Tori writes:
I am writing to you for help. I am scheduled for a c-section with our second child 03/16/2011- a GIRL! We already have a son, Lincoln Thomas. My husband and I are having a very difficult time in choosing a name for this little one. With our son, we had a few names chosen prior to his delivery, but didn’t name him until we saw him. And his name we chose was actually vetoed off our list prior to him getting here.
Names we currently have on our list (and it’s a short one) are Charlotte, Ramsay, Abigail, and McKinley. MIddle name will most likely be Marie. Our last name is 2 syllables- starts with N and ends in ‘stat.’
Other names we had on our list that have been removed for one reason or another were:
Finley
Eleanor
Parker
Kennedy
Georgia
Mathilda- Husband HATES this
Eloise
Ruby
Reagan
Audrey- have 2 nieces named Avery, thought this might be too similar
Lucy
Olivia
AmeliaFew rules/restrictions we do have:
1.) Can’t be someone in the family with the name.
2.) Don’t want anything TOO trendy- we don’t want her to be one of 6 in her class
3.) Really trying to stay away from the presidential theme. We did originally think it would be cute, but are now reconsidering- which is why we’re not really sold on McKinley.Any help you could give us would be greatly appreciated!! I’m at my wit’s end and just want to have a name for this baby!!!
Name update! Tori writes:
I know this post is MONTHS past, but we ended up naming our baby girl Charlotte Marie. Perfect for her, and sounds great with Lincoln. We get compliments on their names everywhere we go.
Thanks so much for all the input. :)
I would not use McKinley, Kennedy, or Reagan because you already have one “political” name.
I don’t think of Audrey being too close to Avery.
I really like Charlotte and Abigail.
Charlotte, 100%.
Lincoln Thomas and Charlotte Marie.
They are both place names without being OBVIOUS place names like London or Paris.
But more importantly, they’re both gorgeous names.
Abigail has been in the top ten (in the US) for many years, so I would say that it very popular. Charlotte was ranked 87 in 2008 and 68 in 2009, so it’s ‘only’ in the top 100.
Charlotte Marie is lovely and my favorite for you. Lincoln and Charlotte is sweet.
A bit sad that you’ve removed Eloise. ; )
Not sure if you’re open to suggestions? How about:
Adele, Beatrice, Everly, Josephine, Morgan, Naomi.
Good luck!
Your choices for your baby girl are really different from each other- traditional girl names and unisex surnames. I like the idea of a surname as a first name since it will match your son’s name, but I don’t know about Ramsey- it sounds too masculine to me. Some other surname options:
Adderley
Ainsley
Campbell
Delaney
Ellery
Emerson
Hadley
Harper
Quinn
Tierney
Waverly
I think you are wise to shy away from another president’s name, especially since many on your list have the unfortunate connection of having been assassinated (Kennedy, McKinley and Lincoln). That association would only come up if you had multiple children in that theme.
I like Charlotte and Abigail with Lincoln. Congratulations on your new addition!
I like Abigail, especially because it has a subtle presidential tie-in (Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams).
I wasn’t aware that McKinley had been assassinated, but do think that the presidential theme might be cute now but could be tiresome later. If you like the rhythm and sound of McKinley, what about McKenna, Kieran, or maybe just Kinley?
Ramsey seems unisex or more masculine to me. Have you heard of the Irish/English girls’ name, Tamsin? It’s actually a distortion of the name Thomasina, but has been used as an independent name quite commonly. I worked with a Tamsin and really liked her name.
I like both Abigail and Charlotte. I’m sad that Eleanor was vetoed as it is one of my favorites.
Charlotte or Abigail Marie? Cute!
Thank you for all the input!
We have actually revised our list since emailing Swistle. McKinley and Ramsay have been removed. Eleanor is now back on the list, and Reilly is also a contender… Our top 2 are definitely Charlotte and Abigail, though. Can’t decide between the 2.
I like Charlotte and Abigail for you. Forced to choose, I think I’d go with Charlotte because you did say you didn’t want a popular name and Abigail is in the top ten. I like Eleanor, too.
Eleanor or Charlotte… oh, what lovely names!
What nicknames do you like best?
Ella
Nora?
Ellie?
Lottie?
Charlie?
That may tip the scales one way or another.
Best wishes and congratulations!!
My top two are Charlotte and Eleanor.
Charlotte Marie would be, I think, a wonderful pairing with Lincoln Thomas. They have the same sort of cadence, and they’re both place names without being kitchy. This is my top choice for you. Beautiful!
Lincoln and Eleanor sound great together, too, but if you are really, really trying to shy away from the presidential theme, I don’t think Eleanor works. When you say “Eleanor” my mind always goes to “Roosevelt,” and that’s in any situation. With a brother named Lincoln, it would be difficult to ignore the theme. This is just my opinion, though, and it may just be the way my mind works!
Abigail is a beautiful name but there’s something about it that isn’t clicking with me. I can’t put my finger on it. Abigail Marie is beautiful, however there is the same issue of yet another presidential tie-in (Abigail Adams), and I guess overall I just don’t feel it flows with Lincoln as well as Charlotte and Eleanor do.
I love Abigail, Abbi for short is so cute! dont mind Charlotte but i do know a lot of little girls named Charlotte!But saying that i have a little Girl named Ava and it is so common atm! i wouldnt change it though as i love her name! If your looking for ideas that i think pair well with lincoln how about Milla or Addison? my little boy is also Lincoln and these are names we are considering for our next baby! but what ever you choose im sure it will suit your little girl perfectly! all the best x
I love Abigail, Abbi for short is so cute! dont mind Charlotte but i do know a lot of little girls named Charlotte!But saying that i have a little Girl named Ava and it is so common atm! i wouldnt change it though as i love her name! If your looking for ideas that i think pair well with lincoln how about Milla or Addison? my little boy is also Lincoln and these are names we are considering for our next baby! but what ever you choose im sure it will suit your little girl perfectly! all the best x
Charlotte Reilly is absolutely lovely. Abigail sounds a bit dated to me, while Charlotte is timeless. I think Reilly would make a fabulous middle name.
I wonder if you’d like Caroline? It’s in the same league as Charlotte to me and awefully underused.
Other names that you *might* like:
Lenore/Lenora
Faye
Leah
Camille
Marianne
Harper
Melina
Leona
I know this post is MONTHS past, but we ended up naming our baby girl Charlotte Marie. Perfect for her, and sounds great with Lincoln. We get compliments on their names everywhere we go.
Thanks so much for all the input. :)