Jo is due soon with her second child, and is looking for girls' names to go with her daughter's name: Everly Pearl.
If it's a boy, they have a name sorted, but they are still struggling for girls' names. They want a name that is an established name that isn't too popular.
Jo writes: "Our daughter is Everly Pearl, both me and my husband loved both names and agreed instantly, however we are finding it a lot harder to agree second time round.
I am a teacher so a lot of the “common” names I have heard time and time again and am looking for something more original.
For a girl we like Iris, Ivy, Alice, Posy and Olive but don’t love any of them the way we instantly loved our daughters names. James has eliminated Posy (which I really loved!) as he said it sounds too cutesy. He says you wouldn’t take a doctor called Posy seriously. Our surname is M_____ so would avoid any names beginning with an ‘M’"
※ ※ ※ ※
It can be so difficult following up from an instant hit. It's a problem for authors, retailers, movie makers, songwriters... and parents. The first time happens by inspiration and fits so perfectly, but then that adds an element of pressure the second time round. But, the good news is that inspiration will eventually come: it may be in the eleventh hour, or it may end up being a name you have previously dismissed.
Here are some names which fit your criteria, but may provide wider inspiration:
Primrose – If you love Posy, but your husband isn't sold, how about using Posy as a nickname for Primrose? Like Ivy and Iris, Primrose is a delicate floral with a neat and trim style. It's very fashionable currently and, like Everly, has a rising profile without a top 100 status.
Sylvie – The soft lyrical elegance of Ivy is echoed in chic French Sylvie. A name that it stylish, familiar but unexpected all at the same time.
Romilly – Just like Everly, Romilly is a tailored surname (that derives from a place name) with a feminine slant.
Bellamy – Another feminine-tailored surname derived from the French bel amie "good friend."
Ada – A sweet and antique Edwardian gem. Ada was at its height at the same time as Ivy, Iris and Olive so it fits perfectly with your list for style.
Genevieve – With the stylish 'v', Genevieve is a sweet medieval gem with a chic French twist.
Luna – A celestial name -- once the Roman goddess of the moon -- packs a punch with its pocket-sized.
Lyra – Another name taken from the night sky, Lyra has a lovely lyrical sound with both a musical (it actually derives from the Latin word for the 'lyre') and celestial heritage.
Nova – From the Latin term "new," Nova is often used to describe a newly discovered star. The name saw a spike in use in the 1930s thanks to British actress Nova Pilbeam.
Aria – This Italian word for 'air' has long been used to mean "song" or "melody" thanks to its being applied to vocal solos performed in operas. True to its meaning, it has a light and airy style and melodic sound.
Orla – A sweet Irish name, borne by medieval royalty, meaning "golden princess."
Alba – The Latin word for "white," the Celtic word for "world" and the Italian, Spanish, Romanian and Catalan word for "dawn, sunrise." The name Alba dates back to the Romans but has plenty of modern appeal.
Aurora – Another 'dawn' name is lovely and lyrical Aurora -- the Roman goddess of the dawn -- which is both familiar and unexpected at the same time.
Cora – Associated with the goddess Persephone in Greek mythology, Cora is a sweet Edwardian gem with plenty of character.
Pippa – A bouncy and upbeat short form of regal Philippa which stands proudly on its own.
Verity – Soft and ladylike with a playful side. Verity is a virtue name meaning "truth" which is well known but not too common and transitions childhood to adulthood seamlessly.
Audrey – Classic Hollywood glamour combined with sweet Flapper charm. Audrey has been in use in Britain since the Middle Ages as a form of the Anglo-Saxon name Æthelthryth meaning "noble strength."
Anais – Sleek, chic and chirpy, Anais is a fashionable French twist on classic Anne.
I hope this has been helpful. Best of luck with choosing the perfect name.
