Beatrice Meredith?

So we’re having a difficult time with girl names, in large part because DH is incredibly fussy. His absolute favourite is [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]. It’s not my favourite but I am fond of the nickname possibilities: [name_f]Bea[/name_f], [name_f]Bess[/name_f], and [name_f]Bette[/name_f].

The biggest problem is that I’m deadset on using the family name [name_u]Meredith[/name_u] as a middle (a variation won’t work), and we’re not sure if [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Meredith[/name_u] works. Thoughts?

DH also likes [name_f]Agnes[/name_f], [name_f]Persephone[/name_f], and [name_f]Susanna[/name_f]. I’m not fond of any of them. I think [name_f]Susanna[/name_f] is nice, but I’m dreadfully afraid of people calling her [name_f]Susan[/name_f], which I strongly dislike.

DH and I both love [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] (which I have loved since I was four) but his cousin just names her baby daughter [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] and we’re afraid of stepping on toes.

My favourites, which DH does not like, are [name_f]Pearl[/name_f], [name_f]Mabel[/name_f], [name_f]Winifred[/name_f], [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f], [name_f]Martha[/name_f], and [name_f]Nell[/name_f].

Does [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Meredith[/name_u] work? Should we just throw caution to the wind and use [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]? Are there other names that fit both our styles that I’m missing?

[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_f]Zoe[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], and [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] (any variation of [name_f]Eve[/name_f] really) aren’t usable.

I think [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Meredith[/name_u] is okay. It’s not optimal because it repeats the rhythm and number of syllables, but it’s fine.
If you and your husband both love [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] but you’re afraid of stepping on toes, I’d speak to your cousin. I wrote a post on my blog about a similar situation. I think it’s a shame to give up a name just because someone else got to it first, but I understand the desire to avoid conflict.

I think [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Meredith[/name_u] works. It’s not the best flow as pp said, but not the worst. I say avoid [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]. I don’t think people would call [name_f]Susannah[/name_f] [name_f]Susan[/name_f] since [name_f]Susan[/name_f] isn’t really a nickname. You might get [name_f]Sukie[/name_f] or [name_f]Suzie[/name_f]. I think you could avoid it by calling her another nickname if there’s one you like.

I’m guessing you’ve heard all the names, but compromise suggestions are [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f], [name_f]Helena[/name_f], [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_f]Inessa[/name_f], and [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f].

I like [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Meredith[/name_u], while it doesnt sound the best i think both names are lovely, would your other combo be [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] [name_u]Meredith[/name_u]? I dont see much difference when it comes to its flow