Sister to Leni

Girl Names
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Our daughter is 11 months and her name is [name_f]Leni[/name_f] [name_f]Bloom[/name_f]. We are expecting another baby girl at the end of [name_u]August[/name_u]. The two will be 14 months apart! We are struggling to decide on a name for baby sister whereas with [name_f]Leni[/name_f], we knew early on what her name definitely would be.

Our favourite is [name_u]Lou[/name_u]. However I flip flop on whether I think [name_f]Leni[/name_f] and [name_u]Lou[/name_u] is sweet together, or whether it’s a bit too cutesy/matchy for sisters.
We like
[name_u]Lou[/name_u] [name_u]Ezer[/name_u]
[name_u]Lou[/name_u] [name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_u]Lou[/name_u] [name_u]James[/name_u]

[name_f]My[/name_f] husband also loves the name [name_f]Ada[/name_f]. It’s always been his top pick. I actually really like it, too. I think it’s feminine and not super common, and tend to be drawn to short names, however I question if it works with [name_f]Leni[/name_f]. [name_f]Leni[/name_f] is quite modern and unique, and I feel [name_f]Ada[/name_f] is more vintage. What do you think?
We like
[name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u]
[name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]Lou[/name_u]

I really like [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] for a girl. We thought this pregnancy was a boy and early on started calling baby [name_u]Ezra[/name_u]. After finding out it’s in fact a baby girl, I still felt attached to [name_u]Ezra[/name_u]. I find the “a” ending can lean itself to the feminine. I also love [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] because I think it sounds good with the middle name [name_m]Abel[/name_m]. [name_m]Abel[/name_m] is one of my fav names and I have been wanting to make it work with whatever first name we pick, although it doesn’t always.
[name_u]Ezra[/name_u] [name_m]Abel[/name_m].
[name_f]My[/name_f] husband prefers [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] for if we have a boy down the line, but is coming around to it as an option.

I also don’t mind [name_u]June[/name_u], [name_f]Adrienne[/name_f], and [name_f]Rhea[/name_f], whether as first/middle names, but they seem not quite at the top of our list.

What are your thoughts!

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[name_f]My[/name_f] favourite with [name_f]Leni[/name_f] [name_f]Bloom[/name_f] is [name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u]! Yes, it’s an older name but it’s got the zip of being short, and combining with a traditionally masculine middle gives it that contemporary cool like [name_f]Leni[/name_f].

[name_f]My[/name_f] next favourite would be [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] [name_u]June[/name_u] or [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] [name_u]Lou[/name_u], although perhaps a little rhymey in the middle with [name_f]Leni[/name_f] [name_f]Bloom[/name_f].

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Oh, I adore [name_f]Leni[/name_f]! [name_f]Leni[/name_f] [name_f]Bloom[/name_f] is truly lovely. [name_f]Leni[/name_f] and [name_u]Lou[/name_u] is really sweet! But with [name_u]Lou[/name_u] being androgynous I would prefer something a little more like [name_f]Bloom[/name_f], that feels a bit on the girlier side. Maybe [name_u]Lou[/name_u] [name_u]Ezri[/name_u]? Borrowing from your [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] love? From what I understand, [name_u]Ezri[/name_u] could go either way and feels sweet.

I am not the biggest [name_f]Ada[/name_f] fan, but I do think [name_f]Leni[/name_f] and [name_f]Ada[/name_f] are a really sweet pair! I’m not usually a fan of [name_u]James[/name_u] but I think [name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u] definitely works.

Ezra… it could work but I do prefer the idea of [name_u]Ezri[/name_u] for a girl. I’m not personally a fan of these Biblical names that are softer that get given to girls like [name_u]Ezra[/name_u], [name_u]Jonah[/name_u], [name_u]Judah[/name_u], [name_m]Josiah[/name_m], [name_u]Micah[/name_u], [name_m]Abel[/name_m], etc. (Would add [name_u]Noah[/name_u] to this list, but it is truly androgynous, given to both genders in the Bible.) And [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] and [name_m]Abel[/name_m] are both quite in-style and popular for boys at the moment, I personally wouldn’t do [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] [name_m]Abel[/name_m] together; I don’t think it flows altogether that well with the bookending A’s, but with [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] and [name_m]Abel[/name_m] being so popular it does read very masculine to me. [name_m]Even[/name_m] [name_u]Ezri[/name_u] Abela feels better to me although I don’t know that that’s necessarily you, either?

If I were naming a sister for [name_f]Leni[/name_f] (which feels really [name_m]German[/name_m] or Hebrew to me) - I’d lean German-esque for a sister (or Hebrew-esque). Maybe something like Lotte/Lottie, Leonie/Leona, Clara/Klara, Maja/Maya, Matilda/Mathilda, [name_f]Hanna[/name_f], [name_f]Amelie[/name_f], [name_f]Mira[/name_f], [name_f]Eva[/name_f], [name_f]Amalia[/name_f], etc., something like that? [name_u]Or[/name_u] [name_f]Maya[/name_f], [name_u]Tali[/name_u], [name_f]Ayla[/name_f], [name_f]Odele[/name_f], [name_f]Liora[/name_f], [name_f]Liel[/name_f], [name_f]Shira[/name_f], etc. for the Hebrew side. June/Juno/Junia/Juniper would also be really sweet with [name_f]Leni[/name_f], though!

Congratulations/Good luck!

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For the first name:

[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Maja[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Tessa[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_u]Noor[/name_u] / [name_f]Nora[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Frida[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & Hanna(h)
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] / [name_f]Emily[/name_f] / [name_f]Emilie[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Finja[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Zara[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Sophie[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Ronja[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Elsa[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Clara[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Mira[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Ulla[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Eva[/name_f] / [name_f]Evi[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Sarah[/name_f]
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & (L)una
[name_f]Leni[/name_f] & [name_f]Isabell[/name_f]

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A few assorted thoughts:

I like Lou with Leni - it is matchy but as they’re not twins (they’re Irish twins :wink: but not twins), it’s not cutesy and potentially stifling in the same way. Leni and Lou are both fresh, confident, international names (they’re also two of Heidi Klum’s kids’ names but that’s not important!).

Of your choices, I would pick Lou Frances to give a more feminine twist on Lou (which is unisex in a way that Leni isn’t - Lenny obv unisex but Leni on paper clearly a girls’ name). Frances is a fave of mine! But in this case where the girls are so close in age, I would give a more equitable middle to Bloom - so maybe Lou Meadow or something similar.

I like Ada and I don’t think it’s too different - Leni is often the nickname used for Helena so I think they can be linked in a sense as vintage names. I like Ada - though at the moment, I’m slightly preferring Ida (which could also work with Leni). With Ada, I think you can go masc, and Ada James flows really well!

I am not sure about Ezra and especially with Abel - I do think Ezra can be used for a girl but I think it’s too much with an archetypal /biblical male name in Abel, which then makes Ezra more male and biblical. This little gal will be in Leni’s shadow somewhat (and her shine too!), having Leni with a more obviously girl name and a pretty, flowery middle might feel a bit rough. If you use Ezra, again I would use it with a middle as blessing-like and cheery as Bloom, eg Story, Sonnet, Ballad, Bliss, Haven, Jewel, Birdie, Loveday, Wishmay, Joy, Lark, Daisy etc.

Other first names that go with Leni: Romy, Zara, Zoë, Noa, Aliz, Anouk, Hilda, Rose, Lottie/Lotte, Elise, Sara, Elka/Elkie, Hazel, Vera, Lara, Faye, Willa, Edie, Kit, Gigi, Isla, Skye, Inès, Elsa, Remy & Thea.

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[name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]Lou[/name_u]

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[name_u]Love[/name_u] your inputs!!

Okay so we essentially had the baby named [name_f]Frances[/name_f] for the last 6-8 weeks- [name_f]Frances[/name_f] [name_m]Abel[/name_m], and then I recently backed out because I’m noticing a huge spike in the name. Not that that matters, it’s still a wonderful name, but there are quite a few people in our social circle who have just used it for their daughters so we are reconsidering and might if anything have it be a middle name.

I’m aware [name_f]Leni[/name_f] and [name_u]Lou[/name_u] are Heidi’s daughter’s!! It’s actually also made me skeptical haha. I’m like, what if someone calls me on that and I seem like some crazed celeb fan, which I’m not. I mean she’s lovely, but the names are unrelated.

I like your connection of [name_f]Leni[/name_f] being a short version of [name_f]Helena[/name_f] (we are often asked if that is her full name, but it’s just Leni), and how that pairs nicely with [name_f]Ada[/name_f].

It’s so funny, I hadn’t even realized that [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] and [name_m]Abel[/name_m] are both biblical. I’m not actually religious and so sometimes I overlook the names that are bibilical and connected in those ways. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband is Jewish and I find I like a lot of Hebrew names, but as such, many are biblical.

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I wouldn’t let the [name_f]Heidi[/name_f] K thing deter you, it won’t come up for your daughters themselves so who cares! You might get five comments in your lifetime so I’d ignore that worry.

[name_f]Frances[/name_f] would work so nicely with [name_f]Leni[/name_f], and I can’t see it being on any top 10 or even 20 list. (It’s my daughter’s middle.) I wouldn’t use [name_f]Frances[/name_f] [name_m]Abel[/name_m] though myself, again too masc against [name_f]Leni[/name_f] [name_f]Bloom[/name_f]!

I would make sure you’ve looked at the names of the Hebrew ones in context of the Torah/bible - don’t want to accidentally use one that relates to a grim story. :wink:

Also watch the A to A run - eg [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] [name_m]Abel[/name_m] - rarely smooth.

Anyway a lot of input from me, am sure you’ll pick another winner!

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Yes good points!

I think it’s going to be between [name_f]Ada[/name_f] and [name_u]Lou[/name_u].
So far, specifically,
[name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u]
[name_u]Lou[/name_u] [name_f]Frances[/name_f]
Unless we come across some other middle name variations we prefer/like as well.

We’ve nixed [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] entirely.

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Congratulations!

So I think [name_u]Lou[/name_u] is sweet but in my opinion to matchy with [name_f]Leni[/name_f] feels like you could get pigeonholed into a theme real quick and just doesn’t appeal to me that matchy ness.

I think [name_f]Ada[/name_f] is fabulous so bright, fun and has a sweet vintage flair. I love [name_f]Leni[/name_f] + [name_f]Ada[/name_f] together so fun. [name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u] is beyond fun and the perfect sister for [name_f]Leni[/name_f] [name_f]Bloom[/name_f].

[name_u]Ezra[/name_u] [name_m]Abel[/name_m] is too masculine! As someone with a Jewish mum and a large extended Jewish family both names feature heavily within my family (family tree) and firmly belong to men. As a combination this name feels overtly masculine. I wouldn’t use this name.

Looking at your other ideas I think [name_u]June[/name_u] is fab with [name_f]Leni[/name_f] but I’m not drawn to [name_f]Adrienne[/name_f] or [name_f]Rhea[/name_f].

You’ve had lots of fabulous suggestions so count any repeats as me being in agreement with the berries

[name_f]Leni[/name_f] [name_f]Bloom[/name_f] and…

[name_f]Elva[/name_f]
[name_u]Romy[/name_u]
[name_f]Maya[/name_f]
[name_f]Adira[/name_f]
[name_u]Lux[/name_u]
[name_u]Wren[/name_u]
[name_u]Alba[/name_u]
[name_f]Capri[/name_f]
[name_f]Delphi[/name_f]
[name_f]Runa[/name_f]
[name_f]Ismay[/name_f]
[name_f]Anouk[/name_f]
[name_u]Indie[/name_u]
[name_f]Carys[/name_f]
[name_u]Blaire[/name_u]
[name_u]Mina[/name_u]

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps

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Thank you for your shares!! :slight_smile: I love all your insights

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First of all, [name_f]Leni[/name_f] [name_f]Bloom[/name_f] is such a fantastic name! So bright and fresh and summery :sunflower: I like [name_f]Leni[/name_f] and [name_u]Lou[/name_u] together, with [name_u]Lou[/name_u] [name_f]Frances[/name_f] being my easy favorite of your [name_u]Lou[/name_u] combos. But I think I love [name_f]Leni[/name_f] and [name_f]Ada[/name_f] as a pair even more- I agree with you that [name_f]Leni[/name_f] feels more modern while [name_f]Ada[/name_f] feels more vintage, but they share the same short-and-sweet, spunky vibe and I like that they’re not at all matchy in sound. [name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u] is gorgeous. I’m coming around to [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] as a gender neutral name, but [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] [name_m]Abel[/name_m] feels very “boy” to me and also very Biblical (could be a pro or a con, but just something to think about since you didn’t mention it). I agree with your husband that [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] would also be a fabulous brother name for [name_f]Leni[/name_f] down the line! From the rest of your list, I adore [name_u]June[/name_u] and think either [name_u]June[/name_u] or [name_f]Rhea[/name_f] would fit nicely with [name_f]Leni[/name_f]. Other ideas…

[name_u]Billie[/name_u]
[name_f]Etta[/name_f]
[name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_f]Frances[/name_f] → maybe [name_u]Frankie[/name_u]?
[name_f]Mae[/name_f]
[name_u]Marlowe[/name_u]
[name_f]Pia[/name_f]
[name_u]Rue[/name_u]
[name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_f]Vera[/name_f]
[name_u]Zola[/name_u]

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[name_f]Pia[/name_f] and [name_u]Rue[/name_u] are a few of my favs! [name_f]My[/name_f] husband doesn’t love them as much as me, they’re so lovely and have that same, similar feel to the others on our list.

We both really like [name_f]Frances[/name_f] and actually were going to use this as our name but surprisingly are seeing it pop up a lot in our social circles from friends having babies! Which is why we were leaning towards maybe using it as a middle name. I love that [name_f]Frances[/name_f] could be [name_u]Frankie[/name_u], [name_u]Fran[/name_u], or [name_f]Franny[/name_f]. Such cute nickname variations.

Ahh! It’s really between [name_u]Lou[/name_u] [name_f]Frances[/name_f] and [name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u] now. These are the top runners :see_no_evil:

Thanks for your input and validation!

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[name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]Lou[/name_u] sounds great

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I am noticing how similar [name_f]Bloom[/name_f] and [name_u]Lou[/name_u] sound when I think of recommending [name_u]Lou[/name_u] for the middle spot, so that gives me pause. I wanted to suggest [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] [name_u]Lou[/name_u], but now I am thinking [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] [name_f]Luanne[/name_f] or [name_u]Louise[/name_u] instead.

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I love Leni Bloom. Leni has been a favorite of mine lately; just the sweetest. I think Lou Frances is adorable with Leni Bloom. They are not too matchy to me at all. They share the same beginning consonant but have a different vowel sound and syllables. I also like Ada James. I don’t think you could go wrong with either of those names. I love boy names on girls but I am not feeling it with Ezra Abel. I would save Ezra for a boy. If you do use Ezra I would use a feminine middle name.

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[name_u]Frankie[/name_u] [name_u]Lou[/name_u] is so, so cute. I loved the name [name_f]Frances[/name_f] as a first name because we could call her [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] or [name_f]Franny[/name_f]. However for whatever reason, I feel really strongly against using another “ie/y” ending name (Frankie, [name_u]Penny[/name_u], Lucy), as I don’t mind [name_f]Leni[/name_f] and [name_u]Lou[/name_u]- two L names- but don’t want [name_f]Leni[/name_f] and [name_u]Frankie[/name_u]- where it’s kind of rhymey. It definitely means we used up our chance with [name_f]Leni[/name_f] and to be honest, most of my fav names end in ie/y. [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] is the sweetest!

Thanks for your suggestions :slight_smile:

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Agreed on [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] and playing it up with a fem middle name, however I think we have decided we don’t love it for a girl. We’ll keep it in the vault for if we have a boy and want to consider it again.

[name_f]Glad[/name_f] I have your votes on [name_u]Lou[/name_u] [name_f]Frances[/name_f] and [name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u]! [name_f]My[/name_f] husband likes [name_u]Lou[/name_u] the best at this point. I’m completely torn and undecided- typical haha. But I agree and don’t think we can go wrong either way :slight_smile:

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I love your daughters name, Leni! It’s so sweet and spunky. And the middle name Bloom is just gorgeous!

In my opinion, Lou is the best option! It’s so darn cute (but I can see it on any age) especially with Leni. Leni and Lou! :face_holding_back_tears:

Lou James is my favourite middle name of yours. Here are some more I like:
Lou Flora
***Lou Amelia ***
Lou Lilibet
Lou Rosamie

Ada has been a long time love of mine. It seems that you and your husband really love it too!

I think this can be solved with a more modern, spunky middle name! Like:
Ada Marnie
Ada Kinsley
Ada Loula
I also think Ada Lou is really good too.

Finally, Ezra! I really like this one too. I personally see it on a boy most because I have known a few little Ezras. Ezzie is one of my favourite nicknames!

Overall, I think you can’t really go wrong with your options. My favourite is Lou, simply because of how cute Leni and Lou sounds! I do love them all though. Best of luck! :two_hearts:

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I’d go with [name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]Lou[/name_u]. [name_f]Ada[/name_f] isn’t too classic next to [name_f]Leni[/name_f] - both are short, Germanic diminutives. They fit well together.