I never thought I'd post a name thread, but...

[NorthernPixie]

...but I'm stuck and there are so many good ideas here!

We're having our second daughter. Our first daughter has a gender neutral first name and a girly (family) second name. Not that we feel the need to 'match' for this one, but that's sort of what it's coming to.

My husband and I agree on almost nothing. It's a miracle we named our first child. Our two contenders for first names, and it will be one of these as they're both family names, are Harper or Cameron. I prefer Harper, he prefers Cameron, and they're the absolute only names we come close to agreeing on.

Now for the middle name. Our last name starts with Sh and ends with a hard 'ka,' two syllables. I'm inclined to go with a girlier middle name as the first name is a bit ambiguous. I don't think I want to do Harper Cameron or Cameron Harper.

My current favourite is Harper Lily, or Harper Jane. Harper Violet I also like. My husband comes up with almost nothing, mostly just nixes my suggestions. His one suggestion was Harper Ray, which I don't like because it's again too boyish overall, and sounds like Harperay, it all runs together. His criteria: it must not be an "old" name (although Harper is, right?), and can't feature in a 1930s or 40s theatrical production (his reason for rejecting Stella, my real preference for a first name).

Help?

[philomom]

While I have met girls and boys named Cameron... I have met only boy Harpers.


You didn't tell us what the first child's name was.. so I can't speak to whether or not it makes a good sounding "pair".

[poorlittlefish]

Ha! No advice as I am in the same situation including the gender neutral first daughters name and liking Harper and Cameron....are you me?

Either way, I will be stalking this thread for tips and ideas!!

[zinemama]

Both of those sound like last names to me, sorry.

I'm a firm believer in ditching the notion of a middle name that "goes with" the first name and choosing a name that honors a beloved relative or respected ancestor - or something else personally meaningful to you both.

Also, I think picking a name that "goes with" a sibling's name just adds an unecessary layer of headache. They don't need to match.

That said, I really like Jane. It would make a great first name. It's not popular, it's classic, has tons of great literary associations, and is strong and spunky.

[momasana]

I think Harper Jane is an adorable name. I think it sounds very sweet for a little girl, and strong for a grown woman.

[NorthernPixie]

My daughter's name is Evan. Which is 98% of the time a boy's name. We're not trying to make them match or fit (short of naming dd2 Devin or something horribly rhymey, etc), it's just kind of worked out that the two names we like happen to be gender neutral.

I'm looking for a middle name that sounds good because the first name is a family name. With DD1, the second name is a family name. So, not really looking for suggestions on first names, but ideas for seconds much appreciated.

And poorlittlefish...you let me know what you come up with please!

[gradstudentmommy]

I love Harper. I met a little baby named Harper recently and I thought it was such a cute name. In real life, all of the Camerons I've known have been male so people might think you DD is a male when they see her name. But that might not be bad thing.

I'm also in favor of picking a middle name that is meaningful and honors a relative. My parents just picked my middle name because they liked the way it sounds. It has no meaning and that has always bugged me. I wish I had been named after a relative.

[OrchideZ]

I love Harper Jane or Harper Lily
its funny that your DH doesn't want anything that sounds like its from another era b/c those are the names I am most drawn to.
He would hate my new baby girl's name

[Annoia]

I like Harper - combined with Harper Jane (or Harper Lilly as well!)

Too bad about Stella. Totally love the name Stella

[Lyndzies]

Love Harper! DP and I considered it, as well.

Harper Jane is lovely.

I feel like either a one syllable or a three syllable middle name would sound best sandwiched between the two-syllable first and last names.

What about:

Harper Rose
Harper Lee (although, you'd have to really love To Kill a Mockingbird to go that route!)
Harper Sloane
Harper Mae

or:

Harper Delilah
Harper Tallulah
Harper Melody
Harper Parvati
Harper Madison
Harper Lilian

I dunno, just brainstorming. I do love Harper Jane, though!

[Ellen Griswold]

Harper is becoming quite a popular name, imo. I don't know if you care, but I do feel compelled to point out to people who aren't yet forced to watch too much Disney Channel, but this is a name that is a character on The Wizards of Waverly Place. This would not sway me in the least, but some people want to know these things.

And I like Harper better than Cameron.

[RedOakMomma]

I like Harper better than Cameron, and I only know girl Harpers (a few, actually). The one thing I dislike about the name is the nickname "Harpy"...to my mind, it says nothing flattering about a girl/woman. Otherwise it's a cool name...and the Harper Lee association is a great one.

My favorite name would be Harper Lily (though I agree with you, Stella is a nicer first name). Jane is pretty, but too plain next to Harper. I think Lily is perfect. And I agree with you on having a more feminine name to go with Harper...wise choice.

[lilmiss'mama]

I just can't see why Harper is becoming so popular. To me it reminds me of the verb to harp..and I see a whiny fat girl running around! Although, by this thread I am clearly out numbered! I'd go with Cameron. I think you could still do Cameron Lilly too.
Cameron:
Michelle
Louise
Leigh

[APGoddess83]

Our oldest two daughters have gender neutral first names although we gave one a bit more girly spelling (that became super popular after I named them of course)...Cameron Blair and Rileigh Grace. If our new baby was a girl I had picked out Harper or Torrance. My husband didn't like either one so luckily we are having a baby boy. I think both Cameron and Harper are wonderful names for a little girl. Harper Jane is adorable!

[eastvillage]

I love Harper Lily! What a beautiful name.

[becksteracious]

Another vote here for Harper Lily!

[xekomaya]

Harper Ava
Harper Grace
Harper Mae
Harper Lillie

I do like Harper Lily a lot. I think Harper Ray is an indisputable boy's name and I wouldn't do that.

Also..
Cameron Olivia
Cameron Ivy
Cameron Joy