Karen writes:
I found your site while desperately searching for inspiration for naming our Baby Girl #2 who is due in less than 3 weeks! I have read a lot of your naming advice, and I tend to LOVE your responses!
My name is Karen, and my husband is Paul. We have one daughter, Addison Hope (Addie). Our last name is similar to Langley but rhymes with Ashley. Ashley with an “L” at the beginning as I tell people hearing it for the first time. Our last name presents the first naming challenge. So many beautiful girl names end in “L” or with the “lee” or “lyn” sound. This is just too much with our last name. Clearly, a name like Lily is out. We have agreed to avoid the “L” sound in the name–or at the least, the name shouldn’t start or end with “L” or end with “lee” or “lyn.” However, the first syllable could end with “L” (as in Shelby or Sylvia, for example), but that’s about it.
The second challenge is finding something that will match with Addison (Addie). The girls will be two and half years apart. I don’t want them to sound like twins. I certainly don’t want the names to rhyme (Addison and Madison), and I don’t really want the name to start with an “A.” We do want something that can be shortened. We love Addison’s name because she has a cute nickname to go by for as long as she chooses but also has a longer, more serious-sounding name for when she is older. I would like the same for baby girl #2.
A third challenge is finding something that is uncommon but not terribly unusual or unfamiliar. I know Addison is a rather popular name, but I would prefer that baby girl’s name at least not be in the top 5 or 10 of the most popular names. I want something “special” but not made up. I also like unisex names but really only those that are more often used for girls. Names like Blake and Logan, while sometimes used for girls, are still boy names in my book.
We are considering several names including:
Savannah (which, for me, could only be shortened to Savy which my husband isn’t crazy about)
Gracyn (Gracie/Grace/Gray, but it seems contrived, and spelling it the “boy” way of Grayson is just too “boy”)
Emery (Emmy for short. The “emery board” connection bugs me a bit, but we both really like the name)
Ivy (which can’t be shortened but is similar to Ives, a family surname)
Nora (which I LOVE, but my husband does not. It could be short for several longer names, but he really doesn’t like any of them either)Your input and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for considering our question.
This IS a challenge! I keep thinking of possibilities, getting halfway through the sentence mentioning them, and realizing they end in -ley or -son, or start with A, or are loaded with L sounds. I saw Emery and thought, “Ooo, I wonder if they’d like Ellery?”—but it has an -ee ending AND too much L. So I thought, “Wait, what’s that other one?…Everly!”—but that ends in -ly. “Emerson! It’s perfect, unisex but more for girls, and the cute nickname Emmie!”—but it’s another -son. “Emlyn!”—ends in -lyn. “Jocelyn, nickname Joss!”—ends in -lyn. “Campbell! It’s perfect, unisex but more for girls, and the cute nickname Cammie!”—but it ends in -ll. “Harper!”—no nicknames. “Finley!”—ends in -ley. “Quinn!”—no nickname. “Reese!”—no nickname. “Hollis/Holly or Ellis/Ellie!”—both currently used more often for boys, and too much L. “Morgan! Unisex/girls, and great with surname and sister name!”—no nickname. “Reagan!”—no nickname. “Rowan!”—no nickname. “Teagan!”—no nickname. “Callan, nickname Callie!”—but Callie has too much L, and Callan is used more often for boys. It’s possible that with such a tricky surname, another preference will need to go.
Maybe Delaney? It has the nickname Lanie, and it’s a surname name like Addison. I’m not sure about it with the surname, but I think it works, and I like how the sister names sound together: Addison and Delaney. Oh, but Lanie with the surname isn’t great.
Padgett would be adorable, but it’s so much less common than the name Addison, and no good nickname.
Kerrigan. Addison and Kerrigan; Addie and Kerri.
I keep coming back to Harper. It doesn’t have a good nickname, true, but I love Addison and Harper together, and I also love Harper with your surname. Harper Grace, maybe.
From your list, Gracyn and Emery seem like the best options, and I think either of those would solve the difficult challenge. Ives would make a pleasing middle name. Or Emery Grace would be nice.
I also like Harper a lot. I don’t like Padgett at all – it sounds like a stereotypical country boy name and reminds me of pageant. Ivy is pretty but awkward with the last name.
It’s too bad your husband doesn’t like Nora because that would be my favorite of the list. What about Eleanor?
Other ideas:
Theadora (nn Thea or Dora)
Margaret (nn Maggie but that ends in ie)
Riana (nn Ria)
Corrina (nn Rina)
Great options Swistle suggested! I would also like to add Mackenzie and Kennedy either with the nickname Kenzie which is really cute. Or Meredith could go by Merry which would be cute with Addie.
I was thinking Meredith too, with the nn Mere (like the horse).
And I second Mackenzie! And do love Kenzie for a little girl.
I don’t know if this would bother anyone, but the Meredith & Addison connection from Grey’s Anatomy would bug me immensely. And I think it would be cause for a lot of joke since Meredith basically stole Addison’s husband on the show. I’d stay away from that combo!
What about Meryn (like Maren/Marin) with nickname Merry to resolve that issue?
I like your idea of Mackenzie. Think it is very cute with Addison. However, I instantly thought of Greys Amatomy with the combination of Addison and Meredith. Their relationship is awkward on the show with Meredith marrying Addisons ex-husband. I personally would avoid that combination.
This is interesting, before reading the list of names you’re considering I immediately thought of Savannah! Addison and Savannah sounds like a great sibset.
I actually love your name! Cassandra would be great with Addison!
Was thinking the same thing! Cassandra nn Cassie!
I like Parker for you but there is no good nickname for it. I’m wondering if any of the names you may like that don’t have obvious nicknames could be given a nickname by using part of the middle name? I do love Savannah. Would you like Susannah with the nn Susie?
These are not similar to Addison stylistically but I don’t think they clash with Addison either. Penelope (nn Penny)? Might be too much L with the surname? Genevieve (nn Evie)? Josephine (nn Josie)?
As an aside, we specifically picked names for our boys that did not have easy nicknames and, you know, people have come up with nicknames for them anyway. So perhaps just pick a name you really love, even if it doesn’t have a nickname and you’ll come up with one on your own.
I thought of Vivian. A bit different stylistically, but not too much so. Three syllables like Addison, and Vivi is a great nickname!
From your list, Nora is so great! Perhaps other 2-syllable ending in -a names could work? Tara or Cora maybe.
Or what about just Grace, instead of Gracyn? It eliminates the duplicating “-son” “-cyn” endings, and it’s so sweet and classic! Gracie is a natural nickname, too. Grace Lashley.
Completely agree. Grace to me sounds so lovely and sweet where as Gracyn sounds hash and even mean to me.
I wonder if the spelling Emory might take away the nail file connection? From your list, I think it’s my favorite. One name that came to mind for you was Maguire, nn Maggie. Far different in popularity but similar in style.
I really like swistle’s suggestion of Teagan and I thought the nickname “Tia” would be great.
With Addison, i like
Juniper (Junie) La. ly
Cameron (Cammie). La. ly
Margot (Maggie). La. ly
Piper (Pip). La. ly
Rowan (Rory) La. ly
Winslow (Winnie) La. ly
Tabitha (Tabby). La ly
A recent post included June (Junie) or Juniper (June/Junie). I like Juniper for you! Three syllables, easy nicknames, no L’s and goes great with Addison.
Other suggestions (not L heavy):
Ruby
Constance (Connie)
Brynn
Amber
Of the ones you mentioned I like Emery and Nora best!
I love Emery from your list. And Kerrigan best from Swistle’s suggestions. We have a Nora, but very nearly named her Eleanor with plans to shorten to Nora.
How about Carrigan? Addie & Carrie.
Addison & Carrigan Ashley-with-an-L
I really like Delaney, could Della work as a nickname? How about Page/Paige as a nickname for Padgett? Quincy as a long form for Quin?
I also thought of Cameron/Camryn, Ember, Mallory, Kennedy, Madigan (“Maggie”), Cassidy, Chandler, Winslet
I love Morgan for you guys. It sounds great with Addison and with your last name. And she could just be Morg or Morrie for short.
I have close friends who named their son Morgan, not thinking about the nickname, and were dismayed when they realized that everyone calls him “Morg.” It sounds exactly like morgue.
I’m not sure it’s much better, but I know an adult (male) Morgan whose family still calls him “Morgie” all. the. time. It’s sort of cute and sort of mortifying.
The Teagen suggestion is great.
I think Gracen (Gracyn) fits the best with the names you are considering.
From your list, I love Savannah the best. Though, I’m not crazy about Savy as the nickname. I think I’d much prefer something like Annie, or even Vanna.
I do really like Swistle’s suggestion of Delaney. Maybe Dela/Della as a nickname would avoid some of the L problem?
Some other suggestions;
Avery/Ava (though it does start with A)
Cassidy/Cassie/Cass
Cameron/Cammie
Darcy (no nickname)
Sabrina/Bree
Aurora/Rory (another A)
Hmm..I really like both Delaney and Savannah and Cameron, and their respective nicknames. (Savannah, nn Savvy is used in a new TV series and was the first time I’d ever heard that nickname. It comes across quite cute and feminine.)
What about Charlotte or Charlene, nn Charlie? I also like Winslow or Winifred with nn of Winnie.
Others:
Miranda (Mira)
Beatrice (Bea or Betty)
Cassandra, Cassidy (Cassi)
Alice (Ally… but has A and l sounds, but still think could work)
Olive or Olivia (Liv or Livvy…again uses L but I think would work).
I think Gracyn is a good fit with Addison. My daughter’s name is GRAYCIN, and we spelled it that way to get the nick names Gray/Grayci. Addie & Grayci… Too cute
Merritt nn Merry?
I REALLY like Piper for you. It’s perfect with your surname, different but not “made up”, goes well with Addison, and I know a little “Pipes” who is just adorable.
I LOVE Piper! Other nns could be Pippa, Pippi, etc. Other names to consider: Fiona (nn Nonie), Cameron, nn Cammie, Cecilia (nn Ceci or Celia)
Oooh, this is like a puzzle– I love it!
Has anyone suggested Cassidy yet? I *think* it hits all the necessary marks (a demerit for ending in an -ee sound, but at least it’s not -lee). Cassidy sounds good with Addison, and Cassie is a natural nickname. Together with the surname, though, Cassidy is a little singsongy.
Or– Emmeline. I don’t think the “l” sound is too much with your surname. I prefer it to Emerson or Emery/Emory too.
Or Caroline.
Or Carrington. Not common, and quite feminine in a way. Carrie is a natural nickname.
I love someone’s suggestion of Charlotte, but prefer the nickname Lottie with your surname. Charlie repeats the -lee sound unfortunately.
Harriet, nickname Hattie is cute too though maybe more “vintage” than you are looking for.
Vivian, nickname Vivi, is also wonderful, as someone else said already.
Josephine, nickname Josie or Jo?
Evelyn, nickname Evie?
Georgia or Georgiana, nickname Georgie?
Julianne, nickname Julie?
Jessamyn or Jessamine, nickname Jessie?
I prefer just plain Grace to any of the -yn/-son variants. Gracie is a natural nickname.
Susannah is nice, and has Susie or Sanna going for it as nicknames. I think it has a bit more staying power than Savannah, too, but that’s just my own opinion. Sanna could be a potential nickname for Savannah, too.
Out of all of these, Vivian, Jessamyn/Jessamine, and Evelyn are my favorites with your surname. Jessamyn in particular is really appealing– it’s a “real” name (the original English word for Jasmine) that’s been used since the Victorian era, it has a modern feel like Addison, it is feminine but not overly frilly, it sounds excellent with your surname, and has a very natural nickname (Jessie) as well as some secondary/stretch nicknames (Sam, Minnie).
Evelyn is also nice– it was originally a male name, like Addison, but is now quite strongly female. Evie is adorable and goes well with Addie.
Er, I realize in re-reading your letter that you don’t think -lyn endings go well with your surname. I actually disagree, but nevertheless that means Evelyn and Emmeline/Caroline are out. Darn!
Jessamine Grace or Jessamyn Grace are great too.
Katherine/Catherine nn Katie? Addie and Katie? Both with longer formal names and great nn
I love the nickname ZuZu for Savannah. I know it is more of a nickname for Susan..But could it work?
How about Veronica with the nickname of Roni…Maybe that is not the right style with Addison
I have recently seen somewhere the nickname vita for Victoria and I like it.
Something else you can consider is maybe a double name that works as they are younger and when they grow up they tend to drop one of the names.
Like Zoe Beth (Zoe Elizabeth) and Addie
or Eva Scott and Addie
I like Kennedy and Addison – would nn Kenzie, Kadie, or just Kay
I kind of like Addie and Kay.
Since you like Addison, how about some other place names?
Carolina (nn Carrie, Cara, Lena)
Georgia (nn Gigi?)
Savannah can have the nn Annie (I think Annie is a classic that’s adorable on a little girl, but might be too similar to Addie)
Cheyenne (nn Annie, but see above, or Shay)
Sydney (I can’t think of a good nn but I think it goes well with Addie as-is)
Other commenters suggested Charlotte and Jessamine, both of which I love.
I would stay away from Gracyn because, unlike Addison, it’s not a familiar spelling and she’s going to be correcting everyone all the time. Try the “Starbucks test”: go to Starbucks and tell them your name is Gracyn and see how they spell it on the cup.
Kennedy and Reagan are both popular girls’ names but you may want to avoid the political overtones.
Kendall sounds lovely with Addison but unfortunately ends in L.
Good point, Gracyn will be tough to spell. I think Grace is nicer w/ the surname anyway.
Of the names on your list, I like Savannah and Nora. Savannah goes very nicely with Addison, but IMO the nickname would be Vanna. Savy is a bit out there. You could do Sassy maybe?
Emory and Ivy don’t work for me with the last name, they get sing-songy. And I agree with your assessment/concerns for Gracyn.
Other ideas:
Josephine/Josette (Josie)
Imogen (Ginny/Genny)
Corinne/Corinna (Corie)
Evangeline (Evie)
Clementine (Clem)
Millicent/Milana (Millie)
Meredith (Mery)
Eloise (Ellie)
Regina (Gina/Ginny)
Rowena (Rowa)
Katrina (Kat)
Of these, my favorite for you is Imogen. Imogen and Addison. Addie and Ginny. I also love the sound of Addison and Corinne. Corinne (L)Ashley. Addie and Corrie.
Tough puzzle. Here are my contributions to your list, some original and some not. Caroline (Carly/Carlie), Eliza (Ellie), Jocelyn (Josie), Teresa (Tessa), and Leah w/no nickname. AndI’ll add my vote to Susannah and Piper.
Wishing you all the best…..
I just wanted to jump back in and say I LOVE the suggestion of Jocelyn/Josie….
Addison Hope & Jocelyn Grace
Addie and Josie
Jocelyn Grace Ashley with an L
Pretty darn adorable – in my opinion. :) Piper is very cute – maybe nickname Pip?
Jocelyn would be sweet for sure! But she said no girls names ending in -lyn… Personally I think the -lyn ending is totally ok with an L-beginning surname but maybe it’s too much to the original letter writer’s ear. Maybe Josephine or Joanna, nickname Josie?
The list of potential names I have been adding to over the years has many names that lead to natural nicknames. Some of these may be a bit of a stretch for your taste or preferences, but just wanted to share:
As a sibling to Addie/Addison I thought of Rosie/Rose/Rosemary.
Tamsin–Tammy
Carrington–Carrie
Sara Beth—Sare or just Sara or Beth
Tessa–Tess
Katherine/Kathryn–Katy or Kate
And a few that go against the no A beginning, or L sound preference:
Aurora–Rory
Indiana–Indy/Anna
Baya–Bay
Simona–Mona
Olivia–Ollie, Liv, Livi
Larkin–Lark
Linden–Linnie
Anastasia–Ana
Nicolette–Nikki
Julianna–Julie/Anna
It seems like the L sound doesn’t twist up the tongue when the name begins with an L.
Good luck, and congratulations to your new little one.
I love Taryn for you. Addison & Taryn. Addie & Terrie/Addie & Tess. Taryn Ives or Taryn Grace.
I also think Ives can work as a first name. Ives Katherine, nn Ivy.
Lots of great suggestions! I just wanted to suggest Mercedes with the nn. Mercy or Sadie. Not sure if it is too out there for you, but I love it and think that Addison and Mercedes go great together!
“Like Ashley with an L” – I must have said it 25,000 times in my life. Your last name is my first name! My name came from my grandmother’s maiden name, so I can tell you what’s been used in my family with (L)ashley and maybe something will jump out at you or inspire a train of thought.
My grandmother and her sisters –
Marion Claudine (she went by Claudine)
Faye
Mary Jane
Evelyn
Other family members –
Danah
Brenna
Bridget
I think Evelyn works nicely, since the emphasis is on the first syllable. It’s also popular, but not quite as much as Addison.
Others that sound nice to me (some that have been mentioned already and some that break a rule or two of yours) – Charlotte, Alexandra, Rebecca, Claire, Gianna, Margaret, Juliana, Blair(e), Olivia.
Happy naming!
How about Tatum, nn Tate? Or Holland (Holly). I also like the other posters suggestions of Larkin, Carrington, Bayla, Piper.
Good luck!
I would like to suggest one of my longtime favorite names; Emilia (nn Emmi). I think it fits great with Addison! Addison and Emilia; Addie and Emmi!
I also thought Olivia was a great suggestion! Addison and Olivia. Addie and Ollie/Livvi/Liv!
The -ee ending of emery and ivy would bother me with your last name. Another alternative spelling to gracyn would be gracen. I want to suggest Kendall, too, because the L- sound doesn’t really run into your last name, and it is unisex. Another option is Paige or Camden or Fallon or Merritt or Reese but these don’t have obvious nicknames! Maybe you can be flexible on that? Best of luck!
My niece is Savannah and her nickname is Sav. It’s really cute and suits her. Addison and Savannah, Addie and Sav, are really pretty together.
I love the suggestions so far of Meredith, Harper, Vivian, Caroline, and Piper. In that same vein:
Samantha (Sammie)
Rebecca (Becca, Becky, Bex)
Jordana (Jori, Dana, Dani)
Cecelia (Cece)
Katrina (Kat)
Eliana (Ellie, Lia)
Jasmine (Jazz)
Victoria (Vicki, Tori)
Georgia (Georgie)
Penelope (Penny)
I’ve seen Daney used as a nickname for Delaney and thought it was adorable!
I know an Addison and Emery sibset, so I think that’s jumping out at me. I also don’t think the emery board association is much of a concern! But I’m not crazy about Emery ith your last name. I sort of love Jessamine, which someone else suggested. I also like Grace–not Gracyn–and I think Savannah and Nora work nicely. AndI like all of them with Addison/Addie!
I like the er ending of Piper or Harper. I think Fiona would sound great with Addison too.
From your list I think Emery is the best bet. The only downside you mention is the emery board. I remember someone suggesting the Emory spelling and I think that should solve it.
Here are some names with internal Ls you might like
Alya
Caitlin
Jillian
And here are some with no Ls
Jasmine
Katrina
Samira
Zoe
Monroe, nn’d Roo? Or Tamsin, but no ready nn except Tammie…..
I like the “er” endings of Juniper, Harper, and Piper with your surname, also because none of them repeat the “ah” sound of Addie. Nn’s might not be obvious, but could evolve and might not be needed? I like the suggestion of Pippa for Piper.
As I’ve puzzled this out I’ve thought how easy it would be with “mom” names. Jennifer, Jessica, Karen, Mary, Joanne, Jane, Donna–tons of names with nary an “l” to be found. But not good matches for Addison, which does go so very well with your surname. Good luck, please let us know what you choose.
This is tricky! From your list, Emery is my favorite with Addison. If you choose Savannah, I think Nan would be a good nickname.
Some other options:
Hollis nn Hollie
Sheridan nn Sheri or Dani
Bellamy nn Bella or Belle
Bronwyn nn Winnie
I also think Peyton and Palmer are nice, and you could get a nickname by choosing a middle name that starts with J.
Peyton Jane nn PJ
Palmer Jane nn PJ
I also think Nanna works well for Savannah. Alternatively- Hannah is also a similar choice with the nick names Anna, Hannie, or Nanna
What about Ember nn Em or Emmi?
Really like the suggestions of Meredith nn Merry and Cameron nn Cammi too.
I’d also like to suggest Elliott. I know you don’t want names with an ‘L’ in them but I think it sounds great with Lashley. Elliott Lashley nn Ellie or Lottie is great!
Other suggestions:
Pennington nn Penny
Cadence nn Cadie
Kensington nn Kensie
I love Gracen nn Gracie, spelled this way too.
All the best!
I know a family with an Addison, Bryn, and Emery. They use nick names “Em” or “Em-e” for Emery. I think its a beautiful name!
Delaney can also yield Dee (or Deedee), which I only know on older folk but think should come around for bitty ones again.
Thought of two more surname names with sweet girls nicknames–Sheridan (“Sheri,” “Dani” or “Sadie”) and Corrigan (“Corrie”)
I vote for Taryn! That is my name and I have gotten compliments my whole life, my nick name is Ta and Tay. I have met only 2 in my life and girl from my high school recently named her little girl Taryn Rose, she loved my name. I also work with a little girl named Emary (pronounced Emery), adorable! Good Luck
Maybe Georgiana? I like the nickname Gia. Addie and Gia.
Others that I thought of based on your list:
Sylvia (maybe not the style you’re looking for, but Savannah makes me think of Sylvia)
Mathilda
Both have an L, but the L sound at the end of a middle syllable sounds less prominent to me.
Marietta
Octavia (nn Tavi)
Whitney (not sure of nickname)
Bryony – similar sounds to Emery
Pheobe
Geneva
Fiona
Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! Some great names had to eliminated because of family/friends connections including Delaney/Laney, Katherine/Katie, Olivia, McKenzie/Kenzie, Morgan, Cameron, anything shortened to Carrie/Kerrie, Ginny/Jenny, Anna. I liked the idea of something shortened to Evie, but Addie and Evie reminds me too much of Adam and Eve.
Baby girl will arrive any day now. Currently we are considering Emery Grace (Emmy), Savannah Grace, Gracyn/Gracen/Grace Ives (Gracie), and I am wearing my hubby down on Eleanora Ives (Nora). I will send an update after she makes her debut. Thanks again, Swistle and commenters!
That IS hard! Jessamine is my favourite suggestion, with the nickname Jessa. Addie and Jessa are perfect.
I think these meet the criteria but are pretty unusual:
Hathaway. Addie and Hattie.
Ceridwen. Addie and Cera (Ceri/Kerrie sounds too dated).
Bettany. Addie and Bett(y).
Coraline. Addie and Cora.
Sequoia. Addie and Sia.
Maguire. Addie and Maggie.
Bayliss. Addie and Bay.
Robina. Addie and Bee. Addie and Ro.
Devaney. Addie and Eva.
Isabeau. Addie and Isa. Addie and Bo.
Bennett. Addie and Etta.
Finnian. Addie and Finn.
Indigo. Addie and Indi.
Serafina. Addie and Sera. Addie and Ina.
Hennessy. Addi and Essy.
Addie and Emme are very cute. Here are some other ways to get to Emme (that are perhaps trying too hard): Embrey, Artemis, Emmeline, Dempsey, Clementine and Tempany.
just adding Bellamy to the mix
What about Emmarie? It’s basically another way to spell “Emery” but without the emery board connection!
Addison and Emmarie! Love it.