Julia is expecting triplet girls! These three lovelies are to join big sisters Harriet and Charlotte.
Julia writes: "I am a long time name lover and found naming my two daughters easy- Harriet and Charlotte, who often go by Hattie and Lottie. Harriet was my husbands pick. I like the strength of the name and the cute nickname possibilities. Charlotte has always been my favourite name so despite its popularity we went with it. I love it's feminine classic style. However when we named the girls we didn't consider the nicknames and how similar they are. I don't regret the names I gave the girls but if I had put more consideration into their nicknames I doubt they would have been so similar.
We are a fan of traditional names with traditional spelling as well as nickname strong names.
There are names we both love but are finding the concept of naming triplets overwhelming. It would be great if all the children's names could be cohesive and not stick out as two different groups- the multiples and the non multiples.
My husband and I don't really like modern names or made up spelling. I personally love feminine names and would love if one of the girls had a floral name. The idea of three floral names is a bit much though. We don't want anything to matchy matchy. We have learnt this lesson from my older daughters Harriet and Charlotte. Doesn't sound matchy until you realise their nicknames have become Hattie and Lottie.
Primrose, Margot, Daisy, Camilla, Eve/Eva, Nora and Polly. Valentina and Paloma are also favourites but don't seem to fit the style of the other names we like.
We also like Alice and Flora but neither go well with out last name, due to the L "OR" and S sounds.
Adelaide, Cecilia and Victoria are personal favourites of mine but my husband doesn't particularly like the obvious nicknames.
※ ※ ※ ※
Harriet and Charlotte can both be considered English staples -- both were especially common in the Georgian era (both happen to be Jane Austen characters which makes for an interesting subtle link) -- but they also both derive from Old medieval Germanic names, and therefore have lots of European cousins. Added to which, Charlotte and Harriet both feel grounded and down-to-earth, yet both have been borne by royals and aristocrats for centuries. If we widen the search out to any that fit this criteria, there are plenty of options.
Of your current list, I think Primrose is a great fit, and certainly makes for a lovely floral addition to your set. Margot also fits the style of a European cousin-name.
Several names suggested below are also the names of varieties of roses, so all three girls could be floral "rose" names, without it being matchy or obvious.
Adeline– In a similar vein to Adelaide is sister-name Adeline, sporting the same dignified style.
Nicknames: Annie, Della, Lena
Annabel – A medieval variant of Amabel, derived from the Latin amabilis "lovable," Annabel has sweet Victorian style. It was popularised in 1849 by Edgar Allan Poe's poem Annabel Lee.
Nicknames: Annie, Bella
Arabella – Another medieval gem that may also share the same root as Annabel, or else is derived from the Latin Orabilis "invokeable, exorable, to be entreated." Like Harriet and Charlotte, Arabella has been used by British nobility since the 16th century and was also borne by a Jane Austen character.
Nicknames: Ari, Bella
Beatrice – Both Charlotte and Harriet have subtle links to royalty, and Beatrice is no exception either. A darling of a name with a Shakespearean style and romantic Italian ancestry thanks to Dante.
Nicknames: Bea, Bess, Betty, Betsy
Bridget – A sweet staple which can boast a bold heritage in Irish mythology. It was common in the genteel Georgian era: a period when Charlotte and Harriet were also in their heyday, and was also used by Jane Austen.
Nicknames: Bree, Bridie, Birdie
Clementine – Sitting sound-wise between stately Camilla and romantic Valentina, Clementine is not only a Victorian darling, it is also a botanical name with heritage derived from the Roman goddess of clemency and forgiveness.
Nicknames: Clemmy, Cleo, Mina, Minnie
Eleanor – If Nora is on your list, and you favour nickname-rich names, it would be negligent of me not to suggest medievally royal Eleanor which you could use Nora as a for. Eleanor was also well-used in the Georgian era; Harriet, Charlotte and Eleanor are all characters in Jane Austen's novels.
Eleanor is also the name of a rose.
Nicknames: Ella, Ellie, Nell, Nora
Elizabeth – Almost the ultimate classic, Elizabeth has been borne by some of the most remarkable women in history and literature. However, it has not ranked higher than #35 since 2004, so little Elizabeths today can be a pleasant surprise.
Elizabeth is also the name of a rose.
Nicknames: Ella, Ellie, Bess, Beth, Betty, Betsy, Lizzie, Liza
Emmeline – Derived from the Old Germanic Amalia, Emmeline became a hit after Charlotte Turner Smith's popular novel Emmeline (1788) was released. It became a staple in the early 19th century and made especially famous by suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928).
Nicknames: Ellie, Emmie, Lena, Mina, Minnie
Esther – Sweet-natured Esther is another popular Georgian (Austen) name. She appears mild-mannered, but her heritage is that of a powerful goddess.
Esther is also the name of a rose.
Nicknames: Essie, Ettie, Tess
Evangeline – With Eve and Eva on your list, I'm tempted to suggest Evelyn, but at #22, it feels just that little bit too popular for what you're after. This leads me to mellifluous Evangeline, made into a Victorian darling thanks to Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Evangeline is also the name of a rose.
Nicknames: Annie, Eva, Eve, Evie, Ginny, Lena, Lia, Laney, Liv
Francesca – Widening the net out to Harriet and Charlotte's Germanic-derived European cousins, Francesca is a bright and breezy Italian variant of traditional Frances. It has been in the bottom half of the top 100 since 1994 so it is perfectly familiar while retaining its exotic style.
Francesca is also the name of a rose.
Nicknames: Chessie, Frankie, Frannie
Jemima – An endearing Georgian and Victorian favourite which brings to mind the charming drawings of Beatrix Potter.
Nicknames: Jemmy, Mimi, Mya
Josephine – Charlotte and Harriet both derive from French feminised forms, and so too does Josephine. It is sweetly feminine without being frou frou and strikes a nice balance as a familiar name that isn't over used.
Josephine is also the name of a rose.
Nicknames: Josie, Fina, Fifi, Posy
Lillian – Derived from traditional Elizabeth, Lillian can now be considered a classic in its own right. It also boasts a subtle floral link with its connection to lily.
Nicknames: Lily
Louisa – File Louisa alongside Josephine, Francesca, Harriet and Charlotte, a sweet feminised form which has a stately elegant style. Louisa was also another Georgian (Austen) staple.
Nicknames: Lou, Louie, Lula
Lydia – An ancient name which flourished in Britain in the 18th century and immortalised by Jane Austen. It has a familiar, enduring style with the always-fashionable -ia ending. At #116, it makes a great alternative to #1 and #2 Olivia and Amelia.
Nicknames: Lydie
Marianne – Another Austen name, Marianne is a more elaborate French twist on Marian.
Nicknames: Annie, Mari, Minnie
Matilda – Borne by numerous battle-brave medieval queens, Matilda was revived in the 18th century to become a Georgian favourite (once again, used by a Jane Austen character), and a royal Georgian middle name at that! – such as for Princess Caroline Matilda (1751-1775) and Princess Sophia Matilda (1777-1848).
Matilda is also the name of a rose.
Nicknames: Mattie, Tilly, Tildy
Penelope – If you like Polly, then I think pretty Penelope may be perfect for you. It is has an ancient heritage and was also used by a Jane Austen character.
Penelope is also the name of a rose.
Nicknames: Nell(ie), Penny, Polly, Poppy
I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for the final decision-making.
UPDATE:
Hello Elea and British Baby Names readers,
Thank you so much for all your help naming our baby girls. I loved the Jane Austen link you found and thought it would be perfect for my girls. However, after discussing it at length with my husband and overthinking it, (what else was I supposed to do on bed rest all day?!) we decided that I just loved Primrose too much not to use it. So despite not being Jane Austen babies we are so pleased to tell you we had three small but perfect and healthy baby girls in May named:
Primrose Kathleen
Jemima Dulcie
Margaret 'Daisy' Patricia
My husband loved you suggestion of Jemima and both of us just couldn't get past Daisy. Initially we didn't think we could use Primrose and Daisy together however we felt that by giving Daisy the formal name of Margaret and nicknaming Primrose 'Prim' we could get around the double flower issue. Jemima sometimes gets the nickname of Emmy but to be honest I love Jemima just as it is.
We felt that Primrose, Jemima, Margaret/ Daisy seemed to fit well Harriet and Charlotte; something that a lot of the names on our list never seemed to.
All three girls were given family names for their middle names, which match what we did with our older children.
Thank you so much for all your and your readers suggestions. We feel beyond lucky to have this beautiful family of healthy girls.
