Hi Berries! Nearly 35 weeks now and baby sister still has no name! Felt so much easier naming big sis, Hazel Esther, now 7 (which you all helped with as well!) I think part of it is how long we’ve waited for this girl - nothing feels perfect enough! I think we’ve finally narrowed it down to 3. Please tell me your favorite and why! (Not needing any suggestions at this point - I’ve for sure read every name in the world by now.)
Margot - love the sound, love the nickname Gogo. Wish this baby could be named Marlowe but my partner has a bad association he can’t get past. Margot feels pretty close to Marlowe, but I worry about it becoming super popular (still bothers me this happened with Hazel). Also worry about the “maggot” spelling similarity, but don’t like any other spellings.
Olive - this has been a newer addition. LOVE the tree/nature/color connection with Hazel - our green girls!! LOVE all the beautiful symbolism of the olive tree and olive branch. Love Ollie and Liv as possible nicknames. Will she hate us for naming her after a food? I don’t even care much for olives which feels sort of misaligned in a weird way. This one feels like the most “out there” choice and makes me question “but what will people think?”
Florence - this was my #1 before I was pregnant. I like its historical/vintage roots. I feel like it elevates Hazel away from its trendiness. I don’t particularly care for Flo or Flora but know I wouldn’t have much control after a certain point. Maybe they could grow on me? Sometimes the “floor” sounds bothers me. It just hasn’t felt like “the one” for most of this pregnancy but I wonder if I will regret not using it after loving it for so long.
Editing to add: All 3 sound equally good with our last name. Middle name will likely be Shoshana, Shifra, or Ezra. We are in the Pacific Northwest (USA).
My choice with sister H@zel E$ther would be Margot Florence.
Hazel and Margot just seem to pair well. I like the Margot spelling, but have you considered Margaux.
Florence Margaux / Margot would be nice as well. I like the nicknames Flossie, Florrie and Wren.
Initially I did not realize that you already had middle names ideas. Of your choices, I like ……
I personally LOVE [name_f]Olive[/name_f] with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]! It’s always been a gp sister set for me. [name_f]Olive[/name_f] is becoming fairly popular though, as has ranked in the #100-200 zone on the charts. I don’t really think of the food necessarily, but the colour then the tree then oil and then the fruit itself. It and [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] have a lot in common while also being distinct. I also know a couple little Olive’s (one a coworkers daughter) and they get nothing but compliments.
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] seems like it is your personal frontrunner, and Gogo as a nickname is adorable! I think it’s a cute name when said aloud, but I do personally struggle with this specific spelling for the reason you mentioned. I wouldn’t say that is too much of an issue though as this is ranked as the most common spelling well above any of the rest. It is becoming more popular, but that shouldn’t prevent you from picking the name you love. Popular names are used on fewer babies now than they were 20 years ago and while [name_f]Margot[/name_f] ranked in the lower 100s it was only given to around 2000 babies in the whole US in 2024. I would say if popularity is an issue for you [name_f]Olive[/name_f] would be a better pick over [name_f]Margot[/name_f] as with all the spellings considered there are likely way more little Margot/Margo/Margauxs walking around than Olives, though [name_f]Olive[/name_f] is awfully similar to the ultra popular [name_f]Olivia[/name_f].
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] is the least popular, but does fit with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] well. I would caution against it though if the potential nicknames aren’t to your taste, but you could try to enforce a nickname you do prefer and Ren/Wren and [name_m]Ori[/name_m] are a couple of suggestions. But ultimately it’s only a two syllable name, so insisting on the full thing with most people until she is old enough to decide for herself may not be that difficult. It is a name that is also climbing in the charts, but is far behind [name_f]Olive[/name_f] and [name_f]Margot[/name_f], though it also has a lot of sound-alike names that rank highly as well.
Overall I think all three of your choices are solid and go well with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], but I definitely think [name_f]Olive[/name_f] may hit all your boxes and you seem to have pointed out fewer “cons” with it. I also think it goes best with all three of your middle options (whereas [name_f]Florence[/name_f] feels a little clunky and awkward to say with all three imo). [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is great too but if the spelling is working for you and you don’t want to pick a different one you may try out [name_f]Olive[/name_f] (or even [name_f]Florence[/name_f]) for a couple of weeks to see how it feels before she gets here? It may be a more stressful option, but you could just take all three and wait to meet her to make a final decision
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these three. They are all beautiful and sound perfect with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]! If I had to pick one, I think I’d go with [name_f]Margot[/name_f]. [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] and [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is such a magnificent set!
All of these names really work well with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] and I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them.
For your set I would choose [name_f]Olive[/name_f], it has a similar colour/nature feel to [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] and has the nicknames you like too. I don’t think you need to worry about other peoples opinions, it’s got a familiar feel to it and the Olives I have met have never been bothered by the food association.
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] is a lovely option with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] and I really like Gogo as the nickname, but it does feel quite popular at the moment if that’s going to bother you then perhaps it’d work better as a middle?
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] is also a great option, but there is always the possibility that they might want to go by one of the nicknames you’re not keen on. [name_m]You[/name_m] could always set out a nickname you do like and insist on it (Flossie, [name_m]Ren[/name_m] etc) but beyond the early years, they might decide on a different nickname. Again this could be a good middle name if you only like it as a full name? [name_f]Olive[/name_f] [name_f]Florence[/name_f] or [name_f]Margot[/name_f] [name_f]Florence[/name_f] sound lovely especially with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] [name_f]Esther[/name_f].
Margot - is probably the clearest literary match with Hazel and visually vibes the most. These make a pretty much perfect combo! Also she goes with all three of your middle name choices. I’m a Margaux spelling fan myself - but Margo does look short and simple like Hazel. With one of your Sh middles, you could use Maisie as a nickname too - just for joke, Hazie & Maisie. Maggie, Meg and Peggy are classics (I’m a big Peggy fan myself).
Olive - this is very natured themed, cosy and sweet. It’s my least favourite, though, not because it’s a word name but it’s just a little too sugary sweet and young for me. To me, it has a charming, enchanted forest feel but it seems more like a set of kids’ names. I would only pick this if you would pick it without sister Hazel and you see it as having stating power (because most of her life will be without introducing her sister first and as an adult).
Florence - this is probably my favourite name of the three (Margaux spelling and Peggy are up there though!). It’s slightly less cohesive than the other two but it definitely works - has a sort of 1940s feel - I find this the most sophisticated and “name I wish I were called” name of the three. So it would likely be my pick. But I wouldn’t choose it if you don’t like Flora, Florrie or Renny/Ren.
Of the three and given your reservations re Florence, I would pick Margot - it’s smart, lovely & so many good nickname options! Otherwise, I might try for something else.
I like [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] and [name_f]Florence[/name_f]. If you’re in the US, [name_f]Florence[/name_f] feels like the best pick if you’re wanting to avoid something trendy. [name_f]Margot[/name_f] I think will continue to rise with that cool “oh” sound at the end, and I think [name_f]Olive[/name_f] will gain traction as an alternative to [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. [name_f]Florence[/name_f] is very popular in the UK but may still feel to stuffy to Americans. [name_f]Florence[/name_f] Pugh could be changing this? [name_m]You[/name_m] could use [name_f]Flossie[/name_f] or Ren/Wren as nicknames. Anyway, all three names are good choices.
All three go really well with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]. I agree [name_f]Florence[/name_f] is the most timeless/least trendy in the US - if you don’t like [name_f]Flo[/name_f] or [name_f]Flora[/name_f], consider Floss/Flossie, [name_f]Florrie[/name_f], or Ren/Wren! My bestie has a sweet and mischievous little [name_f]Florence[/name_f] (we’re in the UK where it’s more popular) who mostly just goes by the full name but sometimes [name_f]Florrie[/name_f]. I will say that [name_f]Florence[/name_f] flows the least well with your sibilant middle name options, but I would like [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Margot[/name_f] with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] [name_f]Esther[/name_f].
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] and [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] seem so obvious together it’s hard to elaborate somehow. They always come up as a pair on here! They share a slightly old-fashioned bookish vibe. I worry slightly that you are settling for [name_f]Margot[/name_f] because you can’t have [name_f]Marlowe[/name_f], though - will that bother you in the long run?
Ooh I have a different take on [name_f]Olive[/name_f]! [name_f]She[/name_f] feels like a very cool-girl name to me. [name_m]Less[/name_m] frilly than [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], sort of sophisticated and grown-up in the way that, well, actual olives are! (I don’t know many kids who like them lol). Its vintage vibes and the muted tone of the olive colour just feel so chic on a little girl. I like that with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] they’re two nature/colour names that create a down-to-earth, cosy feel.
[name_m]You[/name_m] can’t go wrong with any of these options, they’re all gorgeous with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]!
My personal favorite here is [name_f]Olive[/name_f] [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f] She’s got the nature & color connection with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], the gorgeous symbol of peace & prosperity, and a simple but pretty sound. I wouldn’t worry too much at all about the food, especially since you wouldn’t be “naming her after a food”, but rather naming her for all the values & connections expressed above. Additionally, [name_f]Olive[/name_f] ranks at #197 in the US, which is much less popular than [name_f]Margot[/name_f] (#102), but more popular than [name_f]Florence[/name_f] (#391). She’s a familiar pick, but isn’t overused, so I wouldn’t worry about the “what will people think” question.
My choice would be [name_f]Margot[/name_f]! I love [name_f]Margot[/name_f] & [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] together, and the nickname GoGo is so fun and zippy! I also feel like you listed the least cons about [name_f]Margot[/name_f], and may be subconsciously leaning towards her. [name_f]She[/name_f] definitely is becoming more popular, but I can see any of the names on your shortlist gaining massive popularity in the next few years, so it may be something that’s unavoidable. [name_m]The[/name_m] tricky thing about popularity is you truly can never know which name will become popular. As far as the maggot issue, I personally don’t see it becoming a problem. I’ve never read it like that, and I think the name is recognizable enough to avoid it.
My second choice would be [name_f]Olive[/name_f], but i have had the same food issue with her, so I understand your hesitation!
[name_f]Olive[/name_f]: love the way you love this for its colour, nature, and charming, vintage vibes. I think [name_f]Olive[/name_f] feels like [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] – stylish-vintage revival – and I wouldn’t assume someone naming their baby [name_f]Olive[/name_f] was naming them in honour of the food.
[name_f]Florence[/name_f]: a long time love with understated elegance - grand but not too grand, sweet but strong. [name_f]Flossie[/name_f], [name_m]Ren[/name_m], [name_m]Rennie[/name_m], [name_m]Wren[/name_m], [name_m]Floy[/name_m], and [name_f]Floss[/name_f] might be other nicknames (though most of the Florences I’ve known have been just [name_f]Florence[/name_f])
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]: don’t get me wrong, I love [name_f]Margot[/name_f], but it is on the up and if you want to avoid something that gets very popular, I might be hesitant. Though I say this from a UK perspective where [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is twice as popular as [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] still, you can’t go wrong with it – cuddly but sassy, classy but bubbly
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] ~ I think [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is lovely she’s stylish sleek choice that feels very Parisian chic and elegant. However I think factors you’ve raised makes me feel that this name isn’t for you with the maggots association just being off putting.
[name_f]Olive[/name_f] ~ I absolutely love [name_f]Olive[/name_f]! I think [name_f]Olive[/name_f] is gentle, full of peace and gorgeous symbolism. I absolutely love the nature vibes along with sounding very cohesive with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]. [name_m]The[/name_m] nicknames are fun too. I love the green girls ideas dressing them in pretty green dresses with bows. Regarding the food association I wouldn’t overthink this for me I think olive trees rather than the food especially paired with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]. Finally [name_f]Olive[/name_f] [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f] is just charming.
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] ~ I really like the name [name_f]Florence[/name_f] she’s elegant, timeless name with pretty floral imagery along with other great references such as the city and [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Nightingale[/name_f]. However where I am [name_f]Florence[/name_f] is a popular option there are lots of Florence’s running around I do prefer your other options.
My favourite is [name_f]Olive[/name_f] [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f]
JS Mill would be happy that we’re not all agreeing on here! I can see your view too - and get that feel for [name_f]Olive[/name_f] as more independent and self-assured than say the more outward and girly, [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. I think the pairing got me - [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] & [name_f]Olive[/name_f] feel very stylised sweet to me (even with the muted, Autumnal colours), somewhat branded.
But your description has reminded me to look at them separately and I can glimpse your vision of an [name_f]Olive[/name_f]. [name_f]Florence[/name_f] is still my personal fave of the three but I’m now thinking maybe [name_f]Olive[/name_f] is the quiet winner for the poster - it doesn’t have the nickname or spelling concerns of the other two, and if I look at her separately, I can see her gentle strength and tailored appeal.
I think that’s exactly it, for me - but maybe I feel that way because I have a bad association with a particularly ott sugary [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] I do concede your point about the stylised feel!
[name_m]Welcome[/name_m] back! Your older daughter has a beautiful name—no wonder the decision is so hard! Here’s my few thoughts, for what it’s worth—I hope it’s helpful!
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] - Gogo is adorable! I do think you have a valid concern with Margot’s popularity, though—I just recently did some analysis on the state data from the SSA list that was just released this month, and while it’s not on the current top 100 nationally, it appeared several times on different state lists, which in my experience leads to being on the national top 100 soon after, I’m sorry to say! It has a ton going for it, but if you are hoping to avoid Hazel’s popularity, [name_f]Margot[/name_f] might be headed where you don’t want it to go.
[name_f]Olive[/name_f] - such a lovely name! I adore [name_f]Liv[/name_f] and it’s so similar to one of my personal favorites (Olivet!). [name_f]Olivet[/name_f] made sense for me because of the significance of the Mt. of Olives to my faith journey—less common than [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] (which I dearly love!), but not as tied to olives either (which I also don’t love lol). But [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] and [name_f]Olive[/name_f] is delightful, and I love [name_f]Olive[/name_f] [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f]! (Stunning!). [name_f]Olive[/name_f] [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f] has my heart.
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] - a little too vintage for my personal taste, but a lovely name all around! I think there is a plethora of other nn options besides [name_f]Flora[/name_f] or Flo—Flossie, [name_f]Fenna[/name_f], [name_m]Wren[/name_m], [name_f]Fia[/name_f], [name_f]Fifi[/name_f], [name_f]Cece[/name_f], maybe even [name_f]Nina[/name_f] as a stretch? Maybe even something like Fizzy for [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_m]Ezra[/name_m] or [name_f]Fiana[/name_f] for [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f]? [name_f]Florence[/name_f] would be my second choice, but [name_f]Olive[/name_f] had my heart for you.
Of all these, [name_f]Olive[/name_f] is my absolute favourite. Especially as a sister to [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], the two together are just darling! But I feel that [name_f]Olive[/name_f] doesn’t go with the middle names chosen.. of the three I think [name_f]Olive[/name_f] [name_m]Ezra[/name_m] sounds spunky. But I think [name_f]Olive[/name_f] [name_f]Florence[/name_f] sounds beautiful!
In this situation, I would focus on choosing my favourite first name - middle name combination based on sound, imagery, meaning and ultimately the name story you will one day share with your daughter. I have a strong preference here so that narrows it down quickly.
[name_m]The[/name_m] immediate stand-out when I saw your middle name options was [name_f]Olive[/name_f] [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f]. I feel that [name_f]Olive[/name_f], being a botanical word name with its layers of meaning, works well with all the Hebrew names you’re considering. [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f] is my favourite stand-alone name from your middle name list, and the shorter, succinct [name_f]Olive[/name_f] balances out the length, flounce and breathy sounds of [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f]. [name_m]The[/name_m] repeating ‘o’ is very aesthetically pleasing to my eye as well. I also like that [name_f]Esther[/name_f] has the star imagery and [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f] has the lily, in addition to the connections between [name_f]Olive[/name_f] and [name_f]Hazel[/name_f].
[name_m]The[/name_m] other pairing I like is [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Shifra[/name_f]. I find [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f] a bit too repetitive and I’d prefer [name_m]Ezra[/name_m] for a son. [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Shifra[/name_f] has a beautiful combined meaning, and again I feel the floral imagery complements [name_f]Shifra[/name_f]. [name_m]You[/name_m] could use [name_f]Effie[/name_f] as a nickname – I think it works for any name starting with F but I like that [name_f]Shifra[/name_f] emphasises the sound too. I worked with an adult [name_f]Effie[/name_f] (short for [name_f]Efrosini[/name_f]) who went by [name_f]Effie[/name_f] all the time professionally and she was in her mid-forties so I don’t think it’s too sweet or cutesy. [name_m]The[/name_m] name story is particularly lovely since [name_f]Florence[/name_f] has been a steady love for so long.
For me, [name_f]Margot[/name_f] clashes with your middle names options but you may personally like them together. [name_f]Margot[/name_f] also sounds like an alternative to [name_f]Marlowe[/name_f] so I don’t love that part of the name story, the way it is postioned as a lesser choice. For those reasons, I wouldn’t choose [name_f]Margot[/name_f].
I would think most of all in terms of the name story of each of your favourite combinations. Hopefully your intuition will lead you to the one that feels right for your daughter and her unique timing. All the best with your decision!
- nothing feels perfect enough! I think we’ve finally narrowed it down to 3. Please tell me your favorite and why! (Not needing any suggestions at this point - I’ve for sure read every name in the world by now.)
She’s got the nature & color connection with [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], the gorgeous symbol of peace & prosperity, and a simple but pretty sound. I wouldn’t worry too much at all about the food, especially since you wouldn’t be “naming her after a food”, but rather naming her for all the values & connections expressed above. Additionally, [name_f]Olive[/name_f] ranks at 
still, you can’t go wrong with it – cuddly but sassy, classy but bubbly
I do concede your point about the stylised feel!