Rosalie and Marjory seem like they might fit.
I think my favorite combos would be Leona Louise and Agnes Ann because I’m a sucker for alliteration.
Madeline Ann & Eliza Louise
Graham, Madeline, & Eliza
Nora Louise & Hazel Ann
Graham, Nora, & Hazel
Vera Ann & Kate Louise
Graham, Vera, & Kate
Clara Louise & Juliet Ann
Graham, Clara, & Juliet
My first thoughts were Alice and Helen(a), both of which have been suggested by other commentors, and I agree that Margaret and Fiona are great. Elizabeth (especially a less common nn like Betty, Betsy, or Liza), Beatriz or Beatrix, and Rosalind or Rosamund come to mind too.
I think Wren and Elle are lovely names… simple, strong, original, and very elegant. They would sound magical with Graham. Adelaide, Etta, Haven, and Raina are all stunning names as well. Congratulations on your two lovely girls!
Gillian/Jillian
Greta
Nora
Daisy
Sadie
Hazel
Mira
Maribel
Naomi
Alice
I see people have already suggested Daphne. Fiona for some reason just makes me think of Daphne, love them together.
Would also like to suggest Annika to elaborate on Anne if that’s not quite doing it for you.
Fiona Elise and Margaret June are very strong to me.
Love these suggestions! Margaret is adorable and could also be shortened to Margo for an everyday setting (:
I think Maisie and Fiona are perfect as sisters for Graham! I would find it hard to resist a Margaret Ann nn Maisie and Fiona Louise pairing, but I also quite the combination of Maura and Fiona.
Oh, I do like Margaret “Maisie” and Fiona together!
Graham is lovely. I’m surprised no one has suggested Lorna.
Graham, Lorna, and Maeve is a fun combo.
I LOVE that!
Mary could also be Maisie and fits the criteria I think.
And Jane?
Mary Ann & Jane Louise.
My twins are
Aria Jae and Evie Olivia
My older daughter is Stella Grey
Other names
Indie
Avery
Cora
Mia
Layla
Arabella
Vera
Jessa
Kennedy
Love Graham! I think Margaret, nn Maisie, would be lovely for one of the twins.
Graham, Maisie and …
Nora
Cora
Lucinda, nn Lucy
Ainsley
Edie
Daphne
Tess
I like Elise Ann & Cora Louise best of all the suggestions. They are beautiful together and with Graham!
Do you like:
Beatrice Ann & Daphne Louise
Cora Louise & Delia Anna
Mavis Ann & Flora Louise
Marina Ann & Greta Louise
Penelope Ann & Vivian Louise
Best wishes and congrats!!
Twin sisters for Graham- I would pick Elise & Tessa!
I also think Camille is nice with Graham. It’s one of those names that feels like it could have been born in any decade and it’s not going to take off and zoom up the charts. Plus it’s not overly frilly!
Maybe…
Elise Ann and Camille Louise
Elise Ann and Tessa Louise
Camille Ann and Vivian Louise
Camille Ann and Eleanor Louise
Camille Ann and Margaret Louise (Millie and Maisie )
From your list I love Fiona & Vera too!
Annabel Clare
Catrina Louise
Annabel and Catrina (or Catriona — which is pronounced the same as Catrina)
Like Graham, Annabel and Catrina have strong Scottish associations.
2017 SSA baby names popularity:
Graham – #183
Annabel – #785
Catrina – not in the Top 1000
The twins could be called by their full names or “Annie” and “Catie”.
Helena/ Helen
Jewel
Philippa
Amy
Dorothy
Ginger
Rosemary
Melissa
Fern
Ida
Susan
Ruth
Yvette
Meredith
Phoebe, Cecily, Evangeline, Esme, Violet, Hazel, Cora, Verity.
My favorite combos:
Cecily Ann + Esme Louise
Phoebe Ann + Violet Louise
Verity Ann + Evangeline Louise
Hazel Ann + Cora Louise
I LOVE all your ideas!!!
Congrats! Some of these may be weirder than you like but hopefully helpful in stimulating new ideas! Also included are my faves from above.
Daphne/Delphine
Renae
Anna
Louisa
Wilona
Tallulah
Theresa/Therese
Beatrice
Brynne
Maeve
Victoria
Julianne
Petra
Moriah
Diana
Claira
Bethany
Tabitha
Gwendolyn
Rowan
Ada
Nola
Zeta
Yuri
Rosamund
Esther
Rosemary
Laurel
Mira
Helena
Juniper
Bryony
Dahlia
Lilliana
Flora
Arbor
Ester
Luna/lumi
My kids names are also different but acknowledged as names: Titus, Mira, Jubilee -in heaven are Soleil, Victory, Stellar, Journey. We felt more freedom to be crazy with our Heaven babies:)
I LOVE Gwendolyn: very sophisticated and strong! And wow, I’ve been wanting to name my future son Titus for years! Such a lovely name!
Titus is the best, do it! Such a strong name and not super common from what I’ve seen.
My secret faves for our next ones are
Abbot
Vanguard
Novak
Anchor
Exetor
Lathrop
Ester
Asa
Harbor
Providence
Magdalena
Bethel
I think Ann/Anne and Louise would be perfect. Maybe Louise Madeline and Anne Elizabeth?