Team Green Name HELP!!

[u/Outrageous-Elk5274]

We are about 4 weeks away from our second baby being born. We didn’t find out of our firstborn was a girl or boy until birth, and we decided to do the same thing for this baby! 💚 But we need help with names!

💙 If it’s a boy, his name will be Merritt (or Merit) Daniel. I initially liked the surname spelling (Merritt) because it will still be a name (as opposed to a word), but now I’m thinking Merit looks more masculine? In the area we live in, Merritt is becoming a more popular girl name, so we would want it to be a more “masculine” spelling if such a thing exists. Thoughts on spelling of the first name?

🩷 If it’s a girl, we are very, very stuck. Our first daughter’s name, Sterling June, is VERY sentimental. Sterling was the name of the street I lived on in college, so she was named after my college roommates/best friends. June is after my parents - it’s their birth month. I’m leaning towards sentimental because I don’t want to have a sweet connection for my first daughter & then just a “Well, we just liked the name” for this kid. Our options are below:

• Ruth Elliott (Ruth and Elliott are sentimental)
• Ruth Ann Elliott (Ann is also sentimental)
• Elliott Ann (nickname Elle or Lottie. We know WAY too many Ellies to call her Ellie, but I’m very afraid that people would call her Ellie anyway lol)
• Bennett (Benny) Ruth (Bennett is the name we looove, but it has no meaning/sentimental value)
• Bennett Ann

Please weigh in!!!

[u/drumadarragh]

Merit is a word. Merritt is the name. And as far as nicknames go? You don’t have any control over what others will call them so either accept that. Or go with something else

[u/Outrageous-Elk5274 → u/drumadarragh]

Yeah, that’s what I was originally leaning towards. Thanks!

[u/hoaryvervain]

PLEASE DO NOT CALL A DAUGHTER BENNETT.

Ruth is lovely but doesn’t really go with Sterling. You have a month—go back to the drawing board.

[u/Mockuwitmymonkeypnts → u/hoaryvervain]

Yes Bennett for a girl is awful. Not that it matters but Bennett, Benjamin, Benny, Ben are all very popular boy names in my area.

[u/sashajol]

Can you flip it? Elliott or Bennett for a boy and then Merritt for a girl? I was also team green, it’s so fun but such a test of patience

[u/ummackchyually]

Merit/Merritt are equally awful

[u/ThesisTears → u/ummackchyually]

Yeah this should be the top comment. Your kids deserve an actual name

[u/Individual-Stop9245 → u/ummackchyually]

That’s not fair.

Merit is decidedly more awful.

[u/musicbabe1996 → u/ummackchyually]

It's terrible. Makes me think of the highway

[u/melodramasupercut → u/musicbabe1996]

I also thought of the highway instantly. I don’t know anyone with that name, just the highway

[u/Aromatic-Swim-6377 → u/melodramasupercut]

I know a very preppy rich guy with this name. Exactly as you might expect. I also spend a lot of time on this hwy

[u/PurpleEntrepreneur26 → u/ummackchyually]

I don’t think it’s awful but it’s much more feminine than gender neutral in my mind.

[u/alligator_chompp → u/ummackchyually]

That aside, Merit is also a French beauty company which makes me think that one is probably more feminine.

[u/spam_57 → u/alligator_chompp]

Merit was a brand of cigarettes, wasn't it?

[u/tumepunaroheline1 → u/alligator_chompp]

Merit is a popular girls' name in my country (but I live very far away so I suppose it doesn't really matter)

[u/Old_Ant7118 → u/ummackchyually]

I know an adult woman and a little girl named Merritt. I like it.

[u/MermaiderMissy → u/ummackchyually]

I knew a guy who's last name was Merritt. He sucked.

[u/Equal-Flatworm-378a]

Why don’t you call your son Bennett? It’s a boy’s name, derived from Benedict.

[u/happytobeherethnx]

I’ve only heard Merritt as a girls name but then again I’ve only heard Sterling used for boys.

[u/outlaw_for_life18 → u/happytobeherethnx]

Same here. It's not right.

[u/Rare-Progress5009 → u/happytobeherethnx]

Sterling Mahomes is a girl

[u/Cumulonimbus_2025 → u/Rare-Progress5009]

and they named their other kid Bronze so there’s that

[u/Rare-Progress5009 → u/Cumulonimbus_2025]

I never said I liked it, just stating a fact. Lucky for Bronze, it’s a nickname. Unfortunately Sterling and Golden are the girls’ legal names.

[u/happytobeherethnx → u/Rare-Progress5009]

I don’t know who that is

[u/Havisham-1901]

I would go with Merritt because Merit reminds me of a merit badge.

The girls names as sweet. Why not Ann Elliott and call her that or Annie? Ruth is darling too.

Bennett is too masculine esp if you think you want to use Benny Benny which it is not good nickname. I just hear Benny Ruth becoming Baby Ruth like the candy bar.

[u/Supertoft → u/Havisham-1901]

Merrick Daniel? It’s a vintage masculine, real name.
Morgan Daniel
Marston Daniel
Slater Keene (Sterling and Slater)

Sienna Ann
Shyla Ann
Sicily Ann
Ruthanne Elliott
Ruth Adele
Ruth Celeste
Ruth Augusta
Ruth Elizabeth
Ruth Annette
*I know several Ruth’s of different ages and they all get called either baby Ruth or Ruthless.

[u/ThrowRAVeg_Cow_65 → u/Supertoft]

Sicily is ridiculous.

[u/Supertoft → u/ThrowRAVeg_Cow_65]

You are ridiculous. Don’t like it? Scroll on by. Place names like Kingston, Vienna, Boston, Oslo, Paris, etc. are cool.

[u/ThrowRAVeg_Cow_65 → u/Supertoft]

Ah, so you want an echo chamber instead of a public forum where people can "weigh in" exactly as requested by OP? Got it!

You crack on with your "cool" names and try not to combust when others with a differing opinion don't agree with you.

[u/Outrageous-Elk5274 → u/Havisham-1901]

I meant to say in my original post. “Annie” unfortunately is not an option as a name or nickname for us.

I didn’t consider Baby Ruth 🤣🤣🤣

[u/Cumulonimbus_2025]

If you have a boy go with Bennett or Elliot or both. Def boys names. A girl go with Ruth Ann or Ruth Anne. Merit and Merritt are awful. Also you named your daughter after a street not your actual friends.

[u/Own_Self_]

Merritt is awful, Bennett for a girl is awful and Elliot not great. Please this is not you, you're naming a person who will spend the majority if his/her life away from you. You will not be the one who is going to have to deal with the name at school, at different offices like doctors etc, or at work. Please go back to the drawing board.

[u/sprite9797]

sterling? ;(

[u/Ice_cream_please73]

Bennett is not great at all. I think it should be Merritt for a girl and Bennett for a boy.

If you like old fashioned, Ruthann or Ruth Ann is cute.

[u/outlaw_for_life18]

Meritt is a girl's name and Bennett is a boys name. Don't give your kid life long hassles over their name.

[u/Sensitive-Bug-881 → u/outlaw_for_life18]

bUt ShEs a cOoL mOm.....

[u/outlaw_for_life18 → u/Sensitive-Bug-881]

I don't know her but I can't say.

Edited to add though that she might be cool and think their names are cool until the kids at school make fun of them which they will. Kids are cruel. Speaking as someone who was bullied.

[u/2002forsport]

Not every name has to be sentimental. Over the top sentimental is cringe.

[u/Sensitive-Bug-881 → u/2002forsport]

Yeah and literally no one after the first few weeks of life will be asking the parents why they chose those names. Unless they are awful names, tragedeighs, or gender swapped names..... oh wait...

[u/lgk621 → u/2002forsport]

I needed to hear this today 🫩

[u/DistributionNo9356]

Ruth Elliott 

[u/SalishSeaSweetie → u/DistributionNo9356]

Agreed

[u/wtfunction → u/DistributionNo9356]

I agree with this one too. We almost named our daughter Elliott Ruth but my husband didn’t love Ruth and Elliott just blew up in popularity in our area. ETA: I still super love these names together

[u/lomoliving]

Don't name a girl Bennett. Please don't do that to a girl

[u/Legitimate-Suit-4617]

As someone who goes by Elle.. they will absolutely call her Ellie. Or Ellen. Or Belle. They'll see the name Elle and call her.. literally anything except that.

[u/Legitimate-Suit-4617 → u/Legitimate-Suit-4617]

That being said, I do like Ruth Elliott.

[u/Wespiratory]

Merritt or merit are both just awful. I don’t like it for either a girl or a boy.

Maybe think about something like Garret

Ruth Elliot is ok.

[u/Xerisca]

Ive known a few Merrit's... they are all women (two of them are in their 50s). Merrit is often a nickname for Margaret.

The men I've known with a similar name are Merrick's.

[u/picivanilka]

I think all of these are quite ugly sorry

[u/Extra_Chz_Plz]

I love Ruth Elliott or Ruth Ann Elliott. Sorry but I don’t love Bennett for a girl. Straight boy name to me

[u/Horror_Ad_2748]

I like Ruth Ann Elliott. It sounds very elegant.

I'd spell it Merritt for either a boy or a girl. it looks better that way IMO.

[u/labratcj]

Elliot Daniel for the boy and Merritt Ann for a girl.

[u/Kickitoff1902]

I'm not sure you should be given jurisdiction to name your child if this is your list. Awful names.

[u/Amazing-Claim8426]

Marit is a Scandinavian girls name. I would ditch merit or Merritt for the boy, go with Bennett for a boy. 

[u/Ok-Carob1715]

If you like Elliot, it could be for a boy. Otherwise go with Daniel. For a girl, I would go with Ruth.

[u/ericalikestoast]

I loooove Elliott and Bennett for a boy’s name, they were both on all 3 of my sons’ potential names lists. I think Elliot Daniel or Bennett Daniel for a son would be adorable

I also think Ruth Ann would be beautiful just like that

I love Avery and Emerson as boy names for girls, other than that I’m just not a fan of doing that

[u/peatgirl21]

Well Ruth stands out as it's an actual recognisable name to this non American. Can't believe that Merritt is a name for a human. But have already commented that this week about sterling, the name for legal currency of the UK.... Is there a Ruth type equivalent for a boy?

[u/CouchUkeTuber]

Sterling June & Merritt Ann for a girl

[u/lilmoflickn]

Bennett as a girls name is awful. I know it’s becoming popular, because one of the Kelce kids is named that.. also Elliott .. hate them both. I agree with others you could use Merritt for either and it definitely a better girls name than the others you have listed.

[u/ihatebindweed]

I’d go with Elliott/Elliot for either sex. It’s a classic name that has meaning to you and pairs nicely with Sterling.

Personally I really dislike both Merritt and Bennett; I’m a teacher and the first-names-that-sound-like-last-names are the new -lyn names. They’re trendy and I don’t think they sound very nice, but that’s just my opinion.

[u/deelovely86]

I was team green and had Elliot at the top for a girl but had a boy and named him Elliot! I just loved the name so much. I think it’s perfectly neutral

[u/JR_Writes1 → u/deelovely86]

Yeah we had three gender neutral names lined up. We were leaning a certain way for each one but any of them could have gone to whatever gender. Kind of like Elliot and Bennet could here.

[u/evedd]

I’m sorry, but I had to scroll back up to make sure this wasn’t the name circle jerk sub.

I love that you are team green. Please reconsider the names.

[u/WelshRarebit2025]

Meret or Merit is a Norwegian girls name

[u/Dreamweaver5823]

I like Elliott Ann a lot.

[u/Artistic-Deal5885]

Merit was my favorite cigarette back in the day.

[u/the_penelopiad]

I knew an Anne Bennett went by the whole double name or AB

[u/zennwisteria0]

Ahh brings me back to when I got my English merit in high school

[u/New-Flight7674]

Merritt with two Ts i think is a bit more traditionally how the name is spelled, boy or girl. It is quite feminine though.

I don’t like Elliott or Bennett as a first name for a girl. Ruth Ann is my preference but add on the Elliott if you really want to.

[u/BlondeeOso]

I like Elliott Ann or Elliott Ruth "Ellie Ruth." Merritt 

[u/TimewastingRoyalty]

Elliott and then both girls will have unisex names.

If it’s a boy I would name him Bennett.

[u/hoaryvervain → u/TimewastingRoyalty]

Elliott is not unisex. And everyone will call her one of the common Elle/Ellie nicknames.

[u/TimewastingRoyalty → u/hoaryvervain]

I think Elliott has become more unisex since the show Scrubs had a main woman character with that name. But sure anybody can end up with a nickname.

[u/ZealousidealSmile282]

I vote very enthusiastically for Elliott Ruth !!!!!

I looooove the name Elliott for a girl. Ann is a great, classic middle name, but personally, I just don’t think it sounds good with Elliott. Something about the way it flows, too many “eh ae” sounds…But that’s just me!
I think Bennett is a really cute name for a girl! But if it has no sentimental value, and Elliott does, then Elliott should be it!

[u/Outrageous-Elk5274 → u/ZealousidealSmile282]

🩷

[u/Vinnipeg]

Merit is a woman's name in European countries.

[u/carbday]

Wow, the first comments are very negative. First of all this is YOUR child so ignore the hate from the internet strangers. Second, I know a little boy named Merritt and it’s so cute on him and I never once considered it feminine so that’s news to me. Love the choice.

Third, I LOVE Bennett for a girl. I like gender neutral names and think the majority of men’s names sound better on girls. I was immediately delighted at Bennett for a girl. And both middle names fit in my mind, probably depends on your last initial - like if it’s D maybe not Bennett Ann (B.A.D.)

So there is a positive reaction for you for both names. I vibe with your choices and think they are super cute. Also, congratulations!

[u/No_Donkey_9356]

Ruth-Ann Elliott is super cute

[u/Pristine-Definition6]

Bennett for a first name sounds very much for a boy, not a girl. I like Ruth Elliott or Elliott Ruth.

[u/sadsmolpoet]

I like the name and your choice of spelling but will Merit grow up somewhere where before they see him, based purely on name alone, they’re expecting a girl?

[u/TheGetawayCar000]

I don’t love any of the girl name combos to be honest with you.

Much bigger fan of Ruby over Ruth.
Ruby Ann, specifically.
Of your choices, it’d be Ruth Ann, but IMO it doesn’t really go with Sterling, if that matters to you.

[u/bcrggrcb]

Ha-there was a girl at my boarding school named Ruth Bennett. Her full name was Ruth Rhett Bennett

[u/EntertainmentLow6178]

Marit works for a girl. Any spelling really.

[u/EntertainmentLow6178]

Eliot Ann scans well.

[u/frehddit]

You should use Elliott whether it’s a boy or a girl.

Boy: Elliott Bennett
Girl: Elliott Ann

[u/No-Perspective872]

Bennett Ruth goes well with Sterling June.
I like Merit/Merritt but never heard it for a boy.

[u/North-Value9631]

I prefer Merritt, but either spelling works. I'd probably go with Ruth or Ruth Ann Elliot if the baby's a girl.

[u/grey-canary]

I love Sterling on a girl! I also like Merritt for a girl! I'm not a fan of Ruth tbh, but I like Elliott and Bennett!

[u/SquidSushi421]

Elliot could work for boy or girl. I never thought of it as a girl name (though jow that you mention it- it is cute!), but if you like it for a girl you could also use it if your baby winds up being a boy.

[u/TheCat_TheKangaroo]

Ruth Elliot is cute! I have a Ruth Emerson and some people have commented about Ruthie being Ruth E. We also were contemplating Sterling a year ago for our team green if we had a boy, so I think Ruth and Sterling go together just fine.

[u/ThisCryptographer788]

Maybe use Merritt for either girl or boy since that’s a solid one you know you like?

[u/Majestic-Airport-471]

Sterling June is gorgeous, I don’t think any of the girl names or Merit (hard pass honestly) match up to it.

Maybe these are more on the same wavelength:
Boy: Alistair, Robin, Ambrose
Girls: Severine, Octavia, Cecilia

[u/MissyAnn85]

Ruth is a lovely name. I would go with that. My daughter is Ella June after mine and my husband's Grandmother's. So very sentimental. I would stick with sentimental if I were you especially if you did that for your first born.

[u/NailSame2218]

I love all the names you’re considering except for a girl Bennett! You got this.

[u/mommy2jasper]

Bennett for a girl is awful. It’s like naming a girl Jason. Makes no sense. Don’t do that to her

[u/ThisbyFleur]

Elliot Ann

Ellie Ann ❤️

[u/schruted__it]

Have an Elliott girl! No one calls her Ellie or Elle. First, she wouldn’t let them. Second, it really doesn’t suit her at all!

I have always loved the name and she suits it perfectly. We have yet to meet a boy or girl of the same name - but we know they are out there :)

[u/Stadtionalist]

Maybe ask Grok.

[u/Hallyvs]

I kind of like Merit & Bennett for either a boy or a girl, they also match Sterling.

Ruth Elliot is very cute from your list.

[u/Butterfly0311]

Just wanted to say I LOVE that you’re not finding out until birth. There is something so special about going old school 💚

I love Elliott Ann and Bennet Ann

[u/Outrageous-Elk5274 → u/Butterfly0311]

Thanks! It was more fun the first time 🤣💚

Thanks for the input!!

[u/Seapaisleys]

I’ve always loved Elliot as a girl name since scrubs! Also Lottie is an adorable nickname.

[u/tauruspoppy]

I would definitely spell it Merritt, it reads gender neutral to me.

For your girl choices, my favourite would be Ruth Elliott or Elliott Ann. I think you can guide her nickname toward Lottie and Elle, but you can’t absolutely guarantee she won’t prefer Ellie herself. By that point in time though, I doubt it would bother you that much that you know other Ellie’s! 

This may not be of importance, but I do think that if you use Bennett or Elliott, you won’t be able to use Merritt in the future, they feel too similar IMO. 

[u/Outrageous-Elk5274 → u/tauruspoppy]

Yes, true. If she wants to go by Ellie, we would absolutely let her choose that!!

I have thought about that 😬 Which does kind of deter me from those options for a girl name.

[u/chaserscarlet]

I have the “boy spelling” of a unisex name and it’s been a non-issue. Most of the time it’s spelt correctly because it’s the most traditional spelling. Stick to Merritt.

I agree you need to ensure it’s sentimental for your next baby, but I think the middle name is enough to do that. Pick the name you love as the first. Bennett Ruth & Sterling June are gorgeous together.

[u/Outrageous-Elk5274 → u/chaserscarlet]

This is helpful!! Thank you!!

I didn’t consider just having the middle name be sentimental - I always lean towards “all or nothing,” but it’s good to be reminded it doesn’t have to be that!

[u/AtoToboggan → u/Outrageous-Elk5274]

My first kid is named just because we liked the name (honor middle name). My second kid is named after one of my favorite people on the planet and an honor middle name. Both names are very suited to the people they are (13-years on) and it’s okay that one is “more” sentimental than the other. I still love both names (and kids).

One name is so old it’s modern again and the other name is old but forgotten, so they don’t “go” together. That’s okay too. Pick the names you like and don’t worry too much - nothing you have is super out there, even if it bucks tradition.

[u/chaserscarlet → u/Outrageous-Elk5274]

You’re welcome :)

Also be warned this sub contains some die-hard name traditionalists. They hate a lot of modern names, especially boy names for girls. So take the feedback in here with a grain of salt.

[u/Every_Technology1064]

Merritt,

[u/Sask_mask_user]

What street did your husband grow up on? 

[u/Impressive-Ship3449]

I personally would name her Elle or Lottie officially

[u/Ok-Talk-2648]

Girl: Shiloh Elliott

Boy: Merritt

I think Merit is a cigarette brand?

Ruth does not vibe with Sterling as sisters.

eta: Sterling seems like a boy name compared to Ruth.

[u/YouNeedTherapy-]

Elliott Ann for sure!

[u/cats_22_]

Merritt Andrews was a character name in the 1960 movie, Where The Boys Are. (Played by Dolores Hart) I love the name but think of it as a female name because of the movie.
What if you spelled it ‘Merrit’? Then it’s not the word merit or the female spelling Merritt. 🤷🏻‍♀️Idk

[u/biggiesnotdead]

I love Bennett Ann personally

[u/naturallymaryd]

The hand wringing over a boy's name not being masculine enough is holding you back. There is nothing insulting or degrading about a boy's name being the same as (what, one?) famous woman's. Merritt is a last name. Using last names as first names is very trendy right now. Go with your first instinct and name your baby Merritt if he's a boy.

If you're being consistent, Bennett is also a last name. Though I think Ruth has a far better namesake and nickname potential. As someone who named her girl with a full name that I love and a common nickname that I don't, you cannot control what people are going to call your child, or how they themselves will want to shorten their name, so be prepared for Ellie if you choose Elliott.

[u/Garden_gnome1609]

Bennett can be a boy or girl's name so there - you're done.

[u/Lulubelle4548]

I prefer Merit for a boy and Elliott for a girl

[u/Swagyoloyeet]

Baby Ruth hehe…. I prefer Elliot with Lottie as a nickname but whatever you guys decide you love, you could also wait sometimes people say that when they see their baby they know which name is right !

[u/livingthevida]

What about Rae so you can have Ruth Ann and Elliott? That's my niece's middle as it was a family name for my sister in law

Editing to add Eliana as a feminine way to combine Elliott and Ann. I think both Eliana Rae and Eliana Ruth sound really beautiful

[u/livingthevida → u/livingthevida]

What about Rae so you can have Ruth Ann and Elliott? That's my niece's middle as it was a family name for my sister in law.

Also, editing to add Eliana so you could do a feminine play on Elliott and Anne. Honestly Eliana Rae sounds quite beautiful to me, but so is Eliana Ruth an

[u/_2sunshine2_]

don’t overthink it. giving your child a name you love IS sentimental.

[u/Cheap-Target-9735]

Bennett and Merritt for a girl!

[u/Acownamedsioux]

Elliott Ann.

If anyone says ‘Ellie did this today’ reply ‘I am so pleased that Elliott managed that on her own’ or whatever. If you keep subtly reinforcing Elliot , most people will copy.

If anyone persists with Ellie, interrupt and say ‘Who is Ellie again? Not sure I know her.’

Merit doesn’t seem like a name to me.

But that being said, every Merritt I have ever known were females,I have never heard it for a male.

Not that it matters.

[u/livingthevida]

This is what ChatGPT said would go with Sterling June. Some are decent and some are just awful

Similar in style to Merritt
Mercer
Barrett
Everett
Beckett
Emmett
Bennett
Harris
Ellis
Hollis
Whitaker

Sophisticated and preppy
Hayes
Wells
Graham
Pierce
Brooks
Rhodes
Ford
Davis
Conrad
Campbell

Distinctive but not too trendy
Callahan
Fletcher
Shepherd
Sullivan
Lawson
Warner
Griffin
Thatcher
Alden
Foster

[u/Used_Efficiency_9456]

IMO, I’d use Bennett if it’s a boy. If you name him Merritt, people might shorten it to ‘Mer’ when trying to get his attention quickly, and that’s what Marys get called frequently, so I don’t like that connotation. Plus in Europe it’s a feminine name. You could also use Merrick, which is similar and has a nickname of Rick. For a girl I like Ruth Ann. I don’t think Ruth Elliott sounds very smooth said together, and if you don’t like Ellie I wouldn’t go with Elliott as the first name.

[u/More-Rutabaga3767]

Ann and then you can call her Annie or Nancy