Brainstorming names for b/g twins!

Name Advice
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Hi everyone!

Long time name nerd here, though not a frequent poster just a lurker. I am pregnant with b/g twins :upside_down_face: and would love to poll the group on name combos or additional ideas.

Last name is a 4 syllable Italian name that starts with D and ends in O. Looking to avoid names that start or end in those letters and most biblical names. Prefer names that are 2 or 3 syllables. I like names with nickname options, nice meanings, and very much a fan of more unisex names or using a name for the sex where itā€™s used less often. I do not want the twins names to be the same initial or match too much, just flow together as siblings.

With our first, we were team green and chose one name, Sylvan, to use either way. He was born a boy, and we call him by his full name, Syl, or Sylvie. Because of his name starting with S, I prefer not to use another S name (even though I like so many of them!).

I generally like names outside the top 1000 or top 500, but recognizable and easy to pronounce. I am probably overthinking it, but I worry a bit about a twin set having one name outside top 1000 and one name thatā€™s more popular.

One of the twins will have mn Olin, but not tied to any other mn so weā€™ll pick it after we pick first names.

Here are the lists of names I like, for making combos or to get inspiration for other names you think we might like!

Top options firstā€¦

Girls
Cosima or Cosme (nn Cosy)
Beatrice (nn Bea - bay-uh)
Florence (nn Rory)

Boys
Florence (nn Rory)
Cosme (nn Cosy)
Casper
Bellamy
Lucien
Isidore
Ariel

Other names I like for either sex:
Cecil or Cecily
Valentine - partner is worried about initials VDā€¦?
Melrose
Ira
Vivien
Leone (pronounced like leonie)
Enea
Clarence
Frances

Lately my favorite combo has been either Cosima and Florence (Cosy & Rory) or Beatrice & Florence (Bea & Rory), but it changes all the time. I know Florence is not commonly heard on boys in the US even though it is historically a male name, and I am ok with that.

Thanks for playing along!

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[name_f]Lovely[/name_f] list! Iā€™m all for reclaiming boy names, but I think it needs to be paired carefully so it doesnā€™t scream girl, for example if paired with another classic vintage sounding girl name vs if paired with another unisex name

[name_f]My[/name_f] personal favorites are [name_m]Casper[/name_m], [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m], [name_m]Lucien[/name_m], [name_m]Ira[/name_m] and [name_m]Enea[/name_m] (!)
[name_f]Cosme[/name_f] is a new interesting one for me

[name_f]Cosme[/name_f] + [name_f]Florence[/name_f] - and it works either way!
[name_m]Casper[/name_m] + [name_f]Melrose[/name_f]
[name_m]Enea[/name_m] + [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]
[name_m]Bellamy[/name_m] + [name_m]Valentine[/name_m]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] + [name_m]Lucien[/name_m]

[name_m]Ara[/name_m] + [name_m]Enea[/name_m] / [name_m]Aeneas[/name_m]
[name_f]Frances[/name_f] + [name_m]Claude[/name_m]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] + [name_m]Valentin[/name_m]
[name_f]Cara[/name_f] + [name_m]Clarence[/name_m]
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] + [name_f]Florence[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosamel[/name_f] + [name_m]Leon[/name_m] (Iā€™m thinking Spanish)
[name_f]Thea[/name_f] + [name_m]Ari[/name_m]

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This list is absolutely stunning! I love the idea of using [name_f]Florence[/name_f] on a boy, so unexpected and cool (especially with the nickname Rory). Some pairing ideasā€¦
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] & [name_m]Isidore[/name_m] (Cosy & Issy)
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] & [name_m]Lucien[/name_m] (Bea & Lucy)
[name_m]Bellamy[/name_m] & [name_f]Florence[/name_f] (Bella & Rory)
[name_f]Cosme[/name_f] & [name_m]Ira[/name_m]
[name_f]Vivien[/name_f] & [name_m]Casper[/name_m] (Viv & Cas)
[name_m]Enea[/name_m] & [name_f]Ariel[/name_f]
[name_m]Valentine[/name_m] & [name_f]Melrose[/name_f] (I wouldnā€™t worry about the VD initials, esp if theyā€™re spaced out with a middle name)
[name_m]Leone[/name_m] & [name_m]Cecil[/name_m]
[name_f]Frances[/name_f] & [name_m]Clarence[/name_m] (Francie & Clary)

More suggestions that you might like (for either gender):
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] (Cress)
[name_f]Cassia[/name_f] (Cass)
[name_m]Ambrose[/name_m] (Rose / Rosie)
[name_m]Linus[/name_m]
[name_m]Inigo[/name_m]
[name_m]Alaric[/name_m] (Allie, Ric)
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m] (Lyssie)
[name_f]Bryony[/name_f]
[name_f]Lavinia[/name_f] (Vinny)
[name_m]Peregrine[/name_m]
[name_m]Asa[/name_m]
[name_f]Fiona[/name_f]
[name_m]Laurence[/name_m] / [name_m]Lawrence[/name_m] (Ren, Laurie)

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[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] & [name_m]Enea[/name_m]
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] & [name_m]Valentine[/name_m]
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] & [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m]
[name_f]Cecily[/name_f] & [name_m]Isidore[/name_m]
[name_f]Vivien[/name_f] & [name_m]Lucien[/name_m]

[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] and [name_m]Valentine[/name_m] or [name_f]Florence[/name_f] and [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m] are my favourites. I think the latter goes best with [name_m]Sylvan[/name_m].

You might also like:

male

[name_m]Ansel[/name_m]
[name_m]Aramis[/name_m]
[name_m]Dorian[/name_m]
[name_m]Gaius[/name_m]

female

[name_f]Vashti[/name_f]

unisex

[name_f]Marlowe[/name_f]
[name_f]Romilly[/name_f] (Romy)
[name_f]Sasha[/name_f]

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Such great suggestions, and a great point about the pairing for [name_f]Florence[/name_f] helping! I think youā€™re right that [name_f]Cosme[/name_f] is the better pairing for [name_f]Florence[/name_f] vs [name_f]Cosima[/name_f].

I love the suggestion of [name_m]Enea[/name_m] and [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] together! Though not sure of the nn if any for [name_m]Enea[/name_m] and thus we could end up with [name_m]Enea[/name_m] and [name_f]Bea[/name_f] rhyming which might not work for me haha

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Love so many of these pairings!

I had considered Cosima & Isidore but couldnā€™t tell if I liked having rhyming nn Cosy and Izzy. Is that too much? I would also be nervous of nn Dory coming up because I donā€™t like the alliteration with our D last name. Even though I do like that nn!

I really love almost every pairing youā€™ve suggested :sweat_smile: I have my work cut out for me.

I love Ambrose, but have a friend / colleague named that and heā€™s the only one I know so it feels weird to use.

I keep thinking about Lawrence because it is part of my rationale for why Florence should be fine on a boy given theyā€™re almost the same name in sound. But for some reason I like Florence a lot more.

Thank you for the ideas!!

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Thank you! I hadnā€™t considered some of these pairings and theyā€™re lovely.

[name_f]Romilly[/name_f] has been on and off my list for so long, I nearly typed it into my post just now. Idk why I go back and forth! I used to like it as a good name for nn [name_f]Millie[/name_f] which would honor my great grandmother. We used her last name as my sonā€™s middle in her honor instead. I would feel a little bad double honoring her despite the fact that she certainly deserves every honor, because we havenā€™t chosen any honor names for my husbands side. They do all have his last name thoughā€¦ā€¦ā€¦ :smirk:

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[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] and [name_m]Lucien[/name_m] :star_struck: :heart_eyes:

those would be so great, both individually and with [name_m]Sylvan[/name_m]

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I actually like the little tie of the nicknames ā€“ that way they still have super individual names but are still connected! As for [name_f]Dory[/name_f], I donā€™t think that would be an issue as long as you make it clear that [name_f]Izzy[/name_f] is your preference.

Best of luck!

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I would just like to cast a vote for [name_f]Cosima[/name_f] & [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m]! They sound absolutely incredible together, not matchy but have shared sounds with the three syllables and ā€œmā€ in the middle. plus, Cosy??? :face_holding_back_tears::face_holding_back_tears: precious! [name_f]Cosy[/name_f] & [name_f]Bell[/name_f] would be the sweetest pair ever.

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I like these pairs:

[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] and [name_f]Florence[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] and [name_m]Isidore[/name_m]
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] and [name_m]Casper[/name_m]
[name_f]Ariel[/name_f] and [name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_m]Valentine[/name_m] and [name_f]Melrose[/name_f]
[name_m]Ira[/name_m] and [name_m]Leone[/name_m]
[name_f]Vivien[/name_f] and [name_f]Cosima[/name_f]

If I were to suggest some:

[name_f]Benedicte[/name_f] (nn Benny/Bennie, [name_f]Betty[/name_f], [name_f]Bette[/name_f], [name_m]Ned[/name_m], [name_f]Bee[/name_f], [name_m]Beck[/name_m], Becka)

[name_f]Astoria[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Story[/name_f], [name_m]Rory[/name_m], Asta)

[name_m]Peregrine[/name_m] (nn Perry/Perrie, [name_f]Peggy[/name_f], [name_m]Reggie[/name_m], Pip)

[name_f]Marion[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Marnie[/name_f], [name_m]Manny[/name_m], [name_f]Ronni[/name_f], Mars)

[name_m]Leonce[/name_m] (nn [name_m]Leo[/name_m], [name_m]Lenni[/name_m], [name_f]Lonnie[/name_f], Lena)

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[name_m]Florian[/name_m]
[name_m]Laurence[/name_m]
[name_m]Remy[/name_m]
[name_m]Noel[/name_m]
[name_m]Morgan[/name_m]
[name_m]Drew[/name_m]
[name_m]Zephyr[/name_m]
[name_f]Avery[/name_f]
[name_f]Sage[/name_f]
[name_f]Riley[/name_f]
[name_f]Eden[/name_f]
[name_m]Jules[/name_m]
[name_f]Ember[/name_f]
[name_f]Jade[/name_f]

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The common m sound does make this a great pair! But not too matchy at all. [name_f]Love[/name_f] it!

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Thank you!!

I hadnā€™t seen [name_f]Benedicte[/name_f] or [name_m]Leonce[/name_m] before and both are fun! I think I like [name_f]Marin[/name_f] better than [name_f]Marion[/name_f], but never end up liking it enough to add to my list.

[name_f]Love[/name_f] the pairings. Idk how Iā€™ll ever choose! [name_f]My[/name_f] partner is happy with any name but with naming my son he actually showed increased interest in [name_m]Sylvan[/name_m] and thatā€™s how I decided. Need to sit down with these pairings with him and see if any can be ruled out or in :crossed_fingers:t2:

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Thanks for the ideas!

Idk why I like [name_f]Florence[/name_f] but not [name_m]Florian[/name_m]. [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] and [name_m]Remy[/name_m] are nice! I love [name_f]Avery[/name_f] for a boy but find it to be too popular for me to use it. A friend just used [name_f]Riley[/name_f] for a boy and also too popular for me. I love everything in the Jul family but I have a nephew and a sister with Jul- related names!

I know my list has a few names that feel dark academia or fantasy but I wouldnā€™t actually call that my vibe, I just happen to like a few of the names.

Really Iā€™m unbelievably picky in names Iā€™d actually use, like probably most name nerds :sweat_smile: makes this so hard!

For example, I would prefer not to have the same ending of any of the names, but that may be the rule I break for [name_m]Lucien[/name_m] (like Sylvan). Generally I shy away from names that end in an r sound, but have broken that rule for [name_m]Casper[/name_m] because I love it. I will not use any names with man/men/son in the name.

Does everyone have all these rules or is it just me? :sweat_smile::sweat_smile:

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I love the idea of [name_m]Sylvan[/name_m], [name_m]Casper[/name_m], & [name_f]Frances[/name_f] as a sibset! Syl, [name_m]Cas[/name_m], & [name_f]Fran[/name_f]? Swoon!

Other ideas that came to mind while reading your lists:

[name_f]Celia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cloey[/name_f]
[name_f]Devany[/name_f]
[name_f]Dia[/name_f]
[name_f]Jaye[/name_f]
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
[name_f]Leona[/name_f]
[name_f]Leyla[/name_f]
[name_f]Lorelai[/name_f]
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]
[name_f]Marceline[/name_f]
[name_f]Margaretta[/name_f] (I know itā€™s long, but such great nicknames)
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]Marya[/name_f]
[name_m]Matty[/name_m]
[name_f]Maybelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Polly[/name_f]
[name_f]Willow[/name_f]
[name_f]Winnie[/name_f]
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f]

[name_m]Barrett[/name_m]
[name_m]Benedict[/name_m]
[name_f]Charley[/name_f]
[name_m]Erik[/name_m]
[name_m]Ernest[/name_m]
[name_m]Fredric[/name_m]
[name_m]Grady[/name_m]
[name_m]Hollis[/name_m]
[name_m]Lavern[/name_m]
[name_m]Maxwell[/name_m]
Raiford
[name_m]Terrance[/name_m]
[name_m]Winston[/name_m]

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I love [name_f]Florence[/name_f] and [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] for a girl! [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_f]Florence[/name_f] or [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] would be stunning.

For a girl, I also adore:
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_m]Valentine[/name_m]
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_f]Melrose[/name_f]
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Vivien[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_m]Leone[/name_m]
[name_f]Cecily[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]
[name_m]Valentine[/name_m] [name_f]Florence[/name_f]
[name_m]Valentine[/name_m] [name_m]Leone[/name_m]
[name_f]Vivien[/name_f] [name_f]Florence[/name_f]
[name_f]Vivian[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f]

For a boy, [name_f]Cosme[/name_f] is really cool! I prefer [name_m]Cosmo[/name_m], but [name_f]Cosme[/name_f] is very captivating as well. [name_m]Casper[/name_m], [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m] and [name_m]Lucien[/name_m] stand out for me.

I would create the following combos:
[name_f]Cosme[/name_f] [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m]
[name_f]Cosme[/name_f] [name_m]Isidore[/name_m]
[name_f]Cosme[/name_f] [name_m]Valentine[/name_m]
[name_f]Cosme[/name_f] [name_m]Leone[/name_m]
[name_m]Casper[/name_m] [name_f]Florence[/name_f]
[name_m]Casper[/name_m] [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m]
[name_m]Casper[/name_m] [name_m]Isidore[/name_m]
[name_m]Casper[/name_m] [name_f]Ariel[/name_f]
[name_m]Bellamy[/name_m] [name_m]Isidore[/name_m]
[name_m]Bellamy[/name_m] [name_m]Leone[/name_m]
[name_m]Bellamy[/name_m] [name_m]Enea[/name_m]
[name_m]Lucien[/name_m] [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m]
[name_m]Lucien[/name_m] [name_m]Valentine[/name_m]
[name_m]Lucien[/name_m] [name_m]Francis[/name_m]
[name_m]Isidore[/name_m] [name_m]Valentine[/name_m]
[name_m]Isidore[/name_m] [name_m]Clarence[/name_m]
[name_m]Cecil[/name_m] [name_m]Valentine[/name_m]
[name_m]Cecil[/name_m] [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m]

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I really like [name_f]Bea[/name_f] & [name_m]Rory[/name_m], they sound like such a lovely sibset :heart: I like their full names together too, [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] and [name_f]Florence[/name_f], although more as girlsā€™ namesā€¦Always a bit hesitant to give boys strongly ā€˜girlsā€™ names & vice-versa because of roll calls. But I do think [name_f]Florence[/name_f] works, especially nn [name_m]Rory[/name_m], and I just live ti so much with [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] Iā€™d go for it!
[name_f]Cosme[/name_f] feels a little too astronomical to me for a personā€™s name, but Iā€™m not sure what the association would be in [name_f]English[/name_f]. I like [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m] but I do worry itā€™d be thought of as a girlā€™s name in the US (maybe as a blend of [name_f]Bella[/name_f] and Amy) and [name_f]Ariel[/name_f] is a lovely name, but is the [name_f]Disney[/name_f] princess association too strong? I know a male [name_f]Ariel[/name_f] and he wears it alright, but my first thought was ā€˜Whaat? A male [name_f]Ariel[/name_f]? Like the [name_f]Disney[/name_f] princess?ā€™ when my cousin mentioned him. I like [name_f]Frances[/name_f]! I like the nickname options, [name_f]Fran[/name_f], Frankie/Frank & [name_f]Francie[/name_f] for more gender oriented nns are the first that come to mind, and I think it works well in [name_f]English[/name_f]! Supposing you pronounce it va-len-teen or something like that, I think [name_m]Valentine[/name_m] would get mispronouncedā€¦Also Valentineā€™s [name_f]Day[/name_f] and VD? Itā€™s lovely but maybe too much. I like [name_f]Vivien[/name_f] but I do think itā€™d get misspelled very often, so maybe [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f] or [name_f]Vivian[/name_f]? I think it works much better as a girlā€™s name though, as does [name_f]Melrose[/name_f] (both [name_m]Mel[/name_m] & [name_f]Rose[/name_f] feel very female). Especially love [name_m]Leone[/name_m]! Might get misspelled & maybe mispronounced, though, but I love it anyway.
Combos (apart from wonderful [name_f]Florence[/name_f] & Beatrice):
[name_m]Leone[/name_m] & [name_f]Frances[/name_f] (Leone sounds like a girlā€™s name, but I can see it as a boyā€™s name too? Especially nn Leo)
[name_m]Valentine[/name_m] and [name_f]Melrose[/name_f]
[name_m]Lucien[/name_m] and [name_f]Florence[/name_f]
Some additional names:
[name_f]Melissa[/name_f] / [name_f]Melisse[/name_f]
[name_f]Melina[/name_f] / [name_f]Meline[/name_f]
[name_f]Isadora[/name_f]
[name_f]Pandora[/name_f]
Rosane/ [name_f]Rosanne[/name_f]
[name_f]Bellarose[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucille[/name_f] (nn Lucy?)
[name_f]Vivian[/name_f] / [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f] / [name_f]Viviane[/name_f]
[name_f]Valentina[/name_f] / [name_m]Valentin[/name_m] (Valentin could fix the pronunciation, I think)
Melara
[name_f]Arielle[/name_f] / [name_f]Ariella[/name_f]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] (nn [name_m]Rory[/name_m] or Theo?)
[name_f]Leodora[/name_f]
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f] (nn Rory?)
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] (nn Rory?)
[name_f]Melora[/name_f]
Also [name_m]Rory[/name_m] works with a sketch for so many names. Itā€™s one of my favorite nns! [name_f]Isadora[/name_f], [name_f]Pandora[/name_f], [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], [name_f]Leodora[/name_f], [name_f]Aurora[/name_f], [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], Meloraā€¦
Good luck!

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All valid concerns. I know a bunch of the names Iā€™m willing to use for either sex are not the norm for everyone. I want to push the limit, but I also donā€™t want my child to be embarrassed by their name so itā€™s a lot to consider!

[name_f]Cosme[/name_f] has the meaning order, beauty, universe and I do love those meanings! But itā€™s a pretty out there name, in 2023 it was used for 10 boys and thatā€™s it!
I find [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m] to be such a funny name in the US because some people feel VERY strongly that itā€™s a clearly masculine name, while to me I can totally see why itā€™s rising in popularity for girls for the reasons you mentioned! It was used for almost equal numbers of boys and girls in 2023. I donā€™t care if people think itā€™s more of a girls name, people will adjust their understanding just like you did with [name_f]Ariel[/name_f]! Living in the city, I know both male and female Ariels.
Weā€™d pronounce [name_m]Valentine[/name_m] like the holiday, so no pronunciation concerns there.

I was recently thinking about names where I worry about them getting mispronounced, like [name_m]Leone[/name_m], or [name_m]Lionel[/name_m] (love the Messi pronunciation and not the big bang theory one), or [name_m]Lucien[/name_m] (vs Lucian). And I found it funny that I was worried about it for those names, but not for [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f], which has like 5 pronunciations lol! I figure weā€™ll pick one and correct people and itā€™ll be fine. [name_f]My[/name_f] name is constantly mistaken for a more common name thatā€™s spelled and said differently and it doesnā€™t bother me to correct people.

[name_f]Isadora[/name_f] nn [name_m]Rory[/name_m] is also lovely! Maybe not obvious from my post, but I almost never go for a ending female names. [name_f]Cosima[/name_f] is by far the most traditionally feminine name I like and I think thatā€™s mainly bc I prefer it to [name_f]Cosme[/name_f] and itā€™s so rare that it still appeals to me.

I love the nn [name_m]Rory[/name_m] also, though I am not sure I like how popular it is as a standalone name if we will be using the nn a lot!

Thanks for sharing your impressions and ideas! Itā€™s helpful to hear reactions so I can decide if Iā€™m cool with peopleā€™s potential first impressions, enough so to be able to still use the name.

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[name_f]Cecily[/name_f] and [name_m]Lucien[/name_m] are nice together
[name_m]Or[/name_m] [name_f]Florence[/name_f] and [name_m]Lucien[/name_m].

[name_f]Florence[/name_f] could also have the nickname [name_f]Lori[/name_f], like [name_m]Laurence[/name_m] / [name_m]Laurie[/name_m], like in [name_m]Little[/name_m] Women.

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