5 weeks left and still no name

Girl Names
1

Hello again.

So, the big day is drawing closer and I still don’t have a girls name that I love. I’ve made a couple posts here, been through my baby name bible front to back half a dozen times at least, and STILL haven’t found a name that I “love”. It feels like I constantly find something wrong with every name that crosses my list. “Not suitable on an adult”, “doesn’t sound ‘professional’ enough”, “terrible nickname/shortened name”… The list goes on. I know naming a child is very important, but am I worrying TOO much about picking the “perfect” name? I feel so unsettled that my beautiful bundle of joy could be here potentially any day now really, and I might not have any name for baby that I am thoroughly happy with. In your experience, has the perfect name always just popped up out of nowhere for you, or am I going to have to settle on what bothers me the least?

Here is the list of names I am currently working with that I still have problems attaching myself to:

[name]Alexa[/name] (not suitable for adult (?), not professional enough)
[name]Aria[/name] (not suitable for adult, not professional enough)
[name]Ariana[/name] (not suitable for adult) ** tell me how YOU pronounce this… **
[name]Alicia[/name] (not suitable for adult, not professional enough, a little overdone around here…)
[name]Julianna[/name] (the ‘a’ at the end makes me feel like it’s too cutesy for an adult, but I don’t care for [name]Julianne[/name])
[name]Juliette[/name] (not professional enough)
[name]Natalie[/name] (horrible shortened name [[name]Nat[/name]], also we have an acquaintance with this name, doesn’t bother me but hubby isn’t too sure)

Second problem. It’s so hard to choose a first name… But we haven’t even discussed a middle name yet! I am taking any and all suggestions for one, and hopefully something will pop out as a perfect match. Last name starts with “S” and is one syllable. Off the top of my head, I like the name [name]Elysia[/name] for a middle name, but I know without asking that hubby will veto that faster than he can take a breath to do so. No family names really work either, unfortunately.

Anyway, I’m hoping I can find a name once and for all very soon. I hate not being able to associate a name with all the kicks, turns, jabs, and other things I feel going on in there. ([name]Baby[/name] is kicking the iPad sitting on my belly as I type this :slight_smile: )

(I should also mention, if you have one of these names and can tell me how you feel about it, or why my reason for worry is completely unfounded, I’d love to hear what you have to say!)

2

I see what you are saying about how some of the names on your list may not sound good on an adult, but at the same time, I think that by the time your baby is an adult, what works as an adult name will have changed. Most/all the names you’ve mentioned seem like they’d fit with what seem to be the current trends in baby naming. Not to say they are too popular or trendy, I just think an adult with any of those names would probably fit right in!
Have you considered [name]Natalia[/name]? It seems to fit in with your style and since the “tal” part is emphasized, the [name]Nat[/name] nickname is less intuitive.

3

Why couldn’t you name her [name]Alexandra[/name] and call her [name]Alexa[/name] when she’s young? That way, she has a more formal name to use professionally.

4

I know what you mean about names not working on an adult, but I don’t think you need to worry about [name]Aria[/name] so much. Maybe spelling [name]Juliette[/name] as [name]Juliet[/name] will make it seem less frilly and professional. I think it’s a beautiful name. [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Aria[/name] would actually make a lovely combo. I’m not real keen on any of your other names, but I don’t mind [name]Ariana[/name] (ah-ree-ahn-ah). Some other ideas you might be interested in:

[name]Willa[/name] - sweet, but ages nicely as well
[name]Isla[/name] - again, it’s cute but works well on an adult too (see [name]Isla[/name] [name]Fisher[/name])
[name]Cora[/name] - Classic name that has a professional edge to it
[name]Fiona[/name] - Spunky and works on all ages
[name]Alice[/name] - Soft, sweet and classic
[name]Arabel[/name] - Not as frilly as [name]Arabella[/name] so ages better
[name]Isabel[/name] - My name, so I’m bias. I think it sounds professional and ages well. Cute nickname options.
[name]Elena[/name] - I think this is beautiful and checks all the criteria

Anyway, hope that helps. If you want more suggestions let me know.

5

I was going to do this initially if I chose [name]Alexa[/name], but I really don’t like [name]Alexandra[/name] as the full name. I want to love every part of my baby’s name… Ya know?

Indianruby: unfortunately I don’t really care for any of the names you mentioned, sorry! I’m just a super picky person! Well thats not entirely true, I briefly had [name]Fiona[/name] on my list til hubby said no because it reminded him of the movie Eurotrip and the song that was sung about a girl name [name]Fiona[/name] in it.

In reference to [name]Natalie[/name] vs. [name]Natalia[/name], I actually do like [name]Natalia[/name] a bit more, but I think its a bit too fancy for the hubby.

Thanks for the replies so far, I appreciate each of you for taking the time to help me out!

6

I don’t have one of these names but I think your concern that most of these names are ‘not suitable for an adult’, or not ‘professional enough’ is totally groundless. I work in what what most would consider a professional field (suits, ties, boardrooms, high flying meetings etc.) and I would not bat an eye at hearing any of these names on a colleague or our CEO. They are legitimate names without trendy or creative spellings.

Also, it seems like you are leaning towards names that end with an ‘ah’ sound but that this is also what you think makes them ‘cutesy’.

I really, really think it would be sad for you to dismiss some lovely names based on this misplaced ([name]IMO[/name]) perception.

I would pronounce [name]Ariana[/name] as ah-ri-ah-na, or possibly a-ri-ah-na (with a short a like cat).

7

It actually relieves me a lot to hear that from someone who is in a professional setting. And, you and I pronounce [name]Ariana[/name] the same way. :-). My [name]MiL[/name] would pronounce it as “Airy-ann-ah”… Which gets under my skin and would only be tolerated once before I lost it on her. :slight_smile: So far, from my list, this is the name I am leaning towards… But that changes on a daily basis!

Thanks for your reply! :slight_smile:

8

In the ‘not suitable for an adult’ conversation, I would like to point out how many people grow up with these names, so no ones really going to think about this :slight_smile:

9

You like [name]Natalie[/name], and quite a few ‘a’ ending names, so how about:
[name]Talia[/name]? It sounds similar to [name]Aria[/name], and links with [name]Natalie[/name].

10

[name]Juliette[/name] is my favorite from your list, although I vastly prefer [name]Juliet[/name]. I disagree that it’s not professional enough. I think it’s one of those perfect names that can work on a little girl and an adult, a teacher or a doctor, etc.

I also like [name]Natalie[/name] a lot, but she may get [name]Nat[/name] occasionally as short-hand, not as an official nn.

I think [name]Alexa[/name], [name]Arianna[/name], and [name]Alicia[/name] have seen their day and are headed down-market.

Good luck!

11

I love [name]Natalie[/name] or [name]Natalia[/name] with the NN [name]Tally[/name]. Can’t use it bc we will soon have a [name]SIL[/name] named [name]Natalie[/name].
[name]Juliette[/name] or [name]Juliet[/name] is pretty, and she could always use [name]Julie[/name] as an adult if she thinks it’s more professional.
Same thing with [name]Julianna[/name]. could go by [name]Julie[/name] or [name]Julianne[/name], or [name]Jules[/name]. [name]One[/name] of my favorite people ever is a [name]Juliann[/name] so I think I love the name for that.

12

I like Natalia, I think it would be great on both an adult and a child. WDYT of Alexis, Allison, Anna or just Julia? You need something classy (as I can see from your list) maybe you can go through some old family names. As MN, I can suggest Eliza or Elise they usually work really well with a lot of names. I’m sure once your baby girl is born and you get to see her you’ll decide which name fits her the best! Good luck!!

13

I met a doctor called [name]Rosemary[/name] the other day, and I find your names [name]WAY[/name] more professional than that!!

~[name]Jasmine[/name]

14

All of these names sound suitable for an adult to me. As one poster said, they are legitimate names, no trendy spellings…
Okay - [name]Alexa[/name] - a lot of grown women go by [name]Alex[/name], which is boyish, and nicknamey, and it’s perfectly acceptable…
[name]Aria[/name] - sounds too grown up for a child, [name]IMO[/name] - beautiful name though
[name]Ariana[/name] - I pronounce it like R - [name]Rhianna[/name] LOL, I knew someone named this in high school and she always seemed very mature and grown up to me - she was in student government, drama, that sort of thing.
[name]Alicia[/name] - maybe a bit dated - examples of adults with this name: [name]Alicia[/name] [name]Keyes[/name], [name]Alicia[/name] Silverstone
[name]Julianna[/name] - also seems too grown up for a child - it is fancier than [name]Julie[/name], [name]Julia[/name] and [name]Julianne[/name] - example of an adult with this name: [name]Julianna[/name] Margulies
[name]Juliette[/name] - I do prefer the less frilly spelling ([name]Juliet[/name]) - [name]Juliet[/name] is timeless. It also reminds me of the character from Lost
[name]Natalie[/name] - one of the few ending in “ie” names that isn’t too cutesy. It reminds me of [name]Natalie[/name] from the tv show The Facts of Life, which I watched as a child. Some of her friends might call her [name]Nat[/name], but when she is younger you can correct people and say her name is [name]Natalie[/name]. My brother is a [name]Daniel[/name] and my mother hates the nick names [name]Dan[/name] and [name]Danny[/name]. He was never called that by anyone til high school, and only by some of his close friends.
Possible middle names: [name]Alice[/name], [name]Elise[/name]/[name]Elyse[/name], [name]Elizabeth[/name], [name]Ainsley[/name], [name]Avery[/name], [name]Eve[/name], [name]Sylvia[/name] or [name]Sylvie[/name] or [name]Silver[/name]?
My pick for you: [name]Julianna[/name] [name]Eve[/name]

15

[name]Alexa[/name] (not suitable for adult (?), not professional enough) - I know a few Alexas, one of them older, and she has no problem in the professional world. And if you/she feels it is an issue then she could always go by [name]Alex[/name].
[name]Aria[/name] (not suitable for adult, not professional enough) - I would have to agree on this one, but it is a really trendy name right now, so by the time she grows up the outlook could change.
[name]Ariana[/name] (not suitable for adult) ** tell me how YOU pronounce this… ** - I pronounce it Are-ee-ah-nah. And I see no reason why it wouldn’t be suitable for an adult. It’s got cuteness for a young girl, and the professional sound of [name]Ana[/name] for as she grows.
[name]Alicia[/name] (not suitable for adult, not professional enough, a little overdone around here…) - [name]How[/name] are you pronouncing this? Because to be it is [name]Ah[/name]-lee-shah, but I know many say [name]Ah[/name]-li-shah, which I spell [name]Alisha[/name] because of my sister. I like the second, not the first pronunciation. The first (with the ee sound) seems really dated.
[name]Julianna[/name] (the ‘a’ at the end makes me feel like it’s too cutesy for an adult, but I don’t care for [name]Julianne[/name]) - I think [name]Juliana[/name] with a long A sounds more wearable/grownup/etc.
[name]Juliette[/name] (not professional enough) - I think [name]Juliette[/name] is plenty professional enough, but if you are really worried, I think Juilet looks slightly more professional.
[name]Natalie[/name] (horrible shortened name [[name]Nat[/name]], also we have an acquaintance with this name, doesn’t bother me but hubby isn’t too sure) - I love the name [name]Natalie[/name] and it would be on my list if I didn’t have a cousin with the name (I see her multiple times a year, so it isn’t like my future child would never be around her). We called her [name]Nattie[/name] growing up, not many of us in the family use [name]Nat[/name] at all. She’s married to a [name]Nathaniel[/name] who goes by [name]Nate[/name] now, so she gets [name]Nat[/name] more often - [name]Nat[/name] and [name]Nate[/name]. Haha.

16

I pronounce [name]Alicia[/name] “ah-lee-shah”… And I agree, while pretty, it is a bit dated. Also, if I were to choose [name]Arianna[/name] as the baby’s name, would it be too matchy with my 2 year old’s name - [name]Erika[/name]? I think if [name]Arianna[/name] is pronounced Are-EE-ahh-nah, then its not too bad… but would like to hear a second opinion.

17

Yeah, that pronunciation is a little dated for me. I know soooo many with that name my age or a little older.

I don’t find [name]Erika[/name] and [name]Arianna[/name] matchy. Especially if it is pronounced with the Are beginning. If you said [name]Air[/name]-EE-ahh-nah… well that is a little matchy with the similar beginnings, but I still don’t find it terrible.

18

I’m 23 weeks with my first, so we haven’t actually named the baby (don’t know if it’s a boy or girl!) but we have pretty much settled on names.
In my experience, and particularly for girls names, there wasn’t just one that was perfect. I could find fault with everything and we had about as many finalists as you! In some ways, finding a middle name helped. In others, I just kind of got attached to one of the names (and it was actually more of my husband’s preference initially).

My advice to you would be to try pairing middle names with each, and try imagining yourself using the name in various situations.

I wouldn’t worry about the names seeming “adult” enough. When she’s an adult, she’ll be an adult, and everyone will know she’s adult. None of the names you are thinking of are going to stand out as horribly juvenile on a resume.

Some middle name ideas…
[name]Alexa[/name] [name]Maeve[/name]
[name]Aria[/name] [name]Nadine[/name]
[name]Ariana[/name] [name]Frances[/name]
[name]Alicia[/name] [name]Grace[/name]
[name]Julianna[/name] [name]Isobel[/name]
[name]Juliette[/name] [name]Elise[/name]
[name]Natalie[/name] [name]Claire[/name]

19

You keep saying a name isn’t “professional” enough but that realyl depends on what career path she takes. [name]Juliette[/name] may be different on a lawyer or a doctor but what if she’s an actress? A singer? A chef? You can’t guess waht career path your daughter will take so saying it isn’t professional is kind of subjective.

Perhaps you’re overthinking this, anyhow. While [name]Alexa[/name] may seem a little bit young and I agree I hve a difficult time seeing a middle aged or senior [name]Alexa[/name] there are plenty of lovely names like [name]Alexandra[/name] (as suggested above) that will get you the nn [name]Alexa[/name]. [name]Juliette[/name] on the other hand (I prefer [name]Juliet[/name] but either way it’s a lovely name) is a perfectly nice name. It is pretty but not cutesy or overly frilly. I don’t see any reason [name]Juliette[/name] couldn’t be a banker as easily as an actress.

[name]Ariana[/name] is a gorgeous name and I can easily see it on an adult. I don’t think it’s a trendy “in the moment” name nor is it cutesy or nicknamey so it should age beautifully. Perhaps you should take your favorite names to the hospital with you and see which one fits her when she arrives.

20

[name]Alexa[/name] - I think [name]Alexa[/name] is well suited for an adult.
[name]Aria[/name] - I think it’s a cute name for a little girl, and a slightly exotic sounding name for a woman.
[name]Ariana[/name] - Airy-anna
[name]Alicia[/name]- NMS
[name]Julianna[/name] - I feel all these [name]Julia[/name]- names are a bit cutesy for an adult
[name]Juliette[/name] - see above
[name]Natalie[/name] - If you know a [name]Natalie[/name], what about [name]Natalia[/name], you could call her [name]Ally[/name], or [name]Alea[/name] instead of [name]Nat[/name].