Let Us Name Your Baby

Let Us Name Your Baby

Catherine thought she had the perfect name for her baby girl. But when her beloved brother Dave passed away only weeks before her due date, she had a new mission — to find a creative way to honor his memory. How does one spin a traditional boy's name to work for a girl?

Catherine writes:

My baby brother passed last Saturday and I really want to honor him by finding a name that reminds me of him. His name was Dave and looking for potentially a D name or something similar to his name.

I like Dahlia, Lily, and Maeve but I wish I had more options as I can’t find anything that feels right. I wanted to name her Lily Cate before he passed but now want a new name that honors him somehow. He truly was my soul twin. Can you please help me?

Nameberry Creator Pamela Redmond responds:

Hi Catherine, I am very much sorry to hear of your brother's passing.

My colleague Sophie Kihm and I both had the same honor name idea for your little girl: Davey or Davie. It's a fresh and adorable member of the Billie/Stevie/Scout group of tomboyish names for girls.

As a first name, it might feel too close to your brother's actual name, or maybe it's not your style. But what about using it as a middle name, with any of the first names you like? Or even, since you were going to name your daughter Lily Cate, naming her Lily Dave. I think it's totally adorable and there's a lightness and even slightly rebellious feeling to it that might remind you of your brother in a sweet fun way.

Sophie and I are both very enthusiastic about the name Dave or Davey or Davie for your daughter's middle name. It's a new spin on the trend for using James as a middle name for baby girls. I hope I'm not overstepping when I say that I bet your brother would love it too.

You might get pushback on using the middle name Dave or Davey or Davie from friends or family members who think it's too close to your brother's name and/or think it's a weird middle name for a girl. Your response depends on how you truly feel. If you love it in a deep emotional way, you can just say, I love it, and don't discuss it anymore. But if you're uncertain yourself, you might want to discuss with them before making the choice.

Introducing...

Lily Davie (11/22/2024)

Catherine follows up:

I really wouldn’t have thought of using Davie as a middle name if it wasn’t for you guys! I know my brother would love it. He was even happy when I told him I was looking for a D name for my daughter.

You were so helpful and helped me name my daughter a name I will cherish forever. Thank you!


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