Middle name: Anne or Autumn?

[Yardley42]

I have decided on a first name beginning with C and my last name begins with T. I have therefore decided I'd like a middle name beginning with A - I think having CAT as initials is kind of sweet and could be a cool nickname for DD if she wants when she's a teen.

But I am torn between two possible middle names...

Anne is a family name - it's my grandmother's, mother's and sister's middle name. It's also the French version of my best friend and the baby's godmother's name Hannah. I also like that it's quite plain and chic - a good middle name, and sounds well with the first name which is multi-syllable and a tiny bit 'frilly', albeit classic. Altogether, the full name has a good ring to it. My sisters and I all have more unusual first names and plainer middle names, mostly taken from family.

But! I don't actually love the name Anne especially. I like its qualities, as I've described here, but I don't have any emotional connection to it as a name. Is that a waste of a name that could be one I love just for the sake of an initial?

Additionally, a long time family friend named Anne is in a very bad way at the moment, and that's an upsetting/really quite negative association that's putting me off a bit. This isn't a person I'd name a child after, so if she passes around the birth that might seem a little odd?

A name I do love is Autumn. It's my favourite season and I think a lovely name. It's a bit more 'out there' and possibly a bit hippy (my mother will hate it!!), and doesn't sound quite as classy as a full name with the first and last - but no one knows your middle name later in life, then only the initial really matters.

Plus, I think Autumn is a middle name DD could think was a bit cool when she's older, as opposed to Anne, which is plainer? It's also a more gender neutral name, in case she wants something like that - the first name is definitely 'girly'. It also sounds great with just the first name, in case she became a pop star or influencer and wanted to drop the surname, lol! (To be clear, these are not my ambitions for her! Just things you consider. Her first and last names would happily suit a judge or Prime Minister!!)

Autumn is quite popular / common right now, Anne is not that well used despite how classic it is, but don't mind a popular middle name.

What does everyone think, if you made it this far? Thanks.

I actually love Autumn as a middle name - it's a bit out there compared to what I normally like but it's actually lovely.

Anne as a family name. Autumn is a season.

I personally like middle names to mean something (seeing as they're rarely used day to day). Neither of my children have middle names I'd use as a first name but they are family names that have a connection to the past - I'd go Anne.

I love Autumn

Autumn all the way OP! I think it's a beautiful middle name

Thanks everyone! Fairly even split so far, haha. At least I probably can't get it wrong...

This has helped a bit tbh, because seeing people vote Anne makes me feel no, I want Autumn! I think realistically Anne is the 'head' choice and Autumn is the 'heart' choice.

Go with your heart, it's YOUR baby! 💓

I had almost this exact dilemma. Anne was the family name but I really loved Adelaide (DH vetoed it as a first name).

We ended up choosing neither! We went for another name I also loved which incorporated Anne as a sound - there are loads! Anneliese, Anjuli, Anastasia, Annabel, Anita, Angela, Andrine, Annika, Antoinette, Angelica, Anna, Anya....

Throwing that out as an option! But basically, as someone now on the other side, I'd choose my heart name over head name.

Autumn! Anne is too dreary and old fashioned

Anne. Middle names hardly get used and it’s better it to not be “out there”.

Autumn

Anne

Heart choice.
Autumn.
It's beautiful!

It's important to pick a name you love.

Autumn is lovely, the reasons are nice for Anne but it is boring

Anna instead of Anne

Anna or Amber

As an Anne I say Autumn. Or Annie.

Interesting you had the same challenge, @Ittastesvile!

I've looked and looked for other names that include the 'an' sound, and not found any I like. I think I do prefer the simplicity and 'classy-ness' of Anne over any of the similar options, and of course it has the family connection.

And I've read through lists and lists of other 'A' names, @Crazycatladyy, and not found any that feel as right for me as Autumn!

Thanks for all the opinions! It's genuinely more helpful than I thought it would be! I don't have anyone to talk to about it and canvass opinion IRL as family don't want to know the name before the birth.

Anne is a pretty name but a boring middle name. I know so many who are Something Anne or Something Ann,. Go with the name you love.

I personally think Autumn a bit odd for a non autumnal baby and prefer Anne, but you sound like you prefer Autumn so go for it! I think I wouldn't like to have Autumn as a middle name and I speak as someone with the second most boring middle name for a 1970s child.

I disagree- as middle names are hardly used that’s the perfect reason to be bit out there. Having said that though, I know two little girls called Autumn as their first name so I don’t think it’s particularly out there these days :) It’s a beautiful name. Anne especially spelled that way is so dreary. If you do decide to use it, I would drop the ‘e’ off the end, or even Anna is better.

I always think of Anne of Green Gables, @AutumnNamechange, who said "the name Anne spelled with an E looks so much more distinguished than just plain old Ann"! I can't remember if Anne Shirley liked her name or not - I think not. But she was very firm about the E!

Hearing the word dreary a lot in these opinions... good to know!

Autumn has definitely shot up in popularity recently - it was only just outside the top 100 in 2021. Wish the ONS would hurry up and release 2022's names already!

I don't think I mind the popularity, for a middle name - just hope it doesn't end up a bit 'faddy' and dated in years to come.

I think of that quote too. I don't think she liked it and wanted to be Cordelia.