[It is going to take time to adjust to all these new ways of being. I am handling it in part by working on a backlog of baby name questions.]

Hello,

I am pregnant with our second baby girl and we are having trouble finding a name for her. The baby is due June 21st. Our daughters name is Blakely Glenn Pulley and she is 3. The top runner right now for baby number two is Nora. I just want to make sure that Nora goes well with Blakely. I don’t want to name our next baby with a “B” name because we already have Blakely and then our German shepherds name is Bodhi, so I would like to stay away from “B’s”. The other names we having been considering, but aren’t crazy about are:

Sawyer
Landen
Payton
Pearl
Nora
Emery
Paisley
Palmer
Phoenix
Annabelle
Ashlyn
Finley

Any suggestions are more then welcome because we are definitely struggling!

The two middle names I was thinking for Nora would be:

Nora Jean
Or Nora Sue ( Sue for my aunt that recently just passed away)

But any other suggestions for middle names are more then welcome as well!

Please let me know your thoughts! We are excited to hear your suggestions!!

All the best,

Nathan and Lisa Pulley

Whether two names go together is a fairly subjective area, but I can at least give you my own opinion, and then commenters can give theirs. In my opinion, the names Blakely and Nora are a style clash.

The name Blakely is a contemporary surname name. Like many surname names it has a unisex sound, though in the U.S. it is currently used almost exclusively for girls (1,304 new baby girls and 10 new baby boys in 2018, according to the Social Security Administration). It is not yet very common in the U.S. (#250 in 2018), but it is rising fairly briskly: it first appeared in the Top 1000 in 2011 at #928. I would expect a girl named Blakely to have sisters with names like Ellery, Campbell, and Lennox.

The name Nora is a vintage revival, feminine and classic/traditional in sound. It’s a standalone name but also a nickname for Eleanor, which makes it a little difficult to figure out how common it is—but as a standalone name, it was #30 in 2018 (the name Eleanor was #32). It has drifted in and out of popularity, from a low of #501 in 2000 to a high of #28 in 2017, but it has been in the Top 1000 names since the searchable online records begin in 1900. I would expect a girl named Nora to have sisters with names like Evelyn, Violet, and Clara.

Looking at your list of finalists, I see at least two distinct style preferences. One is for names similar to Blakely: Sawyer, Landen, Payton, Emery, Paisley, Palmer, Finley. One is for names similar to Nora: Pearl, Annabelle. (Ashlyn and Phoenix strike me as outliers.)

There is no rule that sibling names must be the same style, and there are arguments to be made for choosing your favorite name each time without regard for style. But my own personal preference is to coordinate style, or at least to avoid startling clashes. If I were you, I would look for names more like the ones on your list that are similar in style to Blakely.

Of those names from your list, my favorite is Emery. Emery Pulley; Blakely and Emery. I like it with either of the middle names you mention: Emery Sue Pulley, Emery Jean Pulley.

A general tip before we continue is to make sure you’re trying each first/last combination without the middle name. Saying, for example, “Paisley Jean Pulley” can disguise that Paisley Pulley matches both starting and ending sounds (P-/-ley).

More names similar in style to Blakely:

Carson Pulley; Blakely and Carson
Darcy Pulley; Blakely and Darcy
Delaney Pulley; Blakely and Delaney
Devany Pulley; Blakely and Devany
Ellery Pulley (maybe too much L and Y); Blakely and Ellery
Ellison Pulley; Blakely and Ellison
Everly Pulley (repeats ending of Blakely/Pulley); Blakely and Everly
Gracen Pulley; Blakely and Gracen
Hadley Pulley (repeats ending of Blakely/Pulley); Blakely and Hadley
Harlow Pulley; Blakely and Harlow
Hayden Pulley; Blakely and Hayden
Keaton Pulley; Blakely and Keaton
Keelyn Pulley; Blakely and Keelyn
Kellen Pulley; Blakely and Kellen
Kerrigan Pulley; Blakely and Kerrigan
Lennox Pulley; Blakely and Lennox
Madigan Pulley; Blakely and Madigan
Padgett Pulley; Blakely and Padgett
Quinn Pulley; Blakely and Quinn
Sloane Pulley; Blakely and Sloane
Teagan Pulley; Blakely and Teagan

Update on Baby Girl Carrot-with-an-M, Sister to Avila and Rose

Dear Swistle,

My husband and I are excitedly expecting baby #2 this spring – a second boy! We need some help and appreciate any you can offer at this point! Our last name is Norris with an M.

Our first son is named August, but he goes exclusively by Augie at this point in his life. We love his name for so many reasons – it’s not completely unknown, but also not common in our area, it’s a strong name with a soft nickname that fits his personality so well, it starts with a vowel (my personal preference), and best of all, we found out after he was born that my grandpa’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had all been named August. I could go on and on about why I love his name so much. Unfortunately, loving his name so much is making naming this second baby seem like a particularly difficult challenge! We’ve talked and talked about options and whether we need to continue talking about options comes down to one question – is Marvin a usable name on a baby born in 2020?

My grandpa was named Marvin and he was hugely important in my life. My husband was also very close to him. I don’t adore the name, but I would love thinking about him when I talked about my son’s name and I would love to honor my grandpa this way. If he were named Marvin, we would also use my grandpa’s middle name, which was Henry.

I know names from the same era as Marvin are becoming popular again, but for some reason Marvin feels outside of that trend and like it may never truly be “usable” again. I don’t need a name to be trendy – in fact I’d prefer it not be – but I also don’t want it to be a name people intensely dislike or don’t “get.” Vinny isn’t an option as a nickname because it’s my stepbrother’s name (unrelated to my grandpa).

So. Would you use a name you feel a little iffy about as a name in theory but love in use because it reminds you of someone you love? Would you stick it in the middle name spot instead? Can you picture a baby named Marvin without wondering what in the world his parents were thinking or cringing or laughing out loud?

If you wouldn’t use Marvin, what else might you suggest based on our small list of names we’ve come up with? We’re struggling! If we don’t use Marvin as a first name, it would be the middle name. Other options we’ve considered:

– Elliott
– Henry
– Arthur (very close friends told us recently that they intend to use this name on a future child and were adamant we not use it even though they aren’t expecting – an issue for a whole other post!)
– Sterling (husband doesn’t like)
– Everest (husband doesn’t like, although he loves Everett)
– Everett (not usable for me because it is closely associated with my father’s family and I don’t want that association – otherwise a lovely name)
– Ezra (husband loves, I don’t)

To get a better sense of our style, if we ever have a girl, our top contenders would likely be Aurelia, Anastasia, Elena, and Violet (Lettie).

Thanks so much for your consideration!

Marvin is the kind of name I can picture completely reversing my feelings on, the way I did with Henry and Charlotte: both names seemed UNUSABLE to me until they suddenly, abruptly, magically became usable, through some process of name fashion that has been very instructive for considering future naming trends. I would not cringe or laugh if I encountered a baby Marvin, but I would be surprised and interested; I would assume it was a family name. But I’m remembering when I encountered a baby Ruth, and I was not only surprised and interested but AN IMMEDIATE CONVERT.

It’s too bad Vinny isn’t a nickname option, because Vinny is another example of a name I would have thought was currently unusable, but then I encountered one in the wild and it completely changed my mind. Also, Marvin/Vinny is a nice fit with August/Augie; “Augie and Marvin” doesn’t click into place quite as well.

Hm. Hm. Let’s talk this through a little more. The ending of Marvin reminds me of Evan and Calvin. The beginning of Marvin is more the issue, I THINK. But on the other hand, Mark and Marcus. Hm. Is it the “arv” sound? I am personally a huge fan of the name Harvey, but I recognize it’s a little…vintage for a lot of people. But Harvard and Marvel seem to be rocking it. Hm.

Well. I can picture Marvin being charming in the same way I find Harvey charming. But I also feel we are Not Quite There Yet. On the other hand, I am so extremely on-board with honor names. And “It’s after my grandfather!” is such an easy and charming explanation. Hm.

I am not sure if the alliterative surname improves the situation or makes it less advisable. I am also not sure if the similarity to the name of the singer Maren Morris is helpful or harmful or irrelevant. (I had thought when I began the sentence that her name was spelled Marin, which is much more visually similar than Maren.)

I guess if it were me I would with some regret come down on the side of using it as a middle name, but I would be supportive and impressed by the use of it as a first name. I think what I would do is reverse the name: Henry Marvin instead of Marvin Henry. August and Henry works beautifully, as does Augie and Henry.

Dearest Swistle,

I’m not currently expecting (hopefully soon!) but I’d love to get your input on a conundrum I have. I have a single syllable last name, but almost all of my favorite baby names are also single syllable, such as Gwen, Faye, Tess, Wren, Lynn, June, Joan, or Reese for girls and Cole, Joel, Wade, Roy, Neil, or Rhys for boys. I know single syllable names *can* work fine together but it definitely doesn’t always work and I’m wondering if you have any insight into what makes short names sound good together or not. (For reference, my surname sounds like Hung-with-a-Y, but I’d also be interested in a more general discussion).

Thanks!
– Emily

For me, the only thing that works is trying each one on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I prime the pump by saying a few 1/1 names I know work: James Dean and Anne Rice and Brad Pitt and so on.

But this made me wonder if others have found any rules of thumb to figure out which names work and which don’t.

Update on Baby Naming Issue: Chose the Name Emerson, But Have a Bad Association with an Emme

Update on Baby Naming Issue: Can Two Children Both Have Their Mother’s Surname as a Middle Name?

Hi !!!

I would LOVE your help!!

We have 3 kids — will use their real names. William James, Alice Ann, and Elle Caroline.

We have a new baby on the way (will be 4 1/2 years younger than our youngest) and I’m stumped!

I’d love a girl name with an ‘L’ in it somewhere — that is vague but my only criteria.

For a boy, not sure! Henry, Charlie, Jack, Max all seem to go with William but I don’t love those at all. Any ideas? I wish I had more criteria but I am out of the baby name game as this was a surprise baby and I’d quit thinking about names 4 years ago after we named Elle.

With much appreciation,

Mary

I am interested in the “L” preference for a girl. If it were for either a boy or girl, I would assume it was because all three children have dominant L sounds in their names. But only for girl, especially when one girl is actually named L/Elle, makes me wonder if there is a story here.

Potter is a challenging surname, as I know you know. James would be out even if it weren’t already another child’s middle name, and Lily is out. I would avoid Henry as being too close to Harry. It’s been awhile since I read the books, so I am counting on commenters to point out any similar conflicts with any names I suggest. (And just overall to double-check me: I am apparently very distracted, and only in proof-reading realized I had suggested Willa without noticing it was kind of an issue with a brother named WILLIAM.) Jack and Max seem to me to fit better with Liam than with William. Charles/Charlie is somewhat Royal Family with William, but not dealbreakingly so, I don’t think, and it’s my favorite of the listed options.

What do you think of the name John? I think it is underused. It claims to be #27 in the U.S. in 2018, and yet none of my kids have anyone named John in any of their classes. They are deluged in Jacks, so that is probably some of the Johns; the rest must be Jrs/IIIs/IVs going by other nicknames—or be living in different areas of the country. William, Alice, Elle, and John.

Or George? Again, a little Royal, but not dealbreakingly so. George Potter. William, Alice, Elle, and George.

Edward? Edward Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Edward.

Or Edmund. Edmund Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Edmund.

I like Calvin in this sibling group. Calvin Potter; William, Alice, Elle, Calvin.

Or Nolan? Nolan Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Nolan.

Or Frederick. Frederick Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Frederick.

Or Franklin. Franklin Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Franklin.

Benjamin. Benjamin Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Benjamin.

Ian. Ian Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Ian.

For a girl, we already have Al- and El-, and that makes things a little tricky.

Charlotte has that same smack of Royalty, but again, not dealbreakingly for me. Charlotte Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Charlotte.

Molly feels too Weasley, but maybe Sally? Sally Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Sally. No, that feels too similar to Alice.

Maybe Lucy? Lucy Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Lucy. But Lucy and Alice have so many sounds in common.

Willa is pretty, but too similar to Elle, and of course also to William. Stella is too similar to Elle. Lydia is too similar to Lily. Calla is too similar to Alice AND too similar to Elle, and so is Cecily. Jillian is too similar to William.

Maybe Isla? Isla Potter. William, Alice, Elle, and Isla. It’s very similar to the other names, but it’s similar to ALL the other names in a way that might tie everyone together.

Or Celeste. Celeste Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Celeste. I don’t like the way it has all of the sound of the name Elle in it.

Or Louise. Louise Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Louise.

Delia? Delia Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Delia. I encountered this name recently in a waiting-room situation and had a very favorable reaction to it.

Camille? Camille Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Camille. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable that everyone gets double-Ls except Alice, but that is the kind of thing I like to try to make myself ignore. (Still, I admit I’d lean toward a one-L choice for this baby.)

Olivia. Olivia Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Olivia.

Natalie. Natalie Potter; William, Alice, Elle, and Natalie.

I wanted to suggest Claire, which I think would be close to perfect—except I think it’s about one heartbeat to Clairey Potter and I’m already tired of that.

Hi! I am 39 weeks with my third daughter, but somehow just came across your site and love it. I have an Audrey and a Rosalie (family name, goes by Rosie). I’m attracted to the more popular names although I wish I was more unique. Our top choices now are Amelia, Charlotte, Violet, and Sophie. Last name Henon (Hen-un). I should mention I have an angel baby, Emily, whom I lost oct 2018 at 22+2. The ending “y” sound isn’t a must for me, but has just been the names we have chosen. My top choice is violet, but am nervous of having a Rosie and violet because both are flowers and I don’t want to sound like a weirdo. I’m open to other name suggestions… as well as your thoughts on our top names and the “flower dilemma”. Thank you

If you had a daughter named Rose, I think I would be inclined against the name Violet, not only because it’s themey but because then there are two children participating in the theme and the rest not, and my personal preference would be to avoid that. Even if you had a Rosalie going mostly by the nickname Rose, I might feel disinclined toward Violet. But the nickname Rosie seems fine to me with Violet.

Another reason to lean toward the name Violet is that you wish you preferred less-popular names. Violet, at #43 in 2018 according to the Social Security Administration (the 2019 numbers aren’t expected until May), is the the second-least common of the group of finalists: Amelia and Charlotte are both in the Top 10, and Sophie is #98—but the variation Sophia is also Top 10, which can increase the feeling of popularity as well as the actual number of children going by Sophie.

Name perceptions can be very subjective, but for me the name Amelia is too close to the name Emily and I would take it off the list.

I think either Charlotte (Charlie/Lottie) or Sophie would go very nicely in this sibling set. I have a slight preference for the way Sophie sounds with your surname, but not a strong preference at all. Something about the T sound at the end of Violet/Charlotte just hits a slight snag for me as it heads into Henon, but not enough to be a dealbreaker.

Let’s have a poll just because we can, and because polls are fun: Twitter poll [Poll ended; see results below:]

Update on Baby Girl, Sister to Sophie: Zoe or Clara?