Sibling for Alice - Max / Miles, Penelope / Annabel??

[babyonboard22]

Hi, I'm due in less than a week and my husband and I are struggling to settle on names.
We don't know what we are having which makes it twice as challenging!

This is my first ever post - so far these threads have been a brilliant source of inspiration so I'm hoping you can help us make a final decision :)

Our daughter is Alice. We love the more classic names, but ideally not something in the top 10.

So far, the few names we have on our shortlist are:
BOYS

• Max (not sure about any of the longer versions though - don't like Maxwell or Maximilian, so do you just go Max?)
• Miles (not keen on nn Milo but like Miles)
• William (family name but a close friend had a baby William a few weeks ago)
• Benjamin (nn Ben. Our last name starts with B, so we like the alliteration)

GIRLS

• Annabel (but don't like nn Anna, or Annie, maybe Bella though. but would prefer it to just be Annabel - again works well with last name B?)
• Penelope (nn Penny)
• Philippa (nn Pippa)

Would love to hear your views on any of the above, or other suggestions along the same theme!

Thank you so much

I really like Philippa and Benjamin

I have an Alice too, we're having another girl. From your list I like Penelope and Benjamin the best.

All good solid middle class names. No room for a Jayden in there??? Or a Kayleigh?? Only joking. I like slightly more unusual names and I loved trawling through baby name books. I let DH loose on a middle name for DD, but now aged 25, she doesn’t like that name. She’s right. It’s lacking imagination and isn’t her at all. Oh well - too late now!

haha bubblesbuddy! Yes middle class names is no doubt where we'll end up :)
Other options by my DH include Harriet and Edward.. but I've vetoed both. I like Hugo, but he vetoed it - Kayleigh also didn't make the shortlist: )

Pandacat - great taste :) Have you decided on a name for your second DD yet?

BOYS

• Max I think you should go with Maxwell or Maximilian on the birth cert, but call him Max all the time. That's what the Max's I know have had.
• Miles Like this name, like the Myles spelling too, and that might not be as easy to get the Milo nn from.
• William LOVE this name, but it's popularity rules it out for me. Personally I'd struggle with a name that a close friend/relative has also used.
• Benjamin LOVE this name too. Can't use it as one of my Nephews is a Ben. This name totally stands the test of time.

GIRLS

• Annabel Think it works fine with a last name beginning with B. I do think that people would automatically shorted it to Anna though despite if you nn her Bella.
• Penelope YES! Love Penelope, so happy it seems to be gaining in popularity.
• Philippa (nn Pippa) A bit dated, but a nice name, and the nn Pippa is fab.

I vote Benjamin, Penelope, or Philippa!
I have a Benjamin, and I love the name! (He often goes by Benji)
And we are considering Philippa “Pippa” for our third! So, definitely another favourite :)

I came on here to say Harriet

From your list, I like Benjamin and Annabel

We have decided. She will be Evelyn, will probably be called by a nickname day to day! DD1 loves Evie.

Benjamin is the best by a mile. Like the alliteration.

Annabel with a B surname not so good, bit of a tongue twister possibly?

My favourite is Penelope.

Can't stand Philippa or Pippa, just sounds a bit prissy and dated.

Have you considered Josephine? - Posy, Josie for short? That seems to me in the same classic but not too cutesy vein as Alice.

Phillipa and Benjamin.

Max - Max is fine as a stand alone name though I don't love it. Have you considered Maxim?

• Miles - I strongly dislike it

William - there are alot of William's about but it's a lovely name. Alive and William do sound very good together

• Benjamin - lovely name. I prefer Benji to Ben

• Annabel - I like just Annabel. Lovely name (plus best spelling) sounds nice with Alice
• Penelope (nn Penny) - not a fan
• Philippa (nn Pippa) - gorgeous name

Evelyn Penelope is really beautiful.

I like Louis for a boy and Alice goes really nicely with it.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses.
It sounds like Benjamin is a clear favourite with most of you..
I particularly liked Miles, but mixed responses on here which is interesting!

We will probably end up deciding on the day baby arrives - not long to wait now, only a few more days hopefully :)

Benjamin and Penelope

I have a Max - didn't like Maxwell or Maximillian so he just Max. It is definitely a name in its own right and does not need a "birth certificate"/"work" version in the way that eg. Ed or Tom might.

I would probably go with Penelope or Philippa/Pippa as I am not sure Alice and Annabel sound right together. Also sorts out the Miss A B-surname problem when letters arrive when they are older.

You have the exact taste in names as me I'd probably go with Miles or Pippa.

Some others I like:

Guy
Patrick
Henry
Arthur
Tess
Fearne
Felicity
Juliet

Alice and..

Albert
Benjamin
Charles
Peter

Alice and...

Rachel
Ruth
Louisa

LOVE Miles and Penelope