My husband and I are expecting our second baby girl this January. She will complete our family as we’re both only children and having two children is our max. Our current daughter is “Eleanor Grace” and we love classic, southern names, particularly names with a French origin since my father is French (although French origin in not a requirement by any means, just a bonus).
Husband: Casey Walker
Wife: Emily-Anne Walker (“Emily-Anne” is my full first name and I go by “Emily-Anne” not Emily – however, I’ve always hated having a double name and will never name do that to my child!)
Daughter: Eleanor Grace Walker
Future Daughter:
Leaning towards “Mallory Jane” with “Mallory Joy” a second option because I love the middle name “Joy” but think “Mallory Jane” sounds nicer than “Mallory Joy.” I love how Mallory sounds, but it translates to “bad luck” (literally “ill-omened”) which is not at all ideal…
Other options we are considering:
·Fiona
·Dorothy
·Jane
·Claire
·Abigail
·Juliette
·Audrey
·Clara
·Catherine
·Margot
·Charlotte
·Lillian / Lily
·Penelope
·LeahAny advice or guidance would be most appreciated – and I will be sure to keep you posted on the finial decision!
Thank you so much!
I love the middle name Joy, especially the way it coordinates with the middle name Grace. I will mention reluctantly that with the surname it makes me think of jay-walker, but I feel silly even bringing that up: How often will anyone say the middle name and surname together? And even if they do, a jay-walker is not such a terrible thing! And it’s NOT Jay, it’s Joy! But it is the kind of detail I like to think of and dismiss and be okay with BEFORE I’ve filled out a birth certificate rather than AFTER. Another middle name possibility: Hope.
Similarly, I would want to think ahead of time before using Eleanor and Penelope as sibling names, only because both names can use the nickname Nell. I don’t think that has to be a deal-breaker at all; it’s just something I’d rather consider ahead of time.
I would love to write a paragraph here about how little I think we need to take name-meanings into account—except that I had that same hesitation about the name Mallory back in my baby-naming days. Not so much the meaning as the presence of the Latin root word “mal” right there in the name. I still don’t think it has to matter! If I meet a little Mallory, I will not AT ALL wonder how her parents could have done that to her! I continue to love the name and wish for others to use it! But…the “mal” thing did make a difference in my own willingness to use the name, and so I understand if it does the same to you. …While also feeling inclined to PUSH YOU TO USE IT. It’s such a great and underused name!
Well. Would you want to consider the name Felicity? It’s the opposite of Mallory, meaning-wise, and I love it with the surname. The only thing that bothers me a little is the popularity gap: according to the Social Security Administration, the name Eleanor was #16 in 2022; the name Felicity was #457.
And I think you have so many other great options on your list already. My own favorite with the sibling name and surname is Clara, but I like SO MANY. What does everyone else like best?
Name update:
Thank you all for your comments!!! We ended up naming our second baby girl “Lillian”!! Her full name is Lillian Ruth Walker as Ruth is my mother in law’s middle name. We think Eleanor & Lillian go really well together :) Thank you again for your help!
I love the name Mallory Joy and think it’s completely usable and works beautifully with Eleanor Grace. You have so many beautiful, classic names on your list that it’s hard to choose or support just one – you can’t go wrong. Like Swistle, I also thought of Felicity to add as a contender here (Felicity Joy would be double the happiness names!) and also my own name, which is Meredith. Both are similarly far down the popularity list yet are classic and work well with Eleanor.
I’m excited to see what you choose!
What about Harriet Joy Walker, nickname Hatty ❤️
Valerie!!!!!! Rhymes with Mallory, doesn’t mean bad things (and does mean good things! Strength and health!), NEEEEEEDS a comeback. It’s French! Plus there’s that great song! Valerie Joy! It’s so good.
What about Genevieve? I have elementary aged daughter named Genevieve and she gets so many compliments on her name. When I saw you like French names and it wasn’t on your list, I thought I’d mention it. It would be pretty with the sibling named Eleanor.
I also love these French names; Collette, Sophie, Josephine and Adeline.
Valerie is great! Or even spelled Valorie to remind you of valor!
Josephine sounds lovely.
Lucy?
Sophie?
Clementine?
Amelie?
I think I’d trip on the meaning of Mallory, too, even though I like the sound of it. I do like pairing it with Joy.
These are the names on your list I like with Eleanor, favorites with an asterisk. I think Joy could be a middle for any of them except Claire, which seems to need something longer.
·Fiona*
·Claire
·Audrey*
·Clara
·Charlotte
·Lillian / Lily
·Penelope
I love Mallory Joy! How refreshing.
I know a few families that have used each of their first initials on a child (Andy & Alex, Paula & Pia for example) so I like the idea of a C – Catherine is my favourite from your list, or Charlotte.
I see there aren’t any Lu-names on your list so maybe it’s out, but Lucille Joy would be lovely.
I was thinking Lucille, as well! Lucille Joy Walker. I love that it is French, and like Eleanor it can be shortened easily but it doesn’t have to if nicknames aren’t your thing. Ellie and Lucy. Eleanor and Lucille. Lucille isn’t as popular as Eleanor is, but Lucy is in the top 50 so I think it isn’t a jarring difference.
I think Mallory is refreshing, and the meaning wouldn’t bother me. In fact, I didn’t know and it never occurred to me to think of the Latin root either.
Mallory makes me think of Meredith which is another underused name these days. And it’s nice with Eleanor and I like it with Joy. Eleanor Grace & Meredith Joy.
If those are both scrapped, from your list, I agree with Swistle-I like Claire or Clara best.
My favorite on your list is Margot, though Clara was a close second. Would you consider Marguerite?
When I was a kid I named a baby doll Mallory, the most beautiful name I’d ever heard.
Anyway I do like it, the Mal- prefix might give me pause PERSONALLY, but would not give me pause on someone else’s child, if that makes sense? I like to think that JOY would cancel out any negative MAL meaning.
I love Joy for you as a middle! Instead of jay walking I immediately thought of walking on sunshine. May we all choose to follow our joy!! Use it! Please!!
Audrey strikes me as most similar to Mallory from your list. Audrey and Eleanor are lovely names together. Audrey Joy is AMAZING. And its meaning of “noble strength” is perfect.
I also loved the idea of using a c initial for your husband. Celia Joy translates to eavenly joy. That may ring too religious for you, or it may be just right. Eleanor Grace means essentially light of grace so, they pair nicely.
One last one. What about Gloria? I was thinking you could switch around the EG initials of Eleanor Grace to make something beautiful. Gloria Evelyn maybe?
Congrata on number 2!
What about Melanie? Similar in sound to Mallory, but no bad luck. I realize this one might be stuck in a previous generation for some people, but it has a very pretty sound.
I also would have a hard time with the meaning of Mallory. While I do think almost always, any problems with a name tend to fade away and it becomes just the name of your sweet child, I wouldn’t be able to do it. Maybe this is just because I’m a name nerd, so I like knowing the history of names and I know the meanings?? I recently named my own little boy and the name Calvin came off our list at the very end (the nickname Cal is my fave) because it means bald. It was down to just a few options and we were being ruthless.
The name that immediately comes to mind as a replacement is Melody. You could do Melodie for a french twist. Also love Melodie Joy (a joyful melody! how sweet!)
Some other names I would vote for from the discussions above are Valerie, Felicity, Clara, and I would add Beatrice, which I think is the perfect companion to Eleanor.
I have two daughters, and one has a name that automatically shortens to a fun and known nickname, and the other doesn’t. In a perfect world, I love the idea of both girls having a nickname as easy as Ellie comes from Eleanor.
As an Australian, my only experience of Mallory is from Family Ties. While I like the name, I’m not sure how it would be perceived there. Does it give the nn Lori?
My faves from your list would be:
·Abigail (Ellie and Abbie!)
·Juliette
·Audrey
·Charlotte
Of your list, I love Lillian best. Lillian Joy
The meaning of the name would bother me only ever-so-slightly (but I have had similar name angst/hesitation about using names I love, so I get it. It’s good to think of all the drawbacks of a name before committing!).
So many names have several, or even different meanings depending on the source, so I don’t give much weight to them. My children only ever mention their name meanings when we look them up during discussions about naming pets or siblings, but we’re name-nerds.
I will say that, when name meanings are mentioned, my tween is a little peeved that his sister’s name has a nice meaning and his little brother’s has a “manly”and “cool” meaning and that his name means something kind of neutral/cutesy. BUT, he’s mentioned it only a handful of times and he’s the sort who is always looking for something that’s “unfair”. I mention it only because if you will have two daughters total, I would worry (only ever-so-slightly!) about Eleanor’s name having a lovely meaning compared with Mallory’s. But, really, it doesn’t matter… In the end, my son is much more upset that his older sister gets a phone before he does.
My personal favourites from your list to coordinate with Eleanor are Abigail, Charlotte, and Margot. Your have so many good options in your list! I look forward to hearing what you choose!
Names on your list I love with Eleanor:
Audrey!!!
Margot
Catherine
Charlotte
Claire
Also the suggestions of Genevieve, Valerie, Felicity, Beatrice, and Lucy (Lucie?).
Do you like Natalie (Nathalie I think is the French spelling) instead of Mallory? I personally think Mallory is great but I understand the hesitation if meaning is important to you. Natalie Joy sounds so lovely.
From your list I absolutely love Audrey Joy, Margot Joy, or Catherine Joy with big sister Eleanor Grace. All 3 of those names just sound so sweet and perfect. I especially like Margot since you like French names.
I will also suggest the ultimate southern name: Georgia. Georgia Joy is a lot of J sound but what about something like Georgia Eloise? I like how the girls would have swapped initials and also have an El- name which is a cute little connection between sisters. Plus Eloise is French :)
Another southern name to consider is also Caroline. Caroline Joy. Eleanor and Caroline!
We named our daughter Jane, and almost went with Eleanor Jane, so it’s clearly my choice. Lots of lovely options though!
Not a fan of Mallory after growing up on the 90s. Still feels dated to me. LOVE Felicity Joy!
I like how your first daugther’s initial is E, like yours, so a C name (for dad) would be cool!
Charlotte Joy
(It’s French!)
This is such a good suggestion… Eleanor and Charlotte are perfect together!
The only Mallory I know of in current pop culture is Mallory (Pugh) Swanson, member of the US women’s soccer team, and she is commonly referred to as Mal. If you really dislike that part of the name or the potential emphasis on that part of the name, I’d avoid it.
I love Genevieve. Same number of syllables and same rhythm as Eleanor with completely different sounds. Bonus: similar nicknames that still sound completely different when yelled up the stairs! Ellie and Evie
Charlotte nicknamed Lottie!
I think Mallory Joy is a good name if you like it! It’s worth considering MJ as initials–I don’t think a lot of people will pick up on the Michael Jackson or marijuana possibilities, but you may want to decide if you care about them.
From your list, my favorites are Fiona, Margot, and Juliette (thought I might spell them Margo and Juliet). Other names that seem to fit with your naming style could be Flora, Julia, Mariel/Marielle, and Therese/Terese/Theresa/Teresa.
I love the middle name Joy and its such a nice parallel to older sister Grace.
I also like Mallory but understand your hesitation. I was thinking of alternatives with similar sound to Mallory and thought immediately of Melanie (which I love) but not sure if it has too many similar sounds at the beginning as Eleanor.
Also Natalie, Melody / Melodie, Valerie, Amelie, Coralie, Rosalie, Cecily, Cassidy
Audrey Joy is also a wonderful name and works well with older sister.
Natalie Joy is such a warm name (and French!), though feels a bit Christmasy. I see you are due in January so maybe it fits :)
Camille (Cammy, Milly, Mille)
Rosalie (Rosie)
Mallory for me has strong associations to the movie Natural Born Killers, which is probably a Me Thing and not a Universal Thing, but I just picture Juliette Lewis in the diner.
I really like Mallory, but my absolute favourite pairing with Eleanor is Abigail – and it’s on your list! I think that would sound very cute with the middle name Joy.
I have a son named Malcolm, who occasionally goes by the nickname Mal. I knew the meaning prior to using the nickname and to a certain extent it was a selling point to me. Like having 13 a favorite number. It feels a little bit bada$$. I absolutely didn’t pick it for that reason, but it became a bonus and not a deterrent. But…among commenters I am alone in that feeling it seems like lol.
Mallory Joy is perfect, but I also like Abigail, Felicity, and Margot are wonderful too.
I felt similarly when I read a novel in which one of the characters, Alice, was a gothy teenager going by the name Malice. Absolutely badass.
It has never once occured to me to consider the underlying or historical/linguistic meaning of a name and Mallory is a beautiful name and you should absolutely go for it!
I love the suggestion of Valerie! Also really like the idea of Lucille… seems very French and elegant. From your list my favorite is Dorothy. I had a great aunt Dot (who was a Dorothy) but we never got to use it, and I think it would be adorable on a wee girl.
I think Mallory is beautiful, and both Mallory Joy and Mallory Jane sound lovely. As Swistle mentioned Joy and Grace match nicely.
Other virtue names:
– Faith
– Hope
– Honor
– Love
Thank you all for your comments!!! We ended up naming our second baby girl “Lillian”!! Her full name is Lillian Ruth Walker as Ruth is my mother in law’s middle name. We think Eleanor & Lillian go really well together :) Thank you again for your help!
I LOVE Lillian and it goes PERFECTLY with Eleanor. You’ve hit a home run! Congratulations on your new little one. Girls rock!
Great choice! I know someone who also has a Lillian Ruth, and they call her Lili-Ru for short—so cute.