Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed. 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.
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A LAST MINUTE CHANGE FOR THEIR FIRST BABY
Taylor writes:
We were all set to name our daughter Ruby Anne when something made us both stop. She was just a few hours old and it just kind of hit me. What if we named her Anna Ruby? Our last name is long and complicated, so I love how sweet and easy this name is, but I also like that it’s strong and feminine.
Our new daughter is due in May, and names are a lot harder this time. I work with children, so I hear a lot of names, but now that we’re in daycare and spending time with other kids Anna’s age, all the names really blend together.
Names we have seriously discussed so far:
- Ella – My husband loves. But every other girl is El- something, and we know an Elijah and an Elliott, too.
- Ruth – One of my favorites, but I don’t like how close it is to Anna’s middle name.
- Pearl – I feel like I should like this name more than I do. Maybe a middle name option if we decide to do a theme.
- Tilly – I’m obsessed with this name, but maybe it’s too different/too cute.
- Cora – Was on our list for Anna, feel like maybe I’m over it.
- Stella – Just doesn’t sound like Anna’s sister to me.
Our last name sounds like Call-plus-Mayer. I have mixed feelings about names starting with C/K. Absolutely no names ending with R, please. I know from my own name that they’re just hard to say together!
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
A SISTER FOR ANNA RUBY
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughter!
It is harder to name a second child – for at least two of the reasons you’ve mentioned. First, yes – even if you knew children before, having a child of your own makes names familiar in a way that’s hard to explain. And of course, when you’ve chosen a great name for your firstborn, it’s the yardstick by which you measure additional choices. At the same time, it might rule out some names, like Ruth because of Ruby.
Looking at your current list, and considering Anna Ruby’s lovely name, I suspect the right choice will be:
- Traditional, if not too popular
- Timeless and strong
- Probably won’t end in the -ee sound
- Likely just one or two syllables
From your current list, I can see that Ella and Tilly don’t quite hit the mark, for different reasons. Pearl and Cora don’t sound like they’re quite it, though I agree that Pearl could be a great middle. I do think Stella might be closer to what you’re looking for. And while I agree Ruth isn’t ideal with Anna’s middle name, I don’t think it absolutely rules Ruth out. In fact, if I had to name Anna’s sister from your existing list, I probably would choose Ruth.
Let’s see if we expand your list a little.
TRADITIONAL AND TIMELESS GIRL NAMES
DELIA
Short and complete, but often overlooked. The sound is a little more complex than Anna, but I think it works.
JANE
Another name in the same category as Anna: classic, timeless, with a simplicity that appeals.
MATILDA
I know you’re thinking short. But you also love the name Tilly but find it too cute on its own. Matilda called Tilly is one possible answer. A traditional name that’s easy to love, balanced with a fun, sparky nickname.
MAURA
Is it possible I’ve never suggested Maura before? It’s a choice that never quite caught on. I think it might be that familiar-but-different choice you’re after. The spelling Moira is seen, too, but I think Maura-rhymes-with-Laura is easier to wear.
ROSE
Another name in the key of Jane and Anna.
SARA
I suppose I could suggest Sarah, which is the more consistently popular spelling. But something about Sara calls to me. It’s a little more understated than Cora, as traditional as Anna.
THEA
One of the first names that came to mind. I love the way Thea is brief and complete, but with a strong, distinctive sound.
VERA
Everything that I said about Vera applies equally to Thea. Another bonus? Anna means grace. Vera means faith or truth, so both names have a strong virtue vibe, as well as being visually balanced.
Overall, I think it’s tough to beat Ruth. Ruth Elinor, maybe? But I love the sound of Rose with Anna. Anna Ruby and Rose Estelle might work. If you’re in love with Tilly, though, I think Matilda is the logical answer. Anna Ruby and Matilda “Tilly” Ruth sound just like sisters to me.
I know sisters Anna and Rosa, although Anna uses her middle name.
Other ideas: Helen, Ellen, Dara, Betty, Susan, Eva, Hazel, Julia, Liesl, Ingrid, Lauren, Tamara, Mary, Maya, Joy
Alice, Emily, June, Lillian, Lucy, Marie, Mathilde (pronounced the French way as Ma-Tild)
I’d probably try to avoid another name ending in a. They tend to run together.
I’m here to second Abby on Jane. To me that’s the perfect sister name, a wonderful substitute for your fave Ruth. You could have fun spicing it up with gems in the middle – Jane Opal could be Jo for short… Jane Emerald could be Jemmy. I really like Jane Garnet.
Although I reallllly don’t think you need to throw out Ruth because of Ruby. Keep it on the list and wait to meet her.
At this point, I assume you’ve considered and discounted many many names, so I’m just adding middles to other poster’s awesome ideas to second/third these…
Willa Jade
Ivy Ruth
Cate Opal nn Coco!
Lucy Jade
Ooh… I don’t think I’ve seen Mary yet. That’s the most classic you could go. Mary Topaz!
(obviously I don’t agree you should discount -ee ending names, some are very classic and go well. When naming a sister to an -a ending name, I found it easier to avoid another -a ending…)
Ooh, Mary Topaz is a fantastic combination!
Cate Opal called Coco – LOVE THIS SO MUCH!
Lucy! Lucy was my first thought, I think it’s absolutely adorable with Anna. Lucy and Anna. Anna Ruby and Lucy Pearl. Anna Ruby and Lucy Ruth. Anna Ruby and Lucy Ella. I also think that Ruth is lovely and unless you regularly refer to Anna as Anna Ruby, it shouldn’t be too confusing. Other ideas:
-Alice
-Belle
-Clara/Claire
-Della (I know Abby suggested Delia, but Della reminds me of Ella and Stella)
-Daisy (I know Tilly and other nickname-names might feel too casual, but Daisy has a history as an independent first name and sounds classic to me)
-Emma (Might appeal for the same reasons as Ella, without the El- sound)
-Emily
-Eve
-Flora
-Gemma
-Ivy
-Iris
-Lily
-Lola
-Olive
-Sophie
Sorry for any repeats!
Mae Coral!
Anna Ruby is just adorable!
Anna and Rose is a beautiful set!
Anna and Claire, too.
Maybe Nora instead of Cora?
Nora Pearl
Nora Mae
Nora Zoey
I also like:
Emily. Anna Ruby and Emily Rose.
Willa. Anna Ruby and Willa Hazel.
Marie. Anna Ruby and Marie Noelle.
Violet. Anna Ruby and Violet Grace.
What about Greta? It means “Pearl”. Anna & Greta.
Also…
Sasha
Margot
Edie
Mae
Grace
Hadley
Frances
Romy
Estelle
Anna & Sasha
Anna & Margot
Anna & Edie
Anna & Mae
Anna & Grace
Anna & Hadley
Anna & Frances
Anna & Romy
Anna & Estelle
Best wishes!
Cristina
Greta is a REALLY good idea!
Lots of lovely suggestions.
Add for C names with your last name… Think Marilyn Monroe. Repeated sounds can absolutely work!
On that…
What about Claire? Together they feel like little Parisian girls.
Anna and Claire
Congrats on baby #2! I agree with Abby that Ruth would make a great sister to Anna despite it being a bit matchy with Anna’s middle name
Some ideas:
Tilly and Ella make me want to suggest Hallie, Molly, Sadie, and Tessa.
Hallie Pearl, Hallie Ruth. Hallie and Anna
Molly Pearl, Molly Ruth. Molly and Anna
Sadie Pearl, Sadie Ruth. Sadie and Anna
Tessa Pearl, Tessa Ruth. Tessa and Anna
Lucy, Kate, and Emily feel like the ultimate sweet, classic sister names to go with Anna. I know you don’t want a c/k name but something about Kate Call-mayer sounds really appealing and memorable.
Lucy Pearl, Lucy Ruth. Lucy and Anna
Emily Pearl, Emily Ruth. Emily and Anna
Kate feels a bit abrupt with Pearl or Ruth in the middle. Maybe Kate Matilda or Kate Estelle as a nod to Tilly and Stella on your list? Lucille shares some sounds with Ruth and is also an antique beauty. Kate Lucille.
Kate and Anna.
Kate makes me think of Caroline as well.
Caroline Pearl. Caroline Ruth. Caroline and Anna
And just for fun because I love a good A to Z sibling pairing: Zoe!
Zoe Pearl, Zoe Ruth. Anna and Zoe
Eve or Eva
Alma
Talia
Ida
Jill
Lois
Mary
Fern
Congratulations on your sister for
Anna Ruby
Some of these combinations sound like sisters :
Rhema Joy
Seraphina Pearl (Sara or Nina)
Renée Sapphire
Petra Ellen
Jemimah Ruth
Keturah Faye
Arabella Hope (Bella/Belle)
Katherine Isabelle (Katie)
Rosemarie Jane (Rosie/Masie)
All the best to you and your family.