Do sibling names have to 'go' with each other?

[Crumbelina]

Just that really. We have an Elizabeth and our second daughter is due in September. I love the name Raphaela for the next one but people have mentioned that they won't 'go' together. To be honest, we've only ever called DD1 Betty and we'd probably shorten DD2 to Raphy (which I think go together) but I wonder if other people have non-matching names, if it's an issue, if you couldn't care less etc.?

It doesn't matter a single jot !
Name your beautiful daughter, the name that you love. I think Elizabeth and Raphaela sound great together. 😄
It isn't about pleasing the people.

My children's names don't follow a 'theme' or pattern, it never even crossed my mind, and they don't really go together in any way.

I suppose it might sound strange if one of them were called Wolf and one was called Timmy just because they are at such opposite ends of the spectrum. But I would imagine that probably wouldn't happen anyway.

I don't even know what's a matching name. Such threads on MN always baffle me.

Do they expect your new girl to be Margaret or something?

I never really even understand what people mean when they ask if names go together tbh, I suppose if you had one called something like destini and one called something like charlotte it might be a bit disconcerting for a second or two, but other than that I don't really get it.

I think they do go together beautifully anyway.

I think it makes sense if names sort of 'sit' together when said together. I am trying to think of examples but can't!

Maybe if you have an Elizabeth best steer clear of Luna moonbeam apple

Hmm, yes, I have to admit that it was a Mumsnet thing rather than real life.

Timmy and Wolf

People only notice when they're kids, and they'll spend most their lives as grown women.

The only thing to avoid is ridiculously unmatching names, like Florian, Julian, and Trevor

Or Thor and Cuthbert. Those would be gloriously mismatched sibling names . Especially if Thor was very slight and Cuthbert was very big and strong.

I agree, it's only massive clashes that the problem. You call your children Henry, Isabella and Wayne and it's going to look odd.

When I named mine, I went by the rule of thumb of "how will it look when I sign a card from all of us?". If it's weird, don't do it!

I really don't think they have to go together at all. They are all individuals. Saying that my three DC have names that compliment each other very well, but that wasn't the reason behind deciding to give them those particular names. We just happen to like names beginning with vowels.

Although there's not a massive clash with our names, I do remember resenting the fact that, to me, my sister had an intesting name and me a dull one. So Raphaela is a much more exotic name than Elizabeth. And Elizabeth has lots of good shorts to chose from, but Raphaela had Raphy (which I think looks very ugly, I'd be inclined to go with Rafaela/Rafi).

So - I wouldnt, myself.

I never understood this "going together" thing. Just pick names you like fgs lol!

I have a friend who was a bit of a wild child in her teenage years and had her first child at age seventeen. Fifteen years later she is now a respectable, seemingly straight laced lady with a good job, nice house in the suburbs etc...

Her eldest child who she had when she was seventeen has a name along the lines of Phoenix...

Her younger two who she had much later in life have names along the lines of James and Sarah.

It doesn't matter, they're all happy, great kids but it does give me wry smile.
BTW I don't think there is that much of a juxtaposition with your names. They're both quite classical I think.

Themed names are the weirdest thing ever.

Betty and Raphy (Raffy?) would both be lovely names.

Matching names

Like Jack & Jill or Adam & Eve?

This made me chuckle. I guess if you use names enough they will eventually go together as everyone gets used to it.

I have a Phoebe & Harry. They sound like they go because I'm forever putting the names together iyswim?

Oh yes - matchy, matchy names. Much worse!

"The only thing to avoid is ridiculously unmatching names, like Florian, Julian, and Trevor"

The thing is though, they will only ever be Florian, Julian and Trevor to your family, from starting playgroup or nursery they're going to be just one of those to the rest of the world, not part of a set at all, just a person, with a name.

I agree, it's only massive clashes that the problem. You call your children Henry, Isabella and Wayne and it's going to look odd

But does it really matter?

If I really loved those names I'd just use them.

To a certain extent.
For example it would sound odd if you had a Chardonai-Leigh and an Elizabeth Mary. Ones sorry but chavvy and The other is classy strong and sophisticated

But who cares if some people think it sounds odd? If you love those two names, why does it matter?

(hint: it doesn't)

OP,

Raphaela is so lovely. One of my great favourites.

Always imagine a Raphaela as being artistic and/ or musical. Definitely creative in some way.

I agree there does seem to be a lot of store set by siblings' names 'working' together. Surely not important unless you're really into a theme?

I'm ashamed that I apparently even realise^ I cocked up the birth order there. Hey-ho.

My two boys names 'go' together, but only because they are both Scottish, it wasn't a deliberate thing really.

A friend of mine has two siblings who are actually called Adam and Eve, their mum claimed she didn't even realise the faux pas when choosing the youngest Eve's name!

Just choose names you like, mine and my brothers names 'go' but we haven't spoken in years so it's irrelevant. It won't matter when Ann and Tallulahbelle are older that their names don't match.

Just make sure boys names aren't Cain and Abel. It's not a good combination.

Nor Thor and Loki.