DH and I are expecting a girl, and we’ve pretty much settled on [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] for her first name. Big brother’s name is [name_m]Desmond[/name_m] [name_m]Jack[/name_m].
I’d love your suggestions on a middle name for [name_f]Fiona[/name_f]. Our last name is 3 syllables and begins with “Mc” if that helps.
[name_m]Hi[/name_m] – Congratulations! [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] is a lovely name. If you’re choosing a middle name with no considerations other than flow – meaning, you’re not looking to honor a family member – here are my thoughts. With three syllables for both the first name and the last, the middle name might ideally be one syllable or maybe two, but not longer. And because [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] ends in a vowel sound, a middle name that DOESN’T start with a vowel would probably work best so the two names don’t smoosh (technical term) together. We have a long list of one-syllable middle name possibilities for girls here – One-Syllable Middle Names for Girls | Nameberry – so one of the standard choices like [name_f]Grace[/name_f] or [name_f]Rose[/name_f] or [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] would certainly work well in terms of flow. But I of course would nudge you to consider something a bit more adventurous: [name_f]Bee[/name_f], [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], [name_f]Snow[/name_f], [name_u]West[/name_u], [name_u]True[/name_u] etc. Is there a name or word that has some resonance for you that would work here? Maybe a surname from your family tree or a first name of someone you love or word that can be adapted to make an unusual and meaningful middle name? I’m sure the Berries will have more great specific ideas. Good luck!
I’m with [name_f]Pam[/name_f] - I think a one- or two-syllable middle would flow best with three syllables in the first and last names. Here are some combinations I like!
Thanks so much, everyone. These suggestions are great! I like [name_f]Pam[/name_f]'s idea of sticking with a one-syllable middle name. We chose my son’s middle name to honor my maternal grandfather, and I think the only way we’d choose to go a bit longer is if we decided to honor my grandmother with the middle name [name_f]Judith[/name_f]. I’m considering it, but I do feel that it’s long.
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] and [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f]! In fact, [name_f]Claire[/name_f] was one of DH’s suggestions for a first name. Since [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] was a bit of a compromise on his part, maybe I’ll throw him a bone and suggest we use [name_f]Claire[/name_f] as her middle name.