[name_f]Do[/name_f] you feel that half-siblings’ names should follow a pattern?
I don’t have children, but my partner already has two with his ex: [name_u]Toby[/name_u] (10) and [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] (7).
I like each of these names individually and I think they’re nicely matched in terms of style and feel. Clearly there’s a pattern (4 letters, 2 syllables, ee sound) but somehow they avoid sounding too matchy (perhaps because of the other vowel and consonant sounds?).
How much would you let this guide you when thinking about names for a potential half-sibling?
I don’t have any children, but I have a few family members who have half-siblings/step children. Most of them went with names that sounded nice, but didn’t necessarily match perfectly!
As an example, [name_u]Mason[/name_u] and [name_u]Miles[/name_u] are half siblings of [name_u]Owen[/name_u]. Doesn’t match too much, but I think they sound like brothers!
For [name_u]Toby[/name_u] and [name_f]Lucy[/name_f], you could go with something like [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] or [name_m]Henry[/name_m], that follow the ending in Y theme, or you could go for something like [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] or [name_m]William[/name_m]. Don’t fit the Y theme, but sound nice with big siblings [name_u]Toby[/name_u] and [name_f]Lucy[/name_f].
I think it’s mostly about using a name you both love, and maybe even including the big siblings!
I think sounding like plausible siblings is the right way to go. Fortunately, I think my style isn’t at odds with their names so we should have lots to work with. Would be a bit awkward if I was dead set on [name_f]Sophronia[/name_f] or Algenon, though
I’m glad I could help reassure you! and yes it would
Thought I’d add that for more help, you could always post your list in a new thread and ask what people think could be siblings for [name_u]Toby[/name_u] and [name_f]Lucy[/name_f]!
If I were in that situation, I’d honestly treat it similarly to naming a “full” sibling. However! I don’t think sibling names have to match at all, like it can be nice but it’s not a requirement, so I don’t think there’s much of a way to go wrong here
Some context: I am the oldest of four, and have two “full” siblings and a “half” sibling, and I don’t see the relationships as much different (it may be noted though that neither my “half” sister nor I have living parents we don’t share; I consider my stepdad— her dad, as a second father, and my own father is dead). There’s also a 20 year age gap between myself and my “half” sister.
(P.S. the reason I put “half” in quotes is because I don’t actually personally refer to my baby sister as my “half” sister, due to my own family makeup that’s just not part of it for us.)
My own personal context is why I’d do it the way I would, but I think there’s no one “right” answer and it depends on the situation and people involved. I also acknowledge that my brother and I are called Jack and John(ny), and this is a choice I intentionally made when becoming Jack, so maybe don’t listen to me about sibling names
So when I look at [name_u]Toby[/name_u] and [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] I see four patterns between the names. You do not have to follow all four but you could pick and choose on what you like.
I think you’re right I definitely want us to all be one big team and not even think about “halfs” - I guess I feel the right name could help that. But if we really loved a name I don’t think a mismatch would put me off.
I know they’re really the same name but somehow they still sound quite distinct, funny huh?
I don’t think names need to follow a pattern , but I always love finding sweet connections! I think what is most important is giving them a name you love and that is meaningful for you.
[name_f]My[/name_f] siblings and I don’t have names that are stylistically the name , but we each have 1 first name and 2 middles . All the girls also share 3 syllables (coincidentally)
I agree with this! I think more or less matching the style is a good way to go if you don’t want the new baby’s name to stand out as the “half” sibling.
But that said, even for a full sibling I don’t think you have to follow the exact pattern of [name_u]Toby[/name_u] & [name_f]Lucy[/name_f]. If there were three kids ending in Y, it might start to look like more of a pattern, but I wouldn’t bat an eye if you broke the trend after two.
And I honestly pay zero attention to the number of letters in a name. If you named the next kid [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] or [name_u]Henry[/name_u], I would notice the repeating similar sounds of two-syllable, Y-ending names, but it would not register that the number of letters was different.
I definitely want us to all be one big team and not even think about “halfs” - I guess I feel the right name could help that. But if we really loved a name I don’t think a mismatch would put me off.