we are only a couple of weeks away from meeting baby number 2 but still struggling with names. We’d love to get your take on the current top choices and/or any suggestions.
We already have a daughter, named Lyra Winter Alice. For her we chose a literary character we liked (plus the constellation meaning), a nature name we liked and is also linked to family and then Alice is for one of her great grandmothers. For baby 2, Charlotte is a given (to another of the great grandmothers) - but we’d like to use it as a middle name.
Here are some thoughts on the names in the poll: Aurelia was the one we’ve been using / trying out most throughout the pregnancy (and was the runner up in the poll we did before Lyra was born). Think we’d go for a nickname like Rey sometimes (though I sort of struggle with it being mostly a phonetic link to the name - is it too much of a stretch?). Rain may seem a bit unusual, but has some personal meaning to us and we think it might mirror the nature name in Lyra’s name nicely. I also have read there may be pronunciation issues with this name, but we’d use it in German and English and think it will work ok the Latin way (Au - ray - lee - a). The meaning is a bit “so so” for us (though golden rain is a kind of nice image and contrasts with Lyra’s celestial name in a nice way).
Riley is a very recent addition. We have a single syllable surname which could also be a boy’s name. So we’re wondering if she’ll have to explain all her life that she’s a girl? We also read some pretty horrible comments on the name on various internet fora (“too childish”, “too trendy”, “don’t steal from boys”). But without seeing those, we liked it for both the Irish (valiant, courageous) and English (wood clearing) meanings. And it sounds sort of short and spunky like Lyra. Plus Lyra has been adamant all along the baby should be called Aurora and we like the flow of it. We love the northern lights, so like that connection. Obviously it’s out as a middle if we were to chose Aurelia.
Sorry for the novel - thank you if you managed this far. Reading this back, it does all sound a bit pretentious, but Lyra’s name has a lot of meaning for us, so we’d like her sister to have the same sort of thought go into it.
Oh this is so difficult I absolutely adore both [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] and [name_u]Riley[/name_u]. [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] and [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] feel so whimsical and magical together and [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] and [name_u]Riley[/name_u] both have the ‘R’ sound in them which i find absolutely adorable. I also love the idea of using [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] as a first name.
If i had to choose I’d go with [name_u]Riley[/name_u] [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] but its so close you cant go wrong with either name ! Side not if you where to have another girl in the future [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] , [name_u]Riley[/name_u] and [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] would be so sweet together
I voted for [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] because I think she’s a better style match next to [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] and I prefer her to [name_u]Riley[/name_u]. I think [name_u]Rey[/name_u] is an intuitive nickname given your pronunciation.
Have you considered [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] with the nickname [name_u]Rory[/name_u]? That feels like the best of both worlds between [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] and [name_u]Riley[/name_u].
Thank you for your thoughts. We have considered [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] as that’s also Lyra‘s favourite. But it’s getting very popular where we live and I have a very popular name. Always hated being one of several of the name in my class. The other issue is pronunciation for the [name_m]German[/name_m] family. But it’s making me rethink - perhaps it should be added to the poll. This naming business is hard! Thanks so much for helping.
I think [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_u]Rain[/name_u] is beautiful and goes very well with Lyra’s name. I like the nn [name_u]Rey[/name_u], I’d probably spell it [name_u]Rae[/name_u] but that’s just me.
[name_f]Lyra[/name_f] [name_u]Winter[/name_u] [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is gorgeous. I think that [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] feels just about perfect for her sister. I could see [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] working really well too as a fn, but I personally prefer the sound of [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] a bit more. I’ve never though of the nn [name_u]Rey[/name_u] for [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f], but that’s super cute.
[name_u]Riley[/name_u] isn’t my personal style, but it’s not a horribly unpleasant name. I just personally find it better for a boy, & it is super duper over done. I see that it’s short & spunky like [name_f]Lyra[/name_f], but they’re also pretty tongue twister-y to say together.
If you love them both though, neither is the wrong choice. Maybe she’ll come out w/a name tag & make the decision for you! [name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps.
Why not [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] as the first? I know you said it’s quite popular where you live but I wouldn’t necessarily let that alone he a dealbreaker. It’s so similar to [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f], has a meaning you love, and little [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] has been gunning for it this whole time. It just seems to make more sense to go this route rather than using a name you’re so unsure about as a first just to get [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] in the middle.
I voted for [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] in the poll but I’d say [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_u]Rain[/name_u] “Rey” seems like it might be the happiest marriage of all options here.
There’s also the possibility of using [name_u]Rey[/name_u] or [name_u]Ray[/name_u] as standalone, it definitely doesn’t have to be a nickname. [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] and [name_u]Rey[/name_u] / [name_u]Ray[/name_u] also just seem to pair quite nicely.
I love both combinations, but I think [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] goes a bit better with [name_f]Lyra[/name_f]! As much as I like [name_u]Riley[/name_u], I think the shared sounds make it a bit of a tongue twister when I say them together.
I saw that you aren’t sure about using [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] as the first name over [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f], but I would just like to throw it in as a suggestion regardless. I think [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_u]Rain[/name_u] is stunning, and despite its growing popularity I think it goes with [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] even better than [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f]. Both sister would have celestial meanings, a nature middle, and an honor name. Plus [name_u]Rory[/name_u] or [name_m]Ary[/name_m] are adorable nicknames. (I’m also huge a proponent of nicknames that aren’t obvious derivatives of the given name, so imo you could even use [name_u]Rey[/name_u] as a nn for Aurora.)
Definitely [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f]! It’s the perfect fit to [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] and such a gorgeous name! I have nothing against [name_u]Riley[/name_u] but [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_u]Rain[/name_u] is just stunning! Congratulations!
Thank you very much all. This is definitely reinforcing that [name_u]Riley[/name_u] isn’t the one. Now I wish i had made an [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] vs [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] poll. Haha. Luckily there are plenty of threads comparing those two. Hoping the comment about her coming out with a name tag becomes a reality. Really appreciate you all taking the time to offer thoughts.
I just feel like you could get tongue tied with lyra and [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] by saying lyria or Aulyra just because they kind of have a similar sound as if they are the same name backwards
I voted for [name_u]Riley[/name_u], to me it’s a truly unisex name, though leans female more recently. I am biased though since it was my dog’s name and think it’s just a cute, fun, spunky name that gives off the same vibe as [name_f]Lyra[/name_f]. Also [name_u]Rye[/name_u] (Ri) as a nickname informally is cute
[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] is just not my style, it’s seems too fussy to me and I always misread and mispronounce it whenever I see it. I have to make a concentrated effort to correct myself. (I always first read it as "Aur-ee-ella and not Au-ree-lea)
I adore the idea of using the name Aurora because…
I’m not sure you have heard of the Lyra constellation here is the meaning
Summary
Lyra constellation lies in the northern sky. It represents the lyre , a musical instrument with strings used in antiquity and later times. … Lyra contains Vega, the fifth brightest star in the sky and second brightest star in the northern hemisphere, and the famous variable star RR Lyrae. It is a group of stars in the sky.
Lyra & Aurelia stylistically work wonderfully together but could be some tongue tie between the two names. Still Riley to me feels odd with Lyra and I wouldn’t choose that one.
However could you go with Aurora first name slot? Aurora works very well with Lyra and has the connection with the sky Northern Lights which as @Emma_Elle111 pointed out connects wonderfully to Lyra. Aurora has the nickname Rory which gives similar vibes to Riley and I love that your daughter wants you to go with Aurora. Also doesn’t have that tongue tie issue either. I think Aurora Charlotte Rain is gorgeous!
Thank you! Yes - one of the main reasons I love [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] is because of the constellation meaning. On a similar thread (when we didn’t know the sex yet) some posters felt [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] and [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] was a bit much together for that reason but I liked it.
[name_u]New[/name_u] naming dilemma. Maybe we go for it anyway.
Thanks once again for all the thoughts. Should have added to [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] to the poll. Maybe in a couple of weeks if we still can’t make up our minds. Once again really appreciate the help. What a great community this is.
[name_f]Lyra[/name_f] [name_u]Winter[/name_u] [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is beautiful! I prefer [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] over [name_u]Riley[/name_u], both generally and with [name_f]Lyra[/name_f]. It’s more in alignment stylistically with your daughter’s name and I love the nickname [name_u]Rey[/name_u].
In saying that, like others I love [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] with [name_f]Lyra[/name_f]. They feel so perfect together for sisters both thematically and aesthetically and I love the nickname [name_u]Rory[/name_u].
lyra winter alice is a stunning combo!
and so is aurelia charlotte rain! love that match
love that they both have a classic middle and a nature middle
i personally prefer aurelia over riley, and i feel its meaning and vibe just goes better with lyra
also i kinda don’t like the repeated “r” sound in lyra & riley
good luck choosing!
edit: after reading the comments i absolutely agree with everyone about aurora! goes perfectly with lyra
Maybe we go for it anyway.