A reader named Kathy is expecting a baby girl in December. She’d like some help coming up with a name. She writes:
I have a 25 month old named Ethan. I have loved that name but am sad to see it’s become so popular. I would like suggestions for a feminine, unique girl name if you have some.
Kathy does like the name Ava, but feels it’s too popular to use.
She also mentions that the baby will be of German/Irish extraction and have a 2-syllable surname that starts with an h (think Hofler).
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Ethan and Ava are short, simple, traditional names. But they both happen to be very popular right now. So I looked for girl names that have a similar profile, but that aren’t quite as popular (i.e. none are top 20).
Alice Amy Anna Clara Cora | Elsa Gemma Heidi Ivy Laura | Leah Lucy Lydia Marie Mary | Naomi Paula Ruth Sarah Susan |
Now, Kathy did use the word “unique” in her e-mail. None of the above names could be described as unique. In fact, I don’t think any baby name is unique in a literal sense. But here are some names that weren’t popular enough to make the top 1,000 in 2009.
Anja Audra | Flora Jill | Judy Marla | Petra Sonja |
Which of these names do you like best with Ethan? What other names would you suggest to Kathy?
Evelyn (Evie is the cutest nickname), Beatrice (just popped to mind as unique), or Glencora (always wanted to use this one, from The Pallisers). Cora from your list is wonderful as well.
Carmen, Julia, Bevin, Maura, Maire, Dara, Amelia, Edith (Edie, on the same lines as Evie), Joelle or other Jo-derivatives, Janine, Ivy…
Of yours, I like Sonja the best. But I also don’t think that names have to go together–my family of origin is Bridgett, Ian, Bevin, Colleen (obviously Irish-Americanish) but my own children are Sophia, Maeve, and Leo, which doesn’t have much in common except lots of vowels…
I like Anja with Ethan, and there’s the Irish spelling Aine, if you were feeling adventurous. :)
Sorry, meant to write that ‘Anja’ with a ‘Y’… Anya.
Even if it is pronounced the same, the ‘j’ could be confusing, and I think the simpler spelling better compliments ‘Ethan’. :)
I LOVE Audra with Ethan.
Audra and Lydia were great suggestions.
What about:
Elena
Clara
Zara
Lia
Annalise
Norah
Cora
Dahlia
Amara
Elise/Elisa
Sasha
Avery
Emery
Denah
Maren
Tanis
Surita
Fable
Inara
Shaelin
I realize this is an old post but I had to comment. My son’s name is Ethan and I’m looking at sister names. For years I loved Elsa, but Disney has taken that choice from me. My two dogs are named Gemma and Lucy. So I would say you hit the nail on the head with your suggestions, lol!
How funny! Thanks for the comment Heather. Good luck on your name search!