Tamsin is expecting her second child -- the gender a surprise -- to join her son Harris Robert. Their surname is long and unusual.
Tamsin writes: "Harris was chosen as we liked the fact it is not common but at the same time it isn't too unusual. My husband and I have a strong connection to Scotland which also inspired the name choice.
"I like names which are shorter and like to avoid names which can be shortened to nicknames.
"For girls we liked Isla and Poppy but feel both names are too common now. For boys we like Isaac and Ethan but wondered if they are too boring!
"My husband likes names I really wouldn't choose and to give you an idea of his tastes (which I vetoed), for girls he likes Penelope & Philippa and for boys his first choice was Sebastian My husband does however like Poppy and Isla as I do but they have both become very popular recently. We also agree on Ethan but I just don't feel 100% happy with it."
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Harris Robert is such a great name to encapsulate your preferred style: nickname-proof, recognisable but not to common and with ties to Scotland. Isla certainly ticks all that criteria. It is pretty popular as a top 5 choice, but bear in mind that names in the top ten are not used in the same numbers as they used to be. Ethan and Isaac are great solid Biblical choices which are study and nickname proof (as well as any name can be!).
Hopefully these suggestions will hit a similar not as Harris did for you:
Girls:
Penny – Between Poppy and Penelope is sweet Penny. It is traditionally used as a nickname for Penny, but many people have used it as a standalone name and it wears just as well in its own right as Poppy. As I wild shot, I will also suggest using Poppy as a nickname/every day name and Penelope as a formal name.
Orla – In a similar vein to Isla is the equally Celtic Orla, a name which hails from Irish mythology with the lovely meaning of "golden princess."
Lila – Another name with shared sounds to Isla but far less common is Lila (or Lyla). It is a variant of Leila, a medieval name of Arabic romance meaning "night."
Ivy – Short, sweet and floral. Ivy is just as lissom and fashionable as Poppy but not nearly as popular.
Cora – The Latinised form of the Greek name Kore meaning "the maiden." An alternate name for the spring goddess Persephone who was revered for her important role in agriculture.
Ayla – Both a Hebrew name meaning "oak tree" and also a Turkish name meaning "moonlight." Both are pronounced the same as Isla.
Ailsa – A Scottish island name, just like Isla, pronounced AYL-sa. Fresh, familiar yet uncommon.
Vaila – An even rarer, but oh-so-usable choice is the Scottish name Vaila, also taken from the name of a Scottish island. It is mostly used in Shetland and is pronounced VAY-la.
Lara – Chic, trim and exotic, Lara is short but packs an elegant punch. Also worth considering is Hollywood-inspired Lana.
Mirren – A top 100 choice in Scotland, Mirren is a modernised form of the Old Gaelic Muirenn, either from muir "sea" and fionn "white, fair," or cognate with the Welsh morwyn "maiden."
Luna – The goddess and personification of the moon with an uncommon but highly familiar and fashionable name.
Boys:
Fraser – Charming Scottish favourite which has bags of history but feels very current.
Arran – Like Harris, Arran is the name of a Scottish island. Plenty of Scottish heritage with a modern style.
Blake – A cool and sleek surname with a polished literary nod thanks to William Blake.
Euan – Euan (or Ewan) is quintessentially Scottish and still feels fresh and friendly.
Evan – A solid and sturdy Welsh choice which has all the same charm as Ethan but not nearly as common.
Brody – A Gaelic surname which ticks off the nod to Scotland as being not too common yet familiar.
Miles – Stately yet fancy-free, Miles is a dependable and familiar choice that sits below the top 100.
Caleb – Like Isaac, Caleb is a trim Biblical name which is receiving a modern revival.
Joel – Another sturdy Biblical name. Frills-free, homely and solid.
Flynn – Gaelic Flynn is a dashing loveable rogue inspired by Hollywood.
Keir – A Scottish surname which hails from Scotland's Viking past.
I hope this has been of use. Please keep in touch.