Hi Swistle –
You have helped some friends, and I am hopeful to hear from you!
We have a baby girl coming this May (May 18th to be exact via csection), and will be joining big brother Griffin Shay (my maiden name) Hoefer and sister Stella Grace Hoefer.
We have a list of names, but nothing seems to be sticking just yet.
Top Contenders:
Lane/ Laney/ Lanie
Zoe
Mary Jane (my husbands fave but I don’t like the nickname MJ)
Harper
Georgie
Layla __ but I like the pronunciation (Lie-La) so I am not sure how to spell that…Middle names, Mary and Mae are both family name options and a random one I like is Louise.
Thank you!!
Megan & Stephen
[Note to commenters: I clarified pronunciation of the surname and it’s HOE- like garden hoe, -fer like the end of Jennifer.]
I wouldn’t have thought to use the nickname MJ for Mary Jane, though as soon as you mentioned it I could see how easily it might happen. And of course she could decide to use the nickname herself as she gets older, so you’re wise to take it into account. On the other hand, we have had so many stories here of people who disliked a nickname, and then on their own dear child the nickname just FIT and they wondered why they ever disliked it, so that’s something to keep in mind as well.
Harper Hoefer feels like A Lot of alliteration, with the repeating H- and the repeating -er. Zoe Hoefer is less of an issue, but I do notice the sound of the Zo/Hoe repetition, and visually I notice the Zoe/Hoe repetition; those don’t seem like dealbreakers, just things to think about ahead of time.
If you like the pronunciation Lie-la, I would spell it Lila or Lilah; the usage of the two spellings is close to equal in the United States right now, according to the Social Security Administration: in 2021 (the 2022 information is expected out in May), there were 1,329 new baby girls named Lila and 1,242 named Lilah. My own preference is Lila. The name Lila/Lilah repeats the -la ending of Stella, and Stella/Lila have a lot of Ls between them; this could be a plus or a minus.
Georgie is a nickname name, and the other kids don’t have nickname names, so my own inclination would be to name her Georgia (or Georgianna, Georgina, etc.), and then call her Georgie. Griffin, Stella, and Georgia. Laney/Lainey is nicknamey, but doesn’t catch my attention to the same extent.
I don’t want to cause the kind of trouble I am normally trying to talk parents out of caring about, but I notice your first two kids are G.S. and S.G., and they both have doubled letters in their first names, and they both have one-syllable middle names with a long-A sound. (This blog may have broken me.) How many more children would you like to have, is I guess my question. If this is your final child, it might be fun to go for one more of the same/similar; if you’re thinking of having another after this one, I would break all emerging patterns right now and on purpose. Georgia Mae would be a great sort of in-between: a G-name and a long-A one-syllable family middle—but not going overboard with a doubled letter and an S- middle name (though you could use Sage OKAY I’LL STOP NOW).
Let’s look for some more options! Griffin, Stella, and:
Louise! I pulled this from your middle name list. I think it sounds great in this sibling group: all three names familiar but a little unexpected, and a great assortment of sounds. Louise Hoefer; Louise Mary Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Louise.
Violet! Similar in sound to Lila! Violet Hoefer; Violet Louise Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Violet. Cute nickname Lettie if you want it.
Lydia! I think this came to mind because of Lila, and also because my second suggestion was going to be Claudia, but then I wondered if “Claudia Hoefer” brings Claudia Schiffer to mind. Lydia Hoefer; Lydia Mae Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Lydia.
Nadia! Another because of Claudia. Nadia Hoefer; Nadia Mae Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Nadia.
Fiona! Bianca! These come to mind because of Stella and Lydia: they all live in the same folder of my mental filing cabinet. Fiona Hoefer (is that repeating long-O a bit much?); Fiona Mae Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Fiona. Bianca Hoefer; Bianca Mary Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Bianca.
Simone! Because of Fiona. Possibly another one where the repeating long-O is a bit much. Simone Hoefer; Simone Mary Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Simone.
Ivy! One of my own favorites. Ivy Hoefer; Ivy Louise Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Ivy.
Sabrina! Sabrina Hoefer; Sabrina Mae Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Sabrina.
Emmeline! This is if you might wish to have a little fun with the doubled letters; it also lets the girls call themselves Ella and Emma if that appeals. Emmeline Hoefer; Emmeline Mary Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Emmeline.
Linnea! Another double-letter name, just for fun and because I love it with this sibling group. I went to school with a Linnea and I have never gotten tired of her name (there may be more than one pronunciation; hers was lynn-NAY-ah). Linnea Hoefer; Linnea Mary Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Linnea. Cute nickname Linnie, similar to Lanie from your list.
Carys! This kept coming to my mind, for reasons unknown. I thought of it, thought “Oh, I don’t know, that doesn’t necessarily seem like it would go on this list of suggestions,” and then I was typing along and it came to my mind again, popping up like a fresh idea. This happened four times, so I’m adding it. Carys Hoefer; Carys Mae Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Carys.
Clara! Clara Hoefer; Clara Louise Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Clara.
Florence! A relatively recent addition to my own favorites list. Florence Hoefer; Florence Mae Hoefer; Griffin, Stella, and Florence.
I totally noticed that delightful GS / SG thing happening too. But I also see S is one the parent initials so wondering if M should be baby sisters initial? Mae Louise is my fave with the sibset but maybe too on-the-nose with her birthdate so Mary Louise could also be a double barreled first name that gets to nickname Malou – swoon! Meredith, Molly, Maisie?
I know a 17yo Mary Jane and you’re entirely right she started calling herself that in her teens, despite her mom continuing to only use her full name. It’s a beautiful underused choice.
I like a lot of the names on your list (and Swistle’s!) If you are planning on more kids, is there a boy fave? If yes I’d maybe think about a new initial pattern – that complicates things but could be a fun way to narrow. I love Lila, and wonder if you’re a Lyla spelling fan? Lyla Mae is darling. Do you like Delilah?
I love alliteration so how about Holly? It also gives that satisfying double consonant pattern. Or Tessa? Gemma?
Mary Jane is a common (archaic) euphemism for pot so that association would be a no go for me. I also think MJ is an almost certain nickname- Spider-Man’s girlfriend is Mary Jane nicknamed MJ (I have not read the comics or seen the movies but still seem to know this so I think it might be a common association).
I love all of Swistle’s suggestions and want to add Georgette to the Georgie list.
From your list I like Harper and Lila or, as suggested above, Lyla. Sadly I think Harper Hoefer is probably to sing-songy, but I think it pairs very well with Griffin and Stella.
I think Mary Jane is out for the marijuana connection and the fact you don’t care for MJ as a potential nickname. For what it’s worth, when I hear MJ, I think of Michael Jordan.
From Swistle’s suggestions I like Georgia, Louise (so many great nickname possibilities!), and Linnea. My only hesitancy with Louise is when it’s paired with Stella it reminds me of Thelma and Louise — the movie with Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis — but that’s just me.
Another name to consider: Scarlett. Griffin, Stella, and Scarlett. Scarlett Mae seems like a good fit with big sister Stella Grace.
Best wishes to you!
One thing I notice about Griffin and Stella is that the meaning (the mythical gryphon, Stella = star) jumps out more than most names. I liked Swistle’s suggestions of Bianca, Violet, and Ivy because they follow that theme. I wonder if browsing some lists of nature-themed baby names might yield some more ideas.
Daphne
Eden
Pearl
It’s not on your list, but I think Margaret (Maggie) could be great for you! Griffin, Stella, and Maggie!
I also like Lilah and Lainey though for Lainey, I’d do a full name like Elaina or Alaina (Uh-lay-na) with nickname Lainey.
I like Georgia, Lila, Louise (as a first or middle), and Zoe for you.
Georgia Mae
Lila Mae <– favorite
Mary Louise (called by both names)
Zoe Louise
More names. These all have the double letter if you're interested in that: Anna, Charlotte, Jessamine
Anna Mae
Charlotte Louise
Jessamine Louise <– favorite
Louisa? Louisa Mae!
I am not bothered about patterns etc, but one thing I do feel strongly about now that my own kids are older, is the ease of other people picking up their name on hearing it.
My daughters are Soph1e (occasionally mistaken for Sophia, but rarely); and Georg1e… and I had never realised just how often people would mistakenly call her Georgia.
With your current kids’ names being nice and simple in that regard; it would make me more inclined to go for a name like Zoe, which has only one spelling. I also love Holly, Tessa and Violet.
Interestingly, because this is not something I would have known from my own lived experience, the spelling Zoey is currently more common in the U.S. than Zoe: in 2021, there were 4,687 new baby girls named Zoe, and 5,179 named Zoey.
I immediately go to the nickname MJ with Mary Jane, and also immediately think of the marijuana reference (whether or not MJ is used – Mary Jane itself is used as a name for marijuana). That would take it off the list for me.
From your list, I like Lila and Georgia best (I would use Georgia with nickname Georgie).
Griffin, Stella, and Lila
Griffin, Stella, and Georgia
I like the idea of an M middle name to tie it into your name – so it’s not “everyone has G or S in their initials,” but “everyone has a parents’ initial in their name.”
Both Lila Mae and Georgia Mae are gorgeous.
The only reasonable solution is to have 7 more babies (hopefully all girls) to get a chance to use all the fabulous names that Swistle brought up! Good luck – you really can’t go wrong!
Please send an update ;)
Lila is beautiful.
Twila/Twyla? Rhymes with Lila. Griffin, Stella and Twyla.
Willow. Griffin, Stella and Willow. Not sure if I like the Willow-Hoe part, if it was Willow-Poe or something else I would like the repeating O and that the sisters get different vowels at the end of their names.
Charlotte. Griffin, Stella and Charlotte. Lottie!
Luna? So you have the stars and the moon? Griffin, Stella and Luna.
Fiona is pretty awesome. Fi-Fi!
Camille. Griffin, Stella and Camille.
I think Lyla is the only spelling I would confidently pronounce as Lie-la. Lilah is second – I’m honestly not sure if I’d default to Lie-la or Lee-la. Lila works, but I would personally guess Lee-la first. If I heard Lie-la, I think Lila would be my first guess.
I’m with Swistle in loving Carys for you. It has a similar ancient-ish feel to Griffin and Stella, but is also distinctly different. It creates a set that feels simultaneously beautifully matched and carefully eclectic. None of the names jumps out as an odd one out, but they feel well-matched in different ways if you look at Griffin and Stella vs Stella and Carys vs Griffin and Carys.
I like to think about what I would suggest based on the title question, before looking at the question in detail of the comments.
My first thought was that you needed something a little bit sparky alongside Griffin and Stella. I never would have thought of Louise here, but actually really love it. Ivy is a good suggestion, too.
I did think of Beatrix which I still think is perfect: Griffin, Stella and Beatrix.
I also like Vivian: Griffin, Stella and Vivian.
How about Mary Lane as a first and middle? Griffin, Stella and Mary are actually lovely together. It’s reminiscent of the Mary Jane your husband loves while bypassing your concerns. Has the long A sound in the middle. A family name up front. Recognisable and a little surprising, but easily recognised and beautiful.
Actually, Mary Jane as a first and middle (not as a double first name) does the same thing. If she’s Mary day to day her middle name won’t be generally be known so is unlikely to be a part of nickname considerations. Mary, like Stella, is pretty nickname proof. You and your husband can still call her Mary Jane from time to time but it feels more like a family nickname than one for daily use by all and sundry.
Stella Grace and Mary Jane do sound delightful together. I think Griffin, Stella and Mary might be my pick.
I know sisters called Stella and Xanthe, and like them together, so Xanthe is my suggestion :). I love Griffin by the way :).
I am in love with Zoe from your list. It is so perfect with Griffin and Stella. I like the internal rhyme with “oe” in Zoe and Hoefer. With the potential middle names you provided, I like Zoe Mae and Zoe Louise.
Some other names to consider:
– Lyra (a constellation name for subtle tie to Stella)
-Iris
-Cora
-Alice
Oh, Lyra is a great suggestion. Similar to Lila, but ties into Stella nicely.
Lila Louise
Lila Hoefer
Griffin, Stella and Lila.
I agree with everyone else who has said if you want people to say “lie-la” then the first vowel should probably be an i or a y: Lila, Lilah, Lyla, Lylah. If you spelled it Laila, I think the “lie-lah” pronunciation would be reasonable, but I bet you would get more people saying “lay-la” than the i or y spellings.
I think Lila works nicely with the sibling names and the last names.
From Swistle’s other suggestions, my favorites are Louise, Clara, and Lydia.
If I try to match Stella in style but have a different final sound (something that I prefer for sisters but you might not care about), I also think of Tess, Sylvie, Eloise, and Harriet.
Griffin Shay, Stella Grace, and…
Georgia Jane is pretty fabulous. (But Gemma Jane is even better!)
Cleo Lane has style, too.
Lilly May (since she’s a May baby!)
Celia Kay
Iris Faith
Since your husband, Stephen, has another ‘S’ name in the family (Stella), what if you had an ‘M’ to match you?
Mercy Vale
Meredith Bay
Mona Navy
Melinda Esme
Congratulations and best wishes to your growing family!
As the mom to a Lane (nn Laney), I am partial to it. I think it is pretty, ages well, and feels modern without being made-up. BUT I also love Lyla with your last name.
Gaia (earth) would echo the sound of both names and the meaning of Stella, and would also go well with Mary or Mae as a middle name.
Griffin, Stella, and Gaia
Gaia Hoefer
Gaia Mae Hoefer
Gaia Mary Hoefer
Another lovely sound echo would be Gabriella:
Griffin, Stella, and Gabriella
Gabriella Hoefer
Gabriella Mae Hoefer
Gabriella Mary Hoefer
I’m guessing you’ll either love or hate that last one depending on your reasons for picking Stella Grace!
A baby name fanatic for most of my life, I usually prefer to comment on the parents’ list, provide new lists due to things I might notice, and write out thought processes like those found in Swistle’s compelling reply. However, in this case, Griffin Shae, Stella Grace, and Zoe Jane check the boxes and strike a chord.
I pause on the sound with the last name ever so slightly (and I’m picky), but overall Zoe still gets my vote from your list.
I’m struggling to ignore the double letters and GS / SG; therefore, I’ll add Thea to help me along because it’s great with the other two and elevates the sibset instead of making it become more ordinary (which you see so often as parents add more kids). Thea Mae or Mary is gorgeous.
I favor the double letters over any more S’s anywhere because you already have Steven in the mix too as far as whole family goes. So, I’ll add Annie Louise as well.