My husband and I are trying for another baby and we are finally pinning down a style we like for our names. Our daughter’s name is [name_f]May[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] for reference. We would love to use a surname like [name_m]Wright[/name_m] or [name_m]Gardner[/name_m] as a middle name and like the name [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] as a first name since it’s a family name, but also like [name_m]Russell[/name_m], [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m], and [name_m]Douglas[/name_m]. As for girl names, we like the middle name [name_f]Beth[/name_f] or [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] and the first names [name_f]Susie[/name_f], [name_f]Louella[/name_f], and [name_f]Laura[/name_f].
We are stuck on what combinations are best and are open to suggestions that are better fitting. I really like being able to call our daughter by her first and middle name together like a double name, and I do the same thing with my husband.
Also, I do have a question. We love the name [name_m]Gene[/name_m] so much but our last name is short and starts with an “n” so saying [name_m]Gene[/name_m] with our last name sounds like one word. Is it best to forgo this name or should it be in the running?
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] (I knew an Abby-Jay, and think [name_f]Abby[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] or [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] could be sweet)
May Louise is a beautiful name (and gives nn Maisie)
Think sister should have a full name - so I’d use Susan, Susannah or Suzanne nn Susie for eg. But maybe neither works with a N starting last name, too many Ns? I’m just not sure about Susie though I can see her retro and sweet appeal.
I’d pop Louella (Louella Beth) on the “only maybe list” given you’ve already used Louise or else use Louella as a middle and lean into that connection between the two sisters’ names.
I like Laura as a sister to May - Laura Beth is classic, trim and pretty like May Louise. But it’s less adventurous as Susie or Louella…and maybe a little too obvious? I hope that doesn’t come across harshly just mean Lauras tend to have Beth or Jane as their middle.
Would you consider Abigail as a first? Abigail Claire for eg? May & Abby would be sweet!
-For boys, I like Thomas best because of the family connection and its classic quality like May. Eg: Thomas Russell, Thomas Gilbert or Thomas Gardner.
But at same time, I prefer honour names in second spot so the child can have own name and not carry family name as heavily - so Gilbert Thomas for eg. Gilbert would be my second choice of first name, though Russell & Douglas also have that reliable, lovely man feel.
I am not as sure about using a random last name for a middle. Unless it’s meaningful to you and your husband, I would use Thomas as a middle or find a last name in your family trees.
Re Gene, if it runs into your surname and sounds like a single word when spoken aloud (eg genetics, I’d probably pass on it as a first name. See Amy Schumer and her mishap with Gene! Don’t think first name should end in N sound if it’s an N last name.
Other combos you might like:
Clara Beth
Cora Beth
Abigail Eve
Rose Abigail
Heidi Elsbeth
Tess Flora
Kit Russell
Jack Douglas
Henry Thomas
Jesse Thomas
Walter Graham
Toby Harrison
And I like Polly Abigail & Tobias Wright!
For some other last name names - Harrison, Sullivan, Shepherd, Marshall, Thatcher, Remington, Auden, Rainer, Foster & Brooks.
For a girl, [name_f]Laura[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f] feels like the most natural sister to [name_f]May[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f]. I wouldn’t use [name_f]Louella[/name_f] since you’ve already done [name_f]Louise[/name_f]. Have you considered [name_f]Beth[/name_f] as a first name? [name_f]Beth[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] would be sweet… [name_f]Betty[/name_f] [name_f]Gail[/name_f] or [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] [name_f]Gail[/name_f]? Maybe still too old lady?
For a boy, you might consider moving [name_m]Gene[/name_m] to the middle spot if it doesn’t work with your last name. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] Gene/Tommy [name_m]Gene[/name_m] if you want the double name option? Also not clear if [name_m]Wright[/name_m] and [name_m]Gardner[/name_m] are family names or you’re just looking for surnames to use as middles. I do really like [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Gardner[/name_m].
Thank you! Those are wonderful suggestions, I will definitely talk to my husband, I agree with not using [name_m]Gene[/name_m], I’m a little heartbroken over it, I feel like it’s the one that got away, but that’s alright.
Thank you for the insight! [name_m]Wright[/name_m] and [name_m]Gardner[/name_m] are both family surnames and I just enjoy a surname as a middle name anyway, but those two are special.
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Gardner[/name_m] does sound good together, but that is my grandpas name haha and I need a different combination.
So I love [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] I think he’s such a gorgeous classic that sounds cohesive with M@y really charming with a cottagecore flair. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Gardner[/name_m] is a lovely name I also wanted to put forward [name_f]Eden[/name_f] as a nod to [name_m]Gardner[/name_m] taking inspiration behind the etymology of the surname [name_m]Gardner[/name_m] through ‘garden of Eden’ it’s stretchy but I loved the idea of [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_f]Eden[/name_f].
Looking at your other names I think [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m], [name_m]Russell[/name_m] + [name_m]Douglas[/name_m] are reliable classic choices but my favourite is definitely [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. Regarding [name_m]Gene[/name_m] I think it depends on the surname and how wordy your surname, syllable count and how they look together on paper. I think [name_m]Gene[/name_m] is a fun name with a hipster flair but [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is more appealing.
Onto the girls I think [name_f]Susie[/name_f] should be a nickname especially paired with M@y Louis3 for me [name_f]Susie[/name_f] (just [name_f]Susie[/name_f]) isn’t a natural fit. I think [name_f]Susan[/name_f], [name_f]Suzanne[/name_f] or Susanna/Susannah would be more fitting. I love [name_f]Susanna[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f] ‘Susie Beth’ cute! [name_f]Louella[/name_f] is a lovely name but I feel you’ve already got Louis3 it’s very ‘Lou’ heavy. Maybe [name_f]Loretta[/name_f], [name_f]Leonora[/name_f], [name_f]Lorena[/name_f] or [name_f]Lovella[/name_f] would be less ‘Lou’ inspired. I do like [name_f]Laura[/name_f] she’s a timeless classic that feels strong and when paired with M@y has this overall aesthetic of little house on the prairie which is adorable. Both [name_f]Laura[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f] & [name_f]Laura[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] are charming. Would you consider [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] upfront? M@y & [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] ‘Abby’ are cute and I think [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f] is lovely.
I agree with many previously stated thoughts and I really like the suggestion of [name_f]Clara[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f], it feels a lot fresher than [name_f]Laura[/name_f] which I heavily associate with gen x and millenials. In fact, I have a [name_f]Flora[/name_f] and I always cringe when people mishear it as [name_f]Laura[/name_f].
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Wright[/name_m] or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Gardner[/name_m] are lovely. I don’t think using two family names in this case is a burden as [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is so common (in a good way) and wearable. [name_f]May[/name_f] and [name_m]Tom[/name_m] are so sweet together.
I hear you on [name_m]Gene[/name_m] being the one that got away. My last name is a noun which unfortunately has rules out many of my favourites e.g., all colour names (Hazel, [name_f]Ruby[/name_f]) and many other noun-names (e.g., [name_f]Wren[/name_f]) due to the pairing sounding like an adjective-noun or attributive-noun combination. Very heartbreaking but it’s just what it is sometimes!
I like Louella Beth, Susie Beth (although that may for better or for worse become Susie B..) for Girls. For boys I like Thomas Wright and Gilbert Gardener (I LOVE that alliteration).
I would definitely avoid Gene if your last name begins with N. It gets annoying and tricky when the names blend together like that and in my opinion it wouldn’t sound nice.
Some other similar name suggestions I have are:
Boys -
Thomas Walker
Russell Clancy
Thomas Allen
Thomas Carter
Russell Donovan
Gifford Wright
Thomas Kent
Girls -
Lucille Beth
Celia Beth
Susie Jill
Laura Jill
Susie Jean
Effie Jean
Elodie Abigail
Livia Jean
Livia Beth
Your style feels very warm, traditional, and [name_m]Southern[/name_m] to me. I think all of your options fit well with [name_f]May[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f], I especially like [name_f]Laura[/name_f] and [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m]. Personally, I’d skip [name_f]Susie[/name_f] as a full name and use [name_f]Susan[/name_f] or [name_f]Susannah[/name_f] with [name_f]Susie[/name_f] as the nickname.
I think if [name_m]Gene[/name_m] runs into your surname and sounds like one word every single time, I’d probably let it go as a first name. It may end up being something you’re constantly repeating or correcting. It could still make a wonderful middle name though if it’s meaningful to you!
If you’re looking for a few more names with a similar feel, I’d suggest:
Boys: [name_m]Arthur[/name_m], [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], [name_m]Franklin[/name_m], [name_m]Edwin[/name_m], [name_m]Simon[/name_m], [name_m]Hugh[/name_m], [name_m]Dean[/name_m], [name_m]Grant[/name_m], [name_m]Lewis[/name_m], [name_m]Harvey[/name_m]
Girls: [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Pearl[/name_f], [name_f]June[/name_f], [name_f]Lillian[/name_f], [name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_f]Elsie[/name_f], [name_f]Lucy[/name_f], [name_f]Lola[/name_f], [name_f]Edith[/name_f], [name_f]Della[/name_f]
i like [name_f]Louella[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f]! i think the name [name_f]Posy[/name_f] would suit your style, or [name_f]Lily[/name_f]. [name_f]Lily[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f] would work perfectly with [name_f]May[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f]! you mentioned [name_m]Gene[/name_m], but you could replace it with [name_f]Jean[/name_f], and use it as a girl’s middle name (Louella Jean)? or you could turn it into [name_f]Genevive[/name_f], and use it as a middle name? I know you meant it as a boy’s name but i think a variant could work for a girl!
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is one of my personal favourite boy names (also family connection!), plus [name_f]May[/name_f] + [name_m]Tom[/name_m] is a cute sibling pair. i’d go with [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Russel[/name_m]!
can’t go wrong!!
I also wanted to put forward [name_f]Eden[/name_f] as a nod to [name_m]Gardner[/name_m] taking inspiration behind the etymology of the surname [name_m]Gardner[/name_m] through ‘garden of Eden’ it’s stretchy but I loved the idea of [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_f]Eden[/name_f].