Maya Campbell or Naomi Jane? Sibling set advice needed

[needababygirlname4]

We have three DC: Gabriel, Samuel, and Isabel. Due with DD in March and genuinely stuck between two names. DH and I are leaning in different directions but neither of us feels strongly enough to overrule the other.

Option 1: Maya Campbell
Campbell is my maiden name (Scottish). Would honor my heritage directly as DH is Hispanic and our surname reflects his side.

Option 2: Naomi Jane
Jane is a family name on my side. (We can’t use Campbell as the middle name with Naomi for obvious reasons.)

Our debate:

Maya Campbell:
• Fresh, modern feel
• Campbell as middle name directly honors my family
• Only two syllables vs. siblings’ three
• Surname-as-middle-name feels strong and meaningful

Naomi Jane:
• Three syllables matches the sibling pattern
• Classical, historical weight feels cohesive with Gabriel/Samuel/Isabel
• Solid, established name that’s neither trendy nor dated
• More traditional middle name structure
• Substantial, timeless feel

What we need help with:

When you read all four names together - Gabriel, Samuel, Isabel, and [Maya/Naomi] - does one feel like it disrupts the sibling cohesion?

Does the syllable count difference actually matter in real life, or is pattern-matching just overthinking?

Is there value in having a surname as a middle name (Maya Campbell) vs. a more traditional middle (Naomi Jane)?

Our surname is three syllables, Hispanic, similar rhythm to Martinez or Fernandez if that helps with flow.

Honest opinions please - we’re properly stuck and need outside perspective!

I never know whether Maya is pronounced May-a or My-a? On that basis I prefer Naomi.

Surnames as middle names aren't strange at all. I know lots of people who have a family surname as a middle name, including my baby niece and most of my cousins.
They're far more interesting than a twee Something Rose/May/Grace name.

My parents gave me an Amanda Jane type of name and I've always been a bit envious of my cousins with a more meaningful middle name.

Maya Campbell, totally normal to have a surname as a middle and a nice nod to your heritage.

The syllable argument feels like scraping the barrel for arguments against. Surely a lot of people only use two syllables for Samuel and at least one will likely go by Sam, Gabe or Izzy?

Maya Campbell! It flows so well together :)

I love Naomi Jane

As a child of the 80s, Jane as a middle name is the ultimate definition of pointless boredom. I like both Maya & Naomi but on the middle name issue alone I prefer Maya Campbell.

Also, how do you pronounce Samuel so that it has 3 syllables? It only has 2 for me!

Gosh, that's an awful lot of over thinking! I'd say, and I'd worry asking Mumsnet will make the amount of things you have to worry about even worse!

I'd say, stop over thinking, (although I get you can't really have Naomi Campbell!) Just pick the one you like best.

I've never understood the whole concept of names must go with other siblings names, and there's certainly no point in worrying about how the middle name goes or flows, to be honest you could have Naomi Campbell 'Fernandez' because after the first few weeks of introducing her and filling in forms neither you or she will ever have to use her middle name again, accept on private forms. It's a great excuse to honour a loved one, favourite movie star, someone's maiden name etc etc.

To add though, Maya is not what I would say 'fresh' its actually fairly common and a bit boring in my world along with all the Mia, Myla type names. I really love Naomi! Ill throw Nina into the mix as well.

Good luck! Try and enjoy the process and not panic.

Matching syllables is a thing? News to me. The Samuels I know are pronounced as 2 syllables. Maya and Mia are very popular if that matters to you - moreso than Naomi.
Neither can really be shortened whereas your other DC names are likely to be, in case that's a consideration. I like Naomi but also like the idea of Campbell as a middle name (not together though!), although I do see that more as a boy's first name. Anything goes these days so choose the one you love!

It’s AI

@Trampoline , do they say it as Sam-wel? All the ones I know say it as 3 syllables.

I LOVE Naomi

Those I know are pronounced Sam-yul....but I guess slowing down the pronunciation makes it Sam-yu-wul (which I don't hear anyone do!) I don't think anyone says Sam-yu-wel? Like Emanuelle or Gabrielle? Maybe they do!

@Trampoline , SAM-u-el/SAM-ew-ul.
Like Joshua or Emanuel is 3 syllables.

Definitely SAM-yule here!

Might be regional. I've heard Sam-wel but not by an English speaker.
They can say it how they wish but it's usually 3 syllables.

Definitely Sam-yule or Samyull/yall anywhere I've been in the UK. Maybe, occasionally a very sublte 3 syllables.

Sam-well is a big character from Game of Thrones.

He was Samwell not Samuel.

OP says Samuel as 3 syllables.

I'd go with Maya, but that's just because i despise Naomi Campbell 😆

Naomi is lovely

Naomi Campbell