Name Help is a regular series at Appellation Mountain. Each week, one reader’s naming question is explored with input from the community.
We rely on thoughtful comments from readers to help expectant parents narrow their choices. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight.
Tiffany writes:
I’m so glad I found your site — I’ve always been a little obsessed with names, and it’s nice to find others who feel the same. My family currently includes a son named Atticus and a daughter named Aurora (we call her Rory). For our next baby, I’m leaning toward another name that starts with A so the kids’ names share a theme. My husband and I aren’t agreeing on many options, though, and I don’t want to limit ourselves too much.
My husband thinks Aria is trendy and too similar to Aurora, but I like it. Can you weigh in? I’d also love suggestions for A names that pair well with Atticus and Aurora, as well as non-A names that feel like a good match. For reference, some favorites from my lists are Thea, Leighton, and Octavia for girls, and Julian, Parker, and Wolf for boys. Any help would be much appreciated.
Please read on for my response; readers, please leave thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Dear Tiffany —
Having a naming pattern can be helpful because it narrows the field, but it can also create a block when the perfect name doesn’t fit the rule. To decide whether to keep the A theme, consider two questions:
- How many children do you realistically want? If you plan to add several more children, sticking to a single initial could become limiting. If this next child is likely to complete your family, a third A name is less of a concern.
- Would you compromise on a name you love less to preserve the theme? Some families take joy in maintaining a pattern and will choose a name they like slightly less for the consistency. If you imagine falling deeply in love with a non-A name, that’s a sign the theme shouldn’t be rigid. If the A options consistently feel best, then keep going with them.
With that in mind, here are name suggestions that work with Atticus and Aurora. I’ve separated boy and girl options and included a few that move away from A while still fitting the same style.
A Brother for Atticus and Aurora “Rory”
Adrian — A polished, classic-sounding name that complements Julian if you like that vibe.
Archer — Keeps the A and adds a different ending sound. It pairs well with Atticus and Aurora without echoing them.
August — Warm, slightly vintage, and rich with variants like Augustus or Augustine. August feels at home with your current names.
Ezra — If you’re willing to step away from A, Ezra shares the slightly unexpected, literary quality of Atticus while feeling fresh.
Felix — Latin in origin, means “lucky,” and brings a light, upbeat contrast to Atticus and Aurora.
Leonidas — Although Greek in origin, it references the ancient world and has a bold, classical sound that fits the same aesthetic.
A Sister for Atticus and Aurora “Rory”
About Aria: your husband is right that Aria has become trendier in recent years, and it does share a similar rhythm to Aurora. It can fit stylistically with Atticus and Aurora, but the repeated R and the potential nickname Ari (which could clash with Rory) are worth considering. Aria isn’t a bad choice, but it may not be the most distinct pairing with Aurora.
Here are other girl options to consider:
Alethea / Althea / Anthea — Longer A names that shorten naturally to Thea. Alethea, meaning “truth,” is elegant and uncommon; Althea and Anthea are similarly rare and graceful.
Alexandra, nn Sasha — A classic formal name with a spunky, less expected nickname. If you like the idea of a formal-first-name with a boyish or spirited nickname, this is a strong option.
Arielle / Ariella — If Aria feels too short or too close to Aurora, these longer forms keep the same melodic sounds while being more distinct.
Eloise — A vowel-forward name with many nickname possibilities (Elle, Ellie, Lou) that pairs beautifully with Aurora and Atticus.
Emery — If Leighton appeals to you for its modern-unisex quality, Emery is another option that balances nicely with Rory and Atticus, especially with the friendly nickname Emmie.
Sienna — A richly textured name that feels romantic and classic-modern at once; it’s a lovely non-A alternative to pair with Aurora.
Summing up: if you want to stick to A names, I particularly like Archer for a boy and Alethea (“Thea”) for a girl. If you’re open to branching out, Leonidas and Sienna are excellent non-A matches that share the same elevated, slightly classical tone as Atticus and Aurora.
Before deciding, revisit the two opening questions: how many children do you hope to have, and how committed are you to keeping the initial theme? Imagining yourself using a name that breaks the pattern will quickly tell you whether the theme matters more than the individual name.
Readers: what A names or alternative names would you add to this list for siblings of Aurora and Atticus?