Naming a Sister for Wells and Wilder: Strong & Outdoorsy

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.

THERE’S A PATTERN HERE

Brielle writes:

We have two boys, Wells Asher and Wilder Bailey. I can see now that their names are very similar, but when we were naming Wilder I just loved the way Wells and Wilder sounded in combination.

I still think that’s our vibe. Outdoorsy, kind of rugged names that you don’t hear too often.

Now we’re having a girl, and there are SO MANY NAMES that I love and that would be great, but also I’m not sure if any of them are a match.

The girl name I loved from the beginning was Willow, but that’s completely out now.

Our last name sounds like Mark-em.

Here is my list:

• Hazel – Only we know two, and one is close enough to us that it could be awkward.
• May/Mae – Weird for a baby born in August? Also not sure about M.M. initials.
• Winter – Same question as May, but also … another W.
• Summer – Not sure I like it as much as Winter, but at least if someone asks if she was born during the summer, it would be yes.
• Banks – This was almost Wilder’s name, and I know Hillary Duff used it for a girl, so maybe?
• Delilah – My husband loves this, not sure it’s my vibe. He says we could call her Lily if I want another nature-y name.
• Liana – My husband also likes Eliana. I’m not sure, but I like Liana since it’s a type of vine.
• Meadow – Weird with an M last name?
• Persephone – Maybe too much name, but I keep coming back to it.
• Aurora – Kind of same thing as Persephone.

They’re all good names, but none of them are the right name. Or if they are, I can’t see it.

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

NAMING A SISTER FOR WELLS & WILDER

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new daughter!

I think there are a few baseline questions to consider before we get to names:

• Does this child complete your family? I ask because you’re drawn to W names. It sounds like naming a third child with a W name might appeal. But if you find yourself welcoming a fourth baby in the future? That could really feel limiting.
• Is finding a less common name a priority? Both Wells and Wilder are very different from popular names in the 1990s, but they’ve climbed in popularity in recent years. They’re still on the uncommon side, but they fit in nicely for this generation. Your girls’ list ranges from Top 25 Hazel to unranked Banks. That’s absolutely fine! But I’m going to assume you’re looking for something more in the Wells/Wilder range, which probably rules out some of the choices on your current list.
• Alliteration: a bonus or a dealbreaker? I can see you’re hesitating over the initials M.M. Alliteration isn’t for everyone, but it is quite memorable. A name like Mae Mark-em could be the perfect sister for Wells and Wilder.

Lastly, I think there are lots of ways to match your boys’ names. A sister for Wells and Wilder could have a straight-up surname name, like Harlow or Sloane. After all, the nature name piece for your boys’ names is a little bit subtle. But if you choose a very obviously nature-inspired name for your daughter, that will re-shape how others hear your boys’ names, too. Wells, Wilder, and Juniper feels more intentionally outdoorsy.

Let’s evaluate at your current list first, then look at some fresh options.

CURRENT LIST

HAZEL, DELILAH/LILY, AURORA

All three of these names – plus nickname Lily – are solid Top 100 choices. In fact, they’re all around the top 50 or better. While there are good reasons to choose a very popular name, it’s also a reason to move on.

LIANA

I might rule out Liana on similar grounds. While Liana is uncommon, ranking in the 300s, Eliana just entered the US Top Ten, and lots of longer names ending with -liana are rising, too. I think it would feel far more common than it actually is. Still, this does feel like a good compromise choice, so if you decide popularity is less of an issue? Liana would rise to the top again.

BANKS

Banks sounds less like a sister for Wells and Wilder and more like a third boy. That’s not necessarily an issue, but I’m not sure that’s what you’re looking for, either. Lots of names on your list, from Mae to Persephone, are more intentionally feminine.

SUMMER

When it comes to season names, you’re not alone in wondering about fit. In general, I think there are so many good reasons to choose a season or other calendar name beyond actual date of birth. Maybe Summer is your favorite season, or maybe it’s when your wedding anniversary falls. There’s always a good reason to choose a season name. But you’re not really into Summer, so I think it should leave the list.

WINTER

I think Winter deserves some consideration. It matches perfectly with Wells and Wilder, including in terms of popularity. It leans more feminine. I like it with your surname, too. Will some people ask if she was born in winter? Sure, but you can shrug it off. Or can you? The only reason Winter isn’t higher on my list is because I suspect that question might grate on your nerves.

PERSEPHONE

A good choice in terms of popularity, and I do like the subtle nature name vibes, just like your boys’ names. As a sister for Wells and Wilder, Persephone is sharply different. And it is, as you say, a lot of name. So I hesitate just slightly here.

MAE

If Persephone is a lot of name, Mae is the opposite – a mighty mini. The spelling May is relatively uncommon and feels more tied to the month. Mae is a long-standing independent name, as well as a Mary/Margaret nickname. I think the M.M. initials could be perfectly balanced, so I’m inclined to put Mae near the top of the list.

MEADOW

Everything I said about Mae applies here. But I also like the way Meadow makes it more obvious you’ve chosen Wells and Wilder for their nature-adjacent meanings. I think Meadow is pretty much perfect for your family.

FRESH SUGGESTIONS

DEMETER

The Greek goddess of the harvest, the mother of Persephone, Demeter is an unusual choice. It sounds like the phrase “to meet her” – de mee ter. Demi is the obvious nickname. If you’re looking for really different, nature-adjacent, and still slightly tailored, I wonder if Demeter isn’t the better choice?

HADLEY

A perfect sister for Wells and Wilder, Hadley is also a surname-style choice with a meaning drawn from the nature world: field of heather. It’s slightly more popular than you might prefer, but not at Hazel/Aurora levels.

PHOEBE

While this name ranks in the current US Top 200, it’s briefer than Persephone. It also means bright and refers to a type of bird, so I think it hits your nature name preference, too.

WREN

A mini name with the initial W but a different starting sound, Wren is the best of Mae and Winter combined. Another bird name like Phoebe, Wren works in every season.

Overall, I like Meadow best from your list and Wren from mine. Maybe Meadow Liana or Wren Persephone?

Readers, over to you! What would you name a sister for Wells and Wilder?