Emma and Tom are looking for a girls' name to go with their two children's names Luca and Arianne "Annie". Boys' names are sorted, but it's the girls they are having trouble with.
Emma writes: "I think we are finding the girls' name so difficult because we are smitten with our choice of Arianne. We love the option of the flowery and girly sounding Arianne but mainly use Annie as it is a strong nickname, with a bit of character about it. It suits our rough and tumble little girl perfectly. We are feeling the pressure to get it right again!
Names we love but are not an option for us because of family/ friend connections are Holly, Mia, Florence, Eva, Ava.
Other names we have considered but are perhaps too fussy / similar next to Arianne/ Annie are Elodie (Edie), Emilia (Emmie), Maisie.
Our current favourite is Olivia (Liv/ Livvie) because it works so well next to Luca and Annie but it is too common for us.
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I can see the fantastic appeal of the versatility of unexpected, refined Arianne coupled with sweet and down-to-earth Annie, and why you want to replicate it. I struggled initially with this list over which angle to go for first. Do I start with the nicknames and then sift through the possible longer forms, or do I start with elegant formal names and look for ones with nickname possibilities? In the end, it was impossible to stick to just one method, so some names have multiple nickname suggestions, while others have several longer forms for a nickname.
Livia – You love Olivia "Liv/Livvie" but it is everywhere now. You can still use Liv, however, if you adopt the sleeker Italian name Livia, borne by Roman empresses and Shakespearean characters alike.
Evelina – Elegant and chic Evelina lends itself to a multitude of nicknames, including Eva, Evie, Liv, Vivi and Lina. Several other names would make Evie or Liv possible, including Evangeline, Everly, Evadne, Evanthe and Genevieve.
Margot – A stylish and ladylike name which lends itself to feisty Maggie. Other routes to Maggie are French choices Marguerite and Magali.
Paloma – A graceful and stylish Spanish name meaning "dove." Both Polly and Molly make for great everyday names.
Amabel – A medieval name, very like popular Annabel, derived from the Latin amabilis "lovable." Belle, Bella, Ella, Amy or Mally could be nicknames.
Mirabel – Another sweet -bel name is Mirabel (or Mirabelle) with the option of Milly, Ella, Belle, Mally and Mira.
Bellamy – Continuing the 'bel' theme is stylish and elegant surname-first name Bellamy meaning "good friend."
Betony – Sweet botanical Betony is a pretty purple plant very close to bluebells. It has been used as a name since the Victorians adopted it, but is also found as the surname-first name Bettany (as in historian Bettany Hughes). Boisterous and sweet Betsy is perfect as a nickname, and is a great match for Annie. Other Betsy-options are Beatrice, Beatrix, Bellatrix and Bethia.
Romilly – A chic French place name which lends itself to Romy, Milly or Lily.
Ottilie – Mellifluous and elegant, Ottilie is a stylish and growingly-familiar choice. Tilly or Lily work as nicknames.
Aurora – The Roman goddess of the dawn and Disney princess to boot! Aurora is a suptuous name with the option of tomboy nickname Rory or Ora.
Jessmine – The poetic name for the jasmine-flower, Jessamine (and Jessamy) was adopted by the Victorians in their love of floral-names. Jess or Josie could be nicknames.
Emmeline – Genteel and dignified Emmeline has ties to many strong and notable women. Emmy, Milly, Minnie, Ellie... the nicknames potential is very broad.
Mireya – A stylish Spanish name, related to Miranda and the Latin mirar "to be admired." It also also found spelled Mireia. Rey, Reya, Mira, Mirry or Merry could be nicknames.
Marina – Elegent and regal Marina is a perfect longer form for spunky short-form Marnie -- a great match with Annie. Other Marnie-names include Mariana, Marlena or Marceline/Marcheline.
Estelle – Refined and graceful Estelle has all same appeal as pretty Arianne. Stella, Ellie, Essie or Ella all would work as down-to-earth short forms.
Alessia – The stylish Italian form of Alexia, Alessia is delicate and chic with potential for Allie, Alice, Essie, Lissy or Lea.
Isadora – Stately Isadora is in the sweet spot of "familiar but underused," and lends itself perfectly to sprightly nickname Sadie.
I hope this has been of use. Best wishes with the name hunting.
