Hi Swistle, Our daughter’s name is Ellis Paige and she is due to have a sibling come April 2015. My husband and I can’t agree on a girl name and even though we’re months away I am in a panic.
Overall we like Unisex names for girls with a feminine middle. We also like classic names.
Some of my favorites are:
Charlotte, “Charlie”
Vella
Emilie
Reagan
Lucca
Tyler
Merrill
Vivienne
ClaireHelp!! Or can your followers help?
Thank you,
Rebecca
The name Ellis was given to 496 boys and 225 girls in 2013: a unisex name currently used more often for boys. I would be hesitant to pair that, then, with any of the names on your list currently used almost exclusively for girls: Charlotte, Emilie, Vivienne, Claire—which you might have on there as middle name candidates anyway. The nickname Charlie does make Charlotte a better fit, but then I start feeling hesitant about the popularity gap: the name Charlotte was given to 9,232 new baby girls in 2013: more than 40 times as many baby girls named Charlotte as named Ellis.
Reagan is an interesting possibility: it was given to 206 new baby boys and 3,020 new baby girls in 2013: a unisex name currently used much more often for girls. The balance of boy/girl usage is different for Reagan than for Ellis, but they seem similarly balanced to me anyway: I think because my primary association with Reagan (Ronald) is male, and El-/-elle/-ella names are currently so in style for girls. I think Ellis and Reagan make a very nice pair of sister names. Ellis Paige and Reagan Claire, maybe, or Ellis Paige and Reagan Charlotte.
Merrill is another interesting one to consider. It was given to 6 new baby boys and 8 new baby girls in 2013, so it’s rare right now for both sexes. Similar possibilities are Merrin and Merrit and Mirren.
The name Tyler was given to 6,590 new baby boys and 172 new baby girls in 2013: a unisex name currently used much more often for boys. A similar name is Taylor: in 2013 it was given to 818 new baby boys and 4108 new baby girls: a unisex name used more often for girls. Or Skylar/Skyler, given to 1,596 new baby boys and 4,630 new baby girls in 2013. I think of Tyler and Taylor as names a little past their 1990s peak, but Skylar is still increasing in popularity for girls.
Vella seems very close to Ellis.
Lucca/Luca might work very well for you. In general I find it a difficult name to recommend: it has characteristics that mark it as feminine for a United States name, but it’s an Italian boy name. For a U.S. family looking for a unisex/boyish name for a girl, it could be exactly the right fit. The spelling Lucca looks like luck-ah or loo-chah to me, but the comments section on this post shows that’s by no means a universal opinion. The current usage in the United States looks like this for 2013: 1,881 new baby boys and 74 new baby girls named Luca; 256 new baby boys and 49 new baby girls named Lucca; 433 new baby boys and 25 new baby girls named Luka.
Without a surname to work with, it’s difficult to come up with further suggestions. But here are some names I think might fit well with a sister named Ellis:
Avery
Beckett
Brennan
Campbell
Emery
Everly
Finley
Gracen
Hadley
Harper
Jensen
Lane
Lennox
Marley
Perrin
Quinn
Reese
Rory
Rowan
I know someone who named their daughter Charleston, nn Charlie. That would be a lot less common than Charlotte. Her other daughter also has a name sounding similar to Ellis. It is super cute on her!
Of your choices, I agree that Reagan is the best fit. I like the suggestion of Skylar in place of Tyler. I know a girl Ellis, but to me Tyler is all boy.
I love the suggestion of Perrin! I knew a little girl Perrin and it was really adorable. I also like Quinn from the list.
What about Tegan? I think that would fit nicely and it’s a little twist on Reagan.
I thought of Avery & Quinn for you right away.
Waverly, Aubrey, Darcy, Spencer, Delaney
I’m going to suggest Arden – love how Ellis Paige & Arden (feminine middle like Grace/Elizabeth/ Claire) sound together!
Claire makes me think of Blair – Ellis & Blair.
Or maybe Sloane? Ellis & Sloane.
I love the sound of Blair Vivienne, Sloane Charlotte, Blair Emilie …
What about Marin? I love the Merritt suggestion too.
Marin Charlotte
Merritt Vivienne
Oh, I’m so excited to have someone that used Ellis for a girl! The name has been on our girl list for years now!
I think Reagan goes the best out of your choices. I might suggest something like Laine for the middle.
Ellis Paige and Reagan Laine? Or maybe Quinn in the middle name spot? Reagan Quinn. Hm, I like those! Hth!
I like these suggestions Swistle and others have made:
Avery
Blair
Marin
Reese
Taylor
Quinn
Sloan
I’m going to pair these with the more feminine name on your list as middle and see what I get.
Avery Claire
Blair Emilie
Marin Claire
Reese Vivienne
Taylor Emilie
Quinn Charlotte
Sloan Vivienne
p.s. I also like Charlotte (nn Charlie) as a first name for you.
I immediately thought of Avery and Auden when I read your letter. Reagan, Rory, and Finley are also great suggestions.
Two more to consider:
Grier
Devon
I love Ellis for a girl! I am pregnant now and if it’s a girl her name will be Ellis Clare. My other daughter is Reese, so I obviously think they go well together. I like Reagan but think it’s too popular. I like Merrill, but I LOVE Swistle’s suggestion of Merritt. Other girls names on our list (since we seem to have similar taste) are Hadley, Quinn, Spencer and Sloane. Good luck!
Reese was my first thought. I also like Parker with Ellis.
Arden is a great suggestion.
I also like:
Harper
Avery
Rory
Rowan
And I’ll suggest:
Tegan
Heron
Maryn
Lark
Kieran
Colby
Adriane/Adrienne
Rae
I think Reagan is the best fit and for some weird reason driving to work today I was thinking about the name Reagan being nice for a girl! I like Merrill spelled Meryl, because the other way reminds me of the shoe company.
Really not into Reagan! It’s so political. Reagan is still recognized immediately and singularly by his name; and when your daughter is in her 20s and applying to jobs, there will still be superiors around who look at her resume and immediately think of him (for better or worse). As someone who is liberal, I’m definitely biased to see the name negatively. But I wouldn’t put the name Kennedy on a child either (though he is 20 years further into the past than Reagan), and I’d also discourage Clinton as a first name these days.
What I’m trying to say is– why run the risk of branding her with a name that may incite people to judge her, for better or worse, from their own political viewpoints before they’ve met her? Not fun for a little girl, but even less pleasant for a young woman trying to make her way in the world later.
BUT– if you really love Reagan, I suggest spelling it Regan. That’s a quite old Celtic female name that’s been in use for a long time but nevertheless seems masculine. Traditionally it’s pronounced REE-gan, but it’s so rare that I think you could easily get away with insisting on the RAY-gan pronunciation. And it’s not tied to any controversial political figures! :)
Other unisex names that I think go nicely with Ellis:
Sloan
Marin
Maris (well, not unisex, but I think they go!)
Marlo
Emerson
Honor
Good luck! Please update us!
I also thought of Rowan! (or Roan)
I see what you mean about not wanting to saddle your child with any sort of political baggage, no matter your own personal political leanings.
But just to play devil’s advocate, Reagan has been a name with consistent use for the past 20 years, and I think it’s proven that it is established as a name in its own right. It went flying up the charts from #951 in 1993 to #104 in 2013 (even being within the Top 100 at #97 in 2012). When I hear the name Reagan on TV or in the news, of course I immediately think of the President. But, when I hear it on a girl, no political thoughts come to mind. It is just a name, to me. I just wanted to give another point of view for others considering the name. I think it’s a really nice choice!
President Reagan is one of those presidents who is almost always thought of in good terms on both political sides. People loved him. It seems like one of the safest presidential names in that regard. President Lincoln was not loved by the democrats in his day, even though we always regard him as one of the best presidents of all time! Who doesn’t love Lincoln NOW, right?! Funny how that works. My point being that some presidential names are safer than others, and Reagan and Lincoln both seem like fine names for babies now. My only issue with Reagan is actually its popularity and it maybe seems overused/not as fresh?
Lincoln is another option for this baby. Ellis and Lincoln, maybe?
With Reagan, I think it depends where you live. It charts as very popular in “red” states, and not so very popular in “blue” states. Which pretty much speaks to Kaela’s point, actually. I’m also not so sure that President Reagan is generally remembered as “thought of in good terms” by both sides…..Perhaps there is general agreement that he had a likable persona, but in terms of his political impact, I’d have to respectfully disagree with your impression.
Seconding that. My view of him is definitely negative. I like “ree-gan” as a girl’s name, but spell it Reagan, and I dislike the association and the ray gun sound.
I also like the sound of ree-gan for a girl as well.
Interesting! I actually live in a very blue state, and was still under the impression that Reagan was touted as a president who was an example of how to bring “both sides” together. Anyways, no matter – just general observances – and impressions can be wrong!
Still, I do agree that names like Reagan, Kennedy and Lincoln are names that can be used without indication of parents political leanings. Obviously thousands of families think so too, as the numbers indicate – they seem fairly common names nowadays.
Oooh, I just thought of another thing! It could be a generational thing that makes me think the name Reagan is fine. I was actually born in the late 80’s and so I have no personal impression of Reagan at all – I don’t remember his presidency, obviously, and my only impression of him is what I hear in the media. I am now of child-bearing age, and am thinking about having my first child, and so most of my friends have really young families. If one of my peers named a child Reagan, I wouldn’t think they’d be making any political statement at all (unless they specifically said so), because, like me, I’d know they wouldn’t remember President Reagan, being too young to remember his presidency. Perhaps parents who now have older children at home, and definitely the grandparents now, would have different feelings towards a baby Reagan. But with each new generation, things change, and the children growing up NOW will also have different impressions, etc.
Thanks for chiming in, Gail. I agree with you. My view of Reagan as a president is 100% negative, as it is generally speaking in my geographic area (bluest of blue states) and among my smaller community (academic, publishing, arts world). He’s hated as much or more than Bush among people I know, and most would be aghast at a baby named Reagan. It’s not surprising that most of its popularity comes from “red” states. Reagan left a negative mark on most urban areas of the country, and he’s certainly not remembered kindly by most people of color or gay people. My thought is, why brand your child that way… Even if it isn’t consciously a political name or choice for you, it will be for other people she’ll meet in the future for better or worse. And people do make judgments about people based on their names, no matter how unfair.
Just curious, Kaela…..do you mind sharing what is your age range? I’m in my 20’s and don’t have any of the same reactions you do, and am curious if age/generation plays a role or if it’s other factors. Thanks.
Now I’m curious! I’ve never heard this feedback on the name Reagan before and am curious how many others share Kaela and Gail’s feelings for the name, or if those opinions (while valid and good to know) are more outliers. Would Swistle consider a poll? I think it’d be so helpful! It’d also be great to know the age ranges of those polled and (possibly) whether they live in blue or red states. Just an idea : )
Agreed! Ronald Reagan was president when I was growing up; I’ve always lived in “blue states;” and would consider myself liberal. I’d never associate a baby Reagan with conservative social views (nor assume their parents political party) but, a quick Google search proves a lot of people are otherwise very passionate…
Reagan’s been a top 150 name since 2004; Clinton is roughly top 800. Shouldn’t Mitt be president with all these conservative baby makers?! Just Kidding! ;)
I found this article applicable (regardless of being a “red state” news source).:
http://redalertpolitics.com/2012/11/30/reagan-lincoln-make-2012-list-of-top-baby-names/
For context, I’m in my mid 30’s – old enough to remember the Reagan years but didn’t vote until Clinton was in office.
Hi Erin, the site wouldn’t let me reply directly to you– I hope you see this anyway. I’m in my mid-20s. I went to a very liberal university and most of my friends/colleagues are politically active and aware in some way.
Yeah, my view of Reagan is 100% negative. There’s no wiggle room for me.
I think names like Reagan, Kennedy, & Lincoln are know to be common names and not at all indicative of a parents political views.
Furthermore, there’s a general understanding that no child chooses their own name and thus does not necessarily have any correlation to the associated political party.
Plus, in the generation this child will grow up in (& I’d say Gen Y) I would say most individuals see these as acceptable names in and of themselves..
Mercer
Delta
Avis
Wynn(e)
Vera
Vesper
Velo
Harper
Petra
Wanted to add that Swistle’s alternative suggestion on Merrin can also be spelt Merryn. Merryn is an old English name from Cornwall – I think there is a village of that name – although it is very, very uncommon in the UK. Like a previous poster, I also know of Regan as an alternative to Reagan. Regan appears in Shakespeare’s King Lear – she was one of King Lear’s daughters. She wasn’t a very nice daughter but it does prove it is an old name!
I really like Harper, Campbell, and Sloan. Merrill is a really interesting option! It’s my mother’s name and I’ve always dismissed it, because it’s my Mom! But you’ve made me think of it in a new light! I like it with Ellis. Ellis and Merrill. I also like Merritt. Or Marin!
What about Lane? One of my favorite names for girls! Or Blythe? Juno or Willow, perhaps?
What about Paxton? Paxton and Ellis. Elli and Pax.
Paxton Lucille. Paxton Claire. Paxton Charlotte.
Others:
Marin/Maryn
Sloane
Teagan
Kyler/Kylan
Quinn or Quincy
Or Joey. I knew a girl this name and it fit well. Ellis and Joey.
Bradley is a name I also just read that’s fading as a boy name, but I still strongly think of a boy.
Maybe Devin? Or Elliot? The latter is way too close to Ellis. Just trying to think of girls I know with boy names.
I know a “Joey” spelled Joie – I’ve always enjoyed that spelling.
Ellis as a boy name makes me think of Wyatt, which I happen think would be an adorable and quirky girl name! Just my two cents.
Ugh. On the heels of Ashton Kutcher’s Wyatt Isabelle? Please don’t.
I have a friend who has two little girls, an Ellis (Ellie) and Harper.
I also love the suggestions of Quinn and Rowan.
I love the suggestions of Avery, Harper, and Spencer for you. I would also like to add Palmer. I think the following combos sound great with Ellis Paige.
Avery Claire
Harper Claire
Spencer Elizabeth
Palmer Vivienne
OK… so after reading through all the comments, I realized I don’t think I have any more to add. BUT will write my thoughts anyways!! I think you have a ton of fabulous options! I’m actually excited to see what you choose!
Off your list, my favourite would be Reagan. I grew up with a Regan (pronounced RAY-GEN) who is male – but for whatever reason, maybe because we associate the letter “a” being more feminine, I think the spelling of Reagan gives it a more feminine feel. If I read the name Reagan on a resume I would look for other clues, such as a feminine/masculine middle name, to clue me in to the gender…but I think my first instinct would be female.
I THINK I HAVE MULTIPLE FAVOURITE NAMES FOR YOU!!!
SLOANE. Ellis and Sloane. SWOONING. Sigh. Love this. So much.
GRIER. Ellis and Grier. SWOONING. Oh jeez. If this was my naming predicament I don’t know what I would do. I would almost go with Grier over Sloane just because it is less commonly heard, at least where I’m from (fyi – don’t know the actual numbers). Grier also strikes me as a super confident woman who could easily be a lawyer or a CEO or whatever the heck she wants to be. Ok… maybe Ellis and Grier are my favourite. The longer I think/type, the more I’m in love with this. Plus, I LOVE the way Ellis and Grier look written out.
Campbell. Ellis and Campbell. Although I like the physical look of this combination less then Ellis and Sloane, saying Ellis and Campbell out loud makes me really love this combination.
Good luck! Keep us posted
I love Ellis and Claire. I find them compatible in sound, mood, and length, and love that they break any expectation of needing to be equally unisex.
I agree! Ellis and Claire sound great together – very calming names and fun to say together!
Love Grier, Sloane, and Merritt (nn Merry!). Also, know a little girl named Lincoln and it’s really cute on her.
And, FWIW I think President names in general are in fashion. I recognize them as that but never associate the parents’ political party (I know several young Jacksons, Lincolns, a Kennedy, and a Reagan). Obama aligns to a party but a president the parents didn’t vote for does not…I think that’s the differentiator for me.
Names I’ve seen on both girls and boys (and also women and men) and that I think go well with Ellis
Robin
Cameron
Jordan
Morgan
Jamie/Jamey
Jesse/Jessie
Corey/Corrie/Cory
Tory/Torey/Torrie
Keene
Taylor
Dale
Glen/Glenn
Winn/Wynn/Wynne
One of my favorite sib set’s names are Avery, Quinn, and Morgan. And I alsomlike the feminized Meryl and Merryn, which reminds me of Merle, which doesn’t get used a lot these days. I also have a soft spot for Margo, which breaks the surname pattern, but has a nice strong sound to balance Ellis.
I’m also expecting in April and all of these names are right up my alley! You have lots of great suggestions to work with.
I was thinking of Kyler (instead of Tyler…I think someone else suggested this too), Kyle or Keegan (instead of Reagan/Regan).
I also like Parker for a girl.
Good luck!
From your list, I like Reagan best. I also really like Swistle’s suggestion of Merritt.
I also wanted to suggest these:
– Blake
– Perry
– Colby
– Lux
Reagan, Merrill, Ellis have a touch of patriotic theme to them. I can see why folks are suggesting Taylor, Kennedy, and Lincoln. Perhaps you’d like these names that can be just have a twinge of patriotic feel:
– Navy. Ellis and Navy seem like a good sibling match.
– Shiloh
– Penny. Ellis and Penny have the added bonus of having double letters.
– Olive. Ellis and Olive. (the eagle holds olive branches)
You have a ton of good options already and great suggestions from Swistle and the comments. You really can’t go wrong! Good luck!
Oh love Olive too
I would definitely vote not to give a baby the name Reagan. I don’t know any of my friends who wouldn’t cringe at that name. I’m from California, from the generation who came of age during Reagan’s presidency, and I can guarantee that many people would react negatively to the name.
Any of the other suggestions would be much better, I think.
How about we take a mixture of Sloane and Marin and go with Malone?
Ellis and Malone?