Naming a Sister for Ophelia: Beautiful and Daring Vintage Finds

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. 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! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

NAMING A SISTER FOR OPHELIA

Emma writes:

I love our daughter’s name, Ophelia Rose. It’s dramatic and has a lot of presence, but it’s not so different that it comes across as too much.

Even with the Taylor Swift song, she’s the only Ophelia we know.

Now we’re expecting another daughter. Our list of names so far is Anastasia, Evangeline, and Tabitha.

I’d call our style grown-up goth. We don’t want anything that feels too subculture/fandom-y, but my heart does lie with all things darkly romantic.

Between those three names, which one goes best with Ophelia? Are there other names we might not have thought of?

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

ANASTASIA, EVANGELINE, TABITHA

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your second daughter!

The good news: you know your style. And you’re able to balance the images and associations that appeal to you with a name that’s broadly familiar and wearable, too.

Even better, all three names on your shortlist would pair nicely with big sister Ophelia.

So how to choose?

EVALUATING THE CURRENT LIST OF NAMES FOR OPHELIA’S SISTER

Assuming all three names have a similar sound and vibe, what factors differentiate the names? I hear two:

1. Popularity – Ophelia currently ranks #264 as of 2025. While it’s gained in use significantly over the last decade, that’s still not Delilah, Aurora, or Olivia levels. The names on your short list do vary a bit, so we can consider whether helps you choose.
2. Nickname-ability – It sounds like you don’t shorten Ophelia’s name, and to be fair, there’s no real default nickname. In the Flavia de Luce novels, her older sister is called Feely for short … which I can’t recommend. The names on your current list vary in terms of how easily/how likely they are to be shortened, so this might also help you decide.

Now let’s look at your list.

ANASTASIA #163

While Anastasia continues to gain modestly in use, it’s more of a modern staple than a new discovery. This generation of parents grew up with the 1997 movie, lending Anastasia a mix of pop culture energy but also historical legitimacy. After all, if you take away the talking bat and the happy ending, it’s (loosely) based on real events. While Anastasia is more popular than Ophelia on paper, it’s not as likely to continue to gain in use, at least not in a big way. In terms of nicknames, though, thanks to the movie, we all think of Anya as a logical short form. Which may or may not sway your opinion.

EVANGELINE #147

Many of the same things that impact Anastasia are at play with Evangeline. It’s strongly tied to Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. Though the 2009 movie gave the name to an imaginary firefly and a love song, so it’s far more subtle. There’s an old school Longfellow poem that marks Evangeline as storied and tragic. And it’s also easily shortened to Evie.

TABITHA unranked

The outlier on your list has to be Tabitha. It doesn’t appear in the current US Top 1000, and has not done so since 2016. But it has plenty of potential and no obvious short forms. Tabby, I suppose? It sounds like a sister for Ophelia, but I’m not sure it feels quite as bold and daring at this very moment.

FRESH SUGGESTIONS FOR OPHELIA’S SISTER

CAMILLE #240

There’s a darkly romantic energy to Camille. And while Camila is a Top 25 name for girls right now, Camille feels distinct and different. Bonus? Edgar Allan Poe used the name for a character, so it’s literary, too.

MATILDA #365

There’s some real offbeat energy to Matilda, and I like the way it matches Ophelia.

PERSEPHONE #735

This name’s ties to a goddess of the seasons makes it a gently Goth choice.

SERAPHINA #600

An elaborate, fiery name, Seraphina shares the PH sound with Ophelia, but is still completely different.

TALLULAH #940

This name might be more in the Matilda category, but I think Tallulah is a slight twist on Tabitha that feels a little more familiar circa 2026. A possible bonus: nickname Lulu, Lula, or Lu.

TOP CHOICES: EVANGELINE OR PERSEPHONE

Sometimes I have a clear favorite after going through all of the options.

This time? I feel like nearly any name you’re considering could wear well.

But from your list, I’ll put Evangeline at the top. Like Ophelia, the name offers a strong literary pedigree and a distinctive sound that’s been in use for long enough to feel richly vintage.

From my list, I’ll suggest Persephone. If Ophelia has the Taylor Swift song, well … Persephone has the character in the Hadestown musical, which feels just right for your style.

Readers, over to you! What would you name a sister for Ophelia Rose?