[name_m]Hi[/name_m] there!
I am trying to name a little sister for [name_f]Nell[/name_f].
Names on my shortlist and why I’m overthinking them!
[name_f]Ailsa[/name_f] (not sure if too similar to v popular [name_f]Isla[/name_f] or will get confused with Alisa)
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] (I love it but v popular at the moment)
[name_f]Pia[/name_f] (Don’t love the meaning)
[name_f]Joni[/name_f]
[name_f]Vera[/name_f]
Surname is fairly long and non-Anglo so want a name that is short, easy to say and spell I don’t love alliteration so avoiding names starting with M!
What would you choose? Hit me with any suggestions, or help in narrowing down this list!
[name_f]Welcome[/name_f] to Nameberry!
From your current list, my favorites are definitely [name_f]Grace[/name_f], [name_f]Pia[/name_f], & [name_f]Vera[/name_f]! I don’t think popularity should be an issue as long as you really love the name, and I feel [name_f]Grace[/name_f] isn’t as popular today as she used to be (she ranks #39 in the US, which isn’t bad at all imo!). Additionally, I think sisters [name_f]Grace[/name_f] & [name_f]Nell[/name_f] would be lovely together! [name_f]Pia[/name_f] is adorable, but I agree that the meaning is a bit much… some alternatives could be Phia / [name_f]Fia[/name_f], [name_f]Polly[/name_f], [name_f]Poppy[/name_f], or [name_f]Pippa[/name_f], which would all go excellently with [name_f]Nell[/name_f].
Other names you might like:
[name_f]Amy[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f]
[name_f]Annie[/name_f]
[name_f]Tilda[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Etta[/name_f]
[name_f]Ada[/name_f]
[name_f]Iris[/name_f]
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Ida[/name_f]
[name_f]Birdie[/name_f]
[name_f]Edie[/name_f]
I really like [name_f]Joni[/name_f] or [name_f]Vera[/name_f] with big sister N e l l ’ s name!
N e l l & [name_f]Vera[/name_f] sound vibrantly vintage (I’m getting flapper energy from them) while the combination of N e l l & [name_f]Joni[/name_f] is more sweetly melodic (I feel like these 2 could be traveling cross country in a 70s style van)
As for suggestions:
[name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_m]Jovi[/name_m]
[name_f]Twyla[/name_f]
[name_f]Ruby[/name_f]
[name_f]Bronte[/name_f]
[name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_f]Wilda[/name_f]
[name_m]Kit[/name_m]
[name_f]Dottie[/name_f]
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Evie[/name_f]
[name_f]Glory[/name_f] (similar vibe to [name_f]Grace[/name_f] but less common)
[name_f]Nell[/name_f] is such a wonderful name! I love your list, my favorite is [name_f]Vera[/name_f], it feels so natural stylistically next to [name_f]Nell[/name_f], it’s familiar enough to be paired with any last name, and it feels like a timeless pick that hasn’t been heard in a little while! [name_f]Grace[/name_f] would be my runner up, it is a lovely name! And while it is quite popular, it’s not trendy. I do like [name_f]Ailsa[/name_f], but I fear it would be confused with [name_f]Alisa[/name_f], [name_f]Isla[/name_f], [name_f]Elsa[/name_f], and others
I think all of those are fine options, except [name_f]Pia[/name_f]. You don’t like the meaning and there are few names I’ve heard more inviting of teasing. [name_m]Just[/name_m] my thoughts.
I really like [name_f]Grace[/name_f] with [name_f]Nell[/name_f]. I think they have a similar vibe.
Other ideas:
[name_f]Fia[/name_f] - means wild or weaver
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f] - they can shine together since [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] also means light
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] - bright, clear
[name_f]Yara[/name_f] - friend, helper
[name_f]Anne[/name_f] - grace
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] - happiness
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Alora[/name_f]
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]
I do think [name_f]Ailsa[/name_f] is likely to get confused with other names. [name_f]Grace[/name_f] does seem popular. I’m liking [name_f]Joni[/name_f] the most with [name_f]Nell[/name_f] out of your remaining choices, although if it were me I would probably spell it [name_f]Joanie[/name_f]. [name_f]Pia[/name_f] and [name_f]Vera[/name_f] are nice, too.
[name_f]Ailsa[/name_f] - I think it sounds distinct enough from [name_f]Isla[/name_f] - though I do think it could be misheard as Elsa… Still, I like the interesting sound and bright feel of it.
[name_f]Joni[/name_f] - very cool and sweet and confident - lovvve this with [name_f]Nell[/name_f]!
[name_f]Vera[/name_f] - it’s got a hint of vintage charm and unexpectedness but is familiar too
I’d cut:
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] - a bit unexciting besides [name_f]Nell[/name_f]
[name_f]Pia[/name_f] - if you don’t love the meaning
[name_f]Joni[/name_f] or [name_f]Vera[/name_f] - [name_f]Joni[/name_f] feels more mid-century modern and [name_f]Vera[/name_f] has that dreamy vintage vibe. Both match well!
I always love [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and think this could also fit nicely.
I’m not a fan of [name_f]Pia[/name_f]. But [name_f]Lia[/name_f] is a nice alternative
I don’t love alliteration so avoiding names starting with M!
while the combination of N e l l & [name_f]Joni[/name_f] is more sweetly melodic (I feel like these 2 could be traveling cross country in a 70s style van) 
Vera would be my next vote
