Baby Girl Davis, Sister to Piper Lynn

Lori writes:

I have a 2 year-old daughter Piper Lynn (my maiden name) Davis.  We wanted something perky, upbeat and a little tomboyish yet unique enough to go with (the-incredibly-common) “Davis” – I think we got what we wanted.

I am now due with our second (and last) child who is a girl, due May 13, 2013 and would like a name to compliment Piper. Middle name will probably be Anne (it would be a 4th generation middle name).  Obviously longer and traditional names are out.  I also want to avoid anything too trendy or popular.  Letters to avoid:  “D”, “K”, “P” (but not absolutely).  I want to avoid anything like Kaylie, Kayden, Peyton, etc.
I’m not a huge believer in astrology but she will be a Taurus and potentially be born on my mother’s birthday (with whom I had a very rocky relationship growing up), so a name that could “counteract” those qualities would be appreciated.  We had thought of Skylar, since sky is the opposite of earth (Taurus is an earth sign) but it seems a little heavy-handed to me.

I thought Tatum would fit perfectly with Piper but no one can seem to get Tatum O’Neal and her monstrous history out of their heads. We have also considered: Margo, Marlowe, Sloane, Willa. I love the name Wesley but it, of course, is a strictly boy name. I can’t quite figure out what in the sound fascinates me.

The name Wesley is very occasionally used for girls (in 2011, the Social Security Administration reports 2450 new baby boys and 33 new baby girls named Wesley), but with Piper I think it reads boy.

The first alternate suggestion that comes to mind is Lesley: it’s different from Wesley by only one letter, and currently used mostly for girls. I’m not sure Lesley is a good fit with Piper, though.

Presley is another rhyming option. In 2011, there were 1384 new baby girls and 123 new baby boys named Presley. Presley Davis; Piper and Presley. Starts with a P, but I’d still consider it.

Next I think of Waverly. I’m not sure about the repeating -av- with the surname, though, and the initials WAD would bother me.

Next: Paisley. I think this one has a lot of possibility. It’s very similar in sound to Wesley, but it’s used mostly for girls. I think it shares the perky, upbeat, tomboyish sound of Piper. Unfortunately it starts with P, which you’d prefer to avoid, but I still think it’s a good option. If you were planning on more children, I might worry that it would be hard to find a third name to go as well with those two names as they go with each other, but since you’re not, I think they make a very appealing pair. Paisley Davis; Piper and Paisley.

Or there’s Ainsley or Kinsley, though Kinsley starts with K and Ainsley might not work with Anne.

I don’t know enough about astrology to give specific advice, but I think if I were looking for a symbolic name in this situation, I would look for something from a sign compatible with Taurus rather than opposed to it. Using a name opposite to Taurus seems like it symbolizes an urge to cancel out something that she is, or else to symbolically put her in conflict with herself or with her grandmother. I think I might instead look for a name that represents your own astrological sign (to symbolize your hope that your relationship with your daughter will be more compatible than the one you had with your mother), or represents one of the positive qualities of the Taurus sign. Though actually, I think I would abandon this idea entirely: I think a name of this sort might cause you to reflect on your rocky relationship with your mother every time you think of your daughter’s name.

Tamsin shares sounds but not reputation with Tatum. Tamsin Davis; Piper and Tamsin. I’m not sure I like it with Anne, though.

Or Gemma would work well, I think. Gemma Davis; Piper and Gemma.

Or Romy, or Rory. Romy Davis; Piper and Romy. Rory Davis; Piper and Rory. I particularly like Rory, if the initials RAD don’t bother you.

Quinn may be more unisex than you’d prefer (in 2011, there were 1117 new baby boys and 1680 new baby girls named Quinn), but with Piper I’d be more likely to think girl. Quinn Davis; Piper and Quinn. Maybe not with Anne.

I think Cleo would be great. Cleo Davis; Piper and Cleo. The initials would be CAD.

Or Merrin. Merrin Davis; Piper and Merrin. Initials MAD.

Or Brin. Brin Davis; Piper and Brin. Initials BAD. Goodness, the __AD is a little tricky to work with!

I wonder if the movie has been gone long enough for us to use Juno? Juno Davis; Piper and Juno.

47 thoughts on “Baby Girl Davis, Sister to Piper Lynn

  1. Barb

    My middle name is Lynn and my younger sister’s is Ann! What a fun connection.
    I love Swistle’s suggestion of Juno, how cute. Would you like Juniper/June? And I love the name Gemma!

    I’m really liking the two “P” names for your daughters, which you may not prefer. But they are just so sweet!

    Piper and Penny
    Piper and Paisley

    I love your short list as well. Margo and Marlowe (but I prefer the spelling Marlo) are my favorites from your list.

    My cousin has a little girl named Sloane (which I love, but I don’t think it goes with Anne). Her sisters are named Quinn and Bailey. Would you like Bailey?

    My friend has a darling little girl named Tatum and they call her Tate. She’s a cute little redhead. I think the Tatum O’Neal connection is getting weaker and weaker as the generation that knew her as an actress ages. Many of my friends hadn’t even heard of her (I was born in 1982).

    Here’s my list of names:
    Juno
    Juniper/June
    Penny
    Paisley
    Margo
    Marlo
    Bailey
    Beatrix (nn Bea or Trix)
    Tatum (nn Tate)
    Hazel
    Gemma

    Best wishes on your new daughter’s arrival!

    Reply
  2. Anonymous

    Oh, I REALLY love Rory. I think that it hits on the unusual-but-familiar, and it’s girlie but also tomboyish, and even though it’s used as a nickname for other, more feminine names (Lorelei, Aurora) it still works perfectly on its own and doesn’t feel like a nickname-name. And it’s definitely perky and upbeat, and it goes beautifully with Piper. Piper and Rory. The RAD initials don’t bother me as much. OH! And then your older daughter’s last letter would be your second daughter’s first letter, which is a really sweet connection, but not too matchy-matchy.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous

    The Romy suggestion reminds me of Ramona, which I love generally but also because it reminds me of the spirited Ramona Quimby from the Judy Blume books. I think Ramona with the nn Romy would be fantastic on its own and with Piper. Ramona Ann Davis.

    I was going to suggest Harper, too, unless it ending in “-per” like Piper is a problem.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous

    I like Juniper a lot. Marlowe is also nice (though I also prefer Marlo) as is Tamsin.

    I’ve always had a secret crush on Piper & Harper as sister names. Same styles, musical meanings but not as in your face as something like Harmony & Melody. Maybe you’d like Harper?

    Another girl’s name that feels a little like Wesley is Esme.

    The idea you had for the Taurus daughter isn’t bad, but I agree with Swistle that you don’t want a name that will try to cancel out her Taurusness. Instead, I’d look for something that will compliment her sign and yours at the same time. For example, if you are a water sign, I might suggest Isla. Isla is a feminized version of Islay (an island off Scotland). An island being the place where earth & sea come together.

    You could also think of the positive traits of a Taurus and choose a name that will help emphasize one of those traits. Taurus women are said to be independent, loyal & artistic. The loyal made me think of Cordelia, a great literary example of the loyal daughter.

    Reply
  5. Kaela

    Interesting! I actually know a lot about astrology, and I would say, put your mind at ease– Taurus will only be her sun sign. In “real” astrology (vs. just the simplistic kind you get in sun sign/horoscope columns in magazines), your personality is made up of much more than your sun sign. There is also your ascendant (the sign that is rising at the time of your birth), as well as your moon sign and the signs for all the other planets as they were at the time of your birth, and the way they interact with each other. Your sun sign is just one aspect of your larger personality. And your sun sign sometimes doesn’t even matter much. For example, I’m an Aries, but I don’t have very many classic Aries traits because most of my other planets are in Pisces. I’m much more Piscean. I took a quick look at the ephemeris for mid-May of this year, and it looks like your daughter will have many more planets NOT in Taurus than in Taurus (though she will also definitely have Mars in Taurus, which is actually a really beneficial placement- very strong). Also, it’s probable that your mother didn’t have that many planets in Taurus, either. Your difficult relationship with her could have come from her moon in, say, Scorpio, or her having a bunch of planets in Aries squaring your planets in say, Cancer, or something else entirely. At most, your daughter will share a sun sign at the same degree or near it to your mother, but that is not such a big deal.

    Whew. Now onto names! Of all Swistle’s suggestions, I like Tamsin the best. In fact, I love it! It’s uncommon yet classy, a name that reads “girl” yet it’s tomboyish. Excellent!

    I also love Skylar with Piper, and I think the name Sky Davis (as a nickname, if you are OK with those) is really nice. In fact, I’d be tempted to just go with Sky or Skye. I guess Sky Anne is a little awkward, but I am okay with it. Sky Davis is a great name.

    Good luck!

    Reply
  6. Anonymous

    What about Skye rather than Skylar? I know a Skye who loves her name, and it seems like a good match to Piper.

    I also like the previous suggestion of Isla, or I think Aspen could be good (trees connect earth with air?). From Swistle’s suggestions, I like Tamsin the best.

    Or out of completely left field…what about Gwen? Or Whitney means “white island” and has some similar sounds to Wesley.

    Reply
  7. StephLove

    I know a Sloane/Piper sister pair so they seem to go well together for me. I go back and forth between really liking the sound repetition in Sloane Anne and thinking it’s too much.

    I liked the suggestions of Presley, Paisley and Tamsin. And I was going to suggest Juniper before someone else beat me to it. The -per ending of Piper and Juniper also makes me think of Harper, but I think I like Juniper better. With 3 syllables the matching ending is more subtle and pleasing.

    Reply
  8. Lashley

    Previously suggested that I endorse:
    Paisley (do the PAD initials bother you?)
    Juniper
    Quinn
    Tamsin
    Rory
    Tatum

    I REALLY don’t think the Tatum O’Neal connection is an issue, except maybe for some parents and grandparents, so likely not something your daughter or her peers will ever really notice.

    Have you perused the “Favorite Unisex Baby Names” post? You might get some good ideas there.

    Other possibilities (some from that post) that don’t make obvious weird initials with _AD –
    Avery
    Emery/Emoryge
    Tessa
    Indigo/India (Piper and Indie? Adorable)

    Reply
  9. Anonymous

    Wow! What GREAT names options you have! I am even a bit envious of your last name – my girlfriend just named her baby Davis, and I really like it!

    My favourites from the group are Paisley, Romy, Rory (my niece is Rory and it is darling!), and Isla and Esme from the commenters.

    Best of luck to you!

    Reply
  10. Anonymous

    Tatum is fine, the association is really old so won’t be an issue.

    Some ideas:

    Rowan
    Lucy
    Wylie
    Willow
    Sage
    Zoe
    Scout
    Bryony
    Lark(in)

    Reply
  11. hillary

    I really like the Gemma suggestion, as it is an earth name but signifies the sparkling and rare aspects of the earth rather than the common aspect. Another way to put a twist on the astrology is to choose something that fits the light and growth of May. A nature name, maybe, like Hazel, or one that means light like Orly/Orli. I wouldn’t worry too much about having a Taurus, though. I’m a Taurus myself and have never felt bogged down by the earthiness/stubbornness attributed to Taurus.

    Reply
  12. sarah

    I LOVE Skye. I also like the suggestions of Harper, Ainsley, Presley and Romy. How about just Tate instead of Tatum? How about Westerly instead of Wesley? I also knew a girl named Weatherly (though she didn’t like it and went by LeeAnn, Ann being her middle name.)

    Hollis
    Holland
    Campbell
    Halsey
    Wren

    Good luck!

    Reply
  13. Laura

    Oh, I just LOVE Lorelei Anne, nn Rory. The initials -AD did indeed pose quite a problem so I thought about which initial combinations would bother me. For me, this eliminated a first name starting with any of these letters: BCDMPSW. You also said you didn’t want the name to start with D K or P.

    Some slightly tomboyish names that start with remaining letters that you might like:

    Ainsley
    Alma
    Ellis
    Finley
    Hadley
    Grier
    Lorelei (nn Rory)
    Linden
    Raina
    Riley
    Taylor
    Zoe

    Also, re: the Tatum connection, I think with your daughter’s generation they’d be more likely to associate it with Channing Tatum than Tatum O’Neal.

    Reply
  14. Wonderland

    Did not even think of PAD as initials! So far my favourite suggestions are:

    Piper and Linden Anne
    Piper and Rory Anne
    Piper and Aspen Anne
    Piper and Tatum Anne (who the feck is O’Neil?)
    Piper and Esme Anne
    Piper and India Anne
    Piper and Grier Anne
    Piper and Sydney Anne (SAD?)
    Piper and Carys Anne
    Piper and Arden Anne
    Piper and Eden Anne
    Piper and Alexis Anne

    My favourites are Tatum, Rory and Arden.

    Reply
  15. Once Upon A Time The Story Goes...

    Well, I have a twin sister named Skye Ann but she has never liked her name because when she tells people what her name is they think she’s saying Scott. Oddly enough, her daughter (my niece)’s name is Arden and I was actually going to suggest Arden. My sister gets TONS of compliments on Arden’s name and I think it’s a name that can stand the test of time as it is fitting for a baby all the way up to an old lady.

    Reply
  16. Anonymous

    I LOVE the suggestions so far of Tamsin, Carys, Clio and Arden. A few more you might like:

    Thea Anne Davis, Piper and Thea (TAD)
    Maia Anne Davis, Piper and Maia (MAD)
    Noelle Anne Davis, Piper and Noelle (NAD)
    Olive Anne Davis, Piper and Olive (OAD)
    Lila Anne Davis, Piper and Lila (LAD)
    Fiona Anne Davis, Piper and Fiona (FAD)
    Maude Anne Davis, Piper and Maude (MAD)

    Reply
  17. Kim

    I think Riley Anne is a great sister name for Piper Lynn.

    Other suggestions:

    Bellamy
    Campbell
    Kendall
    Noah
    Holland
    Sawyer
    Monroe
    Kennedy
    Carlisle
    Parker
    Hollis
    Finley
    Auden
    Aubrey
    Autumn
    Huxley

    I love the name Sloane too. You could have Sloane Anna if two one syllable names bother you. Blythe Anna is pretty too.

    If you really like the name Tatum I say go for it as, like an above poster said, it would more likely be associated with Channing Tatum these days.

    Good luck!

    Reply
  18. Anonymous

    Gemma is such a great suggestion, especially with Piper and Davis. Also means “gem” which is such a perfect name for an earth sign. Also, any plant name would give a subtle tie to the earth. Being grounded is a great quality.

    Reply
  19. Anonymous

    How about

    Cassidy nn Cassie, Cassidy Anne, Piper and Cassidy, Piper and Cassie?

    Darcy, Darcy Anne, Piper and Darcy?

    Bridget, Bridget Anne, Piper and Bridget?

    Reply
  20. Gail

    I don’t think the continuation of Anne as a middle name should be limiting so many great potential first names! Unless there’s a name you absolutely love from the remaining lot that wouldn’t create awkward initials, or sound awkward (as in Sloane Anne), better to be flexible in the middle.

    Reply
  21. Rachel

    Juno would be perfect! Harper is nice, but maybe too matchy. My top picks would be…

    Piper & Juno
    Piper & Margo
    Piper & Harlowe
    Piper & Mazzy
    Piper & Juniper (or Clover?)

    Reply
  22. Jen

    For some reason the name Tessa came to mind. Piper and Tessa. Or Ellery. I do really like other suggestions of Marlowe and Juno.

    Reply
  23. Michelle

    I once bought a really cute Talbots Kids dress on consignment and on the label was written ‘Tabor (last initial)’. I bring it up here because I thought it was an interesting name and has since then reminded me of Tatum. I think Tabor Anne would go well with Piper Lynn. It’s spunky and shares cadence with Piper Lynn.

    Reply
  24. Anonymous

    I know sisters named Piper & Poppy.

    Hadley/Hadliegh
    Layne/Laney
    Payton
    Ashtyn
    Shay
    Paige
    Reese
    Saige
    Rylee
    Skye
    Harlow
    Teagan
    Taytum
    Rylin
    Graicyn
    Karsyn
    Brekkyn
    Elliot
    Rory
    Emmerson
    Kylen

    Reply
  25. Anonymous

    What about Harlan? Piper and Harlan. (could also vary the spelling, Harlyn, Harlen, etc).

    I think you have some amazing options. My favourites:
    Piper and Presley
    Piper and Juno
    Piper and Harper
    Piper and Olive
    Piper and Hollis

    Make sure you update us!

    Reply
  26. liz

    I love the suggestion of bird names. They go so well with Piper.

    Wren (but I don’t like it with Anne), Lark, Robin, Phoebe (yeah, it’s a “P”, but it sounds like an “F”!).

    Lark Anne Davis. Piper and Lark.
    Robin Anne Davis. Piper and Robin.
    Phoebe Anne Davis. Piper and Phoebe.

    Reply
  27. sarahk

    I second Swistle’s suggestion of Quin! I love that name and think it is so pretty with Piper. You could even call her “Q” for a fun nickname. I also like:

    Juliet (Juliet and Piper), Juliet Ann Davis
    Ansley (as opposed to Ainsley-I like the soft A sound better)
    Felicity (this sounds great with Piper)
    Reagan (have always been a fan of this name)

    I love Swistle’s advice about the Taurus sign and how to handle it!

    Reply
  28. Angie

    Use Wesley! Wesley is on my list of girl names. I love it for a girl. I would never have thought of it this way until I met a Wesley. She’s a college student and the name fits– it doesn’t seem odd or unusual at all.

    Reply
  29. erin

    Romy
    Edie
    Tatum
    Winslow
    Rowan
    Phoebe
    Harley or Marley
    Barrett
    Georgia
    Olive

    all seem like great options to me and I also think Paisley would be cute with Piper – though I don’t always go for the sibling common initial I think it would be cute here.

    Reply
  30. Bonnie Jo

    My suggestions in no particular order:

    Billie
    Darcy
    Dempsey
    Bobbi
    Cassidy
    Juniper
    Hollie
    Morgan
    Miki
    Jamie
    Penny
    Delaney
    Mackenzie
    Asher
    Sage
    Hazel
    Fable
    Story
    Scout
    Blaise

    Thoughts on the the suggestions made:

    Willa- love love love

    Skye – love this name but sounds like a double barrel name with anne so I am not sue if it works best.

    Sloane-I think could look like slow Anne on paper and again doesn’t quite look right with the repetition of ane plus I find it hard to say. But sloane Davis is fine

    Tatum – I love this particularly Tate for a nn. I was born in 83 and had to google Tatum oneil. I had heard of her name but didn’t know who she was.

    Wesley – if you like it do it! Or perhaps Waverley or willow or whistler!

    P.s love the name Piper so I am very interested to see what you choose.

    Good luck

    Reply
  31. jess

    Tallulah! Tallulah Anne Davis. Piper and Tallulah. The meaning of “jumping/leaping water” is so wonderful. It is perky, upbeat, and unique.

    Reply
  32. Eva.G

    Sloane! Piper and Sloane. Love! I do agree that Sloane Anne is choppy – and initials spell SAD. Is Anne negotiable?

    So many wonderful suggestions! I particularly love Harper, Juno, Juniper, and Willow for you. And I don’t know why, but I’m kind of in love with other ‘p’ names with Piper. Piper and Penelope, Piper and Phoebe, Piper and Paige…..so sweet as sister names. Again, the initials spelling PAD would be problematic.

    I also wanted to add Lane, and Tera or Terra (“earth” – to tie in with Taurus).

    Reply
  33. Allison

    Of all the names suggested, I would vote for Romy. Romy & Piper is adorbable! Also love Paisley! When I read the suggestion “Merrin,” the name Merrick came to mind. I know an awesome girl named Merrick. I also have an acquaintance with 2 girls- Sloane & Leighton. Seems in the same naming “category” if you will. Just a few others to think about. I don’t ever comment b/c Swistle always does such a fabulous job but these few came to mind. Good luck:)!

    Reply
  34. Julie Davies

    Piper and Harper are good. Angel also fits with the theme. So does grace and faith although not sure with Anne.
    Florence Anne Davis is pretty.
    But with piper I think it should be something musical or angelic.
    Everlie is good too.

    Reply

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