A reader named Kelly is expecting her second daughter in May, and she’d appreciate a few name suggestions. She writes:
Our first daughter, Maeve, was named really easily, and we grow to love the name more and more. However, we are having an exceptionally difficult time finding a second girl’s name that we like as much. I especially like Gaelic/Celtic names, but am willing to consider other options as well.
Here are some names that I think could work with Maeve:
Beatrix Bevin Blythe Bree/Brígh Bridget Brynn Caitlin Carys Chloe Clio Darcy | Deirdre Eileen Fiona Freya Gemma Greta Gwen Hazel Iona Isla* Ivy | Lorna Lucy Lyra Miriam Moira Nora Oona Opal Orla/Orlagh Phoebe Piper | Quinn Rhona Riona Stella Sylvie Tamar Tatum Tegan Tess Tirzah Zelda |
*Pronounced EYE-la, but happens to looks just like the Spanish word for island, isla, pronounced EES-la.
Which of the above do you like best for Maeve’s little sister? What other names would you suggest to Kelly?
Emer, Siobhan and Saoirse all come to mind. I would also like to suggest Dymphna, I know she is not for everyone, but you never know.
Maeve is such a beautiful name…I also love Niamh but that’s a bit too similar to be her sister’s name
Names that could work: Caitlin, Nola, Freya, Leah, Emma, Siobhan, Rhiannon…
My sisters in law are Tara, Orla, Aine and Niamh so I like all of those. I also like Caoimhe with Maeve, but it might cause problems with pronunciation and maybe too alike with the middle V sound for some.
Maeve and Fiona sound nice together to me.
I too have a Maeve, but she was the second daughter. My older daughter is Sophia Esme and Maeve is Maeve Beatrix.
Maeve is nice because it is uncommon but not hard to pronounce (although sometimes we get “Mauve”…). Lots of Gaelic names do not fit this bill–either they are everywhere, like Fiona, or they are hard to guess at the spelling or pronunciation, like Niamh. Aine is not too difficult…and of course some variety of Bridget/Brigid is always nice. I always wanted to spell my name Brigid. Ah well.
Maeve and Carys would be lovely.
Ailsa, Brenna, Clea, Devin, Eira, Greer, Nessa, Nila, Oona, Rhian, Seren, Tamsin, Wynne
I love the names Fiona and Gemma! Elaine and Eileen are good, as well:)
Nerys/Nerise
I think Caitlin, Carys and Lorna (this is my daughter’s name and I just love it) all sound great with Maeve.
Other names I would suggest are Ailsa and Rowan
Heyy!! My name is Bevin Maeve!!