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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Common name for a sibling that has an uncommon name?

85 replies

Chipstickcats · 17/12/2025 14:41

Hello, hoping for some opinions on this as I can’t decide!

my DD1 has a fairly unusual name - April, which was ranked 360 last year in the UK. We love the name and have only ever come across one other.

we are expecting a baby in May, and currently love the name Ivy, however this name was ranked fifth last year.

Is it weird to have names so different in popularity? My main worry is that Ivy would always be able to find her name on personalised things and April wouldn’t, is that silly?

We don’t actually know if we’re having a girl or a boy yet, and the 2 boys names we’re choosing between are also outside the top 100.

if you do think it’s an issue, does anyone have any other suggestions?

names we loved but can’t use:
Matilda
Florence
Poppy
Edie
Mabel
Martha

thank you!

OP posts:
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Hummusanddipdip · 17/12/2025 23:53

Also April and Ivy are a cute combination for siblings.

Hummusanddipdip · 17/12/2025 23:52

Wouldnt think too hard on it, my eldest's name was 500 and something when he was born, youngest is Oliver, solid top 10er since forever 😂

Backtorealityerr · 17/12/2025 23:50

April and Ivy are fantastic sister names.X

comfyshoes2022 · 17/12/2025 23:48

I’m actually going today disagree with most of the PPs and say that I think you’re right to be concerned (sorry!). I faced a similar situation when looking for a name for the second child and felt strongly that it was important to choose a name that was roughly similar in popularity (or really, lack thereof) to my first child. On the one hand, I think there’s a risk that the child with the unique name eventually becomes sick of it and wonders why they got stuck with a “weird” name when their sibling didn’t. And on the other hand, I think there’s a risk that the child with the common name eventually doesn’t like that and wonders why they didn’t get a “special” name like their sibling. I wanted to try to avoid both situations by starting them out more equal with respect to the names.

MsSmartShoes · 17/12/2025 23:46

Ivy & Iris
Ivy & Esme
Ivy & Lily
Ivy & Elaine
Ivy & Mavis

Pettenell · 17/12/2025 23:41

I think they sound great together, and I wouldn't worry at all about the numbers.

LilyLemonade · 17/12/2025 23:08

April and Ivy go very well together.

Not only are they a quite similar style of name, they also have a common link to nature and seasons even if they are different categories.

From your list of alternatives I think Edie is the one that goes best with April. But I think you should stick with Ivy.

imnotwhoyouthinkiam · 17/12/2025 22:27

I think April and Ivy sound lovely together.
But I also don't think it matters if names "match". The children are individuals.
DS1 has a top 100 name, but near the bottom.

When DS2 was born I gave him a name that I had previously vetoed due to it being too popular. (It was in the top 10 for 30ish years). But as soon as I saw him I that was his name.

Their names sound lovely together, but then I've been using them both for 19+ years. And they happen to both be old testament names, but I didn't know that at the time.

Honestly, pick a name you (and your DP) love.

Ineedanewsofa · 17/12/2025 22:25

As per PP April is not unusual really so you’ll be fine.
I do work with someone who has a very unusual name, their siblings have very ‘normal’ names so it is a bit incongruous (i.e Dave, Sarah and Hercules) and they find themselves explaining their name a lot!

Original poster
Chipstickcats · 17/12/2025 22:19

Thanks all so much for the lovely comments, I’m feeling a lot better about it.

@Wolfpai absolutely love that!

@Hiptothisjiveas stated in my op, April was ranked 360 last year, making it very unusual. It used to be more popular but hasn’t been inside the top 200 in 30 years. Ivy in comparison is incredibly popular, hence my whole issue … but anyway, I’ve been very reassured by everyone that it’s not an issue!

OP posts:
Hiptothisjive · 17/12/2025 21:50

OP neither of those names are unusual. I know many Aprils…..

Giraffehaver · 17/12/2025 21:38

I think April and Ivy sound lovely together. I personally only know 1 Ivy who's six

momtoboys · 17/12/2025 18:59

How about Mae?

IggyAce · 17/12/2025 18:56

My DCs have very different style names dd is traditional which shot up the name charts and ds has a more American surname style name. Don’t over think it, just choose a name you love.
I know one April with a sister called Ruby.

Wolfpa · 17/12/2025 18:51

My chickens are called April and Ivy, your daughters will be in good company

snugasabug75 · 17/12/2025 18:46

I know 4 Aprils and have met 6 Ivys- all from over seas.

How about Eden, Melody, Fern, Hattie, Darcy, Addison, Rae, Esme, Anabelle, Sadie, Jade, Gia, Jessica, Chloe, Louisa, Evelyn, Rosa, Ada, Tilly, Rosie, Rosemary, Mary, Cara, Belinda, Freya, Harriett, Kayla, Quinn, Sonia, Yvette, Zara, Leah

I'm personally not keen on Ivy

HugoYorway · 17/12/2025 18:26

You can always buy April a calendar. (Also works for Jason.)

Mumofgirls2017 · 17/12/2025 17:51

I think April and Ivy go really well together but know what you mean about difference in popularity and I’m not sure how I’d feel if were me. If you are wanting other suggestions- April and

Ellen
Melody
Esther
Holly
Flora
Sadie
Heidi
Leah
Rose
Cassie
Vivienne
Josie

MidnightPatrol · 17/12/2025 17:24

Fantastic opportunity to call them April and May though OP

GiddyDog · 17/12/2025 17:19

It's fine, my DD has a known but not common name, only one in the school. DS has a very common name (I thought it had gone out of fashion and was more 80's/90's popular but there seems to have been a local batch of them and there's 4 in his school year group alone!). No one cares including them.

everdine · 17/12/2025 17:08

hyggetyggedotorg · 17/12/2025 16:36

I think both are well known names, Ivy is just having a bit of a resurgence at the moment. I love it though, and would definitely use it.

The only girls’ name I wouldn’t use with April would be May 😂.

Iris is also nice but slightly less popular.

Edited

I went to school with a girl called April, her sister was named June and a younger sister named Heidi! Seemed quite strange when I was a child!

Cotswoldmama · 17/12/2025 17:03

I think they sound nice together. I would say April is an unpopular name rather than unusual. That's not to say it's not a nice name!

Myoldbear · 17/12/2025 16:39

April and Ivy are lovely!

hyggetyggedotorg · 17/12/2025 16:36

I think both are well known names, Ivy is just having a bit of a resurgence at the moment. I love it though, and would definitely use it.

The only girls’ name I wouldn’t use with April would be May 😂.

Iris is also nice but slightly less popular.

RandomUsernameHere · 17/12/2025 16:30

I think they go well together and April doesn’t strike me as being more unusual than Ivy (even though it obviously is based on what you’ve said)! In fact, I know an April but have never met an Ivy.