Anglo-Portuguese Baby girl

[mina_gaspar]

[name]Hi[/name]! Before I go on, I just want to say how much this site has my guilty dream-world pleasure this past year And bear with me, for I need Nameberry inspiration
I’m not yet pregnant, but love collecting and listing baby names, I want to find a perfect name.
My dilemma is this: I am of English and Portuguese origin, and live and work in Lisbon. My boyf is Portuguese. So that basically implies “B”b”” will probs be born in Portugal.
For boys we are OK. Probs be named after both grandads: [name]Francisco[/name], or [name]Francis[/name]-Xico or [name]Frank[/name], and [name]Joaquim[/name]. I also like [name]Vasco[/name], Gon”alo, ”lvaro, [name]Afonso[/name], [name]Gil[/name], [name]Artur[/name], [name]Vicente[/name].
As for the fairer sex, I am v v limited because the tradition on my mothers side (English side) is for the girls to have A.M. or M.A. initials. I also want a name that will be accessible to both sides of my heritage. So this is what I’ve come up with so far:

[name]Ana[/name] (famiy name [name]Anne[/name]-prefer the more gentle [name]Ana[/name])
[name]Alice[/name] (Another family name. I love it more than chocolate!)
[name]Agnes[/name] (family names, although prefer portuguese version In”s, pronounced een-EHzh)
[name]Abigail[/name]
[name]Anais[/name] (like [name]Anais[/name] [name]Nin[/name]:))
[name]Anis[/name] (means aniseed!)
[name]Aurora[/name]
[name]Ariadna[/name]
[name]Aurelia[/name] (Another family name. Pretty,no?)
Avelina

[name]Maria[/name] (ALL portuguese women, and even some men, are [name]Maria[/name] this or that, or Marilia or [name]Marisa[/name] or [name]Marlene[/name], but I like it in its own simple right)
[name]Margarida[/name]
[name]Matilde[/name] (Although I love it, it’s also v fashionable over here…)
[name]Miranda[/name]
[name]Marta[/name] (I think it sounds cheekier without the h)
[name]Manon[/name]
M”cia
[name]Mimosa[/name]
Mireie (I like this one)
[name]Mafalda[/name]

Other names that work in both languages that i love are: [name]Clara[/name], Edite, [name]Isadora[/name], [name]Teodora[/name], [name]Beatriz[/name], [name]Eva[/name], [name]Sofia[/name], Ligia, [name]Lidia[/name], [name]Carmen[/name], [name]Paloma[/name], Oct”via, Salom”, In”s, etc…
I love traditional names, but also love quirky twists.

Can you please please, pretty please help me with some fresh perspective and (positive) feedback and A.M / M.A. girl name combos? All suggestions welcome.
Beijinhos!

[cora]

[name]Ana[/name] (famiy name [name]Anne[/name]-prefer the more gentle [name]Ana[/name]): I think this is pretty…

[name]Alice[/name] (Another family name. I love it more than chocolate!): I really love [name]Alice[/name]!

[name]Agnes[/name] (family names, although prefer portuguese version In”s, pronounced een-EHzh): I think [name]Agnes[/name] pronounced as you’ve written is really pretty. Now that I think about it, I love every pronunciation of [name]Agnes[/name] except the English one. (I knew an Italian [name]Agnes[/name] who’s name was pronounced on-YAY-zay, and I loved that, too.)

[name]Abigail[/name]: With [name]Abigail[/name]'s popularity, I love some of the other names more, but I think it’s a very pretty name.

[name]Anais[/name] (like [name]Anais[/name] [name]Nin[/name]:)): I think it’s pretty, but I’ve heard it mispronounced as “anus” by those unfamiliar with the correct pronunciation.

[name]Anis[/name] (means aniseed!): I have to admit that I think of the word “anus,” and would be worried about teasing.

[name]Aurora[/name]: I really love [name]Aurora[/name]!

[name]Ariadna[/name]: I’m familiar with [name]Ariadne[/name], but I’ve never seen [name]Ariadna[/name] before. Is it Portuguese?

[name]Aurelia[/name] (Another family name. Pretty,no?): I love [name]Aurelia[/name]!

Avelina: I’m only familiar with [name]Aveline[/name], but I think this is pretty, too.

More A names:

[name]Arabella[/name]
[name]Arabelle[/name]
[name]Araminta[/name]
[name]Amelie[/name]
[name]Annabel[/name]
[name]Anastasia[/name]

[name]Maria[/name] (ALL portuguese women, and even some men, are [name]Maria[/name] this or that, or Marilia or [name]Marisa[/name] or [name]Marlene[/name], but I like it in its own simple right): I really like the name [name]Maria[/name]…

[name]Margarida[/name]: I only think of [name]Margarita[/name], the drink.

[name]Matilde[/name] (Although I love it, it’s also v fashionable over here…): I love [name]Matilda[/name]!

[name]Miranda[/name]: I think this is really pretty…

[name]Marta[/name] (I think it sounds cheekier without the h): I think this is nice…

[name]Manon[/name]: I like this, too…

M”cia: Pretty…

[name]Mimosa[/name]: I think of the drink…

Mireie (I like this one): I’m not familiar with this name, but I love the French [name]Mireille[/name].

[name]Mafalda[/name]: I have to admit that with the “Maf” beginning, I thought of the Mafia, so I like some of the others more.

More you may like (or hate) :

[name]Mariana[/name]
[name]Marisol[/name]
[name]Marielle[/name]
[name]Margot[/name]/[name]Margo[/name]
[name]Mirabelle[/name]/[name]Mirabel[/name]
[name]Marin[/name]
[name]Clara[/name]: I love [name]Clara[/name]!
[name]Edit[/name]: I think of the word [name]Edit[/name] or Editor, but I think that [name]Edie[/name] is a sweet nickname.
[name]Isadora[/name]: I think it’s wonderful!
[name]Teodora[/name]: I love it…
[name]Beatriz[/name]: [name]Love[/name]…
[name]Eva[/name]: [name]Love[/name]…
[name]Sofia[/name]: I think it’s so pretty, but it’s also very popular, which may or may not be an issue for you…
[name]Lydia[/name]: I love [name]Lydia[/name]!
[name]Paloma[/name]: I love this name so much!
[name]Octavia[/name]: I think this is such an amazing name…

I love so many names on your list! My favorites are [name]Alice[/name], [name]Aurora[/name], [name]Aurelia[/name], [name]Matilde[/name], [name]Miranda[/name], and [name]Maria[/name].

Good luck!

[eryn3j]

[name]Hi[/name]! I cant believe that i found someone portuguese here. i am portuguese too. I am from Leiria, Portugal. My name is [name]Maria[/name] In”s and I absolutly love it, i think is such a good combo
I love a lot of names of your list. this are my favorites:

[name]Abigail[/name]
[name]Maria[/name]
[name]Margarida[/name]
[name]Matilde[/name]
[name]Marta[/name]
[name]Mafalda[/name]
In”s

theres another names you might consider:

[name]Ariana[/name]
[name]Alia[/name]
[name]Antonia[/name]
[name]Angela[/name]
[name]Alexandra[/name]
[name]Miriam[/name] - i love this name
Madalena

Another names you might like
[name]Rita[/name]
[name]Francisca[/name] - my favorite portuguese girl name
[name]Frederica[/name]
Constan”a
[name]Carolina[/name]
[name]Maria[/name] [name]Jo[/name]”o
[name]Leonor[/name]
[name]Laura[/name]

I hope you like some of this. Boa sorte

beijinhos,

[name]Maria[/name] In”s

[susan]

For boys we are OK. Probs be named after both grandads: [name]Francisco[/name], or [name]Francis[/name]-Xico or [name]Frank[/name], and [name]Joaquim[/name]. I also like [name]Vasco[/name], Gon”alo, ”lvaro, [name]Afonso[/name], [name]Gil[/name], [name]Artur[/name], [name]Vicente[/name].

[name]Love[/name] your boys’ names!

As for the fairer sex, I am v v limited because the tradition on my mothers side (English side) is for the girls to have A.M. or M.A. initials. I also want a name that will be accessible to both sides of my heritage. So this is what I’ve come up with so far:

[name]Ana[/name] (famiy name [name]Anne[/name]-prefer the more gentle [name]Ana[/name]) - pretty
[name]Alice[/name] (Another family name. I love it more than chocolate!) - love [name]Alice[/name] so much!
[name]Agnes[/name] (family names, although prefer portuguese version In”s, pronounced een-EHzh) - like the Portuguese pronunciation and spelling.
[name]Abigail[/name] - love
[name]Anais[/name] (like [name]Anais[/name] [name]Nin[/name]:))
[name]Anis[/name] (means aniseed!)
[name]Aurora[/name] - like a lot
[name]Ariadna[/name]
[name]Aurelia[/name] (Another family name. Pretty,no?)
Avelina

[name]Maria[/name] (ALL portuguese women, and even some men, are [name]Maria[/name] this or that, or Marilia or [name]Marisa[/name] or [name]Marlene[/name], but I like it in its own simple right)
[name]Margarida[/name]
[name]Matilde[/name] (Although I love it, it’s also v fashionable over here…) - love
[name]Miranda[/name] - love a lot!
[name]Marta[/name] (I think it sounds cheekier without the h) - it does, like it.
[name]Manon[/name]
M”cia
[name]Mimosa[/name]
Mireie (I like this one) - how do you pronounce it?
[name]Mafalda[/name]

Other names that work in both languages that i love are: [name]Clara[/name], Edite, [name]Isadora[/name], [name]Teodora[/name], [name]Beatriz[/name], [name]Eva[/name], [name]Sofia[/name], Ligia, [name]Lidia[/name], [name]Carmen[/name], [name]Paloma[/name], Oct”via, Salom”, In”s, etc…

love [name]Clara[/name], [name]Teodora[/name], [name]Beatriz[/name], [name]Paloma[/name] the most!

[mina_gaspar]

Thanks guys! Your feedback has really given me some brilliant perspectives.
To [name]Jill[/name]: Thankyou sooo much for finally being honest about [name]Anais[/name] and [name]Anis[/name]! I think it’s lovely pronounced correctly, but the Anal potential always played at the back of my mind. Ha Ha Esp in Portuguese, because the thing-a-bobby above the “i” is confusing to anyone not french, and in portuguese anais means, very literally, anals. so hmmmm, maybe not I used to know a girl called ariadna, and i’m guessing it is derived from [name]Ariadne[/name]. In Portugal there are a lot of rarer Greek and Latin names used: Ar”stedes, [name]Filomena[/name], [name]Ad[/name]”nis, Agostinho, Alc”one, C”sar, [name]Dion[/name]”sia…the PM is called [name]Jos[/name]” S”crates!
I know a delightful baby called simply [name]Maria[/name], and she completely fills out that name. It’s a strong woman’s name that reminds me of warm summer earth.
I spotted Mireie on the official list of approved names-it’s quite despondent-and guess it’s pronounced meer-AY, like [name]Mireille[/name], which I think is gorgeous.
[name]Maria[/name] In”s, that’s my Great-grandmother’s name! Well, actually she was [name]Mary[/name] [name]Agnes[/name], and went by [name]Molly[/name], but I think [name]Maria[/name] In”s is in a league of it’s own. Whilst [name]Agnes[/name] reminds me of my Nanas apple pies and irish accent, In”s reminds me of the sound one makes when biting into a pastel de nata :)))) that light mmmmm sound and of the In”s and D. [name]Pedro[/name] and the [name]Quinta[/name] das L”grimas There’s so much story to that name.
I can’t believe I forgot to put [name]Francisca[/name] up on my favorites, as well as being a family name, i love Xica as a childs name. I also love [name]Rita[/name], as it’s my best friends name. I prefer the portuguese pronunciation tho. I reckon it should be introduced into the old lady chic list. Mais uma coisa, agora em portugu”s: [name]Maria[/name] [name]Albertina[/name] como foste nessa de chamar [name]Vanessa[/name] a tua menina de Ant”nio Varia”oes!?! :))
[name]Susan[/name], [name]Alice[/name] is Probs my favourite name ever, and she’s the reason why the A.M. M.A. tradition started. [name]Alice[/name] [name]Mortimer[/name] was my Great-great-great grandma, and there is a locket with her initials engraved which has been passed down through the women of my family. If there ever was such a thing as a cult name, [name]Alice[/name] could be one of them. It’s so graceful and sweet!
[name]Claire[/name] is my sisters name, but I really like [name]Clara[/name] and will jump at the chance to use it if i ever have girl n”2 (nevermind n”1!)

[unicorngal]

[name]Alice[/name] [name]Mortimer[/name] was my Great-great-great grandma, and there is a locket with her initials engraved which has been passed down through the women of my family.

I just wanted to say how wonderful about the heirloom locket. I never used to like [name]Alice[/name] but it is growing on me since coming to nameberry.

[liz22]

[name]Ana[/name] (famiy name [name]Anne[/name]-prefer the more gentle [name]Ana[/name]) - love [name]Ana[/name]
[name]Alice[/name] (Another family name. I love it more than chocolate!) - very pretty and classic
[name]Agnes[/name] (family names, although prefer portuguese version In”s, pronounced een-EHzh) - I like [name]Agnes[/name] but prefer [name]Ines[/name].
[name]Abigail[/name] - Eh, take it or leave it
[name]Anais[/name] (like [name]Anais[/name] [name]Nin[/name]:)) - how are you pronouncing this exactly? I always forget, haha.
[name]Anis[/name] (means aniseed!) - Hmmm, I don’t think I like this.
[name]Aurora[/name] - Cute, maybe for a middle.
[name]Ariadna[/name] - This looks weird to me.
[name]Aurelia[/name] (Another family name. Pretty,no?) - [name]Love[/name] this, so pretty!
Avelina - pretty too.

[name]Maria[/name] - simple, classic, pretty
[name]Margarida[/name] - this looks weird too.
[name]Matilde[/name] (Although I love it, it’s also v fashionable over here…) - not a huge fan.
[name]Miranda[/name] - don’t like this
[name]Marta[/name] (I think it sounds cheekier without the h) - cute
[name]Manon[/name] - really like this
M”cia - how do you pronounce this? may-cee-ah? if so, it is lovely
[name]Mimosa[/name] - makes me think of cocktails
Mireie (I like this one) - pronounciation?
[name]Mafalda[/name] - pronounciation?

I love traditional names, but also love quirky twists.
I also really like [name]Clara[/name], [name]Isadora[/name], [name]Beatriz[/name], [name]Eva[/name], [name]Sofia[/name], [name]Paloma[/name] and [name]Ines[/name].

AM/MA Suggestions
[name]Manon[/name] [name]Aurora[/name]
[name]Auralia[/name] Mecia
[name]Maria[/name] [name]Alice[/name]
[name]Marta[/name] [name]Anais[/name]

Others
[name]Clara[/name] [name]Beatriz[/name]
[name]Ines[/name] [name]Paloma[/name]
[name]Isadora[/name] [name]Sofia[/name]

[eryn3j]

i’m glad you liked my suggestion nobody ever told me that my name remind them of a pastel de nata. i think that is awsome. i love pasteis de nata, a totally portuguese thing that i can’t be with. i agree with you about all the history that my name have, i really love it. my mom loves history and her second name is [name]Maria[/name] but i don’t know if that were the reasons for her choice.
I really like [name]Francisca[/name], is definitely my favorite portugese name for a girl. It’s diferent and i think yet not very popular. I like the portuguese pronunciation of [name]Rita[/name] too. [name]Em[/name] Portugu”s: Mariazinha deixa.me ir ” cozinha deixa.me ” cozinha cheirar o teu bacalhau, [name]Maria[/name]!!!
If you need more help just let me know.
Boa sorte na escolha!
beijinhos,
[name]Maria[/name] In”s

[mina_gaspar]

To clarify how these names are pronounced in portuguese, first put on a slight nasal twang, esp when you come across M, N, ~and^. H isn’t pronounced. J and G is like in French, zh, so for example, [name]Benjamin[/name] is said (through nose, attention N and M) [name]Ben[/name]-jzhah-mee(n). R’s are rolled more, like in [name]Edith[/name] [name]Piaf[/name]'s ‘[name]Non[/name], je ne regrette rien’ S can be pronounced like in english, or with a more szh sound. Sorry, but normally people think it’s like Spanish, and the Brazillian accent is completely different also. Some people say it sounds almost Romanian or Polish…

So this is how they say:

[name]Alice[/name] (al-EEs)
In”s (een-EHzh)
[name]Anais[/name] (an-ay-EEs)
[name]Anis[/name] (an-EEszh)
[name]Aurora[/name] (aw-rOH-ra)
[name]Aurelia[/name] (aw-rEH-lee-ah)
Avelina (a-ve-lEE-na)
[name]Margarida[/name] nn Guida (gEE-da)
[name]Miranda[/name] (mee-rAN-da)
M”cia (mEH-see-a)
Mireie (meer-AYe)
Edite (ed-EEt)
[name]Isadora[/name] (eez-a-dOH-ra)
[name]Beatriz[/name] bea-trEEzh
Ligia lEE-zhee-a

the others are pretty much as you would presume.

The blog on Portuguese Names was good, but it’s like comparing American and British names: there are different traditions and general preferences between the Portuguese and the Brazillians, and also to the many Portuguese communities around the world. Portugal is pretty stingy with its names, and prefers to keep it’s old world names. As the Blog pointed out, because of this we use a lot of nicknames, like Z”, [name]Bea[/name], Xico, [name]Lena[/name], N”, Joca, [name]Tita[/name], Ju.

The most popular names with todays little people seem to be, in no particular order:

Boys: Joao. [name]Diogo[/name]. [name]Tiago[/name], [name]Jos[/name]”, [name]Pedro[/name], [name]Miguel[/name], Nuno, [name]Bruno[/name], [name]Francisco[/name], [name]Afonso[/name], [name]Rui[/name], Filipe, Andr”, [name]Carlos[/name]

Girls: [name]Maria[/name], [name]Ana[/name], [name]Beatriz[/name], [name]Leonor[/name], In”s, [name]Sofia[/name], [name]Isabel[/name], [name]Mariana[/name], [name]Margarida[/name], [name]Rita[/name], [name]Joana[/name], [name]Catarina[/name], [name]Filipa[/name], [name]Marta[/name]

It’s funny how different cultures embrace naming. Old lady chic names are now pretty much accepted and refreshed in the UK and US, but there are some gems in Portugal that would be met with ridicule if used, like: [name]Ad[/name]”lia, Am”lia, [name]Rosa[/name], Zulmira, Z”lia, Avelina, [name]Joaquina[/name], Miquelina, [name]Jacinta[/name], [name]Isaura[/name], [name]Genoveva[/name], [name]Ramiro[/name], [name]Elias[/name], [name]Isidro[/name], Ac”ssio, [name]Orlando[/name], Desidero, Belmiro, Torcato, Caetano. One friend I knew wanted to call her baby girl [name]Amelia[/name], and was told by her shocked mother in law that amelia was “a maids name”!!!

The [name]Michelle[/name] and [name]Tiffany[/name] names are: S”nia, [name]Carla[/name], T”nia, [name]Sandra[/name], Patr”cia, C”tia, Soraia, [name]Susana[/name], S”lvia, [name]Marlene[/name], Rute, [name]Andreia[/name], Arlete, [name]Vanessa[/name], V”nia
For boys, I can only think of [name]Nelson[/name]! These people are mainly in their 20’s and 30’s.

Some more awesome sounding names are: Ot”lia, [name]Nat[/name]”rcia, Benedita, Nair, Eurico, Br”s, [name]Hugo[/name], [name]Gustavo[/name], [name]Afonso[/name], [name]Luna[/name], C”u, [name]Paz[/name], [name]Estrela[/name], Sa”l, [name]Fernando[/name], M”rio, [name]Duarte[/name], Nicolau, [name]Guilherme[/name], [name]Claudia[/name], [name]Carlota[/name], Gon”alo, [name]Irene[/name], [name]Henrique[/name], Amadeu, [name]Vasco[/name], Eug”nia, Constan”a, [name]Luz[/name], and FINALLY…Am”lia, like Am”lia [name]Rodrigues[/name], the portuguese fado diva

[stef]

I know this is an older post, but I had to reply since I am of Portuguese descent and loves names starting with both M and A.
Here are a few combos…hopefully its not too late!

[name_f]Maria[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Mia[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Mia[/name_f] [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]
[name_f]Milena[/name_f] [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]
[name_f]Milena[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Margarida[/name_f] [name_f]Amelia[/name_f]
Margarda [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
Madalena [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]
[name_f]Mila[/name_f] [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]
Madalena [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
(as you can see, [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is a good second name…goes with everything!)

[name_f]Ana[/name_f] [name_f]Margarida[/name_f]
[name_f]Ana[/name_f] [name_f]Matilde[/name_f]
[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] Madalena
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_f]Margarida[/name_f]
[name_f]Ava[/name_f] Madalena
[name_f]Ava[/name_f] [name_f]Margarida[/name_f]
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f] [name_f]Matilde[/name_f]
[name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_f]Matilde[/name_f]
[name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_f]Maria[/name_f]
[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] [name_f]Mia[/name_f]