"His, Mine, Ours" baby

Girl Names
1

My husband and I are expecting our first baby together, a girl, who will be younger sister to [name_m]Milo[/name_m] (his son from a previous relationship) and [name_f]Viola[/name_f], my daughter, so we would like to get some suggestions of names you think could sound nice with our kid’s names.

Names I love but he doesn’t: [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Lydia[/name_f], [name_u]Ruby[/name_u], [name_m]Arthur[/name_m], [name_m]Ezra[/name_m]
Names he loves but I don’t: [name_f]Gabriella[/name_f], [name_f]Tessa[/name_f], [name_u]Juniper[/name_u], [name_u]Gus[/name_u], [name_m]Otis[/name_m]

Something else I forgot to add: My daughter’s name was inspired by actress Viola Davis, for being a fierce, beautiful and talented black woman. I would love to get some more suggestions of names that belonged to amazing black women around the world.

2

Warmest congratulations, @ohmydarling!

Here’s an idea for you …

m[name_f]ILO[/name_f], v[name_f]IOLa[/name_f] {and} [name_f]OLIve[/name_f]

… four- and five-letter vintage names with an “i”, an “l” and an “o”.

3

I would go with something with eye sound, unless I’m pronouncing the names wrong, they are V-eye-ola and M-eye-lo, right? I would go with: [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Ivy[/name_f], [name_f]Dinah[/name_f], [name_f]Heidi[/name_f], [name_f]Lilah[/name_f], [name_u]Riley[/name_u], [name_f]Iris[/name_f], [name_f]Isla[/name_f] (silent s), [name_f]Eileen[/name_f], [name_f]Maya[/name_f], [name_f]Amaya[/name_f].

4

[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f], and

[name_f]Athena[/name_f]
[name_f]Aria[/name_f]
[name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_f]Talia[/name_f]
[name_f]Enid[/name_f]
[name_f]Jade[/name_f]
[name_f]Nell[/name_f]
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]
[name_u]Marley[/name_u]
[name_f]Raina[/name_f]
[name_u]Seren[/name_u]

5

[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Brielle[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Lyra[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Carolina[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] , [name_f]Eulalie[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Etta[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Seraphina[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Annaliese[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Liesel[/name_f] (Weird choice but I think it sounds nice)
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Bella[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Lovisa[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Liana[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Aviana[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and Avielle (Be aware though that this name is the name of one of the victims of [name_u]Sandy[/name_u] Hook so if you are in that area ignore this suggestion)
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Alyssa[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Viveka[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Mary[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] , [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and Elska

6

Ohhh I adore the [name_f]Olive[/name_f] idea…such a pretty name!!!

7

I love the [name_f]Olive[/name_f] idea, but I do prefer [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]! My concern is that maybe [name_f]Olive[/name_f] and [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] sound too much like [name_f]Viola[/name_f]…

8

Some suggestions of names of influential black women:

[name_f]Harriet[/name_f] (Tubman)
[name_f]Maya[/name_f] ([name_f]Angelou[/name_f])
[name_f]Mae[/name_f] (Jemison)
[name_f]Zora[/name_f] ([name_u]Neale[/name_u] Hurston)
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f] ([name_m]Baker[/name_m]) + (St. [name_m]Pierre[/name_m] [name_m]Ruffin[/name_m])
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] (E. [name_m]Butler[/name_m]) + ([name_u]Spencer[/name_u])
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] ([name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_m]Price[/name_m])
[name_f]Janelle[/name_f] ([name_f]Monae[/name_f])

9

[name_m]Hi[/name_m], I love the name [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Viola[/name_f] [name_m]Davis[/name_m]! And [name_f]Viola[/name_f] [name_m]Desmond[/name_m] is considered to be [name_f]Canada[/name_f]'s [name_f]Rosa[/name_f] [name_m]Parks[/name_m]. Wonderful name. :slight_smile:

[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Ida[/name_f] (after [name_f]Ida[/name_f] B. [name_m]Wells[/name_m])
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Mavis[/name_f] ([name_f]Mavis[/name_f] Staples is a legendary singer and sang for civil rights)
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] ([name_f]Octavia[/name_f] [name_u]Spencer[/name_u] is a great actress and [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] [name_m]Butler[/name_m] was a genius author whose wonderful books are being reprinted year)
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] ([name_u]Marion[/name_u] [name_m]Anderson[/name_m] was a singer who broke so many boundaries)
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Zora[/name_f] (after [name_f]Zora[/name_f] [name_u]Neale[/name_u] Hurston)

Other names I like are:

[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Opal[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Iris[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Edith[/name_f]/[name_f]Edie[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] (I like full name [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f])
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Isobel[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Agnes[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Mercy[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Alma[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Flora[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Muriel[/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Fay[/name_f]/[name_f]Faye[/name_f]

10

I was going to suggest [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] as well. [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] name, amazing actress and I like the ‘o’ connection in all three names.

I also think [name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Olive[/name_f] makes a great sibset!

11

I think I should expand more on what I want for baby’s name and our family:

I would really like our baby’s name to be connected to those of her brother and sister, even though mine and my ex’s and my husband and his ex’s processes, inspirations and all were different. I’m white and my daughter is mixed raced, so when expecting her I dove into research on black feminism and the importance of representation which obviously I never really struggled with in a racial point of view. So for me it was important to choose the name of an inspiring black woman, someone who my daughter could take strength and inspiration from.

[name_m]Milo[/name_m], my stepson, was named in an entirely different way. His mother got his name from a romantic comedy she really liked and since my husband didn’t oppose, it was it. My husband isn’t the type of person who cares much about names. He has strong dislikes, names that are “so,so” and names he thinks are “cool”. Usually the names he suggests are based on names he sees on TV or he hears on the street, there’s no research or interest in research, popularity charts, origins and meanings with him… It’s something that annoys me a great deal sometimes because your child’s name should be something you put a lot of love and thought on.

Our baby girl will be white and so theoretically there is no need for names of influential/badass black women, but I would really like a name that comes from the same sentiment as [name_f]Viola[/name_f]'s perfect name did… I’m really confused right now and on the verge of tears, probably my hormones.

So, I apologize for this giant rant and hope you’ll continue to give us ideas!

  • [name_f]Susan[/name_f]
12

[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f], &

[name_f]Mae[/name_f] ([name_f]Mae[/name_f] Jemison)
[name_f]Misty[/name_f] ([name_f]Misty[/name_f] Copeland)
[name_f]Daisy[/name_f] ([name_f]Daisy[/name_f] [name_m]Bates[/name_m])
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] ([name_f]Octavia[/name_f] [name_m]Butler[/name_m] and [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] [name_u]Spencer[/name_u])
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] ([name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_u]Walker[/name_u])
[name_f]Belle[/name_f] (bell hooks)
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] ([name_f]Audre[/name_f] Lorde)
[name_f]Ava[/name_f] ([name_f]Ava[/name_f] Duvernay)
[name_f]Ida[/name_f] ([name_f]Ida[/name_f] B. [name_m]Wells[/name_m])

Sorry to hear that you’re upset, but I think you and your husband will find a great name. Maybe you can talk about how you want your process of searching for names to be unique. I’m sure you’ll get there.

13

What about:
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Rosa[/name_f] ([name_f]Rosa[/name_f] [name_m]Parks[/name_m]) [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] this combination
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_u]Halle[/name_u] ([name_u]Halle[/name_u] [name_u]Berry[/name_u])
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Aretha[/name_f] or perhaps [name_f]Aria[/name_f]? ([name_f]Aretha[/name_f] [name_m]Franklin[/name_m])
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Ella[/name_f] ([name_f]Ella[/name_f] [name_m]Fitzgerald[/name_m])
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] ([name_f]Josephine[/name_f] [name_m]Baker[/name_m])
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Opal[/name_f] after [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] Winfrey
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Nina[/name_f] ([name_f]Nina[/name_f] [name_u]Simone[/name_u])
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] ([name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_m]Boynton[/name_m] [name_m]Robinson[/name_m])
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Gloria[/name_f] ([name_f]Gloria[/name_f] Steinem)
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Kamala[/name_f] ([name_f]Kamala[/name_f] Khan, [name_f]Kamala[/name_f] [name_m]Harris[/name_m])
[name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and [name_f]Freya[/name_f] (norse goddess of beauty and love)
Milo, Viola and Malala (Malala Yousafzai)

14

I’m sorry to hear that you’re finding name-choosing stressful. From what I understand, it’s fairly common to have trouble with a second child’s name, especially when you feel you found the perfect name the first time around. I know that doesn’t necessarily help, but it might be worth asking other parents on nb how they managed?
In case it helps, here’s some other parents talking about similar problems:

http://m.essentialkids.com.au/forums/index.php?/topic/963233-i-feel-like-ive-already-used-my-perfectname/

In case it doesn’t help:
I think it’s a lovely idea to name your daughters after inspirational women.
I’d add a few names below. Of course, there are many more fierce women out there.
Hopefully, with enough suggestions, you’ll find a name that you love and your husband thinks is cool (or, at least, doesn’t dislike).

[name_f]Toni[/name_f], [name_f]Chloe[/name_f], or [name_f]Ardelia[/name_f] (for [name_f]Toni[/name_f] [name_m]Morrison[/name_m] - pen name and birth names)
[name_f]Angela[/name_f] ([name_m]Davis[/name_m])
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] (Forten Grimké, [name_u]Ray[/name_u])
[name_f]Tierra[/name_f] ([name_m]Guinn[/name_m])
[name_u]Ruby[/name_u] (Bridges , [name_f]Dee[/name_f])
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] (Height, [name_u]West[/name_u])
Gwendolyn ([name_m]Brooks[/name_m] , [name_m]Bennett[/name_m])
[name_f]Regina[/name_f] ([name_m]Anderson[/name_m])
[name_f]Jaqueline[/name_f] ([name_u]Jackie[/name_u] Joyner-Kersee)
[name_f]Venus[/name_f] ([name_m]Williams[/name_m]. Or [name_f]Serena[/name_f], but there’s the [name_f]Venus[/name_f] de [name_m]Milo[/name_m] to link with her brother)

Other impressive American women
[name_f]Constance[/name_f] (Wu)
[name_f]Winona[/name_f] (LaDuke)
[name_f]Mia[/name_f] ([name_m]Mingus[/name_m])
([name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]) [name_f]Maria[/name_f] (Tallchief)
([name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_m]Burton[/name_m]) [name_f]Lyda[/name_f] (Conely)
[name_f]Ada[/name_f] (Deer)
[name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] (Lange)
[name_f]Helen[/name_f] ([name_m]Keller[/name_m])

Names already mentioned: [name_f]Ella[/name_f] (add [name_f]Ella[/name_f] [name_m]Baker[/name_m] as a namesake) ; [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] (add [name_f]Earhart[/name_f]); [name_u]Marian[/name_u] (add [name_m]Wright[/name_m] Edelman).

I particularly like [name_f]Rosa[/name_f], [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] or [name_f]Ardelia[/name_f] with [name_m]Milo[/name_m] and [name_f]Viola[/name_f]. [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], [name_f]Harriet[/name_f], [name_u]Marion[/name_u] and [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] fit quite nicely, too.

All the best of luck, and congratulations!

15

You all have been wonderful with suggestions! Thank you.

I particularly like [name_f]Rosa[/name_f], [name_f]Gloria[/name_f], [name_u]Marion[/name_u] or [name_u]Marian[/name_u] (can’t decide which I prefer), [name_f]Nina[/name_f], [name_f]Daisy[/name_f], [name_f]Ava[/name_f] and [name_f]Aretha[/name_f]. I love [name_f]Aretha[/name_f] [name_m]Franklin[/name_m]!

Please keep the suggestions coming, but as of now I will show these to my husband. Fingers crossed.

16

Hmm. You’ve had some great suggestions so far—I don’t have many to add, but it might be interesting to take a look at the names of the characters [name_f]Viola[/name_f] [name_m]Davis[/name_m] has played and see if you like any of those—that way, there would be a subtle connection to big sis’ name and you’d get the same great role model.

The only “inspirational black woman” names that come immediately to mind are [name_f]Dido[/name_f] (after [name_f]Dido[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Belle[/name_f]) and [name_u]Simone[/name_u] (you’ve had [name_f]Nina[/name_f] suggested, which is lovely, but I think [name_u]Simone[/name_u] goes really well with [name_m]Milo[/name_m] and [name_f]Viola[/name_f]!)

Also, I second the recommendation of my name, [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]. I really like having it ;D

And it’s so cool to see someone who has used [name_f]Viola[/name_f]! It’s my favorite name ever and I think it’s severely under appreciated, especially when the actress is so great and outspoken and has made such an impact in the entertainment industry.

17

I think [name_f]Rosa[/name_f] is a great one since it is a flower name like [name_f]Viola[/name_f] and also has the badass woman connection. I also like [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_u]Marian[/name_u], and [name_u]Simone[/name_u].

A few more are [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Athena[/name_f], [name_f]Juno[/name_f], and [name_f]Zadie[/name_f].

ETA: I also like [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]! I was a big fan of [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] Ifill who died recently.

18

[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] & [name_u]Simone[/name_u] are great ideas. Also consider [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] after [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] Bridges.