Sarah is due soon with her second child, and is looking for girls' names to go with her son's name Maxwell Scott "Max"
Sarah writes: "I'm struggling to find something sweet and girly but with a slight prim and proper feel as with Maxwell. We like 'e' ending names (not too popular like phoebe etc) I would also have loved a two syllable name that could be shortened like Maxwell is to Max.."
Names on the list:
- Kate - sounds modern but also classic. I love this as a middle name more as this fits the one syllable middle name requirement.
- Lucy/Louise - because we like Lulu (although lulu is a bit far out for us as a standalone name)
- Frankie
- Isabel - classic and not as common as Isabella
- Eden
- Milly/Mollie - a friend has a baby with this name.
- Addie - love this but don't like any of the longer names
- Ellie
- Ada/Ivy - maybe a bit too vintage sounding
Names eliminated:
- Phoebe - I fall in and out of love with this name as it's different sounding but classic, I think the nail in the coffin was it is quite popular at the moment.
- Marcie/Lily - a bit to sweet sounding
- Ella - my favourite name of all time but [too similar to family name].
- Vivienne & Juliette - I love these but my husband doesn't
- Violet/Scarlett
- Ruby - can't because of Max and Ruby TV show.
Ideal attributes:
- Two syllable one syllable ideally but not essential to follow Maxwell Scott.
- Classic and elegant not too modern or unheard of.
- Must be able to have a nickname like Max with Maxwell. I think we almost prefer nickname names but would like to give options for when they are older.
- Not too harsh sounding like Cara/Clara/Harriet etc
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Hm... This request was unexpectedly difficult. Once I started digging, I discovered that there are surprisingly few two-syllable girls' names that fit your style that can be shortened easily. Many are either stand-alones that don't obviously shorten (Phoebe, Ruby, Lily, Scarlett) or they are already diminutive-names (Ellie, Frankie, Milly etc).
So, I have had to be a bit more flexible on the number of syllables, but kept usable and stylish nicknames in mind for my selection.
Annabel – As sweet, historic and elegant as Isabel but far less common. Even when spellings Annabelle and Annabel etc are added together, it ranks #43 compared with Isabel/Isabelle/Isobel etc's rank at #9. Anna, Annie, Belle, Bella and Abbie all work as nicknames.
Evelyn – An elegant, lady-like classic which isn't too heavy. Evie or even Ellie can be used as a nickname.
Eliza – Sparky and bright Eliza has a modern appeal but historic heritage. Ellie would work perfectly as a nickname.
Amelie – I know Milly has been used by a friend, but perhaps it could still be used as a nickname. Chic, stylish and historic Amelie makes for a great formal option for Milly.
Penelope – Chic and stylish: the beauty of Penelope is that is vintage gem with modern appeal and plenty of nickname possibilities including Penny, Polly, Nell, Ellie, Poppy.
Elodie – A pretty French import which has oodles of history and charm. Either Ellie or Edie would make lovely nicknames.
Eloise – Another chic classic French name with lots of style that not only can give you the nickname Ellie, but also Lulu.
Grace – There are two main types of nicknames in British naming: hypochoristics -- a shortened form of the name (Ben, Tom, Joe, Max etc) -- and diminutives -- where the original name has a suffix added on (Johnnie, Georgie etc). Both are equally established. Which leads me to sweet, elegant and classic Grace with its built in nickname of Gracie. A Grace Ruby or Grace Phoebe would have the same syllable pattern as Maxwell Scott, just inverted.
Rose – In the same vein as Grace, there is also fragrant Rose with its sweet nickname Rosie.
Rosalie – If Rosie is up your street, there are several longer forms including charming and sweet Rosalie.
Marnie– If Marcie is a little too sweet, how about the similar sounding Marnie which is equally vintage but a little bit sassier.
Beatrice – I have a feeling Beatrice may be filed alongside Ada and Ivy as a little 'too vintage sounding' but it certainly fits the criteria of being "sweet and girly but with a slight prim and proper feel." There are lots of nickname options including Bea, Betsy, Bess, Trixy and Bix. For a edgier twist, there is also Beatrix.
Charlotte – Charlotte is two-syllables, classic, elegant, girly and prim all in one. The nickname Lottie gives it an unexpected twist.
Stella – If Ella is off the table, perhaps Stella will appeal. It is vintage and girly but also proper and elegant.
Tessa – An uncommon name that is commonly known -- an illusive name to find! It also lends itself perfectly to the sweet and literary nickname Tess.
Madeleine – Girly and ladylike, Madeleine has plenty of nickname options: Maddie, Mally, Milly...even Addie!
Ophelia – A romantic and graceful name which could be shortened adorably to Effie, Poppy and Polly.
Primrose – Sweet and charming with a hint of pluckiness. Not only would Rosie/Rose work as nicknames, there is also Posy/Posie.
I hope this has been helpful. Best of luck with choosing the perfect name.
