I’m having a baby girl in Febuary. We are having difficulty deciding on a name. The truth is I’m having difficulty being completly sold on a name. My husband and I decided on Scarlett Elizabeth Archer as of yesterday. It sounds so cool to me one second then the next I think it’s too risky and I want to name her Charlotte instead.
So here is some background information. My husband has a daughter who is six and we get her part-time. Her name is Sophie Lorene Archer. My husband’s name is Kyle Joseph Archer. I’m Mary Elizabeth Archer.
I want to pass on my middle name. I also thought it would be neat if both girls had a name that began with S. Althought, the two names seem so different. Just wanted to see what your throughts were?… Thanks, Mary
Stylistically, I vote for Charlotte: Sophie and Charlotte sound more compatible to me than Sophie and Scarlett—though I think Sophie and Scarlett are fine together, if you prefer Scarlett.
One thing that might be helpful is your reaction to my vote: Do you feel disappointed that I sided with Charlotte? That may help you feel more sure about Scarlett. Do you find instead you’re relieved? That may help you feel more sure about Charlotte.
Based on the number of distressed letters we get from parents saying “We gave our first two kids the same initial; do we have to continue with that? We don’t like any more names that start with that letter!,” I might lean toward using different initials—though I do like the way the shared S helps bridge the small style gap.
If I say only the first and last names without the middle name as a buffer, Scarlett sounds like an adjective and Archer sounds like a noun. The Scarlet Archer. This also keeps me from suggesting Ruby or Violet as additional candidates, especially with how similar the sound of Violet is to the sound of the word violent.
I wonder if you would like the name Lucy? It has the style and sweetness of Sophie and Charlotte. Lucy Archer; Sophie and Lucy.
For another S name, I might suggest Sadie. Sadie Archer; Sophie and Sadie. Or maybe the matching endings make them TOO similar.
Or perhaps a soft C would give the SOUND of matching, without actually sharing the initial. Cecily Archer; Sophie and Cecily.
Or Celeste. Celeste Archer; Sophie and Celeste.
Your middle name would make a lovely first name with lots of nicknames. Elizabeth Archer; Sophie and Elizabeth/Libby/Ellie/Betsy.
Annabel Archer is sweet and distinctive and gives several nickname choices. Sophie and Annabel/Annie/Bella/Anna.
It might be fun to use both parents’ middle names: Josephine Elizabeth Archer. Josephine Archer; Sophie and Josephine/Josie/Jo.
I agree Scarlett and Charlotte would both be fine. Go with your heart wherever that is.
More options in case you need them: Alice, Ava, Carmen, Catherine, Christina, Emma/Emily/Emmeline (I think Sophie and Emmie would be cute), Grace, or Stella. To my ear, each of these coordinates with Sophie by emphasizing different aspects of it.
Love Stella with Sophie for an S suggestion!
I’ve never liked the name Scarlett very much because of the beginning syllable – Scar. I much prefer Charlotte, and it is a good fit stylistically and historically with Sophie. But it seems that you want a name that more obviously links with Sophie. Sophie is the French form of Sophia, so I might begin there. Sylvie seems the most similar: Sophie and Sylvie — very sweet, but maybe too similar?
I like the suggestion of Lucy with Sophie, but would use the French spelling Lucie: Sophie and Lucie. There’s a new baby Lucie in my extended family (I suggested the French spelling because her surname is French). Then after Lucie was born and named, I came across this bit of information: “The French form, Lucie, was actually preserved by the herdsmen and peasants of France (as opposed to the more wealthy proprietors). In any case, Lucy found its way to England in the Middle Ages.”
Lucie and Sophie seem perfect together: both with a French background, same number of syllables, matching endings (which I find more subtle than repeating the same initial letter).
Lucie Elizabeth Archer
Sophie and Lucie
Perfect!
I love all of Swistle’s suggestions here, especially Lucy & Sadie. And Cecily! I don’t like either Scarlett or Charlotte with the last name Archer, because of the ar-ar repetition, and I agree with Swistle that moving Elizabeth to first name slot would open up lots of coordinating nicknames for Sophie.
I initially thought Scarlett was really cute with Sophie, but Swistle makes an excellent point about Scarlett Archer…reminds me of the Scarlet Pimpernel! That would keep me from using it.
Charlotte is a lovely name and pairs wonderfully with Sophie. It is the name of the new princess of Cambridge, so I think it will definitely increase in popularity in the next few years. I also adore Lucy/Lucie with Sophie.
So! I am going to suggest a few others that have not been mentioned. I’m going for a French-inspired vibe that pairs well with Elizabeth and Archer.
Juliet
Emma or Gemma
Madeline (or Madeleine)
Amelie (or Amelia)
Vivienne
Claire
Other S-names if you want to go that route: Sarah, Sydney, Stella, Susannah
Oh! I just remembered something I love about Charlotte: the totally underused Lottie as a nickname!
I think Scarlett is lovely and fits just fine with Sophie. Charlotte is also a nice, albeit very common choice. I had a similar hesitation picking a not common name for our daughter, but in the end I love the name. I think the “s” tie is sweet but you could also let the 6 year old be the tie breaker!
One thought is that Charlotte and Scarlett sound very similar with the “et” ending (kind of a French feel like Sophie). Juliette, Suzette, Cosette, Yvette, Nicolette, Colette are similar sounds. Or Elizabette! Sabrina? Seraphina? Chantal? Delphine?
Scarlett is fine with Sophie, both are classic & familiar, even if Scarlett feels a bit more daring/spunky. Sibling names don’t have to be exact style matches. I think this is especially true for 1/2 siblings, where the names are going to be a reflection of at least 2 different parent groups.
Sophie & Charlotte are also fine together. Charlotte does feel like the safer choice, but honestly it also feels a bit more bland/expected. If you love Charlotte, I say go for it. But don’t choose it just because it is the safer choice. If you really love Scarlett, go for it! It is more spunky & perhaps slightly more daring, but it’s not exactly an “out there” choice.
If you go with Scarlett, have you considered if you’d want to continue the S theme if you have another child later? If so, are there other S names that you would consider using?
Scarlett! I find Charlotte Archer a tongue-twister. I think it’s the soft ch- of Charlotte followed by the harder ch- of Archer. I want to say “CHAR-lotte Archer” (like charbroiled) or “SHAR-lotte AR-sher”… Mispronouncing one syllable in either case. It just seems to get stuck as I try to say it. Not a smooth name.
Whereas Scarlett Archer is film heroine, famous actress, memorable all the way, great. It’s a strong name, it’s less common, it ties in with Sophie (to me there’s absolutely no style mismatch between them), and it flows. It even has lovely initials with Elizabeth!
I also see what Swistle is saying about it seeming like an adjective/noun– but in this case, I really like it. And it’s not overwhelming or weird. Just– memorable. And good.
I thought the same thing regarding the tongue-twisty-ness of Charlotte Archer. But I prefer Scarlett anyways! And also: any name will sound cool with your stellar last name!! :)
FWIW, I know sisters named Sophie and Lucy, and I have always loved their names (together and independently). Cecily is also wonderful– one of my favorites!
If French is what you’re going for, I think Sophie and Marie sound great together. Marie is so underused as a first I think. I like how the stress is on different syllables despite the matching endings. It’s also off trend, which means she won’t be Marie A. In class. Also love the suggestion of -ette endings.
I know two young girls, half sisters, named Sophie and Scarlett. Although the names don’t completely fit together, I have never thought anything about that. It seems like a sweet gesture to tie the two girls as sisters.
You shouldn’t be locked into a naming style that your husband’s ex started by it is nice to have a subtle way to tie the names together if it works for you. I agree that Scarlett Elizabeth sounds cool and though it isn’t the same style as Sophie, the s makes it work.
My problem with Charlotte is the overwhelming commonness of it name. I am hearing it everywhere.
Were there any other names you were considering? Only because of how Swistle pointed out the Scarlet Archer, and thinks a non-adjective name would be appropriate. Charlotte however is so common. Perhaps you don’t mind common, as Kyle, Mary, and Sophie were all popular at their prospective times.
Maelle Elizabeth Archer
Love swistle suggestion of using both middle names. Josephine Elizabeth. Sophie and Josie. Cute!
My daughter is named Sophie and when we were expecting baby #2, Charlotte was our girl name. (We ended up with a Thomas instead!) So I think Sophie and Charlotte sound great together :) I also second the suggestion of Lucy, but what about going with Lucie instead so she shares the -ie ending with her big sister?
Hmmm! I love both Charlotte and Scarlett, but for me, Scarlett comes out ahead, only because Charlotte has become overused IMO. Someone else said “bland and expected”, and I think that about sums up my feelings on the name. Even though I do like it and understand why it’s become so popular. Scarlett, however, ia just as beautiful with a little edge to it. However, neither name is ideal with your last name. I do like Elizabeth a lot as a first name, or Eleanor, with the nickname Ellie. Sophie and Ellie are really cute together. Annabel is sweet, too, or just Anna. You’ve gotten some other great suggestions, too! Good luck and congratulations!
Although I like both Charlotte and Scarlett, I do think the repeating “ar” sound with your surname isn’t ideal. That isn’t to say that others feel the same way though!
I vote for having Elizabeth in the first name spot! It is such a great name, with sooo many nicknames to choose from, and Elizabeth Archer is very distinguished!
Sophie and Elizabeth sound great together too! Sophie and Libby or Sophie and Ellie?
Elizabeth Scarlett and Elizabeth Charlotte are other options. You could even switch around your own name, Elizabeth Mary.
What about a combination of both your middle names? Josephine Elizabeth or Elizabeth Josephine are both lovely names. Sophie and Josephine maybe to “matchy” though. Not sure!
I’d also like to suggest Emilie {French spelling), Louise, Claire, Juliet and Eloise.
All the best!
Would you like Coralie or Rosalie (nn Rose or Rosa)?