3 weeks and counting...

Girl Names
1

[name]Hi[/name] Berries…

I’m excited to join and finally post as hubby & I are approaching due date VERY soon and need some opinions as we narrow down our list…Due date is Nov 21st, so about 3 weeks to go! This is our first baby and we are so completely over the moon about her arrival. Our thoughts are to take a few names to the hospital and see what fits best after meeting her…Thank you in advance for your thoughts. I really love reading others’ posts and hearing all the creativity floating around on here!

Ok, so here is our whittled down list of potential combos, still quite long…all flexible. I will say that [name]Jean[/name] would be after my Mom whom I adore & using [name]Magnolia[/name] would potentially be a tribute to my Dad…{he loved trimming the [name]Magnolia[/name] tree in the yard} Its also better than using any of his names for a future boy…LOL.

[name]Naomi[/name] [name]Jean[/name]
[name]Ruby[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name]
[name]Isla[/name] [name]Pearl[/name]
[name]Amaya[/name] [name]Isobel[/name]
[name]Penelope[/name] [name]Jewel[/name]
[name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] nn [name]Lola[/name]
[name]Nora[/name] [name]Eloise[/name]
[name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Olivia[/name] nn [name]Charlie[/name]
[name]Stella[/name] [name]Pearl[/name] (not sure how this flows with last name though, lots of L sounds)
[name]Ava[/name] [name]Penelope[/name] or [name]Ava[/name] [name]Reece[/name]
[name]Indigo[/name] [name]Amaya[/name] [name]Jean[/name]
[name]Amaia[/name] [name]Indigo[/name] [name]Jean[/name]

Our last name starts with L and is two syllables…
What are some thoughts on giving her two middle names vs. one? [name]Jean[/name] can be added to almost any of the combos, just not sure if its too much…

2

I think two middle names is perfectly fine, my family have done it frequently and it’s becoming more common these days, especially in the UK (not sure where you’re based). It also gives you a chance to have one middle you love, and one to honour a family member.

My favourites there would be [name]Ruby[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] (or [name]Ruby[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name]), [name]Ava[/name] [name]Penelope[/name] (or [name]Ava[/name] [name]Penelope[/name] [name]Jean[/name]) and [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name]. Though, with [name]Ruby[/name] and [name]Ava[/name], I think you need to make sure you’ve assessed the popularity in your area. Where I live, [name]Ruby[/name] and [name]Ava[/name] are VERY common, though I’m sure this is not the case everywhere. So if originality is something you’re striving for, it would be best to check out the top 100 in your area as well as having a peak at birth announcements and such.

[name]Ruby[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] is definitely my favourite, but if I took popularity into account I’d probably personally rotate it to [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Ruby[/name] [name]Jean[/name] :slight_smile:

3

Thanks genevie! We are actually living in Switzerland and most likely we will be here another year. After that, back to the States…I was originally concerned about using [name]Jean[/name] because here its a man’s name…but knowing we won’t be living here for a long period of time, I think its ok. My husband isn’t worried about it, but some of our Suisse friends think it just doesn’t work.

I agree with the popularity point. We thought we were going for unique names, but it seems we have picked some really popular ones…Lots of the unique names I loved, but hubby didn’t!! I tried to get him on board for [name]Avalon[/name] [name]Ruby[/name], but it just wasn’t clicking for him. I also adore [name]Wren[/name], but it got the boot too.

Thanks again for your input! I hadn’t thought about [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Ruby[/name] [name]Jean[/name] as a combo…

4

I love…

[name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name]
[name]Ruby[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name]
[name]Naomi[/name] [name]Jean[/name]

I like…

[name]Ava[/name] [name]Penelope[/name]

Three middles would be fine.

[name]Ruby[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name]
[name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Ruby[/name] [name]Jean[/name]
[name]Naomi[/name] [name]Jean[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name]
[name]Ava[/name] [name]Penelope[/name] [name]Jean[/name]

5

I really like [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name], full stop. It honors both of your parents; it uses the whimsical, yet grounded, uncommon name ‘[name]Magnolia[/name];’ and the flow of the name is perfect. If you’re moving back to the States I would try to stick to two total given names, since it makes things so much easier.

If you’re living in the French part of Switzerland and are worried about the masculine name [name]Jean[/name], have you thought of [name]Jeanne[/name]? [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jeanne[/name] is equally beautiful, and pronounced identically.

6

I have to agree that [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] is just perfect. Perfect!
[name]Amaya[/name] is also lovely, and [name]Isobel[/name]. But the two names together don’t have perfect flow, nor the groundedness of family connection that [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] has.
I’d especially steer clear of anything combining [name]Indigo[/name] and [name]Jean[/name]. Unless you plan to have a son named [name]Levi[/name] and get a real theme going!

7

First, I’m going to commit NB heresy. I don’t like [name]Ruby[/name] all that much. Yeah, it’s spunky, and I don’t really have a reason I don’t like it, but I don’t. And it may be just within the boards, but it’s getting to sound overused…[name]Jennifer[/name] sounds fresh compared to it!

Second, my parents have an immense magnolia in their yard, and I associate it with my father, so I am totally in love with the idea of using it to honor your dad. However, as much as I love the tree and the idea of associating it with your father, as a name, it seems rather overblown to me.

And I like [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] as a double middle to honor both you parents. So that leaves me with wanting a two syllable first name, light on the Ls for you, or, at a stretch, a 3 syllable name.

From your list:

[name]Nora[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name]–probably my favorite. I like [name]Nora[/name] next to [name]Magnolia[/name]–they seem to balance each other
[name]Isla[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name]–[name]Isla[/name] is one of my favorite names, but I wonder if the L is too much with a surname beginning in L…[name]Isla[/name] [name]Lawson[/name], [name]Isla[/name] [name]Logan[/name]…luh-luh?
[name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name]…the most classic of your names and a personal favorite
[name]Stella[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name]…another personal favorite, and if it weren’t for the luh-luh issue, this would be my pick from your list. [name]Stella[/name]'s got the same sort of spunk I associate with [name]Ruby[/name], but seems a bit more…dignified, maybe?
[name]Ava[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] and [name]Naomi[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name]…are both nice, just not my personal favorites

Have you considered?: [name]Vera[/name], [name]Anna[/name]/[name]Annie[/name], [name]Bridget[/name], [name]Cara[/name], [name]Audra[/name]/[name]Audrey[/name], [name]Aphra[/name], [name]Arden[/name], [name]Corinne[/name], [name]Jenna[/name]

8

[name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] is pretty darn perfect. It could be used as a double middle, but I’m really loving [name]Magnolia[/name] in the front spot. It also lends itself to plenty of accessible nicknames if she doesn’t end up seeming like a [name]Lola[/name] :slight_smile:

9

I also love [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] and thinks it has wonderful nn options if you/she decide to go more mainstream later - [name]Maggie[/name], [name]Lola[/name], [name]Nolie[/name], [name]Lia[/name], etc. honoring both parents is really lovely. Your other names are also gorgeous but I do have a big problem with [name]Ruby[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] - two “thing” names… Sounds like a red colored type of magnolia flower to me, not a name. Congratulations and good luck!

10

“I’d especially steer clear of anything combining [name]Indigo[/name] and [name]Jean[/name]. Unless you plan to have a son named [name]Levi[/name] and get a real theme going!”

emmabobemma: Absolutely hilarious. I never even made the connection between the names. Thanks for throwing that out there!

11

missmolly: Thanks for all the thoughts. I like [name]Stella[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] too but what comes to mind for me right away is [name]Steel[/name] Magnolias, the movie. Does it do that for anyone else? [name]Stella[/name] could work with our last name, just needs the right balance of a middle. I haven’t found it yet. From your suggested list I also love [name]Audrey[/name], but hubby’s parents had a beagle named [name]Audrey[/name] and its spoiled for him. :frowning:

13

Thank you [name]Lori[/name]! Your recommendations are helpful. I love [name]Naomi[/name] [name]Pearl[/name] and [name]Indigo[/name] [name]Pearl[/name] as combinations. [name]Amaya[/name] [name]Reese[/name] too.

[name]How[/name] can I learn more about syllable counts like you mentioned?..what principles works best, what doesn’t, etc. You seem to have streamlined my list with the 3/1/2 syllable count. Also, what would you call our naming style from this list? Or are we too all over the board?

14

I know you asked [name]Lori[/name], but I’ll answer…

The general principle is that in a group of three names (F, M, L) you would like at least 2 different syllable counts, and names with identical syllable counts shouldn’t be next to each other. Examples- 3/1/2, 3/2/1, 2/1/2, 2/3/2, 1/2/3, etc.

In addition, you must pay attention to where in the name stress is placed. Try to avoid having two stressed syllables adjacent to each other. Think of the difference between the names [name]Corinne[/name] and [name]Karen[/name]–cor-IN and KA-ren. [name]Elise[/name] [name]Corinne[/name] works (el-ISE cor-IN) because the stressed syllables are separated by an unstressed one; [name]Elise[/name] [name]Karen[/name] doesn’t (el-ISE KA-ren).

If this seems a bit esoteric just say your name combinations aloud and you’ll get it.

And remember-- rules were made to be broken. :slight_smile: If a name has great meaning to you, honors family or another noble namesake, etc that trumps these aesthetic considerations.

15

Another vote for [name]Ruby[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name].

16

Thanks blade! This is really helpful and makes sense to “why” some combinations really grab me or seem to flow better than others. I’ll have to keep thinking about all the name combinations and thoughts given today by everyone. Its been such great help so far and I am so appreciative for the time people took to reply! [name]Merci[/name]!

17

I love [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] with the cute nickname [name]Lola[/name] you mentioned.

Also, I like the nickname [name]Nola[/name].

18

I’m due the 18th! Also still deciding on names :slight_smile:
I like [name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Olivia[/name] and [name]Nora[/name] [name]Eloise[/name] the best.

19

I have to agree that [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]Jean[/name] is just stunning. [name]Love[/name] all the nn options with [name]Magnolia[/name]: [name]Lola[/name], [name]Maggie[/name], [name]Nola[/name]…

[name]Amaya[/name] [name]Pearl[/name] is my second pick (although [name]Amaya[/name] [name]Jean[/name] would be nice too).

Best of luck naming your baby girl; you really have some great options to pick from.

20

[name]Lori[/name],
I wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to write this response. My husband and I loved seeing how the names we like fit into style categories…We are still trying to shorten our list but its happening! All the feedback from everyone has been incredibly helpful.

21

Thanks misshoppy. As the due date approaches, I feel like I can’t think about anything else other than names! I hope your decisions are falling into place as well. Congratulations too!!