Hi Swistle,
I’ve waited 6+ years to be able to write you and talk baby names. My name is Allyson (nn Ally) and I’m pregnant with our first child—a girl—and due in late February. My husband, Adam, and I have very different tastes when it comes to girl names. Boy names… piece of cake… we love the names Graham, Archer, Atlas. But deciding on a name for our daughter has been nearly painful, especially trying to come up with something special given that our last name is Smith. The only name we’ve been able to agree upon is Zoe. I love everything about the name: the meaning, the ‘z’ sound, the simplicity. But neither of us our sold on it being “the name.” We would like to give her my maiden name as her middle name, Martel. ______ Martel Smith.
Here are some names from my list:
Hazel
Wynne
Cozette
Naomi
NoelleHere are some names from my husband’s list:
Savannah
Kayla
Hadley
AvaPlease, please help us! We’re desperate for your input.
Thank you,
Ally Smith
I think you might be unhappy with the popularity of the name Zoe: combining the 7,187 new baby girls named Zoey and 5,920 new baby girls named Zoe in 2013, the name is as common as Mia, Emily, or Abigail (the 6th, 7th, and 8th most popular girl names in the United States in that year).
I wonder if you’d like Eliza. It has the Z sound, and I love it with the middle/surname: Eliza Martel Smith.
Or Esme. Esme Smith; Esme Martel Smith.
Or very similar to Zoe but quite a bit less common: Zola.
Or Zara.
Or Cleo. Cleo Smith; Cleo Martel Smith.
Or Ivy. Ivy Smith; Ivy Martel Smith.
Or Eve. Eve Smith; Eve Martel Smith.
If it wouldn’t make you feel trapped into continuing with A-names, Azalea is distinctive.
Or Zinnia.
Maisy is sweet. We were such fans of Lucy Cousins’s Maisy books at our house, the name brings that character to my mind immediately—but it’s a highly positive association. Maisy Smith; Maisy Martel Smith. I also like Maisy as a nickname for Margaret, but I’m not as fond of the sound of Margaret Martel.
Josie has both the Z-sound and the long-O/long-E sounds of Zoe. Josephine Smith; Josephine Martel Smith. Or you could call her Joey, which is even closer to Zoe.
I see a couple of V-sounds on your husband’s list, plus Ava; these make me think of Genevieve. Genevieve Smith; Genevieve Martel Smith. Maybe with the nickname Evie.
Olive is quite distinctive. Olive Smith; Olive Martel Smith.
Or Haven. Haven Smith; Haven Martel Smith.
Or Maeve.
Or Silvia/Sylvia.
Kayla from your husband’s list feels past its peak, but I wonder if you’d like Kaye. It reminds me of Wynne from your list. Kaye Smith; Kaye Martel Smith.
The one “z” name I don’t see is Zora, so that’s my suggestion. I knew a little girl with this name growing up, and I always loved it. Still do. Good luck!
Vivienne, Hannah, Phoebe, Cosima, Cora, Clara, Geneva,
I really want you to use Zinnea, especially since Wynne is also on your list. I went to college with a girl named Xenia, who mostly went by Zen, and I thought it was the coolest name. Smith as a last name really gives you a lot of leeway to pick something a bit more out there, so I think you should use it.
How about Zelda, Liv, Stella, Jacinda, or Colette?
What about Zadie? Zadie Martel Smith sounds beautiful.
Zadie Smith sounds good because she’s a famous author!
Savannah made me think of Suzannah.. to get that z zing.
Other Z’s:
Mazzy (rhymes with Jazzy)?, Maisie
Kenzie, Kenzington, Kinzie
Zada, Zabrina, Zaida?
What about Susannah/Suzanna nn Zanna? Has the ‘Z’ sound and is very close to the name Savannah.
Ivy or Aviana would be my other suggestions. Ariana is pretty too.
Actually, Ariana Smith is a great name!
Zoella or Elizabeth nn Izzy are nice too. Elizabeth smith. Awesome!!
All the best!
I’ve always taken issue with the sound of Elizabeth Smith (I’m a Smith too). All I hear is “Bith-Smith”, which sounds lispy. It’s too bad, because it’s a family name of mine! I do however think Suzanna checks all the letter writer’s boxes (it’s on my shortlist with a different spelling because it really sounds great with Smith). Her list is full of old-fashioned revival names, and her husbands is bordering on dated. Suzanna has never been popular but it’s never sounded out of style. And there’s the adorable nickname from “It’s a Wonderful Life”: Zuzu!
I was coming on here to suggest Suzannah nn Zanna, or just the name Zanna, but I see that’s already here. I knew a little girl named Zanna and I loved it on her!
I’m going to put in a vote for Zoe, here since you said you “love everything about it.” I wonder if you’re just having cold feet. However, I do like Hazel, Naomi & Ava as well, plus a lot of the suggestions, particularly Ivy & Susannah. Or how about Avery, or Alexandra, nn Xandra?
Felicity. Felicity Smith. Felicity seems like a good style fit for both you and your husband.
Zeya. Zeya Martel Smith.
I think Zoe is awesome (you could also go for Zooey like the actress if you wanted to make it a little more distinct). I also like the name Liv- I think Liv Smith gives off a “cool girl” vibe and is distinct without being odd. You could use it alone or derive it from Oliva/Livia etc.
Liv Smith is very cool. The poster likes the meaning of Zoe, so Viv Smith might also work.
I love the suggestion of Liv (and Olive/Livia)! I also love Zoe and have an internal debate of whether it’s too popular for my next child. I did want to share my experience with a unique spelling of a common name – my mom thought she was making up for my last name (also Smith) by spelling Megan in a rare way. In my personal experience, I would have preferred she either spell it the common way or name me a less common name. I hated the difference from my Megan peers in grade school. Made peace with the spelling though high school and early adulthood, but now have a married last name that is difficult to spell and I hate spelling both names every time. Makes me wish I would have kept Smith or changed the spelling (I still wonder sometimes if it’d be too weird to do that now ;)
I vote for Eliza.
Your husband’s suggestion of Savannah and Swistle’s suggestion of Maisy made me think of the name Magnolia, with the nn Maisy, Maggie, or Nola. Magnolia Martel Smith.
I think Zoe (M)artel (S)mith is a lovely name. But since you are not convinced it is the “one”, I do have some suggestions based on your list and your husbands. I have also based your suggestions on what you say you love about Zoe – the meaning (life), the ‘z’ sound, and the simplicity.
Zoya (M)artel (S)mith – simple, Z beginning, meaning life, more unique than Zoe
Ezra (M)artel (S)mith – simple, z in it, while more often male ending a sound gives it a feminine feel
Liza (M) artel (S)mith – simple, has z in it
Wren (M)artel (S)mith – simple, similar to Wynne
Nola (M) artel (S)mith – simple, similar to Naomi and Noelle
Suzannah (M)artel (S)mith – similar to Savannah, has the z sound
Kaisa (M)artel (S)mith – similar to Kayla, means pure, simple yet unique
Holly (M)artel (S)mith – similar to Hadley, simple
Ada (M)artel (S)mith – similar to Ava, simple, more unique than Ava
I love the suggestion of Genevieve. You could use the nickname Eve or Nevie (I just heard this the other day and thought it was adorable!).
I like Zinnea and Azalea: both pretty, uncommon flower names with a Z sound.
Eliza Martel Smith sounds good, although Eliza may be becoming too popular for your liking. Maybe Liza instead?
Alternatives to Kayla: Kyla, Myla, Kaia. I like Myla Smith.
Hadley and Hazel make me think of Harper. Although that might rule out Archer.
Other Z names:
Zora
Zena
Zenobia
Zohar (a Hebrew name and also a Jewish text)
Zareen (an Arabic name)
Zahara
Zephyr
And there’s always Chloe if you like Zoe, but I think Zoe sounds much more sophisticated and will age better than Chloe.
Would you like Navy, Everly, Evangeline, Avalon, Or Zara?
Congrats on your pregnancy!
Don’t use Kayla. I’ve grown up with it and it already felt dated when I was a child. Definitely past its peak.
If for some reason it comes up again and is somehow unavoidable, I suggest Michaela instead. At least Michaela is somewhat timeless/not as trendy.
I agree with Swistle that Zoe’s popularity will likely be an issue for you. Usually I like to encourage people not to care about popularity, trot out statistics like that even the most popular names now are not used as much as the popular names of our childhood were at the time, etc. But your surname is Smith. I would care about popularity then, too.
The first name that came to my mind is Zelie. Really cute, has a long history of use in France but doesn’t seem too foreign or trying hard. I know a couple who used this for their daughter and it is perfect– pretty easy to spell, versatile, similar to Zoe but very rare. There’s this beautiful song with the title too– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R1b07M_5Ac
This is wildly different from your other choices, but I also thought of Zenobia. Zoe seems like an acceptable nickname from that.
Cozette seems a little odd with that spelling– is there a reason for that over Cosette?
Hazel is quite popular! And the repeating “el” ending in Martel would bother me. Same with Noelle.
Again, I recommend the beautiful and underused Zelie. :) Good luck!
May I suggest Yvette? I think it is wonderful, with no need of a nickname, but Eve and Etta available if you want one.
Or, how about Winifred, nn Winnie?
I forgot to include the suggestion Fay / Faye – a beautiful, distinctive choice.
How about Susanna (nn Susie)? It’s our daughter’s name – less than 150 Susannas in recent years, but easily recognized, and goes well with your middle/last names (I think!).
I knew a lady named Zella – very unusual but pretty, and the “ella” fits in nicely with the popular Ellie/Eleanor/Ella/Emma.
Oh yes, I actually know a baby named Zella! Good suggestion!
Oh my…. SO MANY GREAT suggestions above. My favourites:
Noella is on our short list. I prefer Noella to Noelle just for the extra syllable, especially with a short last name like Smith, but also for the extra shortened names… Nola, Elle, Ella. Noella/Noelle Martel Smith. I personally love this!
OLIVE. Olive Martel Smith.
Zadie, Zara or Zora.
I also really like any form of Genevieve, Evangeline, Eve, Evie… so cute.
Good luck and keep us posted!!
What about Josephine, nicknamed Josie? Josie and Zoe sound so similar to my ear, but Josie is much more distinct. She’ll still have a name with a trendy sound (fitting right in with the Zoes and Zoeys), but a timeless feel.
I also wonder if you’d like…
Violet Martel Smith
Isadora Martel Smith
Penelope Martel Smith
Jane Martel Smith
Nora Martel Smith
Funnily enough, my kids have never had a Zoe in any of their classes at school, but last year my son had two Josephines in his Kindergarten class. One went by Josie and one went for Josephine. I wonder if it’s one that is more popular in certain states – do check your states top 100 on the social security website, if you are in the US.
Livinia nn Liv? Love the sound of Livinia Smith!
Not sure if it’s been suggested, but I instantly thought of Xanthe (pronounced ZAN-thee) – has a similar sound to Zoe but no where near as popular.
I thought of Xanthe too! Gorgeous name.
Or what about the French name Noemi? Mimi could be used as a nickname- it’s cute on a little girl, and quite glamorous when she’s a young lady and into adulthood.
In my younger years I daydreamed about marrying a Smith or a Jones or an Anderson so I could inflict unusual names on my mythical children. 22 year old me would have had a girl named Valkyrie & a boy named Paladin. Bullet dodged?
Zinnia & Azalea are beautiful. My 22 year old self is insisting on Nova. I also knew a Zuzka growing up & think it is an awesome, unusual name. It’s pronounced Zoooska.
Your post made me think of the name Zenouska, which is borne by the granddaughter of Princess Alexandra of Kent (a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II). I believe it is pronounced “zen-oooo-ska”
What about Zenia (or Xenia)
I love Zoe, but that may be because of a dear friend I had from elementary school.
I recommend against Zadie (or Zaidie), because it’s Yiddish for Grandpa. But that’s just me.
I have a friend whose daughters name is Zabrina. They call her Zabby for short, which I think is very cute. An idea.
My first grade daughter goes to school with an Azalea, she goes by Zaley and it’s so freaking cute I can’t stand it. I love Zoe, I went to middle school (in the early 80s) with a Zoe and I thought that was a very exotic and beautiful name. I also wanted to suggest Alexandra – I went to college with an Alexandra who went by Zan and it was super cool. Best of luck!
What about Zosia/Zosha? Or Zara? A classmate of my son goes by Cozie, her name is Cosette, which I think is pretty adorable.
Although, I do think Zoe is a beautiful name. Popular, sure, but that means lots of people agree that it’s a lovely name.
Good luck!
I once overheard a mother calmly calling her daughter to an elevator. “Zipporah, come in here.” My head spun around to see a gorgeous girl (perhaps six or so) race her little friend into the elevator. As soon as the lift stopped and the doors opened, the little friend piped, “C’mon, Zip! Let’s go!”
Oh, man. Such cuteness. So my suggestion is Zipporah Martel Smith.
Best wishes!
Zipporah is a great suggestion! My favorite spelling is Tziporah though.
I love the name, “zhanna”, a name I came across while in Ukraine. I believe it’s the Russian form for Jane. It’s pronounced like “zzsh-on-a”… If that makes since.
I also love Zoe because of the meaning and the sound. It’s tough to come up with something as playful as Zoe. Good luck!!