A sister for Liv

Girl Names
1

We are {unexpectedly} expecting our second…still early, but we do intend to find out the sex. So we will need a name for big sister [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. I have a long list of favorites but none seem to speak to me this time around. My favorite name since I was 12, is [name_f]Emma[/name_f]. Popularity generally does not bother me but…can we really name our kids 2 of the top 3 most popular names in the country? I feel like that’s naming your daughters [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f] and [name_f]Jessica[/name_f] in the 80s. There has to be another option, right?

So my current short list is…
[name_f]Emilia[/name_f] - I’m concerned about confusion for [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] with [name_f]Amelia[/name_f], but I like this spelling for the nn [name_f]Emmy[/name_f]…is [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Millie[/name_f] just easier all around? [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] was a close contender for [name_f]Olivia[/name_f].

[name_f]Gemma[/name_f] - just a sweetly pretty, classic name. Only minor concern is people pronouncing with a hard G.

[name_u]Riley[/name_u] - a total outlier! I love feminine, slightly vintage-y, classic names - which to me, is [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] and Emilia 100%. But for some reason, I keep circling back to [name_u]Riley[/name_u]. It has the spunky, cute but fierce qualities I like. Does [name_u]Riley[/name_u] sound like [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]'s sister, or are they just too different for a sibset?

Suggestions? My husband isn’t super picky (beyond an absolute hatred of all [name_u]Juli[/name_u]-names and [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f]), he prefers I bring him my top 5 or so and then we pick from there. His top picks for [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] were [name_u]Eloise[/name_u] and [name_f]Penelope[/name_f], which we didn’t pick because they just didn’t feel “right” for her. I do love both of them still, they just aren’t grabbing me like [name_f]Emilia[/name_f]/[name_f]Gemma[/name_f]/[name_u]Riley[/name_u] are.

2

[name_f]Gemma[/name_f] would be my pick for you - I don’t think many people would pronounce it with the hard G. It’s a fairly familiar name, not super popular but not uncommon, sounds great with [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], is a nice alternative to [name_f]Emma[/name_f] and is just a sweet name in general. [name_f]Gem[/name_f] and [name_f]Liv[/name_f] are cute too

[name_u]Riley[/name_u] or [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] could work too, I just prefer [name_f]Gemma[/name_f].

A few other suggestions

[name_f]Emily[/name_f]
[name_f]Anya[/name_f]
[name_f]Elena[/name_f] or [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]
[name_f]Holly[/name_f]
[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Hallie[/name_f]
[name_u]Ruby[/name_u]

3

I agree with pp that [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is really speaking to me for you! [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is such a sweet name, and has all those warm sounds of [name_f]Emma[/name_f] without a popularity. I do like [name_u]Riley[/name_u] too, but I much prefer it for a boy and it does sound like a brother next to [name_f]Olivia[/name_f].

4

I love [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] and [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] in a sibset!

Another idea would [name_f]Emmiline[/name_f] ([name_f]Emma[/name_f]-leen)"[name_f]Emma[/name_f]" “[name_f]Lina[/name_f]” “[name_f]Mila[/name_f]” “[name_f]Millie[/name_f]”

I also think [name_f]Loralei[/name_f] “[name_u]Rory[/name_u]” would be a great addition

5

I really adore [name_f]Gemma[/name_f]! It has the same elegant, classic, bright style as [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], and is a less popular alternative to [name_f]Emma[/name_f], which I would still urge you to consider using. However, I think both [name_u]Riley[/name_u] and [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] could also work. On another note, I really like [name_f]Violet[/name_f] in your signature! [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] and [name_f]Violet[/name_f] sound great together.

[name_f]Caroline[/name_f]: Classic, elegant, and with the “l” sound from [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] and [name_u]Riley[/name_u]. It’s also upbeat, and popular enough to feel like a match with [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] while still remaining outside the top 50.
[name_f]Natalie[/name_f]: I like this for many of the reasons I like [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]. It’s beautiful but also down-to-earth, popular but not top 10, and feels like an excellent sister to [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. [name_f]Talia[/name_f] is another lovely option.
[name_f]Adeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Chloe[/name_f]
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f]
[name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]/[name_f]Margaret[/name_f]
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
[name_f]Victoria[/name_f]
[name_u]Harper[/name_u]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
[name_f]Elsie[/name_f]
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]/[name_f]Norah[/name_f]
[name_u]Peyton[/name_u]
[name_u]Bailey[/name_u]
[name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f]
[name_f]Fiona[/name_f]

6

From your list I like [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] best and I also like [name_f]Stella[/name_f] from your signature! [name_u]Riley[/name_u] is too much of an outlier to me and personally I would avoid another name ending in -ia although I love [name_f]Emilia[/name_f]. Other suggestions:

[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]
[name_f]Isabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Theresa[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Tess[/name_f])
[name_f]Laura[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosalie[/name_f]
[name_f]Clara[/name_f]

7

[name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is a great compromise instead of [name_f]Emma[/name_f] and sounds really great with [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. I’m not a huge fan of [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] and don’t care for another -ia ending, so [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] works really well! Plus [name_f]Gem[/name_f] or [name_f]Emi[/name_f] would be sweet with [name_f]Liv[/name_f] (and if she wanted to go by [name_f]Emma[/name_f], she still could).

9

I love [name_f]Gemma[/name_f]! I also really like [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] or [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f], nn [name_f]Emmy[/name_f]/[name_f]Emma[/name_f], [name_f]Stella[/name_f], and [name_f]Violet[/name_f], from your signature. [name_f]Violet[/name_f] is a little close to [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]/[name_f]Liv[/name_f], though.

My first idea that didn’t come from your list is [name_u]Ruby[/name_u]. I think it’s sweet, feisty, and familiar, plus it has the same beginning and end as [name_u]Riley[/name_u], but might fit in with your favorites a little more.

I don’t think using two Top 10 names is a big deal if you’ve already used one, unless you’re then planning on using something completely left field like [name_f]Nefertiti[/name_f] or [name_f]Hepzibah[/name_f].

Frankly, none of the names you mentioned are really unpopular, anyway. If you really don’t want to use [name_f]Emma[/name_f], I’d go with [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], [name_f]Stella[/name_f], or [name_u]Ruby[/name_u].

I probably wouldn’t use [name_u]Riley[/name_u]. Somehow, that seems MORE trendy than using [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] and [name_f]Emma[/name_f]. I think [name_f]Emma[/name_f] and [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] are classic, beautiful names, while [name_u]Riley[/name_u] is kind of nicknamey, unisex, and yes, trendy, especially for a girl. I think you seem to be drawn towards modern [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u]/vintage names (that’s how I think of them) and [name_u]Riley[/name_u] doesn’t fit with that to me. Not that they have to match, but if you want them to sound okay together, I would stick with your modern classics.

More suggestions:

[name_f]Catherine[/name_f] “[name_u]Kit[/name_u]”
[name_f]Francesca[/name_f] “[name_u]Frankie[/name_u]”
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] “[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]”
[name_f]Lily[/name_f]
[name_u]Piper[/name_u]
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f]
[name_f]Fiona[/name_f]
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f]
[name_f]Luna[/name_f]
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_f]Layla[/name_f]/[name_f]Leila[/name_f]
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f]
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Adele[/name_f]

10

Wow, [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is darling! Such a classic and yet unique name. My husband and I haven’t considered this one but I’m defiantly mentioning it to him. [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] and [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is a home run in my opinion.

11

[name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is lovely and would be my top choice. I also like both [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] and [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Millie[/name_f]. Good luck!

12

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] there.

[name_f]Olivia[/name_f] is popular, but beautiful and feminine. I like the spunky nn too.

I’d say if you love [name_f]Emma[/name_f] the most, go for it. It’s like [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], in that it’s currently popular but still a classic.

[name_f]Amelia[/name_f] is one of my favorites, and I used it for my sweet kitty when I adopted her thirteen years ago. We call her [name_f]Mia[/name_f], which would be cute with [name_f]Liv[/name_f]. [name_f]Millie[/name_f] is a little more unique though. I totally agree with you that [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] vs. [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] would be confusing. [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] is safer. If you like [name_f]Emmy[/name_f], [name_f]Emma[/name_f] nn [name_f]Emmy[/name_f] works. Or [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f].

I really like [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], and it’s a nice alternative to [name_f]Emma[/name_f] if you’re looking for something a little fresher.

[name_u]Riley[/name_u] is not my favorite. It’s just too unisex for my taste. I get the liking spunky names though. Here are some suggestions: (of spunky and non spunky.)

[name_f]Audrey[/name_f]

[name_f]Annelise[/name_f]/[name_f]Annie[/name_f]

[name_f]Catherine[/name_f]/[name_f]Cate[/name_f]

[name_f]Chloe[/name_f]

[name_f]Daisy[/name_f]…maybe [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] or [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] nn [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] if you’re into that

[name_f]Delia[/name_f]

[name_f]Daphne[/name_f]

[name_f]Esme[/name_f]

[name_f]Felicity[/name_f]/Fliss

[name_f]Hattie[/name_f]

[name_f]Holly[/name_f]

[name_f]Isabella[/name_f]/Ibbi/[name_u]Izzy[/name_u]

[name_f]Kathleen[/name_f]/[name_u]Kit[/name_u]

[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]…or [name_f]Lucille[/name_f]/[name_f]Lucienne[/name_f]/[name_f]Lucia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Lucy[/name_f]

[name_f]Madeleine[/name_f]/[name_f]Maisy[/name_f]

[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]

[name_f]Susanna[/name_f]/[name_u]Scout[/name_u]/[name_f]Sadie[/name_f]

[name_f]Sadie[/name_f] on it’s own?

[name_f]Tessa[/name_f]/[name_f]Tess[/name_f]

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps. :slight_smile:

13

I like [name_f]Gemma[/name_f]! [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is well knwon were I live, and no one ever pronounces it with a hard “g”, we just see the word [name_f]Gem[/name_f]. If you’re concerned though, you can always opt for [name_f]Jemma[/name_f].

14

You guys are awesome. You all really nailed my style – definitely vintage/[name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u]-y. Seems like [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is pretty universally liked here! :blush:

Names we like but can’t use: [name_f]Loralei[/name_f], [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], [name_f]Annelise[/name_f], [name_f]Isabel[/name_f]/[name_f]Isabella[/name_f], [name_f]Victoria[/name_f], [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_u]Piper[/name_u], [name_f]Fiona[/name_f], [name_f]Luna[/name_f], and any version of [name_f]Kate[/name_f] (my husband’s ex and he refuses to budge, even though I adore the name). [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] was almost [name_f]Liv[/name_f]’s middle name but we made an 11th hour change in labor. We love the name but there are multiple versions of [name_f]Carol[/name_f] in our families, and I wonder if adding a [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] might be 1 too many.

I do like [name_f]Elena[/name_f] and [name_u]Ruby[/name_u]. I see a few of you noticed [name_f]Violet[/name_f] in my signature, and it’s another name I do love but I don’t know if I can get behind it for this baby. I like the matching V’s between both names, but it almost feels too matchy? I generally nix any long aaa names ([name_f]Ava[/name_f], [name_u]Mason[/name_u], [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]) as it sounds rhymey with our last name, as well as any strong B names like [name_f]Abigail[/name_f]/[name_u]Abby[/name_u] – feels like the B hits too hard (last name starts with a B)…my only concern with [name_u]Ruby[/name_u].

I do agree that [name_u]Riley[/name_u] and [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] almost sound trendier than [name_f]Emma[/name_f] and [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. Definitely something to consider. I did not think of using [name_f]Mia[/name_f] as a nn for [name_f]Amelia[/name_f]…I actually had [name_f]Mia[/name_f] on my list but took it off. It’s a name of a distant relative and could carry some baggage. But as a nickname, it might be easier.

[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] has long been a quiet love but I do like a nickname, and I can’t seem to get behind any of hers.

I’m going to add [name_f]Elena[/name_f] and [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] to my master list, and reconsider [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] and [name_f]Emma[/name_f]. [name_f]Gemma[/name_f]'s obviously still at the top. With [name_f]Emma[/name_f], I know my husband will say “I know that’s your favorite name, we’re just going to use it because I like it too!” which is what he said last time. I guess I need to decide if I love it more than its popularity and if I will feel sad knowing my last child didn’t have the name. He says he likes [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] but appeared less than enthusiastic about it.

Jeez, you guys, I’m kind of hoping it’s a boy. :smiley: Maybe we’ll get a dog and call it [name_u]Riley[/name_u].

Thank you for all the help! I’ll be back once we know the sex in a few weeks!

15

Thank you all for your responses! Your suggestions were all pretty much spot-on for me. My husband and I had a quick chat over the weekend about my top 3 girls (and boys) and he took a blowtorch to my [name_f]Emilia[/name_f], [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] and [name_u]Riley[/name_u] suggestions. So there’s that. lol He “likes” them “ok” but especially with [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] does not feel the strong attraction that I do. I’m a little sad, to be honest! However, I mentioned I like [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] for a boy, and he perked up and said “I like [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], but as a nickname for [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]!” [name_f]Imagine[/name_f] my surprise…[name_f]Olivia[/name_f] is [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] in part because he nixed [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] (one of my favorite) early on. So I never even considered it for this little one.

So for right now, our short list is [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]. And [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], but we’re not telling him that. We will know the sex in a few weeks and we’d like to have 2-3 names for each sex and then we’ll take a little time to figure out which one is the “right” one for the baby. I knew in the womb that my [name_f]Liv[/name_f] was a sassy, feisty little girl and ruled out our other names that didn’t feel like they matched her personality. I hope I’ll have that same feeling this time around, too!

I’m sure I’ll be back once we round out the top 3!

17

[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] would make a lovely sister to [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] is a nice short form, although I admit to loving [name_f]Lottie[/name_f] even more. Another outlier idea: [name_f]Amalia[/name_f] (instead of [name_f]Amelia[/name_f]). [name_f]Amalia[/name_f] could have the wonderful nn [name_f]Molly[/name_f], which may also appeal if you like [name_u]Riley[/name_u] and [name_u]Charlie[/name_u]. Congrats! You have some wonderful solid choices and can’t go wrong.