We Have a strong family history–in 2 branches–of the name [name_f]Norma[/name_f]. Obviously it is very old sounding, and not necessarily in a cool vintage way 
can anyone think of a way to honor that name with a more usable one?
I personally think [name_f]Norma[/name_f] is fine, if a bit nerdy. Perhaps you could use it as a middle? Some [name_f]Norma[/name_f]-sounding names:
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]
Normandie
Normina
[name_f]Norine[/name_f]
[name_f]Nerina[/name_f]
[name_f]Nola[/name_f]* I especially like this one. I think it’s way underused and very beautiful.
[name_f]Eleanora[/name_f] [name_f]Emma[/name_f]?
Basically any [name_f]Nora[/name_f] name and any name ending/beginning with a ‘ma’ sound could honour a [name_f]Norma[/name_f].
NO- names:
[name_f]Nora/name_f
Noramie
[name_f]Noemi[/name_f]
- MA names:
[name_f]Selma[/name_f]
[name_f]Alma[/name_f]
[name_f]Emma[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
I think [name_f]Norma[/name_f] is a forerunner and will be dusted off shortly to become popular again. I’d just go with it!
[name_f]Norma[/name_f] is the feminine form of [name_m]Norman[/name_m] which means “from the north” so for a boy Northman might be cool… or just [name_u]North[/name_u] for a girl.
I think something frillier and softer like [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] [name_u]North[/name_u] would be cool.
[name_f]Norma[/name_f] is sweet in a nerdy sort of way. 
I would use it in the middle.
Or you could try some of these (that have [name_f]NOR[/name_f] in them):
Dianora – light
Dinorah – light, fire
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] – bright one, shining one
[name_f]Gwenora[/name_f] – white, fair, blessed
[name_f]Honora[/name_f] – honored
[name_f]Lenore[/name_f] – bright one, shining one
[name_f]Nora[/name_f] – honored
Normina – northman
[name_f]Vanora[/name_f] – white wave
Similar meanings:
[name_f]Ona[/name_f] – pattern
Regula – modern, pattern, example
Vladena – rule
[name_f]Nora[/name_f] or [name_m]Norman[/name_m]
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Nora[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f]
[name_f]Lenora[/name_f] [name_f]Mary[/name_f]
[name_f]Honora[/name_f] [name_f]Margarete[/name_f]
[name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] [name_u]North[/name_u]
I like the suggestion of Normandy as well. It’s a cool update, and would make a fabulous middle name
Thanks for lots of great ideas! It was my given middle name and I truly hated it, so I’m hesitant to go with it on its own, though I realize it’s more likely to come back during my daughters life. Also, love [name_f]Nora[/name_f] but it’s my niece’s name, so it’s out. 
[name_f]Do[/name_f] some letter rearranging to get [name_f]Morna[/name_f] or [name_f]Myrna[/name_f] maybe? Or even [name_f]Ramona[/name_f]?
My suggestion would be to find a second name that it would be nice to honor as well, and combine letters from each. [name_f]Alice[/name_f] + [name_f]Norma[/name_f] could be [name_f]Alma[/name_f], for example, and if anyone asks what was just wrong with good old fashioned [name_f]Norma[/name_f], the answer can that you really love your dear Aunt [name_f]Alice[/name_f], not that you think [name_f]Norma[/name_f] is ugly.
[name_f]Elisabeth[/name_f] + [name_f]Norma[/name_f] - > [name_f]Esma[/name_f]
[name_f]Geraldine[/name_f]/[name_f]Gertrude[/name_f] + [name_f]Norma[/name_f] - > [name_f]Gemma[/name_f]
[name_f]Pamala[/name_f]/[name_f]Patricia[/name_f] + [name_f]Norma[/name_f] - > [name_f]Paloma[/name_f]
[name_f]Ann[/name_f] + [name_f]Norma[/name_f] - > [name_f]Annora[/name_f]
[name_f]Carol[/name_f] + [name_f]Norma[/name_f] - > [name_u]Carmen[/name_u]
[name_f]Harriet[/name_f] + [name_f]Norma[/name_f] - > [name_u]Harmony[/name_u]
In [name_m]French[/name_m], Normandie and Normandine are both usable, if you like those better! 
What about [name_m]Roman[/name_m] for a boy? It’s the letters of [name_f]Norma[/name_f] rearranged…
OH, brilliant idea! 
Why don’t you use a first and middle combo that makes [name_f]Norma[/name_f] appear in the name? For example, you could use [name_f]EleaNOR[/name_f] [name_f]MAeve[/name_f], and [name_f]Norma[/name_f] would be there in the end of [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] and the beginning of [name_f]Maeve[/name_f].
Backwards it’s Amron. That’s not bad.