Tell Me I'm Right or Convince Me I'm Wrong

A lot of my old favorites no longer seem to fit. On a certain level I’m OK with that. We still have so many good options we love for our third (see namecard for siblings). But it is still sad to see them go so I wanted to crowdsource some opinions to see where I might be off-base.

A lot of these are still in consideration for the middle spot, but my idle fantasies of having daughters with these first names seem to have faded from view now that I know my second son’s name.

I’m curious where I’m right but most eager to hear which you think I would definitely be wrong not to consider. I was surprised to see some of them come up when I posted about suggestions for completing the sibset, so clearly some of you think some of these fit.

The Too Short

[name_f]Twila[/name_f]/[name_f]Twyla[/name_f]
[name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_f]Brigid[/name_f]
[name_f]Saffron[/name_f]
[name_f]Tindra[/name_f]
[name_f]Tesni[/name_f]
[name_f]Mavis[/name_f]
[name_f]Thisbe[/name_f]
[name_f]Peony[/name_f]
[name_f]Circe[/name_f]
[name_f]Viola[/name_f]
[name_f]Clio[/name_f]
[name_f]Elin[/name_f]
[name_f]Hildie[/name_f]
[name_f]Enya[/name_f]
[name_f]Dido[/name_f]

The Problematic A or H

[name_f]Artemisia[/name_f] (so sad to see this one go!)
[name_f]Apolline[/name_f]
[name_f]Alameda[/name_f]/[name_f]Almeda[/name_f]
[name_f]Anemone[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
[name_f]Hestia[/name_f]
[name_f]Helen[/name_f]
[name_f]Heloise[/name_f]
[name_f]Hildegarde[/name_f]

The Too [name_u]French[/name_u]

[name_f]Olympe[/name_f]
[name_f]Celestine[/name_f]
Mélisande
[name_f]Emeraude[/name_f], “[name_f]Maudie[/name_f]”
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f]
[name_f]Nanette[/name_f]
[name_f]Manon[/name_f]
Noémie
Geneviève
[name_f]Edwige[/name_f]

Other Stylistic Hazards??

[name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f], “[name_f]Zelda[/name_f]” or possibly “[name_f]Maudie[/name_f]” (does this make my trio together too Latinx? I remember reading that impression of my eldest son’s full name to begin with, and I don’t think it was avoided or downplayed by my second son’s either.)
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_f]Saskia[/name_f]
[name_f]Camellia[/name_f]
[name_f]Camilla[/name_f]
[name_f]Marigold[/name_f]
[name_f]Mathilda[/name_f], “[name_f]Hildie[/name_f]”
[name_f]Edelweiss[/name_f], “[name_f]Evie[/name_f]”
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] (too Germanic, plus my fav nickname is “[name_f]Velma[/name_f]” so…)
[name_f]Siobhan[/name_f]
[name_f]Scheherazade[/name_f]/ [name_f]Sheherazade[/name_f], “[name_f]Zadie[/name_f]” (finally agree this is too much)
[name_u]Tempest[/name_u]
[name_u]Endellion[/name_u]
[name_f]Iphigenia[/name_f]
[name_f]Priscilla[/name_f]
[name_f]Jessamine[/name_f]
[name_f]Jasmine[/name_f]
[name_u]Meridian[/name_u]
[name_u]Taliesin[/name_u] (still a boy first consideration)

Not sure if you would be opposed to this, but I’ve seen a lot of sibsets where the boys and girls are similar, but have something distinctly different about them! What I’m thinking is longer names for boys and shorter names for girls, but both genders have the same style! (I find your style to be romantic!!)

Keeping that idea in mind, from your short names, I love [name_f]Twila[/name_f] and [name_f]Viola[/name_f]!

I don’t have a problem with repeating letters, but if you do, that’s definitely fair! I would love for you to keep [name_f]Artemisia[/name_f]!! I think it fits perfectly with your other names.

I also think you should keep [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f]!

From your other stylistic hazards, please keep
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_f]Saskia[/name_f]
[name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] - I think this one is fabulous!!
[name_f]Priscilla[/name_f]

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I think [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] would be perfect with your boys. I love [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] [name_f]Dido[/name_f], [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] [name_f]Clio[/name_f], and [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f].

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Your name list is amazing!

I really like [name_f]Artemisia[/name_f] and [name_f]Apolline[/name_f]. I think just because they have the same first letter as your son, doesnt mean they have to be ruled out.

[name_f]Edelweiss[/name_f] is precious!
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] nn [name_f]Velma[/name_f] is lovely as well!

I’ll suggest:
[name_f]Theadora[/name_f]
[name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]
[name_f]Persephone[/name_f]
[name_f]Desdemona[/name_f]
[name_f]Wisteria[/name_f]
[name_f]Magdalena[/name_f]
[name_f]Catalina[/name_f]
[name_f]Thomasina[/name_f]
[name_f]Minerva[/name_f]
[name_f]Ambrosia[/name_f]
[name_f]Bernadina[/name_f]

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I definitely think you could consider [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] and [name_f]Camilla[/name_f]. They would sound fabulous with your boys’ names! I want to say [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f], too – not a perfect style match, but it has that long, fantasy-esque vibe.

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I think that you should definitely keep the names in the “too short” and “too [name_u]French[/name_u]” as options. I don’t think that those would be deal breakers.

I feel this. We all have various processes we use to eliminate names from our lists, and it’s sad to see some of them go even if you feel it’s the right call.
A lot of the “too short” names would make amazing middles, and I do think a couple of them could still works as firsts if you loved them more than longer options.
And while also am one to eliminate first name options that would share an initial with a sibling, I also think it you really adore a name that a shared initial alone may. It be enough to totally discount it. If you have other options you know you love more then eliminate away, but it may not hurt to keep [name_f]Artemisia[/name_f] in your back pocket and reassessing when you get down to your final shortlist.

I also wouldn’t say that your latin language options make the set read especially latinx; I would perhaps feel that way if I were seeing more culturally lantinx specific choices (names like [name_f]Soledad[/name_f], [name_f]Xiomara[/name_f], [name_f]Itzel[/name_f] and [name_u]Rosario[/name_u] come to mind as examples of this) because those are so culturally exclusive.
Many of the names on your list though are related to old Latin, a root language for all of the romance languages and a wide variety of cultures. Likewise, [name_u]French[/name_u] is a romance language with Latin roots so I don’t think everything in the “too [name_u]French[/name_u]” category should necessarily be off the table unless you still have more than enough names to choose from. And like the “too short” category, many would make good middle. I’ve noticed I tend to like very [name_u]French[/name_u] middle names paired with longer Greek or Latin first names, that pattern may similarly appeal to you as well.

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With Hor@ti0 and @nastasi0, i think you could definitely consider

[name_f]Twila[/name_f]/[name_f]Twyla[/name_f]
[name_f]Tindra[/name_f]
[name_f]Tesni[/name_f]
[name_f]Thisbe[/name_f]
[name_f]Peony[/name_f]
[name_f]Viola[/name_f]
[name_f]Clio[/name_f]
[name_f]Celestine[/name_f]
Geneviève
[name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_f]Camellia[/name_f]
[name_f]Marigold[/name_f]
[name_u]Endellion[/name_u]
[name_f]Jessamine[/name_f]
[name_u]Meridian[/name_u]

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A lot of other posters have made great points. I agree that you don’t have to rule out names on the shorter side, just because they’re short. I know the obvious choice would be to go longer, but I agree with @hydrangea24 that so long as they’re the same style I think they’d match really well. I’d quite like it if the name was romantic and strong like H & A, but still stood out on her own by being short in comparison!

From your too short list, I like
[name_f]Twyla[/name_f] -I always switch back and forth between spellings, but I think the ‘y’ somehow matches the romantic side of your boys names.
[name_f]Mavis[/name_f] - this may just be because I absolutely love [name_f]Mavis[/name_f]. I do like that it’s uncommon, yet familiar like your boys. It might not be the best option, but I always have to throw my sweet [name_f]Mavis[/name_f] out there. Maybe as a middle?
[name_f]Thisbe[/name_f], [name_f]Circe[/name_f], [name_f]Clio[/name_f] - all three of these give off similar vibes. of course, they all have the mythological side in common. I think because they’re romantic, bold, and strong they pair nicely with your boys names. I like that [name_f]Clio[/name_f] has the shared ‘o’ but because she’s short, she’s still able to stand apart from H & A. I do want to add that as much I love [name_f]Circe[/name_f], it is close to [name_f]Cersei[/name_f] from Game of Thrones. I’m not sure if you are pronouncing it the same way, as I’ve seen it also pronounced like keer-kee and ser-kee, but I thought I’d mention it just in case. I know [name_f]Cersei[/name_f] hasn’t grown that much in popularity, but names from Game of Thrones have which is something to consider if that matters to you!
I also really love [name_f]Elin[/name_f], [name_f]Viola[/name_f], and [name_f]Peony[/name_f] but perhaps you’re right that they don’t go perfectly with H & A. Fantastic middle options though.

I can completely understand why you wouldn’t want to repeat a letter. I do have to say that [name_f]Artemesia[/name_f] is so perfect with your boys, that maybe you shouldn’t let go of her just yet. Maybe keep her around just in case. I don’t personally think having a shared letter should be a deal breaker! I also really love [name_f]Appoline[/name_f].

I agree with a pp that [name_u]French[/name_u] is a romance language, so by default [name_u]French[/name_u] names are usually romantic just like your boys. I don’t think a name needs to be completely removed for being too [name_u]French[/name_u] for that reason. From that category, I love [name_f]Celestine[/name_f], [name_f]Melisande[/name_f], and [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f]. I think a sibset with your boys and any one of those would be beautiful, especially [name_f]Celestine[/name_f]. I also have a soft spot for [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f], but I think she may be too clunky compared to H & A. [name_f]Nanette[/name_f] is super cute, but doesn’t live up to the boldness of H & A. Might be a great middle option though!

From your other category, I really like:
[name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f] - I definitely get Latinx vibes when the three names are together, but I dont think it’s ‘too Latinx’. I think [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f] matches your boys in both beauty and romanticism and I think [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] is the perfect zippy nickname to balance your boys nicknames. (also love [name_f]Esme[/name_f] as a nn option - think it’s so sweet compared to strong [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f]!)
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] - oooh, I love this! I think she’s a great sister to H & A. I think she adds some whimsy and magic to your sibset. She also hits that sweet spot of uncommon, but familar.
[name_f]Marigold[/name_f] - okay, so you’re probably right that this isn’t the best paired with your boys. I can, however, imagine a world where [name_f]Marigold[/name_f] is sister to boys named H & A. There’s just something about it. I want to highly recommend it as a middle, at least!
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] - slightly maybe too [name_m]German[/name_m], yes, but still a good option. The length helps them match up nicely. Something to keep floating in the background maybe, just in case.
[name_u]Endellion[/name_u] - I loooove this! H, A, & E would be so lovely and mystical. Like three characters from a fantasy novel, and I mean that in the best way.
I also really like [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f], [name_u]Meridian[/name_u], [name_f]Saskia[/name_f], and [name_f]Edelweiss[/name_f], but probably more as middles!

You always have the most beautiful lists. I know no matter what you end up eventually choosing, it will be the perfect name.

(also, I don’t know what names are already on your list, but I love the previous suggestions of [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] and [name_f]Desdemona[/name_f]!)

ps sorry this was so annoyingly long! I always seem to have a lot to say when it comes to your names, lol!

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@hydrangea24, I appreciate the ones you pulled out. They each seem worthy of another turn over before they are tossed aside.

@[name_f]Suzannah[/name_f], I do love [name_f]Paloma[/name_f]. If I recall my partner and I have briefly discussed [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] in the past and it wasn’t his favorite but he has been swayed by a good combo many times.

@river_dweller, could you really see [name_f]Edelweiss[/name_f] or [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] “[name_f]Velma[/name_f]” fitting in? I’m curious why if you care to elaborate?
From your list, [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] and [name_f]Minerva[/name_f] are currently in our top 10 under consideration! We also like [name_f]Ambrosia[/name_f] but it runs the same initial quandary so we nixed it a while back.

@elanorelle, is [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] not too basic?

@brittanyanitarose, I really appreciate all the insight you shared here. You and everyone else have definitely convinced me to spare [name_f]Artemisia[/name_f] the chopping block for now, and maybe even until the last minute when a potential daughter actually makes herself known.

@Greyblue, your quick pop in here was very helpful in that you pulled out exactly those others have as well. The multitude of voices is speaking these names.

@regionlatbest, haha you’re apologizing to the wrong person about post length. Save it for someone who wouldn’t appreciate all these nuggets, because I’m paying attention to every word here. Thanks for reminding me of the [name_f]Circe[/name_f]/[name_f]Cersei[/name_f] connection. I completely missed Game of Thrones 100%, but I remember a couple of years ago posting about [name_f]Circe[/name_f] and that coming up. I think it would bother me.

If my husband is on board with [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f], I can consider her again, I think. I’ve always wondered whether I could use [name_f]Ismay[/name_f] and or [name_f]Zazie[/name_f] as nicknames, as well…
[name_f]Marigold[/name_f] is indeed a high middle name contender.
I’m pleasantly surprised by your favorable impression of [name_u]Endellion[/name_u]. Perhaps I’ll make some combos.

Thanks everyone. All these thoughts are so helpful, even if I’m not really narrowing my list much after all… :crazy_face:

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Honestly I agree with not using an A or H name as this will be the last child, and I agree with your stylistic hazards and too french lists, however-

I think you can keep all the short names provided they don’t start with an A or H and stylistically fit with your boys.

I think [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] and [name_f]Edelweiss[/name_f] would definitely be seen nowadays. People will probably pronounce or spell it wrong, but that goes for most names. Plus having a nickname always helps.

[name_f]Edelweiss[/name_f] - [name_m]Edel[/name_m], [name_f]Adele[/name_f], [name_u]Louise[/name_u].
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]- [name_u]Minnow[/name_u], [name_f]Velma[/name_f], [name_f]Wilma[/name_f], [name_f]Minnie[/name_f], [name_f]Winnie[/name_f], [name_u]Vinnie[/name_u]

I also think [name_f]Adelheid[/name_f] (nn [name_m]Edel[/name_m], [name_f]Adele[/name_f], [name_f]Heidi[/name_f]) could work!

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For sure! Thanks for the response. What I meant was more about fitting in the sibset, along her big brothers. Sorry for the confusion. I definitely agree that [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] is a totally normal name these days, and [name_f]Edelweiss[/name_f] isn’t too far behind. :blush:

Oh my mistake!
I think they’re perfect with your boys names!!

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Oh [name_f]Ismay[/name_f] and [name_f]Zazie[/name_f] totally work as nicknames for [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f] imo. It’s such a great name when it comes to nickname potential.

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Well, I don’t know any Camillas, so it feels very unexpected and fun! It has a Latin vibe, without being too tied to a culture, and it’s got loads of history, too. The combination of rarity and strong roots doesn’t feel basic to me, at least. Perhaps in areas where it’s more common people feel bored with it, idk. :woman_shrugging: It may not be as elaborate as your boys’ names, but I do think it fits.

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So the names that I think still go well with your boys: [name_f]Saffron[/name_f], [name_f]Viola[/name_f], [name_f]Frances[/name_f], [name_f]Tindra[/name_f], [name_f]Circe[/name_f], [name_f]Apolline[/name_f], [name_f]Helena[/name_f], [name_f]Celestine[/name_f], [name_f]Emeraude[/name_f], [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f], [name_f]Noemie[/name_f], [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f], [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f], [name_f]Camellia[/name_f], [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Siobhan[/name_f] (it’s a different language source but flows well), [name_f]Priscilla[/name_f]

Good middle names: [name_f]Marigold[/name_f], [name_u]Tempest[/name_u], [name_u]Endellion[/name_u], [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f], [name_f]Olympe[/name_f], [name_f]Clio[/name_f], [name_f]Helen[/name_f], [name_u]Meridian[/name_u], [name_f]Manon[/name_f]

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[name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f] is very lovely! I think you could get the nicknames [name_f]Ismay[/name_f], [name_f]Zazie[/name_f], [name_f]Esme[/name_f], [name_f]Zelda[/name_f], [name_f]Maudie[/name_f], [name_f]Merry[/name_f], [name_f]Zadie[/name_f]

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I still like:

[name_f]Viola[/name_f]
[name_f]Clio[/name_f] (with the matching Os I think it works–shortness makes it not too close)
[name_f]Artemisia[/name_f] (I think matching A is OK, matching H might be more fraught with the adopted son)
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] (familiar in [name_f]English[/name_f] so doesn’t feel super [name_u]French[/name_u] to me)
[name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f] (I think it’s OK, [name_m]Horatio[/name_m] doesn’t seem super latinx to me, and I love the [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] nn for you)
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_f]Marigold[/name_f]
[name_f]Iphigenia[/name_f]
[name_f]Priscilla[/name_f]

I agree the very Germanic and [name_u]French[/name_u] ones don’t really match anymore. But wouldn’t be the end of the world if you picked one anyway.

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Ones I think still worth keeping:
The Too Short

[name_f]Twila[/name_f]/[name_f]Twyla[/name_f]
[name_f]Viola[/name_f]
[name_f]Enya[/name_f]

The Problematic A or H

[name_f]Artemisia[/name_f] (so sad to see this one go!) - at least as a middle (or maybe fn anyway), I mean it’s so gorgeous. :stuck_out_tongue:
[name_f]Apolline[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
[name_f]Hestia[/name_f]
[name_f]Helen[/name_f]
[name_f]Heloise[/name_f]

Alright… I realise I left almost all names in this section. For what it’s worth I understand you prefer to avoid repeated initials. Sorry for being no help lol.

The Too [name_u]French[/name_u]

[name_f]Celestine[/name_f]
Mélisande
Noémie
Geneviève

Other Stylistic Hazards??

[name_f]Saskia[/name_f] - how is this a stylistic hazard?
[name_f]Camellia[/name_f]
[name_f]Mathilda[/name_f], “[name_f]Hildie[/name_f]”
[name_f]Edelweiss[/name_f], “[name_f]Evie[/name_f]” - not sure if you still remember, but I am a huge advocate of this name. I completely adore it and it’s on my own list.

Also, do you still consider [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] as a middle name or completely let it go?

Other names that cross my mind:
[name_f]Demetria[/name_f]
[name_f]Veronica[/name_f]
[name_f]Olympia[/name_f] - If [name_f]Olympe[/name_f] is too french, could another variant work?
[name_f]Cassiopeia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] - saw her in a poll in your other post. I think she’s perfectly perfect for you.
[name_f]Emiliana[/name_f]
[name_f]Galadriel[/name_f]
Matthiola - found this when browsing flower names
[name_f]Celandine[/name_f]
[name_f]Wisteria[/name_f]
[name_f]Messalina[/name_f]
[name_f]Violaine[/name_f]
[name_f]Thessaly[/name_f]
[name_f]Larissa[/name_f]
[name_f]Adelheid[/name_f]