Baby Girl Paddle, Sister to Theodosia (Teddy) and Philippa (Pip/Pippa)

64 Replies

Hi Swistle,

I’ve been an avid reader of your blog for years and am so excited to finally be submitting my own question. You and your readers always have great and decisive opinions that seem to make the naming process easier, and I’m hoping you can help with my dilemma.

I’m pregnant with my third baby, a girl, due in early May. Our last name sounds like Paddle. With all that’s going on now, (work, baby preparations, the virus, having two young children at home all the time,) picking a name for this baby has not been a top priority, until now.

I have two daughters: Theodosia Marie (Teddy) and Philippa Jean (Pip or Pippa). I love the class and sophistication of both their names, and the adorable nickname that comes with them. They are not made up by any means, just not in the top one thousand, meaning I’ve never met anyone with their names. (Although we run into a boy Teddy every once in a while).

The name category they fit into is kind of coincidental, I didn’t intend for this specific type of classical name group, but since we already have it going, I figure I’ll just continue it.

We have a kind of idea of what we like, and it’s between three names, (with the middle name being Rose):

Wilhelmina- seems to compliment the vibe of Teddy and Pippa’s names, and Willa/Willie is a darling nickname. I just seem to associate the name with Kaiser Wilhelm and it also feels really hard to spell. This is kind of our compromise name.

Henrietta- I feel like there’s a great nickname staring me in the face every time I look at this name, but nothing has ‘clicked’ yet (I don’t like Henry or Harry, is Hattie an option?). I really like this name, but I’m not sure this is the ‘one’. (Although this is my husbands favorite)

Augusta- I think this goes with the girls’ names, and I can’t resist the nickname. Teddy, Pippa and Auggie! I really like this, but my husband does not seem completely sold.

Other possibilities we considered are
Tabitha (Tabby) – too similar to Theodosia
Georgina (Georgie or Gina) – couldn’t agree on a nickname, Georgie vs. Gina
Dorothea (Dot) – too close to Theodosia
Eugenia (Genie) – Not a fan on the nickname
Winifred (Winnie) – LOVE Winnie, but freddy rhymes with Teddy
Rosamund (Rosie) – Rosie is too common
Elspeth (Elsie) – my girls think ‘Elsa’ when they hear Elsie

If I were to rank the top three:
Augusta
Wilhelmina
Henrietta

His rankings:
Henrietta
Wilhelmina
Augusta

Of the extra ones, I like Elspeth and Dorothea the most, but neither will probably work. He favors Eugenia and Winifred.

I know Wilhelmina is a good compromise, but I don’t want to settle for a name we’re both meh on when we love Theodosia and Philippa so much!

Any advice Swistle on how to pick a name we both love for our little girl?

Thanks for your consideration!

 

I love the name Wilhelmina, though I have the Dutch spelling Willemina on my list; does that spelling make it any easier and/or less Kaiser-Wilhelmy for you? I feel like it’s the -hel- that really takes it over the edge, difficulty-wise. And in addition to the nickname Willa, I like the nickname Mina.

I also love Augusta, though I would use the nickname Gus/Gussie; I wonder if your husband would like that any better?

And I love Henrietta. Hattie is definitely a nickname option, as is Hennie, as is Hettie, as is Etta/Ettie, as is Ree/Ria.

So I am not much help: I love all three names. As you say, Wilhelmina seems like the obvious compromise name; is it definitely accurate to say you’re both “meh” on it? If so, then you each have the other person’s first-choice name as a “worse than meh” name, which I’m afraid means you will need to start over with a new list.

I wonder if you would like another of my favorites: Millicent. Not in the Top 1000, but familiar and easy to spell. Adorable nickname Milly/Millie. Theodosia, Philippa, and Millicent; Teddy, Pippa, and Millie.

I also love Minerva: also not in the Top 1000, yet familiar and easy to spell. (Sometimes people say “It makes me think of Minerva McGonagall!,” and I think, “…Yes? Oh good! She’s a wonderful character!”) Theodosia, Philippa, and Minerva; Teddy, Pippa, and Minnie.

Florence has been catching my eye recently. Theodosia, Philippa, and Florence; Teddy, Pippa, and Flora.

Oh! Oh! CORDELIA. Theodosia, Philippa, and Cordelia; Teddy, Pippa, and Delia.

Or Sophronia, a name made beloved to many of us because of Five Little Peppers. Theodosia, Philippa, and Sophronia; Teddy, Pippa, and Phronsie.

Or Persephone. Theodosia, Philippa, and Persephone; Teddy, Pippa, and Percy/Persie.

Magdalena. Theodosia, Philippa, and Magdalena; Teddy, Pippa, and Maggie/Dolly/Lena.

Amaryllis. Theodosia, Philippa, and Amaryllis; Teddy, Pippa, and Rilla/Lissa.

Isadora. Theodosia, Philippa, and Isadora; Teddy, Pippa, and Izzy/Dorrie/Sadie.

 

I’d bring Winifred back into the running: yes, Freddie rhymes with Teddy, but you love Winnie; and if she wants to go by Fred/Freddie later on, she can decide for herself if it bothers her that it rhymes with her sister’s nickname or if she thinks that’s fun—and by then perhaps Theodosia will be going by Theo or Thea or Theodosia, so it won’t even be an issue. I wouldn’t give two siblings given names that rhymed, but nicknames are a different matter and feel like far less of an issue.

Rosamund may also warrant another shot. I’d be interested to know if others find the nickname Rosie to be too common. It’s virtually unheard of where I live (though Rose is extremely popular as a middle name), but such things vary so much by area. If you already know a couple little Rosies, that may indeed rule it out.

 

 

 

Name update:

Hi Swistle!

Our girl was born on April 24th and she is already consuming the attention of her sisters Teddy and Pippa. We named her Wilhelmina Rose, and for now she goes by Willie. (The girls also call her Mini sometimes because of how small she is :)) After her birth, we realized how much we did love Wilhelmina, and it really is the perfect name for our girlie. Runner up names were Georgina (Gigi), Winifered (Winnie) and Augusta (Auggie, Gussie). I also love Cordelia (Delia), but the husband was not too keen. :) Thank you so much to Swistle and commenters for your help. We now have a Teddy, a Pippa and a Willie, a Theodosia, a Philippa and a Wilhelmina, and we couldn’t be happier.

Much thanks,
The ‘Paddles’

P.S. I included a pic of Willie you can share with your readers –

64 thoughts on “Baby Girl Paddle, Sister to Theodosia (Teddy) and Philippa (Pip/Pippa)”

    1. Annie

      This reminds me of the Flavia de Luce mysteries by Alan Bradley (😍) whose characters have amazing names and nicknames, including one minor/ancillary character named Antigone:
      Flavia
      Daphne (Daffy)
      Ophelia (Feely)
      Harriet
      Felicity
      Aurelia

      Perhaps one of those would appeal? The main character is so plucky and likable that I’d be tempted to name a daughter after her 😀

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  3. Sarah

    The Millicent I know goes by the nickname Mills, which feels more like the unisex nickname style you prefer? There’s also Miriam, nicknamed Mim which I find charming.

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  4. Kerry

    My great-gradmother’s name was Wilmetta. Would that get you Willie without the Kaiser implications?

    I think my favorite for you is Winifred though. I think it hits a sweet spot of similar to your other two (sophisticated, familiar but rare, cute nickname), but different enough (not a male name that was feminized by adding -a to the end) it seems like you had goals aside from continuing a pattern. Millicent would also get you the same effect, or something like Amaryllis or Cecily. (Hyacinth? “Hy” is a tricky nickname to use full time I think, but adorable informally. Baby Hy. Aunty Hy).

    I also really want to find you a short name that goes with your first two, because I think that’d have a nice effect…emphasizing the sophistication of the names over the ornateness. Anne is very classy, and surprisingly rare…but might feel a little too plain. Mary? Maybe also too plain, but it comes with a wealth of nicknames. Alice? Probably too popular. Maud? There’s a kids show on Netflix called Investigators, with a little girl named Maudie who makes the name sound very useable.

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    1. Swistle Post author

      I have also heard of Hydie/Heidi used as a nickname for Hyacinth, which I think is ADORABLE. Or Cinthy?

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    2. Opal

      Susannah—Sunny
      Helena—Lenny
      Cordelia/Cornelia/Cosima—Coco
      Isadora—Zora
      Bernadette—Birdie
      Philomena—Minnie, Lola

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  5. Kaye

    I mean, I want to suggest Angelica, Jasmine, and Margarita (nicknamed Peggy, of course,) but that may be leaning too far into the Hamilton theme 😉

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    1. Kait

      I started singing Dear Theodosia as I read this post :). And Phillipa Soo plays Eliza! It might be fun to lean into the Hamilton theme!

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  6. ST

    If you love Winnie, but want to avoid Freddie, what about Winona instead of Winifred? I love that name!

    Some other ideas:

    Agnes (Aggie)
    Beatrice (Birdie, Bea)
    Babette (Babe, Bette)
    Bernadette (Ette, Bernie)
    Constance (Connie)
    Eugenia (Gina)
    Marjorie (Madge, Midge)
    Tabitha (Tabby)
    Imogen (Gina)
    Antonia (Toni, Ani)

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  7. BNR82

    I second reconsidering Winifred. Once I read your daughters’ names, Winnie immediately came to mind. If you’re worried about Freddie…what about Gwendolyn, nn Winnie?

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  8. Joanne

    I think Etta is very nice for a nickname to Henrietta, also Hen is cute. For a classic name with an adorable nickname, I will always suggest Margaret, and Daisy as a nickname. It’s talked about in Little Women that Daisy is a nn for Margaret, and I have never forgotten it, so sweet! Good luck!

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  9. KitBee

    I want to suggest a bunch of classical-style names — Cassia, Livia, Octavia — but I’m not sure any of them have the cute nickname you’d want. Cassy? Livvy? Ava? Or what about Matilda nn Matt or Maddy or Tilly? Or Lavinia nn Lavvy? Or I love Philomena nn Mena, but that’s probably too close to Philippa.

    I also wanted to point out that, if you go with Rosamund (a lovely name!), that probably rules out Rose as the middle name. Perhaps Joy or Kate or Grace or Hope instead.

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      1. Kait

        Yes, great suggestion! I was just introduced to the name Lavinia while watching Downton Abbey, and added to my Favorites list.

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  10. Cupcakes

    What about Cornelia (nickname Neely)?
    Delilah? (Del, Dede, Lilah)?
    Genevieve (Jenny? Evy?)
    Henrietta nickname Henny, Hattie, Etta?
    Elowyn nickname Winnie?
    Gwendolyn nickname Wendy, Gwen, or Gwendy?

    Your naming style is very different from mine. We chose simple one to two syllable names (think Claire, Sylvie) that don’t lend themselves to many nicknames. So thinking about your naming style stretches my mind a bit. It’s fun!

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    1. Nicole

      All are so pretty and love your current names! I was also going to say Hattie nn for Henrietta, super cute and fits the siblings well.
      Good luck!

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  11. Suzanne

    I love all your choices, especially Wilhelmina. And, like others, I’m hoping you will reconsider Winifred.

    Rowena strikes me as a possible compromise between Rosamund and Winifred and Wilhemina – nicknames like Ro and Wen and Winnie.

    Theodosia, Philippa, and Rowena. Teddy, Pippa, and Ro.

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  12. Renée

    I’m seconding ideas here. I think you have wonderful options already, so hoping some nickname options will push your two preference lists into more alignment.

    I would totally go to Gus for Augusta and I LOVE it and maybe yes it’ll help your hubby love it too.

    Hattie is definitely a go-to nickname for Henrietta, love it, do it do it.

    I agree Wilhelmina is uncommon enough that you could choose the spelling Willemina instead. And I wonder if you’d like the nickname Minne??? Teddy, Pip and Minnie would be a swoon-worthy sibset.

    I do know two Roses and one Rosie, but I’m in Canada (west coast) and I think we align a bit more with the UK, ahead of trends in the US sometimes.

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  14. Rachel

    I vote Winifred, but here are a few more options:

    Seraphina or Serafina nn Finn
    Lavinia nn Vinnie
    Guinevere nn Winnie

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  17. belinda bop

    These names are fabulous. You can’t go wrong!

    My vote would be for Winifred, nicknamed Winnie. A very striking name and perfect with your last name and the siblings.

    Also seconding the suggestion of Rowena (another opportunity for Winnie!).

    And just to throw another idea into the pot: DELPHINA. Del, Della!

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  19. Jd

    Georgina or Georgiana nicknamed Gigi. Much closer to Teddy and Pippa in nickname style. I love these names but ended up with boys so never got to use them. Actually my girl name list was Georgina and Philippa.
    Georgina Rose Paddle. Teddy, Pippa and Gigi

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    1. Jd

      I want to add I have a Rosalie, 10 (plus three other kids) and we have not met another Rose, Rosie, or any Rose names in school, camp or sports.

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  20. Nine

    I love Henrietta and concur with the nickname Hen, Hennie/Henny or Henny-Penny. :)

    Demetria (Demi)
    Athena (Thena, Theeny)
    Valentina (Val, Teeny)
    Zenobia (Zen, Zenny)
    Xena :)

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    1. brims

      Came to encourage Wilhelmina! So many good nicknames, but I love Mina, Minnie, and Willa!

      Also love Minerva, nn Minnie!

      But others I think could be great are Cordelia nn Corrie, Francesca nn Chessie, Aurelia nn Goldie, and Guinevere nn Winnie.

      Also….what about Libby as a nn for Elspeth? Does that break the Elsie-to-Elsa connection ?

      What about Matilda nn Tilly?

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  23. jeanne k

    What about Sylvia or Silvina called Sylvie?

    Some others to consider:

    Estella/Estrella called Estie/Essie/Stella
    Josepine called Jo/Joey/Josie/Posie
    Ophelia called Olly
    Octavia called Vivi
    Ottilie called Ottis
    Agatha called Aggy
    Mathilda called Tilda
    Maxima called Max/Mimi
    Rosamund called Romy
    Evangeline called Evie
    Dorothy called Dot
    Celestine called Cece
    Helena called Leni
    Susanna called Susie/Sally/Zanna

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  24. C

    I love Georgianna or Georgina with the nickname GiGi. But also Georgette with the nickname Jet would be fun.
    Edita or Edith with the nickname Dita or Edie.
    Willa is also beautiful on its own, and could have Billie as a nickname. I almost chose Willa for my first, but we ended up having a boy.

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  25. eve

    I think Kit would be a sweet sister to Teddy and Pip/Pippa! For a longer form you could do Katrina, Ekaterina, Katharina, Catherine, etc… These don’t necessarily seem like they fit with your style but you never know!

    Also second the above that Dot is an equally sweet sister for Teddy and Pip!

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  26. Saraya

    Even before I’d gotten to your list, I already had Augusta nn Gus in my mind! I’m pleased to see it because I think it’s perfect.

    Winifred is also great – I don’t think it’s a problem with Theodosia “Teddy”.

    Albertine – Alby, Bertie
    Francesca – Frankie
    Rowena – Ro
    Jemima – Jem
    Jamesina – Jem
    Theresa – Tess
    Raphaelle – Raffy, Elle, Fay
    Claudine – Claude
    Catherine – Kit
    Adelaide – Dell, Della
    Emmeline – Emmie
    Emmanuelle – Emmie, Nell
    Anneliese – Nell
    Imogene – Immie, Gene

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  28. Kerri McP

    How about Agatha? It gives you Aggie from a different name, if that would strengthen the appeal. From the other suggestions, I think Minerva might be my favorite. Teddy, Pip/Pippa, and Minnie is fun.

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  29. Jean C.

    Wilhelmina makes me swoon. A couple years ago I met a young woman at a convention with this name and I found it stunning IRL. It totally worked! I love Willa or Minnie as a nickname, but Mina feels like a cool option too. It doesn’t seem any harder to spell than your children’s other names to me. I don’t think it should be a dealbreaker.
    I also love Cordelia (Cori, Cora, Cordy, Dell, Delia, Lia…there’s a lot to work with there).
    Seraphina and Tallulah also are lovely names.
    If you can let go of the restriction of outside the top 1000, Matilda called Maude is lovely, and so would Frances/Frankie.
    Good luck! Looking forward to an update for this fun sibset.

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    1. Jean C.

      I just wanted to add that while Maude isn’t intuitively known as a nickname for Matilda, my own great grandmother was named Matilda and went by Maude so…it’s been done at least once :)

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  30. Edie

    Loads of great options. I particularly love Winifred or Rowena, called Win or Winnie, and Matilda, called Tilda or Tilly.

    A few more for the mix:
    Leonora, called Leo
    Veronica, called Nicky or Ronnie or Vee
    Katherine or Katherina, called Kit
    Alexandra called Alex or Lex (might, again, suggest a bit too much of a Hamilton theme when placed with the sister names?!)

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  31. Christina Fonseca

    Hattie is adorable! Etta us also a good alternative. I’ve always loved Millicent and would fot well with your sibset.

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  33. Maree

    Haven’t read the other comments sorry if I double up.
    I wish Philomena wasn’t so close to Philipa. I know a little Georgina called George and I love it. What about Claudia called Claude (either with an y sound or not)? I also know a real life Persephone who uses her full name but when she was little she was Seffie, you could use Percy.
    I feel like the nickname Kit or Kitty fits your style. Do you like any of the Chris or Katherine names? Maybe Christiana?
    The obvious nickname for Henriette to me is Hettie. There was a post a while back about feminised versions of make names which could be a treasure trove for your style. Thomasina for example (Tommy! Tansy!). Love your style. Keep looking!

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    1. Maree

      Or what about Geraldine or Isadora?

      Maude is shorter than the other names but has the same historical use. Maudie is perfect with Teddy and Pippa.

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  36. Katie

    My first thoughts were Lavinia nicked Vinnie and Veronica nicked Ronnie. Both have already been mentioned.
    Is no one ready to use Wilma? I feel it would make an adorable nickname for Wilhelmina. I’ve been warming to it since seeing a little Wilma on Instagram. Or Hatch for Henrietta. I also love Georgie for you. Teddy, Pippa and Georgie makes me smile.
    Maxine nicked Max
    Ophelia nicked Fia
    Imogen nicked Midge
    Drusilla nicked Dru
    Martina or Martha nicked Marty
    Loretta nicked Rhett
    Regina nicked Reggie
    Antonella nicked Nell
    Lucinda nicked Louie
    Jacinda nicked Jake?

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    1. brims

      Love Imogen nn Midge! The nn Midge made me think of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel show where the lead character is Miriam, nn Midge!

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  37. JS G

    Dolores / Dolly
    Florence / Flo / Flossie
    Ambrosine / Rosie
    Matilda / Tillie
    Felicity / Fifi / Flick
    Olivette / Liv / Ollie
    Antonina/ Toni / Nina

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  38. M

    I know a little Henrietta nickname Retta and I think it could work really well for your family. Teddy, Pip and Retta, swoon.

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  39. JMV

    I love your entire list. If you go back to the drawing board, I love Lavinia nn Vinnie. Just wanted to pile on a vote for that one. Some others that haven’t been mentioned:

    — Cressida nn Sid. Theodosia, Philippa, and Cressida. Teddy, Phipps, and Sid!
    — Calpurnia nn Cal.

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  40. Kelley

    One or my best friends growing up was named Georgeanna, but her parents spelled it GeoAnna, from the shorthand of George (Geo.). Her nickname is Geo (Gee-oh).

    And honestly, when it comes to a nickname, pick a nickname that you like. Where does it say that it has to “match” or be derived from the child’s given name? If you could let your husband’s top name be her name and then y’all call her Winnie (etc.).

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  41. StephLove

    I think you have a good list, so rather than add names to the mix, I just want to reassure you about some of your reservations:

    I think Swistle’s idea about spelling it Willemina is a good one. Would this make the name you both like but not love more appealing and possibly catapult it into first place for one or both of you?

    I think you could use Hattie for Henrietta if you want. If you want another way to Hattie, there’s always Harriet, which I think could fit into your group, even if it’s slightly less frilly. (Okay, I said I wasn’t going to add names, but I did and I really like Harriet).

    I, too, want to get Winnifred back into consideration, mainly because you LOVE (in all caps) Winnie. It’s true she could want to go by Freddie later in life, but she could change her name to anything in the future. (I say this as someone who’s been there with a kid.)

    I’m of two minds about whether Dorothea is too close to Theodosia or not. It kind of depends on how often you call the kids by their full names v. their nicknames because the similar sound is only in the full names.

    Rosie is not too common in my circles. I know two teenage Roses; one goes by Rosie, the other by Rose.

    Elspeth is a great name. I wouldn’t worry about Elsie sounding like Elsa, which is also a fine name, Frozen nothwithstanding. You won’t have little girls forever and that association may drop away as everyone gets older.

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  44. AlexiswithaG

    Rosamund- Romy! (Second a brilliant post above)
    Gwyneth- Winnie
    Georgina- Geo, if not Gigi (which is totally perfect!)
    Coraline- Coco

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  45. Erin Beth

    Oh, gosh!!! I LOVE your daughters’ names and ALL of your options. I think either spelling of Wilhelmina would work and I also like Billie as a nn option.

    Options I really like for you:
    Augusta nn Gussie–swoon!
    Georgina nn Gigi or Gia or Nina
    Henrietta nn Etta
    Aurelia nn Goldie—maybe my favorite of all
    Sylvia nn Sylvie or Vivi or Syl
    Valentina nn Len or Val
    Valencia nn Val or Leni or Cia
    Agatha nn Aggie
    Octavia nn Vivi
    Julianna nn Jules
    Veronica nn Vi or Vera or Nicki or Ro

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  47. Sheila

    What about these?
    Flora/Florina/Florianna, nn Flo – Teddy, Pippa and Flo
    Hortenzia, nn Tenzie – Teddy, Pippa and Tenzie
    Bridgitte, nn Bridge – Teddy, Pippa and Bridge
    Veronica, nn Rony – Teddy, Pippa and Rony
    Celestina, nn Cece – Teddy, Pippa and Cece
    Dorothy, nn Dot – Teddy, Pippa and Dot
    Bernadette, nn Dettie – Teddy, Pippa and Dettie
    Gwendolin, nn Gwen – Teddy, Pippa and Gwen
    Julianna, nn Jules – Teddy, Pippa and Jules
    Clementine, nn Clem or Menty – Teddy, Pippa and Clem/Menty

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  48. megz

    Before I even read the letter I thought Wilhelmina would be a great sister name. Would it be more appealing with the nickname Minnie?

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  49. Elspeth

    I’m an Elspeth and Ive always always used the full name. Some family use “Elle”, and that’s what I use for coffee orders!

    I also love Henrietta NN Etta
    Clementine NN Clem, or Emmy (or Tiny!)

    I hope we hear an update!

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  50. Katie

    JOSHEPINE- Josie, Jo
    Georgina – Georgia, Gigi, Geo
    Alexandra- Andie
    Genevieve- Evie, Vivi, Gen
    Cordelia- Cordie, Coco, CLEO

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  52. Ducky

    *gasp* Look, a Birthday Buddy! Congrats! And since that’s one of my favorite names of all time, congrats on the great taste. =D

    Reply ↓

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