Advice for baby girl #2

[jcori]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for some advice as I'm trying to come up with a name for my second baby. I have an 18 month old baby girl with a gender neutral first name and a feminine middle name. Both names hold significant meaning for my husband and I. For our next daughter we both love the name Seraphina. I have a few concerns though. My first concern is just, is a very feminine name too out of balance since my first DD has a more masculine name?

My second question is, should I try to balance this out by giving Seraphina a slightly gender neutral middle name? If so, any suggestions? All of the middle names I like so far are very feminine such as Katherine.

Also - is Seraphina just too trendy now? Should I stay away from it for that reason? Will Seraphina be the next Isabella? I originally loved Serena - but my husband won't go for it.

Lastly, does anyone have any creative suggestions for names that are connected with authors from Concord, MA? I would love to work something in somehow (my first daughter's name comes from an author in this area) but I can't find a name I'm a fan of (for a girl). I don't love Louisa or May although those are the obvious choices.

I'd appreciate any advice!

[jesba]

Hmm. It kind of depends on what exactly the first name is, and also, more importantly, how much you care. If you don't really care then I don't see this affecting the daughters, but if it is the sort of thing that keeps coming up, then maybe it could a bit.

I don't think you have to balance Seraphina with a more neutral middle name if you use it. Seraphina Katherine is a fine combo. Especially if you are able to get a Concord MA allusion in there, that will tie them in nicely without feeling like you have to keep going on with the gender thing. I think Seraphina could be a nice middle if you find another first you like too, btw.

I frankly find Seraphina very trendy. I do think it's beautiful and I don't think it will be the next Isabella (but I also don't think of Isabella as exactly trendy - more just an old name that's newly popular). But I just do think of the Afflecks every time I hear it. I don't think that'll last forever and I know plenty of people won't react the same way. But just be aware of it, because I'm also not alone. If you love the name enough that shouldn't matter, but if you want to keep looking, then do for now.

I have no idea who's from Concord MA! Let me google in a sec, but first, a few other options:

No to Serena? What about:
Selena
Helena
Irena
Marina
Carina

Like Seraphina in ways, but less frilly/trendy/celebubaby:
Fiona
Phoebe
Sophia
Angelina (also celebrity in a way, but less so)
Philippa (also feels boyish in its way for the overlap with Philip. Also pretty trendy though with Pippa Middleton)

And then we have:
Josephina/Josefina/Josephine

If you like that, I think it might be great - she gets Jo as a nickname to be boyish/neutral like her sib, and you have a character tie in at least to Louisa May.

I also think Alcott would be a pretty cool, and gender neutral, name for a girl. Nn Ali?

Alcott Seraphina even is very nice. Seraphina Alcott is also fine.

OK, googling Concord MA authors...

Well I think I found your daughter's name for the most famous example - won't type it in case you are trying to keep it out of here - In case that is her name, for what it's worth, this was also a celebrity baby's name many years ago (but I think most everyone's forgotten, proving it wears down overall). I actually kind of like this with Seraphina - something with the r, and the beginning of the name sounding like another girl's name.

Thoreau - I think this makes a very fresh girls name, although it might be over the top depending on what your daughter's name is.

Hawthorne - this could be cool! Might be more of a middle name though. I find it very masculine feeling.

Margaret - first pen name of either Harriett Lothrop. Doesn't sound like the best fit with your current daughter's name, or maybe even your taste?

Harriett - see above.

Sidney - last pen name of one of Lothrop. Could it work? Certainly uni, and I don't think it'd be horrible to spell it Sydney.

Sophia - was Nathaniel Hawthorne's wife, and kind of feels similar to Seraphina.

Nathanielle - a stretch, but quite pretty really and romantic in a similar way to Seraphina.

Polly - was a character in one of Lothrop's stories.

Sophronia - I am assuming this is a form of the character Phronsie's name (one of Lothrop's characters). Feels sort of similar to Seraphina. However it is pretty out there and clunky.

Abigail - Louisa May's mother...

Pauline - a character in one of Louisa May's early works.

Good luck!

[elisabeth rae]

I may be a little biased on this, but I really dislike the name Seraphina. I just don't think it has a pretty sound and the nn Phina/Fina isn't cute either. I really prefer Serena too it. That being said, I think it goes fine with Katherine.

As far as the author question..

Natalie is feminine form of Nathaniel so I think that would be a good tribute. Margaret, Josephine, Amy, and Elizabeth all pay tribute to Louisa May Alcott IMO, and I like pp's suggestion of Alcott as a middle name.

[jcori]

Jesba - Thanks so much for your thoughtful, in-depth reply! Yes, you've got my daughter's name down, and yes I know which celebrity you're talking about. I refused to let that dissuade me when naming her because I'd wanted to use the name since I was a little girl.

I love Sidney and would seriously consider it, but so far I can't get my husband on board. I love your suggestions. I've thought of most of them, but I love hearing someone else's take on each name and why they could work. Thanks so much - I've got lots to consider! :-)

[davisellu]

I like Jesba's comments a lot and agree with them. I'm still not sure what your older daughter's name is, but my guess is that it starts with an E. I do think that Seraphina would be a bit much with that. Maybe put it as a mn? What about Avery Seraphina?

If you like Sidney and can't get your husband to like that, then maybe Sidonie? Elodie would also be similar and I think it would sound well with what I think is your older daughter's name.

In terms of a Concord literary name not already listed--

Walden (it might be obvious with the E name, but I do think it would go well-- it is more masculine though so I'd definitely do a fem mn-- Walden Seraphina?)

Whitney (from a family in the 5 Little Peppers)

Blythe (one of Hawthorne's early works was the Blithedale Romance)

Ellery (E Channing was a friend of the Hawthornes and a poet-- I think this would work well with your other E name; you could also use Channing)

Una (the Hawthorne's older daughter)

Lenox (the Hawthornes moved there later)

Barnard (LM Alcott's pen-name, maybe help with a college scholarship later too?)

Brooke (Hawthorne was a founding member of Brook Farm which was utopian/communal living place)