Category Archives: Naming Assistance

Can Phoebe Complete This Sibset?

08 Saturday Oct 2016

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Siobhan and her husband are expecting their third child in a few weeks, who will be a sister to their son Douglas and daughter Lucinda (often called Doug and Lulu).

Their front runner is the name Phoebe. It has a sentimental connection, as Siobhan’s mother is named Fiona, so both names have a similar sound, and the nickname Fi can be used for either name.

Although Siobhan isn’t sure that anything will be better than Phoebe, she is still looking as this is their last child, and would like a great sibset. Siobhan loves sibsets that have a “matchy yet mismatched” sort of feel – ones that go together well, without seeming too obviously a set.

She likes names that are familiar but underused or have a slightly dated feel, and a cute nickname is a bonus. If the baby had been a boy, he would have been named Montgomery and nicknamed Monty.

Other names that are still on the list are Eva, Edith, and Cecilia, and Siobhan has no idea what the middle name will be at this point.

Siobhan welcomes people’s input and ideas.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I know what you mean about those matchy-yet-not-matchy sibsets – I like them too, as they can be charming and unexpected. To me Douglas and Lucinda seem slightly hipster and vaguely Scottish, and Phoebe does fit in with this, as it’s something of a favourite in Scottish songs and ballads.

The names all have quite different popularity profiles: Douglas is a classic which peaked in the 1920s and is now in limited use; Lucinda is a modern classic which has never been popular but is fairly well used; while Phoebe is a retro name which has been popular since the 1990s, but never reached the Top 50. I guess you could say all of them are under-used in some sense.

What makes Phoebe special for you is that you connect it with your mother, and I don’t think you can go past a name that has some kind of meaning or positive association for you. It sounds as if it is the FEE in the name, or the potential to use Fi or Fee as the nickname, which is the main drawcard. There are other names which could give you the same sound and nickname, but perhaps you have already considered and rejected them.

Felicity can also have Fee has the nickname, and it doesn’t seem wildly different from Fiona. Like Fiona it peaked in the 1970s, but never became very popular, making its profile similar to Lucinda – a modern classic which is underused, but remains in reasonable use. It somehow reminded me a little of Montgomery, too.

Another one is Josephine – the original long form for the French nickname Fifi. Josephine is a classic which peaked in the 1910s, so quite similar to Douglas. It hasn’t been popular for many decades, yet has remained in constant steady use, so is very similar in popularity to Lucinda.

A third one that occurs me, and is perhaps something of a stretch, is Daphne. It’s a Greek name like Phoebe with a strong PH in it ending in an EE sound, and it peaked in the 1920s like Douglas. Like Phoebe, it’s a retro name as it has recently come back into fashion but is still underused and has a similar popularity level to Douglas. Fee seems like a cute nickname for it, and more modern than Daph and Daffy.

When you are completely stuck for a middle name and literally have no ideas, then family names can be a good option – although as you are already using a spin on a family name upfront, you might find this a bit much. If so, the unused names on your baby name list can be a go-to resource. It’s especially safe for you as you are not planning on another child and don’t have to worry that you might be “name stealing” from a future daughter.

From your list, I think Phoebe Cecilia is very elegant. I admit that I’m probably very biased though, as I have Cecilia as a middle name on my own name list! I think I would prefer it matched with a longer name like Cordelia or Vivienne, but something short like Phoebe Jane or Phoebe Kate would also work well.

To recap, I think Phoebe makes a great addition to your family and has a wonderful association for you. It’s not the only name you could use that fits the bill, but I think Phoebe is probably where your heart lies. I don’t think you would have any serious problem finding a middle name to go with Phoebe.

Good luck with your name search, and do let us know what name you eventually use!

POLL RESULTS
90% of people approved of the sibset Douglas, Lucinda and Phoebe, with 39% thinking it was great, 27% thinking it was nice, and 25% thinking it was fine. 10% of people weren’t fans. 32% of people thought this sibset was better than any other suggested – 10% more than the next choice, which was Douglas, Lucinda and Josephine.

A Sister for a Stylish Sibset

10 Saturday Sep 2016

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Alexandra is expecting her fourth child in a few weeks, a sister for her sons Rafferty and Owen and her daughter Sibella.

Alexandra’s main issues are that many of her favourite names for a girl sound quite a bit like Sibella, and she also loves English-style flower names, but to her these are a mis-match with Sibella. She would prefer something with a European/French/Latin feel to go with Sibella.

Alexandra has noticed she tends to like names that start with A, E, or L such as Aveline, Evangeline, and Luella; she loves romantic, feminine names and prefers ones that aren’t on the current popularity lists.

Her current front runner is Estelle. She loves the meaning, the sound of it, and its French origin. She isn’t sure whether it’s too much having sisters both with an ELL in their name, but she thinks Sibella and Estelle sound pretty together. She wonders how Estelle would be shortened – Stel? Elle? She would consider Estee or Essie, but isn’t convinced by either option.

Earlier in the pregnancy she considered the name Primrose, with Posy as the nickname, which she adores. However she started to think the name was too popular, and didn’t really go with the other children’s names. She also considered Evangeline and Clementine, but can’t quite get behind either.

The middle name would probably be Delphine, a French name she loves that seems a bit different from any of her other favourites.

Alexandra would like to know others’ thoughts on the name Estelle, and if there are any other names that go well with her children’s names (especially with Sibella) she may have missed?

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Goodness, this is the second enquiry about Estelle I’ve received this week! It’s clearly the name of the moment. There’s already a quick poll on Estelle, and so far around two-thirds of people are in favour of using the name Estelle, with just under one-third loving the name. That seems like a good amount of people liking the name, and not an inconveniently high number loving it and therefore likely to use it.

Estelle seems as if it fits in fine with Rafferty, Owen, and Sibella – they all have their own vibe, yet are enough alike in style to rub together well enough. To me Sibella is Australian more than anything else: Sibella is a name more often used here than in any European country, although ultimately from Greek.

I’d probably use a vintage-style nickname like Etty or Essie for Estelle, but I have seen people use the name Star as a nickname for Estelle. There’s something modern, yet rather charming and storybook about that idea. Ellie also seems perfectly reasonable.

I am very surprised that you consider Primrose too popular to use. Even in the UK Primrose is barely in the Top 500, and it’s probably lower than that here. Sometimes people think when a name is fashionable it must be popular because there’s such a buzz around it, forgetting there can be quite a gap between a name suddenly coming into use again, and becoming popular. Estelle is far more popular a name, and that isn’t popular either.

Of course, Primrose might be quite common in your social circle, so if you already know three little girls named Primrose born in the past year, you’re rightfully going to disagree with mere statistics!

Primrose actually seems like a great fit with Rafferty, Owen, and Sibella, as they are all British names. Rafferty is Irish, Owen is Welsh, and Sibella is English. I rather love Primrose with Posy as the nickname.

Evangeline and Clementine would have been fine too, but the middle name Delphine would probably be a little too much in these cases.

Estelle seems like a good match with your chosen middle name, and as a sister to Rafferty, Owen, and Sibella. It’s a pretty, stylish name back in fashion, yet not overly common.

Other feminine names you might like: Lucinda, Evelina, Vivienne, Liliana, Eleanora, Genevieve, and Isadora.

POLL RESULTS
88% of people generally approved of the name Estelle Delphine as sister to Rafferty, Owen and Sibella. 26% thought it was great, 31% thought it was good, and 28% thought it was okay. 12% were not convinced.

What Name For Olive’s Brother or Sister?

03 Saturday Sep 2016

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Josephine and Stephen are expecting their second child later this year, a brother or sister for their daughter Olive. They picked Olive’s name out years in advance of her conception, so didn’t have to think of any other girls’ names. They never managed to agree on a boy’s name during the first pregnancy, so it really does feel as if it’s back-the-drawing-board time!

Josephine and Steve prefer classic-sounding names with an old-fashioned feel, but don’t want anything too popular. Josephine believes that Steve’s tastes in names is more conventional than hers as many of her name suggestions are rejected for being “too weird”.

The family surname is similar to Harley. They don’t mind names that start with H, but aren’t keen on ones that end with an EE sound in case it sounds too rhymey. They aren’t fussed about the meaning of the name, unless it means something completely appalling.

Names that have been discussed:

GIRLS
Cora – Steve’s favourite name, and Josephine likes it more and more as time goes by. This is probably their front runner at the moment.
Nell – it’s the name of an elderly dog owned by one of their parents. Josephine doesn’t think this is a problem, Steve isn’t so sure.
Harriet and Agnes – rejected by Steve

There will be two middle names, which is a family tradition. Possible middle names: Nell, Cora, Harriet, Agnes, Ivy, Maggie, Mabel, Adelaide, Poppy. The middle names just have to be ones they like which flow well together when matched with the first name.

BOYS
Felix – this is probably their current front-runner.
Henry – they both love this name, but is Henry Harley too much? Also a good friend just had a boy named Henry.
Angus, called Gus – Steve isn’t keen.
Mack – Josephine really liked this name, but feels less and less certain about it. She liked that it was a nod to her surname, which starts with Mac, but wonders if it is too casual and nicknamey? Is it too aggressive, like a Mack truck? Steve is neutral.
Rupert – Josephine’s favourite boy’s name, and her choice for Olive if she had been a boy. Loves the nicknames Ru and Bear. Steve cannot be persuaded.
Joe, Fletcher, Ned, Hugh and Jock – rejected by Steve.

Again, two middle names. Possible middles: Felix, Henry, Angus, Mack, Rupert, Joe, Fletcher, Ned, Hugh, Jock, Chester, August, Winter (a family name).

Josephine wonders what people think of their name list, and if there are any other names in their style they might like.

* * * * * * * * * *

Josephine, I have had a few parents write in when looking for a name for a second child after the first was utterly stress-free. They may have had a favourite name picked out for years, like you did, or both immediately loved the first name either one of them suggested. Then the second baby is due, and there’s a real feeling of “What do we do now?”.

In a way you are almost first-time baby namers again. Everything was already decided before Olive was even thought of, and now you’re stuck doing the hard yards of thinking up names, discussing them, crossing them off, starting again, and so on.

Perhaps this process even feels awkward or unnatural to you, but it’s actually completely normal and you are in fact doing great. I know you are going to pick a name just as good as Olive’s for your second child even if it takes more effort.

I love Steve’s suggestion of Cora! It’s strong yet feminine, and Olive and Cora sound adorable together. I don’t really think Steve’s taste is overly conventional – Cora doesn’t seem more conventional than Harriet, for example. I think some men just say names are “weird” when they mean they don’t like them.

I’m glad you are warming to Cora. I think it would work well with the style of middle names you have picked out, such as Cora Mabel Poppy or Cora Nell Adelaide.

Nell is sweet, and Olive and Nell are lovely. I’m with you – I don’t see much of an issue with the dog, especially as it’s a very old one. However, some people feel as if once a name is given to a pet, that makes it a “dog name” forevermore. If Steve remains hesitant, Nell could always be a middle name.

I think maybe Henry Harley is a little too much for me. It’s not only that the names begin and end with the name sound and have the same number of syllables, which is rather nursery rhyme character in sound, but that Harley is sometimes given as a first name, and Henry is occasionally a surname.

Like Rowan Regan and Libby Lacey, a name like this is perhaps too whimsical for me, although I’m sure some others would really like it. Henry would, however, make a fantastic middle name.

I like the idea of Mack honouring your surname. I notice you have selected several nicknamey names for boys, like Joe and Ned, but Steve rejected them. He also rejected or hasn’t committed to names which you planned to use a nickname for, such as Angus “Gus” and Rupert “Bear”.

Is it possible that Steve just isn’t as keen on nicknames? (Come to think, he hasn’t committed to Nell either). He’s remained neutral on Mack, and I wonder if that’s because he doesn’t want to hurt your feelings by rejecting a name honouring your surname.

If both of you are hesitating over it, perhaps Mack could be one of the middle names? Or maybe you could pick a boy’s name that has the letters MAC in it, like Cormac or Malcolm, or the same sound, like Maxwell? (sounds like Mack’s well).

That leaves you with Felix, which fortunately is great! Felix would be a wonderful choice with your surname, and as a brother to Olive. It could also work well with your chosen middle names, such as Felix Henry Mack or Felix Winter August.

I know you’ve really only agreed on one name for each sex so far, but one name is all you need, and Cora and Felix are both brilliant choices.

Other names that seem to be in your style might be Clara, Ada, Nora, Iris, or Hazel for a girl, and Jasper, Leo, Finlay, Griffin or Lewis for boy. But I actually like Cora and Felix better than all these names.

Good luck with your name search Josephine and Steve – I think you’re going to be fine. You already picked out one nice baby name, and I’m sure you’ll be able to do it again.

POLL RESULTS
People’s choice for a sister for Olive was Cora, with 71% of the vote. Their choice for a brother for Olive was Felix, with 59% of the vote.

82% of people were not in favour of using the name Henry Harley, with 61% thinking it was a little too much, and 21% thinking it was completely over the top. 14% of people thought it was fine, and 4% actually loved the idea.

57% of people didn’t see a problem with Mack, with 29% thinking it was fine and 28% thinking it was great. A sizeable minority of 43% were not in favour. 30% thought it was too casual and nicknamey, and 13% that it was too rough and aggressive.

What Name For a Globe-Trotting Girl, Future Rock Star or Lawyer?

21 Saturday May 2016

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Maggie and Dan are expecting their third child next month, a brother or sister for their daughters Zoe and Gemma (sometimes called Gigi). They’ve already chosen a boy’s name, but are having more trouble deciding on a name for a girl.

Maggie and Dan are Australians living overseas, and the most important thing is that the name needs to be easy to spell and pronounce, both for English-speakers and non-English speakers. They don’t want a name that’s too common, but nor do they want one that’s too unusual.

Maggie likes the idea of a name that would be equally suitable for a lawyer or a rock star when her daughter is grown up. I take that to mean a name which sounds both professional and “cool”, and is flexible enough to suit a wide variety of people.

So far these are the names on Maggie’s list:

Sasha – this was going to be Gemma’s name, but they changed their minds at the last minute. It was also on the list for Zoe, so the name is one they have seriously considered for several years, and they still love it.

Eloise – Maggie loves this name, and thinks it’s beautiful and goes perfectly with their existing names. Dan isn’t so keen, but Maggie thinks she might be able to convince him.

Laila – Maggie loves it, but Dan is on the fence. The spelling is an issue: Maggie doesn’t like the spelling of Layla, but thinks Leila will be said LEE-luh.

Skye – Another name Maggie loves, even though it’s not her usual style. It seems like a clean, fresh name that would go perfectly with their children’s names. Dan doesn’t dislike it, and could probably be talked into it.

Lily – Like Skye, this seems clean, fresh, and suitable. However, it’s very popular, so Maggie wonders if this would just be an okay choice, despite being very pretty.

Claudia – a name that Maggie has loved for years and years, but overlooked for both her first daughters’ names. She thinks Dan could be convinced.

Other names she likes: Phoebe, Frankie and Ruby (Ruby is a family name).

They will choose a middle name which goes well with the chosen name, and will complement it without competing with it. They might use Olivia, Isobel, Eloise, or Lily; they can’t use Rose.

Maggie and Dan’s surname is similar to Wheeler.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Maggie, what pretty names you have picked out for a girl! I can understand why it would be more difficult to pick a girl’s name after naming two daughters, but you certainly aren’t lacking in ideas.

Sasha
I can see this as an alternative for Gemma, as the names are quite alike in structure. Sasha has two different pronunciations even amongst English-speakers – SASH-uh and SAH-shuh. If you’re looking for a name with no pronunciation issues, then I’m not sure Sasha is the best choice, but it’s still workable. Sasha Lily seems like a pretty combination.

Eloise
I agree that this is a lovely name which goes very well with Zoe and Gemma, while having its own distinctive feel. I wonder if you would also like Esme, a rising name which I think would be even easier for non-English-speakers to say. Or maybe Eleanor? Eloise Claire and Eloise Celeste are two very French name combinations.

Laila
I think if Layla and Leila are both off the table as spellings, then Laila is the easiest spelling and should be easy enough to cope with; it’s very easy to pronounce as well. Apparently some people say Laila to sound like Lila, which doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I have never met any of these people, and perhaps you won’t either. I suppose Lila isn’t possible? I like Laila Juliet as a name combination, if you can handle all that L sound.

Skye
You’re right – this is a clean, fresh sort of name, it’s very easy to spell and pronounce, and it does sound nice with Zoe and Gemma. The name Skye “Wheeler” puts a very strong image in my mind that is rather charming and certainly memorable. To me this is perhaps more rock star than lawyer when combined with your surname, and maybe more folk singer than either! Skye Isobel would be a very Scottish combination.

Lily
I can easily imagine pretty Lily as a sister to Zoe and Gemma, but you’re right that it’s quite popular. You could always go with something like Lillian (or even Lucy), and there are lots of other flower names, like Daisy, Poppy, Violet, and Ivy. None of them quite have that pure simplicity of Lily though. Again, this puts a very attractive image in the mind. Lily Eloise is a sweet combination.

Claudia
You’re lucky that a name you’ve loved for ages is still rising and fashionable. I think this is a beautiful and elegant name, although perhaps not as relaxed and friendly as Zoe and Gemma. I’ve noticed that people who like the name Claudia often like Clara as well. I like Claudia Ruby as a name combination, although Claudia Lucy and Claudia Felicity strike me as nice too.

Phoebe, Frankie and Ruby are all spunky names which seem like reasonable matches with Zoe and Gemma. Phoebe is easy to pronounce, once you know that PHOE is said FEE and BE is said BEE, but it’s not an intuitive spelling. I like the idea of Ruby being a family name, as that makes the name’s high popularity unimportant.

Maggie, you’ve picked out some great names, and it almost feels as if you could pick any one of these names and we happy with it. But which one will you choose?

UPDATE: The baby was a boy, and his name is Felix!

POLL RESULTS: The public’s top three choices for a girl’s name were Claudia (17%), Sasha (16%), and Skye (15%).

What Name for Alex and Charlie’s Brother or Sister?

07 Saturday May 2016

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June-2016

Brooke and Ryan are expecting their third child next month, who will be a brother or sister for Alexander, called Alex, and Charlie. Brooke wonders if they already have a problem, because they chose a formal name with a nickname, and then a nickname as the full name.

Brooke’s favourite choice for a boy is Hugo. Although Ryan also likes the name, his favourite is Banjo. Brooke likes Banjo, but isn’t sure whether she is daring enough to use it. Other names they have thought of are Frank, and Fred (maybe short for Frederick?)

For a girl’s name, which Brooke is finding harder, she would like a traditional vintage-style name, but doesn’t want anything too popular. So far she likes:

Olive – Brooke imagines a lot of other people might not like it, and as she’s a chef she wonders if it’s too much having a food name; maybe in the middle?

Pearl – this would be the baby’s birth stone, so a nice link

Rose

Isabel, Isobel or Isabelle – Brooke doesn’t know which spelling she prefers, and thinks it might be too popular. However, it is Ryan’s favourite name for a girl

Maeve

Mabel

Maisie – loves it, but it has the same ending as Charlie

If it’s a boy, the middle name could be Bradley, which is a family name. If it’s a girl, Brooke would like to use Audrey, to honour a relative, but she could also use Emily, a family name from an earlier generation. Florence is another possible family name.

Brooke doesn’t want a name that starts with A or C, or sounds too similar to Alex and Charlie. Her main concern is that she’s not sure whether to choose another long name that has a nickname, like Alexander/Alex, or another nickname that’s a full name, like Charlie.

Brooke and Ryan have a surname vaguely like Schneider.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Brooke, I don’t see it as a big problem that you have an Alex, short for Alexander, and a Charlie. I don’t think you have to consciously choose or reject one or the other type of name for your third child, and there’s no “name police” that will come down on you for mixing and matching a formal name with a nickname. There are plenty of families who do this, and I promise nothing terrible happens to them!

You can pick a name like Hugo, which doesn’t usually have a nickname – Alex, Charlie, and Hugo sounds just fine. Or you could pick a name like Banjo, which is a nickname, but not short for anything, so would be a third type of name – Alex, Charlie and Banjo is nice.

Frank and Fred (possibly short for Frederick) are also worth considering. I know neither of them are a favourite name, but there have been so many parents lately choosing a name for their child that wasn’t a front-runner on their list that I would not discount them.

Frank is handy because it’s not necessarily a nickname (it’s a name in its own right), but is often used as a nickname, so it bridges that gap between Alexander and Charlie. Fred is cute, and if you wanted to use Frederick as the formal name, then Alexander, Charlie, and Frederick works great – it even sounds quite royal.

I love all the girls names that you have chosen. It does sound as if you are having serious doubts about Olive, but it could make a wonderful middle name if you decide not to go with Audrey, Emily or Florence.

If you love the V sound in names, then Maeve might be a good replacement with no obvious food associations (although I think it literally means “mead”, the drink). Maeve Audrey,  Maeve Emily and  Maeve Florence all sound nice.

Pearl is very pretty, and if the baby arrives in June, then the link with the birth stone would be a bonus. Names that mean “pearl”, such as Margaret, Margot or Lulu would also fit the birth stone. Pearl Florence is darling.

I’m wondering if that was the thinking behind Rose as well, because that is usually given as the birth flower for June. It’s very pretty, and Rose Audrey is sweet, but to me this is quite hard to say with your surname. It could work as a middle name though.

Mabel is lovely, and has the advantage of being a nickname that is nearly always used as the full name, so is another gap-bridging name. Mabel Emily and Mabel Florence seem especially nice.

I don’t think it’s a huge issue that Maisie ends with the same sound as Charlie, but would it help if her name was Margaret, nicknamed Maisie? Or would plain Mae fit the bill? (I feel as if we are back to Maeve by this point).

I think Ryan has made a good choice too, with Isabel. If you wanted the least common spelling, then I would go with Isobel – this is also a Scottish name which seems like a nice match with Alexander and Charlie, wihich have strong Scottish associations. If you wanted a more “vintage” feeling, then I would pick Isabel, which was more popular in times past. Isabelle is the most popular spelling today. Isabel Audrey and Isabelle Florence are nice, although if you wanted to go down the birth stone route, Isobel Pearl seems rather charming.

Don’t worry any more about having an Alexander and a Charlie – whatever you pick will work fine. You needn’t feel that you must pick a nickname or a name with a nickname to fit in. I can tell you are more excited about choosing a girl’s name, which is understandable after two boys. If it’s harder for you, it sounds as if that’s because there’s more names you are interested in using. I would just enjoy all the choice!

UPDATE: The baby was a girl, and her name is Pearl!

POLL RESULTS: The public’s choice for a boy’s name was Hugo (53%), and for a girl it was Isobel/Isabel/Isabelle (22%), although Pearl was close behind on 20%. The favourite spelling of Ryan’s choice of name was Isobel, which more than half of respondents voted for (52%).

What Name for Olive and Mabel’s Sister?

30 Saturday Apr 2016

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I’m positive you will remember Charlotte and Jake. A couple of years ago they got themselves into a baby naming pickle with their second daughter: they named her at the hospital, but then family disagreements made Charlotte unsure of their decision.

They picked another name, but friends and family made some very hurtful comments about it which added to Charlotte’s worries. Eventually they decided that the second name was the right one, and their baby girl officially became Mabel a couple of months after her birth, a sister for their eldest daughter, Olive.

Charlotte and Jake are expecting their third child in the spring, and it will be another girl. They have learned some valuable lessons in regard to baby naming since Mabel’s birth. Jake definitely has – he wouldn’t even consider the prospect until they both agreed that this baby would be named before she leaves the hospital!

Charlotte is keeping her name list down to ten names, and they aren’t sharing their name ideas with friends and family this time. Another point of interest is that Olive is now old enough to have her own opinions, and her four favourite name choices are top of Charlotte’s list.

Charlotte (and Olive’s!) Name List:

Edie or Edith
Violet
Nora
Ida
Iris
Margot
Agnes
Ethel (starting to grow on her)

Charlotte quite likes the middle name Percy with some of these names, perhaps short for Persephone (she’s been watching the remake of Upstairs, Downstairs which has a Lady Persephone, sister to Agnes). Another possibility for a middle name is Florence.

Jake’s Name List:

Edie
Alice (Charlotte can’t agree to this, it’s beautiful but just isn’t for her)
Nora
Rosie (they already know three families just in their suburb with an Olive and Rosie sibset!)
Margot

Charlotte favourite name is probably Ida. She loves the name Violet, but its growing popularity is a slight turn off. She adores Edie, but would like a full name option for it, and can’t commit to Edith; three of her old friends back in London, where the name is more popular, have daughters named Edith. However, she is currently watching Downton Abbey, so she might change her mind! She thinks Jake could agree to Ida and Violet without too much persuasion.

Charlotte wonders what people think of their name choices so far.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

It’s always nice to hear back from parents who have been on the blog previously, and it’s especially good to hear from those who’ve had naming troubles in the past, and feel much more relaxed  this time around. I’m so glad to hear that you’re expecting another little girl, and have put rules in place for yourselves to make things easier when choosing her name. I’m tickled by Jake’s name rule, but of course he’s quite right.

And how delightful that Olive is now asserting herself, and has such sympathetic taste in names to her parents: I love that she gets to make her own little name list for her new sister.

It sounds to me as if you are doing absolutely fine, and are making sensible choices for yourself. The better you plan now, the less stress you’ll experience once the baby arrives.

It’s good that you and Jake and Olive have all made name lists, and although you do have a quite a way to go yet, I wonder whether it might be time to start combining them into a Master List. The easiest way is to include all the names that both you and Jake have agreed on independently, with perhaps some wiggle room for names that you think either one might come around to.

So far it looks as if everyone likes these names: Edie (possibly short for Edith), Nora, and Margot.

And you think that Jake could be persuaded to agree to: Ida and Violet.

You have ruled out Alice, and still don’t seem too keen on Rosie, which you vetoed last time (I can see that being the fourth family in your suburb to pick both Olive and Rosie would not be appealing).

That leaves Agnes, Iris, and Ethel still up in the air. I remember Jake went off Agnes and Iris last time, but then again you vetoed Edie/Edith last time and it’s now at the top of your list. So I think it’s worth having more conversation about these names. Ethel is a very new addition to the list, and I would give that some time to settle in before you make any decisions either way.

So your list is now:

Front Runners
Edie/Edith
Nora
Margot

Maybe (need more input from Jake)
Ida
Violet

Still Possible (need more thought and conversation)
Agnes
Iris
Ethel

And there’s room to add more names that you might fall in love with over the winter, so you don’t need to worry that your name list is overstocked.

EDIE/EDITH
This is a name that everyone has at the top of their list, so can’t be overlooked. I do remember that you prefer names to have a long form, and Edith nn Edie might suit you better than Edie. I wouldn’t worry about your friends in London having daughters named Edith. If you ever catch up with them all on a trip it will be a cute talking point, but can’t see how it will impact on your day to day life. I think Olive, Mabel and Edith is adorable, and Edith Persephone, Edith Percy or Edith Florence all sound nice. Maybe the final episode of Downton can make up your mind!

NORA
Another favourite name of everyone. I know it’s technically a nickname, but so is Mabel: I think they are both names where the short form has become much better known than the full name. Nora seems very hip and spunky, and at the moment is even less common in Australia than Edie or Edith. Who wouldn’t love Olive, Mabel and Nora together (they even touch in the alphabet)? Nora Florence is lovely, while Nora Percy unfortunately sounds vaguely rude.

MARGOT
Yet another technically-it’s-a-nickname-but-not-really name! It’s terrifically hip and elegant, and I suspect could get a good response from people. Olive, Mabel and Margot are sweet together, and I like both Margot Florence and Margot Persephone (although in this case I think Margot Percy looks a bit rude). Margot has become an It Name lately, and that makes some parents nervous. Hopefully you can embrace that rather than be put off by it.

IDA
I’m just loving Olive, Mabel and Ida, and the combination Ida Persephone! And I think this name is sufficiently ahead of the curve that you won’t have to worry about other little Idas popping up all over the place. Jake went off this name before, so here’s hoping he has a change of heart.

VIOLET
Very pretty, although possibly a bit too much on trend for your complete comfort. Also I remember last time you weren’t sure about having another plant name with Olive, so how do you feel about it now? Would it make Mabel look out of place, or does Mabel actually help make it seem more possible?

I was interested to see that when I put Olive and Mabel into Nameberry’s Namehunter, it suggested Violet, Iris, Edith, Alice, and Florence for you. Other names on the list were Pearl, Clementine, Maisie, Clara, Beatrice, Cora, Adelaide, Willa, and June. And when I put your five top names in, it suggested Olive and Mabel, so it seems as if you have a really good feel for matching name styles.

I know you and Jake (and Olive) are going to choose a name for your baby girl that you love and makes a perfect match with her sisters – that just comes naturally to you. In the meantime, keep working on your name list as a family while remaining tight-lipped. Feel free to come back to us if you add new names and name combinations to your list – we’re always happy to help if we can.

POLL RESULT: The public’s clear choice for the name was Edith or Edie on 27%.

UPDATE: Last time I heard from Charlotte, Jake had convinced her that Edith was the right name for their new daughter.

Names For a Baby Girl’s Twin Brother

04 Monday Apr 2016

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Baby shoes for a boy and a girl

You remember Rae and Nick: they have a son named Mason, and are expecting twins later this year. When they first wrote, they did not yet know the sexes of the twins, but since then they have had their scans, and now know they are having a boy and girl.

Exciting news! But also something new to think about, since they had names all picked out for two girls (Aurelia and Edeline).

They have decided which name they want for the female twin, but have not yet settled on a name for the male twin. They think the middle middle will be Theodore, and their surname sounds somewhat like Carfox. They don’t want a name starting with C, or with M, and like contemporary names which shorten to a nickname.

Rae is hoping that they can get some suggestions for a boys’ name.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Whew! Girl-boy twins: big news, but a lot to take on board.

I love the middle name you have chosen, and wonder if there is any chance Theodore could be the first name? It sounds good with your surname, and shortens to Theo, Ted, and Teddy.

As you did not want the twin’ names to match, and are still searching for a boy’s name, I will suggest some names which go with your surname and chosen middle name, and can be shortened.

Dashiell Theodore Carfox “Dash”
Dexter Theodore Carfox “Dex”
Finlay Theodore Carfox “Finn”
Franklin Theodore Carfox “Frank”
Gabriel Theodore Carfox “Gabe”
Louis Theodore Carfox “Lou”
Jasper Theodore Carfox “Jas, Jaz”
Joseph Theodore Carfox “Joe”
Oscar Theodore Carfox “Oz”
Sebastian Theodore Carfox “Seb”
Rafferty Theodore Carfox “Raff, Raffy”
Ryder Theodore Carfox “Ry, Rye”
Vincent Theodore Carfox “Vince, Vin”
Xavier Theodore Carfox “Xavi, Zavy”
Zachary Theodore Carfox “Zach, Zacky”

That’s a few to give you some ideas, but I’m sure you will come up with something far better.

UPDATE: The twins’ names were Charlotte and Bennett!

What Name For Isabel’s Brother or Sister?

02 Saturday Apr 2016

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I’m sure you remember Sarah and Rupert – Sarah wrote in to the blog in 2013 just days before their daughter was born, and, despite some doubts, named their little girl Isabel. Eventually the doubts went away as Sarah realised they had chosen the right name.

Sarah and Rupert are expecting a brother or sister for Isabel next month, and are still not sure about names. Sarah is especially stressed about boys’ names, as she has a strong feeling that the baby will be a boy. The couple have decided not to continue a five generations long tradition of giving their son a certain name customary for eldest boys in Rupert’s family, and have not discussed this with the family, so that may be contributing to Sarah’s worries.

They like Frederick and Finnegan, but have ruled them out as the initial F looks rather like a rude word when combined with their surname.

Boys names they are considering:

Edward – both like the name, but Sarah can’t help thinking of Twilight when she sees Edward matched with Isabel! She wonders if other people will too.

Archer nn Archie – Sarah really likes this, and Rupert is okay with it, however when matched with Isabel she thinks of Henry James’ A Portrait of a Lady, whose heroine is Isabel Archer. Sarah wonders if other people will be similarly reminded, or if she’s being paranoid.

Charlie – the first name Sarah and Rupert agreed on, and Sarah will always like it. However, over the years it has lost some of its shine as she encountered quite a few people and pets with the name.

Other names they’ve thought of: Henry, Harry, and Oscar. They don’t have any clear front-runner at the moment, and would welcome name suggestions.

Girls names they are considering:

Camilla – a name that was on the list for Isabel, and Sarah still likes it with the nickname Millie. However, as a back up for Isabel, does it already feel “used”?

Imogen – a name that has recently made its way to the top of their name list, and they are seriously considering using it. Sarah is slightly concerned that Isabel and Imogen both start with I, and are too similar.

Lola – both really like this name, although the meaning of “sorrows” turns Sarah off slightly. She isn’t sure whether it fits the style of Isabel either.

Vivienne – Rupert isn’t as keen on this as Sarah, and Sarah wonders if the spelling is a bit much compared to the simplicity of Isabel.

Other names they’ve thought of: Madeleine, Gwendolen, and Juliet (last one definitely crossed off).

At the moment, they think the choice is between Camilla and Imogen, although Lola and Vivienne haven’t been ruled out.

Sarah really wants a name which matches Isabel in style, and something which goes well with a short surname.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Sarah and Rupert, hardly anybody abandons a family naming tradition which has lasted five generations without thinking about it very deeply and carefully, so I feel sure that your reasons for deciding not to continue it are sound and well thought out. Please try not to get stressed over your decision, as it is completely your choice what to name your baby. And let’s face it – at some point every family naming tradition has to end, especially when a name that’s been popular for over a century has become dated.

Feel excited that this is your chance to choose a name for your son that is truly his, chosen for him alone! I’m very confident that he will be happy with the choice you made, and you should be confident too.

You’ve come up with some great names for boys that are probably less problematic than you fear. I don’t think Edward and Isabella from Twilight are enough to rule out Edward as a brother for Isabel, but if it really bothers you, what about Edwin or Edmund? I think Isabel and Edmund sound amazing together.

I love Archer as well, it sounds so strong and derring-do with your surname. I have read A Portrait of a Lady and saw the film with Nicole Kidman as Isabel, so I’m familiar with it. And guess what? I never made any connection between Isabel and Archer. Even after your prompting, I still only had a vague feeling that there was a connection there, and got it mixed up with Archer Newland from Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence (the films came out within a few years of each other, which might be one reason why).

And even after being reminded, I still couldn’t see anything wrong with it, as Isabel Archer is beautiful, intelligent and spirited, even if she does have a pretty septic time, like everyone else unlucky enough to be the heroine of a Henry James novel.

I would be very surprised if more than one or two people at most say anything about Henry James after introducing your son as Archer, and wouldn’t be surprised if the number was zero. Isabel and Archie sound really nice together too.

I feel for poor Charlie, which was your first choice, but has been seen too often to still feel fresh. Would it make a difference if the name was Charles, with Charlie as a nickname? I think Isabel and Charles sound lovely together. I have a feeling that you will think Charles too short with your surname though.

I also think Henry and Harry seem great, although you don’t seem as keen on them, and although I like Oscar, for some reason it sounds vaguely comical with your surname.

I almost wish I could hypnotise you into choosing Henry, which seems an absolutely perfect match with Isabel – both royal English-yet-French under-the-radar classic names, and sounds good with your surname. However, I also adore Archer, and wonder if Edmund might work for you if you can’t commit to Edward (does Edmund seem too old-fashioned next to Isabel)?

Other names that might work are Arthur (instead of Archer), Alfred (nn Alfie), Louis or Lewis, Alexander, Elliot, Leo, and Maxwell (is the nickname Max a problem with your short surname?).

You seem pretty set on either Camilla or Imogen for a girl, and I can’t see anything stopping you from using either name. I wouldn’t worry a bit about Camilla being considered for Isabel before she was born – you shouldn’t think of the name as being used or discarded. It wasn’t the right name for Isabel, but it might be the right name for her little sister, and those past name lists can be an invaluable resource when selecting sibling names. Isabel and Millie are very sweet together.

Imogen is a bit similar to Isabel, but I don’t think to the point where they couldn’t be sisters, as long as you feel comfortable with that.

I think Isabel and Lola sound very spunky as sisters: I don’t think they have a hugely different style really, I can imagine them both on sisters from the 19th century as well as now.

I adore Isabel and Vivienne and think they seem like a perfect match as sisters (also LOVE Vivienne with your surname); however it does sound as if Rupert is not terrifically enthusiastic.

This is your chance to choose the name you really want, so instead of looking for potential problems with every name, remember to focus on what you love most about it. Write down all the reasons you love each name, and remember those reasons when the time comes to choose the name. Allow yourself to fully embrace the possibilities of each name without worrying about any issues, and see where that takes you.

It’s more important that you choose a name that you love, and that works for you, rather than a name without any discernible problems. And don’t let other people rain on your parade: just because someone else criticises a name, it doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice. This is your child’s name, and you get to choose it, not them!

POLL RESULTS

The public’s top choice for Isabel’s brother was Archer or Archie, gaining 35% of the vote. They liked Camilla for a sister, with 36% of the vote.

41% of people said siblings named Isabel or Edward didn’t remind them of Twilight, and 29% said it only reminded them a little bit. That left 30% of people who thought that Isabel and Edward were a strong reminder of the Twilight series.

87% of people said siblings named Isabel and Archer didn’t remind them of A Portrait of a Lady, while 7% were reminded a little, but didn’t think it was an issue. 6% of literature lovers couldn’t see Isabel and Archer together without thinking of the Henry James novel.

(Photo from Lifiekind Photography)

Is This Name Too Short, or Too Unusual?

22 Tuesday Mar 2016

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Tara and Andor are expecting their first child in a few months, and easily thought of plenty of girls names they both liked. However, they only agreed on one boy’s name that they both liked equally and felt was the right fit for them. As it happened, they discovered they were having a boy, and now that one name seems very real.

The one boy’s name they have both agreed on is Fox. Tara admits this possibly wasn’t a good idea, but she mentioned the name to her mother and sister, who were surprised by it and not very impressed.

Her mum thought it sounded “too Mills & Boone”, and was concerned that if their son had red hair (which runs in the family), the name Fox might seem rather cruel. She also didn’t like the connotations of being sly that the word fox has.

Tara’s sister just didn’t like it, as her taste in names is much more traditional. Tara is too sensible to worry overmuch about her family’s reactions, and hopes that they come around once the baby has actually been born (and is a super cute and cuddly grandson and nephew for them).

The main thing that is holding Tara back from committing to the name Fox is that the baby will have a one-syllable occupational surname, such as Clark, and she feels that Fox Clark doesn’t flow particularly well. She also wonders if it might be a bit too unusual, as Fox seems to be gaining popularity as a middle name rather than a first name.

What Tara and Andor would most like in a name is something which isn’t highly popular, and will be suitable for all stages of their son’s life. Tara likes older style names, and both of them love nature names as well. Tara is a teacher, and has ruled out many names too strongly associated with past students.

Andor has an unusual name, and both he and Tara like that it’s out of the ordinary – they both like the name Oliver, nicknamed Ollie, but have ruled it out because it’s the #1 name. Archie is also becoming a name they are seeing too often on other people’s children to keep on their list.

Other names they have thought of are Felix, Arlo, Louis, Banjo, and Sonny. Tara really likes Theodore, nicknamed Teddy or Theo, or just Theo as the full name, but she hasn’t been able to convince Andor. The baby’s middle name will be Steven, which honours a loved family member.

Tara wants to know – is Fox too short for a one-syllable surname, and is it too out there as a first name?

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Last year a mum-to-be wrote in to the blog because she and her husband had agreed on only one name for their daughter – Grace. Because they had a one-syllable surname, like Cooke, she was worried that they couldn’t give their baby girl a short name to match it. When their daughter was born, they decided that Grace was the perfect name for her after all.

Just as I couldn’t see anything horribly wrong with Grace Cooke, I don’t believe Fox Clark is too dreadful. More than that, I actually like it – I enjoy that it has a snappy, brisk sound, like the bark of a fox. I also like the juxtaposition of the two nouns in the name Fox Clark, which is very evocative. The name sounds smart to me – clever and wise, rather than cunning and sly.

I found a young man on Facebook with the name “Fox Clark”, so someone else has used it. I had a very clear picture in my mind as to what someone named Fox Clark would be like, and this man (unsurprisingly!) looked completely different – and yet I at once thought, “Oh yes, he looks exactly right for a Fox Clark”. And I’m sure I could see another Fox Clark, and another, and they would all suit their name in different ways.

As to whether Fox is too unusual a name or not, that comes down to opinion. It’s certainly not a common name, but nature names and animal names are on trend, and so are names for boys ending in an X like Tex or Hendrix. The name Fox is also rising steeply in the UK and US, so I think you can safely assume there are more Foxes being born here too.

You’re right that the name is much more common in the middle, but rising names often start out in middle name territory. Parents like them, but don’t feel bold enough to use such a “different” name in the first position: not yet, anyway. Short names like Fox also appeal as middle names because they sound good with longer first names.

But what you probably wonder is whether other people will think that Fox is too weird, especially after your family’s reaction. The feeling I most get about Fox when I talk to people about it is that it’s a “cool name” – one that’s different, but in an interesting way.

If you look at people’s opinions online, so often they say Fox is a guilty pleasure name: one they wish they were brave enough to use. Sure, you might have a few people who don’t care for the name Fox, or think it’s strange, but I think there will also be some admirers, and secret admirers, out there.

Even your mum’s comment that it’s a “Mills & Boone” name suggests that she thinks it sounds sexy and bad boy. She might not like it, or perhaps thinks it’s inappropriate, but it’s interesting that she immediately connected the name to romance and fantasy. Perhaps when you met Andor, you likewise found his name intriguing: I like that Andor has an unusual name too, so it feels like the start of a family tradition.

Fox is an up and coming name that isn’t widely familiar yet. That’s an attraction for a teacher, for as yet you haven’t had many (perhaps any?) students named Fox to colour the name for you.

That means it doesn’t have an ageless quality but eventually children grow up, and their names inevitably grow with them – at some point, Arlo will be your doctor and Sonny will handle your insurance claim. Once upon a time, Clarence was a “little boy” name that people could no doubt never picture as a lawyer, journalist, or old man in a nursing home.

If you continue to have nagging doubts about naming your son Fox, perhaps you could use it as a nickname. Looking at your name list, you have considered the name Felix, which seems the easiest to turn into a long form of Fox – “His name’s Felix, but we call him Fox for short”. Really, Fox seems like the kind of name where you could choose any name you wanted and add, “… but we call him Fox”.

However, I must say I hope you decide to stick with Fox. It’s a name you both like equally, and the only name you have both agreed on so far, so it just might be the right name for you.

POLL RESULTS

87% of people thought Fox was okay to use with a one-syllable surname. 48% thought it sounded quite good, 21% that it sounded okay, and 18% that it didn’t flow particularly well, but was still usable. However 11% of people thought it was too awkward to be usable, and 2% weren’t sure.

85% of people thought that was Fox wasn’t too weird to be usable as a baby name. 30% thought it was a bit unusual, but that others would soon get used to it. 20% didn’t think it was very unusual as it fits in so well with current trends. 15% said it was too unusual for them to use, but they would find it interesting on someone else’s child. 13% thought it was very unusual, but that was a positive thing as it made the name cool and different. 7% of people didn’t think it was unusual in the least. 11% thought maybe it was too unusual as they couldn’t imagine it on a real person, while 4% were convinced it was an extremely weird name.

Is She Over-Thinking Their Baby Names?

19 Saturday Mar 2016

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Bianca and Daniel are expecting their second child in a few months, a brother or sister for their son Arlo. They have a name list in place which they are pretty set on, but as the pregnancy progresses, Bianca finds herself thinking them over more and more, until she begins to wonder if she is overthinking them.

They have several possible names for boys selected, including Eli, Ezra, Remy, and Chet. Daniel loves the name Eli, and that’s the name they will probably choose. However, Bianca worries that Arlo and Eli might be too matchy as a sibset. Bianca likes the sound of Ezra with Arlo, but is worried about people’s reactions to it, as she thinks it is very uncommon in Australia.

For girls, they love the name Elke, but now Bianca is starting to worry about spelling and pronunciation issues. Bianca likes the traditional spelling of Elke, but not the traditional pronunciation, which is rather like EL-ka – she prefers EL-kee.

Bianca wonders how most Australians will read the name Elke if they see it written down – as EL-ka, or EL-kee? Should they change the spelling to Elkie to avoid confusion? And does Elkie look okay, and not like a made up name?

Other girl names considered are Nell, Edie, Romy, and Ayla. Nell has been Bianca’s favourite name for many years; Daniel won’t agree to it, however. Bianca also likes Edie, and thinks it might be a better option than Elke. However, Bianca and Daniel have a niece with a name that ends in -die, such as Sadie, and she wonders if Edie and Sadie might be too much alike.

Bianca isn’t quite sure about Romy, but does love its spunkiness. She worries it might sound a bit funny with their surname (which is slightly similar in sound to Google), and Daniel isn’t quite sure about it. Daniel loves the name Ayla, but Bianca isn’t quite as keen, and feels it is too close to Arlo.

Bianca would love some suggestions for more girls’ names, as she isn’t sure about any of their choices. Her favourite girls’ names are short, simple, and sweet – and not too common.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Gee Bianca, I would love to tell you that you’re over-thinking things and to stop worrying about it all. The trouble is that would be very hypocritical, because if I was in your position, I would be thinking and worrying about exactly the same things. Maybe I’m an over-thinker as well (a blog on the subject could very well be a symptom of that).

I can see what you mean about Arlo and Eli – they both start and end with a vowel, and have an L sound in the middle, so they sound a little alike. However, I don’t think they necessarily sound too matchy, and from what I’ve seen, parents who like Arlo often like Eli as well, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are other brothers named Arlo and Eli out there.

I tend to agree with you that Arlo and Ezra are an awesome match. They sound great together, and have a cool, intelligent vibe that’s rather hip. Ezra isn’t that uncommon in Australia – it’s not popular, but you definitely see it around. It’s already Top 100 in New Zealand, and is rising very steeply in the US and UK, so it feels ready to take off (maybe like Arlo a few years ago?). I can’t promise you will never get any negative reactions to it, but I think overall it might be better received than you think.

However, if Daniel loves the name Eli then it might be hard to get him to change his mind. And I wouldn’t blame him – if I really loved a baby name, and my spouse and I had both agreed on it, I would be a bit miffed if the name was changed to something else. Loving a baby name is something that could trump a name being hipper or making a better match: giving your child a name that you love over all others is a wonderful gift.

So that’s something for you and Daniel to discuss together, but I think either Eli or Ezra would be fine. You can’t go wrong whichever you pick.

I can see that Elke is giving you some problems with spelling and pronunciation, and I’m not really sure which pronunciation is more common in Australia. I often see people spelling the name Elka or Elkah, as if they’re more worried about people trying to put an EE sound on the name. It’s less common for me to see the name spelled Elkie but I have a few times. I don’t think it looks terrible or anything, but to me it looks as if Elkie means “little elk”.

The trouble is that you prefer the Elke spelling, and I can imagine it might grate on you to see your daughter’s name spelled in a way that seems wrong to you. On the other hand, having people sometimes pronounce it EL-ka would no doubt be an annoyance to you.

I must admit that my own prejudices are at work here, because I’m the sort of person who doesn’t mind names with alternative spellings, but balks at ones with alternative pronunciations. I wouldn’t have any problems explaining again and again that it’s Stephen not Steven or Isobel not Isabelle, but would become almost instantly stressed about Louis said like Louie or Emmeline to rhyme with Caroline. In my experience, people are much more likely to not understand or “hear” a pronunciation they’re not familiar with, or even to tell you that “you’re saying it wrong”.

If you decide that Elke is too much of a hassle, I think Edie would be an excellent alternative. It’s a sweet, hip little name, and makes a great match with Arlo. I don’t think a cousin called Sadie or Bridie should be an issue – it’s hard enough trying to co-ordinate sibling names without having to worry about “cousin sets”! However if the cousin is named Addie, that might be just close enough in sound to Edie to cause some mix ups.

I also love Romy as a match with Arlo, and I can’t see anything wrong with Romy Google. I agree it’s very spunky. To me Arlo and Ayla are perhaps a little too much alike – I can see that Daniel really likes vowel-heavy names with a strong L though, but not Alice!

Some other girls’ names that seem like a nice match with Arlo:

Thea – last year blog readers voted Thea and Arlo their favourite baby names from the Name List category. I have to admit, they seem like natural siblings.

Willa – it’s another name with a L sound in it, but less vowel-y. It seems hip to me, but might occasionally be confused with popular Willow.

Nora or Norah – I think Arlo and Nora sound adorable together. I guess another set of parents did too, because when I did a web search for “Arlo + Nora”, I found that Arlo Guthrie has a sister named Nora, a music producer. At least you know it works in real life!

Iris – I love the sweetness of Iris, and how it sounds with Arlo. I wonder if it’s too much like Alice for Daniel?

Sylvie – another sweet name I’m seeing more and more of. It’s another name with an L in the middle. Arlo and Sylvie almost seem characters from an urban fairy tale.

Elva – this vintage name is coming back into fashion. It has an Irish connection, like Arlo, and struck me as a possible alternative to Elke. Etta would also be nice, but I wonder if Arlo and Etta is too much of a musical theme for you – it feels as if the next child has to be Miles or Lulu.

Well Bianca, I don’t know if I’ve helped with your over-thinking, or just given you more things to think about! I think you are pretty much right for boys’ names, having two good choices at least, while I agree that you might need to consider girls’ names a bit longer. Luckily you have a few months to make a final decision.

UPDATE: The baby was a boy, and his name is Ezra!

POLL RESULTS
80% of respondents didn’t think Arlo and Eli were too matchy as brothers. 47% thought they were a bit matchy but still usable, 20% thought they were hardly matchy at all, and 13% thought they weren’t matchy in the least. One-fifth of people were sure that this combination was too matchy, and overall that made 67% of people who leaned towards thinking it was matchy to some extent.

There was a slight majority of people who preferred to say the name Elke as EL-kee, and it didn’t make a huge amount of difference whether you were Australian or not. 59% of Australians said EL-kee, while 41% said EL-ka; 53% of non-Australians said EL-kee, while 47% said EL-ka.

The public’s choice for Arlo’s sibling was Ezra for a boy, which gained 53% of the vote, and Edie for a girl, which got 43% of the vote.