C. writes:
I’m wondering if you can help us name our precious wee baby girl. We
have three kids (Thomas Peter, Lila Jean, and Audrey Claire) and
despite endless searching and questioning after we named them, they are
SO their names! All three have honour names as middles. Our last name
starts with a R and sounds like “Rice”.We really feel we need to find the perfect name for our next little
girl. It has been a rough pregnancy with lots of complications and
there’s a chance she might not make it to term and/or need heart
surgery as soon as she’s born. All the more reason to find the perfect
name now as whenever she is born she will be baptized right away.I want to avoid an uber common name and our preference is names that
are well established and somewhat traditional. Our style is
vintage/classic/timeless, something easy to say and spell and
unmistakably feminine.Our short list for our previous girls was:
– Jane (too “plain” or understated? It feels that way…)
– Georgia (husband not keen)
– Elizabeth (my husbands fav but is super popular in our area)
– Maeve
– Calla (unsure if we can have both a Lila and a Calla)
– Abigail (popularity held us back)…and that’s where we’re stuck…
Is there a name out there we’re missing?
The name Vivian keeps coming to mind but I’m not sure why. Not a name
we’d ever discussed. Husband is lukewarm on it but I find myself
referring to her as Vivian already. Is this name destined to become
too popular?Other names I’ve always liked are Adeline, Eloise, Nora, Cora, Natalie, Molly…
I tried doing the “lets each make a list and compare notes for
similarities” exercise with my husband and he’s so stuck in the 80’s.
I believe his list included Danielle, Heather, Lindsay, etc. He is
pretty open to most names I suggest, just doesn’t want common or “made
up” sounding.I just want so badly to find a name we LOVE as a way to convince
myself everything will be ok with this little one…as silly as that
might seem!Please help us?
The Oxford Dictionary of First Names, to which I generally defer, says Vivian is “from an Old French form of the Latin name Vivianus (probably a derivative of vivus ‘alive’).” Because of “Viva la revolucion,” “Viva la vida loca,” and other similar phrases, the possible viv/life connection stands out to me immediately. This meaning could be heartening and celebratory, if all goes well.
Is Vivian destined to become too popular? Hard to say—and it depends on what you mean by too popular. Here’s what the last ten years have been like:
(screen shot from SSA.gov)
That doesn’t look too scary to me. The spelling Vivienne has had a more startling rise: not even in the Top 1000, and then suddenly appearing at #531 in 2009. Here’s how things have gone since then:
(screen shot from SSA.gov)
Again, that’s not too scary to me. If it had gone #500, #300, #100, #27, that would be another story. Instead, it’s made reasonable jumps as the sounds of the name have come into fashion.
I do expect the name to continue its rise, especially as parents who love the name Evelyn look for less common alternatives. But with Lila and Audrey, I think the popularity of Vivian is perfectly placed: not too common, not too uncommon.
I don’t find the name Jane too plain at all. We did a post recently on that; if you want encouragement to use Jane, I suggest reading the enthusiastic comments. I love the sound of Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and Jane.
If Jane still feels too plain, I wonder if you would like June? Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and June.
If your husband likes Elizabeth but you find it too common in your area, I’d normally suggest Eliza—but in this case, that seems too close to Lila. In which case, I like Eloise from your list, if your husband could be brought around to it by how similar some of the sounds are to Elizabeth. Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and Eloise.
The name Nadia means “hope,” and I think it works well with the sibling names. Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and Nadia.
The name Valerie means “healthy, strong.” Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and Valerie. I am a little uncertain about the repeating R sound of Valerie Rice, but I think it’s fine.
The name Felicity means “happy and lucky,” and I think it may have the unusual/vintage sound you’re looking for. Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and Felicity.
Or Cecily would be pretty: Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and Cecily.
If you don’t mind the similarity to another daughter’s middle name (I don’t mind such things myself, but I know many people prefer to avoid it), Clara is similar to Cora and Calla. Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and Clara. As with Valerie, the -ra/Rice makes me hesitate, but I don’t think it would make me cross it off the list.
[Edited to add: After I wrote this and posted it, I was doing a final proof-read and the name Eve came to my mind. Eve Rice; Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and Eve.]
Name update! C. writes:
Just wanted to thank you and your readers for all the name feedback for our 4th baby. She arrived 7 weeks early and has already sailed through her first major surgery with flying colours. She truly is a little miracle. We had shelved any name discussions recently but top contenders were Jane and Vivian. A few days before she was born I suggested a name to my husband and surprisingly we instantly agreed. When she was born unexpectedly and we saw her, there was no doubt that was her name….introducing Eleanor Anne! We think she’s pretty awesome and her name flows so well with the other kids – Thomas, Lila, Audrey & Eleanor….family complete!
I LOVE Jane for your family!
I love Vivian for you as well as Elizabeth.
I like the meaning of both, Vivian Elizabeth (lively/god’s promise).
if Elizabeth feels too common, what about Elise? or Eliana?
Jane reminds me of Joanna, Junia, Jana.
other ideas:
Linnea
Elena (shining light)
Caroline
Claire
Evelyn
Valerie (means strong)
I really like the sound of Elena Grace
Hi there!
I happen to love Georgia with your sib set. I would second the suggestion of Caroline, and offer Charlotte. Oh and Molly. All are versatile names. Congrats!
If you like Calla but fear it’s too close to Lila, would you consider Calista with the possible nickname of Calla? Calista Rice; Thomas, Lila, Audrey and Calista.
Of the ones you listed I love Georgia and Jane. (I’ve barely met any Janes and I find it simple yet elegant.)
I was going to suggest Elena, too! And that always reminds me of Helena. A few others you might like:
Johanna
Julia
Genevieve (I guess I’m drawn to the “j” sound today…)
Ruby (the alliteration of Ruby Rice is really appealing to me)
I love your children’s names – I’m sure you’ll find/select something great for this little girl! :)
Jane and Eve are just lovely and sound great with your sibset.
Jane Elizabeth and Eve Eloise get my vote.
All the best!
I think Vivian sounds great with the other names in your family. I also like Elise as an alternative to Elizabeth, Eliza or Eloise. Best of luck to you and congratulations!
Oh… I’d also like to suggest Susanna. It’s a great underused name IMO.
Susanna Jane
Susanna Maeve
Thomas, Lila, Audrey and Susanna. Love it!
I like Cora and Vivian for you, as well as Jane and Maeve.
I love Vivian for you. It’s a nice fit with the sibling names and the meaning seems really nice for your situation. Not to mention, the nickname Vivi is just too cute.
I don’t think Jane is too plain, though I’d hesitate to use it since you’ve already used Jean as a middle. They seem too similar to me.
Instead of Elizabeth, maybe a less common variation such as Elspeth? Or instead of Cora maybe Cordelia?
Some other ideas that occurred to me are Elise, Alice, Violet, Lydia, Sylvia & Veronica.
Ah, Vivian would be lovely I think! Vivian Rice is a very elegant name, too.
Have you considered:
Eleanor
Vera
Annabel
Clarissa
Adelaide
Lucy
My favorite is still Vivian. Could Elizabeth be an honor name? Vivian Elizabeth Rice is special.
Good luck!
Love Eleanor, Adelaide and Lucy
I like the suggestion of Felicity. Vivian feels common to me because it is in the trend of Evelyn.
Also love felicity
Vivian Jane, Jane Vivian or Maeve Jane are absolutely beautiful, especially with the other children’s names!
I’m not a fan of Georgia or Abigail (Abbie) with Audrey, or Elizabeth or Calla with Lila.
A few more suggestions (although whether they work depends on how Lila is pronounced):
Thomas, Lila, Audrey and Clara
Thomas, Lila, Audrey and Elise
Thomas, Lila, Audrey and Camille
Thomas, Lila, Audrey and Maya
May I suggest Elsa? I think it would go beautifully with your other children’s names. One of our granddaughters is Elsa Caroline and she has a sister, Audrey.
Elsa sounds good
I think Eloise is the best from your list. I also like Vivian, Jane and Georgia.
From others’ suggestions, I like:
Nadia
Elise
Felicity
June
What about Juniper, or Juna, or Julia?
If you like Eve, what about Eva?
Elisa?
Or how about Yvonne?
Just a though– saying “eve rice” sounds very close to the word “avarice” to me. I would choose something else, personally– and I love all of your other options!
With regards to the name Elizabeth, it IS very common, but it invites a wide variety of nicknames– perfect for originality and flexibility!
I think Vivian is fine. I would be trying to suggest names that combine your favourite Vivian with your husband’s favourite Elizabeth, but all the combinations seem way too popular – Evelyn, Olivia, Eva, Ava, etc.
Perhaps you would both like one of the following:
Sylvia / Sylvie – with the sounds of Vivian but without the popularity
Maisie – with a similar beginning to Maeve but easier to pronounce for those unfamiliar with it. Can also be a nickname for Margaret which your husband might like if he likes Elizabeth.
Victoria – timeless like Elizabeth, with the V of Vivian.
Phoebe – similar sounds to both Vivian and Elizabeth (or as a nickname for Vivian Elizabeth = Vee-beth = Vee-be = Phoebe).
All the best
With your sibset I like…
Jane
Vivian
Charlotte
Eden/Edith/Edie
Enid
Maeve
Felicity
Meryl
Catherine
Georgia
Phoebe (I adore this name!)
I worked with the cutest little girl named Janie!! I love it and this it goes perfect with your other three!
I just thought of another, Millie would be adorable too!
I LOVE Vivian. I think it sounds perfect. I thought that even before Swistle mentioned the meaning and that just makes it even more perfect. But if your husband can’t be convinced I also love Swistle’s suggestion of Valerie and it also has a perfect meaning :)
Doesn’t the name Cora have spanish connections to the word heart? Could be a good name for your little girl sounds like she needs all the heart she can get.
Love so many of the suggestions here I will list them again to reinforce if it helps you decide and throw in some more suggestions
Lucy
Eloise/Elodie
Genevieve
Adelaide
June
Vivienne
Charlotte
Felicity
Alice- love this!
Maisie
Daisy- love this too!
Elsa
Maeve
Marcie
Natalie – to me sounds like an 80s name so perhaps it works well for you and your husband, it is very pretty.
I also believe that Zoe means life but I don’t feel that it suits your style as well as vivienne does.
I wish you all the best, many blessings x
My vote is for Vivian from your list! Along with another poster, I too was going to suggest Susanna…think it would go great with your sibset as well and it is far underused!!!
How about Miranda? Miranda Rice. It means “marvelous, to be wondered at” and seems like it could be perfect: Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and Miranda.
Beatrice means happy, blessed. Thomas, Lila, Audrey, and Beatrice.
I think Vivienne Jane is really cute- nickname Vivi Jane. :)
Best wishes.