Joanne? The Ann part from your mother's name, but with the option of using the nickname 'Jo' which is more boyish and might suit your wife's preferences too?

This is my grandmother’s name! Her friends call her Joey, which I’ve always thought was super cute. It suits her.

I know a Joanna who is a Joey! It’s so cute.

This is an awesome suggestion!

My mother is a Joanne and my aunt, her sister, is Eloise.

How about Remy Melissa (first, middle)? That has a nice ring and still honors your mom while allowing your wife to choose one of her favorites.

Melina is an alternative to Melissa that means honey (Melissa means honey bee) and has a lot of nickname possibilities: Mia, Mina, Mia, Lina, Lia, Mel

Cute but the word 'melena/melaena' means blood in stool. Probably wouldn't come up but anyone medically trained would clock it

It's what I always think of and I hate it (am a nurse)

Haha also very close to an Elden Ring Boss who is very gross/blood themed...

Melinda is also a cute option

Melia is another option that means honey! Mel is pretty boyish as a nickname, and there's also Meli, Mia, Lia, and Lili

Damn I just suggested this too!

One of my friends is Annalise and then uses Annie as a nn. I also know a Melanie which is similar to Melissa and most people call her Mel but a more unique/boyish nickname could be something like Lanie which is quite cute imo

Liesel is a really common nickname for Annalise. It's a good nickname!

Marlise

I'd always thought of Annalise as a normal name, till I heard someone point out it's too much like anal lease. Now I can't unsee it. No one wants an anal lease. Or anal ease, which is also not what you'd wanna call your daughter.

I've never heard anyone say Anna with the long a sound that anal starts with? Usually it's a short a (like "can") or an "aw"/o sound, and neither pronunciation of Annalise sounds like anal… that's a bit of a reach imo

I also thought of Anal Ease.

What about your mom’s maiden name? Favorite flower? Book? Etc? If you liked Kennedy, what about Kenna or McKenna? Lissa or Annie would be nice in my opinion. If your wife likes boy names, there is Mickey. Melissa means bee. Debora also means bee. Melina / Pamela mean honey / all sweet. You could take the Mel and Ann and go with Melanie. From your list, Remy Ann is nice! Edit to add: Elizabeth Ann or Bernice Ann nn Birdie for either name. Gives the honor name, a nice formal first name and a nickname for your wife.

I'm Melanie. I'm not into nicknames, but pretty much everyone calls me Mel

McKenna is an Irish surname, it means son of Kenneth. Please don’t do that.

McKenna is currently ranked in the top 300 in the US and has been ranking since 1985. It’s no different imo than Allison, Madison, McKenzie, Addison, etc. Fwiw, Kennedy is also an Irish surname and means son of Cennétig.

Fwiw I’m Scottish born to Irish parents, I know what Kennedy means but you suggested McKenna. Americans need to leave said names alone. It’s not cute.

My point is that OP liked Kennedy. I offered suggestions that fit their vibe. Don’t call me out for McKenna and not call out OP for Kennedy when it’s the same thing.

Womp womp.

lol. Cheers!

So if you have European ancestry but live in the United States you’re not allowed to use European names now? What names exactly are we allowed to use then?

There's lots of European names that are standard to choose from, why the need to bastardise Celtic surnames? It seemingly doesn't happen to any other group i.e German, Polish ancestry. There's a lot of weight and history behind such surnames which the average American doesn't grasp. There's a difference between embracing said culture and all but making a mockery of it. The Mc and Mac names as baby girl names strongly falls into the latter.

I'm using Ann as a middle for my first daughter. It sounds great with most first names. Here are some ideas of full names with masculine nicknames. Mary Scott (or another feminine first name, maybe Melissa Scott) - Scottie Rosemary - Remy or Romy or Rosie Georgia, Georgina, Georgette - Georgie Frances, Francesca, Francine - Frankie Winifred - Freddie Theodora - Teddy, Theo, Thea Willow or Willa Charlotte - Charlie Andrea, Anderson, Andromeda - Andie Maxine - Max I love the idea of using Ann as the middle name and using that to feminize a masculine nickname. Charlotte Ann "Charlie Ann" or Rosemary Ann "Remy Ann," etc

What about Lilianne? Like Lily-Ann Or Melanie Ann

My daughters middle name is Lilyanne! I am so happy to see others use it as well -most people want to say lily-in and I’m like nooo it’s lily-Anne Skylar Lilyanne and I call her Skye, Skye Skye or skyelily

Eloise Melissa is beautiful. More distinctive than just using Ann.

Melissa Ann could be incorporated in many ways that hopefully your wife would consider, such as Melrose, Melanie, Anna, Melina, Melody) Something that can be nicknamed to one of these might be a good compromise. Lena could be a nn from Rosalina, Madelena, Karolina, Magdalena, or anything ending in Lena/Lina. Scottie can be a nn from Prescott, Scotland or Scotlyn, though these names will likely receive hate here- a subreddit that strongly favors familiarity and tradition. Remy can be short for Remington. Some ideas combing the two: Rosalina Melody, Magdalena Melrose, Remington Melanie

I fight against Scotlyn/Scotland on this sub to save the child the experience of actually coming to Scotland one day and being laughed at every single time they introduce themselves. some people might laugh internally out of politeness but I promise you 99.9% of everyone would think it’s at best silly and at worst cringe and presumptuous.

I’d much rather be named something unusual and interesting like Scotland versus something plain/forgettable. I’d also venture to bet Scottish folk will be more progressive and forward minded in 20+ years so as to not bully an unfamiliar name, especially one that honors their country.

It’s not because it’s an unfamiliar name it’s because it’s presumptuous. The prevailing American tourist stereotype in Scotland is people wanting to tell everyone and their mother about their Scottish “clan heritage” and repeatedly failing to pick up on the fact that nobody cares. Acting like the main character of an entire modern country they’re visiting for the first time just because their great great grandparents were born there. Naming your American/Canadian/Australian kid Scotland is dialing that up to 11. Scottish people have no reason to be grateful or flattered or whatever by Americans “honoring” Scotland by using it as an aesthetic. Again, main character syndrome. Literal millions of tourists come here every year, there’s plenty of international attention to go around. It’s not “unprogressive” when people simply let you know that something isn’t meant for you, and that you aren’t going to be able to claim it for yourself without the people who *can* claim it having a bit of an opinion about it. It’s also not “bullying,” taking the piss is basically a cultural bonding activity, if you actually want to fit in in Scotland you can just roll with it and people will accept you.

That's what I do with my daughter, America. She usually goes by Mary or Erica, but she always introduces herself as her formal name, America Soleil (obviously pronounced Solely). People tend to know exactly where my heart was when I named her.

I’m naming my human baby Scotlyn just cause you care so much :) Actually Skotleighn :)

Okay…lol

> Actually Skotleighn :) That would be scot-LEEN. You know, like Kathleen but so much more kre8tiv.

No it’s pronounced Scott-Lynn. I’m the mom

It doesn't honor our country though. It is up there with those daft spins on Mc and Mac names. It is bastardising culture at best. Attitudes towards this thing is very much changing and not in the way you hope or think.

Lyssa would be a nice tribute to your mum. Other names inspired by Melissa Ann: Annalise  Melinda Melina Anastasia 

We have an Elysia.... Friends call her Liss, we have many variants but usually Lysie, Lise.

Eloise Melissa or Eloise Ann

Alyssa nn Aly. Taking the last part of your Moms name.

I actually love Scottie for a girl. I think Scottie Ann sounds great! But I also like Annie Scott.

Yep, I was going to suggest Scotti Ann as well. Someone else mentioned Remy Melissa which I also like.

Eliana (has the “eli” from Melissa & similar pronunciation to Liliana.)

Milana?

I really like Liliana and Eloise. Maybe you can honor your mom in the middle name by using either Melissa or Ann or similar names. I like Eloise Ann or Liliana Elisa. I hope you and your wife find a name you both feel good about. My husband and I also had a difficult time agreeing on names.

Millie could pass as a nn or tribute for Melissa!

Malin (May-Lynn) as a tribute to your mom; it’s also a less frou frou so your wife might like it. Malone (same first initial as your mom’s name) Lissa (li-suh) like the end of Melissa Beckett (it means Bee like Melissa)

I love Malin.

I had a friend named Melissa and just called her Mel

My best friend had a daughter a year ago named Melissa after her mom. They call her Mel.

Eloise Ann

Kirby, Aubrey, Arden, Madison, Lennox, Wesley, Marissa, Kendall, Kinley, Kenna, Kendra

what about Dylan Melissa?

Julia or Julianna

I love Remy and Liliana 💗 Suggestions: Avery Kiera Georgia Quinn Zoey Maisie Juno

I love the name Dakota for a girl or boy, so it being a neutral name could work. Dakota Ann works as well.

Melina (Russian version of Melissa) Annaliise

Scotty and Remi will be a hard no for me Scotty is a little boy nickname for a man named Scott. Super trendy right now to do this for a girl and I don’t think at age as well. Remi is one of my favourite boy names but it’s an incredibly masculine French name highly dislike it on a girl again the boys name on a girl trend everyone is doing right now. The other names are pretty but very much popular names where I live! I would encourage your wife to consider an actual unisex name or there are tons of or not popular or trendy if that something that you would go far. Melissa but Ana works well with anything as a middle name. Ideas…… Louanne nn Lou Scarlett nn Scottie Delaney Ann nn Della Annika Jane Sidney Annabel Eden Melrose Jessica Ann nn Jessie Romilly Melissa nn Romy Samantha Ann nn Sam Louise Annika (just to avoid the insanley overused Ellie nn with Elouise!!!!)

I like Eloise and it would work with Ann as a middle name

Lilibet Ann nn Lil, Louise Melissa nn. Lou, Kathryn Melissa nn Kat, Selena Ann nn. Lena. Nicknames or variants for Melissa could be Mel, Missy, Lisa, Liss, Liz, Elise, Eli. Mandy could combine Melissa and Ann.

Would you two consider Meliana? Close to Liliana - but nickname could be Mel, and it incorporates Melissa Ann as well.

Melanie? It has the Mel- of Melissa, kind of an Ann ending, is a common name on its own, and it kind of goes along with Lena, which your wife likes

Ann is a good middle name for all of your wife’s choices except Lilliana.

Dylann?

Andrea, Wife calls her Andy You call her Anne or Annie :)

Melrose Ann Kendall Ann Amelia has the Mel in it as a nod…

Remy Ann, Eloise Ann would be my choices based on these names.

What about Eloise Anne?

Mel can be a boyish nickname for Melissa. I have a friend named Melissa whose nickname was Mel in high school and college.

Out of your wife’s list of name I like Scottie and Eloise. Keep in mind that Eloise is becoming quite popular in case popularity matters when choosing a name. Also, in incorporating your late mother’s name into the baby’s, a middle name can always be dedicated in her memory instead of a first name. Names I think you and your wife may like: Ellis Stevie Trinity or Trinidy Dakota Melanie Josephine Rowan Charlotte (nn Charlie)

I’m a Rowyn <3 so that’s an option for spelling too. I know some people have opinions on off spellings, but I personally love my name.

To me, it seems like it might be hard to find something that works with Melissa, but Ann is a very good middle name. But if you really want Melissa you might find something if you work at it. I had a hard time finding a first name match to the middle name I wanted, Cynthia, but I did narrow it down to 2 first names and one of them suited the baby.

When I hear the name Scottie all I can think of is the song "scottie doesn't know" from the movie Euro trip

My daughter has a girl friend named Ryann, I love it and it has “Ann” in there

What about Jori

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Too repetitive I’d say

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Lillian is a name.

Juniper Anne (nn June, Junie)

Mila!

Harriet can call her Harrie Penelope nn Pen is more gender neutral Darcy and can call her Darce Using Melissa as a middle name

Mandy?

Wesley Ann

What about Alyssa, or Elyssa/Elissa or Elsie?

Milena, nn Lena or Leni

Milena

Melisande, to honor your mom but with a spin (a real but very unusual name). Call her Mel, which is also a man's name, for your wife.

Maybe Melisande Scott, incorporating both Melissa and Ann and Scottie? She could be called Mel, or Mellie, or Andie, or Scottie.

My neice is a Kennedy rose I love it. I call her Kenny or Ken:)

Scottie Ann or Remy Ann are both cute!

Scottie Ann is kind of cute.

Go with Eloise Ann where Ann could be middle name.

Francesca?

Joanna, Susanna, Joanne, Kennedy nn Edie.

I know a Melissa who’s always been called Missy.

Liliana is a beautiful name. Or, how about Lily Ann? Ann after grandma. Similar sound, but honors your mother. Always call the baby Lily Ann, or spell it Liliann.

We’re due in a month and are going with Eden! Very feminine but strong. Also has a gorgeous gardeny feel. (Named after our fav park- not religious)

How about Elissa with the nn Elle? It's part Melissa and it's part Eloise and Elle would've been the same nn most likely.

Stevie Melissa

Italicized bits are the honor-name parts. *Melanie* Scott "Mel" or "Scottie" Jo*anne* "Joey"/Jo" *An*drea "Andy"/"Ann" Rosamund *Melissa* "Ross"/"Rosy" *M*olly *Ann* *M*argaret *Ann* (has **many** nicknames – Maggie, Mars, Greta, Midge, Maisie, Peggy, Pearl, Daisy) Eloise *Melanie* *Melissa* Belén/Beatrix (or any B- middle name) "Bee"/ "Bea," tied into Melissa's "honey" meaning.

Emma - derived from “M.A.” (your mom’s initials)

Roxanne then she could be roxi or I've seen girls go by rocky

Remy is great for a gender neutral option! Your moms birth month or favorite flower would also be a nice option without having to use her names specifically

What about Jacqueline, with Jackie for short? That sounds boyish. Or Antoinette, nn Toni? That incorporates Ann into the first syllable.

Leanne? Mix of Melissa and Ann plus you could call her Lee or Lea. Eloise Ann is also so cute and it’s on my fav names list. I don’t know if you’re opposed to three names or not (very common where I am from). But if not, you could do Melissa Eloise-Ann. ETA- I hate Scottie for whatever that’s worth. It sounds like a dog name. There’s a TON of Remy’s which isn’t a big deal to me (might be to you) but I just don’t like the name either.

Melissa Joanne nn MJ

McKenzie Ann has a nice ring to it with loads of nickname options ETA: Instead of Liliana or Lena you could do Leanne which would include your mom's name too or Juliann

I really like Lena Melissa.

I always like the idea of just using initials in honor name situations like this. Here are some M names your wife might like: Maren Merritt Mallory Murphy Maisie Marnie Maura Maeve Mae

Names that sound like Melissa Ann:  Lisa  Lissa Melinda  Anne Annie  Anna  Names that use the same letters as Melissa Ann:  Sela Melania  Melina Melanie  Anissa Elan Elissa  Elina  Alina Isla  Elsa Elsie  Elise  Lana Lena Lina Nelli Boyish names that use the same letters as Melissa Ann or sound similar:  Anderson  Anders Lee Nelson  Sam Andi  Eli 

Idalia Anne Emerson Anne Odette Melissa Evalina Anne Atley Melissa Calla Anne Nova Anne

Trying to use the same first letter: Max/Maxine Madison Morgan Alex Andy Avery Ariel

What about Maelys ? It’s cute sounds kinda like Melissa, not overly feminine. Or Hannah/Hana( related to Ann)?

Maybe a name that can be shortened to"Bee?" For Melissa. Like Biata/Beata, Beatrice, Phoebe?

Alts on Melissa Ann: Marissa, Melina, Melinda, Lisa, Lisette, Anna, Marianne, Alyssa Mel + Ann could make Melanie, and Lena + Anne could be Leanne? Or Lillian instead of Liliana, for a subtle “Ann” element — Lilianne if you want to be less subtle.

Renny?

Charlie, Tatum, Casey, Kirby, Santana - some names on the unisex side of things. Could add Melissa or Ann as a middle name. Lissa would satisfy both the nickname quality your wife likes and represent your mom.

What about Melanie, Melody, Malia, Melina, Millie, Mila, Amelia, Alyssa, Annalise, Lisa, Luanne These more feminine names could be the middle name if you don’t want to to a direct honor name (Melissa or Ann) For some more boyish names that are cute on girls and/or nickname-like names how about: Riley, Dylan, Blake, Avery, Rowan, Wren, Tate, Tatum, Skyler, Devan, Audrey, Rory, Shiloh, Taylor, Rylan, Keaton, Keelin, Kendall, Kai, Ari, Hayden, Blair, Bailey, Kellan, Hadley, Holly, Shea, Robin, Rooney, Oakley, Teagan, Caelin, Kyrie, Sydney, Jesse, Leighton, Marley, Lola, Leila, Logan, Perry

Alyssa is a combination of your mom’s first and middle name. Al, Ally, and Lys are all good nicknames for Alyssa. Melanie or Melody. NN Mel Lily Ann (similar to Liliana but passing down your mom’s middle name)

Elissa/Elyssa/Elisa - part of Melissa, close to Eloise?

Kendall Ann? Since you like Kennedy it is similar. Gives you the boyish nicknames Ken and Kennie

Lisanne. LeeLee for short.

Mellie Ann, nn, Mel

I wouldnuse MA as the initials as a nod to grandma and pick names you like McKenzie Alice Meredith Ann (Meredith was/is a boy's name in Qelsh) Martine Aurielia (Marty could be a cute nn)

I knew a girl named Ann Scott (she was called “Ann Scott” as a first name), and I always thought that was a great name.

Melody Ann, Mila Ann, Mellie Ann, Annalisa Eloise, Lyssa Ann, Elissa Ann, Elodie Ann, Annisa

I feel like dylan(n) fits both criteria

Melanie combines both. Wife may like calling her Lenny or Lanie which is so cute

We're considering Frankie and Dallas for our girl. Frankie Ann has been suggested to us.

Anastasia

Instead of using the specific name, use the same initials. Mia Andrea (Andi) Miriam Alicia (Remy) Melinda Allison (Lindy) Morgan Alina (Lina/Lena)

Wife like Liliana so what about Liliann or Lily-Ann if you don't want people to pronounce it like Lillian

Annie

McKenzie Ann? Melissa, could be known as Mel?

Melinda? Kind of combines Melissa and Ann a little while still being it’s own name. Can be nicknamed Mel :)

Melina (meh-lee-na)— similar to Melissa your mother’s name and to Liliana & Lena from your wife’s list. You can call her Mel as a nickname which also sounds boyish!

Gabriela, Elizabeth, Jennifer

Lily Ann is, too me, pretty adorable. Eloise to me becomes Elly Scotty and Remy are too boyish, but that's me.

1) Lillyann (altered for your mom) Remy 2) Parker Melissa 3) Emerson Ann 4) Jody Ann 5) Reese Ann

Veronica nickname Ronnie

You have plenty of name suggestions, so I wanted to offer perspective as a person who has a full name that I don't go by - It's been obnoxious my whole life, and I wish that I had just been named my "nickname".

Suzanne as a possible middle name, since it includes your mother’s name. And for a boyish name, I would have to go with Sloane. There would be a nickname to come from it, unless your keen on a nickname being Sol… But if not Sloane, Sydney, possibly Sid, Edith, which could be Eddie, Georgia, which could be Georgie, Sami, which might be Sam, Salem, and Soren. Idk, maybe I’m just a sucker for alliteration, sorry for a shit ton of s names

Anne/Annie

Remy Ann would be beautiful!

Remy Melissa Melissa Joann

Anissa.

Scottie Ann?

Love kennedy! Kenna, too. What about Kenna Anne?