A reader named Jen has a daughter named Genevieve Grace. She’s now expecting her second daughter and she’d like some baby name ideas. She writes:
[W]e are looking for another delicate, feminine, pretty name that is not over used, is traditional, and goes well with our last name. So far we like Penelope, but I don’t know if I’m sold on that or not.
The baby’s surname starts with D and has just one syllable, so Jen would like the baby’s first name to contain at least two syllables. (And end with something other than D, probably.)
Here are some names that I think might work:
Anastasia Angeline Aurelia Beatrice Cassandra Clarice Claudia Clementine Coralie Cordelia Cynthia Eleanor Eloise | Eugenia/Eugenie Evangeline Frances/Francesca Harriet Helena/Helen Isadora Johanna Josephine Letitia Lucinda Lydia Marguerite Marianne | Marlena Meredith Miriam Oriana Sophronia Sylvia Tatiana Theodora Theresa Valencia Venetia Vivienne Wilhelmina |
Which of the above do you like best with Genevieve? What other girl names would you suggest to Jen?
A lot of these are awesome but might seem too close in value to genevieve (just like two fabrics that are too well matched?)–like Evangeline, Marguerite, Josephine, Cordelia–unless they are french in which case those would be awesome. I think I’d go with something else elegant and from another tradition/language–like Katerina or Francesca or Penelope. What about other Greek names? Calliope, Persephone, Athena Cassandra? I am always a big fan of Beatrix; Efigenia? Efi is a sweet little girl name.
Ooh, what about Magdelena or other Spanish influence names?
Genevieve is a very pretty name, especially with the middle name Grace.
Some names that I like with Genevieve: Isadora, Cassandra, Clara, Elizabeth, Elisabetta, Francesca, Leonora, Alessandra, Eleanor…
I like the name Penelope, but my only concern is they could end up as Genny and Penny!
We aren’t French but do like the ‘lightness’ or ‘feminine-ness’ (is that a word?) of many French names. My husband likes Penelope Louise…not that I don’t, just haven’t had the ‘ah-ha!’ moment with this name. I do like Beatrice. I love Helena or Helenia but it was veto’d by my hubby…lots of suggestions here…thanks to all – mulling many of them over…stand by!
w/ Genevieve I like
Clementine
Coralie
Eugenie
Evangeline
Josephine
Vivienne
Other ideas that came to mind are Odette and Cordula.
I think Genevieve and Eleanor would be stunning sibling set!
Antonia
Aurora
Celestine
Felicity
Flora
Juliet
Lorelei
Noelle
Ramona
Selene
Valentine
Viola
Since Jen and Genevieve are so similar, is there another family member’s name from which to draw inspiration?
Camille
Lillian
Viveca
My sister is Genevieve and I’m Brooke.
Thanks for all your help! we ended up going with Penelope Louise. Penelope – just cause we liked it and Loiuse – after my sister’s middle name. I liked the ‘L’s in both names to tie them together.