We have our 20 week scan next week where we will find out our baby’s gender, and so my thoughts have turned to names. I’d like to have some ideas to hand early on in this pregnancy to suggest to my partner so he doesn’t get fixated on the first name he thinks of. I got somewhat railroaded when naming baby no. 1 !
There are a few names on my list, but the ones I’d like opinions on are two more unusual ones.
The first is [name_f]Veda[/name_f] (pr Vey-der). To me, this name is very pretty, is the character in My Girl, and also means knowledge in Hebrew. I love it. However, when I mentioned it to my partner he immediately said “like darth Vader?” I had not made that association! What do you think of when you hear the name [name_f]Veda[/name_f]?
Second is a name I have loved forever, [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]. [name_u]Ever[/name_u] since I was a child I’d planned on naming my first born girl this. I think the nn [name_u]Rory[/name_u] or [name_f]Rora[/name_f] is really cute and tomboyish. But is the name too much of a mouthful? [name_f]Do[/name_f] people find it hard getting around the two “r” sounds?
Both [name_f]Veda[/name_f] and [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] are lovely names! When I hear [name_f]Veda[/name_f] I think about the main character from “My Girl” as well (which is a great movie!). I love how short the name looks when written but how attractive the long e sound is.
I definitely think of Sleeping Beauty when I hear [name_f]Aurora[/name_f], but I love the meaning, and [name_u]Rory[/name_u]/[name_f]Rora[/name_f] are adorable nicknames.
[name_f]Veda[/name_f] - first thought is My Girl, second thought it Darth Vader. Honestly, I, personally, don’t like it. However, I [name_f]ADORE[/name_f] [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]. It’s gorgeous. I don’t think it’s a mouthful at all, and, as it is a familiar Disney princess name AND it is becoming quite popular, few people should have trouble pronouncing it. Definitely [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] both of these names (they are on my list as well!) I suggest [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] [name_f]Veda[/name_f] if you’re worried about Darth Vader associations.
I would have never made that connection. My only thought is that it means “knowledge” in Sanskrit and I think of the ancient healing tradition of Ayurveda. No thought of My Girl or [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars. I pronounce it VEY-dah btw.
Friends of mine recently named their daughter [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]. It’s a gorgeous name and I would consider using it too. I don’t think the two Rs are an issue, and [name_u]Rory[/name_u] is a cool nickname!
When I saw [name_f]Veda[/name_f] I pronounced it Vee-da after reading the pronounciation Darth Vader is the first thing that popped into my head also. Maybe you’d like [name_f]Vera[/name_f]?
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f] I think is beautiful especially with the nn [name_f]Rora[/name_f]. [name_f]Rora[/name_f] does give a tomboyish feel to a more girly name. I don’t believe the R’s are to much.
I really like both names! My Girl was the first thing that comes to mind when I hear [name_f]Veda[/name_f] and I love [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]. I think [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] nn [name_u]Rory[/name_u] or [name_f]Rora[/name_f] just wins me over. [name_f]Imo[/name_f] they would make great sisters. Both are beautiful!
Thanks for everyone’s opinions, much appreciated! Both names are now on the official list, lol. Luckily my partner likes unusual & meaningful names so I think I could win him round with [name_f]Veda[/name_f] but don’t want to if the connotation with darth vadar is going to follow her around all her life. [name_m]Will[/name_m] keep talking about it and see where it takes us. Others on the list are [name_f]Thea[/name_f] and [name_f]Mara[/name_f]. I know he loves [name_f]Mara[/name_f] as it’s a mountain & lake near where we live and also means sea in Gaelic. I think it’s pretty and would wear well but not 100% sure it’s the one.
[name_f]Veda[/name_f] is what I’m using for my daughter coming in [name_u]July[/name_u]. Why did you say it’s pronounced Vay-der? I’ve loved the name since watching My Girl as a child. Darth Vader isn’t even a bad tease even if she does hear it. It’s gorgeous, uncommon, great meaning…perfect!
My first thought was My girl which for me is a positive association even though it is spelt [name_f]Vada[/name_f] I do prefer the [name_f]Veda[/name_f] spelling. I do not think of Darth Vadar, as I pronounce them differently.
Now [name_f]Veda[/name_f] vs [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] is difficult, as for me they invoke different characters. [name_f]Veda[/name_f] makes me think of a spunky tomboy, mischievous yet intelligent her curly hair pinned back but with curls struggling free! [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] makes me think of a well dressed little girl with bows in her hair and every hair in its place. She excels at everything she tries her hand at but music is her passion.
However the nn [name_u]Rory[/name_u] does lend itself to the same character as [name_f]Veda[/name_f].
Personally I think you can’t go wrong with either, it just depends what vibe you are going for!
My kids are huge [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars fanatics, and I never would have made that association. I’m assuming you aren’t actually pronouncing it with an “r” at the end, right? [name_f]Veda[/name_f] sounds fresh and sophisticated to me.
I love Veda, unusual and intriguing, but also simple. Veda and Vadar sound different in my accent, so not a problem for me, but obviously might be annoying if people you meet make that comment a lot. Maybe try testing it out on a bunch of friends and see if Vadar comes to mind for most of them? I also love Mara, especially if it has special significance for you. Veda and Mara strike me as very similar in feeling and style.
Other similar names
Cleo “glory”
Gaia “earth”
Freya “lady”
Deja
Dinah
Priya “beloved”
Rhea
Circe “bird”
Lorna
Chara “joy”
Jael
Alma “soul”
Alba “white”
Aura “breeze”
Calla"beautiful"
Charis “kindness”
I really love the name [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] (my sister is planning on using it, so I can’t wait for a little niece [name_u]Rory[/name_u]!) but I also think [name_f]Veda[/name_f] is quite nice and I love the meaning. [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] [name_f]Veda[/name_f] together sound good to me, so perhaps you can convince your hubby to use both!
If I saw the name [name_f]Veda[/name_f], I would think it was pronounced “VAY-dah” and not think of Vader at all. But if you pronounce it with an ‘r’ at the end, I definitely would cut it from the list. I don’t think any kid wants to be typecast as the villian from the get go. Yes, Vader is nuanced, but kids don’t get that until they are much older and in the meantime, I think they’d be cruel.
Thanks for all the opinions people, really helpful!
I was confused about people saying [name_f]Veda[/name_f]/[name_f]Vada[/name_f] doesn’t sound like Vader until I watched a couple of pronounciation videos on YouTube…it seems with an American accent you guys pronounce the ‘er’ on Vader more than with a British accent (like I have), where it becomes an “uh” sound without the long “r”. So although [name_f]Veda[/name_f] is “Vay-duh”, Vader with British accent is also “Vay-duh” rather than “Vay-dar”. Unless I am saying Vader wrong…
anyone from the UK reading this who could comment?
