Dear Swistle,
I feel like a crazy person. It’s 6 am and I have been awake for 2 hours (as has happened so many times this pregnancy) trying to find a name for our third baby due, like, yesterday. Thankfully, my first two babies were each over a week late. Since we’ve been discussing baby names nonstop and still don’t have one, I’m hoping this little one follows suit to grant us more time.
Any chance you could help us out? At this point, I would just name the baby whatever name you chose. I defer to you…and promise to send an update promptly.
Our trouble is this: I want to find a name that is compatible with our other kids’ names (first names: Esmé & Oliver, middle names: Monroe & Louie). I also would like a name that has even just a bit of a story since we found both Esmé & Oliver’s names organically from books while I was pregnant with them. The story behind the name doesn’t have to be great or terribly significant, but I’ve found our children really like knowing where we got their names and seeing the books from which they came. Is this a reasonable desire? Admittedly, it’s really complicating our name search. (Hey! Maybe this baby’s story can be that a sweet name-savvy stranger on the internet helped pick his/her name? How about it?! ; ).
In a perfect world, this baby’s name would start with a vowel but would have unique initials. I’m not holding on tight to this criterion, though.
The middle names will be after family members – Alba for a girl, Gordon for a boy. Our other children don’t have honour names for middles, so perhaps this baby could lack a story for their first name, but could be unique in being named after a family member?
My husband is stuck on a few names:
Louisa, Odette, or Mathilde for a girl/Anders for a boy. I like the names enough, but none seems quite right.
First of all, I don’t have “stories” for any of the names.
I’m not sure I’m keen on the sound of Louisa Alba. Also, is it feminine enough to pair with Esmé?
I don’t mind Mathilde, but is it too leaden a name next to the airier-sounding Esmé? Also, the nickname Matty seems inevitable and we know so many who go by Maddy.
I think Esmé & Odette sound compatible, but I’m not sure about Odette with the sibling group. Also, I read on several sites that Odette is the new hipster “it name” for girls…and it means this baby and our son sharing a first initial. What’s your take on Odette?
I love the name Anders and like it with our other kids’ names. I get hung up on two points: 1) I don’t like the nickname Andy AT ALL because of a negative association, but I can’t come up with another nickname. 2) I worry about introducing our kids and saying, “These are our children…Esmé, Oliver, and Anders.” It sounds almost like a joke.
My name picks are:Adelaide from Johanna Spyri’s book Heidi (I would use the German Adelheid as it appears in the book, but I think it sounds too clunky with our older daughter’s name). We’ve read the novel, storybook, seen the movie, and the cartoon series many, many times. Our children have been obsessed with Heidi for months and nearly all their pretend games revolve around the characters and plot-lines from this book. It seems like a sweet story to tell this new little one (and our kids would be elated). My qualms with Adelaide are as follows:
I’ve read it’s about to become really popular as parents are drawn to the ‘Addie’ nicknames, but are looking for less common names.
We know so many Addie/Maddies and would rather avoid the Addie nickname (though Adelaide does provide a lot of alternatives – Ada, Adel, Dela, etc).
I’m not sure it fits with our other kid’s names. Is it too long/frilly a pairing with Esmé?
My husband is willing to consider it, but it’s not his absolute favourite.Lucienne
No vowel, no story. But I think it sounds good with Esmé & Oliver and with the middle name, Alba. It’s feminine, but not frilly, which is usually the kind of girl’s name we’re drawn to. I like the nickname Lucie a whole lot (especially since we sometimes call our older children Esy and Ollie).
There are other girls names I have liked (though none have a story), but that my husband has vetoed: Ivy, Avis, Adele, Inès, Imogen.Abel, for a boy. This name is “it” for me, but my husband thinks it sounds weak (I think it’s because he’s solely thinking of the fratricide from the Bible). We recently read Abel’s Island with our kids (because I remembered that my mother had read it to me when I was little). Abel starts with a vowel, has a story, sounds good with Gordon, I love the nickname Abe. I just can’t get my husband on board.
Can you please help us, Swistle? Are there any uncommon (preferably vowel-names) out there that we’ve overlooked that would sound good with our other kids’ names? Do any of the names on our lists jump out at you as being great in the sibling set? Should I let go of wanting this child to have a reason for his or her name, other than that his parents liked it? And how on earth do we find a solution to each having what we think is the perfect boy’s name?
We would so appreciate your help!
Kind regards,
Michelle
While I admit I thrill at the idea of being given full naming power, I will not hold you to that.
I do think “getting help on a baby name site” gives a good story. Let’s put a checkmark by that box. Perhaps we will end up with even more of a story than that, but it’s an excellent start.
I also like your idea of checking that box by having a story about the MIDDLE name. And I do think that “because his or her parents liked it” is a good enough story—especially if the older siblings participated. So no matter what, I feel we’re covered here.
I suggest abandoning the vowel quest. It is interesting to me how VERY MANY letters we get where a family has two children with vowel names and wants a third, non-duplicate-initial vowel name. Vowel names don’t catch my eye as a naming pattern, and there are so MANY A- and E- names, and so relatively few I-, O-, and U- names, that it seems to me an unnecessarily difficult task. Furthermore, it never feels to me like a task I can assist with, if the parents have already looked in the name book under A-, I-, and U-.
If I were you, I think I would feel even more strongly about having another name from a book than about having a vowel name. Time is short, but I wonder if it would help to go to the children’s section of a library or book store and start speed-reading? Or even better, think back to characters from your own childhood books, or from the books your children love now. If I do this myself just for a minute or two, I get:
Alice
Almanzo
Anne
Anthea
Benjamin
Charles Wallace
Charlie
Christopher
Edmund
Eliza
Elizabeth
Fern
Genevieve
George
Henrietta
Jane
Jasper
Josephine
Laura
Lucy
Margaret
Marilla
Omri
Phoebe
Polly
(I read fewer books about boys, it appears.)
Author names would be good, too.
I do very much like the name Louisa, and for me it has an immediate literary tie-in to Louisa May Alcott. If you too loved Little Women as a girl, I think we are home free. I think Louisa Alba works just fine, and that Louisa is feminine enough with Esmé.
Mathilde doesn’t seem too heavy to me with Esmé, though I see what you mean. I suggest a nickname such as Tilly, Tildy, or Hildy to avoid Matty/Maddy, and also to lighten the name overall. The literary tie-in could be Matilda by Roald Dahl, if you’ve read it and liked it.
Odette comes down to which preference is more important to you: the preference for a vowel name, or the preference for unique initials.
Adelaide doesn’t seem too heavy to me either (I wonder if it’s the D-sound that feels heavy to you?), or too frilly. The overwhelming usage of Addy names does make me less drawn to it. Would you consider using Heidi? Esmé, Oliver, and Heidi. It’s not what I’d call a perfect style match, but it doesn’t feel like a clash, either, and I am considerably charmed by the story tie-in.
Anders is the miracle name: it has the happy combination of unique initial AND vowel, and you and your husband both love it, and you like it with your other kids’ names. I don’t think it NEEDS a nickname, if you want to remove that strike: I wouldn’t be at all tempted to call an Anders “Andy.” I see what you mean about “and Anders,” but that seems like a minor concern: either you would change the order of the names (“These are our children: Anders, Oliver, and Esmé”), or you would change the phrasing (“These are our children: this is Esmé, this is Oliver, and this is Anders”).
So Anders is my boy-name choice for you. For girls, I vote for Heidi, Louisa, or Matilda. I do also like Adelaide (Della/Lady) and Lucienne—and in fact, Adelaide would probably be my first choice (literary tie-in AND vowel AND unique initial) except that your husband isn’t enthusiastic. But perhaps he’ll come around and it will be the perfect solution: Anders (his choice) for a boy, Adelaide (your choice) for a girl. Adelaide Alba feels slightly less than ideal, but I think it’s fine: middle names tend to be special-occasion items.
Name update!
Dear Sweet Swistle and Helpful Commenters,
We had our baby last Wednesday – a boy! He weighed 8 lbs, 10 oz. Although he made us wait for his arrival, we’ve forgiven him because of his blessedly short labour.
We were still back and forth about names after he was born. My husband felt – even though it was his only choice for a boy’s name – that our little guy just didn’t look like an Anders (but what an Anders should look like, we don’t know!). He also confessed that he felt this baby also needed a nickname and that he would likely have resorted to calling him Andy much of the time (not cool!).
We considered many of the suggested boy names, but it seemed there was a reason we couldn’t use them (husband vetoed August, relative named Arthur, we know a Charlie, name sounded funny with last name, etc…). With his first choice no longer seeming right, my husband came around to Abel. Our daughter had been pushing for Abel for the last few days before we named him, so she is elated. My husband is glad he has a nickname in “Abe.” Since naming Abel, his older siblings have taken to calling him “Abe-y Baby,” which sounds adorable said in their sweet little voices and instantly made the name feel like the right choice. And, as it turns out, Abel is a family surname on my husband’s side. So while I came up with the name, it ended up pointing to his side twice.
Had we had a girl, we think we would have either named her Adelaide or Lucienne, nn Lucie (though perhaps not had she not “looked like” either name!). I really loved the idea of Alba for a first name, but neither my husband nor the honouree liked it in the first name spot at all. I’ll mourn that possibility a bit.
Although we ended up with a name that fulfilled our silly wish list, it was so freeing to have your expert opinion, Swistle, that vowel-names aren’t a “naming style” and that this baby didn’t need a literary story behind his name. Should we have a fourth, I think we’ll have a much easier time picking a name (and if we don’t, you can really pick any name you’d like, Swistle!).
Thanks so much for all your helpful comments and insight. I’ve become a bit of a baby name enthusiast since reading the archives…I can’t wait to hear what happens with the 2 remaining sisters who both want Sylvie!
Thanks again,
Michelle
I’m so glad Swistle suggested using Adelaide and calling her Heidi! It’s such a sweet story about the siblings. I think it’s a perfect name for this baby (if it’s a girl, of course). Anders is great too.
There are 78 comments, so forgive me if I’m repeating. Heidi seemed perfect to me – the story becomes a book everyone has loved. Heidi is recognizable, but uncommon, and stylistically, I love how the vowel sounds go together in the sib set.
However, if Heidi doesn’t work for you, maybe Clara would?
I’m sure it’s come up, but why not use Alba as the first name? I think it goes well with Esme, just slightly dusty and exotic but familiar enough. I also love Swistle’s suggestion of just Heidi. It might not start with a vowel, but it has vowels galore, points for your kids’ interest and I do think it fits stylistically. Anders also seems perfect. You won’t be able to control the nickname Andy if he prefers it later, but I think you’d be fine on the short-term avoiding it.
Good luck!! Can’t wait to hear the update.
That was my suggestion too, using Alba!
Love the suggestion of Alba for a girl!
Alba is a character from a book I love (albeit not a children’s book), The Time Traveler’s Wife. I think it would be a great first name!
I’ll chime in with another vote for Alba as the first name. Esme, Oliver, and Alba sounds great! (If you want to see a real Alba, check out the blog by photographer Nirrimi Firebrace, whose daughter is named Alba: www dot fireandjoy dot com.)
I also like Adelaide and Anders.
If you like nicknames, could you use Della or Delia for Adelaide? I know an Anders whose parents refer to him by his initials (AXL) sometimes.
I vote for Louisa. It’s my name and I pronounce it “Loo-we-zah”. With that pronunciation, it shares a slight Z sound with Esme.
Ines! There is a Barbara Kingsolver book, Aninal Dreams, with a character Inez. And a book called Inez of my soul by Isabel Allende. Not children’s books. But it wasn’t clear to me if you were looking for children’s books characters.
Your name quest reminds me of relatives who recently had a similar naming dilemma with their third baby. They too have a daughter named Esme, although they knew their new baby was a girl so they only had to find a name for one gender. Their two older children are D@shiell and Esme. Like you, the parents had chosen those names because of literary ties. Their list of possible names for this baby girl was VERY long and all over the place stylistically, but no name was sticking out for them. Their 4-year-old daughter wanted her baby sister to be called Lucy like a character in her favorite book. Although they had easily named their first two children and not told anyone else until the babies were born, they asked me for any suggestions I could give them. Because they were considering Lucy but unsure if it was the “right” name, I suggested they go with Esme’s suggestion but spell the name “Lucie” because both of their other kids’ names have a French connection and because that would add something “unusual” to this child’s name, just as their other kids’ names are unusual (although both are gradually becoming more known). Name research showed that Lucie preceded Lucy*, and I also found a couple of literary connections with the “Lucie”spelling, including little Lucie in Beatrix Potter’s “The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (1905)” **) And that’s who the baby is: “Lucie, the delight of her older siblings who sometimes call her “Lulu”.
I think Lucie would go well with your children’s names too — either Lucienne / “Lucie” or just Lucie, a given name in it’s own right that needs no longer form to be classic (similar to Mary).
Esmé, Oliver and Lucienne / Lucie
or
Esmé, Oliver and Lucie
Lovely either way!
That’s my suggestion for you if your baby is a girl.
*”Lucy is essentially the English equivalent of the French Lucie, both of which are ultimately derived from the Latin Lucia. …The French form, Lucie, was actually preserved by the herdsmen and peasants of France (as opposed to the more wealthy proprietors). …Lucy found its way to England in the Middle Ages.” ohbabynames dot com
**”Lucie Carr, a child friend of Potter’s, was the model for the fictional Lucie.” Wikipedia: The Tale of Mrs. Tiggly-Winkle. “
As for a boy’s name, I don’t see /hear a problem with “and Anders”. I have twin grandsons called James and Andrew, and their names have always sounded great together to me! They’re 12 now, and all their relatives and friends say, “James and Andrew” with nary a thought to the repeat in “and Andrew”.
Some other boy’s vowel name suggestions:
Alexander
Arthur
Ian
(All 3 have literary connections.)
But I agree with Swistle that it might be best to not limit your name search to another vowel name. I doubt that many others even notice that Esmé and Oliver both begin with a vowel. What strikes me about those names together is that they’ve both been very popular in Britain in the last few years and sound very stylish together.
PS In the popularity rankings for boy’s names in London Telegraph birth announcements during 2015, Arthur ranked #!. Arthur would be very compatible with Esmé and Oliver, meeting both your preferences for a literary connection* and a name starting with a vowel other than E or O, as well as having the British stylishness of Esmé and Oliver:
Esmé, Oliver and Arthur
* “Arthurian legend has been alive since the Middle Ages, and there have been thousands of books and poem about Arthur’s valor, including Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “Idlylls of the King”. From “Baby Names from Great Books”
Astrid for a girl; Abram for a boy. Literary connection- author or Pippi Longstockings and a nod to Bram Stoker, Dracula.
I think Irene meets your needs: feminine, short/not frilly, vowel, with a literary reference.
Esme, Oliver and Irene go very nicely!
Good luck!
My thoughts for a girl immediately went to Lucy, too. For a boy, I like Simon with your sibset; vowel beginning names might include Errol, or Adam?
Lucienne is my favorite!
What about Isolde for a girl? (From the story Tristan & Isolde).
Annika–from Pippi Longstocking! Annie would be such a cute nn
I do like Annika too!
Imogen? Imogen Alba. Esme, Oliver, and Imogen. Esy, Ollie, and Immy. Yeah. Fabulous.
I agree that Arthur is brilliant. Perfect even. Arthur Gordon… how manly!
Best wishes as you welcome your darling baby!
I love Swistle’s ultimate suggestion of Anders or Adelaide. They are perfect – especially Anders. I love it. I also really like Althea for a girl- we know one and it’s very sweet on her. Thea is a sometimes nickname. If you avoid the vowel thing, I love Charlie with your sib set for a boy. We have a Charlie and people are always so refreshingly pleased when they hear it, with all the made-up names these days. Can’t wait for your update!
Someone suggested Annika and I LOVE that. I also really like Mathilde/Matilda, and I think Eloise (as in At The Plaza) or Louisa would be great as well.
TBH, you’ve already used my absolute favorite literary name, though I doubt your kids are quite old enough to have read “For Esme, with Love and Squalor” yet! Best of luck :)
Ainsley Alba
Avaleen Alba
Adele Alba
Isla Rose * (*don’t like Alba with name)
Iva Rose*
Yvonne Alba
I like the suggestion of Lucie.
Asher Gordon
Anton Gordon
I like suggestion of Arthur.
How about Ezra or Eli for a boy name that starts with a vowel? Although I think Anders sounds just fine.
I want to also suggest Isla. However, moving Alba to the first name position seems perfect!
What about Abram for a boy?
I second the votes for Alba in first name position – which makes a good story – and Arthur for a boy but Anders and Abel are goid too. From your list, what about just Louise nn Lou or lulu? I love Matilda nn Tilly or Tilda. I like swistle’s idea of Heidi – unexpected but familiar.
I vote for Heidi, but a presume there’s a reason it’s not a finalist. Lucie is my second favorite!
Just adding my name to the chorus — Alba as the first name is perfect!
My second choice is Lucienne (love “Lucie”), followed by Heidi. I think the nickname “Addie” is a dealbreaker for Adelaide.
Good luck!
I love:
Esmé, Oliver, & Alba !!
Esmé, Oliver, & Astrid
Esmé, Oliver, & Adelaide (Ada)
Esmé, Oliver, & Lucie
Esmé, Oliver, & Iris
Esmé, Oliver, & Abel
Esmé, Oliver, & Arthur
Esmé, Oliver, & Julien
Esmé, Oliver, & Lucien
There are so many good names in these suggestions that I can’t pick a favorite, but I had to share that my youngest sister (of four kids) is named Heidi because my dad was reading it to me as a bedtime story during my mom’s pregnancy. We grew up familiar with several versions of the tale and she has by far the best naming story of any of us.
Hmmm… I’d vote for:
girl:
Esme, Oliver & Alba
Esme, Oliver & Iris
Esme, Oliver & India
Esme, Oliver & Amelie
Esme, Oliver & Alida
Esme, Oliver & Alette
boy:
Esme, Oliver & Ambrose
Esme, Oliver & Asher
Esme, Oliver & Ashby
Esme, Oliver & Amos
Esme, Oliver & Alistair
I also love the name India.
Me too! Another character name, too!–from Little Women and Gone With the Wind, I think
I noticed your husband vetoed Ines and Imogen already, which makes me despair he’d veto Iris which is too bad because it’s meaning and sound are delightful. If he’s lukewarm about Adelaide and you’re lukewarm about Odette, I wonder if there’s some German-French-Swiss middle ground such as: Odille, Ottilie, Geneva, Leonora. Those all have nickname possibilities.
For boys, you can’t go wrong because so many great boys names start with A. It’s too bad your husband is lukewarm about Abel and you’re not in love with Anders but both are lovely names for boys. There’s always August (I love how the nickname Gus always sounds so great as the third child’s name: Essie, Ollie and Gus. So cute!). I consider that name classic not popular, and August Gordon is lovely.
You might like Derby as a nickname for Anders.
The first name that came to mind was Sophie. I love the sound of it with both Esme and Oliver.
Esme, Oliver and Sophie. Sophie Alba! She is also a character from Roald Dahl’s BFG!
Lucie is a fantastic suggestions, as is Simon.
The story behind Heidi is so sweet that I want you to choose it just for that reason!
I’d also like to suggest Amelie, Anton, Elliot and Chloe.
Good luck!
Sophie is also Dahl’s daughter.
Granddaughter not daughter
Isobel!
Esme, Oliver and Isobel
Children’s book – Isobel’s Tree by Dawn Potter
Isobel, her mom, and their pint-sized terrier, Niko, find a beautiful flowering tree at an urban market. As they rush home to plant the tree together, Isobel’s mom tells her that nature, life, and growth are wondrous. Isobel learns that it’s everyone’s job to nurture and love the things that are part of our planet. As they watch the tree grow through the magnificent changing of the seasons, they realize how everything is dependent on something else and that something always stems from love.
Esmé, Oliver & ARLO
ITS PERFECT!
Arthur is a lovely name and sounds great with Esme and Oliver! There’s also a children’s book with a main character named Arthur, although the title escapes me.
I agree that Alba would be nice in the first name position, but I think I lean slightly more in favor of Lousia (Luisa?) or Lucie.
Good luck! So excited to hear what you choose.
I just arrived home from a long day out of town and was SO EXCITED to see Swistle’s response in favour of some of our contenders and with some new suggestions (and it is so freeing that you don’t feel this child necessarily needs a story or a vowel name, Swistle…especially the vowel name. That was really limiting our options in a frustrating way). And then we were excited all over again to see SO MANY lovely suggestions from commenters, too! Naming this baby now feels exciting instead of overwhelming. Thank you all for you input/suggestions! We feel more confident about some of the names on our list and we also have the bonus of awesome new suggestions, as well. (I think you’re probably the nicest bunch of people on the internet).
To answer some questions asked: we aren’t limited to children’s books, though that probably would be a preference (we got Esmé’s name from J.D. Salinger’s short story, which is definitely not kid lit, but we really loved young Esmé’s precocious character).
I LOVE the name Astrid. Really, really love it. And our kids love all the Pippi Longstocking stories. My husband likes the name, too, but feels The Office ruined it (with Jan’s daughter’s name being mispelled as ASTIRD and with Jan’s nicknaming her “Assy”). I didn’t even think to mention it as one of the names we had considered because my husband feels so strongly that it’s a great name that was sadly ruined by the show. I’m not sure I agree, but perhaps my love for the name/literary tie-in is working against my better judgment?
And Alba as a first name? It honestly hadn’t ever crossed our minds for some reason….now we’re wondering why not!
Thank you again! An hour ago it seemed there were no suitable names for this baby; now it feels as though we’re swimming in great options. I cannot properly express how incredibly appreciative we are for the help. Now we have some googling to do and and some kids books to read…
Michelle
I am delighted to read this!
I have a coworker with a daughter Astrid. Definitely not ruined. The reference has never come up once.
OMG Alba! It’s so lovely, meets every criteria, has a family connection (and a sweet story:the internet said “Alba”!) goes so well with your family. ALBA!!!
If not Alba, then maybe Lousia nick named Lucy?
Anders is great, I also love August, Alaric, Amos.
I love Alba, Heidi, and Mathilda. My dear large mother-in-law was Matilda, nn Teddy.
What about Eloise?
Alba Lucienne would be lovely!
So glad you’re considering Alba as a first name! Alba Lucienne is stunning <3
If Adelaide is too frilly, maybe Adelle? There's a little girl in Jane Eyre named Adele (with the accent mark instead of the extra L) but it could just be a short version of the Adelaide in Heidi.
Yseult is the French spelling of Isolde and would be pretty with Esme- still the love story with Tristan.
Love Abel, Anders or Arthur with Gordon, but August is great with the sibset! Wonder if it'd be ok to choose from a title instead of a character (Light in August) or a movie title (August Rush)?
Ian is the name of two great characters in the Outlander series- Ian Gordon is a handsome choice too!
Good luck! Can't wait to see what you chose!
Felix, Milo, Xander or Sebastien are some other ideas for a boy! :-)
I love Anders…. If you are looking for a literary connection there is always Hans Christian Anderson. I also like the suggestion of Arlo, or Anton.
And for a girl I have to suggest one of my favorite characters: Anne (of Green Gables). It’s not a name you ever see anymore but it’s classic and beautiful.
Esme, Oliver, and Anne. Hope the baby arrives soon!
I know you’ve ruled it out– but I want to put in a good word for the spelling Adelheid. I read Heidi over and over again as a child (and dreamed of someday seeing the Alps “on fire,” determined I would never hit a goat, and was maybe a little bit tempted to hide white rolls in my closet) and always had a tiny little wish that Adelheid could be my name or the name of someone I knew. I think it would be a charming name story either way but I love the German spelling!
I know an Anders and I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone call him Andy, so I wouldn’t worry about that. It’s a short enough name that it doesn’t really need a nickname at all.
I love all of your girl name choices! Some “feminine but not frilly” names that come to mind for me are:
-Adele (might be a bit trendy and there’s an obvious pop culture connotation, but it’s similar to Adelaide and goes beautifully with Esme)
-Iris
-Irene
-Estelle (which I just realized is probably too similar to Esme, but I LOVE IT)
-Lucille
-Maren
-Elise
-Isla
-Eva
I was so pleased to come across your response in the comments, bc I can’t support Alba enough. My cousin just named her sweet baby girl Alba Charlotte, and she couldn’t get receive compliments on the choice. It is sophisticated and unique and a gorgeous addition w Esme and Oliver. And it’s a family name! Built in “story”.
I also think Anders is a handsome choice. For what it’s worth, I had to re-read your comment abt “and Anders” being a joke twice, and still didn’t understand what you meant until another commenter compared it to the name Andrew.
A few other suggestions (even though I think you guys have some great choices already)
Celia
Lena
Annabel
Isaac
Ames / Ambrose
Jude
Julien
Hugo
Viggo
(the long vowel sounds of these names fit in so nicely w Esme and Oliver)
My second daughter is Ann. I worried a lot about whether it would sound like I was saying “an’ Ann” before she was born, and pretty much never again afterwards.
I love when original poster posts in the comments!
Random name that also came that fits none of the requirements is Vera.
Esme and Vera I think just works awesome.
And boy I’m liking Amos.
Esme, Oliver and Amos.
How about Matiel? I think it is a French version of Mathilda. I know one young lady with this name.
I love the suggestion of Iris for a girl and Arlo for a boy! Iris Alba or Arlo Gordon…lovely!
I also wondered why not use Alba as a first name. I think it sounds great with Esme and Oliver, so I am glad you are thinking about it.
A few I haven’t seen in my quick scan of the comments:
Boy:
Archer Gordon
Atticus Gordon
Silas Gordon
Sawyer Gordon
Girl:
Alba Juliet
Alba Anais
Beatrix Alba
Stella (but not with Alba)
I was going to list all the suggestions from Swistle and readers I like but there were too many.
So, I’ll just say I think you can avoid the nickname Andy and that the “and Anders” problem isn’t a problem. I had to read the comments before I even figured out the sticking point. In fact I think it works well enough I’m not even going to make more boy suggestions.
For girls, I think Adelaide/Adelheid, nickname Heidi works well for you. I also like Lucienne, nickname Lucie. Have you considered Alice? There’s a good literary name. I also like Rosemary, not for any literary reason, but just because it sounds good with the siblings. Also, Josephine or Chloe.
Ida always reminds me of the Little House series. Ida Alba is slightly awkward but how often to we honestly say the full name aloud?
Esme, Oliver and Ida.
And speaking of the Little House books – what about Wilder for a boy? I know it doesn’t jive with the all vowel theme but I think it would fit in great with Esme and Oliver.
Esme, Oliver and Wilder.
Ida is great. Or Ivy.
Oh, and I forgot Alba as the first name, yes, great idea.
Yes, Alba as a first! Alba Louise sounds much better than Louisa Alba. Or Alba Odette. Alba Lucille. Alba Lenore.
I don’t think it’s too late to use Odette. I doubt it will ever be in the top 50. But you could instead use Ondine! *heart eyes* Or Lisette or Colette. Or Bridgette. Or Miette. Or Mielle!
Instead of Astrid, how about Ingrid? Or Sigrid?
And there’s Adeline, as a softer alternative to Adelaide?
Are you opposed to Abraham? I know two little ones, and I just love it!! Or is Gabe close enough to Abe?
If it helps your DH to picture a boy named Abel, I have an almost 6-year old Abel. He is a hard-working, athletic farmboy, who spends his days whacking brush, chopping firewood, building with scrap lumber, climbing trees, and moving rocks in the creek. Abel has a soft heart for animals, and does many of the (goat) milkings. His puppy sleeps IN his pillow, and he carries up to 4 kittens around with him, sometimes in his bike basket, but Abel also has a fiery redhead’s temper. It’s a great name!
I love the suggestion of Arlo as well. Oscar. Ivan. Iago. Isaac. Osmund. Desmond. Edmund. Edmond. Edouard.
Alba as the first name was my initial thought. It seems to be everything you want, and I adore it in the sibset! Best of luck. :)
It’s not a unique vowel, but what about Odessa instead of Odette? Loving so many of the other names suggested too.
How funny! Adelaide was the first name that came into my mind, just from Esmé & Oliver, before I even got to the part of your letter where you mentioned it–uncanny. You have a great story with Adelaide (the Heidi connection) and tbh I might be tempted to just stop right there. If your husband is “willing to consider it”, he sounds willing to accept it.
BUT: I also thought of another name, which no one else has mentioned but fits the Continental/European feeling of your others kids’ names, while also being extremely unusual in the US (it’s fashionable in Germany and France): Leonie. It can be pronounced LEE-oh-nee or LAY-oh-nee, and spelled with an accent, Léonie. It’s lovely, and so nice, I think, with Esmé as a sister name. But it also goes with Oliver.
For a boy– what about Abram instead of Abel?
Eclare, thanks for the mental image of your boy Abel! He sounds like a dreamy boy – rough-and-tumble with a tender heart!
I feel encouraged that a few people know an Astrid in the flesh and that The Office doesn’t seem to have had as big an influence on people’s reactions to the name as my husband fears. I’ll see if he’ll allow that one back on the list…
I can’t believe we’re fortunate enough to have even more great suggestions today! Where have all these great names been hiding, I wonder?! (Perhaps it takes a word of encouragement from unbiased baby name hobbyists to make ceratin names jump out at you?). We’ve added the new suggested names to our existing list and we’ll be going through them tonight with Esmé and Oliver to see which ones all four of us love equally.
I wish I could reply to each and every one of your kind responses (and maybe kiss each of you, too? But that might just be pregnancy hormones…)
Thanks again!
Michelle
What a special and exciting way to choose your new baby’s name with you daughter and son giving their input too. I’m wondering how old they are. I was 11 when I suggested my sister’s name Rebecca. (I had recently read a book about Pocahontas who chose Rebecca as her Christian name.) Kids often have good naming ideas! Definitely your third child will have a special naming story too.
Patricia, that’s so nice that your parents let you choose your sister’s name. We’re hoping getting Esmé & Oliver’s input will give them some “pride of ownership” about this newest addition; they’re 7 and 3 (and an all-important-three-quarters). And thank you for your suggestion of Lucie from Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. We’ve reserved the book at the library and plan to pick it up today; we’re excited to read it!
Michelle
I had our Esme’s age incorrect: last summer when she suggested Lucy, Esme was 4.5 years old, so not quite as young as I thought. Her brother is almost exactly two years older than she is; he had less interest in what the baby would be called. But as I said above, they both are delighted with baby Lucie who was born in late July. I hope you all enjoy “Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle”, one of Beatrix Potter’s most beloved books. I sent a copy to Baby Lucie when she was born.
PS “Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle” is a totally different sort of book than “Heidi” — much shorter, far less drama. But it’s a sweet story, and Lucie is based on a real little girl who lived in England in the very first part of the 20th century. Like your children, I always adored the book “Heidi” too (still do!). I loved the name for a young girl, but I was concerned that Heidi wouldn’t suit a grown woman all that well and I couldn’t see an American woman answering to Adelheid. So Heidi was never in strong consideration for any of my daughters, but I still love the name for those who think it would work for their daughter.
I also like Alba for the first name slot if the baby is a girl.
I love Abel for a boy!
Absolutely love Alba as a first name, and Anders is a great name!
I didn’t read all the comments but I am firmly on team Abel. One of my very favorite boy names and it sounds smashing with his siblings’ names. As for a girl–I want you to pick Iris. It is so pretty, the same length as Esme, not overused, and just seems to fit. Good luck!!!
From your girls list I like Adelheid nn Heidi and Adelaide.
I’m not sure if Lucienne fits with the other names, but for a literary tie in, Lucy is one of the main characters in the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Odette is the main character in Swan Lake.
From your boys list I love Abel the most. Rather than the bible story, I think of the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman.
I’m not a huge fan of Abel Gordon (sounds like Flash Gordon’s not-so-flash-but-still-quite-able brother), but middle names are not often used so I don’t think it would be a deal breaker. I just wanted to point it out in case your surname was word-like, it may be something to think about.
From the comments I like Arthur and Ingrid.
Good luck.
Just chiming in that I know a 30-something aged man named Anders (and have known him since we were teenagers) and he has never once been called Andy.
OK… I will admit I did not read any of the comments above, there are 74!! I hope you find something you like!
OK… So Esme is on my, if we have another girl this is what we are calling her – list. Louis (pronounced Lou-ie) is #1 or 2 on my, if we have another boy this what we are calling him – list. PLUS… we have an Oliver. I also have two girls named Juliet and Rose.
So, Juliet, Oliver, Rose and Esme all look pretty good to me, if I were to have another girl. SOOO…
Does Juliet or Rose interest you at all? I obviously don’t need to tell you any literary sources for either as they are quite well known. We absolutely love both the girls names. We always receive compliments on them. They are classic names that are not overly common. Rose is used often for a middle name but not for a first name. Plus Rosie is super cute on a little one. Juliet, you have the nn Jules or Ette or Etta. We sometimes call her Julietta.
Just a thought, if you husband likes Abel but you aren’t totally sold, what about Emil (eh-meel)?? I lLOVE this name. Very similar to Abel but seems more masculine to me. That being said, Abe is super cute. What about Abram? Abe or Bram.
I do like the name Anders, but I don’t like the flow of Oliver, Anders when said out loud. Plus it doesn’t have the same feel as Esme and Oliver.
Other names on my short list:
Thea
Stella
Emilia (I know it’s common, but it is just very feminine)
Lucienne or Lucia
Vienne or Vienna
Emmeline (emm-eh-leen)
Charles
Louis (lou-ee)
Theodore – I’m not too keen on Theo though
Wells – LOVE THIS
Maxwell
Walter
Good luck and keep us posted!!!
Ok… so I totally forgot a couple other of my favourites but that don’t work for us, but could work for you….
1. Have you considered using Alba for a first name? Esme, Oliver, and Alba. That’s pretty sweet.
What about Vera? Esme, Oliver, and Vera?
Or Esme, Oliver, and Ada?
Anders! Alba! Fantastic! Or if you need the literary connection: Willa.
Thank you for the continued feedback! I’m still pregnant (SO VERY PREGNANT!) and we still haven’t landed on just one name for each gender, so we really appreciate the comments. But, thanks to all your kind help, we now have options we feel good about, which is so reassuring. We have an incredibly nerdy chart plotting everyone’s votes; we can’t believe how popular a selection Alba is for the first name! A couple things are holding us back from using Alba as the first name: 1. The honoree was pleased with our idea of using Alba for a middle name, but she was a bit awkward when we mentioned the possibility of using it for a first (She didn’t say we couldn’t or shouldn’t, but she seemed less enthusiastic to be honoured quite so much), and 2. We can’t think of any nicknames (my husband likes nicknames. The fact that the name Esmé doesn’t have a natural nickname almost disuaded him from using it for our first). Al? Ba? Albie? Swistle, if you’re reading and have a moment: What’s your take on Alba for a first name? Or Astrid? It seems only fair I should ask you for your input on these newly suggested names since I did give you carte blanche to name our baby. ; )
Thanks again!
Michelle
It was good to see another post from you, although I’m sorry that you’re still waiting for baby to make an appearance. I’m sure I’m not the only commentator who has been wondering if your baby has been born and if so, boy or girl?, and What The Name Is!
I hope you don’t mind if I weigh in on Alba and Astrid. I like Alba best as a middle name, as it appears your honoree does. But would it work as a middle name with Astrid? Astrid Alba? Astrid has some cute diminutives in Scandinavia: Asta, Sassa (Swedish), Asta (Norwegian), Asta (Danish). Astrid is currently popular in Scandinavia, with 2014 rankings of #23 in Sweden and #52 in Norway, while in Denmark Astrid was #153.
Because of the more compatible style of Lucienne with Esmé and Oliver and the flow of the full name with Alba as the middle name and with a nickname that coordinates with Esy and Ollie, I continue to think your idea of Lucienne Alba “Lucie” is one of your best options.
I hope your baby comes soon! Best wishes!
According to “The Great Big Book of Baby Names” by Cleveland Kent Evans, PhD, (former) President, American Name Society, Alba is a form of Albina:
Albina; Latin albus, “white”. Variations Alba, Albinia, Albine.
Appellation mountain dot com did a profile of the name Alba in 2012. This statement stood out for me, as I’ve been thinking that Alba was probably more in use in the early 1900s: “It’s also worth noting that Alba was in sparing use from the late nineteenth century into the 1920s. It was an age of many similar names: Elva, Alta, Thelma, Alma, Hilda, Velma – names with a certain amount of crunch and resistance, different from the mellifluous, vowel-heavy names of 2012 – Ella, Leah, Layla, Mia. [Different too from the softer, more feminine sound of Esmé.]
I’d tell honoree Alba that you picked Alba as a first bc you loved her and the name in equal parts- then if she feels the need to deflect the attention she can say “well they loved the name too.” I think Alba is a better fit with Esme than Lucienne although both are lovely.
Nicknames evolve naturally: Allie would be an obvious choice, or her initials. esy, Ollie and Allie. So cute.
Oh… just came across this one today: Antonia. In 1918, American writer Willa Cather published My Ántonia. It’s considered a masterpiece. Depending on what direction of nicknames you want to go with, you could certainly pull a lot out – more unisex ones like Toni or Andy, you could also get Ann or Anny/Annie or Tia.
I didn’t read ALL the comments but….my 16-year old daughter is named Irene. I love it as a trio with your other two and its a vowel. Irene Alba is beautiful. And the chances of there being another Irene in your child’s school class is pretty darn slim!
I’m so sorry if this has been suggested, but I skimmed all the comments. What about Avonlea, from Anne of Avonlea? Literary tie-in and an unused initial! Esme, Oliver and Avonlea sound great together!
Or, Avalon? Same as above. Esme, Oliver and Avalon.
I love seeing Alba on your list. It makes me laugh, because my husband’s great-grandpa was named Alba. Yes, a man. When I told a family member Alba was a girl’s name, apparently I offended them…..
Hope Baby is here, but in case not I had a few other thoughts.
Atlas for a son!
Or Iris, Ione, Iona, or Illene (ihl-LAY-nee) for a girl.
I have to join everyone else here and say I think Alba is perfect as a first name for you! Such a lovely meaningful name, and it goes so well with you other children’s names. Alba Odette or Alba Lucienne. For a boy’s name my vote would be Abel. I love how it looks and sounds with Esmé and Oliver. I dont think it’s a weak name at all. It doesn’t sound like it’s much of an option though if your husband isn’t on board. So sad.
Sorry I haven’t read all the comments either!
For Odette, if the only thing you’re stuck on is a story then it is the name of the princess in Swan Lake. (The main reason I love this name!) She is beautiful but she is also gentle, humble and brave, all qualities I’m sure you’d love your little one to have!
Also what about Yvette? Or Ivette? Both vowel (sort of) names, somewhere between Odette and Ivy?
I also love Atticus for a boy (my husband would never say yes!). He is a man to aspire to be like indeed! Or Atlas? (One of our top contenders!) Atlas was a Greek god who carried the heavens on his shoulders.
Hope you pop soon! Sure whatever name you choose will be perfect!
Ohh that is lovely to hear about Abel Louie! Such a handsome name, I really admire it! So happy to find you went with the one I loved best:)
Congratulations on the birth of your well- named baby boy Abel (Abel Gordon?). Sweet photo of your three children…
Oops! Forgot to include his middle name! Yes, Abel Gordon!
Thank you!
Abel Gordon is a very handsome name!
And even though you could have gone another route and that would have been fine, it’s really nice that you ended up with a name beginning with a vowel other than E or O.
Esmé, Oliver and Abel — very compatible sibling names that could easily be from a book. And they will be — your family’s story!
Best wishes!
Abe-y Baby???!! I can’t even handle it. Abel might end up back on the list for our fall baby just so I can convince my 2 year old to calm him that.
Congrats!
My bad, Louie is your first son’s middle:) Abel Gordon is just as handsome!