If DC1 has a multi-syllable name do all DCs need the same?

[PlainJane1000]

DS1 has a 3 syllable name, which we use interchangeably with a 1 syllable nn.
Considering names for DC2 and like a few shorter names but feel like it's short changing the second child, especially if the same gender. Is this mad? How much should the name of DC2 be influenced by the name of DC1?

Definitely fine to have names with different numbers of syllables!

They’re individuals so I don’t think it’s so important though I guess it does stand out if one seems much fancier than the other which can be the case with longer and shorter names.

Pick the name you love. That's all that matters imo.
I never considered if my DCs names 'went' together. Of course they do now, but whether that's because they are of a similar 'flavour' or because I'm used to hearing them together or not is anyone's guess!

Both have a 3 syllable 1st name, which is pure coincidence. DS1 has 2 middle names, DS2 only has 1. He says he doesn't care and doesn't feel short changed.

Interesting. So elder ds called for instance Sebastien and younger ds called for instance John? Have two ds and I don’t think they would notice or mind. Although I think if myself and my sister I might have given it some thought. The multiple syllable girls names are quite pretty and I could imagine a little girl thinking this maybe

Of course it's fine!

I think it's a good idea to have names that don't actively 'fight' each other when you yell them one after the other (which you will be doing in the park for the next decade or more) or write them together in family messages and card. Or which are laughable together (make a word/phrase or spoonerise)

But aside from that, just choose the names you want

You'd be short changing DC2 if you choose their name to match DC1's in some way
DC2 is their own person and deserving of the name you love best, not the one that had the 'right' number of syllables.

The latter would make them less of a priority than their sibling. Like they're an attachment to them or something.

I have three DC and each of their names has a different number of syllables!

One of mine has three syllables. Another had one syllable. It’s fine. I think what matters more is that the names are a similar style.

I like this, and I prefer it when names sound like they've been chosen for love of the name rather than for matching syllables. That's not to say I think 4 kids each with 3 syllable names is a bad thing, I just don't think an Elizabeth and a Zoe sound off together.

I didn’t even consider the amount of syllables I just picked names I liked. Turns out now thinking about it DS1 has 2 syllables, Ds2 3 and DD has 3

I have 2 x 3 syllables and 1 x 1 syllable. The 1 syllable is by far the most confident!

I do think if you have a William & an Elizabeth then a Tom, it's like you've run out of interest to choose a 'proper' name for the third one.

Ben, Jane & Edward, it seems a bit like the third is more special.

I think it shouldn't matter, but does.

It's more than just syllables that make a name 'special' or not.

Bernadette, Sophie, and Anya - Bernadette is the longest, but they might feel more short changed as it's a rather old fashioned clunky name and doesn't have the same feel as the others.

Amos, Stephen, and Matthew all have two syllable names, yet Amos stands out as more unique in comparison - I would see this as a benefit, but other actively seek out more common names for their children so they don't stand out too much.

I wouldn't concern myself with syllables being equal, I really dont think that matters. I would name the same number of names, and try and choose ones that are equally 'interesting' but that's a matter of opinion so no sure fire way to get that.

I think if names are extremely different people might notice, but that's not just to do with the length of the name.

I disagree with a pp who thinks Edward is more 'special' than Jane. To me those are a very similar style of names. I don't think one extra syllable makes a difference. If it was Zebediah and Jane, I might wonder why the parents had made those decisions!

@MerryChristmas21

I do think if you have a William & an Elizabeth then a Tom, it's like you've run out of interest to choose a 'proper' name for the third one.

Ben, Jane & Edward, it seems a bit like the third is more special.

I think it shouldn't matter, but does.

If you had Ben, Jane and Jude, I'd say Jude is more special despite being 1 syllable (mostly because I prefer it as a name and it's a bit cooler/ more modern to me). Ben, Jane and Ed. All fairly equal and similar. Ben, Jane and Emma, likewise.

I think girls may consider themselves that longer names are prettier, or at any rate fancier.
Jean or May might feel short changed if their sisters are Ariana-Rose and Florabella.
Not sure boys feel the same.

I generally think multiple syllable names sound a it silly (sorry). Child 2 might be grateful for a shorter name.

In primary there are two brothers called Ben (not Benjamin) and Maximilian (never called Max , it’s not allowed). People have remarked on the contrast, especially as Maximilian is extremely spoilt and babyish.

Jean or May might feel short changed if their sisters are Ariana-Rose and Florabella.
Not sure boys feel the same.

But this is about style not syllables. I expect Stephanie or Olivia may feel their names were plain compared to Ariana-Rose or Tallulah!

It’s fine! Nathaniel and James, for eg, or Isabel and Eve go perfectly well together.

Thanks everyone for the replies and experiences. I think general consensus is that style similarities are more important than name length which does make sense.
I'm the Ben / Maximilian example I think that raises an eyebrow since both names CAN be shortened and by choice one is but the other isn't. I also agree that boys probably don't pay any notice to these things!

I think it’s largely fine. Something like Horatio and Bob would weird and yes, it would appear to Bob that a lot more effort went into Horatio’s name. Names of a similar style would be fine - Emily and Rose for instance sound perfectly well suited or Dominic and James.

Well I wouldn't have an imposing long name like Bathsheba and the other Ann.

I think for two children most names work together. For me it becomes problematic when there are several children and one of their names stands out. Jane, Rose, Grace and Isabella is a bit incongruous. I think as long as they are stylistically similar (Fred and Odysseus would be an odd pair) name length is irrelevant. Also which names work as a set is very personal. The Ben, Jane and Edward example from above doesn't even register to me as anything to note, but clearly that's not universal. People also have different attitudes to name length, so it's not always that a longer name is the better one,

I would much prefer to be called Bob than Horatio and May than Florabella. I would definitely be put out to have a flouncy name.