Middle Name Challenge: Reese ______ Ogle

Nicole writes:

We're expecting our first child, a girl, on 1/11/11, and cannot decide on a middle name. Our last name is Ogle. Her first name will be Reese, but can't settle on a middle name that we both like and that flows nicely with our last name. The middle names we've considered are:

Elizabeth - don't want to use because of a family dispute

Irene - my grandmothers' names, but don't think it sounds right

Nicole - my name

Renee - my middle name

Isabelle

We're not attached to using a family name but kind of liked the idea of honoring both great-grandmothers. We mostly just want a middle name that sounds good between Reese and Ogle.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

Similar in rhythm and sound to Elizabeth (but without the family dispute) is Felicity: Reese Felicity Ogle.

Another name with the rhythm of Elizabeth is Olivia: Reese Olivia Ogle.

I also like Reese Miranda Ogle.

Another possibility is a hybrid I saw recently: Elizabelle. It gives you Elizabeth and Isabelle, and it sounds very pretty with the other names: Reese Elizabelle Ogle. This does give the initials REO (as in REO Speedwagon), but I'm guessing a '70s/'80s band isn't going to be the kind of thing elementary school students will be familiar with. I mention it only because that's the sort of thing I like to think through and accept in advance, rather than suddenly realizing it after the baby has been named.

The name Irene isn't perfect as a middle name for Reese, but it's good---and in fact, the more I think of it, the more I like it. I think if you don't have a strong feeling about a particular middle name, you might feel pleased later on if you used a name that reminded you of both of your grandmothers. Then if anyone ELSE didn't think the flow was perfect, they'd think, "Well, but it's a FAMILY name"---an explanation that covers a great deal of imperfection. And it's so rare for a name to be said in full. Yes, I think if I were you I'd use Irene.


Name update! Nicole writes:

We went with Reese Nicole. We just thought it sounds better together. But we're planning on using Irene for our next girl's middle name (assuming we have another girl, that is) :)

Thanks!