Hello everyone! [name_m]Long[/name_m] time since I’ve been on NB, but this time (thankfully) I’m not expecting a baby but seeking opinions on the names [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] and [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] for a pair of fictional sisters. I know there’s a writer’s forum but I want opinions strictly on the names, who knows, maybe we’ll use one of these for a future bub…
Let me give you a bit of a physical description of each:
Both are children, ages 5 and 8. [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f], the oldest, has light-brown curly hair with hazel eyes and [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] has straight black hair cut in a bob with bangs as well as hazel eyes. The girls’ mother named them floral because of dad’s family tradition but instead of going the simple florals root i.e [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Daisy[/name_f], [name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_f]Lily[/name_f] etc chose names that are Greek in origin and complicated like her own: Euphrasia.
What are some simple go-to nicknames you’d give each girl to fit in better? [name_f]Do[/name_f] the names go well together for a sister duo?
They’re unusual, but they work. [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] could maybe use [name_f]Lana[/name_f] or [name_f]Lola[/name_f] for a nickname, and [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] could use [name_f]Amy[/name_f], [name_f]Mara[/name_f], Lis or [name_f]Lissie[/name_f].
I think [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] and [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] are wonderful together! [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] has a sleek, elegant feel to her whilst [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] feels more relaxed and carefree. [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] and [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] compliment each other perfectly and I love these two names together!
Two of my favorites! I have an [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] who is a year old. We use her full name, occasionally [name_f]Ione[/name_f]/[name_f]Ionie[/name_f], and her grandpa uses [name_f]Io[/name_f]. I considered [name_f]Isla[/name_f], which was generally well-loved around Nameberry, but it wasn’t quite right for us.
Also seriously considered [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] nn [name_f]Rilla[/name_f] at some point.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] be aware that almost the only literary use of [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] is in the [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] & [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] operetta by the same name, and [name_f]Rilla[/name_f] will be known to the [name_f]Anne[/name_f] of [name_u]Green[/name_u] Gables fans. Both are from Victorian/Edwardian era, which might or might not be a consideration for your character development.
I love [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] & [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] for sisters! [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] is an amazing name. What about [name_f]Ama[/name_f], Amar or [name_u]Amari[/name_u] as nicknames?
I think they make the perfect duo of fictional sisters. Both come from the Greek, are a bit hard to spell and have a floral connection, I think they’re awesome! I liked the suggestion of [name_f]Ione[/name_f] or [name_f]Ionie[/name_f] as a nickname for [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] and I think [name_f]Millie[/name_f] would make [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] substantially more familiar and down to earth.
