Dear Swistle,
We are expecting our third and final baby, whose gender we will learn when baby is born (the best surprise!). Our surname is Laherty with an F in front. Baby’s sister is Elis with two Ls (pronounced/spelled like the NY island) + Anne (both honor names, she is “sometimes” Elle or Ellie), and brother is Fin with two Ns + James (James is an honor name). We have a strong preference for Irish-inspired names and hope to include at least one honor name.
Our favorite girl names are Maeve, Molly, and Malone. If Maeve or Molly, we’d use Malone as a middle. BUT there’s a famous character named Molly Malone (and an accompanying song), that is not the most flattering. Malone is an honor name and my personal favorite but my husband isn’t sold yet; he finds it an odd girl first name. (What do you think? And, are Mallie and Ellie too similar if those nicknames stick?). If we decide on Malone as a first (and I can convince my husband), we’d want something feminine and short as a middle name. Kate (well, Katherine, but I think I’d shorten for middle) and Beth are both honor names.
So:
Molly Malone
Maeve Malone
Malone Kate
Malone BethFor boys, we like Dillon, Blake, and Patrick. Middle name Malone. Derrick is also an honor name that we would consider incorporating, though I’m not sold. DMF initials would also honor a family member, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
What do you think?
Interestingly/unexpectedly, I have secondhand experience with a grown woman called Malone. She’s a friend of a friend, and my friend mentions her periodically to me, so I’ve had a chance to experience the name in that way—and I will say that for me, I went from “I never would have considered that name, especially for a girl/woman” to “THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST NAMES EVER, ESPECIALLY FOR A GIRL/WOMAN” in about two repetitions. I now think it’s a TERRIFIC name, and I find it extremely fun to say. I particularly like it for your sibling set, where the other girl has a unisex-used-more-often-for-boys surname name: pairing that with a non-surnamey name used exclusively for girls, such as Maeve or Molly, feels jarring to me. I find I am now hoping you will have a girl, so that you can name her Malone.
I’d note also that Molly could be used as a nickname for Malone: visually it didn’t occur to me, but when I was saying Malone aloud and testing it for nicknames, I tried out the Mal-y sound, which is almost the same as Molly. Ellie and Molly/Mallie is cute, and I don’t worry much about nicknames being too similar—but also, I don’t think they’re too similar for nicknames.
I like both Malone Kate/Katherine (I prefer Katherine) and Malone Beth; I think the only way I’d be able to decide between them would be to think of the potential honorees and which I’d prefer to honor, and/or which side of the family has been honored more often so far with the other children’s names (including surnames).
If your husband never does come around to Malone as a first name (I WEEP AT THE THOUGHT), then my second choice from your options is Maeve. I don’t worry much about nicknames being too similar, but it bothers me that Elis’s option for a more feminine name if she wants one, Ellie, would be so similar to her sister’s given name Molly. And my inclination is to do a hard-avoid of the Molly Malone combination. And Maeve seems more compatible with Elis and Fin. And Maeve Malone is fun to say.
Another option: Sloane. (Though not with Malone.) Somewhat similar in sound to Malone, and nice with the sibling names: Elis, Fin, and Sloane. I like it with Katherine as the middle.
Or if you enjoy some sound repetition, Rowan Malone is pretty fun to say.
Or Teagan? Elis, Fin, and Teagan.
Or Morgan. Elis, Fin, and Morgan.
Or Darby. Elis, Fin, and Darby.
Or Darcy. Elis, Fin, and Darcy. I don’t know if I like the -y ending with the surname. Though we just went through graduation season, and nothing makes me feel comfier about first/last combinations than hearing a whole bunch of them that are Not Quite Right on the drawing board and yet once given are Absolutely Completely Fine and No One Would Ever Think Anything of It.
Let’s see, now the boy names. I like the way Dillon and Derrick would give all three kids a double letter in their names; but that’s not important enough to make the decision, just a fun point in their favor. I think Dillon and Blake are best with Fin, but I feel like Dillon is teetering on the edge of being too similar to Elis: both with the short-I-double-L thing. I am leaning toward Derrick, if you come around to it: it has the snap of Patrick, while feeling a little fresher, and it gives all three kids’ names distinctive sounds. Elis, Fin, and Derrick. Derrick Malone is super. (Derrick with the surname has a repeating sound that some would love and others would prefer to avoid.) I think Blake works well, too: Elis, Fin, and Blake.
I feel a little tepid on Patrick, even though it’s a great name, just because Elis and Fin feel more modern and less common. (Patrick’s usage in the U.S. is currently less common than Fin’s, but the previous generations of Patricks gives the name a more familiar feeling.) I’d lean more toward something like Aidric or Declan or Broderick or Cormac.
Or Camden would be nice. Elis, Fin, and Camden; Ellie, Fin, and Cam.
Or Nolan! I love Nolan for this set. Elis, Fin, and Nolan. Downside: it’s odd with Malone as a middle, and I feel myself getting increasingly invested in Malone being part of the name. But Nolan Derrick is nice.
Or Keegan. Elis, Fin, and Keegan.
Or Keane. Elis, Fin, and Keane. I like how both boys get a one-syllable name—again, not to the point of letting it make the decision, just a point in its favor.
Another one-syllable option: Mack. Fun to say with Malone. Elis, Fin, and Mack.
Or Kieran. Elis, Fin, and Kieran. Or is that a bit challenging to say with the surname? I’ve said it so many times I’ve reduced it to meaningless component sounds and can no longer tell.
Similarly: Rory. A little odd with the surname, maybe?
Maybe Brody would be better. Elis, Fin, and Brody. Brody Malone is very fun to say.
Or Grady. Elis, Fin, and Grady.
I recently encountered a Kellan in real life and the name made a positive impression. Elis, Fin, and Kellan.
And Rowan can go on the boy list, too.
Maeve Malone Laherty: I like the fitting in, yet distinct feel of Maeve with Elis and Fin. Maeve echoes the strength of Elis and Fin. I don’t love Malone as a first name (girl or boy), while the alliteration of Maeve Malone is very appealing.
Patrick Malone Laherty is a name with stature, which sounds perfect with siblings named Elis Anne and Fin James. Each name includes a classic name — Anne, James, Patrick — alone with an Irish name.
I also thought of Molly as a possible nickname for Malone. Maeve Malone or Malone Maeve, nickname Molly and you have all the names you want in one. Perfect solution.
I like Dillon Malone best for the boy options, but Blake and Patrick (or maybe Padraig) are nice, too.
I find the name Ellis to be very interesting because it is traditionally masculine, but now becoming more popular for girls. And the nickname Ellie makes it even more girlie. I like Maeve goes nicely with it, however, and I like how the more masculine middle name Malone balances out nicely with Ellis Anne. Molly is also a nice possibility but I prefer Maeve. Maeve Malone Laherty. Ellis Anne and Maeve Malone. Ellis and Maeve. Ellie and Mae. Ellis, Finn, and Maeve.
For boys, I like Patrick the best, though Dillon (Initials DMF) is also nice and goes well with the sibling names. Patrick Malone Laherty. Dillon Malone Laherty. Finn James and Patrick Malone. Finn James and Dillon Malone. Finn and Patrick. Finn and Dillon. Ellis, Finn, and Patrick. Ellis, Finn and Dillon.
I like Malone for you too – goes well with the sibset! Sister Elis & Malone are awesome, with the ‘girlier’ nicknames of Ellie and Molly or Lola? Although Molly is one of my very faves, so maybe use that (and Molly Malone is enviable) and call her Mo or Mimi (due to M.M.)?
For boys, I like Derrick or Patrick. Use Pax or Patch to freshen it up? I am wondering if you’d consider honouring Katherine in Kit for a boy? I could totally see that with brother Fin. Kit Malone!
I don’t care for Malone as a first name, but like it as a middle name for either gender.
I know someone with the “Laherty” last name and their daughter is Riley. I like that name with your last name, for either a boy or girl.
I also several Irish boys named Aidan and it could work as a girls’ name too.
Aisling (Ash-ling) is also a pretty Irish name!
From your girls’ list, I love Maeve and Molly!
From the boys’ list, I like Patrick!
I also went straight to Malone nn Molly, before Swistle said it. I think this is PERFECT and you can’t convince me otherwise :) I hope you can convince your husband, ha!
Malone is a good name if you can both get onboard, but I wanted to come in to add Marlo– like Marlo Thomas (free to be you and me fame)
Marlo Malone (F)laherty
Just popping in to drop the comment that “Patrick Malone” gives me a very strong Patrick Mahomes association. Maybe it’s just that my husband watches too much Chiefs football. It also doesn’t really matter because it’s a middle name and, as Swistle says, middle names rarely see the light of day. Still, if it was a name I was considering it’s something I’d want to know.
Maeve is a great name but for me it’s kind of hard to say with the last name. I think the “v” and the “f” blend so she’d be misheard as “May” a lot (but I think that will happen with Maeve regardless).
I hope your husband comes around to Malone!
You and I have very similar name preferences! Some ideas to add to your list:
Maura (Molly is a nickname)
Grainne
Reid
Kian / Keene /Keane
Kiernan
Callum
Reese—for either boy or girl
We also have a girl Elis with two Ls. And her middle name is Maeve! I really like Malone for a girl, but also like Maeve Malone together.
Molly Malone’s is a common name for Irish pubs – I would personally avoid that association. If you are going to use it I would definitely do the starbuck’s test.
Pat Malone is rhyming slang for alone, as in ‘what are you doing here on your Pat Malone?’ Another starbuck’s test. Malone Patrick doesn’t have the same issue.
Bridie is my favourite Irish name (Bride-ee). I think it goes wonderfully with Fin and Elis. It can be short for Bridget but I’ve heard it as a stand alone name more than once. Of your other picks I love Patrick and Maeve (agree Maeve could easily be called Molly if you wanted). Any chance you like Murphy? Unisex and starts with M, which you like.
Malone isn’t my personal style but I think if it is a family name that trumps style for me. I would keep it in the middle though (or as a second surname perhaps?).
Malone works for me. The nickname Molly for Malone makes sense to me. I also like the suggestion of Marlo if both parents can’t get on board for Malone.
I love swistle’s suggestion of Brody. I also like Lachlan, Cormac (Mac!), and Nile/Niall.
For a boy: Blake Malone, Owen Malone or Leo Malone.
For a girl, I like Ava Malone, Ivy Malone and Grace Malone.
My favorites: Elis, Fin and Leo or Elis, Fin and Grace.
Interestingly enough I read the options and had immediate and strong favourites, which aren’t the same as Swistle’s. I think Maeve Malone would be (kisses fingers) perfect. And Patrick Malone for a boy is great. Possibly this is a UK/US thing? We don’t go for surname names for girls anywhere near as much. And Patrick to me doesn’t feel dated, more crisp and slightly preppy! Although if you’re big nicknamers I don’t love Pat.. although Paddy could be cool on the right kid.
Derrick to me is all middle aged man from my childhood. Like, my grandad had neighbours called Pat and Derek who kept budgies… I love hearing everyone’s different reference points for names.
My first thought was Sloane as a compromise for Malone. I like Maeve Malone for a girl, and love Swistle’s recommendation of Rowan Malone for a boy. If using Malone as a first name for a girl, I like Lola as a nickname! Lola and Ellie are seriously so cute together.
I named my Maeve in 2012. It is a terrific name, but I can tell you it has been climbing in popularity.
I wondered whether you’d consider Keegan for a girl — it’s got double letters like other two kids, Keegan Malone is terrific, or Keegan Maeve. I know a kickass professional female in her 20s named Keegan.
Irish names for Boys
Declan >>> Dillon
Brian/Brendan >>> Blake
I love the nickname Mallie! I first heard it on a girl named Mary Allison. Then while substitute teaching I met one but spelled Mali. And I think Malone is a cool girl name that reminds me of Sloan.
I think Maeve Malone is great. I have a bit of trouble getting on board with Malone as a first name, but that’s probably because it is only used as a surname where I live (to the best of my knowledge). Strongly agree that Molly Malone should be avoided!
A few other girls’ names, just in case:
Orla
Cliona
Niamh
Sive (or Sadhbh)
Una
For a boy, I like Dillon, and the suggestions of Declan, Cormac, Aidan and Niall. I’ll throw in:
Ronan
Ross
Hugh
Donal
Thank you, Swistle and commenters for your thoughtful comments to my request. We are blown away! And so much to think about- I never considered Lola or Molly for Malone! Ah the possibilities! Does anyone have a favorite nickname between those two and Mallie? A few other comments: Riley, Kieran, and Declan are unfortunately out of the running due to loved ones using them. My husband likes Derrick most (which is funny because it is a name on my side of the family). Thoughts on Derrick vs. Dillon? (I feel like Dillon is a better sibling fit, no?) Also, thoughts on whether Maeve Laherty-with-an-F is a tough pronunciation? (I think we may be OK with the Mae Laherty-with-an-F common mistake, as Mae could be a cute nn.) Hmm…
Callum, Conor, Cormac, Conall all seem like good possibilities for a boy. Dillon appeals to me more than Derrick, and I agree that it’s a better sibling fit. Patrick also works with the sibling names.
Lola, Molly, and Mal or Mallie could all be great nicknames – hard to choose between them as they have a different feel from each other, so it might just be whichever you all prefer or which seems to fit her best.
I like Lola best as a nickname for Malone. But I don’t love Malone, because it doesn’t feel like an “even” name with Elis. Elis is (to me!) more feminine and prettier. Also, I see teasing potential as Maloney Bologna. If you do choose Malone, I think Lola offsets the unevenness, since it’s a pretty and feminine name. However, it’s hard to say what name your daughters would see as “better.” I think Malone would be a very cool middle!
While I do hear the “Mae LastName” issue with Maeve, I still think it’s better than Malone for the reasons above. We’re called by our first name far more often than first + last! I’ll also throw out Maeva, which solves that problem. Maeva is technically French but I think it works as honoring Irish heritage if you treat it as a derivation of Maeve.
Other ideas:
Keeva
Delaney (love Laney and Ellie as sisters!)
Oona (OONA MALONE! so fun to say!)
Enya
I like Derrick slightly better than Dillon in this sibling group but both work well.
Boy ideas:
Gavin
Sullivan
Eamon
Seamus
Brennan
Dolan
Oona Malone! Oona! You could also spell it Una if you prefer. Heart eyes all over for this suggestion!
Otherwise, I like Maeve or Maeva Malone. But seriously, Oona Malone!
The Molly Malone reference to the song is really strong for me. I literally can’t say these two names together without singing them. I love the idea of Malone as a first name but it also makes me think of Cheers. I’m old so probably not a super modern reference/problem. And Lola is fabulous! Though also a song now that I think about it. YMMV.
For a boy, Doyle? Duncan? Donovan?