Help Bliss Name Her Baby.
September 26, 2009
Blissfully Caffeinated is busy cooking an over-amped bundle of joy who’s destined to break the bank with her Ritalin consumption and mochaccino habit. Said little girl needs a name, and they’ve turned to us. She has lots of ideas and would love your thoughts and suggestions.
Bliss writes:
Two of the names on our list are Lila and Eva. We already have a Caroline and an Avery, so I’m worried that Lila is too similar to CaroLINE with that li- sound. And I worry that Eva is almost the reverse of Avery and sounds too similar. I have the same problem with Charlotte. Charlotte has been on my list all three times now, and I love it but worry that it is too close to Caroline. I could be wrong but thought they are both derivative of Charles. Adele has recently been added to our list, but having some trouble pairing middle names with it. The other names we are considering are Josephine and Kate, still love Fiona, Cecily, Annabel, and recently have a soft spot for Francesca. Thoughts? Advice? Help, please?!
Your girls’ names are crisp and bright and a tad preppy. It’s been said before that Caroline and Avery are disparate styles, and that almost any name you choose will pair up with one or the other. Yet if stylistic cohesion is what we’re going for, Fiona feels beautifully integrated. It’s high energy like Avery and fem like Caroline. It shares sounds with each of them (F/V and O and N). It’s always been a favorite for you.
Lila strikes me as a good third with Caroline and Avery. The repeated “LI” doesn’t bother one bit. Eva on the other hand feels like a complete recycling of Avery’s first three letters, and I think you have to make peace with the fact that it’s just too close. Anybody disagree with me on this one?
Charlotte is another I’d have you omit from consideration. Yes, she and Caroline are both derived from Charles. Better as mother-daughter names as they did in Monaco, or for cousins– than for sisters.
This leaves Adele, Annabel, Cecily, Francesca, Josephine, and Kate. Annabel, Cecily, and Josephine are all gorgeous, but each nag me a bit with your girls. Annabel presents the two A problem, Cecily 2 Cs, and Josephine a double -ine ending. Plus, stylistically they do sound a bit better with big sister Caroline. Hmm. Depends on how much you want all the names to flow. I would love to see you with a Cecily, Annabel or Josie. Still, not perfect.
Francesca honestly seems way weird as a sister to Avery. Sorry to harp on matchiness– I’m just going on what I have to work with. Kate as a given name is energetic, but not a favorite of mine due to its history as a nickname. I’m a stickler for that rule.
Adele is last but not least. Lovely, graceful, understated Adele. It still leaves us with the double As, and the potential– good or bad– for the nickname Addie. Yet I couldn’t dissuade you from choosing it.
My favorites on your list are Fiona first and foremost, followed by Lila. When choosing between final favorites I always weigh three things: 1) Flow with surname 2) Meaning and 3) Flow with family’s names. Most importantly I hope you find a name that feels right for this baby. Below are some eleventh hour suggestions. Any strike a chord?
Blythe
Delia
Gillian
Isla
Maren
Piper
First, Elisabeth, let me say thank you for taking the time to post this. It is so helpful – I need someone beside my husband to bounce names off of, but we don’t want to discuss them with friends and relatives.
I’m so happy to hear that you like Lila. I fear that I will run into the same situation with Lila that we did with Avery, in that it is growing in popularity but we weren’t aware before we chose it that we would be running into so many other little Averys the same age. I hate that it could be the Madison of her generation. Lila seems to really be on the move lately, but I love it because it has an “a” ending, which sets it off from the other girl’s names nicely and also sounds pretty with our last name. I did worry about it sounding similar to Caroline, so it is good to hear that you don’t think that would be a problem.
Re: Eva and Charlotte, you are absolutely right. I know you are right, and I need to hear someone else tell me that those names would be awkward. I’ve just suddenly been loving Eva and was trying to figure out if I could make it work. If I had named Avery Eva then this whole name situation would be different and I could have my third one be little Josephine and what a great set that would be. Need a time machine.
Fiona is still at the top of our list, but what really makes me hesitate is that darn movie. Shrek has been on HBO all month and I had completely forgotten that the Princess’s name is Fiona. I don’t want people to think that we named her Fiona because of the movie, also I worry that she may be teased because of the Ogre connection. It’s a small worry, but it’s there.
I love Cecily. Love it. Husband does not like it as much and I also hesitate because of the double “y” sound when paired with our last name and also the two C names we would have.
Francesca is just one of those names that has popped up lately for me, we aren’t seriously considering it. Adele is one that I threw out there thinking my husband would hate it and then – huge surprise – he loved it. I immediately added it to my list. It does have the double A disadvantage and the nickname Addie, which I do not love. I think your top two are also my top two, follwed by Josephine and Cecily. I love Josephine when I see it written out, and am smitten by the nickname potential (Posy or Posie?).
Your suggestions are wonderful as usual, and I love most of them (with the exception of Isla, just can’t come around to it). Blythe, Delia and Gillian were long ago overruled by my husband, even thought I LOVE Blythe, it’s like a fresh breeze. Piper has been on my favorite names list for so long that it’s stale for me now. I’ve been considering it since before we conceived the first time and now have finally scratched it off of my list. But you definitely get the direction I’m going in.
Thanks again – so much – for the help. You are the best! I’m narrowing my list down and then we will see what we think when we meet her. I’ll be checking in with the comments to see if anyone has some suggestions for us.
Hello. I have never commented before, but have been thoroughly enjoying your blog for a while now.
Blissfully Caffeinated, I just wondered whether you had considered Frances? To me it sounds fresher than Francesca, which while a gorgeous name, is, I think, just a bit frilly compared to her sisters’ names.
I think Caroline, Avery and Frances would make a very striking sibset.
I love Frances, but I can’t use it because my best friend -more like a sister than a friend – had a grandmother named Frances and has always said that if she has a girl she will name it Frances. Now she is struggling with infertility and getting ready to do her second round of IVF and if I were to swoop in on her name it would be unforgivable. But I agree, it is beautiful.
Ah, well you definitely can’t use Frances then. In that case, I’d go for Fiona. Lovely!
Count me in as another long-time lurker that has been loving your blog. Thank you for all of the interesting information and fun posts on your site!
As for Blissfully Caffeinated, wow, you have so many wonderful choices! I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them, but my favorites are Lila, Josephine, and Fiona. I think all three sound wonderful with both Caroline and Avery. I don’t see a problem with repeating sounds; the “li-” in Lila and Caroline is subtle, and the “-ine” in Josephine and Caroline is pronounced differently. And while the Shrek princess was named Fiona, a) she’s a lovely role-model, and b) I’ve been hearing the name often enough in real life that the movie association isn’t overwhelming for me.
I know that didn’t narrow things down much, but I do think that with such excellent choices your daughter will be beautifully named no matter which you and your husband pick. Best of luck!
Josephine, nn Posey is adorable.
Second choice would be Fiona.
3rd choice would be Lila.
Good luck choosing!
In case you end up not liking your current top picks, I think Adele Josephine would be awesome.
Just call her Adele and I think most people around you will follow suit; it has the same number of syllables as the nickname, so people can’t use that as an excuse to call her anything other than beautiful Adele.
I LOVE Fiona with Avery and Caroline. Caroline, Avery, and Fiona sound just gorgeous together. I also like Kate, Lila, Adele and Blythe.
In order of preference:
Caroline, Avery and Annabel
Caroline, Avery and Adele
Caroline, Avery and Josephine
Caroline, Avery and Charlotte
Caroline, Avery and Fiona
Caroline, Avery and Francesca
Caroline, Avery and Cecily
Caroline, Avery and Lila
Caroline, Avery and Kate
Caroline, Avery and Eva
And, speaking of Bliss, I like
Caroline, Avery and Bliss !!!
Caroline, Avery and
Fiona is my favorite with Caroline and Avery, and one of my favorites in general! I like the energy and elegance. Josephine is also an elegant, sweet, peppy name that I think would work well. Lila is fine for me with Caroline, but you may be onto something with the popularity factor. Wow, it has made giant leaps!
I was also going to suggest Frances as perfect. Francesca does seem kind of out of left field. I wouldn’t want you to step on your friend’s toes, though. As far as Shrek and the ogre, she’s a good ogre with a valuable lesson in self-esteem! Maybe not enough reassurance, but I know a couple of ‘Fiona’ mom’s who have not at all been put off by a couple of Shrek comments. It’s still a gorgeous name.
Thank for the input re: my worry about the ogre comments. It helps.
I do worry that Lila will sneak up on us and in 4 years be in the top 20. And here we are thinking we are so clever for picking a name that’s not too popular.
I wouldn’t worry about the ogre thing either. If anything perhaps it will keep a gorgeous name from becoming too popular. On that note– I did run into babies Adele and Lila this week! Adele I’m not too concerned about, I think most have Adelyn and the likes more on their radar. Lila, however, does seem like a natural marriage of Ella and Lily. Both of which I hear all the time.
On the phone with my husband today and he mentions that he really likes the name Caitlyn. CAITLYN!!! Not that there is anything wrong with the name Caitlyn, it’s really pretty and if we were having a baby in 1999 I’d be all over it, but seriously. It’s done. I said, “Um, Caitlyn? Really? Well, hm…I don’t think we’ll go with that one dear, but I am glad you suggested it.” And inside I was all, “OH MY GOD, CAITLYN, IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN COME UP WITH???!!! GAH!”
So you see what I am dealing with.
Also, middle names for Fiona? Need suggestions. Thanks so much for all the comments and suggestions!
I’m a big fan of using family names for middle names. But in terms of names that sound good with Fiona, I think short/sharp one syllable name is the way to go, and I would avoid anything ending in ‘a’. How about:
Fiona Kate (my favourite)
Fiona Blythe
Fiona Eve
Fiona Bliss (why not?!)
Oh, and if you’re husband is still keen on Caitlyn, then I think Fiona Caitlin is actually okay – personally I prefer the Caitlin spelling ie. without the y.
I meant to say that the Irish variations of Fiona are all lovely too, if you wanted to explore those options – I’ve known both a Finula and a Finella and think the names are gorgeous.
I LOVE Fiona Eve, but the actress from 90210 Jennie Garth has a Fiona Eve. Ever since I heard it I haven’t been able to get it out of my head, but I don’t want to name my baby after a celeb baby. I just don’t think I can do it. Love it though. So much.
If the only thing holding you back from Fiona is the ogre connotation, can I suggest the slight Irish variation of Fiola? I’ve only met one, ever, so the odds of having another in class seems low. I thought maybe the fact that it shared an ending with Lila might be something you would like.
Also, as far as your follow up question about middle names – it would seem that many of your other choices would be great middle names for Fiona. The A- ones might run together a little bit, but Fiona Charlotte, Fiona Cecily, Fiona Josephine or Fiona Piper all have potential (I think). Best of luck to you & your growing family.
Delia or Lila (Lyla) are my votes. Sorry I don’t have more to add.
I agree about no more C or A names. I, too, like Fiona with your sibset. And Lila would gm2v (although I find it a bit too close for comfort to Caroline) If you aren’t in the habit of using family names in the mn spot, how about: Fiona Claire, Fiona Jane, Fiona Annabel, Fiona Cecily, Fiona Shea, Fiona Mae, Fiona Josephine, Fiona Caitlyn (for DH). I wouldn’t do Fiona Kate…sort of sounds like fornicate when said quickly.
Additional suggestions for you:
Maren
Brenna
Brynn
Tess
Elise
Elsa (Elsie)
Jillian
Hadley
Sylvie
Daisy
Nina
Rory
Eliza
Phoebe
Tabitha
Blair
Eden (Edie)
Enid
Tess and Phoebe are both on my long list. And love Eliza! What does gm2v mean?
Oh, sorry – shorthand for gets my second vote!
Eliza might be something to consider seriously.
Sounds like most are leaning toward Fiona. That’s not a favorite name of mine: too many long vowels.
I vote for Adele. Try her with 3-sylable middles like:
Adele Victoria
Adele Elizabeth
Adele Francesca (if it floats your boat)
And what about the nn Ella or Ellie rather than Addie?
Have we talked about Georgia? It seems to hit on all the right notes, at least from my outsider perspective. Georgia Maselli. Caroline, Avery, and Georgia. Spunky but classsic, could be Georgie or Gigi. Yep, I love it.
I LOVE Georgia.. That definitely gets my vote! It goes so well with your other girl’s names.
I love Georgia as a name but my husband and I both know people named Georgia and we are not able to get past the association that the name has with the people we know (in my case a toothless great aunt who rolls her own cigarettes).
Others on my out of control list: Genevieve, Nora, Augusta, Tess, Phoebe, Amelia, Harlow (I hate myself for loving Harlow. I don’t want to like it, but I do. Damn you Nicole Richie!!!), Esme, Greer, Iris, Harper.
Just want to deliver the baby, pick a name and be done with it so I can quit thinking about it!
Not a bad pick in the bunch! Too bad about Georgia. I do love Genevieve for you. It has the same root as Jennifer, and could be in honor of you! Vivi (or Gigi, or Nev) is adorable.
Wow.. what a list! I adore Esme and Iris, and I really like Amelia, Harlow and Genevieve. All but Harlow are on my long list (for the same reasons as you) And what about Evie as a nn for Genevieve? I love Evie but would need a full name to back it up.
I also like Tess, but prefer Tessa, which I think would fit in lovely with your other daughters names.
I have a soft spot for Genevieve, as it is my middle name. But I am not sure how it fits with your other 2 daughters. Although, then all of them would have names with different feels and that in itself makes it fit…do you shorten Caroline or Avery when you call them or say the whole name? It would be strange to me to use a nickname for Genevieve if you don’t use a NN for your other 2, KWIM?
We don’t formally shorten their names, if you know what I mean. Therr is no set nickname for either girl. Caroline occasionally becomes Liney and Avery is sometimes affectionately shortened to Avey. But I wouldn’t say they are nicknames.
Fiona first (and I love the variations mentioned of this), Adele second.
I am not loving Lila with your other names, and I agree about its rise in popularity but how about Delilah?
I like Maren and Tabitha from Jaime’s list.
What about Willow?
I love both Delilah and Willow. Adorable!
Caroline, Avery & Lucinda/Lucille
Caroline, Avery & Imogen
Caroline, Avery & Harriet
Caroline, Avery & Willamina
Caroline, Avery & Hazel
Caroline, Avery & Allegra
Lila is my fav from your list
All great suggestions, thank you! We actually know a little girl named Avery Lucille, who is a little younger than our Avery.
Yes to Greer, either as a middle name, or a (new) front runner along with either Fiona or Josephine… and it bumps Lila from the podium.
Fiona definitely gets my vote. My favourite combo is Fiona Adele. Yes, even with the double A I think it sounds lovely — I love the flow of the three-syllabled Fiona placed next to a two-syllabled middle name (emphasis on the second syllable}.
Georgia is pretty sweet. She does seem to marry the styles of your other girls names too. Its IS too bad about the aunt – Caroline, Avery and Georgia would have been just swell, perfect in fact!
I have to say, given your feelings about Georgia, Fiona gets the vote.
But if I may, I would also like to throw a few more into the mix.
For me, Gemma also brings Caroline and Avery’s names together. Plus she has that ‘-a’ ending to set her apart from her sisters.
Elena and Louisa also suit well in my opinion.
I love both Gemma and Louisa. Gemma is a particular fave. Thanks for the input!
Just a caution on Eliza, people will always try to lengthen it to Elizabeth or shorten it to Liz. (My aunt is a Betty and people always assume that it’s short for Elizabeth, but it’s not, my uncle is a Robert and people are always trying to shorten it to Rob or Bob) I
f you love it call her Eliza and name her Elizabeth. Elizabeth is one of the most flexible names imaginable and offers a wide variety of nick-naming choices. I think it’s timelessness (popular from 1800’s on) makes it great (you don’t hear Elizabeth and think woman in her 70’s like you do with Mabel or 50’s like with Barbara or 30’s like with Stacy) and has been held by a number of amazing strong role models.
Thanks for the advice with regard to Eliza. Definitely something to think about.
Elle is one of the many loving shortenings of my own lengthy Elizabeth
A little late to the game, but I also want to chime in and say that I think Fiona would be great with your sibset!
I’m kind of glad Georgia doesn’t work for you–not a fan of it with Caroline—it makes me think of southern states.
At my doctor’s apt., I was reading one of the millions of baby magazines they have, and one of the writer’s had a daughter named Caroline Avery…so maybe their names aren’t as disaparate as thought…
Hi Elisabeth! Just wanted to let you know that Lila Genevieve was born last Wednesday. She’s beautiful and sweet and the name really seems to suit her. And the funny thing is that when I finally got to the Mother/Baby ward my first nurse had a tattoo on her wrist that read “Fiona.” It was her daughter’s name and as much as I love it I felt no pangs of regret at all when we saw that and Lila just continues to grow on us. I’ve been out of commission for several days, but I wanted to stop by and thank you again for your wonderful advice.
-Jennifer
Well, not sure what you came up with…but my 3 year old is named:
Bliss! And she’s beautiful, smart and hilarious. Of course a store called “Baby Bliss” opened in my hometown in Texas, seems everything is “Bliss” today… However: We got the best one of all!
oh, you did pick…what a nice name! i loved FIONA to, but a certain movie had been out in recent years so we shelved it for maybe later. Wanting a son now: Nixon!
Fiona Jane
Fiona Liv
Fiona Ruth
Fiona Pearl
Fiona Ivy
Fiona True
Fiona Tess
Fiona Neve/Niamh
Fiona Zoe
Fiona Iris
Fiona Gwen
Fiona Mae
Fiona Greer would be pretty great too.
Fiona Ivy and Fiona Pearl really stand out for me. Eliza just went on my list.