I’m told names are too short

[Mrsangrypants]

First DD is Penelope. We are now due DD2 and family are saying that our shortlist of names are too short and do not go. I’ve no idea why they need to ‘go’ together but what do you all think? Our names are: Evie, Elsie, Hallie

Well, the mistake there was involving anyone other than the other parent in the name choice :)

Just tell them you are going with "Evangeline" and pick something you like.

What a load of rubbish!

Your child, your name choice. I would go with Su, Lu, or Jo just to piss the nosey buggers off!

All three you suggest are nice btw

I think I'd probably go for a longer version that you could use those as nicknames for, such as Evelyn, Evangeline, Elspeth, Harriett. Lovely name choices though!

This is what happens when you tell people your choices.
Nothing wrong with your list.

I don't love that they would both end in an 'eee' sound, too matchy for my personal taste. That being said, I don't think the names you suggested are too short to sound complimentary with Penelope, they are fine. Evangeline which others have suggested is on my names list, but I get it's not for everyone, bit of a mouthful.

Tbph, if I were your dd2 called Evie/Elsie/Hallie (especially Hallie) I think I'd feel I'd drawn the short straw. Not just because of length, although that's part of it. Penelope is strong and classical, Evie/Elsie/Hallie are faddy and nicknamey.

Hallie is lovely.

I don't get the obsession with sibling names "going' together. They're individuals who happen to share a home and/or bloodline not a part of a set.

My DC both have 4 letters in their first names, purely coincidental, and imaginary 3rd DC would have 9 letters.

@MitheringSunday

Tbph, if I were your dd2 called Evie/Elsie/Hallie (especially Hallie) I think I'd feel I'd drawn the short straw. Not just because of length, although that's part of it. Penelope is strong and classical, Evie/Elsie/Hallie are faddy and nicknamey.

I wish my nan was still here. She was an Elsie and died at 93 lat year. I think she'd have appreciated being called faddy.

Yeah, schoolboy error there- never share your names list with anyone prior to the birth of the baby.

Oh just ignore them! I love Hallie from your list.

I've ended up with three fairly traditional names for mine my youngest is the shorter out of the three but it was my favourite naming children should not be by democracy people pleasing is the reason behind my middle child having two middle names which has been a nightmare from the start no tax credits because they were "looking for twins" no he is ONE child with TWO middle names he doesn't fit into official forms so they pick a middle name at random so at the doctors he is master XY at the school he is master XZ 🤦‍♀️

Possibly it's that Penelope is quite classical sounding and Evie, Elsie and Hallie as given names are more cutesy/nicknamey in comparison (although I've personally always liked Evie). Imo you can either decide having different style names don't matter for sisters, or use Eve/Eva, Evelina, Genevieve, Elisabeth/Elsa, Helena, Harriet etc on the BC with the nn's you like.

@MitheringSunday

Tbph, if I were your dd2 called Evie/Elsie/Hallie (especially Hallie) I think I'd feel I'd drawn the short straw. Not just because of length, although that's part of it. Penelope is strong and classical, Evie/Elsie/Hallie are faddy and nicknamey.

Yep would agree with this - it’s not the length, it’s that Penelope is a beautiful name with a rich history... and your second choices are nns.

Think full name options would work well - Eve nn Evie, or Elizabeth/Elspeth nn Elsie (or even Elsa nn Elsie), or Harriet nn Hallie.

I also think that compared with Penelope, Hallie will have drawn the short straw. I think that Hallie is this generation's Tracey.

PurBal, Elsie is faddy, as in the subject of a fad, at the moment. It's everywhere. And I'm assuming your nan wasn't Elsie on her birth certificate?

Well, they’re right, I’d say. It’s not the length per se, it’s that the style is so extremely different. Classical dignified name from the annals of Greek history/myth vs shortened twee names. How about Elizabeth instead of Elsie? Or Zoe? It’s short, but is a full name, and it’s Greek. I’d feel very shortchanged if my sister was Penelope and I’d been saddled with Elsie.

I'm baffled that people would feel hard done by because of they have a different sort of name to their sibling

I only have 1 middle name, my brother has 2, my sister's have none. Should i feel "short-changed" because of that too?! Only on MN!

Why are you giving their opinions mind space?

Call your dd what you want to call her. You don't need permission.

I don’t think names need to ‘go together’, I’ve never heard of it anywhere other than on MN.
And lesson learned, never tell anyone the names you are considering, just the name you have given baby when it’s born.

Honestly? I agree with them. But it's your choice in the end. Penelope is long, lots of nickname options and has substance and won't date her to any particular era.
Evie/Elsie/Hallie sound like nicknames and are quite faddy. So many girls are called Evie these that one day it will probably be the new Sue or Linda (No offence to those names, I know some lovely Sue's and Linda's)
Although names don't have to 'go' I think I would be envious of the name Penelope if I was called Evie.

Evelyn would go really well.

why do names have to go together? (But yes - Evie is the new Emily/Charlotte/Shannon)

Love all those names!
My sisters name is long (similar to penelope) and mine is short (similar to your 3 name suggestions too) I'd never have thought of it as an issue in a million years!
Her name is often shortened to a nickname, mine can't be shortened, doesn't both me at all, I actually prefer my name

Some people care if names 'go' and some don't. I personally do care. I wouldn't have a Charlotte and an Indie for example, despite liking both names, it just feels odd somehow and naming is important to me, I'd want to get it just right.
If I met a Penelope and an Evie/Elsie sib set I would probably think 'oh that's unexpected' for all of 5 seconds and move on, not a huge deal or anything but as OP asked...

Why do family even know what your list is?! Keep it between you and DH and choose the name you like