My husband is developing a deeper interest in Anwen (which I think is pretty but not one of my top favorites). We both like en/yn/in ending names.
To me, Anwen feels very close to my 2nd son’s name and shares 3 letters with my first’s so it seems like not enough variation. To top that off, we had just about decided on a name for boy #3, which shares the “en” and the letter “w” with Anwen.
Thoughts?
I think [name_f]Anwen[/name_f] fits in with all those sets. All your names have a kind of rugged, magical feel
Firstly, I just have to say that I love seeing [name_f]Lillevi[/name_f] on someone else’s list! I lost my mind with joy when I first saw the name but it has yet to catch on here.
Personally, I would find [name_f]Anwen[/name_f] too close to O’s name. I think I would get them confused or forget whose name I just said or mess it up too frequently. That’s not to say that it can’t work, I just would steer away from it myself, which is a shame because I think [name_f]Anwen[/name_f] is such a cool name. It fits fine with the sibsets but imagining saying “O and Anwen” together just doesn’t flow well from my mouth.
This is how I feel about [name_f]Anwen[/name_f] as well!
[name_f]Lillevi[/name_f] is among my top 3 choices right now but my husband said it was an ok option but is now uninterested/doesn’t think he likes it. I’m torn between deciding on a name together or using my “free choice” he gave me!
stylistically [name_f]Anwen[/name_f] would work, but it does feel a bit like a mesh of your sons’ names, especially if you were to add Renwick into the mix. maybe you’d like [name_f]Aneira[/name_f] as an alternative? the [name_f]Anwen[/name_f] i know has a sister [name_f]Aneira[/name_f] so to me at least they do share similar vibes, even if it doesn’t fix the repeated initial problem.
[name_f]Beautiful[/name_f]. I love [name_f]Anwen[/name_f].
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Clarissa[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Eleonora[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Fiona[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Leonora[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Larissa[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Miranda[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Susannah[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Virginia[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f] [name_f]Victoria[/name_f]
That’s an interesting name I’ve never heard of, thank you for the suggestion. It reminds me of [name_m]Aneurin[/name_m]!
The sounds are too similar for my liking and I completely agree about the set lacking variation. I think when you factor in your feelings about sibling cohesion and repeated initials, [name_f]Anwen[/name_f] seems like a substantial compromise. Does the benefit or joy you get from having agreement with your husband outweigh the downsides? I’m very much for shared agreement but I’m getting the sense that the balance is off with this name. Using [name_f]Anwen[/name_f] now would also rule out [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] later on, which did in fact seem like a name with the best of both worlds.
That was the other thing I forgot to mention!
And the fact that I’d like each child to have a nickname and I am not at all a fan of An/Annie/Ann and Winnie is my niece’s nickname. I like Ani “on-ee” but it’s not “Onwen” so that’s strange to me.
The only other thing I can think of as a possibility (that my husband would probably not like and would still rule out Amaryllis) is Annevalia Winter/ Anevalia Winter / Anevelia Winter or some other spelling variation with the nickname Anwen. (Winter honors my closest sister.)
I’m still trying to weigh the importance of agreeing on a name against just choosing myself (he did choose our first boy’s alone.) My reservations are probably also based on my indecisiveness between my top 3. I am equally taken with all of them for different (but all substantial) reasons!
Also, I couldn’t see myself ever using it in the future if it’s not for my first since the whole starting point was to use “Gwyn” for our first girl but I’ve always wanted a name that honored my mother first (though I sort of feel as if every name I choose does this because they’re all biblically inspired and she inspired that in me!)
From all the things you’ve said in your posts it sounds as though Gwyniveth holds a particularly special place in your heart. I’m starting to think that the most important question might actually be whether Gwyniveth is the name of this baby. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you have a slight feeling at all for how you might answer that question?
I wonder if it would help to level the playing field and imagine that your husband equally liked every name on your list. In that scenario, is there one name that stands out that you now feel free to choose? Is the decision any clearer? If I’ve understood correctly, that scenario isn’t too dissimilar to what you’re working with currently except that in most cases your husband is equally indifferent rather than equally positive.
I wonder how you felt about your husband using his favourite name for your first son at the time of your pregnancy compared to how you feel now all these years later. Did it take you time to settle into the decision and why did you ultimately agree to it? Did your feelings for the name change for the better? I can only imagine that your husband’s current reservations about Gwyniveth would soften and soon be replaced with fondness if you chose it for your daughter. It does sound like you do agree on the principle that you could choose to name this child yourself but you’d ideally find a name you both love and agree on.
Each naming story will be different and each child calls for something unique to them and their timing. I can’t help but notice the symmetry of the first born son being given his father’s favourite name and the first born daughter being given her mother’s favourite name. Gwyniveth would not only be a name you chose but a name you crafted especially for her. It reminds me of how your father created your middle name for you. It could even be a tradition you pass onto your daughters.
So many things keep pointing to Gwyniveth. You have full naming rights if you wish to use them but it’s understandably difficult to look past your husband’s feelings toward the name. [name_m]Can[/name_m] your husband see any positives in Gwyniveth? Does he love the meaning or the connections it has? [name_m]Can[/name_m] you find a nickname you both like (with some imagination you could get [name_f]Ginny[/name_f], [name_f]Tiggy[/name_f], [name_f]Vivi[/name_f], [name_f]Etta[/name_f] and Nettie)?
Ideally you decide on a name you equally love. But if there’s no perfect compromise, perhaps that’s an argument to use your naming rights now and choose your favourite. The names your husband feels the strongest toward right now might also be the best options for a second daughter in the future.
I do really like Gwyniveth for you but I like each of your top three choices. I only hope that reflecting on these questions might be of some help with your decision. If you can work out what to do with Gwyniveth, I think you’ll be a lot closer to deciding.
As usual your feedback is exceptional! I will mull over all of this, reflect and give it some time. I decided I need to give my mind a break from thinking on it *too *much. It’s been so distracting! I am going to love my child either way and I do love to impart deeper meanings into my choices but I don’t want to get so wrapped up in this that it becomes more important than it should be. I do have half of my pregnancy left to decide and if it came down to the birth I know I have a few options I think are fantastic either way!
I am very grateful for your advice, once again!
And of course, if we have another daughter in the future maybe my husband’s favorites will end up growing on me and fitting in nicely as you said also!
I just had my ultrasound today and was thinking over everything you’d said and a few things popped into my head that really struck a chord. I’ve come to terms with some things and a decision has been made and I just wanted to say thank you so much for the advice again. It is settled 
Now to wait til [name_u]June[/name_u] for the announcement!
I’m so glad to hear this. It’s hard to weigh up so many things at once but how good it is to make a decision and be at peace. I look forward to your announcement in [name_u]June[/name_u] and wish you and the baby well!