Hey there,
I took 2 weeks off from thinking about baby names as i was dealing with all sorts of anxieties. Mainly stemming from the shock of finding out i was pregnant with twins so late into my pregnancy. I don’t want to come across as too negative about it because it is such a joy and a blessing but at first i was just so shocked, felt unprepared and even a little angry - towards OBGYN.
But after receiving plenty of TLC I’m now back in a positive joyous and excited place!
My question is with twins do you think its necessary to have symmetry/connection in their names?
These are Examples of what i mean (NOT NAMES WE ARE CONSIDERING)
Same starting letters in first name/middle name/or both - [name]Jack[/name]&[name]Jill[/name] [name]Daniel[/name] [name]James[/name]&[name]David[/name] [name]Joseph[/name] [name]Sophia[/name] [name]Emily[/name]& [name]Ashley[/name] [name]Emma[/name]
connection of theme i.e. twins called [name]Faith[/name] and [name]Hope[/name], or twins who have the middle names [name]Faith[/name] and [name]Hope[/name]
Equal letters in name - ex-[name]Jack[/name]&[name]Jill[/name] [name]Anna[/name]&[name]Jane[/name] [name]Jacob[/name]&[name]Henry[/name].
[name]Keen[/name] to hear what you personally think, whether its from experience or just what you would do if the time ever came.
I think twin names dont need to have cute connections at all, in fact i really really dont think it is nessecary at all! they are each their own individuals and they dont need similar names for people to know their twins after all! i knew an [name]Emma[/name] and [name]Emily[/name] who were twins, i didnt actually KNOW them they were just two girls in my year at school and they were also identical twins and they always just kinda mushed into one person in my mind though i think if i did actually know them better that might not have been the case. But if one was [name]Emma[/name] and the other [name]Rose[/name] maybe that wouldnt have happened?
i dont actually know many twins, my mum occasionally mentions [name]Alex[/name] and [name]Ben[/name] who were little red head twins she did story time with at the library! [name]Alexander[/name] and [name]Benjamin[/name] i think but just known as [name]Alex[/name] and [name]Ben[/name]. Something about [name]Alex[/name] and [name]Ben[/name] just kind of clicks i think! anyway they are probably as old as me now but will always remember them as the cute little red head brown eyed boys and their names has always stuck! Two close friends of mine are twins, [name]Sally[/name] and [name]Etta[/name] (short for [name]Henrietta[/name]) i love their names! and their younger sister is [name]Elsie[/name] how gorgeous is that! and those arent particularly matchy matchy names. Though i guess theres the double lettering…
i think its more important to choose two names that while dont sound completely odd together i guess i’m thinking a super vintage name and a super ordinary name, maybe [name]Cordelia[/name] and [name]Jane[/name] but even to me those dont sound so bad! i can even see a [name]Tegan[/name] and [name]Molly[/name] being okay! i might be too open minded but to me i think whats more important is recognising the kids as individuals and choosing names that you love separetely rather than ‘as a pair’. interestingly i’ve just realised i’ve never met any boy/girl twins!
I think twins share the same womb, possibly the same placenta, the same birthdate and the same DNA (albeit in possibly different combinations). They already know they come as a set, and most twins I’ve ever known have been desperate for some disambiguation. If I were to decide to ‘match’ them in some way, I would do it VERY subtly-- like their first and middle names together add up to five syllables, or perhaps their names have complimentary meanings in different languages.
From the first day they discovered mom was expecting twins, my parents were adamant they would not be using “matchy” names, and they stuck to that.
Now of course, it won’t be lost on anyone who has a passing interest in the British [name]Royal[/name] Family, that [name]Elizabeth[/name] and [name]Margaret[/name] are the names of the [name]Queen[/name] and her late sister. A few people commented on that afterwards, but it was not intentional!
The only thing my mom did want, was for us to have the same amount of letters in our name (fn + mn), so we were both “equal” in that sense. Therefore we became [name]Elizabeth[/name] [name]Ann[/name] and [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Mary[/name], both 12 letters.
My parents didn’t know we were identical twins until after we were born, having had a DNA test carried out, because we each had our own placenta (meaning the egg split within the first 3 days after conception). They both said they wouldn’t have done anything different though.
I’m so glad about that, because people have been known to lump [name]Bess[/name] and I together as “the twins” enough as it is, and I’m sure it would have been worse if we’d have been named [name]Mary[/name] and [name]Marie[/name] (for example).
We are expecting twins too. And first of all, don’t feel one tiny bit bad about not being unambiguously thrilled when you first got the news – it’s a shock. I started sobbing right in the middle of the ultrasound when we found out. And from what I read, that’s pretty typical. So…just be easy on yourself, okay?
But to your question: I completely agree that twins do NOT need matchy names. They’re going to share enough as it is; I think they should have names that are uniquely their own! The names we picked for our twin girls fit into a pattern with their big brother’s name, but it’s not rhyme or alliteration or anything else that jumps out at you one first glance. It’s more that all three share a style – or so I think, anyway, here’s hoping! – but other than that, they are different as can be.
I don’t have any twins in my family but in my opinion it’s much better when twins [name]DON[/name]'T have matchy names, especially when they are identical. The only guideline I would really use is that the names would have similar styles (much the same as nameberry advises for any siblings.) I was looking at a list of twins the other day and came across girls named [name]Electra[/name] and [name]Elise[/name]. To me that’s a really jarring pair.
I think that just like with any sibling names, it’s nice for them to somehow sound good together. For example, my two sons, 7 years apart, both have surnames-as-first-names and both names are somewhat nature-inspired. They just seem to go well together…and I didn’t even try to do that, actually…it just worked out that way. But in retrospect, I like how well they harmonize. Twin names definitely don’t have to be matchy-matchy…just maybe think about their consonance (as you would any sibling names).
It’s totally not necessary, especially if it bugs you for any reason. Personally, i like for there to be some connection, but maybe a subtle one - same number of syllables seems like a good example to me, it’s something a lot of people aim for (or end up with) in a family, not just with twins. I like being able to say the names together and have them sound nice, since you’ll be saying them in the same breath a lot. But a really obvious matchiness isn’t some kind of requirement if you don’t want it.
I think it’s nicer when twins have names that are distinct from each other…just because they share a birthday doesn’t mean that their names have to rhyme, start with the same letter, have the same number of syllables/letters, or share the same meaning. I think as long as both names are names that you [name]LOVE[/name], and both were thoughtfully chosen, you’ll end up with 2 names that sound lovely together. The only advice I’d give is to not use 2 totally different styles - you still want to end up with a beautifully named sibset!
I don’t think it’s necessary for there to be any link between twins that you wouldn’t want for all your children. What’s most important that you love both name equally.
Personally I like the idea of names that work together in style and are similar in length.
Or at the very least sound like they were named by the same set of parents.
For example: [name]Harriet[/name] or [name]Henrietta[/name] and [name]Felicity[/name] would work well for me. [name]Echo[/name] and [name]Henrietta[/name] would feel a little mismatched in style and length.
(I’ve been fantasying about having twin boys since I was 5 and got twin dolls for [name]Christmas[/name]. They’ve always been [name]Prosper[/name] and [name]Tristan[/name] -> the only thing that is similar about those two names is the length).
Agreeing with pps that twins do not need matching names, although I personally like there to some sort of subtle theme connecting them, like similar or complimentary meanings (my favorite kind), the same number of letters, the same number of syllables, etc. I think even beginning with the same letter can be fine sometimes, if you really love both the names and they’re otherwise pretty different. (I wouldn’t set out to do that, though, unless that’s your theme for your overall sibset.) Rhyming names are an obvious no-no, of course, and they should definitely have distinctive sounds. I have fraternal twins aunts named [name]Dianna[/name] and [name]Deanna[/name], and those names are just HORRIBLE together. But don’t feel like you have to do a theme if you don’t want to. As long as you love the names, that’s the most important part.
The only thing I would consider are legnth & style. I think as long as you match some element. Like [name]Cadence[/name] & [name]Victoria[/name] are different style-wise but legnth makes it work. [name]Io[/name] & [name]Zebulon[/name] are different length-wise but style makes it work.
That said, whatever names you pick are naturally connected by your style. Unless you pick one & partner picks the other I guess.
I think that while [name]Nina[/name] & [name]Jane[/name] sound great I wouldn’t trip over [name]Nina[/name] & [name]Marigold[/name].
I wouldn’t apply any different philosophy to naming twins than I would to any siblings. I think the names should be harmonious together and not startlingly disparate in terms of style, but they definitely do not need to match, rhyme or start with the same letter. I think it’s lovely when twins have names that don’t feel like a perfect set, but do compliment one another.
Examples:
[name]Henry[/name] and [name]James[/name]
[name]Oliver[/name] and [name]Isaac[/name]
[name]Annabelle[/name] and [name]Genevieve[/name]
[name]Madeline[/name] and [name]Elizabeth[/name]
Versus the “Matchy Twins”, which are (to me) thinks like:
[name]Adam[/name] and [name]Aidan[/name]
[name]Ella[/name] and [name]Stella[/name]
[name]Caitlyn[/name] and [name]Cassidy[/name]
Congrats on your twins! I will answer your questions as follows.
Same starting letters in first name/middle name/or both - NO, as with siblings, I think it’s best for each twin to have their own unique name (eg, different initials, non-matchy sounds etc…). If you do choose the same initials, try to ensure that the names sound and look different from each other (Good Pair: [name]Abigail[/name] & [name]Amelia[/name]; Bad Pair: [name]Aaron[/name] and [name]Adam[/name]). Also, avoid rhyming and cutesy pairings like [name]Daisy[/name] and [name]Maisie[/name], [name]Jayden[/name] and [name]Brayden[/name] etc…
Connection of theme: Themes are ok as long as you employ a more subtle approach. For example, instead of choosing two flower names for twin girls, try one flower and a gemstone (eg. [name]Lily[/name] and [name]Pearl[/name]). Personally, I like names to be cohesive in style than theme. Styles can be anything from traditional, classic, Biblical, mythological, nature, surname/unisex etc…and there can be a mix of styles as long as they’re not too strange together (B/G: [name]Isaac[/name] and [name]Hannah[/name], [name]Charles[/name] and [name]Mary[/name], [name]Orion[/name] and [name]Lyra[/name]; B/B: [name]Edward[/name] and [name]Joseph[/name], [name]Samuel[/name] and [name]Benjamin[/name], [name]Griffin[/name] and [name]Sawyer[/name]; G/G: [name]Genevieve[/name] and [name]Emmeline[/name]; [name]Avery[/name] and [name]Morgan[/name]; [name]Ruby[/name] and [name]Stella[/name], [name]Claire[/name] and [name]Grace[/name]). I like the genders to be clear (B/G twins named [name]Riley[/name] and [name]Quinn[/name] may cause gender confusion because both names are unisex and chosen for bothe sexes). I also like twin girls to have the same “type” of name. For example, I wouldn’t pair a unisex name with a frilly and feminine girls name ([name]Greer[/name] and [name]Aurelia[/name] just don’t gel for me). Please remember that my opinions are subjective and may not both other people. YOU have to decide what makes you comfortable.
Equal letters in name - It’s not necessary but try to ensure that one twin doesn’t have a really short name and the other a really long one. [name]Kai[/name] and [name]Liv[/name] would be great (one syllable, same no# of letters, both Scandinavian and/or Hawaiian) but [name]Kai[/name] and [name]Henrietta[/name] not so much.
My advice: you and your DH make a list and compare them; try to narrow down your choices; ask yourself if the names flow well as combos and with your surname (say them out loud and write them out); make the names personal (honoring family member, culture, special meaning); try to keep the names private until the birth certificate is signed; choose names that work well in childhood and adulthood and [name]DO[/name] YOUR RESEARCH to avoid any surprises in the future. Good luck on your name journey!
No, I don’t think there needs to be symmetry, but I do like a connection. They can be treated just like other sibling sets.
For example, I know a set of surviving quints named: [name]Issa[/name], [name]May[/name], [name]Meriam[/name], Rim. (listed in birth order) They’re Lebanese and speak Arabic and English, the sweetest part was that the girls names are connected: [name]May[/name] and Rim = [name]Meriam[/name] in Arabic. But that was totally unintentional, the mother had asked nurses at the hospital which names on her list would assimilate best into Canadian culture, and these names came out on top. She didn’t realise the connecton until they were about 2!
Anyway, I think you can pick names that don’t share the same letter, theme connection, or equal letters. As long as the names sound nice together!
Some twins I’ve heard of:
[name]Megan[/name] and [name]Ashley[/name]
[name]Fred[/name] and [name]George[/name] ( )
Twin sets I’ve thought of:
[name]Alessandra[/name] and [name]Emma[/name]/[name]Victoria[/name]/[name]Katerina[/name]/[name]Charlotte[/name]
[name]Nathaniel[/name] and [name]Matthew[/name] (but they mean the same thing)
[name]Alessandra[/name] and [name]Nathaniel[/name]
[name]Gemma[/name] and [name]Elena[/name]
When it comes to the prospect of naming twins I have a “rule”: If I wouldn’t do it for a singleton, I’m not doing it for twins.
I like matchy names, and they’re cute in a storybook. But my children will have individual names with a similar style. No rhyming or anagrams, themes or otherwise.
I agree with most of the others that matching is completely unnecessary, but I do think complimenting is important.
Their names are going to be said together A LOT for much of their lives, so if you name them [name]Marguerite[/name] and Cho it’s always going to feel unbalanced and strange.
While I wouldn’t try to make the names too similar or try to match them, I also would not try to make them too different to overcompensate. Like I wouldn’t use [name]Natasha[/name] and [name]Fleur[/name] for twin girls or [name]Connor[/name] and [name]Lorenzo[/name] for twin boys. Try to make them compliment one another and not clash.
To echo others, I think it’s best that there not be a connection of the sort you are talking about. Same initials, ‘set’ names like [name]Jack[/name] and [name]Jill[/name], theme names like [name]Faith[/name] and [name]Hope[/name] just seem too cute to me. And if I were a twin, I might feel that my name wasn’t really picked for me, but picked just to fit a template.
However, I feel that it’s important that there not be a disconnect in style. Twin girls called [name]Felicity[/name] and [name]Scout[/name], boys called [name]Dustin[/name] and [name]Felix[/name], b/g twins called [name]Ambrose[/name] and [name]Kayla[/name] just don’t work, in my opinion. But, as a pp said, I think that’s important in all sibsets.
I do think that it’s important for a boy-girl set have unambiguously male and female names, so, to me, [name]Chris[/name] and [name]Jill[/name] or [name]Riley[/name] and [name]Jackson[/name] don’t work.
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