Can you help turn my top 15 into a top 5?

Girl Names
1

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] there! I had posted a couple weeks ago considering [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] as a name, but since then I have…expanded my list a lot, and would love some help narrowing it back down! I’m due in early [name_u]December[/name_u], so I don’t know the gender yet, but our boy name has been set since our honeymoon and I’m just hoping to have a top 5 to start thinking seriously about for a girl. This will be a rainbow baby, fingers crossed, after two miscarriages, so we are incredibly excited and hopeful and want to pick a name we truly love.

The baby’s older sibling is [name_f]Rose[/name_f] [name_m]Quinlan[/name_m] ([name_f]Rose[/name_f] is just a name we fell in love with and [name_m]Quinlan[/name_m] is a family surname.) We’d love to keep a combination of a name we like and a family name somewhere in the mix of firsts and middles.

The things I love about [name_f]Rose[/name_f]: it’s a classic name, easy to spell, with an adorable nickname, but it’s not overly popular (not in the top 100). With a sibling, I’m ideally wanting something similar, but I’m a bit flexible on the criteria if we fall in love with it, but one thing I really [name_f]DO[/name_f] want with the sibling name is a cute nickname for when the baby is little. And, ideally, the nickname would NOT end in ie, like [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] (but I’m flexible here.)

Our surname is similar to McKeely, so it has kind of an old west feel, so [name_f]Rose[/name_f] McKeely fits well with that. For middle names, the family names we’re considering so far are [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Claire[/name_f], [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] or [name_f]Anna[/name_f]/[name_f]Annabel[/name_f]. (In case you’re wondering, we can’t use [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Claire[/name_f] or [name_f]Clara[/name_f] for first names, as those are names of close friends’ children.) Family surnames we could consider for middles include [name_m]Fox[/name_m] and [name_u]Sinclair[/name_u].

Anyway, sorry for being longwinded, here are my current top 15:

[name_f]Tess[/name_f] McKeely
(Only problem is that this is a nickname so there’s no nickname and I don’t like the longer versions like [name_f]Tessa[/name_f], [name_f]Therese[/name_f] and [name_f]Theresa[/name_f] that could lead to [name_f]Tess[/name_f] as a nickname.)

[name_f]Katherine[/name_f] ([name_u]Kit[/name_u]) McKeely
(I am in love with [name_u]Kit[/name_u] but only so so on [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], though maybe it’ll grow on me? I do think it fits very nicely with [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and is a classic, strong name.)

[name_f]Iris[/name_f] McKeely
(I like it for the rainbow baby aspect but is it too much with [name_f]Rose[/name_f]? Also, no nickname)

[name_f]Cora[/name_f] ([name_f]Coco[/name_f]) McKeely
([name_u]Love[/name_u] this but worry it’s too popular and getting more so!)

[name_f]Lila[/name_f] McKeely
(Like it, don’t love it, and there’s no nickname, but it does look good with our last name.)

[name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] ([name_f]Emmy[/name_f]) McKeely
(This ticks all of the boxes, I think? What do you guys think?)

[name_f]Isadora[/name_f] ([name_u]Izzy[/name_u]) McKeely
(My husband loves this but I think it’s maybe too much with [name_f]Rose[/name_f]?)

[name_f]Lark[/name_f] McKeely
(I love this, but everyone in my family hates it, haha.)

[name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] ([name_f]Belle[/name_f]) McKeely
([name_u]Love[/name_u] this name and like [name_f]Belle[/name_f] as a nickname a lot, but is it too Disney?)

[name_u]June[/name_u] (Junebug) McKeely
(Weird name for a [name_u]December[/name_u] baby? Otherwise like it a lot!)

[name_f]Ivy[/name_f] McKeely
(Probably too botanical with [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and no nickname, so maybe lose this?)

[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] McKeely
(I do like this but hate all of the nicknames and have a hard time getting past that.)

[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] McKeely
(Like but don’t love.)

[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] ([name_u]Billie[/name_u] or [name_f]Mina[/name_f]) McKeely
(Continue to love the nicknames and connection to my dad [name_m]William[/name_m], who passed away when I was young, but I do struggle with the spelling and the sense that it’s a LOT of name for a little kid.)

And…I know I said I’m looking to narrow the list, but if you have any other suggestions, I’m open! [name_m]Feel[/name_m] free to give me any top five you want, with a combo of my suggestions, new suggestions, whatever you want!

Thanks so much!

2

Your list is amazing! This is tough.

My top five, based on your descriptions and how much you seem to like each one:

  • [name_f]Cora[/name_f] ([name_f]Coco[/name_f])
  • [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] ([name_u]Izzy[/name_u]) – I don’t think it’s too much with [name_f]Rose[/name_f].
  • [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] ([name_f]Emmy[/name_f]) – Though I wonder about pronunciation. I have a cousin who pronounces this like [name_f]Emma[/name_f]-lynn, but I’ve also heard [name_f]Emma[/name_f]-leen and [name_f]Emma[/name_f]-lyne.
  • [name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] ([name_f]Belle[/name_f]) – not too Disney to me! Very sweet with [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. And alliteration with McKeely!
  • [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] ([name_u]Billie[/name_u] or [name_f]Mina[/name_f])

[name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_u]Kit[/name_u] so much, but I’m not enamored of [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] either. Maybe you could try it out for awhile and see if it grows on you?

If you’re worried about the length/heft of [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f], what do you think of [name_f]Willa[/name_f]? I think you could still use [name_u]Billie[/name_u] as a nickname for it.

3

My top five would be [name_f]Tess[/name_f], [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f], [name_u]June[/name_u], [name_f]Ivy[/name_f], and [name_f]Matilda[/name_f].

What about [name_f]Thessaly[/name_f] as a full name to get to [name_f]Tess[/name_f]?

[name_f]Rose[/name_f] + [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] ([name_f]Emmy[/name_f]) is very sweet and probably my favorite!

I would think a [name_u]December[/name_u] baby named [name_u]June[/name_u] is odd, but I think most Berries would disagree with me (just from what I’ve read on other forums).

I quite like the botanical connection with [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] and I love [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] McKeeley, and it has the same feel as [name_f]Rose[/name_f] McKeeley. However, since a nickname is important to you, I wouldn’t suggest it, unless you think maybe [name_f]Vivi[/name_f] or [name_f]Viv[/name_f] works as a nickname for [name_f]Ivy[/name_f].

I really like [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], especially with nicknames [name_f]Millie[/name_f] or [name_f]Tilly[/name_f], but since you don’t like it then I would definitely say that [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] ([name_f]Emmy[/name_f]) McKeeley is my favorite option for you!

4

@ceryle [name_m]Ah[/name_m], I forgot to mention that potential pronunciation issues are the thing that has been holding me back from [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f]. I like the [name_f]Emma[/name_f]-lyne (rhymes with [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]) pronunciation, but, ideally, I would choose a name where there aren’t any alternate ways to pronounce it! Hmm.

Thanks for your top 5, really helpful! :slight_smile:

5

[name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_f]Iris[/name_f] and [name_f]Isadora[/name_f], combinations with the mns you consider ; [name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] and [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] [name_m]Fox[/name_m] - other suggestions from Name [name_u]Hunter[/name_u]

[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_f]Antonia[/name_f]
[name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Ariadne[/name_f]
[name_f]Amabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Araminta[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f]
[name_f]Isolde[/name_f]
Leonette
[name_f]Calliope[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Ambrosia[/name_f]
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f]
[name_f]Annika[/name_f]

6

I’ll say I picked [name_f]Katharine[/name_f] for my 10 year old daughter to get to a nickname and because it’s my mom’s name. I’ve definitely grown to love it in full!

I love [name_u]June[/name_u] and considered it for my baby due this [name_f]September[/name_f].

8

My favorites for you:

[name_u]June[/name_u] - So perfect with [name_f]Rose[/name_f]! [name_u]June[/name_u] [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] would be gorgeous
[name_f]Cora[/name_f] - Also perfect with [name_f]Rose[/name_f]! I think if you used [name_f]Coco[/name_f] as a nn, she wouldn’t feel like one of a zillion Coras.
[name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] “[name_f]Belle[/name_f]” - [name_f]Belle[/name_f] and [name_f]Rose[/name_f] are great together. I think [name_f]Belle[/name_f] is a neutral enough name that it isn’t too Disney, especially when “bell” is also a surname and a word.
[name_f]Katherine[/name_f] “[name_u]Kit[/name_u]” - [name_u]Kit[/name_u] is so strong and fun, and I like that it’s one syllable like [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], for its part, matches the classic, timeless feel of [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. Really good option.

[name_f]Lark[/name_f] and [name_f]Tess[/name_f] are also great options. I also love [name_f]Isadora[/name_f], but agree that it might be too much beside simple, chic [name_f]Rose[/name_f].

Another idea—since you like [name_f]Cora[/name_f] and [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] but worry about the popularity of [name_f]Cora[/name_f], how about [name_f]Coraline[/name_f], or even [name_f]Coralie[/name_f]?

I’d steer clear of [name_f]Iris[/name_f] and [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] for the reasons you listed, and [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] if you’re concerned about popularity (it’s so close to [name_f]Emma[/name_f], especially with nn [name_f]Emmy[/name_f]) and pronunciation issues. I’d also lose [name_f]Lila[/name_f] since you aren’t in love with it and double L names are extremely popular these days.

9

I like [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Tess[/name_f], [name_f]Lila[/name_f] and [name_u]June[/name_u].

I want to third [name_f]Willa[/name_f]–it would go well with [name_f]Rose[/name_f], would honor your dad without being a heck of a lot of a name, and it feels Old [name_u]West[/name_u]-y to me, probably because of [name_f]Willa[/name_f] Cather.

For [name_u]Kit[/name_u], what about [name_f]Kathleen[/name_f], [name_f]Christine[/name_f], or [name_f]Christina[/name_f]? For [name_f]Tess[/name_f], what about [name_f]Tessa[/name_f] as a full name?

Suggestions:
[name_f]Edith[/name_f] nn [name_f]Edie[/name_f]
[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] nn [name_f]Bess[/name_f], [name_f]Bet[/name_f], or [name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f] nn [name_u]Josie[/name_u]
[name_f]Sarah[/name_f] nn [name_f]Sadie[/name_f] or [name_f]Sally[/name_f]
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] nn [name_f]Lu[/name_f], [name_f]Lula[/name_f], or [name_f]Lulu[/name_f]

10

My top five would be [name_f]Cora[/name_f], [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f], [name_u]June[/name_u], [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], and [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]. If I had to pick a sixth, it’d be [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. I either don’t like or don’t think [name_f]Rose[/name_f] goes well with the others.

11

I adore [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f], especially in your case, I think it is so special and it’s such a striking name. Is it a lot? yeah, but my daughters name is [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f], which has the same length and it’s never been an issue, especially since we use short nicknames ([name_f]Evie[/name_f] / [name_f]Eve[/name_f] / [name_f]Eva[/name_f]). I think [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] are such a lovely match.

12

[name_u]June[/name_u]
[name_f]Katherine[/name_f]
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]
[name_f]Iris[/name_f]
[name_f]Isadora[/name_f]

13

From your list the names I like best with sister [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and considering your other factors are:

  1. [name_f]Katherine[/name_f]/[name_u]Kit[/name_u]. If it wasn’t for the fact that you seem very set on there being a nickname I would say consider naming her just [name_u]Kit[/name_u]!
  2. [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]. I love that this would be an honor name. This fits all of your criteria and feels great with sister [name_f]Rose[/name_f] despite being a much longer name.
  3. [name_f]Iris[/name_f]. Again the nick name issue comes up, but this goes so well with [name_f]Rose[/name_f], with your last name, and with your potential middles. Is a nn that important?
  4. [name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f]. [name_f]Belle[/name_f] definitely isn’t too Disney, the alliteration is darling here, and goes great with [name_f]Rose[/name_f].
  5. [name_f]Lark[/name_f]. Sounds great with your last name, works great with sister [name_f]Rose[/name_f], and you love it enough that you don’t seem to mind the lack of a nn. If you can get past the nay sayers in your family this is an excellent choice.

Fave combos:
[name_u]Kit[/name_u] [name_u]Sinclair[/name_u]
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] [name_m]Fox[/name_m]
[name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] [name_m]Fox[/name_m]
[name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_u]Sinclair[/name_u]

Again I love [name_f]Lark[/name_f] but I’m not sure either middle your considering works spectacularly with it.
[name_u]Sinclair[/name_u] wouldn’t be too bad though.

14

@geeknamezyo [name_f]Coraline[/name_f] is such a lovely suggestion, but we know a little [name_f]Coraline[/name_f] and she’s a good friend of our daughter’s. Luckily, they don’t call her [name_f]Cora[/name_f] as a nickname, so I think [name_f]Cora[/name_f] is still okay! Thanks for your list, it was super helpful.

Thanks so much, everyone! This feedback has been really great! I think I’m getting close to a top 5.

15

My top five for you, based on what you’ve said about each name would be these five. I’ll add any other thoughts I have next to each name.

• [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] “[name_u]Kit[/name_u]”- Has the same effortless classic beauty as [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. [name_u]Kit[/name_u] is such a cute and spunky nickname too! [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] itself may grow on you, and in any case it will definitely be a name that serves her well due to how familiar it is.

• [name_f]Cora[/name_f] “[name_f]Coco[/name_f]”- [name_u]Love[/name_u] the idea of [name_f]Coco[/name_f] for a baby’s nickname. [name_f]Cora[/name_f] also matches [name_f]Rose[/name_f]'s strong beauty. I personally have not met any Coras so I don’t think it’s at a level of popularity where she’d be one of five in a class or anything drastic.

• [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] “[name_f]Emmy[/name_f]”- I think this does tick a lot of boxes for you. The only downside is the pronunciation differences. That said, I wouldn’t count it out. It stands out compared to some of the other names I didn’t include because it seems like you like it a bit more and the “downside” isn’t as strong as some of the other options.

• [name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] “[name_f]Belle[/name_f]”- It’s a little frilly for me, but it is beautiful and [name_f]Belle[/name_f] would go good with [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. I do see the Disney connection but I don’t think it’s a reason to cross this name off. Besides, they won’t always be introduced together for the rest of their lives.

• [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] “[name_u]Billie[/name_u]” or “[name_f]Mina[/name_f]”- I like both nickname options, and love the sentimental pull of this name for you. Honestly I think [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] and [name_f]Rose[/name_f] go splendidly together, regardless of their difference in length. They give me similar vibes of feistiness.

Combos:
• [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
• [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f] - favorite
• [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] [name_m]Fox[/name_m] - this would be cute as a baby fox is a kit!
• [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] [name_u]Sinclair[/name_u]

• [name_f]Cora[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
• [name_f]Cora[/name_f] [name_u]Sinclair[/name_u] - favorite

• [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
• [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f]
• [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] [name_m]Fox[/name_m] - favorite; something about it feels so perfect

• [name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] [name_u]Sinclair[/name_u]
• [name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] [name_m]Fox[/name_m] - favorite

• [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
• [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] - favorite; [name_f]Claire[/name_f] is light (no pun intended) and balances out [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] nicely
• [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] [name_m]Fox[/name_m]

16

I like

[name_f]Iris[/name_f] which is nice with [name_f]Rose[/name_f]

[name_f]Tressa[/name_f] nn [name_f]Tess[/name_f]

[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]

[name_u]June[/name_u] (though not Junebug out of the house!)

[name_f]Isadora[/name_f]

17

I really like [name_f]Tess[/name_f] Mckeely , [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Miriam[/name_f]. [name_m]How[/name_m] about -

[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] Mckeely “[name_f]Dot[/name_f]”
[name_f]Georgiana[/name_f] Mckeely “[name_u]Georgie[/name_u]” , “[name_f]Giana[/name_f]” or “[name_f]Gigi[/name_f]”
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f] Mckeely “[name_f]Gem[/name_f]”
[name_f]Carolina[/name_f] Mckeely “[name_f]Lina[/name_f]” , “[name_f]Carol[/name_f]” or “Roli”
[name_f]Valeria[/name_f] Mckeely “[name_f]Lea[/name_f]” “[name_u]Val[/name_u]” or “[name_f]Valley[/name_f]”
[name_f]Jasmine[/name_f] Mckeely “[name_u]Jazz[/name_u]” or “[name_m]Jazzy[/name_m]”
[name_f]Miranda[/name_f] Mckeely “[name_f]Mira[/name_f]” or “[name_u]Andy[/name_u]”
[name_u]Allison[/name_u] Mckeely “[name_u]Allie[/name_u]” ([name_u]Allison[/name_u] is a top 100 name but a lot of people say they haven’t met a ton)
[name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] Mckeely “[name_f]Belle[/name_f]” or “[name_f]Anna[/name_f]”
[name_f]Tasmin[/name_f] Mckeely “Tas” , “Tasy” or “[name_f]Mina[/name_f]”

18

I personally love [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]. Your personal connection makes it all the more great. If the spelling is a concern, have you considered:

[name_f]Willemina[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Willow[/name_f]

More generally, other names that share the same initial as your dad:
[name_f]Winifred[/name_f]
[name_u]Wynne[/name_u] (that would go well with your last name)
[name_u]Wren[/name_u]
[name_f]Windy[/name_f]
[name_f]Wisteria[/name_f]
[name_u]Wylie[/name_u]

I personally know a [name_u]Wynne[/name_u], [name_f]Willa[/name_f], and [name_u]Wylie[/name_u]. I think there are many beautiful W-girl names if that’s up for consideration.

Best of luck!

19

My favorites with [name_f]Rose[/name_f] are [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f], [name_f]Cora[/name_f], [name_f]Lila[/name_f], and [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. It sounds you love [name_u]Kit[/name_u] a lot, so I think [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] nn [name_u]Kit[/name_u] might be your best option. I know you don’t “love” [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], but if she’ll mostly be [name_u]Kit[/name_u] and you at least like [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], then I think it’s a no brainer to do [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] “[name_u]Kit[/name_u]”. It sounds marvelous with [name_f]Rose[/name_f]!

20

You have so many great options! [name_u]Love[/name_u] your taste!

My top five from your list:

[name_f]Katherine[/name_f] ([name_u]Kit[/name_u]) McKeely
(I prefer [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], but love the nickname [name_u]Kit[/name_u])

[name_f]Cora[/name_f] ([name_f]Coco[/name_f]) McKeely
(I think [name_f]Cora[/name_f] is fashionable right now, but I do not think it is too popular)

[name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] ([name_f]Emmy[/name_f]) McKeely

[name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] ([name_f]Belle[/name_f]) McKeely
(You could also use nickames [name_f]Bella[/name_f] or [name_f]Mira[/name_f])

[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] ([name_u]Billie[/name_u] or [name_f]Mina[/name_f]) McKeely
(I also love the nickname [name_f]Willa[/name_f])

Congratulations!

21

[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Theresa[/name_f] [name_u]June[/name_u] (nickname [name_f]Tess[/name_f])?