Joanna and Sam are expecting their third child -- a surprise! -- to join big sisters Arianna and Ophelia.
Joanna writes: "We are expecting our third child, a brother or sister for our two daughters Arianna and Ophelia. We love their names but are struggling to find something that we both love and that holds the same allure!
For a girl ideally the name will have a similar type of feel as our other daughter’s. For a girl we would go a little more unusual but for a boy I think we would want that balance of familiar but not too common. For a either boy or girl a strong sounding name that grows with them, girls we tend to prefer softer sounding names. Ideally we want something that is fairly original but not too out there. Something that sits outside the top 100 but is familiar, we feel like we hit the nail on the head with our two girls especially Ophelia so now there’s more pressure to find another name that we both love and ticks all the boxes!
Names for girls:
Names for boys:
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Ah, such a shame Imogen is off the table! I feel your pain there. A perfectly complimentary name that has the same allure as Arianna and Ophelia. I can see the pitfalls of the rest of your list, however, but I'm sure there is something equally lovely we can find.
For boys, your list feels pretty solid. Jude is relatively popular but not overused (#53 in South East and #61 in South West in 2016) and Jasper is a dapper-up-and-comer. It ranked #98 overall in England an Wales in 2016, but ranks highest in the South West and South East (#51 and #77 respectively).
As for Arlo, a few years ago it was still an uncommon hipster choice, until, thanks to a slew of celebrity babies, it skyrocketed in 2016 from #102 to #49 in England and Wales and ranks even higher at #32 in the SW and #44 in the SE. So far from outlandish, it's now perfectly mainstream.
Girls:
Jemima – Jemima has a sweet and sunny, Victorian charm with the added advantage that it ranks between #150-#200 in the South (just like Ophelia and Arianna) and could be used as a longer form for Emmie.
Clementine – Another way to get to Emmie is vintage Clementine or variant Clemency. Highest in the SE and SW at #258 and #317 (it was #412 overall in E&W in 2016) it's not too
Lucinda – If Indy takes your fancy, but not India, how about using lovely lyrical Lucinda as a longer form? Like Arianna and Ophelia, it has its roots in 17th century literature and romance.
Rosalind – Another way to get to Indy is romantic medieval Rosalind. Like Ophelia it is Shakespearean (Shakespeare also used Adriana, so it's close!).
Rosalie – Speaking of Rosalind, another fragrant Rose- name is sweet Rosalie. It has the same soft strength as Arianna and Ophelia without repeating sounds.
Elodie – Like Rosalie, Elodie is a very complimentary name to Ophelia and Arianna while still having distinct sounds. It ranked #118 in the SW and #120 in the SE in 2016, making it known but not
Eloise – Similar to Elodie is medieval French import Eloise, famously part of romantic duo Héloïse and Abelard. It ranks just below the top 100 nationally, though is slightly more popular at #80 in the South East.
Helena – A royal princess name which has and elegant charm. It was #199 in the SE and #339 in the SW making it familiar yet uncommon. I also don't think it's too much of a stretch in to use Hallie as a nickname.
Orla – If Freya is too common, but you love the sound and its ancient past, how about Orla? It's a beautiful royal medieval Irish name meaning "golden sovereign" (often translated as "golden princess" which ranks in the sweet spot of #107 in England and Wales.
Maya – Also akin to Freya is ethereal Maya. It comes from several different sources: "illusion, divine power" in Sanskrit; is an English variant of the Roman May spring goddess Maia, meaning "great"; and also derived from the Hebrew word for "water."
Beatrix – Beatrice is sweet, royal and gentle, while Breatrix has a more of a feisty kick. Either are lovely choices which aren't too common (Beatrice is #80 and Beatrix is #168 - or between #125-#130 in the South).
Primrose – A sweet and fragrant floral name which has a chic and elegant allure. The potential to use Posy as a nickname is doubly appealing. It ranked just below the #150 mark in both the South East and West in 2016 where it was most popular, but ranked #232 overall.
Genevieve – Again, more popular in the South than anywhere else in the country (around the #300 mark) but still an uncommon gem. Genevieve is a Victorian sweetheart with a strong medieval heritage.
Felicity – A mellifluous virtue name meaning "happiness" which carries grace and style. At #97 it is a well known name but not too common. For a rarer choice, there is also alternate lovely virtue name Verity which is most common in the South at #233 (SW) and #244 (SE).
Penelope – Arianna is derived from the Greek mythological Ariadne, Ophelia was also coined from ancient Greek, so Greek paragon Penelope seems like a perfectly complimentary choice. It ranks at #63, making it not too hot, and not too cold.
Evangeline – Literature made Evangeline a Victorian sensation, and -- though less common today -- it has't lost any of its appeal.
Lydia – A Georgian favourite which can be genteel and feisty in equal measure. Like Arianna and Ophelia, it, too, has its roots in Ancient Greece. Ranking at #100, Lydia is in the happy-medium spot of being well known but not overused.
Boys:
Roman – All the dignity of Jasper combined with the strong 'o' sound of Noah and Arlo. Ranking at #92 in 2016, it isn't unheard of but not super popular.
Rowan – Also similar in sound is friendly Rowan, a name with ties to nature and the ancient Celtic world. It ranks at #105 nationally, though is most popular at #62 in the South West.
Jonah / Jonas – A gentlemanly Biblical name which was a staple Georgian / Regency-era choice in Britain. Not only does it share similar sounds to Noah and Jasper, Jonah ranks at #157 and Jonas at #448.
Theodore – Respectably sitting at #42, saintly Theodore hits a dignified middle ground with the option of lively Theo or Teddy as a nickname.
Ellis – The stately surname style of Spencer and Arlo, combined with the Biblical heritage of Noah, Jasper and Jude. Ellis is the medieval vernacular form of Biblical patriarch Elijah which ranks at #89.
Gabriel – Like Jasper, Gabriel is a genial Georgian gentleman which -- at #69 in SE and #106 in SW -- is now stylish without being overused.
Zachary / Zack – A strong yet sweet Biblical name with an affable charm. It's short-form, Zack, is playful and sparky.
Tobias – Tobias has a Biblical heritage, combining old-style homeliness with dignified polish. It also leads to playfu short-form Toby and sits at #85 and #99 in SW and SE/
Miles / Myles – Down-to-earth, affable and charming. Not at all flashy but completely enthralling and interesting.
Maxwell – Spencer and Arlo's upscale surname style combined with the gentlemanly charm of Jasper. Maxwell is surname derived from a Scottish placename which makes a great longer form for sprightly Max. It sits at #91 in SE and #108 in SW.
Fletcher – Another dignified surname linked to medieval archery. Fletcher is #233 nationally but most popular in the South West at #143.
Wesley – A sweet modern staple which has a familiar sound but isn't overused. Wesley is an evergreen name that is friendly and down-to-earth.
Dominic – Like Wesley. Dominic is another evergreen name. Not too sharp or too sweet, for the last few years it has remained just below the top 100.
Hugo – The upbeat sounds of Arlo combined with the heritage of Jasper. Hugo is an early medieval royal name with heaps of charm and modern appeal, ranking respectably at #50.
I hope this has been of use. Good luck with settling on the perfect name!
