Good Evening,
So recently my cousin mentioned your blog and how you help with coming up with names. I am at a total loss as to even where to begin. I have looked through countless names and well there are many names I like either my husband veto’s them or I feel they don’t go well with our other daughter’s name. We have a daughter already and her name is Rylah Mae Kielstra. It was a name that my 95 year old grandma gave me and I immediately fell in love with the name. It is unique but not yet so different that its hard to pronounce. I am finding it very hard to come up with another unique name that works with Rylah’s name. I can’t even give you one name that my husband and I both agree on. Our baby girl will be born this January so I still have time. I am thinking her middle name will be Kathryn as that is my mother’s middle name. The problem is a need a simpler first name as Kathryn Kielstra is already a mouth full. Would love some advice and help with a few names that you might think would work for our new addition.Sincerely,
Heidi Kielstra
The name Rylah makes me think of two groups of names: the Ryan/Ryleigh/Kyle/Kylie group, and the Isla/Lila/Layla/Lyla/Mila/Ella group. It reminds me most of names such as Kayla and Kyla, which combine a strong long-vowel first syllable with a gentler feminine ending.
I would suggest doing that again: taking two sounds that are not normally paired but COULD be. Some of the combinations will be names that already exist and are common (Ev + lyn = Evelyn), some will be amusing mismatches or the wrong style, and some can be added to the Maybe list.
Or it might be easier to find a name that already exists, and change part of it, the way you could have started with Riley or Lilah or Kyla to get Rylah. Are there any names you already like, but feel are the wrong style or too common? For example, if you said you loved the name Emily but it didn’t coordinate with the style of Rylah, I might suggest Emlyn or Emryn or Ellery. Or if you loved Avery but it was too common, I might suggest Ayven or Averly or Avaleigh.
But check the Social Security Administration’s data base for name popularity: sometimes a combination of two appealing sounds can be exactly the sort of thing everyone else is also noticing and using. And check alternate spellings: for example, for the name Rylah I’d look for Rilah, Ryla, Rila, etc.
You could also poke around in that data base for seldom-used names. If you follow the link in the previous paragraph and then click on “Background Information” and then click on “Beyond the Top 1000,” you can download a list of all the names used at least five times each year. Starting at the rare end of the list, I found possibilities such as Zaryn, Tamlyn, Nolyn, Mavery, Graylynn, Emrie, Cambrey, Britlyn. (Again, check alternate spellings: sometimes I’d see a name and think, “Oh! That’s different!”—and then realize it was just a different way to spell a popular name.)
If you can, I’d wait to choose the middle name. That is, are there other candidates you could use (your mother’s first name, another relative’s name), if you finally find a name the two of you agree on and doesn’t work with Kathryn? When it is very challenging for two parents to find a name they agree on, I suggest removing as many limitations as possible.
Name update:
Thanks everyone for their wonderful suggestions! We decided on Brielle!
I think it would help if you defined “works with Rylah” a little more specifically, since that’s going to mean different things to different parents, and might even mean different things to you and your husband. Once you figure out why you’re getting stuck, it can be easier to get unstuck. For example:
1) Would Rylah and a name that also ended in -a or -ah work together, or not work together?
2) Would Rylah and a name that also had a strong L sound in the middle (like Emlyn) work together, or not work together?
3) Could Rylah and a name that is similar in some ways but not as unique (like Mia or Nora) work together, or not?
4) Could Rylah and a name that doesn’t have the strong emotional connection to a beloved relative work together, or not?
Rylah Mae is a great name, and congratulations on #2! Kathryn goes nicely with many firsts, even with your last name. Maybe:
Jade
Jayla
Willow
Marlo
Ever
Dalia (wildcard)
The names that immediately came to mind for me after reading are:
Sky, Skye, Skylar, or Skylah
They’re each nicely matched with Rylah, fairly unusual, and sound great with Kathryn and Kielstra. Skylah and Skylar might be too matchy matchy with Rylah– but maybe not, that depends on your own ear.
Rylah also reminds me of some of the unusual two-syllable names that hit the popularity lists in the 1920s– names like Ora, Nova, Veda, Della, Lila/Lilla/Lela, etc.
I agree Kielstra is tricky to work with as, despite it being only 2 syllables, it’s eight letters and unusual. I think a one syllable first name would sound best with it, not to mention make it easier to flow with Kathryn (personally I think Kathryn Kielstra is not too difficult at all, though!)
Do you like any of these?
Faith
Grace
Rose
Blaise
Blair
Eve
Faye
Rain/Rainne/Rayne
Pearl
Greer
Gwen
Maeve
Blythe
Sloane
Some of these are quite stylistically different from Rylah, but I don’t they clash. Grace is my favorite of the bunch, I think, soundwise, with the surname and middle name; you could also spell it Grayce if you wanted it to “match” more with Rylah (and have a much rarer spelling).
Or, what about Katya? It could be an honor name for Kathryn (same root). You could also spell it Katia. Katya Kielstra has a lovely flow!
I think a name ending in -Y would work — both for sound with the middle name Kathryn and then you get a matching letter with Rylah, but not rhyming…
Romy Kathryn Kielstra
Emery Kathryn
Ellery Kathryn
Tobey Kathryn
Tenley Kathryn
just some examples that I think work well!
Good luck!
Oooh, I like the suggestion of Romy! That gets my vote ;) Rilah and Romy sound like natural sisters, and Romy Kathryn by itself is a great name!
Oops, autocorrect fail! Rylah***
I was also going to suggest Della and I see someone above already thought of it!
Other suggestions:
Janell
Seren
Amelia
Jolie
Kinley
Aftyn
Adler
Adria
Jaelyn
Simone
Bree
Ellis
Micah
Mara
Kira/Kiera
I knew a girl once named Mavanee. The A is a short A sound, pronounced like MAVerick. I don’t know if that spelling works for you but maybe Mavany or Maveny? Seems like the name might fit your criteria :)
I was thinking something short and familiar-sounding, but not all that popular – Zora came to mind.
I was wondering if maybe you’d consider Kate as a middle instead of Kathryn? It’d keep that rhythm you have with a single syllable middle name – I was thinking the reason you thought Kathryn was a mouthful was all the syllables
Rylah Mae and
Tamsyn Kate or
Linden Kate maybe Laurel Kate? or
Brenna Kate
I also love the already suggested idea of Skylar for you Rylah and Skylar are a pretty sibset!
Good luck! Can’t wait to find out what you choose!
I like 1-2 sylable names for you. Unusual, modern, easy to spell but not gender neutral. Here are a few suggestions:
Zara
Sloan
Delia (maybe too old fashioned but fresh to me)
Maebry
Brinley
Paige
Zasha
Cadence
Gracen or Gracyn
Everly (my fave for you)
Talulah
Wren
I also like place and word names for you but Everly sounds best to me. Rylah and Everly, Everly Kathryn, Everly Kielstra.
I like Swistle’s suggestions of Averly and Mavery. I would add Waverly into that class of names, too. But if you are looking for shorter names, I suggest:
Darby
Ivy
Una
Shea
Ada (I used to know an Ada who went by Ada “Middle Name”…..I think Ada Kate would be very cute!)
If you’re not decided on Kathryn as the middle name, I like names that end in N or Y to go wtih Rylah.
Ending in N
Maren
Tamsin
Taryn (same vowels)
Teagan
Ending in Y
Ainsley
Delaney
Darby
Finley
Cassidy
Aviva
Cleo/Clio
Norah
Sydney
Arden
Sage
I actually disagree with Swistle. I would avoid another “made-up” name and go with a name that is still rare but a little more recognizable. I’m curious what names are on your list that your husband vetoed or that you think don’t fit.
Here are a few ideas:
Zadie
Shawna
Nola
Adley
Alannah
Braelyn
Baylee
Blakely
Paisley
Jacey
Jorie
Brielle
Bellamy
Charmaine
Clover
Emmaline
Melisande
Isabeau
Novalee
Selby
Tansy
How about Resi? I know someone with this name and love it.
Really like some other posters’ suggestions, especially Everly, Embry, Zora, Tamsyn, Brenna. You really could go so many directions with a sister like Rylah Mae! I also love the suggestion of Kate instead of Kathryn. Would you also consider Kay, Kathleen or Katelyn/Caitlin?
Here are a few suggestions that I think fit with Rylah Mae. I’ve used Kate/Kathryn interchangeably, depending on what sounds best to my ear:
Sidda Kate
India/Indie Kathryn
Marley Kate/Kathleen
Finley Kate
Maris Kathryn
Ezri Kate
Teagan Kate
Merritt Kathryn
Rylah is so unique that it doesn’t automatically make you think of a name type. I suggest just trying to find something unique that you both like and not worry about trying to make it “go” with her sisters name. I know of someone who just named their little girl Nessa. That name also does not make me think of a group of names so I think that is a good example.
Liana Kate Kielstra (Pronounced Lee-ah-nah)
It could be spelt with or without an h at the end
Rylah and Lianah
Rylah and Liana
Aw, my daughter’s name is Liana – I’ve never seen it suggested here before!
There are some great suggestions! My favorites are Everly, Tamsin, Zadie, Maebry, Linden, and Romy. I also like Linnea for you.
Zella!
I live in an area filled with Dutch surnames like Kielstra, so a few traditional Dutch names come to mind: Adriana, Alina, Johanna, Janna.
I like Ellery!
I was also going to suggest Brielle.
Brelinn? Berlin?
Tayleigh, Falyn?
Mae is such a sweet and short middle name. Have you thought about shortening Kathryn to Kate?
Also, I would like to suggest Winslow as a unique name that goes well with Rylah. Rylah and Winslow. Rylah Mae and Winslow Kate. Winslow Kate Kielstra.
Winslow Kate…Love it!!!
In Australia we have the name Kirilly (Keer-ril-lee) I think it goes well with rylah
While I do like sibling names to coordinate, I think it’s not the end of the world if they don’t totally “go with” each other. I’d rather use 2 names I loved than use 1 Ioved and a 2nd name I was only “meh” about just because it “went with” the 1st. Perhaps if you lessen your criteria for “goes with” you’ll open yourself up to new names. Even if you don’t use any of these new names, you could find inspiration in them.
I wonder if you could find inspiration for a 1st name in Kathryn? I’m guessing the biggest problem with Kathryn & the last name is the alliteration? If so, I’d suggest looking at the “ryn” syllable. Perhaps you could do just Wren or something like Seren or Brenna. I think Brenna Kate would be a nice namesake for a Kathryn.
For some more general suggestions, I’ll offer Harper, Keely, Avalon, Adair, Shea, Everly
I like using Kate as a middle name but putting the ryn from Kathryn in her first name.
Maryn Kate
Tamryn Kate
Taryn Kate
Zaryn Kate
I immediately thought of Everly. Rylah and Everly. Honestly, they seem like the perfect sib set.
What about Marlys? Rylah and Marlys. I work with someone named Marlys and have always thought her name was so interesting and unique but not “too-out-there”. OK…. this might be my favourite.
Rylah and Marlys. LOVE IT.
Good luck!! Keep us posted!
Even seeing Rylah and Marlys typed out side-by-side, I love it even more. Love that they both have almost the same letters but they are used to make different sounds… love the balance with the “y” being in both names. Sigh… love it!
How do you pronounce Marlys? Is it Mar-liss?
Just heard two different pronunciations on line–one Mar-liss, the other Mar-leese.
Sorry for delayed reply, she pronounced it Mar-liss
What about Brooklyn? Brooklyn Kathryn Kielstra, Rylah and Brooklyn.
Or Gracen? Is that a girl name? Gracyn? Rylah and Gracyn, Gracyn Kathryn. Maybe too much “yn” on both names?
I thought of the names Marley and Harlow, which I think would work with Kathryn as a middle name. Or Remy. Or Flora.
Marley Kathryn Kielstra
Harlow Kathryn Kielstra
Remy Kathryn Kielstra
Flora Kathryn Kielstra
Rylah and Marley
Rylah and Harlow
Rylah and Remy
Rylah and Flora
Janna, Nella, Mardi or Halle?
What about Avalee? Rylah and Avalee are cute together!
Rylah and Evanie?
Love the suggestion of Emlyn!
Good luck!
Rylah and Brielle?
With Rylah, I like:
Brynn Kathryn
Shea Kathryn
Cleo Kathryn
Macy Kathryn
Eden Kathryn
Alyce Kathryn
Many of my ideas have already been posted, but my favorites are:
Everly or Ever
Bryn
Wren
Ember
Or how about:
Rylah Mae & Nomi Kate
Rylah Mae & Noa Kathryn
Oh. Nomi reminded me, I know a girl named Noma if the OP is interested!
What about -ryn as a nod to Kathryn as part of the first name? Emryn Camryn etc?
I also like the suggestion of using Kay or Kate as the middle — short and sweet just like Mae.
Aiven Kay
Brinley Kate
Emery Kay
Josie Kate
Mabry Kate
Gracyn Kay
Tenley Kate
My favorites for you are Brinley, Emery, and Gracyn.
First name that came to mind was Emery (Em-Er-ee). Emery Kathryn.
Rylah and Emery has a beautiful flow both in sound and sight.
Other names I like are Ember, Brynn, Maryn and Emrys.
What about Briley Kate?
Rylah and Briley! Love it!
Not sure if it has too much ‘s’ with your last name, but how about Nyssa? It’s unusual but easy to pronounce. I like it with Rylah.
First name to pop in my head was Jolie…
Rylah Mae and Jolie Kathryn
Good luck!
I love the suggestion of Nessa!
Some names that come to mind:
– Neve. Neve Kielstra. Rylah and Neve.
– Petra. Petra Kielstra. Rylah and Petra.
– Nori. Nori Kielstra. Rylah and Nori.
– Hana. Hana Kielstra. Rylah and Hana. Hana is in the top 1000.
– Lailin. (or Laylyn) Lailin Kielstra. Rylah and Lailin.
– Orla. Orla Kielstra. Rylah and Orla.
Suggestions: Linley/Lynley, Linnie, Eve, Linnea, Everly, Larkin, Remi/Remy, Brooke, Maren/Marin (mar-in), Brielle, Blakely.
My favorites:
Brielle Kathryn
Remy Kathryn
Thanks everyone for their wonderful suggestions! We have decided on Brielle! Now just waiting for her to make an appearance… 8 days overdue.
Beautiful name! Best wishes – hope she arrives very soon!
Hurray! Thanks for letting us know :)