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.
THEY LOVE THE ENERGY OF THEIR FIRSTBORN’S NAME
Nicole writes:
Our second daughter will be here in April, and right now we can’t agree on a single name.
We have a two-and-a-half year old named Penelope Rae. We sometimes call her Penny at home, but she’s Penelope to everyone else.
I’m a little disappointed by how popular her name is. It was always my favorite name, and my husband agreed. But there is another Penelope the class ahead of her at her center. (And the way the classes work, sometimes they’re in the same group until one of them ages up.) It also feels like every time we go anywhere with other kids, there’s another Penelope.
But mostly it hasn’t stopped how much I love the name. It’s fun to say and I feel like it’s got a lot of energy but isn’t made-up.
We’d like to find another name with those same qualities. The names we have talked about so far are:
- Daphne (my favorite), Phoebe (his favorite), Chloe, Zoe – but we feel like it’s weird to have another name with the same ending, and a name like Zoe is so short compared to Penelope.
- Samantha – my mom suggested, and I think she’s right about it being a lot like Penelope in some ways, but I feel like it’s a mom name.
- Olivia – way too popular, we know three.
- Cecilia – I like it, but maybe it’s just too traditional compared to Penelope?
- Alexandra – Except that Alexander is our boy’s name, and we’d like to keep it in case we do have a son in the future.
I feel like the names are all running together on every list I look at. I know we’d never use a name like Apricity, but I feel like those are the names that stand out to me now.
Penelope’s middle name is for my grandpa Raymond. We’re thinking about using Kate for this daughter’s middle, for my husband’s mom, Kathleen. (Or maybe Katherine or Kaye.)
Our last name is a common name with an S at the end: W!11!@m$.
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
A NAME THAT SHARES PENELOPE’S BEST QUALITIES
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughter!
Penelope is such a great name, for all the reasons you’ve mentioned. It’s vintage, but not in a sipping-tea-in-the-garden way. More like piloting a hot air balloon in some amazing high-button boots vibe.
And it is sparky and fun to say, without any consideration of pop culture associations.
Cecilia, I think, has a similar vibe, but only if you’re channeling the classic Simon and Garfunkel song. Without it, Cecilia is lovely and strong and all sorts of good things, but maybe not quite a sister for Penelope Rae.
I think your mom is right about Samantha, but I also agree – it’s a name that has peaked.
And while I can imagine sisters named Penelope and Daphne, I do share your sense that it’s a little bit of repeat.
Avoiding a really popular name like Olivia makes sense, given what you’ve shared. But names like Apricity maybe take it too far.
So where does that leave us?
It’s definitely time for a fresh list.
A SISTER FOR PENELOPE RAE
Sometimes I struggle when trying to find the best possible suggestions. This time, though? I feel like I could’ve kept going. I realized I was drawing heavily from this list of quirky girl names, but many of those are a little more out-there than what you’re after, I think.
AURORA
Like Penelope, it’s a Top 100 favorite. But Aurora roars, doesn’t it? It’s a night sky name with a hint of ancient myth and legend, just like Penelope.
FELICITY
Cecilia made me think of Cecily, but I think that might be too different, and still a little lace gloves. Felicity is more high-spirited, especially with the meaning: happiness.
FRANCESCA
Frances is understated, but her Italian cousin Francesca is vivid. Yes, it’s the name of a Bridgerton sister, but I think that’s almost the vibe you’re after.
JOSEPHINE
Like Penelope and Aurora, Josephine ranks in the Top 100. But it also shares that spirited, vintage energy.
MARIGOLD
Despite being used as a character name for Downton Abbey, Marigold wasn’t particularly common in the 1920s. But it sounds like a vintage floral choice, and I think that makes it a great sister for Penelope Rae.
NAOMI
An Old Testament name with an intriguing sound, Naomi manages to rank in the US Top 100 while still feeling distinctive and different. To take it even farther, choose the European Noemi, heard in Romance languages, as well as Slavic ones.
SABRINA
Thanks to singer Sabrina Carpenter, this name is enjoying a little bit of a boost. But Sabrina is a timeless name, spirited and fun to say – just like Penelope.
VERONICA
Probably my go-to for timeless, offbeat names for a daughter. It’s too sparky and fun to be called traditional, but there’s no question that Veronica has plenty of history and appeal.
Overall, I’m going to make Sabrina Kate my top choice for Penelope Rae’s little sister. I think it’s nicely unexpected, but shares all the same qualities as Penelope. I’d put Francesca a close second.
But I know there will be so many great suggestions, so let’s open it up!
Penelope Rae W-ll–ms is so great!
I think both Daphne and Phoebe could work for a sister, but they might make you feel “locked in” to a narrow style for any potential future daughters.
Instead of Daphne, what about…
Dahlia
Delilah
Delphine
Or instead of Phoebe…
Beatrix
Fiona
Ophelia
Or some other options that might appeal…
Annika
Azalea
Clementine
Genevieve
Katrina (a possible honor name for Kathleen)
Matilda
Seraphina
Susannah
Tallulah
Final thought: Magnolia
Penelope Rae & Magnolia Kate (nn Nolie)
Veronica was my first thought! It’s my favorite name for a sister for Penelope. I also think Cecily is gorgeous, and despite being delicate and vintage, it also feels spunky and strong. Also, seconding Adelaide, Ophelia, Imogen, Talullah, Tabitha, and all the other excellent suggestions in the comments. Other thoughts:
-Annabelle
-Annika
-Arabella
-Beatrix
-Eleanor/Eleanora
-Eloise
-Georgia/Georgiana
-Juliet/Juliette
-Juniper
-Lydia
-Margot
-Matilda
-Olympia
-Stella
-Sylvie
My favorite is Matilda. Matilda Kate, Penelope and Matilda, Penny and Tilly. If not Matilda, I love Olympia and Juniper. Juniper Kate, Penelope and Juniper, Penny and June. Olympia Kate, Penelope and Olympia, Penny and Ollie. Penny and Pia. Good luck!
Two more ideas:
Azalea
Delilah
Penelope Rae & Azalea Kate (also…April is when azaleas may start to appear …depending on where you are…nn Lea)
Penelope Rae & Delilah Kate
Seconding/thirding Adelaide, Eliza, Vivian, Genevieve, Josephine. Those all feel elegant and sparky like Penelope. Others with the same feel:
Lucia (loo-see-uh) or Luciana
Sienna
Tallulah
Emilia
Imogen
I can relate to the whole ‘love my first kid’s name but it was more popular than I expected’ thing. My word of advice is don’t try to go too different or put aside another name you love, just to try to get to something less common. It backfired on us. And now that my eldest is in grade 6, we rarely hear her name in other classes or activities. There is maybe one other in her elementary school. While our kids are babies / toddlers I think we are exposed to so many more other babies/toddlers..
I am so surprised no one has mentioned Bridgerton yet! That is exactly why Penelope is getting more popular, and why I wouldn’t use Eloise, Daphne, Francesca, Violet, Hyacinth. I know it’s just a show that will have its time and pass, but it’s boosting certain names (lovely names and I’m here for it!) It’s the next Downton Abbey.
Congratulations on your sister for Penelope Rae
Winnifred
Florence
Dorothea
Philippa
Abigail
Adelaide
Isabella
Seraphina
Marianne
Vivienne
Tabitha
Here’s a few ideas.
My favourite out of these is
Tabitha Kate.
There’s been so many lovely suggestions from everyone.
All the best
Cleobelle (Cleo) Kate
Adelia (Addie) Kate
Damaris (Dami) Kate
Eloise (Ellie) Kate
Emerette (Emmi) Kate
Isidora (Izzie) Kate
Lavinia (Vinnie) Kate
Linnea (Linni) Kate
Sabella (Bella) Kate
Thalassa (Thallie) Kate
Xavienne (Xavi) Kate
Love the idea of Adelia – great list!
Also, I forgot to mention Ophelia is also Greek. I think it is such a pretty name that is like Olivia, most more distinctive now that Olivia is so popular.
Two other names from Greek mythology that might work for Penelope’s sister are:
Ione
Selena
Penelope Rae & Ione Kate
Penelope Rae & Selena Kate (I think I prefer this one…Selena is the goddess of the moon-if that is of interest to you.)
I also just reread the post and saw you don’t want the same ending, so Ariadne & Ione are out.
Ophelia might be my favorite for you!
Love Penelope Rae & all of Abby’s suggestions and the other suggestions too!
Since Easter is in April this year, I thought of a name similar (in a sense) to Alexandra: Anastasia. It means resurrection. Even if you are not religious, I think it is a gorgeous name.
Penelope Rae & Anastasia Kate
Some others that could go well include:
Ophelia Kate
Seraphina Kate
Aurelia Kate
Ariadne Kate – Ariadne also has the Greek mythology tie-in.
Penelope Rae & Ophelia Kate
Penelope Rae & Seraphina Kate
Penelope Rae & Aurelia Kate
Penelope Rae & Ariadne Kate (nn Ari)
Best wishes!!
Eliza was the first name to spring to mind for me. It feels punchy and bright like Daphne, Zoe, Phoebe but gives you that extra syllable so it doesn’t feel too short next to Penelope
Eliza Kate
Penelope and Eliza
Penny and Ellie, Eli, Zuzu
Or how about Miranda?
She’s feminine and stately like Samantha, Olivia, and Alexandra but maybe a bit fresher feeling since she never saw quite the same levels of popularity
Miranda Kate
Penelope and Miranda
Penny and Mira, Miri, Andie
Oh! Georgia! Georgia definitely feels spirited and sparky and sounds just right with sister Penelope
Georgia Kate
Penelope and Georgia
Penny and Georgie, Gigi, Jojo, Rory
I wanted to suggest Violet but I think its popularity would put you off so how about Vivian instead? Vivian feels retro and kicky and perfect with Penelope
Vivian Kate
Penelope and Vivian
Penny and Viv, Vivi
I love Abby’s suggestions of Felicity and Aurora as well (I have an Aurora and we always get so many compliments on her name)
Felicity Kate
Penelope and Felicity
Penny and Flick, Lissy, Izzy
Aurora Kate
Penelope and Aurora
Penny and Rory
Penelope Rae and…
Matilda Kate
Rosalie Kate
Beatrix Kate
Evangeline Kate
Genevieve Kate
Gwendolen Kate
Lucinda Kate
I really like Penelope & Matilda. Penny & Mattie. Or Penny & Tilly.
Penelope & Rosalie would be my second choice. Penny & Rosie. So cute!
Genevieve Kate
and
Evangeline Kate (-leen pronunciation)
we’re my first thoughts!