Help us name a surprise baby!

thomasina · February 19, 2026, 9:55pm

I can’t believe I’m here again after so many years, seeking help and advice to name yet another baby. With my current youngest in the 1st grade already, I didn’t think I’d be expecting again in my mid-forties when I should be entering menopause, lol, but alas, here I am with a baby due in [name_f]June[/name_f].

[name_f][/name_f]

We are 100% set on [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] if baby is a boy, but are having trouble with girl names.

[name_f][/name_f]

Here is our tentative shortlist (trust me, it was WAY longer a few weeks ago), would love some thoughts for P3ter, S@b!na, D0r0thy, Brun0 & El!za’s youngest sibling.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_f]Annabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Celine[/name_f]
[name_f]Philippa[/name_f]
[name_f]Christabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Emilia[/name_f]

river_dweller · February 19, 2026, 10:22pm

What a great list!
[name_f][/name_f]I really like [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] and [name_f]Mabel[/name_f] with your kids.

tori101 · February 19, 2026, 10:46pm

Congratulations!

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]My[/name_f] thoughts on your list

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Mabel[/name_f] ~ I think she goes well she feels spunky, eclectic and fun which I feel works nicely within your sibling set.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] ~ she’s a feminine, elegant choice that has a graceful pan European flair with the lovely meaning ‘golden’ however doesn’t have the eclectic flair off your older children.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] ~ I think [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] is a sturdy, strong, clunky cool choice that has the sweet nickname [name_f]Mina[/name_f] along with the unisex option of [name_f]Billie[/name_f]. However I do find [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] not as cohesive within your sibling set.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] ~ a charming cottagecore choice that feels wholesome and I actually feel [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] has the right flair with your older children. A great choice for your sibling set.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Margot[/name_f] ~ she’s a sleek, polished choice that feels very feminine with a pan European flair. I think [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is a great option within your sibling set a natural fit.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] ~ this name feels delicate, graceful and has this pastel pink antique lace imagery surrounding her. [name_m]In[/name_m] my opinion she feels a little too soft with your older children.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] ~ a sassy, glamorous virtue choice that I think is cohesive with your older children’s names and I think would be a pretty option.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Annabel[/name_f] ~ I think [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] is beautiful cottagecore choice with a range of sweet nicknames but again I do feel that she feels a little soft within your sibling set.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Celine[/name_f] ~ I think [name_f]Celine[/name_f] is a starry name that I feel has the unexpectedness of your older sibling set whilst feeling very sleek and sophisticated. Still I do prefer [name_f]Selene[/name_f] spelling wise and I’m not keen on repeated S initials in sibling [name_f][/name_f] sets so this isn’t my favourite.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Philippa[/name_f] ~ personally not overly keen on [name_f]Philippa[/name_f] she feels a little heavy and I’m not sold on repeated initials so this one isn’t for me.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Christabel[/name_f] ~ I absolutely adore [name_f]Christabel[/name_f]. I love [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] so much so for me seeing her on your list made me jump for joy! I think [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] is dreamy, romantic, whimsical and unexpected. I love her connection to poetry by [name_m]Samuel[/name_m] [name_m]Taylor[/name_m] [name_m]Coleridge[/name_m] and connection to suffragette movement with [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] Pankhurst. Maybe she is a little soft for your sibling set sharing similar sounds to [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] & [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] however I think the unexpectedness of [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] makes her fit. [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] with your older children does feel eclectic and sparkly.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Emilia[/name_f] ~ a lovely classic that is elegant and I love the nicknames [name_f]Emmy[/name_f], [name_f]Millie[/name_f] & [name_f]Mia[/name_f] however I feel she’s too close to [name_f]Eliza[/name_f].

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]My[/name_f] favourite is [name_f]Christabel[/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps

daisydarcy · February 20, 2026, 1:17am

Congratulations! [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is a lovely boy pick!

[name_f][/name_f]

I’m loving so many from your list, but my favorites with your set are definitely [name_f]Christabel[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], & [name_f]Mabel[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] – they all share that same familiar but slightly unexpected sound & cozy feel!

[name_f][/name_f]

If I had to choose a few to knock off the list, I’d go for [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] (repeating sounds with El!za’s name, and feels a bit more popular than your other names), [name_f]Celine[/name_f] (repeating sound with S@b!na’s name, and the vibes feel a bit different than the others to me), & [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] (same as Celine).

[name_f][/name_f]

Best of luck!

ashthedreamer · February 20, 2026, 2:25am

Congratulations on your sweet babe, and welcome back to Nameberry! [name_f][/name_f] It’s so crazy, I was just swooning about your kiddos’ names to another berry a few weeks ago (especially S@bina’s!!)—it’s so nice to see you again!

[name_f][/name_f]

I have no doubt whatever you choose will be stunning, and I adore [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] with P€ter and Brun0! [name_f][/name_f] I’ve always loved your name choices. [name_f][/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

From your list, [name_f]Mabel[/name_f], [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f], [name_f]Annabel[/name_f], and [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] are my favorites! [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] is also a perfect fit but I’m not the hugest [name_f]Willa[/name_f] or [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] fan myself. [name_f][/name_f] It would be perfect with your family though!

[name_f][/name_f]

With P€ter, S@bina, D0rothy, Brun0, and El!za, here’s a few additional ideas I think would be beautiful:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Enid[/name_f] (maybe too close to [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], but it has the vibe for me!)
[name_f]Viola[/name_f]
[name_f]Celestia[/name_f]
[name_f]Marguerite[/name_f]
[name_f]Florence[/name_f]
[name_f]Theodosia[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]
[name_f]Mary[/name_f]
[name_f]Edith[/name_f]
[name_f]Amabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Greta[/name_f]
[name_f]Zélie[/name_f]
[name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
[name_f]Lula[/name_f]
[name_f]Leonie[/name_f]
[name_f]Vera[/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

Good luck!

Victory55 · February 20, 2026, 2:28am

[name_f]Christabel[/name_f] [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] or [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] [name_f]Christabel[/name_f]

namer_gamer · February 20, 2026, 4:09am

Congrats on your bonus baby [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]My[/name_f] favorites with your sibset are [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] and [name_f]Mabel[/name_f]!

katinka · February 20, 2026, 7:57am

Congratulations! How lovely to see you around the forums again [name_f][/name_f] Your children’s names are gorgeous.

[name_f][/name_f]

For their sister, I particularly like names that are different in sound but share the same quirky, retro storybook vibe. For me, that rules out popular [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] and trendy Latinate [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f]. [name_m]Reading[/name_m] the above replies, I can see [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] is a popular choice and I do find it classy and original, but it’s perhaps a tiny[name_f][/name_f] bit fussy with your others.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]My[/name_f] top 5 for you (in no particular order):

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Mabel[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]— [name_f]Sweet[/name_f], streamlined, old-fashioned but not outdated. Quite trendy here in the UK but still under the radar in the US.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]— [name_m]Even[/name_m] longer than [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] but somehow feels less fussy, due to the sleek sound and strong meaning. [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] nicknames [name_f]Willa[/name_f], [name_f]Mina[/name_f] and maybe even [name_f]Billie[/name_f].

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Matilda[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]— Definitely storybook, definitely strong, has that slightly quirky flair and is a [name_f][/name_f] pan-European choice that feels particularly fitting with S@bina and Brun0.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Margot[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]— A little bit trendy at the moment but nowhere near as popular as [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] and with no soundalikes, which make it feel chic and distinctive.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Annabel[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]— Close call between [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] and [name_f]Philippa[/name_f] for my final spot. Both have that sweet but substantial, slightly quirky [name_f]Brit[/name_f] feel. But ultimately I like that [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] has a different ending sound and sparky nickname [name_f]Annie[/name_f] would be lovely with your gang.

[name_f][/name_f]

Good luck!

Greyblue · February 20, 2026, 8:46am

[name_f]Lovely[/name_f] options!

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Mabel[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] and [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] are wonderful. Nicely balanced between familiar and sparkly

Araminty · February 20, 2026, 9:52am

My favourites, and with your family, are in this order:

Felicity
Annabel
Philippa
Matilda

These 4 names sound like they would fully enter into the brilliant child-story-book fun that your kids sound like they’re having, while each also having the same grown-up distinctness.

persephonescrown · February 20, 2026, 10:32am

[name_m]Oh[/name_m] wow! Congratulations! I adore your names so far, so classic yet so offbeat at the same time [name_f][/name_f]- the fun, peppy side of clunky cool.

[name_f][/name_f]

With them, the names I like best are ~

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Mabel[/name_f] ~ has an adorable vintage cuddliness to her
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Matilda[/name_f] ~ sparkly, strong and literary like P3ter, El!za and D0rothy
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Margot[/name_f] ~ international and chic, I think she goes especially well with Brun0 and Eliz@
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Felicity[/name_f] ~ has a beautiful meaning especially for a surprise kiddo
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Annabel[/name_f] ~ sits in that same sweet spot of classic/familiar but underrated

[name_f][/name_f]

A special mention to [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- I feel she somehow gels with your other choices, she is really ‘wow’ but not wholly unfamiliar and has that same antique feel as D0rothy. She’s brave, but I always feel that youngest siblings of big sets can somehow pull it off?!

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]The[/name_m] others: for me personally, [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] feels too trendy and grand for your set; [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] feels too far on the clunky side; Cecilia/Celine are a little wispy and soft in comparison to your other names, I do like [name_f]Philippa[/name_f] especially nn [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] but just don’t see her with the set and there’s that repeated initial; [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] also has a repeated initial and to me is too similar to [name_f]Eliza[/name_f].

[name_f][/name_f]

Good luck!!

UnderTheRainbow · February 20, 2026, 11:42am

[name_m]Welcome[/name_m] back, and huge congratulations on this lovely new baby!

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Reading[/name_m] your older children’s names instantly reminded me how much I adored their full combinations: that perfect balance between a “moderate” first name with character and a nostalgic touch, and a bold yet rooted middle name. It’s such a distinctive and beautifully cohesive style. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], by the way, would round off the sibset wonderfully.

[name_f][/name_f]

As for girls’ names, I think your shortlist is fantastic, and truly any of them would make a splendid choice. That said, my personal top five would be: [name_f]Margot[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Mabel[/name_f], [name_f]Philippa[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] and [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f].

kachenka · February 20, 2026, 1:02pm

Congratulations! [name_m]You[/name_m] have a fantastic list. These are my top five for your family:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Annabel[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- I was immediately drawn to this. It’s sweet and spirited, classic adjacent with a great meaning.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Mabel[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- Something about the ‘bel’ names works for me. Leans more retro-vintage like D, and lovely meaning again.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Felicity[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_m]Bright[/name_m] and zippy and works equally well with classic and contemporary styles. Meaning is great too.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Philippa[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_f]An[/name_f] underappreciated classic. I don’t mind the repeating initial at all – I like that it would bookend your set. Has a different sound from P anyway.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- Similar to [name_f]Philippa[/name_f] – a classic I’d love to see used more. I don’t find it too similar to S, and the age gap would hardly lead to confusion anyway.

[name_f][/name_f]

All of these have really fun nicknames too, if you use them. I almost included [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] but left it off in the end because it reads quite young to me (perhaps because it’s very popular for kids here in Australia) and your kids’ names feel more mature/versatile.

[name_f][/name_f]

All the best with your decision!

thomasina · February 20, 2026, 1:34pm

Thank you everyone for the feedback so far. I’m still learning how to use this new forum, lol, so I don’t know how to quote someone yet (will take some time), but some things that you guys wrote that I really liked/agreed on:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Philippa[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- I love the potential nickname of [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] and Pippi!!! For [name_f]Pippi[/name_f] Longstocking, a favorite from my childhood. I don’t mind the repeated initial because like @kachenka[name_f][/name_f] said, it’ll bookend my kids. Also there’s a pretty big age gap between baby and Big [name_m]Brother[/name_m], so I don’t think it will be an issue at all.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Annabel[/name_f], [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] & [name_f]Mabel[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_m]Can[/name_m] you tell I’m obsessed with the [name_f]Bel[/name_f] names? Husband and I recently rewatched an old show called [name_m]The[/name_m] Hour which featured a journalist named [name_f]Bel[/name_f] [name_m]Rowley[/name_m] played by [name_f]Romola[/name_f] Garai and that really stuck with me, even though the character’s full name was Isabel/Isobel.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- I’m surprised many of you found this similar to S’s name! She’s one of our top contenders, and probably my husband’s current favorite.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] & [name_f]Margot[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_f]Love[/name_f] them and have loved them for ages for all the reasons you all have listed. [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] would probably be [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] or [name_f]Millie[/name_f] for short, whereas [name_f]Margot[/name_f] doesn’t have such a clear nickname… [name_f]Meg[/name_f] maybe? [name_f]Maggie[/name_f]?

[name_f][/name_f]

Our kids go by Pat/Pete, [name_f]Bina[/name_f], Dora/Dottie (Dot didn’t stick for too long), [name_m]Boo[/name_m] and Lila/Liza. [name_m]Can[/name_m] you tell we like our nicknames?

thomasina · February 20, 2026, 1:48pm

@katinka[name_f][/name_f], I’ve missed these forums in great part because of you!

[name_f][/name_f]

You’re right about [name_f]Christabel[/name_f] being a little more fussy, honestly it’s a name that for me fits right in with [name_f]Buttercup[/name_f] from [name_m]The[/name_m] [name_f]Princess[/name_f] [name_f]Bride[/name_f] or something from that universe. Of the [name_f]Bel[/name_f] names, [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] is certainly the strongest and favorite contender… With [name_f]Mabel[/name_f] right behind it. I think the [name_f]Selena[/name_f] [name_m]Gomez[/name_m], Only Murders in the Building association helped rejuvenate the name for us.

KayHarlow · February 20, 2026, 3:16pm

[name_f]Lovely[/name_f] list! [name_f]My[/name_f] favorite is [name_f]Annabel[/name_f]! I also love the nickname [name_f]Billie[/name_f] for [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]

EpitomeofGrace · February 20, 2026, 10:39pm

First of all, these are all great names. Now that I’ve seen your response my top two are [name_f]Mabel[/name_f] “Bel” and [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] “Millie/Tillie” Both names and nicknames seem to just fit with your other kids [name_f][/name_f]- they are classic but not common, vintage but spunky, and flow they flow well when spoken at the end of the list. They also still feel distinct from their siblings [name_f][/name_f]- they start with their own letter and don’t sound too similar to any other sibling name. Really I think any of the [name_f]Bel[/name_f] names would work, but there is something about the flow of [name_f]Mabel[/name_f] with rest that feels complete. I absolutely adore [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] with your other girls [name_f][/name_f]- she also matches the german vibe I get from S and B.

[name_f][/name_f]

As for trying to narrow the list [name_f][/name_f]- the three I see as “easy cuts” are [name_f]Emilia[/name_f], [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] and [name_f]Celine[/name_f] because they all feel very similar to [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] and [name_f]Sabina[/name_f]. I love [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] so it pains me to put her on this list, but you have so many other wonderful names I think its ok. [name_m]The[/name_m] other one I would cut would be [name_f]Margot[/name_f] for the nickname issue. Nicknames are important to you and while there are nicknames for [name_f]Margot[/name_f] there are no obvious ones which makes it feel like not the right fit for you.

sammaegre · February 21, 2026, 2:21am

Ranked from fave to least fave with your older kids:
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Matilda[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Annabel[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Aurelia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Philippa[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Christabel[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Emilia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Celine[/name_f]

The_Bookwyrm · February 21, 2026, 2:51am

Congratulations! [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is lovely with your other children’s names. Out of your girls’ options, I think the best matches are [name_f]Mabel[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Margot[/name_f] and [name_f]Annabel[/name_f]. I feel like these ones best capture the cosy vintage vibes of your kids’ names. I think [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is my favourite for you, followed by [name_f]Annabel[/name_f]. Good luck choosing!

Littlemotherhome · February 21, 2026, 3:25am

Mabel!! [name_f]Love[/name_f] mabel!!