British Baby Names

Name Help: Traditional Triplet Girls

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. 

The perfect names would be ones that everyone knows of. We don't want them to constantly be explaining their name and pronunciation all their life. However we'd rather not have a name in the top 20

 

The only name that is off limits is Sylvie, which is a shame as it's lovely. 

 

Names we like and agree on are:
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.

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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.

 

Name Help: A Sister name for Clementine "CeCe"

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. 

I'm quite fixated on French sounding names at the moment so would love some similarly themed suggestions, although would be great to hear anything else that goes well with Clementine to try to broaden my horizons. Essentially, we're looking for something that is unusual but stylish and probably a medium length - long name. 

 

Names on the list:

Genevieve (Evie or Eve for short)
Cosette we both like, this is probably number 1 at the moment.

I recently ran these names past my husband:

 

Fabienne 

Vaila 

Lisette 

Evangeline 

 

He said no to all but infuriatingly gives no reasons just says he doesn't like. 

 

Millicent - decided Millie was too popular 

Valentina - love but decided we really don't like shortened Val or Tina 

Livia - both like but maybe too plain and too much like Olivia would consider as a middle name 

 

We had Vida and Ivy picked out for a while but both kind of went off it. We both like names with Vs though. Glad we didn't use Ivy as it is now so popular.  

 

Out of use names:

 

Emmeline 

Coco 

Araminta"

 

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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!

 

 

Name Help: A Sibling for Caspar

 

Jodie is expecting her second child -- gender a surprise -- a sibling for her son, Caspar. 

Jodie writes: "I would say our requirement is 'unusual but not made up'. Nothing too girly or flowery for a girl and none of the common traditional names for boys. We do like a Scottish influence but not Gaelic.  

 

Boys names I love:

 

Cosmo (this is my favourite but I'm not sure it's right with Caspar, especially as surname also starts with C) 

Felix (probably OH's fave but think it's too popular now, plus a friend of the family has used it) 

Rufus

Xander 

Otis 

Roman 

Stellan

Rafferty 

 

And girls: 

 

Romilly / Romy (probably our favourite but not sure enough people have heard of it)

Alba (I like this as it's punchy and means Scotland, but I don't like Alby which is close to it)

Cosima (again probably my favourite but might get discounted for the same reasons as Cosmo - although I like the idea of Mimi as a nickname)

Annorah / Norah (a combo of our Mum's names so possibly middle name)

Emme / Emmeline 

Everly 

Xanthe 

Anais (but would prefer the pronunciation, Annay, is that terrible?!) 

 

- I don't really like the trend for 'old people' names so I guess anything like Martha / Florence / Albert / Walter is out.

- We can't use Pheobe, Aurelia, Odette, Juliet, Jude, Felix, Baxter, Arlo, Sebastian, Isla, Alice, Finley / Finn

- I'd prefer something out of the top 100 if possible! 

- For a girl I'd like to honour my late mum Anne in some way, which is swaying me towards Anais 

 

The thing we liked about Caspar was that everyone had heard of it as a name but it's not popular - I think we're struggling as some of the more unusual girls name sound made up...

 

 

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First off, I'll say you have a very strong list. Romilly is a great fit with Caspar. It's uncommon, but easily accessible: not hard to spell or difficult to pronounce. 

Is Anais terrible if pronounced Annay? In short, no, not terrible -- just expect to keep trotting out a brief explanatory line. The perfume Anais Anais came to Britain in 1976. Though only separated by the Channel, we weren't especially au fait with French pronunciation back then, so the perfume became pronounced Anay Anay in many parts of Britain, from the reasonable presumption that -ais is pronounced 'ay' in France. This of course was ignoring the diacritic dots of the 'i' in Anaïs making it properly An-eye-ees. This presents an issue with the name Anaïs in Britain. Some will automatically say Anay and think of the perfume (I know a little girl named Star-Anais which is pronounced Anay). Others -- now more knowledgeable of French names, especially as the world becomes more multicultural -- will automatically use the French pronunciation.  However, lots of names sometimes require explanation (you honestly wouldn't believe how many Brits struggle with the 'traditional' British name Eleanor) so it doesn't need to be a barrier. Just be prepared for both pronunciations.

 

Elias – Just like Caspar is a variant of the Biblical Gaspar (Jasper) -- one of the three wise men of the Nativity -- Elias is the sleek Greek form of Biblical Elijah. Also like Caspar, Elias is fashionable and stylish, but sits outside of the top 100. 

Fraser – Tailored Fraser is a perfect example of a name that is "Scottish but not Gaelic." Hailing from the notable Scottish clan, accessible Fraser ranks fashionably at #73 in native Scotland but is only #246 in England and Wales. 

Jonah – Both Biblical Jonah and Latin Jonas have plenty of style and substance. They are the type of names that everyone knows, but few answer to it (#159 and #469 respectively). 

Lachlan – A traditional Scottish name meaning "a loch-lander" i.e. "a Scandinavian." It has been used from an early date in Scotland and many medieval clan chiefs had Lachlan as a given name. Today this Viking-inspired name has plenty of modern appeal and is much like Roman and Stellan on your list. 

Levi – A cool and stylish name which is well-known but remarkably underused at #148. 

Magnus – A strong and stately Roman names -- literally meaning "great" which has been used for a millennia in Scandinavia, and from there migrated to Scotland. At #397 in England and Wales (#136 in Scotland), it is uncommon but very familiar; historic and with ample Scottish heritage.

Maxwell – Another gentlemanly name that boasts Scottish heritage is affable Maxwell. It's universally know, but has surprisingly never cracked the top 100. 

Murray – Derived from Moray in Scotland, friendly Murray is seeing a revival in native Scotland (ranking #75 in 2017) yet remains rare elsewhere. 

Rafe – With Rufus and Rafferty on your list, Rafe seems worth a look. The phonetic spelling of the once southern pronunciation of historic Ralph, Rafe has plenty of charm and style. Rafe could also be used as a nickname for Rafferty. 

Rex – Sporting the same stylish -x as Felix and Xander, Rex is a Latin name meaning "king," but is also a Saxon surname meaning "dweller by the rushes."  In the 19th century, Rex was commonly used as a nickname for Reginald such as British Hollywood actor, Sir Reginald "Rex" Harrison.I

Sullivan – A cool Gaelic surname-turned-first name which brings to mind the Suilven mountains in Scotland. It ranks at #498 so is not too hot, or too cold. 

Tristan – A heroic and ancient name which dates right back to the Picts of Scotland. Like Caspar, Tristan is handsome and familiar but underused at #173.

 

Athena – Feminine without being frilly, Athena is the striking name of the Greek goddess of both wisdom, courage, good advice, war and heroism. This woman had it all: brains, beauty, courage and a determined will not to be messed with. A stronger female namesake is hard to come-by! Athena currently ranks at #245 and is steadily rising, making it a hip, up-and-coming choice. 

Bellamy – Between Romilly and Everly on your list is sweet Bellamy, derived from the French phrase belle amie "good friend."
In a similar vein is Waverley which has plenty of Scottish heritage thanks to Sir Walter Scott's novel Waverley (1814). The novel was such a success, especially for Scotland which got a major image overhaul (it literally revived the use of tartan and kilts), that there are several landmarks in Scotland named Waverley. 

Lara – From ancient Roman mythology (who boasts a nymph named Lara) to the Russian heroine of Boris Pasternak's novel Doctor Zhivago (1957), Lara is a stylish name that always feels effortlessly elegant. In a similar vein is punchy Zara, royally endorsed, and based on the Arabic zahrah "blooming flower."

Lyra – Taken straight from the heavens, musical Lyra is a striking and fashion-forward name at #183. 

Marsaili – Scottish-but-not-Gaelic, Marsaili is a sweet Scottish heritage choice which isn't too much for English natives to get their heads around. 

Mirren – Both Mirren and Merren are Scottish forms of Miriam which feel fresh and modern. Mirren has spent many years in the Scottish top 100 in recent years, but it is rare elsewhere in Britain. 

 

Honouring Anne:

Anae – Many French parenting sites list the name Anaé or Anae. The meaning given is that, like Anne, Anaé derives from Hannah. According to this French song, Anae is pronounced Annay -- just the way you prefer Anais! This for me would make a perfect solution: a genuine (if rare) French name derived from Anne, pronounced Annay, which would easily be pronounced as such in Britain. It has, after all, the same spelling as Mae, Maeve, Shae and Rae etc. 

[On a side note: current etymological theory maintains that Anais is not derived from Anne (the -s ending is very irregular) and that it is in fact derived from the Greek Anaitis. This does not means that Anais does not work as a way of honouring Anne -- far from it! -- but it is worth being aware of.]

Annabel – Scottish in origin, Annabel was created as a variant of Amabel (from the Latin amabilis "loveable"). Although not etymologically related to Anne, it has long been connected thanks to its being considered a blend of Anna and Belle. 

Anneliese – In Germany, Anne was combined with Liese (Elisabeth) to create the lyrical Anneliese. In Britain, it is more commonly found in the simplified Anglicised spelling Annalise (#560). 

Anya – Also spelled Ania, Anya is a stylish diminutive of Anne/Anna, traditional in Eastern Europe. At #223, it is familiar and fashionable without being overused. 

 

Anne is the English form of Hannah, a Biblical name meaning "grace." Another way to honour your mother Anne would be to use a name with the same meaning of "grace":

Amara – An Igbo (Western African) name which means "grace". It also an Arabic name which means "sweetheart". Amara ranks at #212 and is on a fashionable rise. 

Charis – Pronounced the same as the Welsh Carys, classical Charis means "grace" in Greek and has been used as a name in Britain since the 16th century. The plural form Charites was the Greek name for "the Graces" -- ancient goddesses of grace, beauty, joy, festivity, dance and song.

Thalia – The three Graces (Charites) were named Aglaia ("beauty"), Euphrosyne ("joy") and Thalia ("festivity"). Of these, it is Thalia that remains a sleek and stylish. Thalia ranks #701, though spelling Talia (which is both the Italian/Spanish spelling of Thalia and a Hebrew name meaning "dew of God") ranks at #281. 

 

I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.

 

Name Help: A Brother for Darwin, Auden and Espen

 

Beth is expecting her forth boy -- a brother for Darwin, Auden and Espen. 

Beth writes: "Our 3 boys have quite unusual names. They are Darwin, Auden (both English surnames and important figures in science and literacy) and Espen (we ran out of fuel on the boys surname and went for something Scandinavian/Dutch). I'm Welsh and my husband is Dutch and we met when we both lived in Scotland. We are at a complete loss and have absolutely nothing at all! We just know that a suitable name would be something a little less ordinary to fit. 

We have exhausted surnames so went through a stage with our 3rd looking at Byron, Edison, Ellison ect. 

 

Espen (our third son) started a scandi stage particularly fuelled by my husband who quite liked Sander, Anders and Thor- I'm not to sure on these- especially

Thor. Axel came up which I don't mind but grandparents do!

 

I quite like Welsh names to a certain extent, but more in the line of Macsen, Aneirun, Ossian but my husband isn't keen and doesn't seem keen on anything overtly Welsh (Bryn, Hywel ect), English (George, Harry, Charlie ect) or Scottish (Gregor, Hamish, Harris ect) 

 

We can't really use anything along the lines of Alistair, Hamish, Tobyn due to family constraints. 

 

We don't like anything to popular like Alfie, Archie, Arlo or anything beginning with a C/K like Caden, Caelan, Kayden etc. 

 

We are pretty open to any suggestions you have so please feel free to explore a wide range. My husband says he wants something "cool" I have no idea what his idea of cool is and neither does he."

 

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How to follow up an awesome trio? Naming one child is tough, but for you the situation is ten-fold, as you have had the same lists and conversations three times over already, and are now going over the same territory again. All the same restrictions and preferences, but now with an even smaller pool. 

The good news is that there are plenty of names that sit just outside of the box that are unusual without feeling too strange or unmanageable. 

 

'N' endings:

All three of your sons have two syllable names ending in -n. And while none of them feel the same, it is a nice link that ties them all together. If you wanted to continue the trend, here are some suggestions:

Tristan – A literary hero which has ancient Celtic roots and links to both Wales and Scotland. It is a handsome and heroic name that stands out from the crowd. 

Alban – Both an anglicised form of the Roman Albanus ("from Alba Longa") and a native ancient Celtic name meaning "white, upperworld." Alban is the name of the first ever native British saint (a soldier martyred in the 3rd century for whom St Albans is named), as well as being an alternate/poetic name for Scotland. 

Thorfinn – A Viking name made up of Thor and finn "a Finlander." It is rare in England, but not completely unheard of in Scotland currently. It is more commonly found as Torfinn in Scandinavia itself in modern times. Other Scandinavian names with the Thor element include Torben (Thor + bear) and Torsten (Thor + stone). 

Bastian – A cool twist on sophisticated yet popular Sebastian which is found in Spain, Germany and some parts of Scandinavia.

Galen – Count Galen as another name with links to Science -- in this case medicine. Galen of Pergamon was a 2nd-century Greco-Roman physician, surgeon and philosopher who was a pioneer in the understanding of anatomy. His name comes from the Greek Galenos meaning "calm."

Larkin – Once a medieval pet-form of Laurence, Larkin also has literary roots. 

Jovan / Jovian – Jovan is the Macedonian and Serbian form of John. Similar Jovian is the adjectival form of Jupiter (Jove): the king of the Roman gods -- giant planets are scientifically known as "jovian planets" after Jove/Jupiter. There was also a Roman emperor (363–364 AD) named Jovian.

Jowan – Similar in sound, Jowan (rhyming with Owen) is the Cornish form of perennial John with an edgy Celtic twist.

Lewin / Levin – Lewin is the medieval form (later surname) of the Anglo-Saxon Leofwine meaning "dear, beloved friend." Levin is the German form, derived from Leofwine's Germanic cognate Leobwin.

Luan – Sleek Luan has several origins around the world: an Albanian name meaning "lion;" a Portuguese name meaning "moon;" and a Vietnamese name meaning "justice; ethics."

Josten – A Swedish form of the Old Norse name Ióstæinn made up of the elements "horse" and "stone". The Norwegian Jostein is more common, though Josten works better in English.

Soren – The Angliced form of Søren or Sören, the Danish and Swedish form of Severinus -- a Roman name ultimately meaning "serious." Severinus itself was borne by saints, popes and philosophers, while Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) was a notable Danish philosopher. 

Stellan – Another slick Scandinavian name, made famous by actor Stellan Skarsgård. It has been used in Sweden since the 16th century, though its origins remain mysterious. 

 

Other Options:

Finlo – Derived from the same root as Finlay, Finlo is the distinctly Manx form. 

Beckett – A stylish English surname which was made famous by principled Archbishop Thomas Becket. 

Caius – In Roman times, Caius was one of the most common names. The John of the Roman world, if you will. Now, it is a recognisable yet stylish and uncommon choice. 

Wolfram – A Germanic name made up of the elements "wolf" and "raven." Wolf is stylish alone, nowadays, while Wolfram retains a dignified edge. Wolfric "wolf + power, ruler" is another variant worth considering.

 

For further ideas, take a look at this previous post: Name Help: A Brother for Auden.

 

I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.

 

Name Help: A Sibling for Edwin

 

Vicky is expecting her second child -- gender a surprise -- a sibling for their son, Edwin. 

Vicky writes: "Our little boy is 2 and is called Edwin. We picked Edwin because we wanted something which was easy to spell and pronounce, it's non biblical and has lots of nicknames which we can shorten it to!

However..... Baby number 2 is proving tricky. We don't know the sex of the baby but would like something similar in that we want to be able to shorten it. 

So far the names we like are:

Boys: 

Rupert

Rafferty - this is my husband's choice but I think this is way too posh for us!

Walter - last name [begins with a W] and I'm also wary of names with a 't' in the middle as we live in Yorkshire and people tend to miss the pronunciation out! 

Phineas- again not sure if this is too posh

Girls:

Nina

Beatrice

Nora

Olive

Mabel

Violet

 

Names that we can't have: Iris, Ivy, Henry, Arlo, Erin

We would like something that matches Edwin in terms of an older name but want to avoid another 'E' name or anything that ends in 'win'. 

Middle name wise, thinking Alice if a girl and Arthur for a boy. We don't mind having something too popular of a name for either middle or first name, as long as we love it. 

I feel like what we want is actually quite simple but we still don't have any that we love. 

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You have a great list already, but sometimes the "right" name can feel elusive. Fortunately, there are several names which meet your criteria:

 

Ralph – Like Edwin, Ralph has both Anglo-Saxon and Viking heritage and was a favourite with the Normans. In the North of England, it has for centuries been pronounced RALF. The name Rafe is a brother form of the name worth considering, reflecting how Ralph was pronounced in the south of England after the Great Vowel Shift. Generally, Rafe now stands alone in its own right, while Ralph has almost universally adopted the Northern pronunciation. 

Alfred – Like Edwin, Alfred was a royal Anglo-Saxon powerhouse. It also offers a wealth of nicknames such as Alf, Alfie and Freddie. 

Wilfred – A saintly Anglo-Saxon name (like Edwin) which was beloved by the Victorians. Unlike Walter, I don't think Wilfred is particularly rhymey with your surname -- in fact, I think they work rather well. Wilf, Wilfy, Freddie, Wolf, Billy or Fritz.

Felix – A classic Roman name which was used in the Middle Ages. Not only does it mean "happy," the name itself has a bouncy, jovial style. 

Rex – Sporting the same stylish -x, Rex is a Latin name meaning "king," but is also a Saxon surname meaning "dweller by the rushes."  In the 19th century, Rex was commonly used as a nickname for Reginald — presumably a play on the genitive and dative form of the Latin rex: regis and regi. British Hollywood actor, Sir Reginald "Rex" Harrison, is a prime example of this. 

Reginald – A Norman favourite which has the same history and charm as Edwin. Not only can Rex be used as a nickname, so, too, can Reggie. 

Chester – Friendly and approachable, Chester has a vintage vibe and, though it's use as a first name only goes back to the 16th century, it has been a staple of British topography for millennia. 

Otis – An English surname/late medieval form of Odo which derives from the Old Saxon ōd 'wealth, riches'. Otto is a variant form which is also worth consideration.

Angus – Adorable Angus is a Scottish name with ancient Gaelic roots. Borne by early royalty, it dates right back to ancient Irish mythology, in which Óengus was the god of love, youth and poetic inspiration. The name is thought to derive from the Proto-Celtic *oino- "one" and gustu "strength, force, excellence." 

Leonard – An Old Germanic name derived from lewo  "lion" and hard "hardy, brave, bold." It became popular in medieval Britain thanks to a popular 5th century saint and still retains and old-school charm. 

Douglas – The name of an old Scottish clan who take their name from the River Douglas. A great retro choice with ties to the natural world. 

Vincent – From the Latin vincere "to conquer," Vincent has been used in Britain since the Middle Ages, but, like Edwin, it was especially popular with the Victorians. 

Alden – Like Edwin, Alden has Anglo-Saxon pedigree. It derives the Old English name Healfdene, an Anglo-Scandinavian name meaning "half Dane,"  cognate with the Old Norse Halfdanr, which was famously borne by a legendary Danish king of the Scylding, immortalised in the poem Beowulf. 

 

Cora – An Edwardian darling, Cora has simple yet stately style with ancient heritage. As Nora is on your list, Cora is worth mentioning. 

Flora – Another Nora-esque name is lovely Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers, vegetation, fertility and the spring. Perfect for a Spring baby! 

Hazel  – With Olive and Mabel both on your list, Hazel is a perfect compliment. A flapper-favourite, Hazel is winning hearts in many English-speaking countries.

Matilda – Like Edwin, Matilda is a medieval powerhouse which was borne by a bevy of medieval queens -- many of whom lived up to their battle-brave name.

Audrey – Chic, vintage and elegant (thanks to Ms Hepburn), for all its sleekness, Audrey is another Anglo-Saxon descendent like Edwin. Derived from the Old English Æthelthryth "noble strength," it belonged to a 7th century saint who was popular in the Middle Ages. It was also borne by a character in Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It (1599).

Harriet – The English vernacular form of French Henriette, a feminine form of Henri. Harriet has a sweet Georgian charm that wears well at all ages. 

Nova – Part Nina-part Nora, Nova is a sweet vintage name which rose to prominence in the 1930s thanks to the career of British actress Nova Pilbeam (1919-2005). It is now fashionable once more, having risen to #273 in 2017. 

Nola – Another Nina-Nora-esque vintage name that it on the rise again, that, like Nova, rose in the 1930s. 

Ada – A short and sweet Victorian darling which was popularised by gifted mathematician, Ada Lovelace -- credited as the “first computer programmer.” 

Adeline – Adeline is a medieval diminutive form of Ada, both of which mean "noble." It was well used among Norman nobility and still retains its regal flair. Adelaide is another variant worth consideration. 

Clara – Ladylike with a feisty edge, Clara is a Roman name meaning "clear, bright, shining, renowned, famous, upstanding" which was popularly revived in the 18th century, becoming a staple for the Victorians. 

 

 

I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.

 

Name Help: A Sister for Raya

Kate is expecting her second daughter soon, a sister for Thoraya "Raya". 

Kate writes: "We have a daughter named Thoraya Ruth Alice (Raya for short) who is named after a good friend with Iraqi heritage. We thought it was a great name as there is the choice for her to go by Thora, which I loved for its Old Norse connotations. Ideally, we'd like something with more local origins this time, given that my family have been based in England for as far back as we can trace and my husband's family are Scottish via Ireland on his paternal side.

I have quite specific criteria, which is making coming to an agreement hard: I don't want a name ending with a vowel sound (I could compromise on the letter 'o'!) and it has to be relatively uncommon. Current trends for overly feminine names ending with 'a' are just too cutesy for me, and I'd like something traditional but strong. My current top pick is Enid, but my husband says its too old-lady ish for him, even though its his great grandmother's name, so there's a family connection. Other personal faves include Tess, Artemis and Hero, but the latter two feel like middle name territory. I'd like to use Ruth if we hadn't already given it to our eldest! 

 

My husband's favourites are Ada and Margot, the latter being another family name, but both are a bit too popular for me, especially in our area of London. Anything in the top 300 is a no-go for me! He has vetoed Harriet, Loveday and Iseult so far and is lukewarm on Enid and Blythe. 

 

To add to what seems like an impossible task, I am also a teacher, so many names already have fixed connotations for me. We like names with links to strong female role models (hence Ada) but nothing friends have suggested so far feels right. For example, Winifred, Gertrude and Rhiannon are just a bit too aggressive in their sound, and anything ending with '-bel' is just too girly. We also cannot use Rose, Fleur or Hazel due to family connections."

 

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I'm very much the same as you. I impose so many rules on myself with naming, that I almost feel that I'm left with the impossible. Thoraya "Raya" is such a lovely, striking name. Exotic, but not outlandish. Her sister needs a name that can stand proudly alongside it. By that, I don't mean a name that is necessarily the same, origin, length, or style, simply a name that stands out from the crowd in a sophisticated, understated way. 

 

Adeline –  If Ada is too common, medieval Adeline (at #370) appeals. Meaning noble, it has a refined, majestic style with melodic syllables. For an even rarer variant -- borne by an English queen -- there is also Adelise, Adelize and Aleidis. 

Guinevere – An ancient British queen of enduring legend whose name most likely descends from a Celtic goddess. Guinevere is a striking name, but it is familiar to most and offers a wealth of nickname options. 

Hester – A sweet but sturdy Georgian name which also has a deep past and links to an ancient goddess. Hester is familiar, but ranks below the top 1000. 

Avice –  Now rare, sweet Avice was once a common name in the Middle Ages. Another similar-sounding medieval favourite is Amice. 

Idony – As Iseult is on your list, and you like the Old Norse links of Thora, I can't complete this list without mentioning Idony. A popular medieval name in England, it derives from Iðunn, the Norse goddess of spring. Idony is now extremely rare, but it has perfectly modern sounds. 

Astrid – While we're talking Norse names, Astrid is a pretty epic one. Bold and feisty with soft edges, Astrid sits at the "not-too-hot-not-too-cold" position of #376. 

Sybil – The sibyls were revered prophetesses in Ancient Rome. Sybil was a popular favourite in both the Middle Ages and for the Victorians, also. It currently ranks just below the top 1000. 

Delphine – A chic and mellifluous French name with plenty of character. It only ranks #1817 in England and Wales.

Clementine – Meaning "merciful, gentle," Clementine has sleek elegance and royal usage. It is familiar, but sit below the top 300.

Lilias – Lilias (or Lillias) is an intriguing twist on traditional staple Lilian, and, as a bonus -- it's Scottish! 

Merrilees – Another sweet Scottish choice which strikes the balance of not being too saccharine or too harsh. Merrilees is a Scottish place name, hailing from West Lothian, turned surname. Etymologically, its meaning comes from Old English myrge "pleasant" and laese "pasture." It is is used as a girls' name in Scotland but it remains uncommon with only 121 registrations since 1855. including celebrity chef/TV presenter Merrilees Parker.

Merryn / Mirren – Mirren is currently #101 in Scotland but is much rarer in England. It is also found in the variant Merren, Mirryn and Mirin. All are Scottish forms of Miriam. Of a similar sound is Cornish favourite Merryn. 

Morven – Like Isla, Iona, Skye and Ailsa, Morven is another Scottish girls' name taken straight from Scotland's landscape. Morven is the name of a mountain in Caithness and in Aberdeenshire. It has been in use across Britain since at least the 19th century, mostly for girls, but occasionally for boys, and has ranked in the top 250 of Scotland for girls since 1975, peaking at #92 in 2000. 

Lowen – A unisex Cornish name which comes directly from the Cornish verb lowen meaning "happy, glad, joyful."

Cariad – A charming and wistful Welsh name which (much like the Scottish bonny) is a direct adoption of an endearment. In this case, Cariad means "darling, sweetheart." It ranks below the top 1000, but is easy to pronounced and spell.  

Juniper –  A sweet Edwardian nature name with a sprightly sound and grown-up appeal. It currently ranks at #814. Even better, divine Roman Juno could also serve as a nickname. 

Wren – A chic and sleek nature name that belongs to one of Britain's prettiest, perky-tailed birds with a powerful song. It decorated our farthing copper coins and was once known as the king of the birds throughout Northern Europe. In recent years, Wren has become an increasingly appealing given name choice for girls.

Briar – Pared-down Briar is a nature name with a simple and elegant grace. Despite being easy to pronounce and spell, it still ranks below the top 1000. 

 

I hope this has been of use. Good luck with settling on the perfect name!

 

UPDATE: Welcome, Idony Margo Marie!

 

Name Help: An Unusual (but not far out) 'F' Name

 

Vida and Tim are awaiting their first child -- gender a surprise. Their surnames begin with an F and they are particularly keen on having an alliterative name. 

Vida writes: We’re looking for both boys and girls names that are alliterative but there just aren’t that many ‘F’ sounding names that we can find that we like, or aren’t very common.

The only two on the shortlist so far are Fox for a boy, and Phaedra for a girl (which I think people could shorten to Effie even though technically it's not a diminutive of Phaedra). 

For a middle name we’re looking for unusual or less common names (not alliterative). We’ve been considering giving a middle name that’s linked to/gives a nod to the names Gary or Jane, as that’s my husband’s parents names and they both died suddenly within the past couple of years. However, neither of us want to use those exact names as we think they’re quite outdated now. 

In terms of the kinds of names we like, for non-alliterative names which we think we might be stuck with if we can’t find an alliterative one I love Arlo and Jude but they’re incredibly popular now and we know a fair few people who’ve used them (my husband’s not too keen on either though!). We also like Ellis, Coco and Parker for girls names and Aneurin and Rafe for boys ones."

Names already considered: 
Felix, Fiona, Flora, Fleur, Felicity, Fred -- "we don’t really like flowery names and felt the others were too boring."

Their ideal name would be:
"Unusual, not a huge number of syllables, alliterative and not religious but at the same time not so far out that it’s unpronounceable."

 

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Oh I do love Phaedra! It's a real favourite of mine (but then most Ancient Greek names are!) and I absolutely think sweet Effie works as a nickname. I'm also a massive fan of Rafe and Aneurin, but I can tell that your ideal would be to find the perfect 'F' name so let's not give up the search yet. 

 

F Names:

Flynn – Dashing Flynn has Gaelic charm and swashbuckling panache. It is easy to spell and pronounce, but at #186, is quite underused. 

Fletcher – A stylish and sleek surname which brings to mind the skill of medieval archery (it literally derives from the Old French fleche "arrow"). It is a familiar name, but below the top 200.

Fraser – A cheery Scottish Clan name which sits below the top 200 and sounds decidedly distinguished as a given name. 

Franklin – A presidential name with heaps of charm and vintage style. It has never been extremely popular in Britain (it remains below the top 200), but it is familiar and cosy. 

Forrest – Like Fox, Forrest is a both a surname and nature name in one. It only ranks at #943, but is perfectly familiar and accessible. 

Flint – Another surname/nature name which has an innate strength and cool sound. It ranks below the top 2000. 

Finnegan – A Gaelic surname with strong syllables and a quirky, chirpy style. Finnegan is the type of name which makes you smile when you say it. It ranks below the top 2000. 

Finlo – As you like Arlo, perhaps zippy Manx Finlo will appeal. It derives from the same route as Finlay -- as is the similar English surname Findlow. 

Finnian – Another sleek Finn- name worth considering is Finnian which only ranks at #1627, despite its accessibility. 

Faolan – Meaning "little wolf" in Irish, Faolan is an ancient Gaelic name. In Ireland it's pronounced FWAY-lan, but in Northern Ireland, it's FAY-lan and ranks in the top 400 in both countries. In England and Wales, however, it is rarely in the top 5000.
The Old Irish spelling is Faelan.

Fern – A non-floral nature name which feels soft but not frilly. It ranks at #472. Fearne (#442) and Ferne (#836) serve as alternate spellings. 

Frida – A gentle-yet-strong Scandinavian and Germanic name meaning "peace" which (at #740) is far from common but perfectly familiar. The spelling Freda is even rarer at #2090.

Fallon – Akin to Ellis and Parker on your list, Fallon is a sleek Celtic surname which moved into first name teritory in the 80s thanks to Dynasty. Though familiar, it has never been common in Britain and ranks at #1457.

Farah – Meaning "joy" in Arabic. Farah ranks at #733 and alternative spelling Farrah is #899. 

Finola / Fenella – Both Finola (below the top 5000) and Fenella (#2706) are anglicised forms of the Irish Fionnuala - a name seeped in legend and borne by real historic Irish queens. Fenella itself was popularised by Sir Walter Scott in Peveril of the Peak (1823).

Felicia – At #1512, Felicia is a more unusual form of Felicity that retains all the same jovial charm. 

Philomena – A lady-like name with a hint of sass and spunk. It ranks at the uncommon #2502. 

Phyllida – A variant of Ancient Greek Phyllis meaning "foliage" that is more unusual and not dated to one era in the way that big sister Phyllis is. 

Philomel(a) – Philomela is an ancient Greek name meaning "lover of song" who features in mythology. According to the myth, Philomela was turned into a nightingale by the gods to save her from her vengeful brother-in-law. The simplified spelling Philomel is a poetic term in English for the nightingale. 

Fallow – Both a nature name and surname. Fallow is farmland which has been left to grow back in its natural form. 

 

Middle Names to honour Gary:

Gary is a Norman surname and place name which derived from Gari, the Norman form of the Norse name Geiri, ultimately from the Proto-Germanic word ger "spear." 

Sound-alikes:

Gray
Grayson
Grahaigh – A Manx name meaning "lovable" pronounced GRAY-a. 

Cooper – Gary became a popular name from the 1920s onwards thanks to actor Gary Cooper.

ger "spear" names:

Gerard
Geir
Gervaise
Garrett – An English surname derived from Gerald.
Giroux / Geroux – A French surname derived from Gerulf ("spear + wolf").
Jarrett – This may be a good way to link both Jane and Gary in one name. 

 

Middle Names to honour Jane:

Jane is the English form of the Old French Jehanne, itself a feminine form of Iohannes (John). Here are variant forms in other languages:

Janna – Scandinavian
Ivana – Slavic
Gianna – Italian
Giovanna – Italian
Zhanna / Zanna – Russian
Sinead – Irish
Sioned – Welsh (SHON-ed)
Sian / Siani – Welsh (SHARN(EE)
Sheena – Scottish
Evan – Welsh
Ian – Scottish
Ivan – Slavic, Scandinavian, Russian
Jowan – Cornish
Yanick – French

 

I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.

 

Name Help: A Spanish-British Boy Name

 

Jude and Alfonso are awaiting their first child -- gender a surprise. They have girls' names sorted, but are struggling for boys. 

Jude writes: "My husband, Alfonso, and I are expecting our first baby in June 2019.  He is Spanish and I'm English, and although the baby will be raised in the UK, we will be frequently travelling to Spain to spend time with his very large family.

There are several girls names that we agree upon but we are struggling for a boy's name.  It needs to work in both languages and work with our three syllable surname (stress on the middle syllable), which begins with an R and ends with an O.

 

I love Hugo but my husband finds it too 'Chelsea'. He likes Oscar but I'm reluctant to choose a name within the current UK top 20 as I'd like to avoid him having an 'R' tacked onto his name if there's another boy with the same name in class.  He also likes Ruben but I'm not sure if I want the name to have alliteration.  

 

Attribute-wise, our ideal name would of course work in both English and Spanish, although we don't mind if the pronunciation was slightly different.  We would also like it to be 'ageless', in that it suited a child, a young man and an older man.  We don't want anything too modern - it would be nice if it was a name that had been around for several centuries.

 

In terms of popularity, I wouldn't mind if it was a 'top 20' name providing it didn't feel like we were catching a name-trend.  For example, even though Oscar is a beautiful classic name, I feel as though it might tie him to his generation due to the current surge in usage."

 

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Whenever I'm writing lists of usable names from Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese) there are always at least three times as many cross-over options for girls than there are for boys. We have the Romans to thank for this. The Latin fashion for -a ending girls is still going strong across Europe and Britain as well (Olivia, Sophia, Emma etc), while the male names -- ending in -us -- have had less usage in Britain, while in the Romance languages (transformed into an -o ending e.g. Marcus > Marco) they have remained traditional staples. 

The fact that your children will be half Spanish gives you great leeway with names. Two English parents with a child named Miguel may raise a few eyebrows at first (though I would argue less and less as the world becomes evermore interconnected) but little boy named Miguel who is half Spanish would be perfectly natural.

As quintessentially English as Colin Firth is, his son’s being named Luca and Matteo is perfectly natural given that his wife is Italian.

That said, I feel that your tastes run more to ‘currently stylish but not too trendy’ British favourites that also work in Spanish.

 

Daniel – A timeless classic that is beloved in both Britain and Spain. Daniel is not only free from ties to one generation alone, it also ages really well, transitioning from Danny to Dan with formal Daniel always there to call on. It ranks #32 in England and Wales (E&W) and #4 in Spain.  

Lucas – One Roman inheritor that does have appeal in both countries is stately yet easy-going Lucas. It ranks #25 in E&W and #1 in Spain. 

Leo(n) – Both the Latin Leo and Greek cognate Leon are proud, pocket-sized classics which has great cross-over appeal. Leo is #7 in E&W and #11 in Spain; Leon is #98 in E&W and outside the Spanish top 100. 

Nicolas – Classic Nicholas works well in the Spanish form Nicolas (strictly Nicolás) and is easier for Spanish relatives while not affecting its English pronunciation. Nicholas is #147 and Nicolas #283. Nicolas is #32 in Spain. `

Gabriel – At #64 in E&W and #37 in Spain, Gabriel is an affable Biblical choice which is a staple across Europe. 

Joel – Another down-to-earth Biblical classic that has an easy going style. It ranks #117 in E&W and #64 in Spain. 

Isaac – #24 in E&W and #87 in Spain, Isaac is an Old Testament staple that is cheerful and studious. 

Felix – Friendly Felix is comes to us via the Romans and so has a wide pan-European heritage. It ranks at #100 in E&W and is also used in Spain. 

Eric – A royal Scandinavian name that is winning hearts across Europe. In E&W it ranks #127 and in Spain it ranks #35.

Milo – Though not strictly a Spanish name, Milo's classical heritage and -o ending, make it workable on a half-British, half-Spanish boy. It ranks #119 in E&W. 

Roman – Though it begins with an R, Roman is sleek, accessible-yet-intriguing and fashionable across the Continent. It ranks #75 in E&W.

Enzo – Zippy and cool Enzo has the fashionable -o ending, and works as an updated variant of Spanish traditional Lorenzo. It ranks at #16 in Spain and #207 in E&W. 

Dylan – A universal Celtic charmer that hails back to ancient Welsh mythology. Dylan is a modern classic in Britain that no longer feels too 'trendy' (at #40 in E&W), and it is surprisingly well used in Spain where it currently ranks at #31. 

Finn – Another sturdy, affable Celtic staple which wears well is Irish Finn -- at #96 in E&W. It doesn't rank in the top 100 in Spain, but it is easy to spell and pronounced there. 

Xavier – Though the Spanish form is Javier, the original form, Xavier, developed as the Spanish spelling of the Basque Extaberri. It is now a familiar, genial staple in both countries, ranking #191 in E&W.

Ferran – Ferran is the Catalan form of Fernando. It is little used in Britain, but it is very accessible and usable over here.  

 

 

I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.

 

Name Help: A Sister Name for Everly

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’"

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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. 

 

Name Help: A Sister for Theodore

Karen is expecting her first daughter soon, a brother for Theodore. 

Karen writes: "We are both American, living in New York City.  Big brother is Theodore James.  We were surprised that there was another Theodore in his class of 12 children, and two more in his preschool (and another on our block), although Theodore ranked 99 in popularity (in America) in 2015, and 70 in New York State that year.  So, although we still love the name, we wish it didn't seem quite so trendy.  My consolation is that although we caught a trend, at least it is still a solid, classic name.  We call him "Theo" as a nickname.

That said, we like classic names, that sound right on a little girl and a grown woman.  No surnames or nicknames as first names.  I would prefer something not too trendy, that doesn't immediately place the person in a certain decade. 

Our list is down to Elizabeth, Vivienne, and Genevieve, but none feel quite right. 

Elizabeth is a family name, and I don't think I would regret it (or that she would ever hate her name),  I can't think of any nicknames I really like.  The nickname I like the most is Libby.  And although it is ranked highly, I don't know of any children named Elizabeth. 

I'm afraid Vivienne is getting very trendy, but I think it's very pretty, and goes well with [our surname - beginning with B]. 

Genevieve was recently suggested to me as an alternative to Vivienne (and we could still use Vivi as a nickname); it's growing on me, but I don't know if it's a bit awkward with [surname - beginning with B]. 

Up until recently, Clara had been a front runner, but I really want to avoid a name ending with an "a" sound.  That feels too trendy to me (almost all of the little girls in my neighborhood have an "a" at the end of their names), and a bit "princess-y."  I know that eliminates a lot of names. 

Also, because we use "Theo" as a nickname, I don't want to use a name that ends in "o" (I like Margot a lot, but would hate to call out "Theo, Margot").  I like Eleanor and Leonor, but the sounds and associations are too close to Theodore. 

Names already in the family we have to avoid are Lillian and Caroline."

 

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You've nailed down a style, and what you do and don't want in a name. That's a tricky thing, and great that you've got this far.

It's not uncommon for the names that fit our "rules" to then just not feel quite right. Some of this can be a simple case of overexposure – we spend so long thinking over names that their impact becomes dulled. It's a bit like when you say a word over and over again and it starts sounding peculiar. 

However, don't give up on your favourites just yet. Give yourself a little time away from them, and, when it comes to the crunch, one of these names may feel perfect. 

Elizabeth –  Elizabeth is such a sturdy classic with so many great namesakes that it is effortlessly timeless. The fact it is also a family name makes it even more special. Beyond Libby, nicknames could include: Beth, Bethan, Bess, Betsy, Betsan, Ellie, Ebbie, Izzy, Lizzy, Zibby to name a few.

I can also say from my own experience that duplicate names in classrooms can be totally random. In my decade of teaching, there has always been at least one name duplicated but it has never been the same name, and never even a top 10 name. Using a super popular name won't automatically lead to duplication; using a moderately used name won't save you from it either. It's pretty much down to luck of the draw. 

Vivienne – Vivienne joined the US top 1000 in 2009 and rapidly rose to #233 in 2015. It currently ranks at #252 in the US - taking a slight dip in the last two years. This is encouraging, as it looks like Vivienne's usage is slowing down or possibly plateauing in the immediate future. 

Genevieve – Genevieve is a beautiful solid yet soft name choice. It is currently #184 and on an upward curve. It has looked like it has slowed down a little recently, but it could be in the US top 100 in five years or so. This shouldn't put you off, as it would put you ahead of the curve. 

 

Suggestions: 

Evangeline –  Put Elizabeth, Vivienne and Genevieve together and sweet Victorian Evangeline emerges. It is a literary name coined by iconic American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1847. It was further popularised by the best-selling novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. It currently ranks at #267 in the US and is currently on a steady plateau. 

Felicity – A sweet and lady-like virtue name with history and style. Like Theodore, its roots stem from classical antiquity and use in early Christianity -- there are two early Roman martyrs named Felicity, as well as several saints and popes named Theodore. This makes the too names harmonious, without being matchy.  Felicity currently ranks at #347 in the US. 

Verity – Another sweet and lady-like virtue name to match Felicity, Verity is much rarer in the US (not even in the top 1000) but it is easy to spell, has a lyrical sound, and has the same stylish 'v' as Vivienne and Genevieve. Vivi could still be used as a nickname.

Eloise – Eloise is a name of medieval romance which had its heyday in the early 20th century. It currently ranks #190 and is steadily rising. 

Beatrice – Another classical name which matches Theodore's Byzantine heritage. It is Shakespearean, royal and classic without being overused. It is currently on a plateau at #559. Bibi, Bea, Bess, Bix, Betsy, Betty, Triss and more can be used as nicknames. 

Annabel – Dating back to the Middle Ages, Annabel was coined in Scotland as a variant of Amabel (from the Latin amabilis "lovable"). It has a sweet Victorian Darling feel to it and works well with Theodore. Annabelle ranks at #118 (declining) and Annabel ranks #785.

Margaret – If you like Eleanor, you may also like Margaret. It is another classic, tailored name with a backbone. Like Eleanor, Margaret is a royal name, borne by indomitable queens, and many worthy namesakes. It is on a very gradual incline at #132. Nicknames can include Maggie, Molly, Maisie, Daisy, Greta and more. The French form, Marguerite, is also worth considering.

Josephine – A French staple borne by Empresses that has the same elegance as Vivienne and the same strength as Elizabeth. It currently ranks #107 and is steadily rising. Jo, Josie, Posy, Fina, Fifi and Jinny can be used as nicknames. 

Matilda – Not all names ending in -a are created equally. I would argue that there is a wide gap between the likes of Ava and Isla to Philippa and Georgina. Matilda is a bold and feisty name with medieval and Victorian style that has a strong backbone. Far from princessy, Matilda is queenly! Ranking at #521, nicknames can include Mattie, Milly, Mally, Tilly and Tilda. 

Juliet – Shakespearean Juliet has a classical quality and a long history, Juliette ranks at #207 and Juliet is #226.

Cecilia / Cecily – Cecilia is an elegant Roman name that was well used in early Christianity and became fashionable in both the Middle Ages and the 18th century. In the Middle Ages, the vernacular form was Cecily and, as such, was borne by queens and princesses. Cecilia ranks #168 in the US while Cecily is below the top 1000. 

Clementine – Meaning "merciful, gentle," Clementine has the sleek elegance of Vivienne and royal usage. Clemmie, Minnie, Mena and Kitty can be used as nicknames.  It currently ranks at #744 in the US.

Alice –  Like Eleanor, Alice is a sweet name with plenty of backbone and worthy namesakes. It was a favourite in the Middle Ages and still has a timeless quality. 

Annalise – Derived from the German staple Anneliese -- a combination of Ann/a and Elizabeth -- Annalise has a timeless quality with a twist. It ranks #391 and is slowly rising. 

Isabel – Though Isabella is very popular, Isabel is her sleek and chic sister. Less frills but all the same history and gravitas. Isabel ranks #145 and Isabelle is #92.

Lucille – A sweet French form of the Roman name Lucilla. Lucille had its heyday in the early 20th century and is now sweetly stylish again. It ranks at #264 and is steadily rising. 

Coralie – The sweet French form of an Ancient Greek name. It ranks outside of the top 1000 but is very chic and accessible.

Rosalie – A flapper favourite which is derived from the fragrant rose. It currently ranks #236 and is rising.

 

 

I hope this has been of use. Good luck with settling on the perfect name!