Cecelia Octavia - middle names

[Rachelyorkshire9]

So we are set on Cecelia for first name & have been struggling for middle name, we love Octavia, but wondering if it's a problem that they both end in 'ia' sound.. feel like i have looked at the names too much & now can't make sense!

You will get lots of comments saying that middle names are rarely used so flow doesn't matter that much, and if you love it you should use it.

I agree in theory, but to me it mattered that the whole name sounded beautiful. The matching endings (and the same number of syllables, tbh) would bother me, personally.

I think they sound great for sisters though! 🙃

It’s a bit of a mouthful, with both the same end sound and the fact that both names have the same number of syllables and stress pattern, which always adds to a clunky feeling for me. Personally I don’t mind two -a names, but even with a different syllable beat two -ia don’t work for me. Something like Cecelia Diana flows better than Cecelia Claudia and both work far better than Cecelia Octavia. But name flow is personal, and arguably not hugely important. The full name isn’t used too often so if you really love it, then I don’t think it’s the end of the world.

How about Cecelia Natalia - for me the two vowels together is unsatisfactory. Without that, the double ia ending sounds glamorous.

By the way, Cecelia is a non-standard spelling in English. Cecilia is the usual spelling.

It's fine and not a mouthful to me.It'd be bad manners for people to comment in real life.

Middle names aren't used in everyday life so I'd use a name you love. I'd agree about the spelling of Cecilia just because it'll cause confusion.

I absolutely love them both together. Beautiful

I read the title as Celica Octavia (as in Toyota/Skoda), hope none of the family are car enthusiasts.

I absolutely love both names but had the same issue with the 'a' sound and ended up with a French version of a uk A ending name (think Cecile rather than Cecilia).

I used an a name for first name and the French version of an a name for middle.

Don’t share it, but do think about surname as well. Not just the flow and how it sounds with two first names each with several syllables, but also do the initials spell something that your DD might not appreciate, e.g. COW?

Go for it. It’s a bit of a mouthful but not a strange combination and both names are very beautiful. You know when a certain name is ‘the one’ and might very well regret it if you didn’t choose it because of your concern that it might be too bold.

I agree with the poster above on the spelling of Cecelia. It looks odd to me, the usual (and nicer) spelling is Cecilia.

I think Cecelia Octavia is a bit much, tbh, and it doesn't really flow, but it's only a middle name. Use it if you love it.

It’s a bit of a mouthful, I wouldn’t.
You could shorten it to Celia Octavia.

Oh Celia is beautiful. The name of the Greek goddess of the moon, if I remember correctly.

Add Alice into the middle and it will flow much better - Cecilia Alice Octavia....

PS: I prefer Cecilia spelled this way and suspect that's what most people will naturally write.

I would put something else between the two, and spell it the traditional way. So Cecilia (eg) Jane Octavia Surname, which flows better.

It’s beautiful. I know a lovely Cecilia.

I’d say with such a bold name like Ophelia you need a shorter name to balance it.

Cecelia Jane
Cecelia Rose
Cecelia Grace
Cecelia Rae
Cecelia Kate

Cecelia Olive

As much as I love Octavia, I don't think it sounds great with Cecelia.

It's a bit of a mouthful (which is a shame as I love both Cecilia and Octavia - as pp said, they would make great sibling names). However I'm not sure it really matters, as its only occasionally you/she will have to say the full name aloud.

If you aren't sure, I'd be tempted to pick a shorter middle name of 1/2/3 syllables (since Cecilia is 4), depending on how long your surname is - preferably not ending in a/ah/ia for the best flow. Are there any family names you could use?

The Cecelia spelling is weird. Cecilia is the standard spelling

Middle names are rarely used but it seems a bit over the top to have two long names
Cicely is nicer than Cecilia

Cecily Octavia
Cecilia Ottilie
Cecilia May Octavia

Cecilia Octavia is rather nice, but please do use the standard spelling. 'Cecelia' just looks weird and your daughter will have a lifetime of having to correct other people's spelling.

@GU24Mum

Add Alice into the middle and it will flow much better - Cecilia Alice Octavia....

PS: I prefer Cecilia spelled this way and suspect that's what most people will naturally write.

Yes, agree with both these points.

Cecilia Alice Octavia works really well.

I think it's fine. Use names you love. This is coming from someone who altered her baby's middle name to improve the flow and regrets not using the (similar) name she preferred. Think using "Caroline" instead of "Carolina". Seriously, no-one else cared!

I actually like both names but then I am fond of posh names.