Thoughts and opinions on Alifair? It’s been a guilty pleasure of mine for ages. I can’t get it out of my head lately. It’s origin is a bit of a mystery. It first came to my attention when I read about the Hatfield-[name_m]McCoy[/name_m] family feud. Alifair [name_m]McCoy[/name_m] was shot to death while trying to escape a burning house, which makes the name rather morbid, as most people who are familiar with the name only know it for Alifair [name_m]McCoy[/name_m]. There’s also Alafair [name_m]Burke[/name_m], the writer. It’s thought to come from either Alfarr/Alfher/[name_m]Alvar[/name_m] (Germanic- Elf Warrior) or Allovera/[name_f]Alvera[/name_f] (Germanic- All [name_u]True[/name_u], or you might know it as [name_f]Elvira[/name_f]- which is Spanish I believe), but nobody really knows, as it’s pretty rare and just pops up from time to time.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you prefer Alifair or Alafair? I tend to like Alifair more, but I don’t want the nickname [name_u]Ali[/name_u] to take over her name. [name_u]Ali[/name_u] is okay, but I’d prefer she go by her full name, and Alafair would be harder to pigeonhole into [name_u]Ali[/name_u]. Does it feel made-up? Can you imagine a child/teen/adult/elder with this name? Is it GP only or can it be used? What sort of middle would you give it? Could something like Alifair [name_f]Snow[/name_f] work or is that too faeries dancing in the moonlight? Also, that would make her initials ASK. Cute or weird? Alifair [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] [name_f]Snow[/name_f]? I imagine she’s going to have to spell or repeat her name her whole life. Would that make you hate your name?
This one has got me a little stumped to be honest. I’ve not seen the name before. I immediately thought of masculine [name_m]Alistair[/name_m], and haven’t been able to shake that association. However, both [name_f]Ala[/name_f]- and -fair are very light and whimsical sounds so it should feel somewhat feminine. In conclusion then, I’m really not sure just how I feel about it. I do prefer Alafair to Alifair, due to that pesky [name_m]Alistair[/name_m] association, as Alafair gives a less obvious association there for me. As for nickname [name_f]Ally[/name_f], whether [name_u]Ali[/name_u]- or [name_f]Ala[/name_f]-, unless Alafair has a nickname she often goes by and uses it, people are bound to call her [name_f]Ally[/name_f] here and there.
I think Alafair [name_f]Snow[/name_f] makes for a great faerie-like vibe (and not at all in a bad way), but I’d prefer to see it as a middle combination. [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] Alafair [name_f]Snow[/name_f] would be lovely.
I love Alafair! I prefer this spelling but only because it looks more visually appealing to me. Alafair [name_f]Snow[/name_f] is beautiful. I really love Alafair [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] [name_f]Snow[/name_f] together (I have Alafair [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f] [name_f]Snow[/name_f]/[name_f]Sonnet[/name_f] as a combo), and I love the faerie-like feeling I get from it. In fact I have Faerie as a nn for Alafair. I don’t think ASK would be bad initials! And in terms of repeating/spelling out names, I usually have to, and doesn’t bother me or make me like my name less. Alifair/Alafair’s gorgeous so I don’t think she’d mind!
I had never heard of this name before but wow, it’s really beautiful and magical. I prefer Alifair to Alafair. Alifair seems more feminine to me than Alafair but both are gorgeous. I definitely think it can be used – perhaps Alifair [name_f]Snow[/name_f] is a bit… too magical but Alifair [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] [name_f]Snow[/name_f] is riveting and totally usable [name_f]IMO[/name_f]. Actually, in Danish, ‘ask’ means ash as in an ash tree so I think those initials would be quite suiting – but that’s just me Admittedly, I’ve been immensely annoyed with the fact that I’ve always had to spell my name but I don’t know. One of my best friends is named [name_f]Michelle[/name_f] and even her name is spelled wrong occasionally so yeah. I think most names that aren’t, I don’t know, [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], get misspelled.
I find Alafair absolutely magical:) Never heard it before, but wow! I agree that Alafair [name_f]Snow[/name_f] might be a bit too much, but as PP’s have said Alafair [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] [name_f]Snow[/name_f] could be a good option. I believe I’ve found myself a new GP:D
Thanks, all! Appreciate the feedback. Still loving this name, and still undecided which spelling I’d use. @sunniva, I agree that [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] Alifair [name_f]Snow[/name_f] would be gorgeous, but I can’t use [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] as a first. @myosotis Alafair [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f] [name_f]Snow[/name_f]/[name_f]Sonnet[/name_f] is so pretty! [name_f]Zelia[/name_f], I love that ask means ash (tree) in Danish! My great-grandmother was Danish, and she was very special to me. @svea, glad to share a new GP with someone.
Alifair (or in my case Allifair) has been a GP of mine for ages
I do think it’s usable and I do think it would age quite well. I also first heard it in connection to the Hatfield-[name_m]McCoy[/name_m] feud, but I didn’t really see it as a deal breaker. If only DH liked it
I like both Alifair and Alafair, and I think both [name_f]Snow[/name_f] and [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] work fine with it. I see Alifair/Alafair as a name that pairs well with most types of middle names.
I also agree that Alifair/Alafair [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] [name_f]Snow[/name_f] is stunning.
The funny thing is, I was actually thinking about creating a thread about Allifair like this yesterday
I think Alafair or Alifair are both beautiful. I had only heard them in books/movies set amongst the Cajun people of [name_f]Louisiana[/name_f] until recently. Feels very similar to [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f], another name that I love.
@joya Well, I’ve yet to run this one by SO. I have a feeling this will get a puzzled look. [name_m]How[/name_m] funny that we both wanted to talk about Alifair in the same week. I wonder if it was on the news recently or something.
@stormshine I’m happy you like it. You’re right, it does feel similar to [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]. Now I like it even more. What books/movies have you heard the name in? That’s so interesting. I’d read that it mostly pops up around the south. I wonder if it’s got roots with the Acadian’s, then. Though they’d be [name_m]French[/name_m], and everything I’ve read says it’s believed to be rooted in a [name_m]German[/name_m] name. Hmm. Curiouser and curiouser. Now I’m wondering if it’s not a bastardization of [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f], though the Alfarr root makes a lot of sense.
I’m really liking Alifair! I think both spellings are nice. I’d use Alafair if you’re concerned with [name_u]Ali[/name_u] being used. I love the idea of [name_f]Fae[/name_f]/[name_f]Fay[/name_f] or even [name_f]Fara[/name_f]/Faira as a nn. It’s very mystical and fairy-like which is why I love [name_f]Fae[/name_f] as a Nn. Alifair [name_f]Snow[/name_f] is such a stunning combo. Alifair [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] snow is a mouthful but also gorgeous. Overall I think that Alifair is very usuable.
Admittedly, I’ve been immensely annoyed with the fact that I’ve always had to spell my name but I don’t know. One of my best friends is named [name_f]Michelle[/name_f] and even her name is spelled wrong occasionally so yeah. I think most names that aren’t, I don’t know, [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], get misspelled.