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.
HADLEY, OLIVE, CLAIRE or SOMETHING ELSE?
Kelsey writes:
After a very long wait, we are expecting twin daughters in November. The twin part took us by surprise. We had agreed on a single girls’ name, Hazel Katherine.
There’s so specific meaning or one reason for our choice. I like that it’s a little bit old-fashioned and also strong. Plus it seems like really good name for a fall baby.
Finding a name for her sister feels impossible. While I’m technically due around Thanksgiving, there’s a very good chance I’ll deliver as early as October, so I want to be ready.
These are our favorite names so far:
- Hadley – A close second behind Hazel originally. I do still like it and my husband really likes it, but I’m nervous about two names with the same first initial.
- Olive – A close friend suggested this and I sort of love it, but are two green names too cute?
- Claire – Another name I liked for a really long time. If you ask me for my style, I’d probably say classic, and Claire feels very much like the kind of name I always thought I’d choose.
We’ve ruled out/can’t use:
- Daisy – I just think it’s too summery or something compared to Hazel, and I don’t like the way the “ayz” sound is in the middle of both names.
- Eloise – My husband just doesn’t like the “wheeze” sound.
- Charlotte – Niece’s name.
- Nora – Another niece. I like Charlotte, but I love Nora and it was originally on our short list before our niece arrived. (No hard feelings, just think it’s taken!)
Maybe we just need some new ideas? I feel like if Olive, Hadley, or Claire felt like the one we’d know by now. Or maybe I need someone else to say “yes, this one.”
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
EXPANDING A LIST TO SHORTEN IT
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughters!
I’ve always liked the advice to name twins as if you’re naming your next two children, not a matched set.
And yet … twin names are inevitably said together more often, at least during childhood.
Plus, twin parents tell me practical considerations factor in. Since they’ll have the same last name and same birth date, sharing a first initial, too, can cause confusion.
While you might not notice a different naming style for sisters a few years apart, it’s potentially more obvious with twins.
That said, I think you might mix and match Claire, Hadley, and Olive to find a great name.
- Hazel Katherine and Claire Hadley – Both names mix a timeless element with something slightly more current.
- Hazel Katherine and Olive Claire – Are two great names too much? I’m not sure, but they’re anchored nicely by such traditional middles.
- Hazel Katherine and Hadley Claire – On paper, this is my favorite set and I think Hazel and Hadley are just plain fun to say together. But … I hesitate because of that whole shared first initial issue. (Twin parents, please weigh in and let me know if I’m overthinking: can a twin sister for Hazel also have an H name?)
I do think sometimes fresh ideas help. Either you’ll end up with a new name combination in the mix, or you’ll realize that you can’t improve on your current favorites.
My vote goes to Claire Hadley from your original list, but let’s see if we can add some more options.
FRESH SUGGESTIONS: A TWIN SISTER FOR HAZEL
AUDREY
While I do like Claire with Hazel, I think there’s lots of appeal to another complete, two-syllable name. Audrey is less traditional than Mary, but feels more complete than something casual like Sadie or possibly even Daisy.
ESME
Hazel’s sound is distinctive. Sure there’s Mabel and Hayes, but Hazel stands out. So does Esme. That hint of a Z sound in Esme helps, too.
EVELYN
Could Evelyn be the midpoint between Olive and Eloise? It’s another late 19th century favorite with some appealing shared sounds.
MILA
Because you like Nora, I wanted to throw some other two-syllable, ends-with-a names in the mix – but obviously Cora and Flora would be non-starters. Does Mila appeal? Like Hazel, it has older roots, but it’s quite popular right now.
PHOEBE
Hazel is a subtle nature name; Phoebe means bright, and also refers to a type of bird.
STELLA
Or maybe Stella is the nature-adjacent name that works best. The repeating EL sound links the names, too.
VERA
As with Mila, Vera is a strong, two-syllable choice with that A ending. The V of Olive feels like a bonus.
ZARA
While names like Hazel and Hadley might be too matched for your daughters, Hazel and Zara both share that high value Scrabble letter Z.
Overall, it’s tough to choose! But I’m most drawn to Claire Hadley from your list, and Audrey or Stella from mine. Possibly Stella Hadley or Audrey Evelyn?
Hazel and Olive are perfect!
Also:
Hazel and Amber
Hazel and Zella
Hazel and Scarlet
Hazel and Freya
Hazel and Daphne
I love Olive or Audrey for Hazel’s sister. I had a set of great-aunts who were Susan and Hazel.
Other ideas: Rosa, Betty, Zora, Julia, Alix, Elena, Margot, Inez, or Elise.
I’m a twin mom too! So I’ve thought about this kind of thing a lot. In the end, I went with names that have different starting and ending sounds. That way they each have their own identities. Makes it easier to not call them by the wrong name too.
I would be more concerned about matching if they are identical twins. Hazel and Hadley actually seem fairly different to me, despite the same starting letter. Hazel and Olive seem a bit too themed.
If still looking for some other options, maybe something classic with similar popularity to Hazel such as Chloe or Lucy or Margot for a first name. And something longer and regal with some history to it (like Katherine) for the middle: Eleanor, Elizabeth, Alexandra, Victoria.
Good luck!
Soon-to-be triplet mom here, and the advice I’ve been given by grown-up triplets is PLEASE don’t give them matching initials. The adult triplets who had separate initials have all told me how much they appreciated that very first vote of individuality their parents gave them. So for my little trio, we’re going with a different initial for each one. My mantra has been “cohesive, not matchy”. You have some gorgeous options here!
Kate, thanks for your insight + congrats!
Thank you!! Love your website!
I would never have thought of Olive and Hazel both being greens if I heard those two names together! I would not do the double H and would pick Hazel and Claire or Hazel and Olive instead. Of Abby’s suggestions, I think Audrey was spectacular. And if I’m giving one of my own maybe Hazel and Iris or Hazel and Gemma.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that I was primed to hear the match in Hazel and Olive. Hearing those two names together in the wild, I think you’re right … it would not have been immediately obvious. Thanks for pointing that out!
Oh, Olive! What a perfect option!
I say embrace the color!
Olive Claire
Scarlett Claire
Or embrace the botanical theme!
Daphne Claire
Holly Claire (but the repeating initial can be a PROBLEM)
Laurel Claire
Marigold Claire (also a color!)
Congratulations and best wishes!
Daphne is SUCH a good thought!
I like Hazel Katherine and Olive Claire. Both names stand on their own as great names. I think I would choose that pair as a personal preference (I also love the name Olive). Hazel and Olive sound distinct even with the matching nature/color theme, and I would choose that over two H names.
If you are looking for other autumnal traditional names, these came to mind.
Tessa Claire
Sylvie Claire
Daphne Claire
Laurel Claire
Hazel and Olive! It’s such a great match. I think the very subtle “green” connection is not too obvious at all and actually just makes them fit together in a special way without it sounding cheesy or confusing (shared initials, rhyming, too many similar sounds, etc)
I LOVE Hazel Katherine & Olive Claire as twin sisters. I don’t immediately think of the colour green when I hear Hazel, especially when it’s someone’s name. I do however think of trees, and I love a connection in twin names when it comes to meaning. Other not immediately obvious tree names to go with Hazel:
Acacia
Rowan/Rowanne
Elowen
Juniper
Claire is a really pretty name & would be great as a first or a middle. I’d put it in the middle in this case since classic Katherine is also in the middle.
I’m not a huge fan of Hadley so I personally wouldn’t use it. However, because the A is pronounced differently in Hazel & Hadley, I don’t find them too matchy in spite of having the same first initial. As for shared initial being confusing…. Some people naturally confuse siblings names no matter how different they are. I trip over my own children’s names when calling them even though their names are very different. Sometimes I throw in the dog’s name to confuse things even more and he doesn’t even have a human name.