Nothing is wow-ing me...inspiration needed!

Girl Names
1

Though it will be awhile before we are TTC again, I’m completely stumped as to what I’d name a sister to my daughter, [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. There are plenty of names I like well enough, but none I love as much as I do my daughter’s name.

I love the way that [name_f]Jane[/name_f] is such a simple, straightforward name that everyone recognizes. I love it’s long history. I love that it’s very wearable, and while it’s been very widely used in the past, it’s fairly unusual to meet a little girl named [name_f]Jane[/name_f] these days (I’m a teacher, and I’ve never met a little [name_f]Jane[/name_f]). I also love how [name_f]Jane[/name_f] has no nicknames, and everyone knows how to spell it. For me, [name_f]Jane[/name_f]'s beauty is in its simplicity.

My trouble with finding a sister name for [name_f]Jane[/name_f] is that I haven’t found another name that had the same feel as [name_f]Jane[/name_f] does to me. Some perfectly gorgeous names feel too dull as a sibset with [name_f]Jane[/name_f] (like [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]), whole others feel too elaborate or showy when paired with [name_f]Jane[/name_f].

Here are a few names I like…and my hang-ups about each one. I’d love some opinions, and maybe some suggestions too.

[name_f]Vera[/name_f] - seems to be zooming up the charts, worried it will get too popular.

[name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] - I love the meaning, but I’m seeing mentioned on NB a lot lately. I’m also wondering if it’s mismatched with [name_f]Jane[/name_f].

[name_u]Marian[/name_u] - worried it will get mistaken for [name_u]Marion[/name_u]/[name_f]Maren[/name_f]/[name_f]Mary[/name_f] [name_f]Ann[/name_f]/[name_f]Maria[/name_f] etc…

[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] - I want to love this… I love how [name_f]Jane[/name_f] had no nicknames whereas this name has many ([name_f]Rosie[/name_f], [name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_u]Romy[/name_u], [name_f]Mary[/name_f]…)…

[name_f]Irene[/name_f] - A new addition to my “maybe” list. Not sure about it yet.

[name_f]Daphne[/name_f] - also wondering if it’s mismatched with [name_f]Jane[/name_f]

[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] - a long time favourite, but it seems so fancy next to [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. Last name begins with a P, so also worried it is too similar to [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] [name_m]Potter[/name_m].

Names I like, but can’t use include: All P names, names ending with an S sound (think [name_f]Iris[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]…), [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_f]Nora/name_f, [name_f]Ruth[/name_f], [name_f]Edith[/name_f], [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]- names, [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], [name_f]Susannah[/name_f], [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], [name_f]Celeste[/name_f], [name_f]Lucy[/name_f].

What a novel! And, I must be coming off as super picky. I feel that I’ve gone over every single name (twice) and nothing is sparking…which is really bugging me! Any and all help is appreciated.

2

The first name that popped to mind for me was [name_f]Clara[/name_f]. It’s not quite as straightforward to pronounce and you likely would get two variations (clair-uh and clar-uh), but particularly using the latter pronunciation I think it would be a very nice fit next to [name_f]Jane[/name_f].

Another name that comes to mind is [name_f]Anne[/name_f]. Again, it has some issues, particularly the fact that there are two accepted spellings (I prefer it with an E) and that it has a build-in nickname ([name_f]Annie[/name_f]). Nevertheless [name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Anne[/name_f] is a classic, simple, lovely sibset.

Some other names that came to mind:
[name_f]Etta[/name_f]
[name_f]Nadine[/name_f]
[name_f]Ida[/name_f] (similar to [name_f]Ada[/name_f] but since [name_f]Ada[/name_f] is just a middle name this might be okay)
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]
[name_f]May[/name_f]
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]

From your list I agree that [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] doesn’t feel right, but I do think that [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] is much closer. There are no nicknames for it, it is a classic name, and it is intuitive to spell. I also think that [name_f]Irene[/name_f] from your list is a good choice, although I prefer [name_f]Eliza[/name_f].

3

some ideas;

[name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Mae[/name_f]
[name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_f]Nell[/name_f]
[name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Kate[/name_f]
[name_f]Fern[/name_f]
[name_u]Rue[/name_u]
[name_f]Ada[/name_f]
[name_f]Anne[/name_f]
[name_f]Alma[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Elsa[/name_f] / [name_f]Elsie[/name_f]
[name_f]Etta[/name_f]
[name_f]Ella[/name_f]
[name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_u]Jean[/name_u]
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Bea[/name_f]
[name_f]Emme[/name_f]
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f]
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_f]Ellen[/name_f]

4

@ beort12 - thanks for your ideas. [name_f]Clara[/name_f] is gorgeous, but [name_f]Claire[/name_f] is my name, and I think they are too similar, unfortunately! I also like [name_f]Willa[/name_f] and [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], maybe I need to consider these more closely.

@abigailvictoria - [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] and [name_f]Ellen[/name_f] are both so pretty. I think [name_f]Ellen[/name_f] goes well with [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. Thank you.

5

[name_f]Vera[/name_f] & [name_f]Daphne[/name_f] sound excellent with [name_f]Jane[/name_f]! I like [name_f]Irene[/name_f], too, but [name_f]Irene[/name_f] & [name_f]Jane[/name_f] aren’t my favorite together.

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Molly[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Polly[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Libby[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Flora[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_u]Ruby[/name_u]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Evie[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Iris[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Delia[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Edie[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Edith[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Livia[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Emma[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Wendy[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_u]Vivian[/name_u]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Violet[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Viola[/name_f]

6

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and:

[name_f]Alma[/name_f] . [name_f]Addie[/name_f] . [name_f]Astrid[/name_f] .
[name_f]Belle[/name_f] . [name_f]Beth[/name_f] . [name_f]Becca[/name_f] . [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f]
[name_f]Cleo[/name_f] . (Too close to your name?)
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] . [name_f]Cindy[/name_f]
[name_f]Dawn[/name_f] . [name_f]Della[/name_f] .
[name_f]Fiona[/name_f] . [name_f]Flora[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] . [name_f]Greta[/name_f] . [name_f]Gloria[/name_f] . [name_f]Hope[/name_f]
[name_f]Kathy[/name_f]
[name_u]Lou[/name_u] . [name_f]Laura[/name_f] . [name_f]Libby[/name_f] . [name_f]Linda[/name_f] . [name_f]Liv[/name_f] . [name_u]Lisa[/name_u] . [name_f]Liz[/name_f]
[name_f]Marie[/name_f] . [name_f]Martha[/name_f] . [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] . [name_f]Maura[/name_f] [name_f]Nina[/name_f] .
[name_f]Polly[/name_f] . [name_u]Penny[/name_u]
[name_f]Rosie[/name_f] . [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] . [name_u]Robin[/name_u] (spelling reply: like the bird ([name_f]Robyn[/name_f]- [name_u]Robin[/name_u] with a Y)
[name_f]Shirley[/name_f] . [name_f]Sally[/name_f] . [name_u]Simone[/name_u] . [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] . [name_u]Sandy[/name_u] . [name_u]Sasha[/name_u]
[name_f]Tara[/name_f] . [name_f]Tori[/name_f] . [name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_f]Vada[/name_f]
[name_f]Wendy[/name_f]

7

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and:

[name_f]Alma[/name_f] . [name_f]Addie[/name_f] . [name_f]Astrid[/name_f] .
[name_f]Belle[/name_f] . [name_f]Beth[/name_f] . [name_f]Becca[/name_f] . [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f]
[name_f]Cleo[/name_f] . (Too close to your name?)
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] . [name_f]Cindy[/name_f]
[name_f]Dawn[/name_f] . [name_f]Della[/name_f] .
[name_f]Fiona[/name_f] . [name_f]Flora[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] . [name_f]Greta[/name_f] . [name_f]Gloria[/name_f] . [name_f]Hope[/name_f]
[name_f]Kathy[/name_f]
[name_u]Lou[/name_u] . [name_f]Laura[/name_f] . [name_f]Libby[/name_f] . [name_f]Linda[/name_f] . [name_f]Liv[/name_f] . [name_u]Lisa[/name_u] . [name_f]Liz[/name_f]
[name_f]Marie[/name_f] . [name_f]Martha[/name_f] . [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] . [name_f]Maura[/name_f] [name_f]Nina[/name_f] .
[name_f]Polly[/name_f] . [name_u]Penny[/name_u]
[name_f]Rosie[/name_f] . [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] . [name_u]Robin[/name_u] (spelling reply: like the bird ([name_f]Robyn[/name_f]- [name_u]Robin[/name_u] with a Y)
[name_f]Shirley[/name_f] . [name_f]Sally[/name_f] . [name_u]Simone[/name_u] . [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] . [name_u]Sandy[/name_u] . [name_u]Sasha[/name_u]
[name_f]Tara[/name_f] . [name_f]Tori[/name_f] . [name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_f]Vada[/name_f]
[name_f]Wendy[/name_f]

8

Of your list, I think [name_u]Marian[/name_u] is a good match for [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. [name_u]Love[/name_u] the suggestions of [name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_f]Audrey[/name_f], [name_f]Flora[/name_f], and [name_f]Belle[/name_f].

[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Elsie[/name_f]
[name_f]Greta[/name_f]
[name_f]Isla[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]
[name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Sybil[/name_f]

9

Some thoughts:

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Margery[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Maude[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Miriam[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Mira[/name_f]

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Helen[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Honoria[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Hester[/name_f]

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Emme[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Lucille[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Leda[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Linnea[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Leia[/name_f]

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Opal[/name_f]

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Tessa[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Theresa[/name_f]

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Calla[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Chloe[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Celeste[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Cilla[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Charlotta[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Camilla[/name_f]

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Rhoda[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Rhea[/name_f]

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Gloria[/name_f]

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Iola[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Irina[/name_f]

10

I think [name_u]Marian[/name_u] is a great choice. Yes you will have to clarify the spelling, but I don’t think it will get confused with [name_f]Maryanne[/name_f] or [name_f]Mary[/name_f]. I like [name_f]Daphne[/name_f] and [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] from your list too, and suggestion of [name_f]Cora[/name_f]. Is the -S sound a dealbreaker? I think [name_f]Tess[/name_f] would be a really good match, and [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] would be nice too.

[name_f]Annabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Corinne[/name_f]
[name_f]Esme[/name_f]
[name_f]Esther[/name_f]
[name_f]Harriet[/name_f]
[name_f]Ingrid[/name_f]
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosalind[/name_f]
[name_f]Tess[/name_f]

11

I love [name_f]Jane[/name_f] and my first thought is [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. I love [name_f]Rose[/name_f] for the same reasons I love [name_f]Jane[/name_f], it is simple, classic, feminine and beautiful without all the extra frill. They are very common as middle names and very familiar, but not very popular as first names. Unfortunately, they are both quite popular in the country where I now live, so they are out for me. I’m think [name_f]Rose[/name_f] may breaking your not ending in an -s sound rule though. It’s more of a hard s than the examples you gave though, so I am still throwing it out there!

I also love the suggestion of [name_f]Eliza[/name_f]. I think it fits really well with [name_f]Jane[/name_f].

On your list, I like [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] is lovely with [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. I don’t think it is too “fancy” next to [name_f]Jane[/name_f], I see both as kind of fun, spunky names with a little bit of attitude. The [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] P doesn’t bother me at all either. I wouldn’t have even realized it if you hadn’t mentioned it.

My other top choice would be [name_f]Lila[/name_f], I think [name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Lila[/name_f] is a lovely sister set.

Some other options:
[name_f]Alessia[/name_f]
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f]
[name_f]Cecily[/name_f]
[name_f]Eva[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]Maria[/name_f]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f]
[name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_u]Ruby[/name_u]
[name_f]Sophie[/name_f]
[name_f]Zara[/name_f]

My top picks would be [name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Lila[/name_f] or [name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f].

12

[name_u]Wren[/name_u] and [name_f]Willa[/name_f] both popped into my head when I read this post. Both have no obvious nicknames ([name_f]IMO[/name_f]). Both names are 4 letters which would match with [name_f]Jane[/name_f].

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_u]Wren[/name_u]

13

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and…

[name_f]Maud[/name_f]
[name_f]Ruth[/name_f]
[name_f]Esme[/name_f]
[name_f]Helen[/name_f]
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Blythe[/name_f]
[name_f]Petra[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Orla[/name_f]
[name_f]Fern[/name_f]
[name_f]Neve[/name_f]
[name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Alys[/name_f]
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Mavis[/name_f]
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f]
[name_u]Alva[/name_u]
[name_f]Freya[/name_f]
[name_f]Liv[/name_f]
[name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_f]Margery[/name_f], [name_f]Margot[/name_f], [name_f]Greta[/name_f]
[name_f]Elspeth[/name_f], [name_f]Isobel[/name_f], [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Elsa[/name_f], [name_f]Ilsa[/name_f]
[name_f]Celia[/name_f], [name_f]Cecily[/name_f], [name_f]Cecile[/name_f]
[name_f]Diana[/name_f]
[name_f]Frida[/name_f]
[name_f]Lyra[/name_f]
[name_f]Nina[/name_f]
[name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Wendy[/name_f]

14

I also love Rose!

Other names I think might be a good fit for [name_f]Jane[/name_f], hittin’ that balance of not too dull but not too upstaging, are:

Aster and Lily - just some very pretty, classic flower names.
Ivy and Robin - more nature names!
Olive and Nell - a little more ‘pre-nicknamed’, which might not be your taste.
Diane - a name that used to be very popular but I just don’t see around very much anymore.

My favorites would be [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and [name_f]Jane[/name_f], or [name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. [name_m]Just[/name_m] a very classic feel to it all :slight_smile:

15

The first one that popped into my head while reading what you wrote was [name_f]Eva[/name_f]. [name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_f]Eva[/name_f] is a stunning sibset. I also really like [name_f]Vera[/name_f] with [name_f]Jane[/name_f] (though I may be biased, it’s my cat’s name).

16

@yuma - [name_f]Flora[/name_f] is so sweet, I think I should give it further consideration. Thank you for reminding me of it.

17

Favourites are:

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Flora[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Ellen[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Martha[/name_f]

18

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_f]Kathryn[/name_f] is perfection! I can see why you’re struggling!

The first name I thought of for you was [name_f]Mary[/name_f]. Classic, pretty, easy to hear, easy to spell. And I like names that end in the “y” sound that aren’t actually nicknames. I like [name_u]Marian[/name_u] but think [name_f]Mary[/name_f] simplifies it and is more in line with [name_f]Jane[/name_f].

Some others you might like…
[name_f]Sara/name_f - I know the spelling would need clarification
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Julia[/name_f]
[name_f]Frances[/name_f]

Good luck!

19

i went to school with a [name_f]Jane[/name_f], she went by [name_f]Janie[/name_f] when we were younger

[name_f]Vera[/name_f] - with [name_f]Jane[/name_f], the pair feels dated, it hurts [name_f]Janes[/name_f] rather than helps it

[name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] - not horribly mismatched, but not a perfect pair

[name_u]Marian[/name_u] - love with [name_f]Jane[/name_f], but you are definitely right about the future spelling/hearing confusion

[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] - way too many variations and i feel paired with [name_f]Jane[/name_f], it singles [name_f]Jane[/name_f]'s age out versus compliments her simple magic

[name_f]Irene[/name_f] - love with [name_f]Jane[/name_f]! has age and substance but fresher and not such an obvious choice like [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]

[name_f]Daphne[/name_f] - not bad with [name_f]Jane[/name_f], has the same simple spark, but has a barely noticeable mismatch…but not in a deal breaker way - in an intriguing huh they [name_f]DO[/name_f] work together way

[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] - I personally dont find [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] fancy due to its age combined with the image of an English cottage (where a rabbit might be found in the back). feel while not horrible, like [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] I think it bring [name_f]Jane[/name_f] down instead of reinforcing her lightness

I like others suggestions of [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Claudia[/name_f], [name_f]Wendy[/name_f], [name_f]Tess[/name_f] (i agree it may be worth ignoring your previous rule), [name_f]Molly[/name_f], [name_f]Fern[/name_f], [name_f]Nina[/name_f], [name_f]Ivy[/name_f].

[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] & [name_f]Rose[/name_f] with [name_f]Jane[/name_f] are too basic and bring it down again vs elevating it.

[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Irene[/name_f] - brings out the classic unique magic [name_f]Jane[/name_f] has
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Daphne[/name_f] - brings out spunky part of [name_f]Jane[/name_f], keeps her relavent
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Fern[/name_f] - bring out the freshness both these names still have. both delicate, light, but both with substance (also both literary)

20

@ashleyjuliette - my favourite of your suggestion of [name_u]Simone[/name_u], which I always go back and forth on.

@emmamay - thank you for your reply…I’m glad you think [name_u]Marian[/name_u] is a good match. [name_f]Greta[/name_f] is gorgeous.

@morning_glory - [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] is an old favourite of mine. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it’s too religious for a thoroughly non-religious person to use? [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is a new love of mine…do you think it’s too “out there” next to [name_f]Jane[/name_f]?

@sarah1800 - thank you for your reassurances on [name_u]Marian[/name_u] and [name_f]Daphne[/name_f]. I think the s sound IS a deal breaker, unfortunately. My husband’s last name (the one our kids will have) rhymes with House, and I think that names ending in an S sound don’t compliment it at all. Such a shame!