We are expecting our third child (third girl). Our first two are named Georgia Rose and Virginia (Ginny) June, lovingly named after our each of our grandmothers. Coincidentally and obviously, these names are also states. Although we didn’t intend to have a “theme”, here we are. Would it be terrible to not give our next baby a state name? Will she feel left out? Will the older two be envious that she doesn’t have a state name and they do?
Our top contender is Caroline. We love the name and think that it fits the theme without being a state.
The only other state name I think we would consider is Carolina, which we also think is beautiful. However, I have a hard time picturing a Carolina in her 30s-50s.
Theodora is the only other name we currently have on our list. Is it too different from my other children’s names?
As you can see, I am totally LOST on what to do here. I am definitely open to NEW names and I will be happy to read any advice that any of you are willing to give! Thank you in advance!
P.S. if you have any suggestions, our last name is Terrell (rhymes with Ferrell/Carol)
I think you’re fine using non-state name, because [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] and [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] are already established as names. I don’t think your [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] or [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] would be left out, I think these subtle (not-so-subtle ones included) are way more pronounced to namenerds or new moms, but in reality, most people don’t notice. [name_f][/name_f]I also would say that [name_f]Carolina[/name_f] (depending where in world you live) might not be pronounced with -line pronunciation, although most people understand that in [name_f]English[/name_f], it’s not pronounced -lena.
Your girls have such beautiful names! [name_f][/name_f]I absolutely love [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] as an option – she’s got that southern, cottagecore charm that both [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] & [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] have, and is close to being a state name while not necessarily getting too matchy. I would stay away from obvious state names if I’m honest. [name_f][/name_f]I don’t think it will create any animosity between your girls, because at the end of the day all your names are long & vintage with easy nicknames, so they have the same feel regardless of the theme. I like how the previous poster put it – [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] & [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] are already established, familiar names.
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A few ideas of almost state names: [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Florence[/name_f] / [name_f]Flora[/name_f] – (variations of Florida) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Aria[/name_f] / [name_f]Ariana[/name_f] – (variation of Arizona) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Minerva[/name_f] – (variation of Minnesota) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Louisa[/name_f] – (variation of Lousiana) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Marion[/name_f] / [name_f]Marian[/name_f] / [name_f]Marianne[/name_f] – (variations of Maryland) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Delilah[/name_f] / [name_f]Delphine[/name_f] / [name_f]Adeline[/name_f] – (variations of Delaware)
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Other suggestions with vintage charm: [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] / [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Eliza[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Matilda[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Winifred[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Josephine[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Evangeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you have a middle name chosen? I like the idea of [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] or [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] [name_f]Theodora[/name_f], both match the style of your daughters names really well I think!
Congratulations! [name_f][/name_f]I think [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] is a great choice as it’s sort-of a state name without making the set too matchy but at the same time creating that subtle connection! [name_f]Carolina[/name_f] is also beautiful- I think it works wonderfully on a woman- but sisters [name_f]Georgia[/name_f], [name_f]Virginia[/name_f], and [name_f]Carolina[/name_f] (with no straightforward family connection- you didn’t say if there was one, so I’m assuming not?) might be a little too in-your-face/matchy.
I don’t think you’d need to use a state name [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] and [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] are well established as names and if a third baby wasn’t to have a state name, it would no longer feel like any sort of pattern.
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I really like [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] for you [name_f][/name_f]- clunky but elegant with a vintage vibe [name_f][/name_f]- it feels similar in style to [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] to me and the fact it’s [name_f][/name_f] a feminization of a classic boy name links it to [name_f]Georgia[/name_f]
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[name_f]Caroline[/name_f] is nice too [name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- classic and solid and sweet! I’d use this over [name_f]Carolina[/name_f] if you prefer it.
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I don’t think you can go wrong with either of these!
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A few other ideas: [name_f]Marianne[/name_f], [name_f]Cassandra[/name_f], [name_f]Louisa[/name_f], [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Juliet[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], [name_f]Harriet[/name_f], [name_f]Natalia[/name_f], [name_f]Florence[/name_f]
Honestly I think [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] would be perfect. She’s elegant, timeless, has a pretty southern [name_f]Belle[/name_f] flair and I think fits in with the state theme whilst not actually being a state. I also really like [name_f]Carolina[/name_f]! I think [name_f]Carolina[/name_f] just feels like a more ‘exciting’ (probably the wrong word) version of [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] however she’s just as timeless. The name ages really well in my opinion would definitely fit someone of all ages. [name_f]Carolina[/name_f] is beautiful and would work wonders completing the state them perfectly.
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[name_f]Theodora[/name_f] is gorgeous. A favourite of mine she’s warm, has a clunky cool Victorian vibe and a range of lovely nicknames too. I think [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] definitely works with your kiddos despite not being a state name.
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Another idea could be [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] (variation of Louisiana)?
My first thought was not the US States tying them together - but the G theme. So I am thinking a name like Imogen(e) (nickname Immy), Bridget (Birdie), Ingrid (Indy), Evangeline (Evie, Lina), Margaret (Maggie, Meg, Peggy, Daisy), Margeurite (Maggie, Margie, Meg, Daisy, Rita), Magnolia (Maggie, Nola), Marigold (Mari, Maggie, Goldie), or Teagan (Tea, Tiggie or Tilly if an L middle) would be the way to go.
There are G names themselves - Genevieve (Evie), Gemma, Gwendolen/Gwendolyn (Gwen), Grace - but I would use a name with a different starting letter to G and V but with G in it - so all have G’s in middle of name (as with names I’ve suggested above).
Either way, I definitely wouldn’t do a States theme. I don’t think you need to feel committed to that at all. Georgia & Virginia are stunning names in their own rights! Of the two you’re considering, I think Caroline suits the set marginally better but I personally prefer Theodora.
I like the idea of almost state [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] but can’t tell if the middle sound is repeating in your last name. [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] is a great option and I wanted to suggest [name_f]Dorthea[/name_f].
I doubt anyone would expect you to use a state name for your third daughter. [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] and [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] were names with long histories before they were states and are still used as such. It’s not as though your daughters are named [name_f]Indiana[/name_f] and [name_m]Tennessee[/name_m] which are first seen as states before names.
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I would go ahead and choose your favourite name as if [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] and [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] were not also the names of states. They were not chosen for that reason after all, so there’s no theme to continue. Each of your daughter’s name stories will make that clear to them.
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The one consideration I would recommend is continuing with either a family name or a name with some other significance as you did with your older daughters. I don’t think it matters if it is a family name or whether it is the first or middle name. But something that makes her name story feel special. It could be your middle name or maiden name, the name of an inspiring woman in history, a special month – there are lots of possibilities.
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As for your options, [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] seems perfect for your family. I would’ve suggested it myself if it wasn’t already on your list. I wouldn’t choose [name_f]Carolina[/name_f] over [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] since it was never your intention to choose names after states and I don’t think it would be a meaningful pattern to continue.
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[name_f]Theodora[/name_f] is a great name – it just wouldn’t be my first choice. It’s a little more vintage than classic but not strikingly so. What bothers me is actually the stress on the ‘or’ sound that both [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] and [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] share.
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Some other suggestions with strong consonant sounds like your options above. If only to increase your confidence in the names you already have.
[name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] and [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] are well established as names and if a third baby wasn’t to have a state name, it would no longer feel like any sort of pattern.