Jen-Looking over your list above it seems like Maeve is the only one with which you don't have any serious issues regarding pronunciation/spelling or rhyming. I like it except that I think you need a longer than 1 syl name. So looking into your list again, I see Lainey and its variants several times.

Laina=Lane-uh; Malena=Mah-lay-nah; Melina=Meh-leen-ah; and Milena=Mill-lay-nah are my close approximations of my own pronunciations if that helps for that issue. Any of these will be potentially problematic. You just have to decide which of them you like best as far as spelling and not worry about correcting people all the time. Other names with the same sound though might work as well or better. There is Helena, Marlena, Rayne, or Sadie. Lainey and Elise are not too similar to me. Helena and Marlena seem to match well with your current girls but Rayne and Sadie seem more nicknamey next to them. Using Josephine as a mn is lovely and gives you Helena Josephine, Marlena Josephine (nn of MJ), Rayne Josephine (ehh-maybe not good flow), and Sadie Josephine (cute!).

For a sibling to Juliet and Elise, may I suggest:

Inspired by Laina: Lorraine, Laurel, Leanora

Inspired by all the Milena options: Mallory, Marcelina, Marguerite, Mariel/Mariella, Melisande, Miranda (go Shakespeare!)

Inspired by Sylvie:  Sidonie, Simone, Sybil (a little heavy on the meaning...), Sabine

Like any of those?

From your current list, I like Lila, Maeve, Milena, and Sylvie.  I love Maisie, but mostly as a nn--it is traditionally short for Margaret, which I think would be a fine match for your other girls and a strong, excellent name on its own, to boot. I agree with you that Lila is trending up, but not moreso than Elise and Juliet in my circles, and it it quite pretty.  I love Maeve, and while it is not an exact stylistic match for the first two, I think it fits in coherently and is similar enough to work well.  It is only one syllable, but it has a lot of letters (the same as Elise, only one less than Juliet), so it doesn't come off sounding/looking strange to me (like Isabella, Anastasia, and Eve, or something).  I already went on a lot about Milena in the blog post--it feels a little more "ethnic" (e. european) than the rest of the set, but otherwise sounds fine with the group.  I would say mih-LAY-nah, and I like it better than the other similar names on the list.  If you want Lainey as a nn, I think this is a very nice way to get there.  I do prefer Laine/Lainey as a nn rather than a given name.  Did we discuss Helena in the blog post?  I think it would go beautifully with the other girls, and with the huh-LAYNE-ah pronunciation, yields Lainey very nicely.  Any thought on Lena?  Sylvie is still my personal favorite, but if you actually dislike Sylvia, Sylvie may not be the way for you to go.  Aria feels less classic than your other girls, and Mira just doesn't appeal to me that much for some reason (I think it sounds harsh in a way, but I'm not sure why).  

My top choices from your list would be Maeve, Sylvie, then Milena.  Helena also seems like it has a lot of promise, if you like it.  

Isn't there a birth control method named Milena or something like it? That's what that whole group of names made me think of, anyway.

Looking at Elise and Juliet (which are both lovely, by the way!), I see two names that started as nicknames for long-term classics (Elizabeth and Julia/Juliana), but have a history of independent use. Maisie, which started as a nickname for Margaret, would fit this pattern, although its independent use is perhaps not as widespread or long-lived. Other names that started as nicknames but are now often used as names in their own right: Nora and Ellen (Eleanora), Molly (Mary), Tessa (Theresa), Dolly (Dorothy), Tina (Christina), Janet/Jeannette (Jane), Karen (Katherine), and going the furthest back, Alison (a diminutive of Alice).

As a much-less-popular alternative to Lydia, how about Livia? It has some possible pronunciation issues (I'd say LEE-vee-ah, but there's also LIV-ee-ah, like Olivia without the O), and is much further down the U.S. charts than your older two (it's been skirting with the bottom of the top 1000 in the past decade, wasn't on the charts before that), but it's a classic name nonetheless, and I think it would fit with Elise and Juliet.

one thing that i didn't address was Maeve, which i love, but don't think it fits well with Juliet and Elise. Softer names like Maris or Amelia work better stylistically and sound compatible.

hate to clog up your posts and i really am trying to be helpful, excuse my own pregnancy-induced scattered thoughts, but i was wondering how you like Celeste.

Let me start off by complimenting you on your daughters names!  Elise and Juliet are so soft and pretty! One of my mom's closest friend is Helaine (HUH-Layne) and we always call her Lainey.  I don't believe she has many problems with pronunciation, although it may still give you the hee-bee-geebies because of the 'hell' issue (I've never noticed it before, as her name begins with a huh sound).  Other suggestions that I came up with: Cecily, Fleur or Flora, Amabel (I know it's a 'Bel' name, but it's not popular by any means), and Isla.  Lots of luck!!

I am still rooting for Sylvie.

It's classic, it's charming, and it has a bit of a cosmopolitan feel, all of which make it fit perfectly with your other girls' names.

While this will sound odd, I could totally get behind Lena, Lina, or Lia, but I don't like any of the longer versions on your list. While I know they're, "Real," names they have a made-up quality to my ear, and I have to second the pp's recollection of a birth control product-though I think it may be Mirena? In any case, as a group they just don't charm me. It's the same way I feel about, "Kay," names. Too many Kayleens, Kayleighas etc....have just spoiled the whole batch. As someone else noted, all of these will also have spelling and pronunciation issues-which I mention because You said this was important.

I quite like Maeve, though I'm not 100% sold on it with Elise and Juliet.

I personally find Laney/Laina etc...sort of harsh and clangy-a real contrast from the softness I hear in Elise and Juliet.

Maisie is adorable. It was on our short list, but it would have been a nn for Margaret. I do find it too nicknamey on its own, although we do know a couple, "Just Maisies" One is actually a Mayzee. I know...

Mira I like a bit better than the longer names, as I mentioned above. I don't love it, though. It has a dainty quality, much like the popular Mia, which I'm also not a fan of.

Aria....meh....It's fine, just doesn't have that instant feeling of class and sophistication as your other girls' names.

So, in sum....Lena/Lina/Lia on its own or Sylvie or Maeve.

A few suggestions, though I'm quite certain you've already been through them.

Nina -Seriously, I think this is perfect for you-give it a whirl. :)

Sasha

Lauren

Laurel

Margo

Colleen

Sybil

Cecily

Celia or Cecilia

Aria seems like it should be a good match for Elise and Juliet, but I think you are correct in that the sound is a bit harsher.  Arielle or Aurora maybe?  Or too Disney?  

Laina/Lane/etc.  seems like your favorite as you keep coming back to it.  Elaina would be my favorite "version" but I think it is to close to Elise.  Between Laina and Laine, I think Laina is a better match with Elise and Juliet.

Malena, Milena, Melina-I know people with all of these and they all say them as Mah-lee-nah, so if the goal is to get to Lainey, I'm not sure any would be intuitive for everyone.  

Mira, Mila, Mia-I actually like all of these as stand alone names.  Mira is probably my favorite, with Mia a close second.  Mia Farrow's real name is Maria, which makes me think of Molly from Mary.  Elise, Juliet & Molly?

Lila and Lydia-both are popular where I live (Lydia more so).  I do know a couple of Lila's who are never, ever called Lily so it seems like an avoidable nickname if you don't want it.   Have you considered Linnea?  It seems like a bit of a mix between Laine and Lila.  

Sylvie and Maisie both seem too nicknamey with Elise and Juliet.  Sylvia is nice though.  

Maeve-I just can't seem to decide what I think of it.  I like the name and it seems like it should fit with Elise and Juliet-but...I'm just not sure.  Maybe because it's only one syllable?  Elise, Juliet and Maeve.  I'm just not sure.  I think I might like something along the lines of Elise, Juliet and Maura better for flow-but there isn't reallly anything wrong with Maeve.

Have you considered any of these?  Lea/Leah, Daphne, Audra, Tessa, Felicity?  

I second the suggestion of Millicent. I think it fits brillinatly with your other girls names stylistically and has the 'L' sound you are drawn to.

jenmn3-Now that I am able to get some time to peruse Nymbler I will throw out some other suggestions for you. They may be all over the place style wise and sorry for any repeats. See what you think of :

Valerie; Audrey; Suzannah; Diana; Cecelia; Chloe; Kathryn; Iris; Aimee(that sp); Noelle; Natalie; Marina;    Scarlett; Sarah; Rebecca; Rachelle; Rose; Coralie; Lydia; Gabrielle; Vivienne; Amanda; Nadia; Lauryn or

Melaina??? I kind of created it as a take-off of Melanie.

New additions to our list:

Livia - too much like Olivia and will be a nickame for all the Olivias out there?  I love Olivia but it is way way too popular.

Liviana - does this sound too made up, even though it is a name with history?  Does it fit with Elise and Juliet?  My husband likes this more than Livia.

Liana - does this fit?  What would possible nicknames be?  Just Ana? Or Lia as a stretch? Or would it be back to Lily?

Celia - two ways to pronounce, even though they are close.  Too much like celiac?  Too Spanish for us?

Maybe Linnea - does this fit?  What do you think of the pronounciation issues?

Other timeless/classic "M" names?  But somehow they would have to appeal to my husband who doesn't like old fashioned names.  We had considered Marina for awhile, but then I couldn't get over the boat thing and then didn't like Marie as a potential nickname.

Thank you again for all of your comments and suggestions!  We really appreciate it!

As I've said before, I love your other girls' names. My thoughts on your list:

• Aria - I think this is lovely, a nice match for your girls, and not harsh at all. 
• Laina - I have to be honest, I'm not a fan. The sound is pretty, but this spelling looks made up (and, doing some Googling, I can't find any evidence that it isn't). That seems like a shame to me, seeing as your other girls' names are real classics. Lena, on the other hand (same pronunciation), strikes me as much more sophisticated, and has history as a diminutive of names like Helena, Magdalena, etc.
• Lila - Love this, think it's great with your other girls. I don't think the nickname Lily needs to come up, it's a short enough name as it is. 
• Lydia - Love this, think it's great with your other girls. Too bad about the popularity.
• Maeve - Great name, but I agree that it doesn't match so well—I think because Juliet and Elise have a softer quality to them, whereas the V and the bright A of Maeve are much sharper. Also, the Celtic origin is a departure from the Anglo-French character of the others.
• Maisie - Cute, but I would prefer it as a nickname for something longer. Margaret is traditional, but with your other girls I might suggest Marguerite.
• Malena, Melina, Milena - Melina is my favorite far and away. I think it looks the most elegant, and it will have the fewest pronunciation issues (I suppose you might occasionally get meh-LINE-ah, but I think that would be rare). 
• Mira - I love this, and I think it works fine with the others. It strikes me as much less Slavic in sound than Milena, perhaps because it could also derive from Latin (in which case it has a really pretty meaning—marvelous! wonderful!) 
• Sylvie - I still think this is great with your set, and I think that the confusion with Sylvia will be a minor annoyance at worst.
• Livia - This is a great classic Roman name, and on its own I think it's underused. But I do think that it will get confused with Olivia (more so than Sylvie with Sylvia, because fewer people are familiar with it), and there are a ton of those running around.
• Liviana - This is a bit on the frilliana side to me. I prefer either Livia or Liana.
• Liana - I've always liked this name, and I think the sound matches nicely with your girls. Either Lia or Ana would work as nicknames. I don't think you need to worry about Lily, that would be a stretch.
• Celia - This would fit really nicely in your set. I've only ever heard it as SEE-lee-ah, and I'm not even sure what other pronunciation you're thinking of. I don't think of it as Spanish at all (the only one I've known IRL was Jewish, and it's been used pretty extensively in English literature—Shakespeare, George Eliot, Jonathan Swift). It's a Latin name that comes from the word caelum, "sky," and it's unrelated to Cecilia. 
• Linnea - Pretty name, and it would be a great fit with your girls. I don't think that it sounds very strongly Swedish, and I don't think most people would even guess that it was. You're right that you might get some pronunciation issues, though. I say lin-AY-ah, but I can see lin-EE-ah, too. 

Have you considered Magdalena, or is that too much name for you? Mariel? I think Melisande is a great suggestion, too.

I like you daughters' names as they are very feminine and could be used as Frenc names, but they don't scream 'French', not even as a group. Which is why I really like the name Sylvie for you, and no, I don't think it's a nickname.

Nearly all of the other names in this post are very different in style to your daughters' names, and it sounds nearly as if somebody else has picked them. Unless you don't mind that, I would try to find a name that has this very slight feminine French feel as well. What do you think of Claire, Audrey, Coralie, Noemie, Marlou (short for Marie Louise) or Margaux (maybe you husband prefers this spelling)?

hi again! couldn't help but think of your dilemma last night, as i am pregnant, and plan to name my 2nd daughter (if it's a girl) Elise (Juliet possible middle name)  I already have a Clair.  The names that i think sound best and are just as pretty, instinctually, are French. However, moreso are the ultra popular Sophie and Chloe type names, that you are probably trying to avoid because they are not as distinctive now,as your other two girls names.  A variant of Laura seems to fit, such as Leora. just try saying it, Lee+aura, it can also be spelled Liora (God is my light), ub tit has the same Lee sound as JuLIet and ELIse and is ethereal-ish. also the next name that occurred to me, is Sybil, because it is so soft and i think, classy.

Leora Josephine

Sybil Josephine

Okay so I started skimming at the end so forgive me if this has been suggested and rejected or if doesn't meet one of your other requirements, but the suggestion of Celeste and Celia made me think of Celine. 

The common thread between Juliet and Elise that stands out to me is the "Lee" sound in both. In that vein, I like Liana a lot. Milena or Melina are probably my favorites out of your list, though I agree pronunciation could be a problem, and I'm not sure they strike me as the same style as your daughters' names. Have you heard the name Melitta? (Muh-lee-tuh) I have a cousin named that, always thought it was a pretty name. I've always thought of it as Italian (her dad is Italian), but through some googling, it seems to be a paneuropean name.

Hmm. This is difficult. I like most of the names on your lists just fine, but stylistically they just don't seem to fit with Elise and Juliet. E.g. Laina doesn't have the pedigree of Elise and Juliet, Milena has an out-of-the-blue Slavic/Russian vibe to it, and Aria just seems to belong in a completely different category.

I'd suggest Margot or Marlene instead of Malena/Melina/Milena because it's more traditional/classic/established, and you'll still have a lot of nickname options; Marley, Lene [laina/leh-neh], etc. Similarly, May could be the "formal" name for a Maysie/Maisie. Style-wise Maeve and Lydia are fine as-is, but they're just not my personal favourites.

Names I like with Elise and Juliet, without overthinking things: Philippa, Frances, Isobel, Kate, Claudia, Mary, Lourdes, Norah, Otilie... they may not fit all your criteria, but maybe you'll be inspired.

I'm posting this as a reply to the main thread, so that it'll end up at the bottom where it belongs chronologically (so that completetists like me can find it), but this is really a response to your current list of Lila, Liana, Liviana, Linnea, Maeve, and Sylvie.

Lila has some pronunciation ambiguity, but I think most Americans will say the first vowel like "eye". It's somewhat jarring as a name to me, though, because "lila" is Hungarian for "purple" (pronounced lee-la). Dunno if that really makes any difference to you.

The only problem I see with Liana is that one of its possible derivations is as a shortening of Juliana. It'd be a multi-person version of my friend L!sa, whose middle name is B3th. Otherwise, it fits Elise and Juliet without being all matchy-matchy: it has that "lee" sound, it's a nickname that's well-established as a given name, and has a French or Anglo-Norman feel.

Liviana may rub some people the wrong way (Frilliana _and_ Olivia in one!), but I think it's a good alternative to Livia (too easily confused with Olivia) and Lydia (too popular). I'd pronounce it with four syllables: Lee-vee-ANN-a, but I see in Namipedia that a user has posted a three-syllable pronunciation which I don't care for. Dunno which one most people would use.

Linnea: pronunciation ambiguity again, but otherwise lovely.

Maeve: I never know how to say this name. Is it like "may" with a V at the end? (My Hungarian-influenced brain always wants to make it into MAY-eve, which I know is wrong.) I agree with the general consensus that it just doesn't fit your other two girls, for some undefinable reason.

Sylvie: this fits Elise and Juliet in its French feel and "ee" sound, and the fact that it's a nickname in English (though not in French) just makes it fit even better. I like this one the best from the current list.

I don't pretend to be any sort of expert namer, but I like your daughters' names and have a few suggestions.  I won't be offended if you don't like them:

Elise, Juliet, and:

Adelaide, Iris, Irena, Noelle (I think already mentioned?), Marissa, Flora (possibly already mentioned too), Pearl, Louisa, Angeline or Angelique, Camille, Karina, or Vivienne.

Just some suggestions--does anything seem interesting?  GL picking a name for your new little angel!

Thank you again for all of the suggestions. We really aren't any closer to a name, unfortunately. Here is our current list:

• Lila (too popular, especially with all of the variations?)
• Livia (too much like Olivia, even though it is technically an older name? Really really like this name though)
• Lina (husband thinks it is too short/nicknamey to stand on its own perhaps, plus people may try to pronounce it Lie-na, like Carolina and not lee-na, I may be over it anyways)
• Melina (what husband suggests instead of Lina, don't think I really like it anymore)
• Amelie (maybe, but is it too similar to popular names? Too hard to pronounce? Too French? Too much of a frilly name?)
• Linnea (nice name, but is it really for us?)
• And Sylvie is still hanging on (too nicknamey? Too French? Annoying that people will think it is Sylvia?)

Any other names with a 'v' that you think would work? I seem to be drawn to them and keep trying to find the right one. We may be back to Sylvie in the end...  My older daughters' middle names are Genevieve (pronounced the French way) and Vivienne. This baby may have a middle name of Josephine.