Hi Swistle,
We’re expecting our first child, a girl, this September. Our last name sounds like ‘Baker’, and the current top contender name is Jacqueline Liliana ‘Baker’. I have two concerns about the middle name:
1. Is this too long when combined with the first name (number of syllables, not number of letters) and 2. Is it too frilly?While we’re pretty certain on the first name, other middle name choices include Wren (would this elide too much with the ‘soft’ ending of the first name?), Maeve, Alice, or Iris. All of these potential middles are shorter, although I’m uncertain about the rhythm of a 2-syllable middle with a 2-syllable last name. I’d like to avoid more common (ie Ann, Lynn, Grace, Rose) middle names.
Thoughts?
Anonymous mother with a 9 syllable full name
It doesn’t seem too long to me—but then, I gave my daughter an 11-syllable full name. I did worry a bit when we chose it, but only 6 of the syllables are her first/last, and those are the only ones that most people encounter. People won’t have to say Jacqueline Liliana Baker every time they address your daughter: they’ll just say Jacqueline Baker, or just Jacqueline, or just Jackie or just Jax if she uses a nickname.
It doesn’t seem too frilly to me, either, for similar reasons. Jacqueline doesn’t strike me as a frilly name, nor does Baker. The only frills are with Liliana, and that’s tucked into the middle. The total frill-level of the name seems well within reason.
If you decide against Liliana, my favorite from the other candidates is Jacqueline Iris Baker (I do like the 2-syllable middle name with the 2-syllable surname). But I think you can pick the middle name you like best, without worrying too much about rhythm or length: rhythm/length are so governed by personal preference, there aren’t any particular guidelines to shoot for other than “Do we like it?”
You note in your signature that you have a 9-syllable name yourself? Does it seem too long? My kids have a hyphenated last name, which has given them 9 and 7-syllable names. It hasn’t been a problem for either of them. I don’t think Jacqueline Liliana Baker is too long or too frilly. I do like Maeve and Alice from the alternatives, though.
I agree with everything that Swistle said. Jacqueline Liliana Baker is a great name…but I also love Jacqueline Iris, not necessarily because its shorter, but it’s a little more unexpected and the flow is really nice.
Lilliana is a great middle name, but if you feel like it’s too long I really love some of your other middle name choices both on their own and as middle names in this case. That said, if Lilliana is your favorite, go for it! It’s a great name and as Swistle pointed out, almost no one will ever use her middle name. I use a middle initial professionally, but I literally do not know the middle names of the adults and children outside of my family.
Agreed, I see no problem with Jacqueline Liliana. It’s quite lovely. But given the choice, I’d pick Jacqueline Iris. So pretty and simple.
I wouldn’t worry about the length/frills if you like. As most people said, middle names aren’t used that often. But if you do want to have another kid, Jacqueline/Jackie and Liliana/Lily would make good sister names.
From your list, I like Jacqueline Iris best, and also thought of Jacqueline Lily.
Jacqueline Liliana isn’t too long at all! I think it’s rather regal and flowing– very pretty. Also, Liliana isn’t the same kind of 4 syllables as, say, Henrietta. With all those l-sounds, it moves very fast.
Depending on what the first letter of your surname actually is (unclear if it is really “B” from your letter), I’d be careful with what letter middle initial you use. Jacqueline Alice or Jacqueline Iris would make JAB or JIB for example. JAB seems like a deal breaker to me (negative connotation). JIB is like gibberish, literally, I don’t think it means anything– but its initials aren’t very attractive either.
Jacqueline Liliana “Baker” has none of those issues.
On sound alone, my favorite is actually Jacqueline Maeve… but also I love the name Maeve, so I’m biased!
Good luck, and please try to remember to update us!
Jacqueline Henrietta is kind of awesome, really. If I saw this in a local birth announcement it would get my attention in a good way.
Oh, I agree! I wasn’t knocking Jacqueline Henrietta at all. The letter writer was just worried about length and I was trying to point out that Liliana is very quick to say out loud, despite the syllables. I’m with you in general, Gail– I really like long names, and Jacqueline Henrietta is fantastic.
If you end up with a fancy girl, she will love the name Jacqueline Liliana. It is a lovely, flowy name, a name for a fsiry princess or a gamorous movie star, and she will probably refer to herself or sign her full name every chance she gets. If she is a not-so-fancy girl, well, she won’t, but her middle name becomes something of a frilly undergarment that she only shows to her friends, and there’s something charming about that notion, too. I mean, how many people actually know your full name?
I love Jacqueline Wren, too. It’s unexpected, and pretty. You have excellent taste in names.
Everything Swistle said.
I don’t find Liliana either too long or too frilly. If I have hesitation, it’s from the 3 syllables in a row–que, lin(e), Lil–that all have a soft ‘i’ sound. I find that a bit tricky to say, but maybe not enough to change it. (avoided if you pronounce Jacqueline the way Jackie Kennedy did–Jacques-Leen’–but from your letter I see you’ll be pronouncing it as 3 syllables with a soft ending). Based on this hesitation alone, I lean slightly toward either Alice or Maeve, but again, not due to length or frilliness.
I agree with everything Swistle had to say about Liliana. It’s perfectly lovely!
If you decide you just can’t pull the trigger on it, my favorites from the rest of your list are Maeve & Iris. Jacqueline Wren rhyme too much for my taste & I seem to get tripped up a bit with Jacqueline Alice.
Jacqueline Liliana is lovely. I also like Jacqueline Lily, Jacqueline Iris, and Jacqueline Ivy.
I think it’s a beautiful choice. I love the name Jacqueline. I don’t think it’s too long with Liliana as a middle. But if you don’t like the length, I think Alice makes a great choice as well.
Jaqueline Liliana is a lovely name and doesn’t sound too long at all.
I do like Jaqueline Wren though and Jaqueline Eve would be nice too.
Good luck!