Hi Swistle!
We recently found out that we will be expecting our second girl in May. We are thrilled but super stuck/confused with how to proceed with naming.
Our 2 year old is named River (middle Mary). We love the name and how it sounds. The name has special significance and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We don’t mind the questions or comments regarding her name ie “why River?”, “I know boys named River.” or “Hippies!”.
What we love about River is the strong, surname sound, not so much the ‘nature’ meaning. We would love an equally strong, uncommon name for her sister.
We are huge fans of honor middle names. River’s middle name is after my paternal Grandmother. Our second we’d love a combination of Sadie and June, after our other Grandmothers. Both of these names we feel too soft for first names though. Our last name sounds like “Men-Yay”.
Our name list now includes names like Greta, Rose (Rosie), Laine, Juno and Maeve, though none of them have stood out nor do they feel like they suit our family or match River’s name perfectly.
We would love another opinion and any suggestions! Please help!
Thank you!
My first thought when reading your question was Hunter- River Mary and Hunter June. My only concern is the matching endings, but it doesn’t bother me all that much.
Other names that elicit that strong sense:
Rowan
Tyler
Blake
Leighton
Spencer
Tristan
Hollis
Emerson
Harlyn
I’ll start by saying it’s really hard for me to see River as anything other than a nature name. It just isn’t a name that I would group with names that have a “strong surname sound.” Names I would normally pair with River include things like Juniper, Winter, Autumn, Piper, Phoenix, Harper, Lark, Dove, Calla.
Names I would describe as “strong surname” would probably lean more towards things like Hollis, Jordan, Madison, Greer, Adair, Sheridan, Emerson. I suppose Piper & Harper could also fit in this category, so they seem like the best options to bridge the gap for me.
My first thought was since you like Laine & you want a surname sound, perhaps you’d like Delaney?
From your current list, my favorites with River are Juno & Maeve. I think they all share a strong & slightly unexpected vibe that I don’t get form your other names. Greta/Rose/Rosie & Laine all feel very traditional and a bit soft/flowery next to River.
Since meaning in names seems important to you, it occurred to me that you might like less-common virtue names? Constance, Temperance, Verity, Haven, Honor.
Piper is an inspired choice.
From poster list agree Maeve & Juno. Maeve is my favorite with River actually, but not sure with surname stand-in. Might sound better with actual name.
Great suggestions
My son’s name is River and my daughter is Rose (Rosie), so of course I think that is a good option. You will get comments about singer Kelly Clarkson’s daughter whose name is River Rose. :)
Other names you might like that we liked are:
Schuyler/Skylar
Tenley
Ainsley
Tobey
Holland/Hollis
Good luck!!
I think of all of your names, Juno or Juniper would be best.
I love Juno Sadie with River Mary. That’s the only one I see as strong next to River. The goddess connection is awesome too. When I think of a female River, the show Firefly comes to mind. So I wonder what that River’s sister would be? Juno, yes.
Perry
Bronte
Spire
Juno Sadie seems like the obvious and perfect choice to me!
Vesper
Romily
Reagan
Teagan
Gretchen
Soren
Mavis
Vaughan
Romana
Ramona
Arwen
All come to mind when I read your rejects list
For June + Sadie, how about Jade? I think it is different but complementary to River and has a very clear, strong sound.
A while back someone here suggested Haven for a sister name. Haven is more nature/place than surname (although it is also a surname)…but it seems to go well with River – including 5 letters and middle letter V. If you have more kids it might be too matchy, though and would make naming a 3rd child harder.
Another vote for Piper. Goes well with River and Piper June is beautiful!
I like Rose, Juno, and Maeve with River. Maybe Sarah-June for a middle (not for June, but the others)?
I immediately thought of Grier or Greer (I prefer the Grier spelling personally). River and Grier. LOVE THIS COMBINATION. Love it. I would totally stop here.
I also love the idea of using Juno as a first name… nods to June and you could even use a nickname of June (which I love the name by the way) but River and Juno seem like a fabulous pairing as well.
Both Grier and Juno are interesting, uncommon names but they aren’t too matchy-matchy with River. I think names like Lark or Rowan or Piper or along those names are too matchy… if it were up to me, I would definitely stay away from a name that make people think of nature. Get away from that possible theme… in case you have a third one and end up stuck.
Good luck and keep us posted!!
I’ll add three not listed yet:
Merle: River and Merle. It means blackbird but had a surname feel. I like the alliteration with the last name but that’s me :)
Phoebe: River and Phoebe. More feminine for sure but neat goddess connections that sound powerful to me
Quinn: River and Quinn. A more modern pair, with the surname feel.
I know a little girl named Maureen Rivers (she goes by Rivers) and her sister is named Rose. So it was fun to see Rose in your name list, and in the comments here :)
+1 for Jade and Soren.
The afore menriones Juniper and Haven seem like clever picks.
Juniper Sadie and Haven June have backbone, sass, and beauty.
Briar (I know it’s nature-y) seems like a logical match, too.
I like Juno Sadie. Or:
Ellis
Fox
Landon
Lennox
How about Kestrel or Peregrine? Both nature names, I admit, but they sound strong to me, and you could use Kit or Perry as nicknames. Of your possible choices, I like Juno best because it’s unusual and she was certainly a strong goddess. Or maybe Artemis. River and Artemis, I like that.
With River Mary, I like:
Sage June
Jordan Sadie
Morgan Sadie June
Reagan Sadie June
Gracyn Sadie June
Laurel Sadie June
Cleo June
Sovay June
The name Holland came to mind.
Someone else mentioned it, but I also like Quinn. I like Laine, but feel like the spelling Lane fits better with River. Good luck!!!
Of the already suggested names I like Rowan, Kestral, Sage and Jade with River. Other possible options: Iris, Briony, Amaris, and Tamsin.
I love the name River for a girl! We also love surname names for girls, and have a girl Logan. So I’ll just give you our list for a future girl (minus Lennox and Hunter, which have already been mentioned):
Devin
Collins
Elliot
Carson
Parker
Wesley
Carter
Bowden
Sterling
Aftyn, Linden, Ayla, Brette, Aniston, Astin, Rayne
Oh, also thought of Gentry!
River and Gentry Menyay!
My vote: Juno Sadie.
I immediately thought of Arden. I also like Grier and Sloane which was stated earlier! Sutton could be another option.
For the middle name – would you consider Judie? It’s a perfect combination of June and Sadie, and it has the same retro vibe as Mary.
Though I think Juniper is a great first name possibility, so that rules out Judie! Juniper Sadie would be a great sister name for River Mary.
What about Reeve? Too close perhaps? Reeve Judie? By the way, the suggestion of Judie, is fantastic!!
Juno is an all time favorite of mine too! Juno Sarah or Juno Polly are cute!
Other suggestions:
Adair
Harvest – like River and Harvest together!
Hero
Twilight
Arrow
Emerald
Indigo
Calypso
Sonnet
Temple
Aspen
Opal
Starla
October nn Toby! Love, love, love it!
Good luck!
Thought of harvest, too. There was a swistle post about a sister to Harvest that would likely have a few ideas for this mom, too.
Or…
Ryan
Owen
Parker
Wyatt
Evan
Tyler
Jasper
Mason
Lake
What about Juna? Or Hadley.
Don’t ask me why but 4 lines into your letter I thought “Macalister”- not a likely choice, especially with great suggestions here like Sloane or Arden or Greer, but I wonder if Grandmas’ maiden names would actually work to meet your surname search?
Otherwise maybe Djuna would work as my official suggestion- spunkier than traditional Jane but close enough to call an honor name. Djuna Sadie?
(Ha- great minds, Candice!)
I’d suggest Juniper. Junie or Juno for short. Juniper and River sound great together.
I’ll put in another vote for Juno Sadie. The two names honor both grandmothers, Juno is on your list already, and it’s definitely a strong, uncommon name. Plus, I have a Juno myself, so I’m a bit biased! But you would be surprised how few questions we actually get. A couple people asked if it was spelled like the city or the goddess, a few mentioned the movie, and most just say, “Oh, how fun! I’ve never met a Juno before!”
Devin
Hera
Tanis
Hollis
Echoing ones mentioned above that I like, and adding some:
Rowan
Iris
Honor
Lyra
Athena
Arden
Larkin
Ivy
Maud
Hero (yes, it is a girl’s name in classical mythology and Shakespeare)
Aurora
Aster
Astraea
Vesper
Laurel
Thomasin (Tamsin)
Marin
I love the suggestion of Haven.
River and Haven sound both strong and I like how they look together.
I like mixing both middle names together. Judie. JU- June and DIE-Sadie
Haven Judie and River Mary
Another suggestion I liked was Piper Sadie. Out of your list I only think Juno Sadie works.
A name I thought would be nice is Lyric.
RIver and Lyric
Lyric Sadie is great!
I don’t really get “surname” from River and if you want to avoid a nature theme I’d stick to non-nature nouns. What about Holiday? Story? Sailor? Vesper? Any special place name would fit nicely too.
From your list I think Juno is the best. The other names are pretty standard girl named which would make me think River was a boy.
I vote for Juno Sadie. River Mary and Juno Sadie just sound like a perfect sibling set to me. Best of luck!
laine reminds me of Larkin, which I’ve always loved for a girl and had the similar surname/nature thing as River. I also like Briar.
Larkin June is wonderful in my opinion!!
ooh- I like this as well!
I love Mauve from your list! I also like the suggestions of Haven and Greer! Some other great uncommon and strong girls name I can think of :
Monroe
August
Lennon
Flannery
Quincy
Isette
Campbell
Wren
Grey
Sutton
Cadence
Ellis
Clarke
Arlo
Bronwyn
Scout
Astrid
Romy
Great suggestions! I like Juno too, or Briar or Juniper. What about Harper, Geneva, or Greenlea? The name India came to mind too, but maybe it would be too Natural World when combined with a sibling River.
From your list, I like Juno and Maeve the best when paired with River. Juno Maeve is actually a great name. River Mary and Juno Maeve seem well paired.
Maeve makes me think of Salome. You could use the nickname Mae. Salome June (hesitating because of the May June issue). Salome Judie. River and Salome.
Would only name nerds get the connection between River and Tallulah (leaping water)? I sort of find this charming.
Hazel seems like a nice fit for you. River and Hazel. Subtle nature connection. Both have an interesting letter (V and Z), both are five letters, both are strong names for women.
What about Alma? There’s a great write up of it here: http://appellationmountain.net/alma-baby-name-of-the-day/ There is a v. subtle nature connection.
I wondered if you thought about Hero? Its shakespearean and strong.
River & Hero
River Mary & Hero Sadie June
From your list I like Maeve best with River, yes, they are different styles, but both short, strong, and not frilly.
Ideas other’s have suggested that I really like for you
Juniper – strong name, goes well with River, and honor’s you grandma. River Mary and Juniper Sadie
Adair
Arrow
Wren
Bronwyn
Delaney
Then off the top of my head here are some of my favorites with River
Darcy
Blythe
Abilene
Marlow
Margo
Gertie
Gretchen
Cady
Callister
Willow
Wilder
Elspeth
Raina
Sage
I’d pick Hollis!