Baby #3: Another girl!

Girl Names
1

[name_m]Just[/name_m] got the news that baby number three is another girl!

We have a [name_u]Holland[/name_u] [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] and an [name_u]Arden[/name_u] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f], and before we decided on #1’s name, I was torn between the more gender neutral/modern/surnamey vibe or the vintage/old lady one (had also liked [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Edith[/name_f], etc. back then).

Initially, I was thinking [name_u]Sterling[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] for our third, with [name_u]Tatum[/name_u] and [name_u]Remy[/name_u] up there on the list for firsts, as well, but I feel like [name_u]Sterling[/name_u] might be losing a bit of its shine for me lately? Hubs is liking [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] nn [name_u]Romy[/name_u] a lot, and I’m super loving [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] for a first name, but not ‘fitting’ her sisters’ names would bother me, I think, and haven’t been able to come up with a more fitting nickname, like with [name_u]Romy[/name_u].

If we stick to the more modern/neutral/surname-y theme (Tatum, [name_u]Remy[/name_u], [name_u]Palmer[/name_u], [name_f]Maren[/name_f] on the long list right now), I’d almost definitely use [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] as a middle. For [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] or [name_f]Pauline[/name_f], a bit unsure - would want something more modern and zippy, like trying to sell Hubs on [name_u]Bay[/name_u] (which he has fully nixed as a first option).

How out of place would a more old-school first name be?
Any more modern middle name ideas for [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] or [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]?
Any other suggestions in general?

Thanks so much, Berries!

2 Likes
2

Congratulations :tada:

[name_u]Holland[/name_u] + [name_u]Arden[/name_u] do feel very modern especially in comparison to [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] and [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]. However I do feel that it is such a privilege to name a child so you should use a name you truly love over sibling set cohesion.

Looking at [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] & [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] I think [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] is the better fit with [name_u]Holland[/name_u] + [name_u]Arden[/name_u] just because she has a more fashionable feel along with a trendy nickname [name_u]Romy[/name_u]. I think [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] just feels far more cohesive than [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]. So [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] is an unexpected choice and has this clunkiness to the name with a nostalgic call the midwife flair but she does feel polar opposite to [name_u]Holland[/name_u] + [name_u]Arden[/name_u]. I think if you focus on sibling set cohesion I would have [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] as a middle name. How about [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]?

Still [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] isn’t the most natural fit with [name_u]Holland[/name_u] + [name_u]Arden[/name_u] she works better than [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] (in my opinion) but she does feel stylistically different. So onto your more natural fit unisex options. I’m not a massive fan of [name_u]Sterling[/name_u] for girls I think this name leans more masculine. I also feel that [name_u]Sterling[/name_u] lacks the whimsical edge of [name_u]Holland[/name_u] + [name_u]Arden[/name_u]. I feel [name_u]Tatum[/name_u], [name_u]Remy[/name_u], [name_u]Palmer[/name_u] + [name_f]Maren[/name_f] just work so well. From these options my favourites are [name_f]Maren[/name_f] & [name_u]Palmer[/name_u]. I actually love [name_u]Palmer[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] the alliteration is adorable. [name_f]Maren[/name_f] is a good fit has the tailored fashionable vibe off [name_u]Holland[/name_u] + [name_u]Arden[/name_u] but also leans slightly vintage meeting the aesthetic that you’re loving. [name_f]Maren[/name_f] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] works wonders.

To summarise I think I would be inclined to not use [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] as a first name and stick to her being a middle name. I think stepping outside of your usual style [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] would be the best fit just because she has [name_u]Romy[/name_u] still if your aiming for cohesion I would aim for a more unisex/modern option with my favourites being [name_f]Maren[/name_f] + [name_u]Palmer[/name_u].

Some other suggestions…

[name_u]Holland[/name_u], [name_u]Arden[/name_u] and…

[name_u]Penrose[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] ~ [name_u]Penrose[/name_u] could be a way to use a ‘rose’ name but feels more cohesive with your girls names. Also I think [name_u]Penrose[/name_u] has a vintage feel.

[name_u]Sailor[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_u]Romilly[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_u]Juniper[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_u]Marlow[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_f]Winslet[/name_f] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_u]Noa[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_u]Robin[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_u]Winslow[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_f]Brontë[/name_f] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_u]Solstice[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
Glenrose [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_f]Fawn[/name_f] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]
[name_f]Monet[/name_f] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps

2 Likes
3

[name_f]Pauline[/name_f] in particular does feel out of place with [name_u]Holland[/name_u] and [name_u]Arden[/name_u], possibly because it’s not so much vintage to me, but more mid-century? I don’t know. Nothing to stop you using it though!!

Some nicknames for [name_f]Pauline[/name_f]: [name_f]Leela[/name_f], [name_u]Poe[/name_u], [name_u]Pip[/name_u], [name_f]Polly[/name_f]

Some middle names for [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] and [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]:

[name_f]Pauline[/name_f] [name_u]Alexis[/name_u] or [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] [name_u]Nyx[/name_u] ‘Pax’
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_u]Seren[/name_u]
[name_f]Pauline[/name_f] [name_f]Josette[/name_f] ‘Posie’
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_u]Lux[/name_u]
[name_f]Pauline[/name_f] [name_f]Zadie[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_u]Clarke[/name_u]
[name_f]Pauline[/name_f] [name_u]Ocean[/name_u] ‘Poe’
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_u]Tay[/name_u]
[name_f]Pauline[/name_f] [name_f]Jette[/name_f] ‘PJ’

Some other ideas:

[name_u]Holland[/name_u], [name_u]Arden[/name_u] and…

[name_u]Parker[/name_u]
[name_f]Nadine[/name_f] ‘Deenie’
[name_f]Nina[/name_f]
[name_u]Lake[/name_u]
[name_f]Saffron[/name_f]
[name_f]Ashling[/name_f]
[name_u]Emory[/name_u]
[name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] ‘Nola’ ‘Nolie’ ‘Noa’
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Harriet[/name_f] ‘Hattie’
[name_f]Loretta[/name_f] ‘Lettie’ ‘Lori’

4

First, your names are awesome! And to follow a lot of good advice:

I agree that Rosemary a better pick over Pauline for first as evokes some of the same romantic imagery as the other two. Another option would be to go with Romy as first name: Romy Pauline is super swish and rounds off the other names so well.

Otherwise, Holland, Arden &

Corliss
Ellis
Silver
Piper
Trilby
Marlowe
Kingsley / Kinsley
Fifer
Winsome
Bellamy
Bronte
Saffron, Winslow, Winslet from above!

I like Maren or Palmer otherwise, Tatum is less fresh and international than your other two, and I find Sterling a little too masculine. I also just prefer Romy over Remy for a girl (but would be my fourth after Romy, Maren & Palmer).

Edit: delayed thought, Pauline would suit OK as a first (and offer cute nicknames as above) as all names have a sort of N ending. Rosemary more coherent imagery but Pauline probably closer in sound. Not completely on theme but if it’s more meaningful, I would go for it!

5

I think you’re right that [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] doesn’t especially fit, but I think by giving her a more gender neutral nickname could work - [name_u]Paulie[/name_u] is pretty cool in my opinion. I also love [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] nn [name_u]George[/name_u]
[name_u]Sterling[/name_u] is cool but again I think it works better with a nickname - perhaps [name_f]Stella[/name_f]. I think the other names you suggested might fit better, I don’t think [name_u]Remy[/name_u] or [name_u]Palmer[/name_u] work on a girl, but [name_f]Maren[/name_f] and [name_u]Tatum[/name_u] could be nice.
I think [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] goes well with a lot of names so I would recommend it as the middle if not chosen for first slot.

[name_f]Pauline[/name_f] nn [name_u]Paulie[/name_u]
[name_u]Sterling[/name_u] nn [name_f]Stella[/name_f]
[name_f]Georgia[/name_f] nn [name_u]George[/name_u]
[name_f]Maren[/name_f]
[name_u]Tatum[/name_u]
[name_m]Robinson[/name_m] nn [name_u]Robin[/name_u] or [name_f]Ro[/name_f]
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u]
[name_u]Sailor[/name_u]
[name_u]Noa[/name_u]
[name_f]Nina[/name_f]
[name_u]Ellis[/name_u]
[name_u]Dylan[/name_u]
[name_u]Jules[/name_u]
[name_u]Fern[/name_u]
[name_u]Eden[/name_u]
[name_u]Lincoln[/name_u]

6

I like [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]! I’d skip using mn [name_u]Bay[/name_u] with it though because then it goes from sounding like a name to a list of spices.

7

[name_f]My[/name_f] first thought was [name_u]Remington[/name_u] nn [name_u]Remy[/name_u].

Otherwise, [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] fits with her sisters’ names much better IMO.

8

[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] nn [name_u]Romy[/name_u] is super cute

I like sterling as well and it probably does fit with siblings a bit better than [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f].

Other suggestions
[name_u]Hadley[/name_u]
[name_u]Greer[/name_u]
[name_u]Scout[/name_u]
[name_u]Sloane[/name_u]
[name_u]Haven[/name_u]
[name_u]Wren[/name_u]
[name_f]Calla[/name_f]
[name_u]Winter[/name_u]

9

I also have 3 daughters! I love your name choices. [name_u]Sterling[/name_u] doesnt feel too masculine to me when considering the sib set and the feminine middle names. [name_u]Love[/name_u] the suggestion of [name_f]Stella[/name_f] as a nn, it’s a strong name in it’s own right and you will probably find this little girl will pack a punch with 2 big sisters.

Also in the [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] over [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] club, so many more modern diminutives with it too.

[name_f]Persis[/name_f] / [name_u]Percy[/name_u] also came to mind

[name_f]My[/name_f] middle daughter is [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] nn [name_u]Joss[/name_u] but she only lets a few people call her [name_u]Joss[/name_u]. We also have a [name_u]Blythe[/name_u] which, like [name_u]Arden[/name_u], is more gender neutral.

Enjoy your tribe!

10

I LOVE all your names for baby girl number 3 !! And (I know that it’s the minority) but I think [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] actually works well with [name_u]Holland[/name_u] and [name_u]Arden[/name_u]. [name_u]Holland[/name_u] and [name_u]Arden[/name_u] flow beautifully, but I think adding a [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] would be punchy and so expected! I am also obsessed with the nickname [name_f]Polly[/name_f]
[name_u]Holland[/name_u] , [name_u]Arden[/name_u] and [name_f]Polly[/name_f] - set made from heaven

Don’t get me wrong I like [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] as well. [name_u]Romy[/name_u] feels cohesive and [name_u]Holland[/name_u] and [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] share that nature/ picturesque vibe while [name_u]Romy[/name_u] and [name_u]Arden[/name_u] feel like that spunky unisex , which I love

For me there is just something so alluring to [name_f]Polly[/name_f] !

11

I wouldn’t use [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] as a first with [name_u]Holland[/name_u] and [name_u]Arden[/name_u]. I like the sound of [name_u]Romy[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] though.

12

I do prefer [name_u]Tatum[/name_u] and [name_u]Remy[/name_u], or names like those, with your other daughters’ names. I love a cohesive set.

Are there surname-y names like those that could maybe also have old-school feminine nicknames you could use, to give you the best of both worlds? I wonder…

Emery/Eme/Emy
Everleigh/Evie
[name_u]Kelsy[/name_u]
Kyndall/Kay
Makenzie/Mae
Scarlett/Etta
[name_u]Whitney[/name_u]

13

[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] seems like a better fit (over Pauline). Some suggestions for middles:

[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_u]Jude[/name_u]
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] Vista
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_u]Brooks[/name_u]

Some modern/surnamey/gender neutral ideas:

[name_u]Lark[/name_u]
[name_u]Sutton[/name_u]
[name_u]Brooke[/name_u]
[name_u]Skylar[/name_u]
[name_f]Verity[/name_f]
[name_u]Wallis[/name_u]
[name_f]Valley[/name_f]
[name_u]Sawyer[/name_u]
[name_u]Fallon[/name_u]
[name_u]River[/name_u]
[name_u]Clarke[/name_u]
[name_u]Greer[/name_u]
[name_u]Ellis[/name_u]
[name_u]Emerson[/name_u]

Some vintage-esque names that seem more modern:

[name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosa[/name_f]
[name_f]Vera[/name_f]
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f]
[name_f]Talia[/name_f]
Tamson
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f]

14

[name_u]Holland[/name_u] [name_f]Caroline[/name_f], [name_u]Arden[/name_u] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f], and…

[name_u]Brooks[/name_u] [name_u]Marie[/name_u]
[name_u]River[/name_u] [name_u]Meredith[/name_u]
[name_u]Carson[/name_u] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_u]Monroe[/name_u] [name_u]Nichole[/name_u]
[name_u]Callaway[/name_u] [name_f]Amelia[/name_f]
[name_u]Brighton[/name_u] [name_u]June[/name_u]
[name_u]Dallas[/name_u] [name_u]Sierra[/name_u]

15

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and suggestions and naming-enthusiast perspectives! I appreciate everyone who took the time to comment <3

@tori101 I know, I know – cohesion is way too important to me, I think suddenly veering into totally new territory would drive me bonkers in the long run/be a regret, totally agree. [name_m]Even[/name_m] [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] is on the edge of ‘too vintage/old-school’ and not really in line with the older girls’ names, it’s the [name_u]Romy[/name_u] that sells it, all the way. [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] is definitely my favorite for a middle name, but I would feel like I’d have to go more zippy/modern with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f], [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] sounds too vintage/not vibing with her sisters’ names. Then with [name_u]Sterling[/name_u], that’s been one of my second-guesses: wondering if it feels too harsh/lacks the softness of the other girls’ names? I LOVE [name_u]Palmer[/name_u] [name_f]Pauline[/name_f], as well, but our last name (sounds like ‘Strands’) starts with a P, and while I’d enjoy first-last or first-middle or middle-last alliteration, a three-for-one might be too much. [name_u]Sailor[/name_u] is another that’s on my short list - cousin has a daughter [name_u]Saylor[/name_u], and hubs wasn’t a fan last time around, so maybe not feasible, unfortunately! Thank you for your input!

@Greyblue thank you all, I think I needed someone(s) to side-eye me and tell me [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] wouldn’t work, realistically I love [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_u]Seren[/name_u] and [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_u]Lux[/name_u]!

@EloiseT thank you for the sweet words! And “Romy [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] is super swish” is amongst the highest of naming compliments, love that so much. [name_u]Fifer[/name_u] and [name_u]Bellamy[/name_u] were/are on the long list, totally our vibe, and [name_f]Willa[/name_f] on the middle name idea list (close to my maiden name) <3 Ooooh, interesting point about the “n” sounds and [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] maybe working better acoustically than visually. Good to ponder!

@Alix2016 excellent point! Yes, would certainly want to avoid spice rack connotations!

@shells15 thank you, another vote in the [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] column!

@All.the.names Yay, someone who doesn’t hate [name_u]Sterling[/name_u], haha! Thanks for the input!

@Mumofgirls thank you! Oooh, love [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] nn [name_u]Joss[/name_u]! Enjoy your girl pack! <3

@Ehrob Thank you for the thoughts - and Pauline/Polly validation!

@sarahjane thank you for the input!

@somemelodioussonnet I love a cohesive sibset, too - le sigh! Some love for [name_u]Tatum[/name_u] and [name_u]Remy[/name_u] <3

2 Likes
16

[couldn’t mention everyone in previous post]

@Natawa that seems to be the consensus (that I pretty much knew but was reluctant to admit to myself, I think!) Thanks for the ideas - [name_u]Sutton[/name_u] made the long list!

@metal_maddy1 love, love, LOVE surname-y ends-in-S names… should have mentioned that our last name ends in an “-s” sound, so those names don’t really work (cue my heartbreak!) Callaway/Caldwell/Callahan are on the list, thanks for the input!

2 Likes
17

[name_u]Love[/name_u] your style! I love the previous suggestion of [name_u]Penrose[/name_u]. Some other names that give me the same vibe as [name_u]Holland[/name_u] and [name_u]Arden[/name_u] are:

[name_u]Emerson[/name_u]
[name_u]Blair[/name_u]
[name_u]Sloan[/name_u]
[name_u]Fallon[/name_u]
[name_f]Avalon[/name_f]
[name_u]Eden[/name_u]
[name_u]Yale[/name_u]
[name_u]Alba[/name_u]
[name_u]Dean[/name_u]
[name_m]Foster[/name_m]
[name_m]Marsden[/name_m]
[name_f]Winslet[/name_f]
[name_u]Lennon[/name_u]
[name_u]Sinclair[/name_u]

I think [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] as a first name goes with [name_u]Holland[/name_u] and [name_u]Arden[/name_u], it just doesn’t match them, if that makes sense. But if you love it and you’re not concerned with perfectly matching your previous style, go for it! [name_f]Pauline[/name_f] may be a bridge to far as a first, it doesn’t really go with the other imo. If your goal is to match your previous style, I think [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] is a perfect middle.