Hi Swistle.
I’m Ellen and my husband is Allan and we know we sound absurd together. I’m going to withhold our last name for reasons that will become clear but it’s similar to Gray. We have a four year old daughter, Francesca Alessandra, who goes by Frankie. and a two year old daughter, Phillipa Eleanora, who goes by Pip. we love their names–long and lacy, and also short and sweet. I gave birth to our third daughter yesterday. We had settled on a name early in the pregnany–Josephina Octavia. Jojo for short. So….I call my parents and deliver the news, and this, Swistle, is how I learned that in the 80s my father had a years long affair with a woman named, of course, Josephine. So obviously we can’t use the name now! I dont particularly care about my father’s feelings–I’m going to need some therapy to process this whole thing–but I am not going to do that to my mom. As if giving birth in a pandemic wasnt bad enough!
can you and your commenting team maybe come up with some names for us? I cant even remember whwat was on our shortlist early in the pregnancy before we committed to a name but I think it included–
Henrietta
Gabriella
Marietta
Tabitha
Juliettawe would be so very grateful for any help.
Thank you!
Ellen, Allan, Frankie, Pip, and “The Baby”
Name update:
Swistle! thanks so much to all of your wonderful commentators! we chose a name from one of the suggestions–as soon as i saw it i fell in love. Introducing Lucinda Octavia “Gray” aka Lulu and we are thrilled. thank you so much for helping to restore family harmony (i mean its still gonna take some therapy, but it’s a start!)
love,
Ellen, Allan, Frankie, Pip, and Lulu!
I love Genevieve and Lorelei as my long and lacy names.
Please let us know what you decide.
Congratulations all around!
The nickname Rory would be super cute with the other girls’ nicknames, as well!!
My daughter’s “girly” name is Juliet and we call her Jet.
This is exactly what I came here to say–of those names, OP, Julietta nicknamed Jet matches beautifully with your older daughters’ names!
I am so sorry for this stress! I love your daughters name and hope this quick pivot helps you find something perfect that makes you happy for the switch. Some ideas:
Beatrice with nickname Bea, Betty, Birdie! (this is my daughter’s name, and I think it perfect fits your long-lacy + short and spicy nick name)
Jeanette!
Wilhamina!
How about Johanna so you can keep the Jojo nickname? Although with Octavia in the middle any J name would work… or
Johanna
Julianna
Cordelia (Coco!)
Lavinia
Thomasina
Octavia (up front instead?)
Georgianna?
I second this! I meant to add it to my other comment and forgot. Such a gorgeous name and sounds great with your last name too.
I’m so sorry this has happened to you. I hope you connect with a name just as much as yout originally planned name.
Francesca, Phillipa, and Isadora
Frankie, Pip, and Izzy
Francesca, Phillipa, and Cordelia
Frankie, Pip, and Cora or Cory
Francesca, Phillipa, and Louisa
Frankie, Pip, and Lou
Francesca, Phillipa, and Margaret
Frankie, Pip, and Maggie
Francesca, Phillipa, and Harriet
Frankie, Pip, and Hattie
Francesca, Phillipa, and Beatrice
Frankie, Pip, and Birdie
Francesca, Phillipa, and Matilda
Frankie, Pip, and Tildie
I love Marietta in your sibling set. Mari/Mary goes great with the other nicknames as well. But, really, I think all of your initial ideas are lovely. I particularly love Henrietta too.
What about pulling Octavia from the middle name spot? Francesca, Phillipa and Octavia. Frankie, Pip and Tavi.
Other ideas: Natalia, Seraphina, Valentina
Charlotta! Charlie or Lottie
Anastasia: Stasi
Gwendolyn: Gwen
Miraballe: Mir (means world and also peace in Russian)
Rosalynne: Rose
Margretta: Greta, Etta
Lucinda: Lulu, Lucy
+1 for Gwendolyn. You could also call her Wynn for short. And i love how it sounds with Octavia.
(Also- I have a Lucinda nn Lulu!)
I love the nickname Wendy for Gwendolyn- unexpected but still known
Congrats on having the winning suggestion! X)
Good luck with the abrupt switch. Here are a few ideas:
Augusta, nn Gus
Leonora, nn Leo
Theodora, nn Theo or Thea
Evangeline or Evangelina, nn Eve/Evie
Louisa/Lucinda/Luciana, nn Lou
Also, I noticed that several names on your shortlist end in “Etta,” which is one of my daughter’s nicknames. It works with Henrietta, Marietta, and Julietta and has a great namesake in the singer Etta James.
Oooh, seconding Frankie, Pip, and Theo! The nicknames all sound like they’re at the same place on the gender spectrum (which–YAY for ANY gender spectrum, it’s just that matching them sounds like the best way to avoid making the kids feel like you had specific personalities picked out for any of them), and the nickname rhythm of 2 syllables – 1 syllable – 2 syllables, with the last nickname not ending in -ie, sounds just smashing.
Frankie, Pip, and Theo
Francesca, Phillipa, and Theodora
And BONUS there are so many more nicknames to choose from when she’s older and wants to redefine herself! Teddy! Thora! Dora! I always wanted to be Thora Birch when I was growing up. I think someone else said that recently.
It sounds stunning paired with the next name on Megan’s list, too. Theodora Evangeline. Oh my gosh. I feel faint.
Francesca Alessandra,
Phillipa Eleanora,
& Theodora Evangeline
Or if you wanted all of the middle names to be four-syllables-ending-in-a (which–OMG I just noticed that!), it also sounds great with some of the other suggestions here (and one or two that I think are new):
Theodora Julietta
Theodora Caterina
Theodora Octavia
Theodora Wilhelmina
Theodora Luciana
Theodora Marietta
Theodora Mariella
Theodora Marianna
Theodora Gloriana
Theodora Anastasia
Theodora Valentina
Theodora Seraphina
Theodora Margareta
Theodora Viviana
Ok, so all of those are SO GREAT. I am incredibly jealous.
I did ALSO just notice that you had a three-syllable pattern going for the first names (except for Josephina), so…on my next work break I might tackle that one, ha! This was super fun. Sending empathy and hugs and so many congratulations!
I love the nickname Teddy for Theodora!
Could also consider Theodosia!
Oh wow, how stressful! Love your other daughters names :)
What about…
Louisa (Frankie, Pip, and Lou)
Cecelia (Frankie, Pip, and Cece)
Some long name that gives you Tess (Celeste)? (Frankie, Pip, and Tess/Tessa)
Eleanor/Eleanora (Frankie, Pip, Ellie)
Matilda (Frankie, Pip, and Tilly)
Gwendolyn (Frankie, Pip, and Winnie)
Good luck!
What about Isolde? Izzie?
Frankie, Pip and Izzie
Louisa (Lou) was on my shortlist for our 2nd! He was a boy and we didn’t like Louis/Lewis as much, although now it’s grown on me and I kind of wish we’d used it.
I know Augusta has been mentioned, but I also love Augustine and Augistina nn Augie or Gus.
Some other options:
Valentina nn Val
Georgiana nn Georgie
Evangelina nn Evie
Going with your double -a ending and assuming we keep Octavia as the middle name, some suggestions!
Lilliana Octavia, called Lily
Georgiana Octavia, called Georgie
Michaelina Octavia, called Mickie
Juliana Octavia, called Julie or Juju
Susanna Octavia, called Suzie or Zuzu
Marianna Octavia, called Mari
Adriana Octavia, called Addie
Gloriana Octavia, called Glory
Gisella Octavia, called Gigi
Angelica Octavia, called Juju
Catalina Octavia, called Kitty or Cat
Catarina Octavia, called Kitty or Cat
Dorthea Ocatvia, called Dot
Isadora Octavia, called Izzie
Maricela Octavia, called Marcy
Good luck!
I have a Cecilia (Ceci) and I think it goes well with your girls names.
Also:
Lucinda (Lucy)
Theodora (Thea)
Wilhelmina (Willa or Mina)
Rosalie (Rosie)
Viviana (Vivi)
Susannah (Sunny)
Matilda (Tilly)
Beatrix (Bea)
I also have a Cecilia with the nickname Ceci! Was going to suggest that too!
Cosette (Cosy)
Colette (Cole, Etta)
Delaney (Deli)
Georgette/Georgia (Jojo, Georgie)
Ramona (Romy)
Calista (Cali)
Adelaide (Lady)
Anastasia (Tasia)
Charlotte (Charlie)
Coraline (Cory)
Eleanora (Nori)
Helena (Lennie)
Imogene (Moe)
Jacqueline (Jax)
Julianna (JuJu, Jules)
Juliette (Jet, JuJu)
Luciana (Lulu)
Penelope (Lola, Nell)
Rosemary (Romy)
Seraphina (Fifi)
Valentina (Val)
Victoria (Vic, Tori)
Vivienne (Vinnie)
Winona (Nona, Winnie)
Tabitha is one of my favorite names, the nickname Tabby is to die for, it means ‘gazelle’ which I find pleasing. So ordered so it shall be, Tabitha!
I love this one too.
I love the suggestion of Beatrice “Birdie”
Winifred “Winnie”
Dorothy “Dottie” or “Dot”
Rosemary “Rosie”
Helena “Nellie” or “Nell”
Augusta “Auggie”
Evangeline “Eva”
Good luck, I hope you find something that you love.
Elowyn would be another adorable way to get Winnie.
Margaret/Margareta/Margherita could give you plenty of adorable nicknames like Maisie, Greta, Daisy, Maggie
I’ve always loved Camilla with a nickname of Millie or you could do Cam or Cams.
Katherine or Kathryn has so many fun, underused nicknames too, like Kit or Kitty.
I wish I had more time to type since this is probably the most fun type of name in the history of ever. Good luck!!
Oh I love the names that people are suggesting, and this is a fabulous set of critera (and a crummy reason to have to change)
My ideas:
Gwendolyn – Winnie
Margot – Gogo
Fiona – Fifi
Marguerite
Emmeline
Millicent – MILLIE!
Corinne – a former classmate was called “Rin” short for Corinne, but I don’t know how that would be spelled.
Vivienne
Florence! Flo!
I know a Millicent who goes by Mills, that’s less femme if you are hoping for a more gender neutral option to match her sisters.
I’m so sorry for the stressful situation!
Your older daughters’ names are gorgeous.
The names you listed are lovely and would definitely work. Here are some more ideas:
Julietta/Jet
Juliana/Jules
Viviana or Genevieve / Viv or Vivi
Arabella / Ari
Anastasia/Stace
Camellia/Cam or Cami
Corinna or Cordelia / Cor, Cori, Coco
Luciana/ Lu
Katerina/Kat, Ri, Riri
Seraphina/Ser, Phi, Phin
Paloma/Lo
Miranda or Mirabella/Mir
Nicoletta/Nic
Callista/Cal, Callie
Sabrina/Bri
Cassandra/Cass
Adelina/Addie
Valencia/Val
Felicity/Fliss, Liss
I’m so sorry to hear this !
Francesca Alessandra, Philippa Eleanora, and….
Wilhelmina Octavia
Cressida Octavia
Augusta Octavia
Helena Octavia
Valentina Octavia
Anastasia Octavia
Bianca Octavia
Honora Octavia
Seraphina Octavia
Cecelia Octavia
Cordelia Octavia
Elizabetta Octavia
Congratulations on the new baby!
From your list I really like Julietta with the nickname Jules. This keeps her initials the same as you planned on. However, given that you “rejected” the name in the past maybe entirely different options are required.
With Francesca and Phillipa (Frankie and Pip), I like:
Georgina Isadora (GiGi)
Cordelia Octavia (Coco) or Colette Octavia (Coco)
Octavia Gabriella (Ava)
Theodora Octavia (Thea)
Congratulations on the new baby.
What about Cecilia Octavia nn Coco
Or Cecilia Isabelle nn Cici
Good luck, you have a lot of great suggestions here to choose from.
From your list I love Julietta with nn Jules and Henrietta witj nn Hattie.
Other names:
Julianna nn Jules
Katerina nn Kat
Georgina/Georgiana nn Gigi or Georgie
Sorry you have to pivot!
But there are so many great names that would fit your set.
Genevieve, Valentina, Christiana, Mariana, Imogen, Hermione, Cecilia, Raphaela, Serena, Violetta, Victoria, Clarissa…
Is there a reason you can’t stick with Octavia?
Cordelia and Georgina/Georgiana are great as well.
Paulina, Julianna, Jacquetta, Antonia, Arabella, Araminta, any of the Ros- names.
What about Madalena/Maddalena on mad-uh-lay-na)? I love it as a somewhat more lacy and regal-sounding version of Madeleine. So many great nicknames—Maddie, of course, plus Mattie, Lena (pn LEE-na or LAY-na), even Dale if that suits your style. If you keep middle name Octavia (which of course I would be in favor of because… Madalena Octavia??? amazing!), you could even call her Mo/Moe!
Francesca, Phillippa, and Madalena; Frankie, Pip, and Mo.
Marietta! This is on my list (or Mary Etta from Mary Elisabeth-trying to get my husband on board somehow)) and I just can’t believe I don’t see it more! It’s beautiful. As is Henrietta!!! I love it! Nicknames: Hattie, Hattie or Etta. Or even little Henny is so cute. I love both with your last name, and the sisters’ names. Best of luck. And Congratulations on your 3rd daughter. I am one of 3 girls and it is so special.
I’m sorry that this happened to you. Thanks again, 2020:/ if it makes you feel any better, I think some of your other choices are even better suited to the sister set and your last name, and will be even more fresh to people’s ears, if that is meaningful to you. I know a ton of little Josephines/Josies/Jojos where I live.
I love so many of the names that have been suggested, but one that I haven’t seen yet is Graciela, or Gracie for short!
What a terrible bit of news! I’m so sorry. I second Georgina and Lorelei. I also suggest: Rosalie (Ro), Magdalena (Lena), Isabella (Izzy/ Bel), Odette (Etta) and Johanna, as mentioned.
Best of luck during this unique situation!
Theodosia / Tess
Livinia / Liv
Colette / Coco
Cosima (Cosi)
Cecily (Cece)
Elizabeth (Bette)
Clementine (Clem)
Juliet (Jojo)
Naomi Octavia (Noni or Nim)
Miriam (Mim)
Seraphina (Sally)
Persephone (Percy)
Take the maximum time available to decide. Best wishes.
Oh dear. I like Julietta (Juju). Be sure to give an update!
I like Maddelena Octavia nn Maddie or Lena. Good luck! It’s always something!
Oh this is so, so much for you to process, I’m so sorry.
With that said I love your gals’ names!. I like Henrietta, and Hattie as a nickname
Georgina, with Gigi as a nickname or Georgie
I saw others recommend Julietta/Juliette, with nickname Jet which I LOVE
Ruth Octavia, with nickname Ro
Dorothy, with nickname Dot (I’m on a mission to bring back Dorothy. it’s time.)
Ophelia, nicknames Opie.
Gloria nicknamed Glo.
Valentina nicknamed Vale or Lenny
Dorothea, Dot, Dottie, Dori, Dora, Thea
Rafaela/Raphaela—Raffie, Fae
Aurelia – Rey
From your list, I love Henrietta best with your girls’ names. For nicknames I like Hattie and Rhett. I particularly like Rhett with Pip and Frankie – grew up with a female Rhett and so despite Gone with the Wind, I quite like it for girls.
Some more options:
Annabel(la) – Anna, Annie, Belle/Bella
Aurora – Rory
Caroline – Caro, Caddy, Carrie, Liney, Ro
Celine/Celina – Cece
Coretta – Corey, Etta, Rhett
Cornelia – Connie, Corey, Nell/Nellie
Delilah – Lilah, Dell, Dee
Delphine – Dell, Fifi
Eloisa – Elle/Ellie, Lola/Lolo
Evelyn – Evie/Eve
Guinevere – Gwen, Vera, Nev
Magnolia – Maggie, Nola
Marina – Mimi, Mo (if Octavia is middle name)
Michaela – Mickey, Mika, Kayla
Ophelia – Opie, Opal, Fifi, Lia
Rosalind/Rosamund – Rose/Rosie, Rue
Sylvia/Sylviana – Sylvie, Vivi
Tallulah – Lulu, Lula, Tal
Tatiana – Tati, Tia
Valencia – Val, CiCi
Veronica – Vera, Ronnie, Nicky, Vivi
Best of luck, and I’m so sorry this happened to you. Your daughters have beautiful names, and I love that they have unisex nicknames too! It’s the best of both worlds. Can’t wait to hear what you pick!
I thought of a few more…
Nicolette (Nico, Coco)
Antonina (Nina, Toni)
Gianina (Gigi)
I Immediately Thought of Lavinia — nickname of Vin. Would suit both the lacy, long first with a short, snappy and more gender neutral nickname!
Good luck, you have lots of great options!
I read a book once where the little girl’s name was Cordelia but Cordy for short. I love that name so much I thought I would share.
The circumstances suck all around for you and I feel for your family. I hope you are able to find a name you love.
Someone above mentioned Augusta, and I LOVE it. Gus!!
Henrietta Penelope, so you can call her Henn, Rett/Rhett, Ree, or the ultimate nickname: Henny-Penny
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry about this! I hope we can find you a name that you love just as much.
Theodosia nn Teddy, Thea, Theo
Genoveva nn Nova, Gen/Gennie, Vivi
Talitha
Evangelina nn Eve, Evie
Elodia
Seraphina
Adelina/Adelia
Cressida
Carlotta
Ilaria
Priscilla
Katerina
Liliosa
Antonella
Corinthia nn Cora
First of all, I’m sorry for this terrible situation! I hope it doesn’t take away any of the joy of adding a new baby to the family!
So I noticed a lot of F/Ph sounds on your name choices and that made me think of Ophelia. Maybe with the nickname Ollie?
Or Raffaella, nn Rafe or Ray. Or Winnifred, nn Winnie (Freddie sounds too close to Frankie).
What about Aurelia? With the nickname possibilities of Ari, Rae, or even Lee? Susanna and Beatrice also sound like good options for you, as do Luisa and Lucia. Sending good wishes your way!
Lou!!!!
Louisa Octavia
Lucinda Octavia
Lucia Octavia
Georgina or Georgiana – Gigi or Georgie
Juliet – Jet
Evangeline – Evan
Please update us on the name you choose and how you are coping
Wow, what a shock. Cant imagine how you must be feeling. Love your girls names and I also like your other name choices my favourite being Tabitha. However other choices I love-
Harriet nn Hattie- Frankie, Pip & Hattie
Margaret nn Maggie- Frankie, Pip & Maggie
Millicent nn Millie- Frankie, Pip & Millie
Juliette nn Jules- Frankie, Pip & Jules
Talullah nn Lula- Frankie, Pip & Lula
My absolute favorite is Harriet nn Hattie. Goodluck!
I like the idea of using Julietta from your original list or Julianna or something like that and keeping the Octavia, and still calling her Jojo, based on the initials J. O. That doesn’t require much change from what you had already chosen and liked, but softens the blow. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this stress. Congratulations on “the baby”!
Julietta Octavia
Julianna Octavia
So many amazing options! I love:
Seraphina Octavia (Fifi, Fi)
Henrietta Octavia (Hettie, Hattie)
Carolina Octavia (Carrie, Cat, Cari, Caro)
Leonora Octavia (Leni)
Katarina Octavia (Kitty/Kit)
Juliet Octavia (Jules)
Oh and I forgot Rafaela, which is one of my favourite longer names ever! Rafi!
A commenter earlier mentioned Imogene nn Gene, which sounds so hip to me.
Frankie, Pip and …
Juliet, nn Jules or Jet
Joanna, nn Jo or JoJo
Kathleen or Katherine, nn Kit
Georgia/Georgina, nn Gigi
Helen/Helena/Helene, nn Nell
Beatrice, nn Bea
Susannah, nn Sosie or San
Rosemary, nn Romy
Clementine, nn Clem
Dorothy, nn Dot
Elizabeth, nn Betty, Bess or Betsy
Sybil, nn Sybi
As the mother of a Philippa and a Josephine, I do like Henrietta (lots of good nicknames above; adding that we use Henners) or Georgina/Georgiana (Georgie, George, Geo).
I am also very sad for you that your parents dumped this very old, clearly moved-past piece of previously top-secret information on you at this moment in your life. You deserved better. You are a kinder person than I; I would not have changed the name, and I would have told them I had no business knowing something that should stay between them, having been that way for so long. You’re an extremely thoughtful and compassionate daughter.
When I read your post, I thought of Jacqueline Octavia nn Jax or still JoJo
Congrats on your new sweet girl and sorry to hear about the last-minute name scramble!
I love the nickname Lou (or Lou-lou) with your other girls. Long and lacy first names to pair with it (I especially love the names that end in an a sound to match your other daughters):
– Angelou
– Luella
– Louisiana
– Louisa
– Elouisa
– Lucienne
– Tallulah
Of your list, I like Henrietta (nn Henry or Etta) and Julietta (nn Jules or Jet) the best. Julietta also retains the J initial, if that’s important to you. I also thought of Philomena (nn Phil or Mena/Mina), but that might be too close to Phillipa.
Oooh, I have a Tallulah we call lulu. I love it so much.