[name_f]Willa[/name_f] fits that “youthful but vintage”, “cute but solid” feel – literary, succinct, familiar but not over-used. I feel it might be heard as [name_f]Willow[/name_f] occasionally but not all the time. I’ve never heard of the prostitute association, but then I live in the UK so I don’t feel like I can comment on if that will be an issue / well known fact where you are.
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] is stylish and pretty – yes, it is longer than J or L but it flows easily so it’s not so noticeably long? Still, if you really don’t want her called [name_f]Penny[/name_f], I’m not sure I’d use it, as others might decide to call her that (or she might use it for herself)
[name_f]Faye[/name_f] – simple and sleek; unexpected as a first name
[name_f]Nora[/name_f] – lovely, vintage and charming. Since the O sound is different to in J and L’s names, I didn’t really notice? [name_f]Lenora[/name_f], [name_f]Lenore[/name_f], or [name_f]Annora[/name_f] nn [name_f]Nora[/name_f] came to mind as a way round that? But I think this might be my fave for you as it is.
If I had to rank them in order of preference for you:
- [name_f]Nora[/name_f]
- [name_f]Faye[/name_f]
- [name_f]Willa[/name_f]
- [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]
Though I do think they’re all lovely names.
In case you were looking for any more ideas…
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f]
[name_f]Nina[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucille[/name_f] / [name_f]Lucy[/name_f]
[name_f]Edith[/name_f]
[name_f]Stella[/name_f]
[name_f]Anya[/name_f]