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.
SO MANY NAMES ARE TAKEN
Erika writes:
My partner and I are expecting boy/girl twins this spring.
I come from a large, complicated family: two older full siblings, plus five step-siblings and another five half-siblings. In different ways, we’re pretty close and as much as I’m grateful for that, I’m realizing that I have 16 nieces and nephews whose names I cannot use.
In addition, my partner works with children. There are so many names that are just not options because of this.
Our last name sounds like Camer plus otto, which can be hard to work with, too.
After avoiding the topic for as long as possible, I’m now at 26 weeks and could easily deliver toward the end of next month, though obviously we’re hoping for longer. Other parents have told me that having names figured out in advance can relieve some of the stress of early days, especially if there’s a NICU stay involved.
Here are the names that we pulled together on our list, but I don’t think we’re there at all.
BOY NAMES
- Alistair – I like the Scottish energy but neither of us is Scottish at all so maybe that’s weird
- Brady – The name I always liked when I was little, and what I wanted to name our dog (she came with a different name), so it’s not really on our list, but it’s not exactly off the list either, if you know what I mean
- George – My partner’s favorite. I think I’m warming to it, especially because our last name is long
- River – Probably the name we agree on most, but not sure
- Roger – The name of someone very important in our lives but I just don’t see this for a kid
- Wade – I like it because it’s short but it sounds like a cowboy name and that’s not us
GIRL NAMES
- Amara – Probably not with our last name, but with both agree
- Junie – Love this, but my partner isn’t sold
- Loretta – Same thing as Amara, we sort of agree, but it’s not great with our last name, also we like Lottie/Lettie as a nickname, but don’t agree on it as a first name
- Meadow – Partner’s favorite, I’m not convinced
- Miriam – Another name from my partner, I really don’t like it
- Sophie – A name I’m really liking just since we found out the twins were boy/girl and while I know Sophia is a very popular name, we actually don’t have one in our family, which seems like a small miracle
I think we need someone to help us go through our list. Even when it feels like we’re getting closer to one name, it seems like we can never find two names that go together. Or could we name them Meadow and George, or is that weird?
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
FIGURING OUT WHAT MATTERS MOST
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your twins!
Big families are complicated. While I think we’re sometimes too cautious about cousins sharing names, it does sound like your can’t-use list is legitimately a hurdle.
The good news? There are gajillions of names. I think about names every single day of my life. Have for years. And I am still routinely surprised by wearable, interesting names I’ve never considered previously.
In other words? Naming twins in a big extended family is tough, but I think you’re on the right track.
Sometimes it helps to articulate the most significant factors:
- You’re working with a long surname that rules out certain sounds, like Amara or Loretta
- Your taste runs the gamut from classic George to modern Meadow
- Ideally, your twins’ names will coordinate in some way, though exactly how is open for discussion
NAMES FOR A SON
I think it’s time for a closer look at your current list and some fresh suggestions, too.
Let’s drop Alistair. It’s a great name, but combined with Camera-plus-otto and no Scottish heritage, I think it’s a reach. Brady, Roger, and Wade also sound like names you – for someone else.
That leaves George and River. They’re different names, but I think they both have potential.
I’m also going to suggest:
ALEX/ALEXANDER
Alistair’s more familiar cousin.
HAYES
Wade, Cade, and Trey read rather home-on-the-range. Hayes feels more polished.
JESSE
A traditional boys’ name with plenty of warmth.
LUKE/LUCA
Luca leans into your Italian-sounding surname. Luke keeps it more classic.
MASON
All the strong long A sounds of Brady and Wade, but I like this better for your family.
WELLS
There’s something so positive about Wells, almost a midpoint between classic William and contemporary Brooks.
NAMES FOR A DAUGHTER
We’ll take the same approach for girls’ names. Amara and Loretta are great, but probably not with your last name. It sounds like the hurdle to using Junie or Sophie might be the name’s too-casual style. Meadow is a perfect match for River – but possibly too similar! And Miriam is a sister for George, but it sounds like neither of those are exactly right, either.
CHLOE
An alternative to Sophie that might feel slightly more complete. (To be clear, it’s not – but it can feel that way.)
GEORGIA
Obviously not with George as a brother, but maybe you would both love this for a daughter? Nickname Georgie might appeal, too.
JOSIE/JOSEPHINE
Also inspired by Sophie, would Josie as a nickname for Josephine appeal? While Josephine is a long name, it’s so familiar that I think it works well with your four-syllable surname.
JUNIPER
A midpoint between Junie and Meadow.
MABEL
Take Meadow and Miriam, mix in some Wade and Brady, and maybe Mabel is the perfect answer.
ROSE
A nature name with the same classic style as George.
TWIN NAMES: POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS
As you’ve noted, you have two challenges: naming twins in a big extended family, but also balancing your children’s names, right?
RIVER and GEORGIA
One is more modern, the other slightly more traditional. But I think they do check the same boxes – a sort of vaguely outdoors energy, in a current, but not invented, kind of way.
GEORGE AND JUNIPER
The same idea applies to George and Juniper as River and Georgia. But I really like the way George and Juniper share a sound without actually duplicating an initial. And George and Junie sound even more coordinated.
GEORGE and MABEL
Another option: choose a sparky, retro name to match George. I love Mabel as a midpoint between Meadow, Miriam, and Junie.
MASON and SOPHIE
Two Top 100 names, yes, but if they’re not taken, they’re sort of perfect together.
HAYES and CHLOE
Possibly my two favorite compromise choices paired together.
I keep coming back to River and Georgia or George and Juniper. Maybe River Alistair and Georgia Miriam or George Hayes and Juniper Brady? If we’re looking only at the fresh suggestions, I love the idea of Hayes River and Chloe Miriam.
River George and Meadow Amara
Grady Roger and Lottie June
George Roger and Junia Meadow
You have good taste. Best wishes with your twins!
Love George and Sophie for you!
River and Meadow seem like outliers in your choices… which could be very fun in a middle spot perhaps.
I think try to decide if the more modern nature names are your vibe, or if in the long run you would name potential future siblings more classic choices like George and Sophie or casual names more like Brady & Junie and that may help you narrow down you and your partners naming style for these twins. Best wishes!
I think the names are right there in your lists, but maybe you need to sit with pairings for a bit then rotate?
– George & Sophie (zero drawbacks on your list, each if more of a fave of one parent, which feels balanced. It’s a miracle there’s no Sophie/Sophia already used so maybe this is your sign! I see this is an unanimous choice from other commenters so maybe this will tip the scale?)
– River & Maren or Marlow (ok this one isn’t on your list, but he loves Meadow and Miriam, so maybe these other M names may be more appealing to you?)
– Alistair ‘Alec’ or ‘Arrow’ & Amara ‘Merry’ or ‘Maren’ OR Loretta ‘Lottie’ or ‘Lola’ (you both like these, Alistair can totally be used if you’re not Scottish, and you can choose nicknames to by if you’re worried about the lengthy syllables for the full names. I don’t think you need to add the burden of not using longer first names – they’ll largely go by their first names, not full names except on paper.)
I’m wondering if a tweak on Brady and Meadow/Junie, to Grady & Juno could excite you both? Those go together so very well.
I really hesitate to throw out more new names because of your 16 nieces and nephews, and your partner’s students.
Good luck!
_________ and _________ Camer+otto.
I love George for you. It feels so classic but not super common, and it goes well with lots of girls names. George Camer+otto flows super well.
Sylvie feels like a great mix of Sophie and Meadow (it means forest). Similarly, Amelia might be a fun mix of Amara and Miriam, and could be nicknamed Millie or Mia.
George and Sylvie Camer+otto. Sylvie Camer+otto.
George and Amelia Camer+otto. Amelia Camer+otto. Millie Camer+otto.
If River and Meadow appeal, what about Rowan? It works for both genders but I think I prefer it for your son. Rowan Camer+otto is a lot of o, but I think it works.
Rowan and Meadow Camer+otto.
Willow might also appeal as an alternative to Meadow. I love Juniper (another tree name), and maybe something more ecovintage like Hazel or Ivy?
Rowan and Willow Camer+otto. Willow Camer+otto.
George and Ivy Camer+otto. Ivy Camer+otto.
George and Hazel Camer+otto. Hazel Camer+otto.
Final suggestion: Charlotte. A little like Sophie with the potential nickname Lottie. I love Charlotte and George together- it reads very royal, but still modern and pretty. But Charlotte would also work well with Mason, Hayes, or Alexander.
George and Charlotte Camer+otto. Charlotte Camer+otto. Lottie Camer+otto.
Best of luck and sorry for any repeats!
River & Alma
Arthur & Violet
George & Stella
Simon & Georgia
Graham & Sophie
Rhett & Fiona
Gus & Loretta
Another vote for George + Sophie from me!
George Brady & Sophie Meadow are right there from your favorite lists and perfect.
Or… George Brady & Sophie June
Or… River (dads mn) & June (your mn)
Or… pulling inspiration from your list… Mara, Owen, Brooks, Sadie
Congrats!
Congrats on your twins!
For a girl, how about Violet? It’s nature-y like Meadow but can also get you to the nickname Lettie/Lottie like Loretta.
George and Violet sound wonderful together! So do River and Violet as well.
My other suggestion would be Alexander instead of Alistair and Zoe instead of Sophie just because I love the subtle A to Z connection for twins. Or Amelia (instead of Amara and Miriam) and Zane (instead of Wade). Or even Amelia and Zachary just because they both sound great together and with your last name as well. Zachary feels like a good halfway point between very traditional George and more modern Brady.
From your current list, I agree with others that George and Sophie work really well together.
From Abby’s suggestions, I really like Hayes and Georgia.
Good luck and happy naming!
I agree that Sophie & George sound good together. Some other ideas from your lists-
Felix & Junia (nn Junie)…I think Felix goes well with Junia and Junia is lovely (imo)
Roger & Marion – a little throwback, but I think Roger can work on a baby these days…also…if Marion doesn’t appeal, what about Mara? Roger & Mara.
Brady & Meadow – both sound modern and seem like they could be siblings.
For other ideas for boys’ names:
Hugo
Heath (a little like River)
Roscoe (a little like Roger)
Nolan
Valor (a little like River)
For girls:
Sasha/Sascha (a little like Sophie)
Briar (a little like Meadow)
Edith (nn Edie – a little like Marion)
Ione (a little like Meadow)
Rhea
Best wishes!!
I meant to say a little like “Miriam” above…
From your lists I like George & Sophie – your partner’s favourite for a boy and one you are really liking for a girl. They go together well as sibling names, and are both great with your surname.