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FIRST NAME/LAST NAME MISMATCH
Brooke writes:
We are due with our first child, a girl, in early September. I always loved the name Eleanor with the nickname Ellie. But our last name sounds like Hen-en-ger, and Eleanor Hen-en-ger is a mouthful. (Note: it’s a hard G sound, like girl or get.)
My husband wants to name her just Ellie, but that doesn’t feel like enough name to me.
For different reasons, we have ruled out Katherine, Margaret, and Elizabeth. I know Eleanor is another very traditional name, but nothing else on the lists of traditional names really works for me.
I never liked how my name didn’t have a nickname, so I’d like my daughter to have more flexibility, but it feels like I’m drawn to short names like my own, like Sage, Jade, Blair, Lou, and Mae, but I don’t want to use those names. The names that I think of as serious and formal all seem like a little much.
What am I missing?
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
NAMES LIKE ELEANOR: TRADITIONAL WITH A SPARKY NICKNAME
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your daughter!
I think you’re on the right track. After all, if your married surname were Smith, this baby would be Eleanor “Ellie” Smith, right?
You’re faced with giving up a long-time favorite because of a first-last mismatch, and that’s always hard. But I don’t think you should abandon your goal of finding a longer first with a fun nickname. If that speaks to you – and it sounds like it does, for lots of reasons – let’s find one that works with Hen-en-ger.
Lists of traditional names might be a good place to start, but I’d like to expand the circle just a tiny bit wider. After all, if Katherine-called-Kate spoke to you, then this would be straightforward, right?
AMELIA
Eleanor is a popular name, so I’m going to suggest other names that rank in the US Top 100. In Amelia’s case, that’s actually the Top Ten. It shares some of Eleanor’s vintage style, could also shorten to Ellie or Mia or Lia or a few other options. I really like Amelia called Mimi, for a great classic/unexpected combination.
CECILIA
Like Amelia, Cecilia is vintage. Both names are flowing, with lots of soft, liquid sounds. Cecilia nickname Ceci/Cece seems like it might appeal.
ELOISE
Or maybe the real challenge is finding another Ellie name? I love the sound of Eloise with your surname, and Ellie is just right there. Other possibilities: Eliza, Elowyn, Elodie, and so many more.
JOSEPHINE
Like Eleanor, Josephine is traditional and gently French. Both names are quite popular name. And again, both come with so many nickname options.
LOUISE
If you love Lou, would Louise or Louisa work? Or even Lucia, Lucille, or another longer Lu/Lou name? Tallulah feels quite bold, while Louise is more understated and timeless.
MARIEL
Mary makes every list of classic choices. Marie and Maria, too. But I wonder if the slightly elaborated Mariel might be the best choice? It shares the EL of Eleanor and shortens to Ellie nicely.
ROSALIE
Would you consider Rosie? If so, plenty of formal names work nicely, but I think Rosalie could be the sweet spot for your family.
SOPHIA
Like Amelia, Sophia is very popular. But Sophie and even Sosie are sweet short forms, and it’s a traditional name with a great meaning – wisdom – and a soft-meets-strong sound.
Overall, I’m most drawn to Eloise. Eloise “Ellie” Blair Hen-en-ger. Bonus: Eloise also shortens to Lou, so another of your favorite names could be worked in.
Or maybe Mariel “Ellie” or “Mimi” Sage Hen-en-ger, particularly if finding a slightly less popular first matters.
Other names to consider for an Ellie nickname:
Eliza (traditional but shorter and spunkier than Elizabeth!), Elodie, Elise, Elena (Ellie, Lena), Joelle (Ellie, Jo), Ariel (Ellie, Ari), Isabel (Ellie, Izzy), Laurel (Laurie, Ellie), Mabel (Mae, Ellie).
I also like Eloise for the double nickname of Ellie or Lou.
Other ideas that are tailored or a bit short, but long enough to use a nickname: Maeve (Mae), Colette (Coco, Lettie), Eden (Edie), Cassia (Cass, Cassie), Helen (Nell, Nellie), Beatrice (Bea)
Lorelei “Rory, Ellie”
Colette “Coco, Lettie”
Evelyn “Evie”
Audrey “Drew”
Serena “Rena, Sari”
Vivian “Viv”
Jillian “Jill”
Geneva “Ginny, Eva”
I can totally relate to the surname clashing with a long-favoured name. Mine was Holly.
If you’re looking to give your Ellie a longer name that doesn’t’ clash with the surname but isn’t musty (to your ear) how about:
Elise
Eloise
Elliette (this is usually not my style, but I keep recommending it when it might work, because I knew a little Elliette and she warmed me to this)
Evangeline (bit less intuitive to Ellie but it’s right in there at the end)
Or or or… why not go the LE>Ellie route?? Then you can have your Eleanor in the middle, which to my ear makes the full name sound whimsical 🙂
Louise Eleanor
Lydia Eleanor
Lucinda Eleanor
Livia Eleanor
Hope you find something that sparks!
Congrats on your baby girl! For what it’s worth, I don’t think Eleanor is too much with your last name but if you’re not digging it then let’s see what else we can find 🙂
I think Abby’s suggestion of Eloise is perfect. It’s Eleanor adjacent, has tons of nicknames, and sounds great with your surname. Josephine is lovely suggestion too.
Some other ideas:
Alexandra. So. Many. Nicknames! Do you like Allie instead of Ellie? Alex, Lex, Lexi, Andy, Zadie, Xandra, Xandie
Adeline/Adelyn: Addie, Ada, Lynn, Linnie
Annabel: Anna, Annie, Belle
Caroline: Cara, Carly, Rory
Winifred or Gwendolyn: Winnie
Delaney: Della, Lainey
Meredith: Meri, Eddie, Edie
Vivian: Viv, Liv, Vivi, Livi
Do you like a name that feels sorta like a nickname but stands perfectly fine on its own? Sadie, Hallie, Molly, Maisie
How about a short name that can be lengthened into a longer name? Jane called Janie, Rose called Rosie, Grace called Gracie
I wanted to add to my last point: what about Elle called Ellie?
Oh love that idea!
Congratulations on your baby girl!
Like another poster, I don’t find Eleanor Hen-en-ger a mouthful. Is it the flow you don’t like, because they’re both 3 syllables? I think a longer first name with a longer family name works fine, especially if there’s a nickname you plan to use. Eleanor is so versatile -it’s beautiful as is but has multiple options for nicknames if she wants a less cute (ie one that doesn’t end in an -ee sound) nickname when she’s older.
If it’s still too much, would a 2 syllable first name work better for you?
I like Abby’s suggestion of Louise or Lucille, nn Lou (or Loulou).
I also like
-Margot -traditional like Margaret but more current, nns Maggie, Maisie, Meg & Margiestill work.
-Suzanne: Susanna is more current but either way you can get to Susie, Susie, Sue
There’s not a lot of 2 syllable names that have obvious nicknames. However, any name you give your daughter may result in family nicknames given for her specifically -calling her Ladybug, or Boo doesn’t depend on what her name actually is.
Or is a 4 syllable one okay for better flow?
-Eliana is longer, syllable-wise, but could still give you Ellie as a nn.
-Anastasia could give you Anna/Annie, Stacy or Sia
But 3 syllable names would still work since they so often provide lots of options for nicknames
-Annika/Anniki could give you Anna/Annie or Nicki
-Adelaide (Addy, Della, Lady (yes, I’ve met a couple Adelaide’s nicknamed Lady)
I hope you can enjoy the search, but rest assured, whatever name you choose for your daughter will end up being a loved name because it is hers.
My first thought was Eliana or Elliana to get to Ellie. Congratulations on your new daughter!
Oh good thought!
Oh! What about Lenore, nn Lynn?
Would “Elaine” be of interest? It is more streamlined than Eleanor and lovely, I think.
Elaine – nn Lainey
Personally I think that Eleanor Hen-en-ger isn’t too much of a mouthful at all, especially when Ellie makes for a easy everyday alternative. Of Abby’s suggestions I love Rosalie ‘Rosie’
Violet, Vivi
Sabrina, Bee or Brina
Philippa, Pippa
Naomi, Mimi
Jane, Janie
Isadora, Izzie or Dora
Cassandra, Cass
Miriam, Miri
Sylvie, Vivi
Antonia, Annie or Toni
Hi! I love all of Abby’s suggestions, but I just want to note that my niece, Eloise, has refused to be called “Ellie” or by any nickname. So…you can’t tell with nicknames…sometimes they fit & work, but they often can’t be imposed.
Here are some other ideas:
Linnea (Linny)
Frances (Francie)
Virginia (Ginny)
Genevieve (Evie)
Penelope (Penny/Nellie)
Camilla (Cammie/Millie)
Charlotte (Lottie)
Susannah (Susie or Sukie)
Such a good point, Cristina!