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.

NAMING A SISTER FOR GEORGE

Steph writes:

We have a two-year-old son named George, called Georgie almost all of the time. We love that his name is right out of a book of nursery rhymes, but he can grow up and be George. It’s cuddly and sweet now, but it’s a full-grown man’s name, too, someday.

His middle name is Parker. No reason, we just liked the way it sounded together.

The name came to us so easily.

Our second baby will be here in March. For a boy, we had talked about William/Billy, John/Johnny/Jack or maybe just Jack. I think we could have chosen pretty easily.

It’s a girl! I’m so excited. For girls, though, it feels like we have a much longer list, and can’t narrow it down. We keep circling around these dozen or so names. My favorite changes at least once a day.

  • Lucy – Probably my longest favorite, but is it too much of a nickname? I thought about Lucille/Lucie, especially because I like the way Lucie looks a little bit better than Lucy, but I don’t really like Lucille. My husband prefers just Lucy.
  • Alice – Love, but would we call her Allie?
  • Cara – My husband’s favorite, but I don’t think I like it as much as he does.
  • Callie – Same as Cara.
  • Molly – Probably a name I liked more in the past, but I think it’s still closest to what I can imagine saying with Georgie. But our last name starts with M, so I think it’s out.
  • Poppy – A newer addition, but is it too different?
  • Rose/Rosie – Or a longer Rose name?
  • Hattie/Haddie – My husband is worried everyone will mis-hear this as Addie, and I kind of think he’s right.
  • Heidi – Love this, but not sure I’m brave enough!
  • Elsie – Is this a cow’s name? We like it, but my mom thinks she’ll be teased.
  • Clara – I like this name a lot, but good friends used this name for their toddler, and while we don’t seem them often, I think it might be considered name theft
  • Edith – My husband says no, but I keep thinking I can talk him around. Because I love Edie!

Our last name sounds like Mat-plus-Son.

I keep imagining giving her one of those crazy long names, but we really do need to choose. Help!

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

baby girl asleep in basket with headband and flowers; "What would you name a sister for George Parker?"
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STARTING WITH A STRONG LIST

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new daughter!

When you’re naming a second child, it’s good to think about what you love about your firstborn’s name. Here’s what I hear:

  • You love strong, traditional names
  • Sweet, affectionate nicknames are a bonus
  • It sounds like you’d prefer to avoid confusion over spelling, too

I wonder if the challenge is this: George called Georgie is a clear formal name/nickname. The names you’re drawn to for girls, like Lucy, Hattie, and Elsie, already end with the EE sound.

The EE sound doesn’t mean a name is a nickname, right? Think of Henry and Mary. Or Ivy and Wesley.

But it can feel that way, especially with a name like Lucy. (It turns out I’ve answered this question at least twice before, most recently in 2021.)

In general, I don’t think you should choose a formal name you aren’t crazy about.

EVALUATING YOUR CURRENT LIST

First, let’s talk about Lucy.

Lucy is the typical English form of the Latin Lucia, inspired by a fourth century saint popular in the Middle Ages. It has centuries of use as an independent given name. Strictly speaking, Lucille is a diminutive form of Lucy – not the other way around. I think Lucy is the perfect name for George’s sister, exactly as it is. And while I can see the appeal of Lucie, I think the -y spelling is the easier form of the name to wear.

It’s got a great spelling, a strong meaning, a current sound, and it’s familiar, without being Top Ten-level common. Lucy absolutely sounds like a sister for George, but not in an obvious way.

In other words? Lucy is the name to beat.

Let’s look at the rest of your list.

ALICE

Another perfect name for George’s sister. It avoids the EE ending that seems like a challenge. And you wouldn’t have to call her Allie. Another potential sweet nickname? Lissy.

HEIDI

A storybook name if ever there was one, Heidi feels brief and complete. Strictly speaking, it’s a nickname for Adelaide, but that’s fairly obscure. Heidi stands on its own.

POPPY

Bright and energetic, Poppy is relatively new in the US as a given name. But it is rising in use, currently ranked in the US Top 300 and gaining steadily. I don’t think anyone would feel this was too different. In England, Poppy has ranked in the Top 20 for a dozen years and counting.

A few new suggestions:

EDIE

If Edith is a no for your husband, how about just Edie? We love Sadie and Eden. Edie doesn’t rank in the current US Top 1000, but it’s plenty familiar.

ROSALIE

If you’re drawn to Rosie but not sure about Rose, may I suggest Rosalie? It’s longer than George, of course, but has that same appeal. We know Rosalie can grow up, and Rosie for a child is darling.

SOPHIE

I sometimes hesitate to suggest a really popular name, and Sophia has been a chart-topper for ages. But I wonder if you’d like Sophia called Sophie, or even just Sophie? Again, Sophie isn’t a nickname. It’s the French form of Sophia, complete on its own. Love the way it sounds as a sister for George, especially.

If I can’t talk you into Lucy, I’d say Alice is a strong alternative from your list. And I’d love to hear what you think about just Edie, but I’d probably put Rosalie near the top of my suggestions.

I wonder if brainstorming with middle names might help? Lucy Edith; Alice Evelyn; Rosalie Claire.

Readers, over to you! What would you name a sister for George “Georgie” Parker?

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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What do you think?

14 Comments

  1. I love Rose called Rosie!
    Also:
    Madeline called Maddie
    June called Junie
    Anna called Anita
    Camille called Millie

  2. Sorry if this is a repeat. I haven’t read anyone else’s comments yet. Had to write this down!!

    Extremely traditional: Mary called Polly.

    George and Mary
    Georgie and Polly

    Polly is a lot like Molly and Poppy. Every knows it, it’s in nursery rhymes, and it’s ADORABLE.

    Too far of a stretch to use Mary?
    How do you like Penelope?
    Philipa?
    Persephone?
    Priscilla?

    Congratulations and best wishes!