Not long ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard. No, it wasn’t cocktails or dinner or a sneak preview of her new film. I was just selling them stuff for the new baby. But it was still fun to see such a well known couple be so down to Earth. They were with their daughter Ramona, and I enjoyed the way they spoke to her. Big sister is seemingly slightly trepidatious to welcome a sibling, and from what Maggie was saying, I imagine the baby might even already be here.
We’re all on tenterhooks of course waiting for the name, though I couldn’t bring myself to ask her. Rumor has it the baby is another girl. What do you think they’ll call Ramona‘s little sister? I’ve ruled out Beatrice (and Beezus). I can see them with something old fashioned and sweet, perhaps a less serious name this time?
Claudine
Elspeth
Harriet
Imogene
June
Linnea
Opal
Pearl
Ruth – Maggie’s full name is Margaret Ruth. How adorable would Ramona and Ruthie be?
Trudy
Zelda
Here’s my brother list, just in case:
Bruno
Clarence
Claude
Conrad
Felix
Freddy (Frederick)
Jarvis
Linus
Otto
Sven
What do you see them choosing this time? Do you think they’ll go with something Scandinavian from their heritage, something with a country cute bent, or something else?
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Ooh, I hope they pick Harriet or Bruno.
I love all the names you suggested for them, but honestly I feel like it’s unlikely that Maggie would use any of them, because they’re just too…smart for a celebrity to choose? Is that horrible to say? I mean, in a perfect world Ramona would get a sister named Imogene/Imogen, Elspeth or Linnea, but I have to think that it’ll more likely be something a bit more trendy or safe, probably along the lines of Charlotte, Delilah, Mabel (that’s been hot in Hollywood lately), Matilda, Violet, maybe even Marion/Marian or Tabitha, the names of SJP’s girls. As for me, I like the idea of Ramona and Elsa/Elspeth or Ramona and Ingrid.
I can see Imogene/Imogen or Zelda. Maybe Zora?
Ramona & Quinn
Ramona & Nora
Ramona & Jane
Iris, India, Charlotte, Francesca, Lucy, Hazel, Annabel, Marlo
I love June & Pearl from your list.
I’m betting on something quirky/old-fashioned like Florence or Vera.
Maggie’s middle name is Ruth, her mother is named Naomi… So maybe they’d use another Old Testament heroine like Esther or Judith?
Ramona could easily be a Vera. Love both that or Florence for them. Old Testament is a good call too. She’s half Jewish I think. Time to look in the family tree…
I can see something quirky/old-fashioned as well, with hopefully a family middle name.
From your lists, I think these would be great with big sister Ramona:
Harriet (maybe nn Hattie or Hettie)
Imogene
June
Trudy
Linnea
Zelda
OR
Felix
Otto
A few others I could see them choosing:
Matilda
Francine/Frances
Iris
Millicent or even just Millie
Eugenia or Eugenie
Sonia
Clara
Penelope
Fern
Margot
Greta
Annika
Hilde/Hildy/Hildy
Britta
Zinnia
Petra
Paulina
Mae
Sybil/Sybilla
Helen
Ingrid
Faye
OR
Fritz
Milo
Edwin
Walter
Bergen
Arlo
Jasper
Latham
Merritt
Soren
Thoren
I sure hope they nix Beverly or Beatrice, although I do quite like both on their own.
Dont forget that Maggie isnt *just* a celebrity – she’s also a Brooklynite. And that means that she will be a trendsetter, or at the very least trendy. So i have no doubt that whatever he chooses, it will not only go well with Ramona stylistically, but it will also match Ramona in level of popularity/trendiness.
My first thought was Phoebe Matilda
As the mother of a Phoebe, I have always loved Ramona with Phoebe.
Great guesses, Elisabeth! I could definitely see her going with Elspeth, June, Pearl or Zelda, and Bruno, Clarence, Frederick or Jarvis for a boy.
Out of interest, why did you rule out Beatrice? I could see that name as a very real possibility…
Some other guesses:
Theodora
Sybilla
Thomasine
Cosima
Olive
Elsa
Evelyn
Astrid
Agatha
Martha
Betty
Alice
Mavis
Enid
Florence
Iris
Lucille
Isadora
Eugenie
Zola
Tallulah
Prudence
Gertrude
Doris
Mabel
Tabitha
Beezus (Beatrice) and Ramona are famous fictional sisters in a series by Beverly Cleary.
I love the simplicity of Alice for them, and really have a feeling they will go that direction. Alice, Rosie, Jane, Evie, Franny…
I got a little thrill seeing my son’s name on your brother list! It would be fun to see them with a little Conrad, but since you’re thinking girl, I *love* the previous suggestion of Mavis. Just the right combo of clunky and sweet.
I’m thinking something understated for them — June? Mae? Even Anne . . . or something no one has yet thought to revive. Like, hmm, Clarice? Cecile?
I’m pretty sure it’s actually been officially announced that Baby Saarsgard #2 is another little girl. I’ve been thinking Hazel for Ramona’s sister, but some other names that would be lovely are Xanthe, Harriet, Matilda, Lucinda, Mabel, Olive, Audrey, Violet, Claudia or Annabelle. Can’t wait to hear what they chose!
Gloria Ray
I just read that it’s Gloria Ray too!!
I like the Ray but Gloria doesn’t do it for me.
Yes, did you see, Elisabeth? Gloria Ray! Love Gloria. Isn’t there another celeb baby recently with the middle name Ray?
Got it! Mabel Ray Willis.
I love Gloria, maybe even more than Ramona. Together they are such a perfect pairing for two sisters. This family names really well!
My daughter’s name is Ramona! If we have another girl we’ll name her Ophelia. I love how Ramona and Ophelia sound together.
Oh those do sound pretty together.