Yep, another brave soul looking for gut reactions.
Favorites? Least favorites? Suggestions for improvement?
We have a three syllable last name; imagining that may help the flow in a few instances.
*I know [name_f]Talia[/name_f] [name_f]Daphne[/name_f] is a bit of an outlier, but I was so proud of my hubby for coming up with an original middle name - which, as it turns out, has a very complementary meaning with the FN! (Referring here to the Greek form [name_f]Thalia[/name_f], since that meaning is my favorite, but the pronunciation was too elaborate for us. I also like the Hebrew meaning of [name_f]Talia[/name_f]/[name_f]Talya[/name_f] though.)
We’ll ignore the fact that his inspiration came from the Scooby Doo character. Still proud.
Lets see… [name_m]Ive[/name_m] always been a big fan of [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], but not [name_u]Theo[/name_u]. I just like [name_u]Teddy[/name_u]/[name_m]Ted[/name_m] better, but I get that its not for everyone. [name_m]Leon[/name_m] and [name_m]Silas[/name_m] I love a lot. [name_u]Jude[/name_u] on the other hand. [name_m]Ive[/name_m] unfortunately never really been a fan of it. I knew a [name_f]Judith[/name_f] growing up, so [name_u]Jude[/name_u] just sounds too feminine I suppose.
The opposite goes for [name_f]Rosamond[/name_f]. It, and [name_u]Romy[/name_u], sound too masculine to me. But I [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] [name_f]Talia[/name_f], [name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] and [name_f]Amabel[/name_f] (esp. if pronounced Ay-ma-bel instead of [name_m]Ah[/name_m]-ma-bel). All around, solid choices!
I think all your choices are great, although with a 3 syllable last name a 3 syllable first name might also be alot.
I have to say I love [name_f]Amabel[/name_f],its a GP for me and is just beautiful
Well as for your girls, three of your choices are on my own list, so I naturally think they’re wonderful. 
[name_f]Rosamond[/name_f] is my favourite (though I do prefer it spelt [name_f]Rosamund[/name_f]) and I think with [name_f]Eve[/name_f] as a middle it is swoon-worthy. My favourite nn would be [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] personally, but I think that [name_u]Romy[/name_u] is adorable too. I have both [name_f]Thalia[/name_f] and [name_f]Tahlia[/name_f] on my list as I can’t quite decide which one a prefer, so spelling it [name_f]Talia[/name_f] sort-of evens that out. I’ve never been the biggest [name_f]Daphne[/name_f] fan, but I think it sounds well with [name_f]Talia[/name_f]. The other one on my list is [name_f]Amabel[/name_f]. My nns for it were [name_f]Mabel[/name_f] and [name_f]Belle[/name_f], but I think I’ll just add [name_f]Mae[/name_f] to that. It never really occurred to me before. I do think the name [name_u]Rue[/name_u] sounds adorable, and Roo is one of my favourite nicknames (mostly for [name_m]Rupert[/name_m]), but I can’t get past the fact that ‘rue’ means to regret, and in English too, so the meaning isn’t even hidden. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t like the idea of giving a baby a name that means regret. [name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] is the only one not on my list; it’s not a personal favourite, but it’s very nice all the same. I think it sounds lovely with [name_f]Claire[/name_f].
As for the boys, I have [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] on my list as well as [name_u]Jude[/name_u] as a nn for [name_m]Judah[/name_m]. My favourite [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] nn is [name_u]Teddy[/name_u], but I really love [name_u]Theo[/name_u] too. I’ve always adored the name [name_u]James[/name_u], so [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] sounds rather perfect to me. Not 100% sure on [name_u]Jude[/name_u] [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] though. I don’t really know why, it just sounds a bit odd. I imagine it’s just me though. Of the other two I like [name_m]Leon[/name_m] [name_m]Emmanuel[/name_m] the best, as I’ve never liked [name_m]Silas[/name_m]. It just sounds slimy to me.
Thanks everyone.
I’m questioning Jude Pascal too now that you mention it. I think the problem is that Jude is such a laidback, carefree name, while Pascal is very serious and buttoned-up. It can be tough to find the right rhythm with Jude as FN though. I love Jude Elliot, but it does not work with our last name. How about Jude Bennett, Jude Kendrick, or Jude Kenneth? (The last two are honor names of some sort, and the -ic ending wouldn’t get used more than once… if we used it here, then not with Silas.)
I totally get what you mean about Silas. I never liked it until I read about its meaning, which is perfect for us. I also read a description on this forum where someone described their “Silas” imagery as a warm, funny mountain man. I believe there were pancakes and wood stoves and such in that description. From that point I started to love it, and the nn helps a ton… but I still hesitate a little over the sound.
Honestly I prefer Sylvan (which is strange, because I’m not quite so fond of Sylvia/Sylvie for a girl). I’m just worried everyone would find it very feminine. Yes, Silas and I have a very complicated relationship. I’m glad it’s not a first choice – that would be Theodore (we might very well use Teddy, since it’s hubby’s favorite). But for a second son, it’d be a big contender.
Edited to add, we really do seem to have similar styles! I love Charis; I’m so happy to see it in your sig. Love Tamsin too. I wish Charis were more popular so I didn’t have to worry about it being forever mispronounced.
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] {[name_u]Theo[/name_u]} | [name_u]Jude[/name_u] [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] | [name_m]Leon[/name_m] [name_m]Emmanuel[/name_m] | [name_m]Silas[/name_m] Emerick {[name_u]Si[/name_u]}
I actually find your girl’s names lovely, my least favourite being [name_f]Rosamond[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] - I don’t really get the nickname [name_u]Romy[/name_u] either. As for the boy’s I love [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] and [name_m]Silas[/name_m] Emerick, both are perfect. I love [name_u]Jude[/name_u] as a first name but not with the middle name [name_m]Pascal[/name_m].
I have to disagree with what seems to be the popular opinion, [name_u]Jude[/name_u] [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] is wonderful! I think it looks like a strong, academic name. The name [name_u]Jude[/name_u] will forever remind me of [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Hardy[/name_m]'s [name_u]Jude[/name_u] The Obscure and [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] of the mathematician, so you’ve got a name with literature and mathematics all rolled into one.
[name_m]Leon[/name_m] [name_m]Emmanuel[/name_m] also has a nice ring to it but I can’t say I care much for the other names.