Looking for a Distinctive, Catholic, Yet Recognizable Name

St. Rufus of Thebes

Mama Karen writes in asking for help finding a name for green bean baby #5. Older siblings are Elizabeth Irene, Zebulon David, Jeremiah Jeffrey, and Beckett Thomas. Aren’t those amazing names!

Some names they like are Bethlehem, Perpetua, Felicity, Colette, Josephine, Sebastian, Leviticus, Valerian, Cassian. Names they like but can't use are Benjamin, Gabriella, Joseph, William, Anthony, Saraphina. Let’s dive in.

Thoughts on names they like:

Bethlehem: I love this strongly Biblical, extremely rare (only about 186 people named this in the United States) name. I think it has everything they’re looking for. Only downside is that it shares a sound and nickname with Elizabeth. Perhaps they’d like the Spanish form Belen?

Felicity: Great name and meaning (“Good fortune” or “happy”) and is rarer than it seems; it ranks at 455th. Definitely the more popular of the saintly duo as far as the name goes; it’s definitely the safer choice. I don’t see them as “safe” namers, so this one feels a little off for me.

Perpetua: I LOVE this for them. Only about 21 girls were given this name in the United States in 2023, so I think this fits them very well. Of names you like, this is my frontrunner for you.

Colette: This French derivative of Nicole is fiery and elegant. It ranks at 392 and is refined and modern, yet rooted in tradition. This is another great name for them.

Josephine: This one is gaining in popularity across the board right now (ranks at 327 but has been in the top 500 since the 1880s). But it pairs very well with Elizabeth. Gives Little Women vibes as a set with Elizabeth. I think, although more popular and “safer”, this is my number 2 name for them of the names you like.

Sebastian:This name is very common (14th) right now across the board but it’s a good, strong name so you can’t go wrong! It does bridge the gap between Zebulon and Jeremiah/Beckett well. I love this name but I don’t know if I love it for them.

Leviticus: An ultra-rare name, like Zebulon, only about 204 people in the US are named this. That fits them well! And it comes with nickname Levi, which is grounding. I really love this for them. This is probably my #1 boy pick for them of names they already like.

Cassian: I adore this name and I think it pairs well with their others. Another ultra-rare name, only about 107 people in the US have this name. Personally, I’d use it for a son (if friends hadn’t just used it!). This is definitely my #2 pick for them. It’s sophisticated, fresh, and underused.

Valerian: Super rare and means “strong, healthy”. I just don’t like the sounds in this name as much as I like Leviticus and Cassian for them. Vs are very in right now, too, which is probably why it’s turning me off for them. 

Now on to new names!

Girl Names

Verity: It means “Truth” and fits the vibes of their other children, and is also like Felicity and Perpetua. It has strong Catholic undertones and is classic but rare (it ranks at #1875). I love this but I think the V makes it feel too trendy for me to love it for them. But then again, Elizabeth is classic and always trendy, so it fits with the sister set! Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Verity are fun, classic, Catholic, and unexpected. 

Magdalene: Means “Of Magdala,” which is how Mary Magdalene got her name. It pairs beautifully with Elizabeth, being both traditional but underused. And this is a name you only hear in Catholic circles, making it rare but with gravitas (it ranks at #1309). Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Magdalene definitely ground this as a Catholic sibset. 

Celeste: Means “heavenly”. It’s graceful and elegant like Josephine or Colette, but has a spiritual touch like Bethlehem. This is such a beautiful name and can be a reference to the Blessed Mother and/or the angels. I love a name with layered meaning! This name is actually more popular at #198 but it feels more rare. It’s been in the top 1000 every year since 1880! I think this name bridges the gap between Zebulon and Jeremiah and Elizabeth and Beckett beautifully. Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Celeste are beautiful, classic, unique, and not overtly Catholic. 

Clotilde: It means “famous in battle” but the name itself is not famous! The saint isn’t even famous, however, she’s a great patron. The name is uncommon but noble and has a similar cadence to Colette and Perpetua. It ranks #5161 nationally, making it more uncommon like Zebulon. It’s clunky cool or “grandma chic” which makes it fit in well, right now. If they needed a nickname for it, I think they could do Chloe or Tilde. Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Clotilde are such a cool, “grandparent chic” sibset. I think, of the new suggestions, this is my favorite for them.

Theodora: Means “gift of God.” I think it pairs beautifully with the evergreen Elizabeth because they both have the vintage revival feel but are classic. It does rank at #812 and is rising, meaning it’s uncommon but “in” right now. I still think it’s worth it. Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Theodora just tickle me for some reason. I love this name! This is my second favorite for them.

Boy Names

Ignatius: It possibly means “fiery” but its true appeal comes from the two saints who bear this name. It’s bold and Catholic like Leviticus and Valerian and would be a sort of bridge between Zebulon and Jeremiah. Uncommon at #1543, this is another you’d really only hear in Catholic circles. That can be a good thing or a meh thing, depending on how you look at it. Upon hearing Jeremiah, Beckett, and Ignatius, I’d assume a family is Catholic. Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Ignatius make a great set.

Ambrose: It means “immortal” and is gaining popularity in Catholic circles. It’s a great saint name with gravitas and literary pedigree. It matches the tone of Cassian and Sebastian while being a little more uncommon, like Zebulon. It does rank at #741, though, meaning it’s finding popularity outside of Catholic circles, too. Maybe they’d also like Anselm? I really like Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Ambrose/Anselm. As I write this, I’m thinking I like Anselm just a smidgen better than Ambrose. Either name though is my second favorite suggestion for them.  

Thaddeus: Means “heart” or “gift of God”. It’s a lesser-used apostle name and is grounded but uncommon. I think that’s their sweet spot. It actually ranks at #807, but it’s on the decline. This name is cute and homey while having room to grow. Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Thaddeus make a great set. 

Clement: This means “merciful, gentle” and is a great nod to the Blessed Mother. It’s also a papal name and is gentle but strong, elegant yet classic. It sits at about #1586 and has that clunky cool vibe that I think goes with their other kids’ names well. Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Clement have an old-timey feel together and I like that for them. Only consideration: is it too grandpa-chic? 

Phineas: It means “oracle” or “mouth of brass”. It’s biblical, uncommon but recognizable. It matches the bold, distinctive feel of Zebulon and Jeremiah, while also having a slightly artsy or literary flair like Beckett. There’s tons of nickname potential, too, like Finn/Phin or Ace. It’s heavily underused, sitting at about #1400, but is recognizable due to celebrity babies and the Phineas and Ferb cartoons. I LOVE this name for them. Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Phineas are so cool. This is my top choice for them.

BONUS

Rufus: I thought of this name and just could not get it out of my head for them. It ranks at #4151 but isn’t weird, which I think is the sweet spot for them. It used to be popular in the 1880s but has been on a decline ever since, however, there are modern cultural references for the name. It means “red-haired” but don’t let that deter you if you don’t have a red-haired child! Cecilia means “blind” and yet we still use that name! Elizabeth, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Beckett, and Rufus sound amazing together! Rufus feels cool and artsy, yet noble and traditional. Rufus was also the son of Simon of Cyrene, so it has Catholic and Biblical ties. 

Here are some of my favorite combinations for them:

Perpetua Bethlehem

Belen Verity

Verity Celeste

Clotilde Magdalene

Theodora Celeste

Theodora Verity

Phineas Ambrose

Anselm Rufus

Anselm Clement

Leviticus Sebastian

Rufus Sebastian

Cassian Ignatius

Let me know your thoughts!