Hannah is expecting her second child soon, a sibling for Clementine Rose "CeCe".
Hannah writes: "We're pretty set on a boys name: Cassius Maxim, Cass for short. First time round, it was so easy to choose a girl's name and so difficult to choose a boys but I think because we love Clementine's name so much and felt we got it just right, we're struggling to find something that we love equally as much.
Genevieve (Evie or Eve for short)
Cosette we both like, this is probably number 1 at the moment.
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Cassius Maxim is a FANASTIC name! No, seriously, I need a minute just to swoon over it...
I really like your short-list so far. Genevieve and Cosette are lovely and very complimentary choices. I thought of Valentina immediately to suggest to you, as well. If Val and Tina don't take your fancy there are lots of other options for nicknames including Lena, Liv, Tilly, Tia, Vita and Vivi.
As you are drawn to long names with nickname potential, I've listed possible nicknames under each suggestion.
French-inspired:
Apolline – The French form of stately Apollonia, used in the Middle Ages in honour of the 3rd century martyr, St Apollonia of Alexandria.
Nicknames: Polly, Appy, Apple
Azalea – Like Clementine, Azalea is an enchanting botanical name. Azalea itself is the English form; Azalée is the French. However, Azalea lends itself wonderfully to the French diminutive Zelie which has become well-known thanks to recently canonised Marie-Azélie "Zélie" Martin (1831-1877). Azélie itself has obscure and debated origins, but it likely derives from the same source as Ascelina.
Nicknames: Zelie , ZiZi
Camelia / Camellia – Camélia is the French form of the Camellia flower which Linnaeus named after botanist Georg Joseph Kamel. Kamel itself is a Moravian form of the Roman Camillus/Camilla.
In the language of flowers, the camellia represents "unpretending excellence, admiration and perfection."
Nicknames: Cammy, Cally, Millie
Celestine – The French and English form of the Latin Caelestinus "of the sky, heavenly."
Nicknames: Zelie, Tess, Lettie
Coralie – A sweet French name meaning "coral" which came into use after the French Revolution.
Nicknames: Coco, Cora, Collie
Other "Coco" names: Cordelia, Constance, Coraline, Corisande, Constanza
Floriane– In a similar vein to Fabienne, but more familiar to English ears. Floriane/Florianne makes for an uncommon twist on popular Florence.
Nicknames: Flo, Florrie, Flossie, FiFi
Marilou – A French and Dutch combination of perennial classics Marie and Louise with a fun and youthful appeal.
Nicknames: Mari, Millie, Mallie, Lulu
Other Mari- names:
- Mariana / Marianne = Mari, Minnie, Mae
- Maribel = Mari, Millie, Mae, Bibi, Maybee, Belle
- Marilene / Marilena = Mari, Mae, Minnie, Millie, Mena
- Marisol = Mari, Mae, Missy, Molly, Mossy
- Mariposa = Mari, Mae, Missy, Posy, Mossy
- Marjolaine = Mari, Mae, Mallie, Jinny, Jolie
Mirabelle – Derived from the Latin mirabilis "wonderful," Mirabelle is a medieval gem which is both French and English.
Nicknames: Mimi, Miri, Millie, Belle, Ella, Mally
Other Ideas:
Artemis(ia) – Artemis is the Greek goddess of the moon and hunting (equivalent to the Roman Diana). Her name is familiar, and yet uncommon. Artemisia is a variant which has been borne by several intriguing women throughout history. Artemisia I of Caria (fl. 480 BC) ruled in her own right and lead her fleet in the Battle of Salamis. Over a century later, Artemisia II of Caria (d.350 BC) also commander her own fleets. Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1651) was a renowned Italian painter who broke the mould for women in the artistic community.
Nicknames: Artie, Missy, Tess, Tia, Timmy
Calliope – One of the nine Muses of Greek mythology, Calliope was the goddess of epic poetry and eloquence -- her name literally means "beautiful voice."
Nicknames: Callie, Poppy, Pippa, Lila
Christabel – A name coined for medieval romance which was made famous by suffragette Christabel Pankhurst (1880-1958).
Nicknames: Tess, Kitty, Tabby, Belle
Cosima – A chic Italian feminine form of Cosimo -- brother to Cosmo -- which derives from the Greek kosmos "order, world."
Nicknames: Coco, Cossy, Mimi, Missy
Juniper – A youthful botanical name with grown-up appeal which has been used since the Middle Ages. In Britain, it also has links to Jennifer/Guinevere.
Nicknames: Junie, Juno, Jinny, Pippa, Prue
Lavinia – An ancient name borne by the ancestor of the Romans which has plenty of stately elegance. Lavina and Levina are similar, yet unrelated, names which derive from the Old English Leofwynn "beloved + joy."
Nicknames: Liv, Livvy, Vivi, Vinnie, Lina
Magnolia – A quirky flower name. In the language of flowers, the magnolia represents "love of nature."
Nicknames: Maggie, Minnie, Molly, Nola
Marina – Meaning "of the sea," Marina was once an epithet of the goddess Venus and was borne by several saints. It became a huge hit in the 1930s when Princess Marina of Greece married Prince George, Duke of Kent.
Nicknames: Mari, Mae, Minnie, Mina, Mimi
Octavia – A grand and stately Roman name which is a guaranteed head-turner, but is also widely familiar.
Nicknames: Viva, Vivi
Ottilie – A modern German form of Odilia (from uod "wealth, riches") which has a sleek and stylish sound.
Nicknames: Tillie, Oti, Ollie, Lottie
Ophelia – Made famous by Shakespeare's tragic heroine, Ophelia is a chic and elegant choice with a mellifluous sound.
Nicknames: Fifi, Effie
Venetia / Vienna – Not only is Venetia the Latin name for glamorous Venice, in Britain, it was also used to latinise Gwyneth. Venetia Digby (1600–1633) was a celebrated beauty of the Stuart era and Benjamin Disraeli used the name for his novel Venetia in 1837.
Vienna is another artistic and captivating city-name used as a given name.
Nicknames: Viva, Vivi
I hope this has been of use. Good luck with settling on the perfect name!
