Julie writes:
I am expecting my third baby on May 3rd. I have two boys, Luke and Elliot and we just found this will be a GIRL! My husband and I have never had to look through girl names before and are desperate for some suggestions. Our last name is french sounding, rhymes with Lupuis but begins with a D. My husband grew up in France, we both have French heritage and would LOVE to incorporate a French name into our family. However, we are not bound to this as I grew up in Ireland and love some of the Irish names too. We hardly ever agree on a name as my husband wants a classic predictable name whereas I want a name that is recognised but not at all popular. I also love a longer fancier name with a cute nickname. The only names we have somewhat agreed on are longer names (that I like) but with a nickname that is simple (which he likes) Sort of a compromise. The middle name will be May, to honor my grandmother.
Here are some of the names we have been considering:
Genevieve (Evie or Eve)
Annabelle (Anna)
Camille (Cami)
Evelyn (Evie)
Lillian (Lily)PLEASE can you help?
One of my favorite French names is Celeste: Celeste Lupuis; Luke, Elliot, and Celeste. Classic AND not at all popular. It’s awkward with the middle name, but no more awkward than Camille, which encourages me to suggest it anyway.
Another of my favorites is Simone: Luke, Elliot, and Simone. Again, awkward with the middle name.
Another of my favorites is Liane, if you don’t mind repeating an initial: Luke, Elliot, and Liane. Again the middle name problem. I think it’s that a lot of the names I think of when I try to think of French names have the accent on the second syllable (Nicole, Danielle, Monique), and none of those work nicely with a one-syllable middle name. I’m continuing to include them in my list, firstly because you have Camille in your own list, and secondly because sometimes middle names are flexible or sometimes the rhythm is not considered important.
Two more: Corinne and Noelle.
My mother’s favorite French name is Esmé (again, if you don’t mind repeating an initial): Luke, Elliot, and Esmé. This doesn’t work with the middle name at all.
Adelaide is pretty: Luke, Elliot, and Adelaide.
Josephine, too, and I just heard the most adorable nickname for it: Posy (presumably from the rhyming route of Josie).
A non-French option that seems like it would work well is Fiona: Luke, Elliot, and Fiona. And Fiona May is beautiful.
Or Molly? Wouldn’t that be adorable with the middle name? Molly May Lupuis; Luke, Elliot, and Molly.
ALL the names on your list are wonderful, I think. It may just be a matter of having one of them grow on you more than the others. My own favorite is Genevieve, followed closely by Annabelle (I usually prefer the spelling Annabel, but in this case I prefer -belle because you’re hoping to refer to French ancestry).
I love Camille or Evelyn for you. Evelyn especially. Evelyn May; Luke, Elliot and Evelyn. (I don’t mind the repetition of an initial.)
I know someone who named their baby girl Renesme, a combination of Rene and Esme. They call her Meme (MayMay) for short. This or even just Esme might be a way of incorporating May if you can’t find something to work with the middle name.
From your list, I really like Genevieve. I LOVE the French pronunciation especially.
Saly – Renesme is a made up name from the Twilight books (a character names her baby in honor of both grandmothers) so either your friend REALLY likes sparkly vampires or she is going to spend the rest of her life explaining she just heard the name somewhere and had no idea.
I love Celeste, and I think if you say Celeste May enough times it doesn’t sound too awkward after all.
Genevieve and Evelyn are two of my favorite names! Your list is lovely. I say go in armed and just choose after she’s born, if that’s your style. Another one that you may like is Vivienne.
Good luck!
I love the name Lucienne, nn Lucy.
From your list, I like Anabelle and Genevieve. Anabelle May is lovely, and so is Genevieve May. However, I don’t love “Eve or Evie” with your surname (though I like Eve if it’s pronounced the French way, “Eh-v”). If I’m pronouncing “Lupuis” right in my head, both nicknames add so much of the “eeee” sounds to the name that it overwhelms me a bit. BUT. I’m picky about that, as my surname is very “eee” heavy, so I’m extra on-the-watch for such things!
I don’t love Camille with May, but I LOVE Camila May. It’s not a particularly French name, but it sounds great with your sibling set, you still get the nn Cami (or Mila, if you wish, or MiMi).
What about Margaret or Marguerite? You could call her Daisy, which is the cutest nicknamed that ever nicknamed, imo.
Genevieve is so great, please please use it! great nicknames, great with May, so french (and celtic) formal and slightly unusual but recognizable and regal.
Annabelle is also nice, but wow, Genevieve just seems like the perfect name for you.
You have a great list and I don’t think you need any more suggestions. I like Annabelle best. Annabelle May. Luke, Elliot & Annabelle. Perfect.
I love the name Genevieve. I’d also suggest Collette. I think it is such a beautiful French name and it works so well with your boys’ names.
Genevieve reminds me of two other names:
Geneva (sounda European, no?)
Gweneviere
Either could have the nickname of Eva or Vivi… not to mention the Gwen, Gen, Vera options.
Anther name that seems classic and elegant to me is Sylvia. Sylvia May sounds lovely.
Lille is a charming town in France. It reminds me strongly of your idea of Lillian. Is it a good nickname option?
Since you have Evelyn on your list, do you like Estelle (nickname of Stella or Essie)? Or Marguerite (Maggie, Rita, Gigi)?
You’ve got some great names on your list! Very nice taste! All the best to your growing family!!
While reading your criteria I immediately thought of Evelyn (Evie) and then saw it already on your list. I wouldn’t look any further personally, it works so well for you. Evelyn May. Luke, Elliot and Evelyn. LOVE!
However, seeing as you’ve asked for suggestions I also like Cherie if it is not too literal for your husband. I think the sibling set of Luke, Elliot and Cherie is lovely.
Colette, Elodie, Anouk, Josie, Fiona, Sophie, Anna, Julia, Hannah, Claire or Willow or Willa.
These are my favorites in order.
Luke, Elliot and Sophie May.**
Luke, Elliot and Julia May (nn Jules) **
Luke Elliot and Josephine May (nn Josie)**
Luke, Elliot and Clara May.
Luke, Eliiot and Willa May.
Luke Elliot and Colette May.
I really like Luke, Elliot and Josie or Julia!
I like the name Carina (Corinna?) for you. Carina May.
Kinda like the French Corinne, kinda like the Irish Colleen. Corinne May or Colleen May would work equally well.
Congratulations.
From your list I love Genevieve.
Others I love for you: Corinne, Marguerite, Chloe, and Penelope.
Good luck, great list!
What about Evangeline nn Evie?
I just found this blog while searching for names… probably because I put in my sons names to look for something to match. Their names are Luca and Elliot hehehehehehe!! Anyway, I am in Australia so not looking for anything French so I can’t help you there. We also don’t know the sex. Some of the names we have on the girl list though are:
Amy/Amie/Amee
Kate
Belle
Alana
Emma
Hadleigh
Everly
Imogen
Hazel
Germaina
I don’t REALLY love any of them though hence my searching the web for inspiration. I’ll save your blog on my list to see what you come up with that suits big brothers names, Luke and Elliot!!!!!!