Hi Swistle!
You and your readers helped us name our Vivian (Vivi) Marie, little sister to Eli Dane, back in 2015. We are now in the third trimester with another little girl and are hoping for some help, as we are struggling with this one! We’ve agreed to use “June” as a middle name, to honor my grandma, who we lost last year.Overall, like many people, we like names that are classic…or at least easily recognized and pronounced, but NOT top 50 (or even 100) names. We didn’t completely realize this until after we named our son, who now goes by “Eli O.” in several circles.
So, for this sweet girl, bonus points for a less-popular name with a spunky vibe, or maybe just a fun (but not too cutesy) nickname. Vivian checked all the boxes for us, and we love her name. We’d like to possibly have one more child, and we love the names Jasper or Isaiah for a boy.
Names I like and husband hasn’t entirely vetoed:
Coretta. This was top on my list last time too. I love the nickname “Etta” and I love “Coretta June.” Somehow this feels right to me and I keep coming back to it. It’s not popular at all, but is it way-out there in a weird way? We’ve toyed with Arietta as another way to get to “Etta,” which I also think is pretty.
Liza. My absolute favorite girl name is Eliza, but with Eli, it’s obviously too close. I think Liza can stand alone, but it still seems a little too close to Eli for me to be sold.Louisa. My hang-up on this name is the Lou-weez-a/Lou-ees-a pronunciation issue. I don’t have a huge problem with either, but I do think it would bother me to not have a consistent pronunciation. Even my husband and I say it differently, without even trying. Am I nuts? Also not hooked on Louey/Lulu nicknames, but not a deal-breaker.
Other names I like but DH says no:
Juliet
Maren
Linnea
SadieNames we like style-wise, but are either too popular or can’t use (friends, etc):
Norah
Audrey
Lydia
Penelope
Josephine
Maya
Stella
FionaThe ONLY names my husband has offered this go-round:
Ruby (I don’t hate it, but I’m not in love).
Lucia/Lucy (I don’t like the “I Love Lucy” connection of Lucy/Vivian…not sure how many people would catch that, and I really don’t like the pronunciation “Loo-sha” that some people use.)
Zoe (Doesn’t seem to fit, I don’t like).What do you think of any of this? Or other name suggestions that go well with the middle name and siblings? We have two months to go. J
Many thanks again,
~L
I feel as if you and your husband are so close to agreeing on a name. Look at the similarity of these options: Louisa, Juliet, Ruby, Lucy. All those “oo” and “ee” and “L” sounds! I want to make sure your husband is evaluating/considering your suggestions as thoroughly as you are evaluating/considering his.
Here are the things I think are not issues unless they start to deeply bother you:
1. Lou-weez-a/Lou-ees-a
2. Lucy/Vivian
I agree with you that Zoe doesn’t fit well, and that Liza is too close, and that not liking the LOO-sha pronunciation may rule out Lucia.
My definite favorites from the lists are Ruby and Juliet. Last time we talked about how a name can “spin” a previous sibling’s name; I think Ruby emphasizes the vintage sass of Vivian, and Juliet emphasizes the vintage romance. I think Ruby Owens and Juliet Owens both work very well. I like Ruby June better than Juliet June, but I think both work fine, and that an honor name doesn’t have to go perfectly.
I wonder if you’d like Georgia? It has the sass of Ruby, with some of the sound of Juliet and Norah. Georgia Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Georgia.
What do you think of Genevieve? Too much V with Vivian, or a nice tie-in? Genevieve Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Genevieve. I thought of it because you and I share a fondness for Josephine and Fiona and Penelope, and Genevieve is another on my list.
Margaret is another of my favorites. ONE MILLION EXCELLENT NICKNAMES. Margaret Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Margaret.
You and I also share a fondness for the names Eliza and Louise/Louisa, so I wonder if you would be with me on Eloise? I am not sure, but I THINK that is different enough from Eli for me to use it. I don’t love that they both start with El-, but I think I could deal with it, especially since the E is pronounced differently, and the L is in a different syllable in the two names (EE-lye and ELL-oh-weez), and there’s another child in between—but I don’t know if you’ll feel the same. Eloise Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Eloise. Urrrrg, maybe it’s too close, I can’t tell. I guess I’d prefer to use something else unless my heart was absolutely set on Eloise, in which case I’d go ahead.
Ooo, how about Cecily? Fresh, sweet, not too common. Cecily Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Cecily.
Or Celeste: also fresh, sweet, not too common. Celeste Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Celeste.
Or Rosalie: another fresh, sweet, not too common. Rosalie Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Rosalie.
Or Felicity: again with the fresh, sweet, not too common. Felicity Owens. Eli, Vivian, and Felicity.
Or Clara. It doesn’t have a good nickname, but I am suggesting it anyway. Clara Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Clara.
Or Clarissa, which makes it even less common and is better for nicknames. Clarissa Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Clarissa.
Or Melody. I ran into a Melody the other day, and it practically slapped me across the face with its familiar unusualness. Melody Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Melody.
Or Matilda. Matilda Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Matilda.
Or Sabrina. Why don’t I know ANY Sabrinas? Sabrina Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Sabrina.
Or Bianca. I know only one Bianca, and I love her name every time I hear it. It reminds me of Fiona. Bianca Owens; Eli, Vivian, and Bianca.
[Edited to add: AFTER I wrote up to this point, I went back to the post from 2014 to make sure I wasn’t suggesting all the same names—and I see I am suggesting four of the same names: Cecily, Felicity, Genevieve, and Georgia. Well, I am consistent!]
Wait, you wouldn’t want to use June as a first name, would you? I love it and hardly ever encounter it. June Owens; Eli, Vivian, and June. It has the sounds of Lucy, Ruby, Juliet. This is my top choice for you. The middle name could perhaps be a name you would have loved to use as a first name if it weren’t so popular, or a name already used by family/friends.
Name update:
Huge thanks to you and your readers for helping us name our newest addition! My husband ultimately came around to my #1 choice and it fits her perfectly so I couldn’t be happier. Here is Coretta “Etta” June 0wens!
I absolutely love Coretta! It’s recognizable but not popular and the nickname Etta is adorable. Eli, Vivi, and Etta is such a great trio!
There have been other letters lately about pronunciation issues (I mainly think of the Giselle letter) and if it’s going to bug you, I’d veto the name, so I’d cross Louisa off the list. I think Lucy is a nice choice, and I don’t think the Lucy/VIvian connection is so well-known that it will be an issue.
I wouldn’t recommend Eloise, just because it’s very easy to get the nickname Ellie from that, and Eli and Ellie in one family seems like too much to me.
I know a kindergartner who goes by Etta – full name Yvette.
As for the pronunciation issue, you decide on a pronunciation and enforce it consistently. If someone calls her Loo-sha, you politely and gently say, “Her name is pronounced Loo-see-ah” – repeat and correct as many times as necessary.
I know of a little girl named and called Lucy June and I think that is just the sweetest! It was my first thought before even seeing that they’ve considered Lucy, so that’s my vote, haha. I have no idea what the Lucy/Vivian “I Love Lucy” connection is so I’d say that’s no big deal ;)
Also, in my experience, Lucia is generally pronounced Loo-see-a in the US unless you’re actually talking about the island St. Lucia (loo-sha). Maybe this varies regionally though!
My middle name is Louise, and my mom has always called new me Weezy :) I suggest Caroline/Carolina June!
How about Greta?
I think Lucy would only be a problem if your daughter was named Ethel. don’t think that many people now would remember Vivian Vance played Ethel on the show. Coretta is my favorite from your lists. It brings to mind a woman of strength and determination. Etta is adorable.
Vivian Vance played “Vivian Bagley” on The Lucy Show (after I Love Lucy).
I love Coretta June! I don’t think it’s too out there at all, it’s a very familiar, classic name with a great nickname! Plus as an added bonus, you get the association with Coretta Scott King, which is pretty awesome at least in my mind :)
I know a little girl who has Etta as a full first name, which I love unless you don’t want two names beginning with “E.” Etta June. I also thought June as a first name really fits all your criteria and I love the nicknames Junie and Junebug.
Other names you might like: Ada, Margo (although maybe it would bleed into “Owens” too much?), Althea/Thea, Simone, Frances, Harriet (Hattie! Hattie Owens, Harriet June Owens *swoon*).
Harry or Etta wouldn’t be too much of a stretch for Harriet, either!
Use June as the first name!!! I love it. Juliet gets my second vote. None of the other choices goes so well with Vivian. I like all the “line” names with your group–Adeline, Emeline, Coraline, Caroline. I also love all the “it” names: Harriet, Juliet, Olivet, Violet. Beautiful. I also like Annabel with your sibset–I feel like it can hold its own with Vivian. Both names are very spunky and very vintage. Gorgeous.
Annabel June.
Good luck!!!
I love the idea of June as a first name. I think it has a lot of the sounds and qualities you are looking for. I also endorse Lucy, Cecily, Clarissa nn Clary and Felicity. Finally I would add Colette or Colette as another way to Etta. Good luck!
Correction: I mean Colette or Colletta.
If you like Etta, how about Henrietta? It’s more familiar than Coretta and I think it goes great with Vivian and Eli. I think Liza is too close to Eli, and I had to read the comments to find out what the I Love Lucy connection was (and I did watch I Love Lucy as a kid! Nick at Nite was the best). Etta could also be a nickname for Margaret without too much stretching.
I don’t think you’re nuts because of the Louisa pronunciation issues. It’s the same reason I would hesitate to name a child Genevieve (I tend to pronounce it both JENNevieve and ZHENNevieve). Although if you used Louisa, I think you’d settle on one pronunciation with time so it wouldn’t be a big deal.
Henrietta is adorable!! I think Henry and Eli would be good brothers; I wouldn’t normally even think of Henrietta but wow how charming!
I don’t love names ending in a with the surname Owen, I think they end up rolling together with an extra rrrr sound in the middle. Fiona R-owen. I don’t think it would be enough to veto a favourite name but I think you’ve got enough great names on your list that don’t have this issue.
I don’t put an r sound between Fiona and Owen. Do Americans do that?
hhhhm, I do as well. I have no idea why but out loud I say Fionar_owen. Rebeccar_Owen. I don’t have an American accent though, I’m Australian with a pretty broad bush drawl.
I am American and I don’t put an R in between them. It does not flow quite as smoothly to me when one name ends in a vowel and the other starts with one, but I think it sounds okay.
Cecilia June
Eli & Vivian & Cecilia
Iris could suit you as well.
Iris June
Eli & Vivian & Iris
Estelle would get you to Etta as well.
Estelle June
Eli & Vivian & Estelle
But I do love Coretta. You have great instincts here… she’s a gorgeous fit with your other children and has all the dignity and snap of Vivian. She’s the ideal choice!
Best wishes!
How about Miranda?
But honestly I love Ruby, June, and Margaret for you.
I love Coretta! I’m currently pregnant with a baby boy but had he been a girl we were settled on Coretta. My daughter’s name is Lucille. I feel we have pretty similar tastes so here are some others I like: Maris, Miriam, Gwendolyn, Cecilia, Phoebe, Isadora, Zinnia, Florence, Dorothy. Good luck!!!
I feel like I have to post as we have a 3 daughters one of which is Vivienne and are currently in our 3rd trimester with our 4th baby girl whose nickname is Etta. So I obviously think Vivi and Etta are perfect sisters.
We tossed around:
Coretta, which was too country,
Cosette, too french
Julietta, too Italian (we are not),
Juliette, too tied to Shakespeare,
Suzette, to mid-century (but I can’t wait for this name and little Zuzu’s to come back into style.)
Our front runners were Colette, Odette, and Josette all of which work equally well for you.
We decided on Josette nn Etta
Oooh, I love the suggestions of Odette. Just gorgeous. I like Odessa here too, but not nearly as much. That ending “t” sound just adds a lot of snap.
Rosemary June Owens
Tessa June Owens
Since you like Maren and Etta, how about Maretta? I know of two, both different ages, and it always strikes me as very pretty. Maretta June.
Eli, Vivian and Maretta June.
Eli, Vivi & Etta.
I love the suggestions of Georgia and June (as a first). I also agree that Juliet and Ruby are faves from your existing list. You know, with Juliet you could use Etta or Jetta as a nickname.
A few others to suggest:
Daphne June
Margot June
Maisie June
Frances June (nn Frannie or Francie)
Just came across a Claudette … wonder if it might appeal?
I love Coretta nn Etta with big sis Vivienne! That is darling!
I like Ruby and Rosalie the most for you from Swistle’s list. Just keep in mind that Ruby is currently at # 71 in the US and appears to be rising still.
I am echoing many here to say that I love Coretta and the nickname Etta! Also, you love it! I have gone with my heart for all my daughter’s names (Shirley, Charlotte and Magnolia) and I’ve never regretted it. Even when people think it’s silly that we gave our first two daughters similar sounding names and the last one a completely different sounding name. You’ll never please everybody and your kids will grow up to be their own people. Just my two cents!
Georgette or Juliette nn Etta or Ettie would be lovely!
Bridgette, Aletta, Scarlett or Antoinette?
What about Esther nn Etta, Essie is cute too, or Elizabetta nn Etta?
Good luck!
I have heard the name Ruby used as a nickname for Rebecca before. Rebecca June?
Eli, Vivian and Rebecca. Eli, Vivi and Ruby! Love!
☺️
What about Cora? Cora June is so cute. (I don’t love Coretta/Etta but that’s personal preference). I do love Ruby June and Sadie June. Sadie was one of our top contenders for our girl.
I also like the idea of June as a first name!
What about Simone nn-Mini
Miriam- nn Mimi
Bettina- Bets, Betty, Etta
I also like Coretta and the idea of June as a first name.
In order of preference, I really like Coretta, first-name June, Juliet, and Ruby for you.
I agree that June would be a lovely first name option for you. If you wanted something longer, perhaps Juniper with June/Junie as a nickname?
Lucy/Vivian together is not an issue for me. I’d be surprised if many people today know Vivian Vance-my guess it most would be more familiar with Lucy & Ethel together. Certainly your daughters’ friends are unlikely to make the connection.
Coretta is Very Strongly associated with Coretta Scott King for me. One of the problems with less common names is that most people won’t have dilute associations for them-so I wouldn’t be surprised if you get questions/comments about it. This is certainly not a negative association, but it might be something to consider before using the name.
Other ways to get to Etta as a nickname: Scarlet, Elisabet, Elizabeth, Henrietta, Harriet, Lissette.
Other names with the “oo” sound you seem drawn to: Luna, Lucinda, Tallulah, Susan/Susanna/Suzette
Lucinda is a great suggestion. Unlike Lucia or Louisa, there’s no ambiguity to its pronunciation.
Oooo, Lucinda! I have an aunt Lucinda, and I always wondered why it isn’t more popular. Plus, the nickname potential: Lucy, Lou, Cinda, Cindy (my aunt goes by Cinda).
I think Coretta is very elegant. It does make me think of Coretta Scott King, who was a classy, impressive leader. Etta is sweet and not too close to Eli. I’d be tempted to call her Etta June all the time.
Lucy and Ruby are great names, but seem casual next to Vivian. I’d prefer a slightly more formal first name with a fun nickname like Georgia – Gigi and Vivi! Or Georgie and Vivi.
Lastly Linnea has been on my list for a very long time. It just so beautiful and unique.
Coretta is lovely! One thing that does come to mind, though, is the popularity of Cora. There were 3350 baby Coras in 2016 and the name is #86, rising every year since 2000. This will make Coretta seem more common, potentially. Just an observation! I think Coretta puts a nice offbeat spin on it.
Another way to get to Etta is Rosetta.
The Vivian & Lucy thing did not occur to me at all, and I was an avid I Love Lucy watcher for years.
However, Lucy and Ruby have both been top-100 staples for years. If you real prefer uncommon, they’re not going to tick that box.
June in the first name spot would be lovely!
Other names that come to mind, stylewise:
Beatrix/Beatrice
Lena
Rosemary
Nadia
Lavinia
Lenora
Amity
Pearl
Another vote to use Coretta! It’s lovely and most importantly you both love it. I also love Swistle’s suggestion of Matilda, and a commenters suggestion of Henrietta (swoon). I think Ophelia could work as well. I also agree that June would be perfect as a first name. You could even use June Eliza potentially? I think a middle name similar to another sibling’s first name is easier to work than two first names that sound alike.
I was going to say Avril, but if you’re going with June for a middle, it makes everyone wonder where May/Mae went.
I think we have very similar taste. I also love Vivian and Audrey. I like Coretta from your list, but also think Etta is great by itself. I really like Harriet Nn Hattie which I think has a similar feel to Etta.
Other names you might like:
Sienna
Vera
Serena
I love Harriet with the nickname Etta. I also thought of Marietta with the nickname Etta. I don’t think Lucy/Vivian is an issue at all. And I do love June as a first name.
Thanks, everyone! I love all of your suggestions AND the validation that Coretta may be a good choice for us. I did realy think about June as a first name, but as much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE it as a middle name, I don’t love it as much for a first. June Owens just doesn’t DO it for me for some reason…I think I must like 2+ syllable first names. I love Harriet and Henrietta, but not sure I can get DH on board :) We’ll keep thinking about Ruby, Juliet, Lucy, and the others, and hope we come up with something!! Swistle, I’d love your thoughts on Coretta, if you read this!
I don’t prefer Coretta myself, but think Corrie is a cute nickname. If you prefer two syllable first names someone above suggested Juniper… And Juno (June O) is a really sassy nickname. Margaretta, Rosetta, or Henrietta could give you Etta too.
I think that Louisa offers the nn Izzy quite intuitively, and from there I don’t think Liza as a nn for Louisa is a stretch at all. Since it’s general consensus that Eli and Eliza are maybe too close for siblings, this could be a perfect way to get to the next best thing where you could call her Liza. Plus a bonus spunky nn Izzy, and a host of others: Lou, Louie, Elle (“L”), etc…
Coretta is lovely too, but I’m here for the underdog Louisa!
Julietta nn Etta?
I have a Lucia (loo-CHEE-a) and she is sometimes called loo-SEE-a but almost never loo-sha. Her nn is Lulu.
Lucinda is a great name!
Lucinda with the nickname Indie would be adorable!
The suggestion of Miranda was a good one too. I know a Miranda with the nickname Andie. Sweet!
What about Philippa nn Pippa or Penelope nn Poppy? Penny is lovely too!
😊
Caroline nn Cara or Emmeline nn Emme? 😀