I’ve started really leaning toward [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] as my full name for [name_f]Lily[/name_f]. I love saying [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] (lil-ee-ahn. lil-ee-ahn. It just makes me smile!), and I feel like it probably fits with my other favorites more than the uber-frilly [name_f]Liliana[/name_f], and the more unusual [name_f]Lilia[/name_f], and I love how timeless and subdued it is, but still spunky and feminine.
However, sometimes I feel like [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] can come across as austere and boring, so I want something more pretty and sweet to go with it. I’m tossing around [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Emilia[/name_f], but I’m not sure how into either of them I am. If you had to pair something pretty and sweet and innocent with [name_f]Lillian[/name_f], what would you pick?
I’m also tossing around [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f], for a very special little girl in my life who’s just been given days (to possibly a couple weeks) to live, but much as I want to honor that little ray of sunshine, I’m not sure how much I actually like [name_f]Elena[/name_f] paired with [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]? [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] appeals to me more, I think. I’ve also been thinking about [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] in her honor, which would let me use something else with [name_f]Lillian[/name_f].
Oh [name_u]Ash[/name_u], I am so sorry about your little friend [name_f]Elena[/name_f]. I must say [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is stunningly beautiful, and a wonderful way to honor her.
I think [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is too ‘n’ heavy, though. [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] or [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Eva[/name_f]? Or perhaps [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Vera[/name_f] or [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f]?
I pronounce [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] as it is normally pronounced, and love it. I am not sure about [name_f]Elena[/name_f] as a middle because it seems like there are too. Many letter L’s and another N as it could take away from [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]'s natural beauty as a name. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] that wasn’t confusing.
As for middle name ideas based on your taste:
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_u]Rae[/name_u] (to signify the ray of sunshine as you previously described)
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Rachel[/name_f] (from your signature could work well and incorporate [name_u]Rae[/name_u] if you like that idea
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] sounds better to me than [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f]. probably since it doesn’t have a N.
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Amber[/name_f]- wonder if u like this since you like [name_f]Amelia[/name_f].
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Iris[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_u]Jay[/name_u] …like a blue jay if you like the nature feel.
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Jade[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Rochelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Rachelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Ivana[/name_f]/[name_f]Ivanna[/name_f] (ihv.AWN.ah)
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_u]Ivory[/name_u]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Fay[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Rosemarie[/name_f]
I am really sorry, I just re-read your post and [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] should be perfect. I don’t know how I missed that. My sincere apologies. That makes me think the [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] combo is gorgeous now. My kind thoughts are with you.
AshleyJuliette
@kyemsma - thank you so much for that. (Her name is actually [name_u]Delaney[/name_u], but I feel [name_f]Elena[/name_f] suits my tastes much better.) She was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in [name_f]May[/name_f], but just a couple weeks before they said she only had 1 day to a couple weeks to live, they had declared her completely cancer-free, so this has come as a huge shock to all of us. It’s so hard to just sit here and know that she’s dying, and to know there’s nothing I can do about it, when she is the one who saved my life five years ago. Facebook is flooded with stories and videos for her, and it’s just breaking my heart.
I do love [name_f]Eva[/name_f], but I’m not sure I really like [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Eva[/name_f]? It doesn’t seem right, somehow. I do like [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f], though. I’ve seriously considered it in the past–I don’t know how it managed to go off my radar this time?
[name_u]Ashley[/name_u] - thanks for your thoughts. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though it’s in [name_u]Laney[/name_u]'s honor, [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]'s obviously not the only place I could pair it with, and I think I do like [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] better in general, anyway (and it sounds better, too!). I do love [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] and [name_f]Rachel[/name_f] and [name_f]Iris[/name_f], but I’m not sure about them with [name_f]Lillian[/name_f], for some reason? [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] and [name_f]Iris[/name_f] are too naturey with [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]/[name_f]Lily[/name_f], and [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Rachel[/name_f] isn’t quite exciting enough for me (although I might be able to get into [name_f]Liliana[/name_f] [name_f]Rachel[/name_f], if I do go back to [name_f]Liliana[/name_f] as opposed to [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]…
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is gorgeous, although aesthetically [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is a little bit better (varying lengths, and fewer shared letters). What about…
@ashthedreamer - yes, I like [name_f]Elena[/name_f] more than [name_u]Delaney[/name_u], and [name_f]Elena[/name_f] seems to fit your style. Oh my goodness, what a sad story. [name_m]How[/name_m] is little [name_u]Delaney[/name_u] holding up? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you have a link that we can look at about her? Prayers for her and her family and friends.
[name_f]Glad[/name_f] you like [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f] - I love this combination!
I think [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is beautiful and a lovely way to honour your friend. My favourite middle for [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] is [name_f]Frances[/name_f], but I’m not sure that fits your style. I like [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Ivy[/name_f]. Praying for little [name_u]Delaney[/name_u]! x
First off I am very sorry to here about your young friend. [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is a beautiful name and [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f] I think goes very well together.
@kyemsma - Here’s a link to her FB page (Team Laney). And a news article that semi does her justice. http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/national/laney-browns-dying-wishes-fulfilled-by-thousands-of-carolers-and-taylor-swift It really is amazing the amount of people that have rallied behind her. I wasn’t able to go caroling for her, but my two sisters and my mom did. She has the most sunshiney, selfless personality, and she’s always been filled with so much hope and joy and kindness. Her little sister, [name_f]Kylee[/name_f], is such a sassy, silly, friendly, bubbly little thing, and I love her to death, but [name_u]Laney[/name_u]‘s got such a good heart. I can’t imagine a world where [name_u]Laney[/name_u] doesn’t exist, and honestly, there shouldn’t BE a world where [name_u]Laney[/name_u] doesn’t exist. But thank you all for your prayers–it means a lot to know that she’s in others’ prayers, and I’m sure [name_u]Laney[/name_u]'s family would thank you, as well.
As for how she’s doing… it’s hard to tell. I haven’t been able to see her since I went over to visit her in the hospital this summer. But her parents say she’s in a lot of pain and discomfort, and really has no energy/strength at all. She sleeps a lot, from what I’ve been able to tell. But she’s still [name_u]Laney[/name_u], still thinking of others before herself, still trying to comfort her mom while she can, and her only concern is the happiness of her family. We’re all praying for a miracle, but expecting the worst.
@[name_f]Olivia[/name_f] - I do adore [name_f]Grace[/name_f]–and have been thinking tentatively that either [name_f]Grace[/name_f], [name_f]Claire[/name_f], or [name_f]Greer[/name_f]/[name_f]Grier[/name_f] will be the second middle ([name_f]Grace[/name_f] and [name_f]Claire[/name_f] are also family names)–and I’ve loved [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] for years now. It’s simple, and maybe kind of expected? But I still really like it. [name_f]Flora[/name_f] and [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] intrigue me, but I’m not sure I love them with [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]. I adore [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], but I don’t really like [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] for some reason.
I’ve liked [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] for a while now, too, but I feel like it’s almost too expected. [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]'s not as filler as [name_f]Rose[/name_f] or [name_f]Grace[/name_f], but meh. I don’t know.
@ashthedreamer: oh my goodness, I saw the story about the carolers on the news last night, and my husband and I were so touched! [name_u]Laney[/name_u] sounds like a wonderful young girl, and I feel so sad for her parents, friends and family. It seems that [name_u]Laney[/name_u] is the kind of girl that has touched many people, and will continue to do so. My thoughts are with you, as well.
Thank you so much. I just hope this isn’t the last of her touching hearts and changing lives–life would be so much less bright without her in it.
Does anyone have any other [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] ideas? I’ve been tossing around [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] and [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Carolina[/name_f] today–maybe [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Fiora[/name_f]–but nothing really seems to be sticking out at me.
[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Flora[/name_f] or [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Fiona[/name_f]? [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] is pretty.
I do like [name_f]Flora[/name_f], and I can appreciate [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] (although I prefer [name_f]Fiora[/name_f]). I went through hundreds of names this afternoon between baking for [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] :], and I’ve gotten it down to six options, with two maybes on the side. What does everyone think of these?
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] (too many of the same sounds?)
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] (too floral? I like that [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] has ties to my mom and two sisters, as well)
Two maybes: [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Josefina[/name_f] (I like it a lot, but I’m not sure people would use the [name_m]German[/name_m]/Scandinavian prn. I like–yo-seh-[name_u]FEE[/name_u]-nah) or [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Giuseppina[/name_f]
I was entertaining [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Zara[/name_f], and [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], too, but I don’t think I like them quite so much as these six/eight…
You could try using a variation of [name_f]Elena[/name_f] as a middle name or maybe a variation of [name_u]Delaney[/name_u] (if you feel that still honours this special girl appropriately), such as:
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Della[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Delilah[/name_f]
Otherwise, some other names I feel suit [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] include:
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Agnes[/name_f] (my grandma’s name!)
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
I prefer [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] to [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], but they are both beautiful, timeless names (:
Thanks, everyone! And [name_f]Merry[/name_f] [name_u]Christmas[/name_u].
For those curious about [name_u]Laney[/name_u], she passed away this morning at 3:10 a.m. If you’re the praying sort, or if you have been praying, please continue to pray for [name_u]Laney[/name_u]'s family, as they are feeling her loss most severely today.
I’m not 100% sure where I stand atm–I know I want more than anything to honor [name_u]Laney[/name_u], but I’m not really liking [name_f]Elena[/name_f] or [name_u]Delaney[/name_u] with [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]. I suppose I’ll continue to look for a spot to honor her, but I’ll keep considering the [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] combos I like right now. [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] and [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] are at the forefront atm, but I also like [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Emilia[/name_f]. Some full combos I’ve been tossing around:
I really like the idea of [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and, to a lesser degree, [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f], but I don’t like [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] to the same extent? I’m still tossing ideas around and trying to decide where I stand, but I figured I’d update everyone.
Thanks again, and [name_f]Merry[/name_f] [name_u]Christmas[/name_u]!
Oh [name_u]Ash[/name_u], I am so sorry to hear this. My prayers go out to her family and her friends. [name_m]Little[/name_m] [name_u]Laney[/name_u] will surely light up heaven today.
Of your [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] combos, I really like [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] and [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f], or how about [name_f]Lillian Clara Cecile[/name_f]?
It’s so hard to just sit here and know that she’s dying, and to know there’s nothing I can do about it, when she is the one who saved my life five years ago. 
I’ve seriously considered it in the past–I don’t know how it managed to go off my radar this time?
But thank you all for your prayers–it means a lot to know that she’s in others’ prayers, and I’m sure [name_u]Laney[/name_u]'s family would thank you, as well.