H. writes:
We are having trouble coming up with a name for our third child. It will be a girl. Our first child is Samuel (goes by Sam) and our daughter is Vivian (goes by Vivi as well). My husband’s initials are JFH. I started thinking it would be nice to use his initials. Our last name is two syllable and goes with most names The only J name that has resonated with us is Juliette. So far, I have liked Juliette Faye and Juliette Farah with JF. I also started considering alternative ideas
Farah Juliette
Genivieve ClaireNames that i liked but didn’t work for me after I really thought about them
Madeline
Ophelia
Adelaide
Magdaline
Josephine
EmmelineBut, at the end of the day my husband to date has only liked Juliette. I really love it as well but I can’t believe we can’t come up with an alternative that works with Sam and Vivian. I usually like names that have a nickname option and more than two syllables. We are American, but currently living in the UK. This doesn’t matter other than I am becoming more accustomed to names more common in the UK.
Do you have any advice on possible JH combinations or an alternative girl name that goes with our children’s names? I usually love so many names but with five weeks to go, I feel like I am missing something.
Thanks.
When you say “I can’t believe we can’t come up with an alternative that works with Sam and Vivian,” do you mean you think Juliette doesn’t go with Sam and Vivian (I think it goes very nicely), or do you mean you think it DOES work but you wish you could come up with more equally good candidates? It sounds like Juliette is perfect: you and your husband both love it, it’s more than two syllables, it has the initials you want, and it has several nickname options (Juli, Jules, Etta).
If you decide to drop the idea of using your husband’s initials, I think Genevieve is a very nice option. Have you considered which nickname you’d like to use for it (Gen, Genny, Genna, Evie)? Evie might be too close to Vivi.
Without a surname it’s difficult to come up with additional options. Looking just at the name Vivian, I might suggest Eleanor, Eloise, Helena, Louisa, Lucille, Lydia, Philippa, Silvia, Winifred. Looking at your list of names you liked but they weren’t quite right, I might suggest Adeline and Cordelia.
For more JF combinations, I might suggest:
Jemma Felicity
Jemma Frances
Joanna Faye
Jocelyn Fiona
Jocelyn Freya
Julianna Faye
And I would reconsider Josephine, if you think there’s any hope for it: it’s great with Vivian, and I love the nicknames Jo and Josie.
I also love Jemima. It’s a bit laden in the US, so if you plan on moving back here it’s something to consider—but in the UK, I understand it’s quite popular and without a lot of the issues that make it a difficult name in the US.
Jessamine might also be a good option—familiar but with a wonderful antique feel.
In terms of “F” middle names, how about Fern? I came across it the other day and thought it would be a good surprising option among the common one-syllable nature-or-virtue-themed middle names I am seeing so often.
I was a little confused, too, as it seems you have a name you both like that meets your requirements, but if you just want a bigger pool, with Samuel & Vivian, I like:
Alexandra (Alex or Xandra)
Maxine (Max)
Nicoletta (Nicky)
Pearl
But some of those are shorter than you’d like and Pearl has no obvious nickname. There’s Jessamine if you want another longer J name. Fern would be a good F middle for a lot of names, but not Jessamine unless you don’t mind two botanical names together. I do like the sound of it, though.
Like above.. I’m not sure what the issue is? You both have seemed to agree on Juliette and I think it goes wonderfully with the others. Maybe you are used to having a hard time choosing with the first two so this is off for you? I’m not sure..
Love Juliette Faye nn Ettie. Sam, Vivi, & Ettie. Love this!
I like Juliette! Juliette Faye is so lovely. I wish Josephine were on the list still as well. Swistle’s suggestion of Jocelyn seems to fit really well.
Jillian
Jacqueline
If you decide to go with something not matching the initials, your list of dismissed names makes me think of Caroline. Also, my oldest had a Faye with him in preschool and I really thought it was adorable and fresh so I would maybe see if that’s a good first name candidate and you could reverse the initials and use a J mn perhaps?
Genevieve
She walks above the angels room, catch the snow feels like winner, I’d do anything to just be with her… She’s my Genevieve she’s my lazy river she’s my only love, she’s my favorite sinner Genevieve oh-oh Genevieve!
(Song by Sugarland!!! Love love love!)
I feel like Jemima is a no-go in the US, but since you live in Britain, maybe that could join the list, as a previous poster suggested? Her suggestion of Jessamine (or Jessamyn) is great too.
I think I prefer both Juliette (and Josephine) myself, though.
Do you like Justine?
I love Juliette as well! But I’ll second Jemma. I know a little 3yr old Jemma (here in the US) and she is divine. I also prefer the British spelling as opposed to Gemma (maybe bc I’m a J name too).
I think I get where you’re coming from. I’m never entirely comfortable unless I can come up with 3 good options for any conundrum–whether it’s a senior thesis, decorating problem, vacation plan. I’m just happier when I feel I have some options, all of which could work for me.
And the idea of using your husband’s initials: Am I right that this is simply a way to narrow down otherwise overwhelming options?
There seems to be a golden mean of options, and for many of us, 3 seems to be it. Too many more and we start to feel a little manic, too few and we can feel superstitious, or cornered. There’s advice out there–I forget exactly where–that’s it’s good to go into labor with 3 possible names. Unfortunately, it’s also been one of my disappointments in life that I’m not always able to come up with 3 solid possibilities for the choices before me. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time, or inspiration. Often there’s a need to factor in the realities of having to compromise with others.
I love the name Juliette, and agree with others that it fits into your family quite well. So you could stop there, given how little pondering time you might have with two small children underfoot. I also like the idea of Juliette Fern or Juliette Foresta. I’m not so enamored with Farrah, which for me is about the pronunciation I’m assuming it has, with the first syllable rhyming with nary rather than car.
It’s been a really long winter where I live and one of the things I busied myself with was genealogy. In the process I learned that I had both a great-grandmother & a great great-grandmother named Josephette. It’s perhaps too unusual for you, but it is similar to Juliette in that it’s a J name that ends in ette. I know from reading name blogs that Jessica is also very popular in England, but back here in the U.S. it seems to be characterized as the alternative Jennifer.
If you’re going to move back to the U.S. in the future (or even if you’re not), and if you’d be open to putting aside the JF initials, I’d second Swistle’s suggestion of Phillipa. I think it’s simply elegant, and also fits the subset very well.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and upcoming birth!
I was also going to suggest Jemima, though I see some others have beaten me to it! What am I missing… why is Jemima a “laden” name in the US? (I’m Canadian so I guess it doesn’t apply here…)
Here in the U.S., Jemima is very strongly association with Aunt Jemima-a character will very racist overtones. http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/04/new-racism-museum-reveals-the-ugly-truth-behind-aunt-jemima/256185/
We did a post on it here once if you want to read more about it: https://www.swistle.com/babynames/2012/07/10/name-to-consider-jemima/
I agree that Juliette is just about perfect with Sam & Vivi. If you just want more options, I’ll suggest Julianna (close, but different nickname options) and Jillian. I also really like Swistle’s suggestion of Jemma.
Some non-J names that I think would work well are Amelia, Cecilia, Audrey, Miranda, Anabel & Georgia/Georgianna. If you don’t mind repeating initials within the sibset, Sabrina, Sylvia & Veronica.
I wonder if you’d consider matching the sounds of your husband’s initials? This would open you up to names starting with a soft-G, as well as names starting with Ph.
Juliette Faye is beautiful!
Brainstorming other J names…
Juniper (June)
Jacinta
January
Jessamine
Jocasta
Johanna
Jocelyn
Jamesetta (Etta James’ birth name)
But if you do away with your more-than-2-syllables criteria, you get these gems:
June
Joan
Jane
Joy
Janet
Judith
And two lovely Fs to consider:
Fenella
Fiametta
I prefer the spelling Juliet, which is also nice because it’s the same number of letters as Vivian and Samuel. I love Jemma and Jessa too.
I actually think the simpler spelling of Juliet would “fit” better, with the simpler spelling of Vivian, in this case.
Vivian and Juliet just seem more streamlined, and less fussy, next to their frilly, french cousins Vivienne and Juliette.
Either way, Juliet/Juliette is such a beautiful name and sound absolutely perfect with Samuel and Vivian.
All the best!
Juliet/Juliette also has the great nicknames Jules and Jet!
The suggestion of Phillipa is a great one too. Love the nickname Pippa!
Another vote for Juliette/Juliet.
We have a Juliet (thought there would be less mistakes in spelling her name this way vs. Juliette…. I would say people, in Canada at least, spell it 50-50 one way vs. other). WE LOVE HER NAME. Every single person, even the people at the passport office who have zero personality (I believe it is because they are trained like that for their position, I’m sure they are quite lovely people outside of their serious job) comment on what a lovely name she has. I also agree with a previous comment that I think the Juliet spelling looks better with Samson and Vivian vs. the Juliette spelling looks a bit too “proper” for the updated Samson (vs. Samuel) and Vivian (vs. Vivienne). I think it is a great option since both you and your husband both agree on it. When we were pregnant with our boy, we didn’t fall in love with a name like we had with Juliet and just finally agreed on a name that we both liked best… now his name is just perfect and suits him 100%. So hopefully you will get that feeling once you have her!! That’s my vote.
My next favourite J- name would be June. Love this name. June Fiona would be a fresh spunky name!
Other J’s:
Jana – pronounced (YAWN-A). I work with someone by this name, she is from Sweden
Jemma
Jade
Jada
Jules
Other names not with a J- but give you the same hard G/J sound:
Georgia
Georgianna
Gemma
Genevieve
Geneva
Giada – I so love this name
Other names:
If you like Ophelia but wasn’t quite right what about Ottilia (nn Tilly) or Otelia (Tia) or Othelia (Thea)
I like the idea of switching the names to keep the same letters. I like Faye as a first name. Sam, Vivi, and Faye. That’s pretty cute! Other F- names: Finola, Fiona, Flora, Frederica, Freida, Francesca nn Frankie.
I also really like Margo. Samson, Vivian, and Margo. You could just go with straight Margo or could use Margaret as a longer version.
If you like Juliette what about Brigette? or Violet?
Eve or Evie
Thea
Rose or Rosalie
Noella
Ruby
Willa
Virginia
Veronica
Ada
Etta
Penelope
Phillipa – Pippa
Good luck!!
I agree that the streamlined spelling of “Juliet” is my preference and would work perfectly in this sibset. Juliet Faith, Juliet Faye/Fae, Juliet Fern are all lovely.
How about Jacinda or Jacquetta? Or Jacoba? Or Felicity for the middle, or Fiametta, my all time favorite name crush :)
I am going along with everyone else and saying use Juliet/Juliette! When naming our daughter my husband and I could only come up with one name we really liked so we went for it and we love it along with everyone else. Don’t start second guessing yourself, it’s a beautiful name and goes along with the sib set!
I think Juliet is great as a sibling to Samuel and Vivian! I agree with the sentiments above–it “matches” much better than does the more elaborate Juliette. All three names are nice and spare, with no letter wasted.
Personally, I really, strongly think Jemima is unusable in the US–contrary to the poll in the link Swistle posted, I think it’s just as bad no matter what child wears it (in a worst-case scenario, I’d read racial insensitivity–a willful, “I don’t care, I’m going to use it even if it makes people cringe” attitude; best-case, I’d assume the parents were ignorant of the connotations, which isn’t much better).
I can identify with wanting more choices on the table–choosing definitively from among a handful options may feel more satisfying than defaulting to the only name you came up with. But I actually think you lucked out–you like the name and your husband loves it, so why complicate things further? :)
I do think Juliette is great. (I also know a tomboyish Juliette who goes by Jet, which I think is really cute)
Other possible ‘J’ names:
Jessamine (to rhyme-y with Vivian?)
Joanna/Johanna — (I know a very wholesome looking little girl named this and it totally changed my opinion of it)
Justine/Justina
Josette
Jessa
Joy
Juliet Faye nn Jet is perfect!
I also like Jacoba nn Cobie and Jakira nn Kira.
I think Juliet(te) Fay(e) is amazing.
One other idea is possibly going with Josanna – not common but still solid.
Reading your letter and Swistle’s reply I felt a pang for all the girl names my husband vetoed – Vivian (Viv), Juliette (Jules), Louisa (Lou), Eleanor (Elle), Philippa (Pippa), Helena (Leni) … So I thought I’d share others on my list (not his) in case one worked for you:
Ailsa
Beatrix (Bea)
Caroline (Caro)
Cerys
Cressida (Cressa)
Elsbeth (Libby)
Imogen
Iona
Johanna (Jo)
Layla
Liesl (Lise)
Margot
Rhiannon (Ry)
Good luck!
I also think Juliet (or Juliette) is the name for you! Juliet Faye is a lovely name. I can relate to the idea of wanting options. It seems too easy to have a perfect name already chosen, and you may feel that you’re missing something! But I really think you have a winner.
If you decide to go in with some backups, I also love your choice of Genevieve. One of my favorite names! Philippa (Pippa) is my Top 5 currently, so having both Genevieve and Philippa/Pippa as options would thrill me and make me a very happy mama! I’d stop looking there : ) But I will add Augusta to the mix.
OR….if you really want only J names, I love the suggestions of Juniper and Jocelyn. I’ll also add Junia.
I love Juliette! Its a lovely “ballet” name like Giselle (would you consider Giselle?It’s very elegant.)
But in case you need an alternative- I live in Australia, and here Genevieve is commonly shortened as Gigi. Its cute yet sophisticated and goes perfectly with your sibset names!
Kudos to you on an absolutely amazing pair of names already! (sorry, can’t resist; we have Sam and Vivian too, although we’ve chosen to use the French nickname Vava instead of Vivi.). I’m hunting a boy’s name for our third – we have a girl’s name, but can’t seem to settle on a boy. Everything feels tired or trendy. I’d love to hear what girl’s name you eventually choose! Good luck :)
I don’t know if this is too out there for you, but I knew a Juliette who went by the nickname Jet. I always thought it was a great.
Thank you for all your replies. It’s been very helpful. I have not ruled out Juliette as I agree it’s a great name and goes well with Vivian and Sam, but I have added some names to my list. I like Georgette/Georgina (Georgie) and I think Annalise and Faye are beautiful options. I still love Genevieve but my husband Doesn’t soit’s not an option anymore. I will post once she is born.
We named her Juliette Faye! I went in with a few names, but as I gave birth I was talking to Juliette so that was her name!!