We’re due with second baby girl in about 4 weeks, and are struggling to narrow down a name. We have a Gemma Claire, and have a short list for first names for new babe.
One of my favourites is Imogen, love it! But I’m worried it doesn’t really flow with Gemma, and I’m worried it sounds too similar, as we occasionally shorten Gemma to Gems, or Gemmie, at home. We live in North America, so don’t come across any other Gemmas, or Imogens.
Other names we have on the list are Nicola, Matilda, and Alice.
Thoughts on Imogen as a sibling for Gemma? Too similar if we have a Gem and a Imogen? Would we better to pick one of the other gorgeous names on our list?
I think [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] and [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] are too similar if you’re pronouncing it EM-a-jeen. [name_f]Gem[/name_f] & [name_f]Em[/name_f] are bound to happen, and would be confusing if you’re calling for one and they both come running.
Eye-ma-jeen sounds a little bit better with [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], but they share so many consonants, they kind of run together.
I really like [name_u]Nicola[/name_u] with [name_f]Gemma[/name_f]! They have a spunky vibe next to one another. [name_f]Alice[/name_f] sounds really sweet with [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], both are gentle sounding with soft consonants.
I do feel like [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] & [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] are a bit close. Probably closer than I’d be comfortable with. But if you say them always in that order, it’s less tongue-twistery. If you say “Imogen & Gemma”, that’s a challenge.
I like [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and [name_f]Alice[/name_f]. [name_u]Nicola[/name_u] might run into pronunciation issues here in the United States.
I agree that [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] and [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] are too similar for sisters. I actually know a little [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] with a sister named [name_f]Celia[/name_f]. Of your other options, I like [name_f]Alice[/name_f] best.
We might have similar naming styles. I love [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] and [name_f]Claire[/name_f] together, and both of those names were on our shortlists!!
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] was on our shortlist, too, so I upvote that one.
Others:
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
[name_f]Tamsin[/name_f]
[name_u]Mallory[/name_u]
[name_f]Olivia[/name_f]
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f] [pronounced IHM-oh-jen, right?] would be too close for me, personally.
Sagely comes to mind as one that might be worth considering for some reason
I like [name_u]Nicola[/name_u] for you! Similar to [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] in that it’s not heard as much in [name_u]North[/name_u] [name_u]America[/name_u] (even less than Gemma!) but it is such a solid and beautiful name! I bet she’d get lots of compliments on her name:) I love [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] but feel it’s too similar to [name_f]Gemma[/name_f].
I also agree that the -gen in [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] and the [name_f]Gem[/name_f]- of [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] are pretty close for siblings. It’s ways sad to pass on a name you love though. Is [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] an option for her middle name? I think [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] sounds nice!
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f] is gorgeous I understand why you love her however I agree with the berries I think she’s too close to [name_f]Gemma[/name_f].
I really love [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] she’s sweet, wholesome has cottagecore imagery attached and is so adorable with [name_f]Gemma[/name_f]. [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] + [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] are gorgeous together.
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f] and [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] are okay together for me - I can see them working. Maybe not [name_f]Gen[/name_f] and [name_f]Gem[/name_f] or [name_f]Gemmie[/name_f] and [name_f]Genny[/name_f], but [name_f]Immy[/name_f] and [name_f]Gem[/name_f], [name_u]Mo[/name_u] and [name_f]Gem[/name_f], [name_f]Mimi[/name_f] and [name_f]Gem[/name_f], [name_m]Iggie[/name_m] and [name_f]Gem[/name_f] could work.
I love [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and [name_f]Alice[/name_f] though!
With [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], I’d throw in the suggestions of: [name_f]Elise[/name_f], Madelyn/Madeline, [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_f]Libby[/name_f], [name_f]Iris[/name_f], [name_f]Harriet[/name_f] and [name_f]Rosalind[/name_f].
I love [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] nn [name_f]Immy[/name_f] so I want to encourage you to use it but it might get Gemmagen or Imogemma comments.
I think [name_u]Nicola[/name_u] works so well with [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] - and you have [name_u]Nic[/name_u], [name_u]Nicky[/name_u] or [name_f]Lola[/name_f] as nicknames. Otherwise, I would go for:
Thanks for these suggestions! So helpful to think about which names flow nicely with [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], or that are similar in style.
Thanks also for confirming what I already knew in my heart, that it would be extra effort to distinguish [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] from [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] (sigh!). We do have a little bit of time to mull over options for first names, but will probably save that middle name spot for a family name (Charlotte, [name_f]Michelle[/name_f], Josephine), depending on what the first name is.
I’m going to disagree and say I don’t think [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] and [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] are too similar at all. Maybe it’s just the way I pronounce them in my accent (Jem-ma and i-mo-jen).
If you have [name_f]Gem[/name_f] as a nn for [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] I’d consider [name_f]Immy[/name_f], [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] or just the full [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] daughter have two and three syllable names and we tend to use their full names most of the time or a completely random term of endearment (baby, missy moo, [name_f]Dolly[/name_f], coo-er etc) rather than a name related nn.
I agree now think about it - even if possibly a couple of comments, shouldn’t stop its use esp as the girls themselves won’t often introduce themselves and automatically their sister! I really like [name_u]Nicola[/name_u] with [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] but [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] works more than OK and is one of my fave names!
I definitely think [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] and [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] are too similar. I have a hard time saying their names without getting in a tongue twister. Out of the names you listed, I think [name_u]Nicola[/name_u] goes the best with [name_f]Imogen[/name_f].
