Hi Swistle!
I’m expecting my fifth child in May, and after four boys I can’t wait to be having a girl! Naming our boys was easy, we poured over lists, used the process of elimination, asked our parents about family names and eventually came to an agreement. We alternated final say, and now it’s my turn again, although our requirement is that each person must love the name. Now, although I didn’t pick all of them, I am absolutely in love with all the boys’ names and couldn’t imagine them as anything else.
Their names are:
William Field ‘Liam’
Charles Larson ‘Charlie’
Matthew Wilkinson ‘Matt’
Thomas Smith ‘Tommy’Our last name is Scottish/Irish and starts with Mc and ending is a hard d sound. I’m an 80s Lauren, and my husband is Henry. Our taste is traditional, somewhat popular (but always popular, so not trendy) names that lend themselves to nicknames, although we often call the boys by their full names. This will almost certainly be our last child.
After naming four boys, I am so excited to be naming a girl and have been spending all my free time making lists and comparing meanings and sounds with the boys’ names.
My list is as follows:
Mary – seems so dull, but I still love it and have never met a little girl with this name. I don’t love that she and Matthew would share an initial
Catherine – my old favorite, which I still love but it feels just a little less exciting now. I don’t love that she and Charlie would share an initial
Anna – plain but adorable, having trouble finding something it could be short for, or if it should be a standalone.
Elisabeth – really cute, and it honors my mom, but I worry people many misspell it as Elizabeth
Alexandra – I love Lexie, but it feels kind of harsh, I like Alexandria too but I’m still on the fence
Jane – really cute and sweet I’m not just quite there yetHusbands list is as follows:
Amy – Ehhh
Monica – feels way to 80’s to me
Chelsea – not my style
Tiffany – just no
Eloise – I actually really like this, but I just can’t seem to fully get on board
Maggie – feels like a nickname to me
Liza – I like, hoping he many warm up to Elisabeth insteadThe middle names we are considering are Halsey (my maiden name), Powell (his mother’s maiden name) and Fowler (My mother’s maiden name).
I kind of feel like a lot of our ideas are pretty dull and we can’t seem to commit to anything fully. I think our problem is that our boys’ names are really established, and it feels like the same boy names are always ‘in’ or popular, while girl names seem to fluctuate through the years. Therefore, my husband has recommended a ton of very 80s names and I am having trouble explaining this to him.
Any ideas on how we can find a middle ground that appeases us both and gives our daughter a great name that goes with Liam, Charlie, Matt, and Tommy? So I come to you Swistle, seeking advice on how to proceed in this uncharted girl name territory :)
Thanks so much!
Lauren
Hi Swistle!
Just thought I would update you on the Baby Girl McQ______, sister to William, Charles, Matthew and Thomas, in case you decide to post my question. We have decided to scratch our least favorite names from each person’s list, and have combined them into one list. Here is what we have left.
Arranged in my preference order:
Anna/Mary
Elisabeth/Jane
Eloise
Liza
Maggie
AmyArranged in his preference order:
Liza
Amy
Eloise
Maggie
Anna/Elisabeth
Mary
JaneWe are okay with each other’s picks on this list, but really love our own. It was so easy with the boys but are now finding that we cannot seem to agree on anything. Although I kind of like it I wouldn’t feel comfortable signing the birth certificate to Amy or Maggie, and he feels the same way about Mary and Jane. I want to find a name we agree on but both love. Is it possible we need to look beyond our list?
Thanks again!
Lauren
I would like to test my powers: do I have the ability to remove Amy from the lists, merely by saying I’d like to, even though I am not one of the parents? I shall try it and see what happens. Amy is a wonderful name, and it is now a Mom Name. If you were both very set on it, you would not need my permission to go ahead and use a perfectly-usable-even-if-dated name (many kids are named for aunts/uncles/parents and so it’s not an uncommon situation), but in this case it seems the issue is that your husband is claiming to be unable to understand explanations about how names come in and out of style, and that doesn’t seem to me like sufficient reason to leave the name on the list. Even if the topic of naming trends is fresh territory for him, I have faith in his ability to use the Social Security Administration’s baby name site to examine the trends for himself, and to consider his own experience in the world as further supporting evidence. Amy, Tiffany, Chelsea—those names have had their time in the sun, and they are enjoying a time of peace and rest. Let’s see, you say you’re an ’80s Lauren, so if your husband is approximately the same age, we can explain to him that your daughter being named Amy/Tiffany/Chelsea in 2021 would be like if your husband had high school classmates named Barbara, Nancy, and Debbie. Those are GREAT NAMES! I look forward to seeing them again, when they come back into style! But they weren’t in style for kids born in the 1980s; they were Mom Names. That is how Amy and Tiffany and Chelsea are now, to your children’s peers.
One possible option is to use Amelia, and your husband can nickname her Amy.
Let’s look at the other names on the lists. What stands out to me is that you have Elisabeth in second place and he has Liza in first place. If you weren’t using the s-spelling of Elisabeth, I would think we had a potential winner: name her Elizabeth, call her Liza as a nickname. And I do still think you could do that, but in your shoes I wouldn’t want to: the nickname Liza seems sure to increase the frequency of misspellings of Elisabeth. Nor would I want to change the spelling of Elisabeth, if it honors your mom. I too will hope that his feelings about the name Liza will help him warm to the name Elisabeth.
The next thing I notice is that you both have Eloise as a third choice. That’s one of my own favorite names, so of course I’m all for it—except that you mentioned you’re having trouble getting fully on board. And it IS your turn to have the final say, AND this is probably the only girl, so that makes me reluctant to have you compromise on a third-choice name. (But if this turns out to be the best area for agreement, I will rejoice, because I just love the name Eloise. Eloise Halsey Mc_____d!)
Looking higher up on your list, I see you have Anna and Mary; Mary is almost at the bottom of his list, but Anna is not far from the middle, especially if it turns out I did have the power to remove Amy. I think Anna is a terrific choice with your boys’ names; I like that she gets her own initial; and I don’t think Anna needs to be short for anything (it’s the same number of syllables as her brothers’ names)—and in fact I find it more charming on its own.
ESPECIALLY since this is the first and likely only girl, I like the idea of her having your maiden name as her middle. Anna Halsey is fabulous. I would want that name for myself.
I do think it might help to add more names to the list. Your preferences are almost reversed from each other’s, and that can make for unhappy naming.
I agree with you that Maggie is a nickname (and I would particularly object to that as a given name for the only girl, when all her brothers have full names plus nicknames). But it is a nickname for another of my own top favorite girl names: Margaret. How do you feel about the name Margaret? I am not thrilled that she’d be sharing an initial, but that preference got knocked down the list for me as we had more and more kids and I didn’t want to rule out whole sections of the name book, and maybe you feel the same. Margaret Halsey, called Maggie (and/or Meg and Daisy and Greta).
Another from this general range: Josephine. Nicknames Jo, Joey, Josie, Posey. And she gets her own initial. Josephine Halsey Mc_____d.
Or Clara. I love the repeating sound with your surname. It lacks a clear and natural nickname, but I suspect you’d call her Clarey (similar to Mary) and Clare-Bear as pet names. Clara Halsey Mc_____d.
Or Grace, nickname Gracie. Grace Halsey Mc_____d.
Or Eve, nickname Evie. Eve Halsey Mc_____d.
Ivy doesn’t have a good nickname, but I love it anyway. Ivy Mc_____d. I don’t know if I’d still use Halsey as the middle; I probably would, because of the way I’ve noticed most middle names vanish except for birth announcements and graduation ceremonies.
I wonder if adding Di to Anna would improve it for either/both of you. Diana Halsey Mc_____d. Oh, but I guess I wouldn’t put it in a sibset with a Charles.
I wonder if adding E to Liza would make you like it more. It definitely makes ME like it more: I would not have Liza on my own list at all, but Eliza is one of my top favorite names, and it’s very odd how such things can be the case. Eliza Halsey Mc_____d.
You mention finding some of the names on your list a little dull, but I can report that encountering a Mary in our school system was electrifying to me: my eyes just skip right past that name in the name books, and I think of it as abundantly common—but among children in our area, it is very very rare, and fresh and startling to meet one. Jane is similar: I don’t know ANY.
Oh! Another name that electrified me in that same way was Rose. It’s so abundantly common as a MIDDLE name, I wasn’t prepared for the effect as a FIRST name. Rose Halsey Mc_____d. I LOVE this for you. Nickname Rosie, but also I know if it were me I would call her Rosabelle, Rosalie, Rosamund, and so on, and probably Rosey-Posey leading to just Posey. I LOVE THIS.
Would Jane be improved if it were June? June Halsey Mc_____d.
The name Sarah was so popular in my generation, it’s another one my eye skips past. But nicknames such as Sadie and Sally make it fresh to me again. Sarah Halsey Mc_____d, called Sally.
Which reminds me: would your husband find the name Mary any more appealing if he knew it had nicknames Molly and Polly?
Name update:
Hi Swistle!
Our baby girl arrived early, she was born on May 5th. Her four older brothers are already obsessed, and she has stolen all our hearts. Admittedly, we struggled a lot with her name. She actually was nameless for over 24 hours, but we eventually agreed on something that feels perfect. Rose was a name you suggested Swistle, and from the moment I read it I had a feeling it was perfect. My husband wasn’t sure at first, but once we met our little girl he began warming up to it, and once we went to sign the birth certificate, we were both certain that Rose is definitely our girl’s name. For a middle name, we decided to bestow on our baby two family names, and with that her name feels complete. Rose Elisabeth Halsey McQ____d completes our family in ways we didn’t think possible. For now, she mostly goes by Rosie, but just like you said Swistle, we have already started to call her Rosamund, Rosabelle and a variety of other nicknames.
Thank you so much to you and your fabulous readers for the help!
Lauren, Henry, Liam, Charlie, Matt, Tommy and Rosie :)
What about Elise? Like Eloise, but reads more like an Elisabeth name? Or Elisa? I know two young girls named Elise and Elisa-no one ever trips over their names or thinks they should be longer/shorter/spelled differently. So sweet!
Your rank ordering of preferences is so diametrically opposed that I think it is time to look further a field.
Have you considered any of these classics that have a bit of an 80’s flair:
Caroline (nn Carrie)
Hannah (nn Annie)
Julia (nn Jules)
Susannah (nn Suki, Susie, Annie)
Alicia (nn Ali)
Question on nicknames- this family seems to commit to a diminutive for each child, yet would Eloise or Liza lend itself to a nickname? Would this child be the only 1 of 4 without a shortened name?
I know Elizabeth is NOT the same as a direct/exact namesake, but given the pref for Liza, the likelihood that a nickname would be used, and that this is the name with the most common love between the lists…. if I were the grandma I think the slight spelling difference would still very much count as an honor while pleasing all family requirements.
So my question- is that a deal breaker?
I know an Eloise called Ellie!
I see Anna, I see Eloise. My mind immediately puts them together for Annalise!
ANNALISE CALLED ANNIE!!!! *chefs kiss*
You can’t go wrong with Margaret! Nickname potential is great: not just Maggie, but Peg (!), Marge, Margo, Madge. It’s a classic but can take all these zippy short-forms.
Also I LOVE the idea of Jane.
A few other ideas for girl names that never seem to go out of style:
Helen (nickname Nell/Nellie/Linsy/Ellie/etc.)
Alice (nickname Ali)
Emily (nickname Em/Emmie)
I was going to second Mary nicknamed Molly. Molly and Maggie are very similar, and Mary is such a great classic name currently underused.
Also Marianna? Mary and Anna all rolled into one.
Diana, Susanna and also great.
Eloise is a lovely compromise.
Last comment: Since she is your only daughter you could give her two middles if that makes it easier to find happiness.
Oh, I love Mary for you, and hope your husband will come on board! Perhaps he could consider calling her Mimi or Mamie as a nickname, both of which feel similar in sound to Amy?
I suggest Elise! Very close to a lot of your favorites: Elisabeth, Liza, Eloise.
Anna could be short to Annalise, Annabelle or Anastasia.
Another idea: Marigold nn Maggie (for dad) and Mary (for mom).
When I first read the new lists I noticed Eloise is #3 for each, which puts it in the top half for both of you if just barely– perfect compromise. Then I remembered you’re taking turns and it’s your turn. Not so perfect. Plus you’ve got ties for first and second place, so it’s really more like your 5th choice.
Regrouping… Mary and Jane are near the top of your list, but near the bottom of his, so Anna and Elisabeth seem more promising. I don’t think Anna needs to be a nickname for anything, but do you like Annabelle? My cousin has a 12-year-old Annabelle, usually called Annie. Annie could be a nickname for Anna, too. Elisabeth, nickname Eliza incorporates a high-ranking choice for you and is similar to Liza, which is his top choice. I think there’s a lot of potential for pleasing everyone.
One more idea: Rosemary, nickname Rosie seems to fit very well into your family.
Or how about Ruth, nn Ruthie.
I came here to suggest Elisabeth nicknamed Elise! It gives you Elisabeth, and it gives your husband something like Eloise. The “s” heavy nickname should help with the Elizabeth issue.
Also Margaret for Maggie. Mary Margaret nicknamed Maggie, even? Like a double name. This is the second time I’ve suggested Mary Margaret here. Obviously I think Molly is a fabulous nickname too ;)
2 of us have M names in my family of origin, and the other siblings don’t. It was fine. I’d lean away from it if this was your second kid and the first had an M, but there are so many initials in the mix that it doesn’t bother me.
Mary Margaret nn Maggie sounds like a wonderful compromise!! There are lots of wonderful please-everyone formal/nickname combos being suggested – thank goodness for the old standard names on that front!
Agree!!
I know an Elisabeth called Lissa. I think the nickname reinforces the spelling and if your husband likes Liza, maybe you can sell him on Lissa? Elisabeth has so many nicknames that I am hoping you can find one that he likes too. Since he also likes Eloise, what about Elle/Ellie as a nickname? Or something less conventional – Bunny, Bitsy? He seems to prefer names that are slightly less old English/more nickname-y.
Other suggestions:
Adelaide
Daphne
Elle
Felicity
Juliette
Lydia
Nina
Stella
Sylvie
Vivian
Caroline, Eleanor (Ellie), Margaret (Meg), Katherine (Katie), Anna, Josephine, Ellen, Emily, Abigail (Abby).
I’m rooting hard for Anna, especially Anna Halsey! William, Charles, Matthew, Thomas, and Anna. Liam, Charlie, Matt, Tommy, and Annie! (Or just Anna is still lovely) If you get more of a final say and it’s not too far down on his list then why not? Or what about Anna-Jane Halsey Mc*****? Nickname AJ or Annie would work
I also still love the idea of Catherine “Kate” even though it didn’t make the final cut. Yeah, she shares an initial with Charlie but it’s still a different sound and the nickname Kate helps too.
Good luck and please update!
I’m also a huge Eloise fan, so I love that it’s #3 on both your lists. The two I know go by nicknames (one is Lulu, the other is Els..) Love Eloise in your set.
However, it’s kinda #3 but more like #5 for you with those 1/2 ties… like others have suggested, would a smoosh excite you? Marianne, Anne-marie, Mary Jane – although I totally get you on not repeating an M.
Elisabeth has so very many nicknames – could that elevate it on his list? Maybe not Liza (but sure why not) but maybe a more 80s type nickname like Beth or Lizzy? I could totally see a Beth in your set.
I also love Swistle’s suggestion of Eliza! and Amelia nn Amy!
I have an Anna and have not yet wished it were short for something.
We also strongly considered Margaret (or the version I preferred, Marguerite). The Margaret nicknames are just wildly excellent.
Seems like you guys might be able to agree on either Anna or Elisabeth, both of which are great names.
Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! My husband and I were in a similar predicament where we loved Mary but thought it was too boring, so we ended up using Rosemary for our little girl and I LOVE IT. We considered a few -mary names but too many of them sounded like nuns (My husband liked Mary Cordelia but I could only imagine it as “Sister Mary Cordelia”). Mary Eliza might be a nice one for ya’ll, or Mariana. I knew a sweet little Mary Ellen a few years ago and it wasn’t weird at all.
Rosemary Jane and Rosemary Eloise are both amazing.
My boys are also classic biblical names so we seem to have a similar style, my other top girl names are Vivienne, Cordelia, Cecily, and Eleanor.
So many cute names in the running! I really feel like Liza could absolutely be a nickname for Eloise. You have those same long z sounds in both of them.
Would you revisit Catherine but spell it Katherine so that she gets her own initial? Nicknames Kit, Kitty, Kay, Kathy, as well as Kate and Katie…
I think the suggestion of Rosemary, called Rosie or Mary, is great. Also the suggestions of Eliza, sometimes called Liza, and Margaret called Maggie and/or any of the other great options, and Alice called Allie.
Other suggestions: Dorothy (Dot, Dora); Ruth (Rue, Ruthie); Helena (Nell, Len, Lena, Ellie); Angela (Anna or Anne).
I have a 2 year old Eloise, and I love her name so much. We picked it, in part, because it has so many fun rhyme and nickname possibilities. There’s Elle, Ellie, Elo (we use this most often), and then Lo, Lu, or LuLu. Then you can veer off into the more silly: Weezie, Squeezy, Cheezy, etc. Sometimes we call our daughter Squeeze Cheese.
I also really love Anna with your boy names!
We know a woman named Elisabeth and she goes by Elisa. Maybe this could bridge the gap for you and your husband?
Elo! How darling! Girl nicknames that end in O are fantastic.
I have never considered Eloise as a baby name (although it is absolutely darling), but “sometimes we call our daughter Squeeze Cheese” has landed it firmly on my list. thank you for being a gift to the world. <3
Mary really is in the same vein as Matthew, William, Charles and Thomas, and the nicknames are so fantastic. (Molly, Polly, Mamie, Mim).
I have a kiddo named Mary, and I worried that it was boring and “common” when I named her. However, we’ve now lived in 3 states and have met a huge number of kids, and she is still the only Mary we’ve found. But it is a classic enough name not to seem outdated (I grew up as an 80s Nancy sigh). Mary is very fresh and fun. I think Anna and Jane also fit in that category.
I also want to throw in my vote for using your maiden name as a middle. It seems you haven’t done that yet and it really is special.
I might send your husband to the SSA name info and tell him to look up the years that your sons names were most used, and then look at the girl’s names most used, in order to kick the mom-names off his list. (Possibly you want to do the research first so you don’t end up sending him down an unwanted path.).
Mary Halsey Mc——
Eliza is perfect.
Or Annabel nn Annie. (You could also use nn Annie for Anna.)
I wonder what you think of Anne?
To me it has the similar “seemingly boring on paper, but oh so fresh and refreshing and beautiful in real life” that do Mary and Jane. Anne certainly stands alone, and yet can be called Anna or Annie as sweet nicknames.
Or Louise? Similar to Eloise and Liza, and lots of cute nicknames.
I do find Anne Halsey so delightfully elegant, though :)
I think naming her Elizabeth would still totally honor Elisabeth, and you could call her Eliza, as mentioned. Also, I wonder if you would like Mary Grace Halsey (or whatever other family name) and calling her Maggie? Cute!
I have an Anna Mae and suggest Anne Jane, called AJ, as well.
Would spelling Amy as Aimee make any difference to you? It’s not as 90s as Chelsea spelled that way, in my personal opinion.
I’ll also throw out Annabeth, and you could call her AB!
Have you thought about using Halsey as a first name, and calling her Hallie? I would be so tempted to do that, but it might not be your style. Halsey Anne!!
I was coming here to suggest Halsey as the first name as well! It’s adorable. And Hallie is a great nickname!
I really like Halsey as a first name!
Halsey Elisabeth
Halsey Jane
Halsey Eloise
Halsey Catherine
Halsey Rose
My vote is for Anna nn Annie. Just a hop and skip from Amy. Anna Halsey is awesome.
Delilah – has a similar sound to Liza – also differentiates it a bit from Liam
Amelie – another alternative to Amy
Emilia – alternative to Amelia/Amy
May – Amy rearranged with a more classic yet modern feel
Katherine with a K could lend itself to Kit which I think would go well with you boys nicknames
So many good suggestions already, so I’ll just add one more.
How about Clarissa with a nickname of Clary or Riss!
From your lists, I agree with Swistle about Anna Halsey or Eloise Halsey.
Another option: combine Anna and Elisabeth to get Annelise and call her Anna or Annie. Annelise Halsey is lovely.
I vote strongly for Anna!
I’m biased, we have a 4 year old Anna and I love her name more and more. We get so many compliments on it as well.
I think it has the right feel with your boys names as well.
Good luck!!
I like Rosemary. Lots of great nickname options. Rosie, Ro, Mary, Romy, Rory.
I also like Elisabeth. lots of great nicknames: Ellie, Liza, Beth, Lizzy, Libby.
It looks like Eloise is on both of your lists, and Eloise Halsey sounds great!
I could also see Cecilia fitting in well with your family, nicknamed Cece.
Abigail nicknamed Abby would also fit in well with your crew.
Abigail Fowler
Abigail Halsey
Abigail Powell
Abigail Elisabeth
If your last name is something like “McQuade” I’d remove Jane from the list. Jane McQuade sounds too rhymey for me. Then again, your last name might have different sounds that make this a non-issue.
What about Meredith nicknamed Meri? Then she would have a longer name like the boys but you still get to the name Mary (just spelled differently)
I vote for Elizabeth/Elisabeth. It is royal, biblical, nickname-able and utterly timeless, like your boys’ names. The fact that it’s a family name makes it extra special. I love the idea of Liza as a special nickname for Dad.
I have an Anna myself and also think it sounds great with your boys.
Ideas
Anna nn Annie
Amelia nn Amy —- I love love Amy. I keep thinking it is going to have a revival
Katherine nn Kate
Elisabeth nn Betsy, Birdie, Beth
Mary nn Molly. Although I just saw a show were the lead girl was names Mary and I loved it.
Susanna, Suvannah, Susan nn Zuzu, Annie, Anna
Mildred nn Millie
Matilda nn Tilly
Anna Halsey is also my favorite. I think Nan is a sweet nickname, or Annie, or you could just see what you all sort of gravitate to once she’s born.
Have you explored Elisabeth nicknames with your husband? I feel like there must be something in there he could get behind! Beth seems in the same vein as Amy, because of Little Women no doubt. Betsy, Bess, Ellie, Etta, Elsie, Elle.
Ooh! The singer Halsey is called that because it’s an anagram of her real name, Ashley. Ashley! Fulfills your husband’s 80s dreams and is an anagram of your maiden name. Fun option!
I concur with Elisabeth Halsey Mc-D, nn Elise or Elsie.
William, Charles, Matthew, Thomas and Elisabeth
Liam, Charlie, Matt, Tommy and Elsie. <3
Great way to keep the S as it is important to you.
Josephine and Rosalie are also pretty awesome. Josie, Rosie, Posie, Jo, Joey, Rose, Ro.
I also like the double names: Anna-Beth (Annabeth) Mary Grace, Mary Beth, Mary Anne (Maryann).
You’re going to hate me and your husband will love me – I vote Monica. It’s classic , sweet , it has a good meaning and it goes well with your other children’s names. If Monica is not an option I think Veronica could work well
I like all your ideas, but think Elisabeth goes best with your sibset:
William, Charles, Matthew, Thomas and Elisabeth
Liam, Charlie, Matt, Tommy, and Lissie/Betsy/Elsie/Ellie
I like how the ending is unique from the others, she has her own initial, and the S in Thomas and Elisabeth roll of the tongue nicely. Elisabeth is also very similar in style to your boys’ names and I think works well.
First off, the repeating first initial doesn’t bother me because you have 4 boys and you’re not looking at repeating the youngest son’s initial (for some reason that would make it seem more matchy).
I think a double first name and KEEP the middle name (Halsey) might make the more traditional names work for a girl.
As Swistle has said many times, styles for boys and girls don’t have to be exact.
So a Mary ___ Halsey Mc___d would work great and could incorporate 2 of the names you like.
Mary Margaret = Maggie is the obvious choice to me but there are so many others:
Mary Ann (nickname Polly or Annie)
Mary Elisabeth (nickname Mae or Emmie for initials M.E.
Mary Jane (which has an unfortunate tie to it, but is an adorable name) (nickname M.J. or Janey)
Mary Eloise (nickname Mary Lou or Emmie for M.E.)
Mary Amelia (nickname Amy, Mellie, Millie)
Would love to hear an update once you decide :)
Speaking of Mary Elisabeth …
There have been so many amazing suggestions, including several nicknames for Margaret specifically mentioned, but I don’t think I’ve seen Maisie/Maisy in there. It seems like it has a lot of the sounds of Mary, Liza, and Amy, and if Margaret isn’t your thing, then Maisie/Maisy could work as a nickname for Mary Elisabeth. Actually, a Baby Name of the Day recently reposted on the Appellation Mountain site had a comment from 2016 on the name Maisie in which someone said their baby was Mary Elisabeth nicknamed Maisie. And I agree that if you went the double name route, you should still use Halsey! Mary Elisabeth Halsey Mc___d called Maisie (if for some reason, Anna or Eloise aren’t happening)!
Hi All! Original question sender here! I love all your suggestions, and love reading through them. One name we like is Rose, and would like ideas for longer versions with the nickname Rose/Rosie. We are considering using it as a standalone, but would also like to explore longer versions. We don’t like Rosalie, Rosalind we’re so-so, I like the idea of Rosaline, but I’m not sure if that sounds made up or weird. Any ideas?
Oh and other names we LOVE and are currently considering are Clara, Eliza/Liza, Eloise, Margaret/Maggie/Maisie, Anna and Elisabeth/Elizabeth/Liza if anyone was wondering!
Rosanna
Rosemary
Primrose
+1 to Rosemary! And also Rosamund.
I already commented once but then I thought: Mary Halsey, maybe called Hallie? It hits the sweet spot of old-fashioned cozy nickname but is also close to Hailey, which fits in with your husband’s 80s faves.
As an Elisabeth, I can guarantee her name would be misspelled regularly. It was more aggravating in my adolescense, but is mostly only irritating now when it happens on paper work _after_ we spelled it out, with emphasis. Actually I had a Debbie in my class in the ’80s and early ’90s. Nice girl, youngest of 9.
You can indeed go with Elisabeth nn Liza. A cousin of mine is Elisabeth nn Liz. I think that’d be a good choice for the pair of you, honoring Mom, and using DH’s favorite as a nickname. And honestly, at the rate my name is misspelled, I doubt any nickname would increase it by much.
Rosamund? Rosalinda? Rosalia? Rosanna? Susanna means lily historically, but apparently is also used for rose in modern Hebrew (Behindthename .com) and thus could be nn Rose. Eloise would be a solid compromise name, and Rosie has a certain near-name feel to Eloise.
I like Rose best by itself with the “nickname” Rosie. It has the same classic quality as your boys’ names, with a similarly friendly nickname.
Agree! Rose all by itself is my fav. So elegant.
I like Elisabeth nickname Ellie for you.
I think all of those names sound great in your family, but I myself am partial to Rose (nickname Rosie – my name!) Elisabeth (nickname Lissie and Elisa – I love that it honors your mom), and Eloise (Elo and Ellie – just fantastic and so cute). The middle name Halsey is fantastic by the way.
Such classic, beautiful names! What about Elisabeth, nn Lila (similar to Liza but makes more sense with your spelling!) I was sad to see Alexandra go as I was going to suggest the nn Andie. I also like Maren nn Mary.
Seconding others suggestions of Cecelia and adding Caroline, Sabrina, and Genevieve.
Oh! And plugging my own name, Kathleen! nn Kat, Katie, Kate
Another +1 for Rosemary! I personally love Rosamel, if you’re open to something more unusual (not made up, it was originally a French surname!). Rosabel(la) and Rosemarie are nice too.
I do think Rosaline looks and sounds made up *but* all names were made up at one point! And it’s not too far off Rosaleen, an anglicized version of Roisin. It could work, I think.
With Rose, you can hyphenate or use as a middle and still call her Rosie. Have you considered a double barrel? Mary-Rose? Anna-Rose?
For something really off the beaten path, there’s Zaria which means rose in Arabic. It works (to me) with your boys’ names. Makes me think of Zara, Princess Anne’s daughter, and the British royal family.
Oh, and there’s also Rosa … a simpler (?) elaboration which is similar in a way to other names you are considering – Clara, Liza, Eliza, Anna etc – but is a little different while still being easy to say/understand/spell and also gives you Rosie as a nickname.
If you wish you liked Eloise more, I recommend watching Bridgerton.
I’m surprised no one has suggested Emma as a name that would be both a feel-good compromise for Amy and a lovely sib-set with her brothers: William, Charles, Matthew, Thomas, and Emma. Yes it’s extremely popular, but popularity isn’t always a negative. Plenty of Emma’s also go by the nickname Emmie/Emme/Emmy, which gets you even closer to Amy but without the mom-jeans vibe. Emma Elisabeth is particularly cute while also suitable for an adult, but perhaps a bit too close to Emily Elizabeth from the Clifford the Big Red Dog book series…
Beyond Emma, I concur with everyone else that Eloise is great! Eleanor would also fit nicely with her brothers and comes with a variety of nicknames (Ellie, Ella, Nora, etc).
Congratulations on your fresh new Rosie! Her name is beautiful, and Rose is a wonderful match with her brothers.
The name Rose is just perfection with this sibset!! I like that all of them are timeless names! Congrats!
From one Rose Elisabeth (same S spelling) to another – welcome to the world Rosie!
I love my name, and I hope your little one will too.
I love this success story (Swistle FTW) and I love the name Rose with all the sibs – it’s just perfect! AND it really appeals to me that there are s’s in all her personal names – I love that repeating letter in the middle.
Rose is the perfect choice! I love that it’s just as timeless and classic as her brothers’ names but still adds a pop of color that feels so apt for a youngest girl with four big brothers. Congratulations!