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.
I WOULD CALL HER LOLA, BUT …
Taylor writes:
We have two girls, Stella Carey and Poppy Marie. Our third daughter will be here in early April. If her name was up to me, I’d call her Lola Colette. It was my favorite name for our daughter, Poppy, but my husband didn’t like the way Stella and Lola ended with the same sound.
I could see that it wasn’t ideal, so we kept looking and ended up naming our second daughter Poppy, which fits her so well.
Now I think that we could absolutely use the name Lola for this daughter, because Stella, Poppy, and Lola sound great together.
If not Lola, I’ve suggested Isla, Edie, and Hadley.
My husband isn’t sold, though, and so I think I need new ideas that don’t end with -la, but also don’t end with -y/-ee.
The only thing I’ve come up with maybe is Harlow, but I don’t think it’s the right name. My husband isn’t picky (really!) but he’s more into giving thumbs up/thumbs down than coming up with name ideas. I think we could really use some new ideas.
Can you and your readers help?
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
NO LAs OR EEs for A NEW DAUGHTER
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new daughter!
I think your husband is kinda right about Lola being a little close as a sister for Stella. If nothing else, it makes naming future daughters just a little bit harder because those two names are so similar.
And I think you’re absolutely right about Lola working well now that there’s Poppy in the middle. Also: avoiding -la endings isn’t the same as avoiding -a endings, right? I wonder if you’re avoiding Maya as well as Mila, if you know what I mean?
Another hurdle: Stella and Poppy are both gently nature-related names. I realized that my brain kept trying to continue the theme. Nova, no, Violet – wait!
But then … I did end up adding a few to the list, because maybe that connection would appeal?
Let’s jump into the list!
FRESH IDEAS TO GO WITH STELLA AND POPPY
ANYA
One of my favorite Anna names, on all of our minds thanks to the luminous Anya Taylor-Joy.
EDEN
A twist on Edie that adds a different ending sound into the mix.
GEMMA
A brief and complete name as glittering as a jewelry box.
JUNIPER
A mainstream favorite now, though Juniper would’ve been quite surprising even a dozen years ago – kind of like Stella and Poppy.
LAINE
Spare and restrained Laine seems like a modern choice with enough traditional appeal.
MARLO/MARLOWE
I’m not sure why, but I think Harlow and Marlo/Marlowe have very different vibes. Maybe it’s because Marlo is a sparky retro name, which feels more like a sister for Stella and Poppy than modern Harlow? Though the spelling Marlowe is more common, and I like it with your girls’ names, too.
MINA
A sweet mini name with international appeal.
ZARA
Something about the letter Z makes Zara sound like a stand-out choice, as appealing as Stella and Poppy.
Overall, I really like Mina with Stella and Poppy. Mina Colette, maybe? But I wonder if Eden would work, especially because you might still use the nickname Edie. Plus, Eden has a slight nature name vibe, thanks to the Garden of. I like the idea of Eden Eloise, because you keep a little bit of the Lola sound with her middle name.
Of course, if your husband changes his mind? I’d be Team Lola, too!
I love these peppy names! I came to add one-
Stella, Poppy & Margot!
Margot – means Pearl so gently nature and vintage with a different ending.
My first thought was Margot! I know people have suggested it, but it feels so perfect. I’m team Margot! I also quite like Violet, Willow, Iris, and Daphne. Other thoughts:
Briar
Chloe
Claire
Cora
Harper
June/Juno
Flora
Freya
Georgia
Lyra
Mabel
Maeve
Olive
Phoebe
Piper
Sage
Scarlett
Wren
Zora
Stella, Poppy, and Juno
Stella, Poppy, and Zelda
Stella, Poppy, and Willow
Stella, Poppy, and Ruby
Stella, Poppy, and Hazel
Stella, Poppy, and Mabel
Stella, Poppy, and Georgia
Stella, Poppy, and Daphne
Stella, Poppy, and Eliza
Stella, Poppy and Iris. Are Poppy and Iris too flowery?
Stella, Poppy and Alice
Stella, Poppy and Hazel
Stella, Poppy and Nora/Norah
Stella, Poppy and Mabel
Stella, Poppy and Margo/Margot
Stella, Poppy and Thea
This is more difficult than I expected! I want to say Posey, Penny or Pippa but you probably have a no repeat initial policy. I want to say Daisy but that seems really matchy with Poppy. I went to Nell or Nellie and that seems so similar to Stella and maybe also Poppy!! Same with Calla/Callie. So many a endings, and I’m not sure how much is too close to Stella. Hmmm.
What about Robin? It has a different ending, same nature vibe and cheerful/playfulness of Stella/Poppy. Robin Eloise..
Hazel may fit in that same space. Stella, Poppy and Hazel.
Elsa… I think maybe Frozen has been replaced by Wicked and only adults are gearing up for snowmen. Stella, Poppy and Elsa
Heidi strikes me as upbeat and positive with a dose of Alpine air. And you get a different vowel ending. Stella, Poppy and Heidi
Best of luck!