Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

FINDING SOMETHING WE BOTH LOVE FOR OUR FIRST SON

Krysia writes:

Our third child and first son is due around the end of the year and we are very unsure about our name choice.

We knew our first child would be either Charlotte or Charles, because different versions of this name are found on all sides of our families. While we didn’t find out gender in advance, we agreed on Charlotte Meredith Hosta-with-a-K before she was born. A boy would have been Charles Sebastian Hosta-with-a-K.

Naming our second child was more challenging. This name we wanted to use an E name to honor a loved one who passed. We were down to Evelyn or Eleanor for a girl and probably Elliott or Everett for a boy. Evelyn Diana sort of came together in the days before my due date and it took a while to feel comfortable with her name.

There are no more family/honor names to use, and we don’t want another E name. Our list so far is:

• Sebastian – Maybe not either of our favorites, but a name we do agree on
• Cedric – My favorite, husband is a hard no
• Barrett – Husband loves this name, but I think it sounds too much like Charlotte’s name and can’t stand the idea of him being called Barry
• Thomas – Considering this as a middle name, it’s not exactly a family name but has meaning for us both so maybe it would work as a first
• Nathan – We both think it’s okay though I like Nathaniel better and my husband is more into Nate

Mostly I want to find something we can both love as much as our girls’ names.

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

A BROTHER FOR CHARLOTTE AND EVELYN

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your third!

It sounds like your list is actually really short right now, isn’t it?

Cedric and Barrett have both been vetoed. That leaves Sebastian, Thomas, and Nathan. While I think any of those would be great choices, it strikes me that you might need a few more names to round out your list.

It sounds like you’re looking for something:

• Well-established and traditional, rather than modern or novel.
• Mainstream and familiar, instead of surprising or rare.
• Longer and probably nickname-proof, instead of a shorter or more informal name.

It’s also true that our preferences for sons and daughters can be a little different. Sebastian strikes me as the perfect match for Charlotte and Evelyn. But it’s not hitting the mark for your family. So maybe you do want something slightly different?

I do think it’s worth circling back to Nathaniel called Nate. Nathan is a possible compromise, but I wonder if you’d be happier if you used the longer version and the shorter one, too?

Maybe Nathaniel Cedric, so mom picks the first and middle, but dad’s preferences sway his everyday name?

If not Nathaniel called Nate, let’s look at some other options.

FRESH SUGGESTIONS FOR A BROTHER FOR CHARLOTTE AND EVELYN

ARTHUR

Regal and old-school, but also rising in use. Bonus? It’s rarely shortened for children now.

CALVIN

Versatile, thanks to so many associations. There’s John Calvin and Calvin Coolidge, Calvin Klein and Calvin & Hobbes.

GRAHAM

A strong, short sound that feels more complete than Nate.

JULIAN

Like Sebastian, an obvious brother name. Julian boasts a long history of use and feels quite nicely established circa 2026.

MALCOLM

A name that feels like it ought to be a classic, though there about three dozen names I’d list before it occurred to me to add Malcolm into the mix.

OLIVER

Like Charlotte and Evelyn, it could easily be shortened – but is often used in full. Is it popular? Yes. Are there countless reasons so many parents love it? Also yes.

SAMUEL

There’s a timeless, easy appeal to Samuel. It’s nearly always shortened to Sam, but it doesn’t feel like a nickname. Sam can be anything – an athlete, an academic, a musician. And even parents who hesitate to use nicknames often embrace Samuel-called-Sam.

VINCENT

Once upon a time, every Vincent was Vinny, and despite a long history of distinguished men by the name (van Gogh, Lombardi to name just two) we didn’t always list it with the classics. But with a strong meaning a distinctive sound, Vincent deserves a closer look. Also: you might get Vince sometimes, but it’s been ages since I’ve met a little Vinny.

Overall, I’m still stuck on Nathaniel “Nate” Cedric. But if that’s not an option, I wonder if you’d consider Arthur or Oliver? I love the idea of Oliver Thomas or maybe Arthur Nathaniel?

Readers, over to you! What would you name a brother for Charlotte and Evelyn?

The post Naming a Brother for Charlotte and Evelyn: Something We Both Love appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

A SIBLING FOR MIRIAM: LONG LISTS, NO FINALISTS

Hanna writes:

We knew our daughter’s name pretty much the minute we started talking about names: Miriam Junia. Her nickname is Mimi, but we’re not really sure what she’ll use once she starts preschool next year. I love that Miriam is classic and not at all trendy, and I like that it works in lots of different languages.

There’s only one thing that surprised us. A lot of people seem to think of Miriam as a religious name. That’s not true for our family at all, but we do like a lot of Hebrew/Old Testament names. I wonder if we should avoid some of these so our kids’ names don’t seem too much like something they’re not?

For that and other reasons, this time I am heading into my seventh month and we are still spinning on the same long list of names.

For a boy, our list is a mix of names we talked about for Miriam, combined with some newer ideas:

• Rafael/Raphael – can’t agree on spelling
• Jeremiah – liked this a lot, but more than one person has mentioned the bullfrog song, is that a problem? Seems weird because my husband and I agree we never made that connection until this name was on our list
• Lucian – I love this name, my husband thinks it’s just okay
• Xavier – Husband loves this name, I think it’s just okay except I really like it as a middle name for the initial X
• Paul – some days I love this, some days less, mostly would rather use Pavel, and I do have Czech and Polish heritage, but it still seems maybe too different
• Emmanuel – we both agree on this name, but this is a good example of a name we like but worry it would be too religious, especially since my due date is around Christmas
• Simon – I like how old-fashioned this name sounds and I really like it with Miriam but same thing, is it too religious?

We didn’t really have any girls’ names besides Miriam, so we’re starting out new here, and I think maybe that’s why this list is so long:

• Lilia – Love the way it sounds, but not sure about how it looks?
• Cecily – Maybe my favorite right now, but worry it will be misheard/misspelled
• Dahlia – husband’s favorite, and I like the old-fashionedness of this name, but I’m not sure about Dolly for short
• Silvia/Sylvia – So pretty, but I really only like it spelled Silvia and my husband really only likes it spelled Syliva
• Esther – another one of those too religious together names that we might otherwise really like
• Arielle – I like this in theory and love all the meanings, but it seems both very religious and too trendy compared to Mimi’s name
• Elodie – but is this too light/French/pretty compared to the more serious energy of Miriam? plus would she end up being another Ellie?
• Camille – completely new to this list just in the last few weeks, husband isn’t sure yet but he often takes time to warm up to new names
• Marguerite – but are we locked into M names if we have a third, and not sure what we would use as a nickname
• Pearl – husband added Pearl when I added Marguerite, and I think he might be right that this is more of what we’re looking for, but is it too short next to Miriam, would we end up calling her Pearlie because I don’t think I like that
• Daphne – I love this name so much, but I agree it’s not great with our last name
• Irene – is this too old-fashioned? it’s a new addition to the list and I think we both like it but also are unsure at the same time
• Olive – maybe? we don’t like Olivia, but I like the sort of serious, strong, but peaceful meaning

Our last name sounds like Cory, but spelled with a K.

Can you help us get through our list? Or have we not found the right name yet?

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

CHOOSING THE BEST SIBLING NAME FOR MIRIAM

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new baby, and congrats to Miriam on becoming a big sister!

Naming your second child can be harder. In fact, I’m convinced it’s one of those parenting experiences that gets harder as your family grows.

Miriam Junia sets a high bar. As you’ve rightly noted, the name should balance strength and timelessness with a certain accessible, wearable quality.

The religious question intrigues me. I know two Miriams, both from relatively religious families – but not at all the same faith. I’ve also heard the name short-listed alongside traditional favorites like Beatrice and Eleanor, so it has appeal well beyond specific circles of belief. But I can see that a second religious-leaning name, like Emmanuel, might create a more specific impression.

Let’s look at your existing lists. I think you have so many good options that I’m not sure adding any more is necessary.

A BROTHER FOR MIRIAM

NAMES to RULE OUT: Emmanuel, Paul

As a sibling for Miriam, I would find Emmanuel openly religious, so that’s an obvious cut.

Paul is a little tougher. I love this name’s classic quality. But it seems like maybe you’re not really a fan. It seems like Pavel isn’t an option, and Paul is your reluctant substitute. Another easy name to put aside.

NAMES that MIGHT WORK: Jeremiah, Xavier

The whole “Jeremiah was a bull frog” lyric is probably somewhere between fading trivia question and occasionally annoying or endearing factoid. It’s hard to know in advance. The reference is from a hit 1970 song. If you find it bothers you now, I’d probably put it aside.

Xavier gives me pause. I think it’s great, and truly perfect with Miriam. Is it potentially religious? As a heavy-hitting Catholic saint’s name, sure. But it’s a slightly different flavor of religious from Miriam and I think that’s a bonus. So I wanted to keep it on the list … but I’m wondering if it’s the absolute perfect middle name that sparks up any first?

STRONGEST CANDIDATES: Rafael/Raphael, Lucian, Simon

When it comes to spelling, I often suggest parents opt for the dominant version. In this case, that’s Rafael. But both are rising in use. If you have a strong case to make for the PH Raphael, I don’t see any harm in sticking with that version. But I’m going to suggest Rafael as a top choice.

Lucian, too, seems to check every box. There’s also the advantage that it doesn’t strike me as religious in any way. Your husband’s lack of enthusiasm is noted. Would combining Lucian with the middle name Xavier change that at all?

Lastly, I do think Simon might be top of my list. I don’t hear it as particularly religious, though I concede that it’s possible others will. I tend to hear Simon as British (Simon Pegg, Simon Cowell), but also smart and traditional and heard steadily over the years. In fact, the name is nicely international, changing little across much of Europe. With no spelling problems and an intelligent, traditional vibe, Simon seems like a logical choice.

A SISTER FOR MIRIAM

Your list of girls’ names is longer in terms of options, but also somehow broader. Names like Lilia and Arielle read lighter and more modern, while Esther and Marguerite strike me as heavier and firmly grounded in the past. There’s short, antique Pearl, but also elaborate newcomer Elodie.

It’s hard to say if we should focus on leaning into a particular style or trying to find the middle ground.

NAMES to RULE OUT: Lilia, Arielle, Marguerite

I think your instincts that Arielle feels a little trendier and Lilia a little more confusing are right. Both names are gorgeous, with meanings and history of their own. But somehow they don’t sound like a sister for Miriam.

Marguerite does feel like it’s a solid match. And it’s a personal favorite of mine. But it’s also very unusual by 21st century standards. It’s a little on the heavy side, and since you’re somewhat uncertain about nicknames, I feel like Marguerite might be unsatisfying, at least as a first name. Also you’ve noted that you might end up feeling locked into M names should you have a third child, and I think that’s a good enough reason to drop Marguerite as a sibling for Miriam.

NAMES that MIGHT WORK: Cecily, Silvia/Sylvie, Elodie, Pearl, Daphne, Irene

Cecily, Pearl, and Irene all feel like nicely old-fashioned choices, just right as a sibling for Miriam. But Cecily is relatively uncommon. Pearl seems so brief, and I hear your concerns about nicknames. While Irene has potential, and I think it’s great on a child, I do think it sounds a little repetitive in the company of Miriam. Maybe it’s that double IR?

Daphne and Elodie are current favorites, both with a mix of old-fashioned charm and 21st century appeal. But I suspect that, like Arielle, that might be perceived as trending, and that’s something you’ve sidestepped with your firstborn’s name.

STRONGEST CANDIDATES: Esther, Dahlia, Camille, Olive

Esther could be absolutely perfect. I do hear you, though – even though Esther was a late 19th century/early 20th century style star, it might read religious by 2020s standards. After all, both Miriam and Esther are significant, heroic women in Judaism. And yet, I hate to rule it out, because I think I hear it more as a successor to Eleanor and Lydia than a religious choice.

Dahlia has a lacy, antique style that is very different from Miriam. And yet, nicknames Mimi and Dolly are equally sweet and spirited. As a bonus, when I hear those names together, I immediately get a strong antique revival vibe, which is what you’re after, right?

I might’ve put Olive at the very top of the list for the same reasons as Dahlia, with a bonus that it’s a little on the more severe in terms of sound. But I’m not clear if you’re enthusiastic about Olive or not?

That brings me to Camille. It leapt out at me immediately. Like Dahlia and Olive, it reinforces your preference for long-standing, vintage favorites. It’s very similar to Miriam in terms of popularity in the US today. And there’s a legendary heroine by the name, just like Miriam – except Camille comes out of Virgil’s Aeneid. I think it checks every box. As for nicknames, Millie is very close to Mimi, but probably works given that you tend to use your girls’ names in full. Cam is another possibility, and Mila might be my favorite of them all.

TOP SUGGESTIONS TO MATCH MIRIAM

My two favorite combinations for a boy are Simon Jeremiah or Lucian Xavier, with honorable mention to Rafael if you can agree on a spelling. Rafael Xavier, maybe?

I’m drawn to Camille Silvia for a daughter. Or even Camille Sylvie. I think you could almost flip a coin! I like the way Junia and Silvia are very similar middles in terms of origins and style. Something like Dahlia Pearl appeals, too, though I wonder if it’s a bit too soft as a sister for Miriam. That brings me to Esther Cecile. If you’d shorten Cecily by just one syllable, I think you’d have a perfect middle name.

In fact, I’m tempted to suggest Cecile as a first. Miriam and Cecile; Miriam Junia and Cecile Marguerite, maybe? Mimi and Cece for short.

Readers over to you! What would name a sibling for Miriam Junia?

The post Naming a Sibling for Miriam: Strong, Serious, Unexpected appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

FINDING TIMELESS, SOPHISTICATED GIRL NAMES

K writes:

We settled on a boy’s name as soon as we found out we were pregnant: Julian MyMaidenName LastName.

I think it’s sophisticated for an adult, but still can imagine it on a baby or young child. When I checked the US rankings, I was surprised at how popular it is because I’ve never met a Julian, of any age. But that doesn’t matter that much to me. My main concern is a name we both like that will grow up with our child.

But we are having a girl. I am excited, but feel like names are harder.

I feel like a lot of our options are kind of granny, like Hazel or Edith, and while I like those names for other people, they’re not for me. Other names, like Luna and Chloe, seem kind of cute. My name is K-plus-the-lee-sound and I really don’t like how it’s so cute. And then there are the really frou-frou princess names, like Anastasia and Eliana. They’re just not right, either.

I do like Julia, but we would like to save Julian in case we have a second child and it’s a boy.

My husband like Charlotte and Josephine but I don’t like boy names for girls, and the idea of Charlie or Jo stops me.

We also like Evelyn, but it is my niece’s name.

Someone suggested Claire and I think that’s pretty close to what I would want, except we were considering using my maiden name for all our children as a middle name, and it sounds like Shark, but with a CL, so I think the Claire Cl-shark is too much.

Our last name sounds like Paris with an H.

Right now every name seems like it has a reason we can’t use it. Can you help us think of some new ideas?

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

FINDING NAMES LIKE JULIAN FOR A DAUGHTER

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new daughter!

It sounds like you know exactly what you want, and yet it’s so easy to get into a place where every name is slightly lacking. That’s especially true when you’re comparing that favorite to an ideal.

Let’s focus on the names you do like:

• Claire
• Evelyn
• Julia

What do these names have in common? They’re traditional, tailored, familiar, and feminine. Those descriptions apply to Charlotte and Josephine, too, I think, but those names highlight some things we should avoid:

• No unisex names, and no feminine names that commonly shorten to a masculine nickname.
• Nothing too elaborate or too cute. This comes down to personal preference, of course. But it’s a good guideline nonetheless.

Let’s talk about the names you do like for a minute.

Are you sure Claire is out of the question?

You’re ruling it out because you’ve considered using your maiden name as the your children’s middle. But there are other options, right?

If the goal is to use a family name from your side, I wonder if you might consider something like Claire Katherine or even Claire Katharine? Not only is it an impeccably classic middle name, it’s also a longer form of your given name, one that honors K-plus-lee’s traditional roots. You could even opt for Claire Katherine Lee sounds-like-Paris or Claire Katherine Shark Paris if you’re willing to consider a double middle.

I think that might be my first suggestion.

But let’s get back to your original question: are there names like Claire, Evelyn, and Julia that you might consider? Or, to put it another way, what name would be exactly right for Julian’s sister?

SOPHISTICATED NAMES FOR GIRLS

BEATRICE

If you asked me to name a sister for Julian, Beatrice would almost certainly come to mind. It’s literary and traditional, but not quite in the Elizabeth/Margaret category. It’s often used in full, but can also shorten to Bea. I love the parallel between your initial-as-nickname and Bea.

EMILY

I don’t believe I’ve ever suggested this name before. Which is sort of crazy, because it’s nicely traditional. Like Beatrice’s Bea, there’s always Emily’s Em for an initial-as-nickname. But I like the way Emily is timeless. Was it a Top Ten, and even #1 favorite, from the 1990s into the 2010s? Yes. But today that’s the appeal of this name. From Emily Bronte to that Emily you went to high school with, it’s immediately recognizable without being at all trendy.

JANE

Maybe mentioning Emily Bronte makes Jane, as in Austen, click for this list. But Jane is that effortless kind of choice that we all know but few of us choose as a first. It works with sounds-like-Shark as a middle in a way that Claire might not.

LAURA

Another name, like Emily, that was formerly very popular but has been classic for far longer. From Ancient Rome to Petrarch, Little House on the Prairie to Laura Ashley, this name surfaces in nearly every decade. It’s a sister for Julian – or Julia, even, across the ages.

LOUISE

Like Jane, Louise is instantly known but surprisingly uncommon. It might shorten to Lou, which can be boyish, I suppose – but feels a little more neutral. And there’s really no need to shorten this name at all.

MARIE

Another name in the key of Louise, gently French. Unlike Mary, it’s never been a chart-topper in the US, but it’s always been in steady use.

SIMONE

Yes, it’s a feminine form of Simon. At first, I almost dropped it from the list. But unlike Charlotte’s Charlie and Josephine’s Jo, Simone is a nickname-proof choice that remains feminine and tailored. I love the sound with Shark Paris, too.

VIVIAN

The obvious substitute for Evelyn, similar in many ways but not so close that it would be a problem for cousins to answer to the two names.

Overall, I’m still most drawn to the possibility of Claire with a different middle name.

If not Claire, then I think Simone moves up my list. I love the way it sounds with your maiden-as-middle and last name. It’s nickname-proof and I love way it fits with sophisticated name for girls but still sounds distinctive, too.

Readers, over to you! Can you suggest more sophisticated names for girls that fit K’s criteria?

The post Finding Beautiful, Sophisticated Names for Girls: Elegant, Not Extravagant appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

IS THIS FAMILY BIG ENOUGH FOR ANOTHER SARAH?

Marlie writes:

We are expecting our first baby in November, a daughter.

Right now, the name we want to use is Sarah. Sarah was my grammy and a big part of my life growing up. She was even our flower girl at our wedding, and passed not long after we got married.

The problem is my husband’s aunt. She’s crazy, not in a fun way. Like restraining order crazy. Like we gave the staff at the wedding reception her picture in case she tried to crash our party crazy.

Her name? Of course it’s also Sarah. She mostly goes by Sal.

Despite this, I think we want to use the name. My grammy’s full name was Sarah Ann VeryLongLastName, and Ann doesn’t seem like enough to honor her memory.

Before we thought about using Sarah, I was trying to talk my husband into Priscilla, which he was lukewarm about, so I’m not sure we even have a back-up name.

Our last name is like Mac plus Guinness, but spelled differently.

Will we regret using the same name as this aunt?

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

WHEN IT COMES TO A NAMESAKE … IT DEPENDS!

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new daughter!

I have SO many thoughts.

It sounds like you’re not in contact in any meaningful way, but she’s also not entirely removed from your life.

Based on that assumption, I think we should consider the worst case scenario.

What could go wrong if you name your daughter Sarah?

• At a minimum, there could certainly be some moments of frustration. Will others in your extended family assume you’re honoring the aunt? Or might your aunt reach out on the assumption that your daughter’s name honors her?
• How might your in-laws react? Your family will be thrilled with the decision, I imagine. But might your in-laws struggle with your choice? And if the answer is yes, does the struggle look like initial discomfort that will fade when they meet their granddaughter … or is it likely to be more of a long-term uneasiness? It’s difficult to predict, I know.

Are there other factors to consider?

• Will they have the same first and last name? It seems like they might both be Sarah Mac-plus-Guinness. It’s not an uncommon name, but can you imagine that duplication causing problems in the future? In general, I think the name Sarah has been such a classic for so long that it helps make your case that it’s not about this aunt … but matching a first and last night might present more of a challenge.
• How close are they in age? My impression is that your husband’s aunt Sarah is in her 40s, if not a bit older. Does that impact your decision at all? I’d feel better if great aunt Sarah were 60-something, and worse if she’s more like 30ish. While it still seems unlikely that they’d ever be confused in real life, if they do have the same first and last name, it’s less likely to be an issue the wider the gap in their ages.

USE THE NAME YOU LOVE

The namesake issue is real, but so is the important of honoring your beloved grandmother.

I think there are a few ways to proceed, some of which might work together.

• Lean into your reasons – hard. Every written birth announcement emphasizes the connection between your daughter’s name and your late grandmother. It can be as simple as “Sarah Middle Last arrived on November 15, 2026. She’s named for my beloved grammy, the late Sarah Last.”
• Choose a distinctive middle name to help ensure your daughter stands out from her aunt. Maybe another family name or a strong word name. Or even Sarah Priscilla. I think it’s an unusual combination that feels lasting and unexpected.
• Mix up Sarah Ann in a new way. Could you call her Anna Sarah or even Annasara?

You might also take one last crack at finding a creative honor name for your grandmother. This list is a good jumping off point: favorite colors, flowers, her place of birth and so on.

I do think this might be one of those rare times that you preview a name.

If there’s a chance your in-laws will be hurt by the decision, then it’s worth talking over in advance. The risk, of course, is that they might ask you to choose another name.

With all that said? It sounds like Sarah really is the name to beat – and right now nothing comes close.

As long as you feel comfortable navigating any short-term discomfort or surprise, and feel confident that any such emotion will be fleeting? Then yes, I would use the name.

Readers, over to you! Do you have any experience with a similar situation and how would you handle this namesake issue?

The post Love the Name, Worried About a Namesake Issue appeared first on Appellation Mountain.