Wow! Ladies, you never cease to amaze me. I’m doing this because I think I’m in a naming rut and I’m not totally satisfied with my favorites anymore - not to mention that I’ve newly added [name]Clara[/name] and [name]Emmeline[/name] to my list.
[name]Alice[/name] - This is on the list because I think it is quirky and sweet, yet confident and curious. The name reminds me of the childlike naivete of [name]Alice[/name] in Wonderland, yet I also see a strong, sophisticated woman.
[name]Amelia[/name] - I’m not sure why this is on the list, and I don’t think I’d choose it for a first name. I originally liked it with [name]Caroline[/name], and I like that it reminds me of [name]Amelia[/name] [name]Earhart[/name], who I consider to be a remarkable woman.
[name]Caroline[/name] - I just really like the feminine simplicity of this name! It is all elegance, a la [name]Princess[/name] [name]Caroline[/name], yet I imagine [name]Caroline[/name] to have a bit of sass, like [name]Caroline[/name] Bingley.
[name]Cecily[/name] - I picked this one up from The Importance of Being [name]Earnest[/name], and I think it has a childlike innocence hidden under the veil of boldness and theatrics. It has a star quality that I’ve failed to find in many a vintage name, but I don’t know if I could use it for a first name.
[name]Charlotte[/name] - [name]Charlotte[/name] has long been my favorite for a girl. She was my most beloved doll, with beautiful dark brown hair and big eyes, and I adored her - and her name. [name]Charlotte[/name] reminds me of [name]Charlotte[/name]'s [name]Web[/name] and [name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Bronte[/name], not to mention [name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Lucas[/name] in Pride and Prejudice. I’ve recently been battling with an apparent harsh sound to the name, but I can’t let go of it.
[name]Clara[/name] - A new arrival to the list that has good memories for me. As a girl, I went to The Nutcracker each year with my mother, and each year I would watch [name]Clara[/name] dance across the stage, looking elegant and beautiful and lovely. Also, from a young age, my mother would read me stories of [name]Clara[/name] [name]Barton[/name] and the [name]Red[/name] [name]Cross[/name], and I dreamed of being a nurse! She was, you might say, the hero of my young childhood. However, pronunciation issues seem to plague this name. Is it [name]Claire[/name]-uh, as I say the name, or Clar-uh?
[name]Eliza[/name] - Another name I love. It reminds me of the opinionated and witty [name]Eliza[/name] [name]Bennett[/name], and I think the name has a class and sophisticated that sets it above the sea of Elizabeths. It is really a wonderful name in my opinion.
[name]Emmeline[/name] - Well, this one reminds me of [name]Emmeline[/name] Pankhurst, an honorable woman indeed! However, I worry that this name has a childlike sound that makes it unfit for a grown woman.
[name]Genevieve[/name] - I have a good friend named [name]Genevieve[/name], and the name calls to mind the dog in the [name]Madeline[/name] series, a favorite of mine as a child. I think this name is elegant and sophisticated, yet not too frilly as to not be accessible. It is “perfumed,” as [name]Hilary[/name] so aptly described it!
[name]Jane[/name] - Oh, [name]Jane[/name]. [name]Jane[/name] couldn’t ever be a first name for me. Whether it reminds me of my too-good-to-be-true friend [name]Jane[/name], who is remarkably like [name]Jane[/name] [name]Bennett[/name] in her generous, kind spirit, or of [name]Jane[/name] [name]Doe[/name], the name lacks a certain sparkle quality. Yet, it is an elegant middle name indeed.
[name]Lydia[/name] - My favorite. A family friend’s sister has a young daughter named [name]Lydia[/name], and I’ve loved the name ever since. It has a beautiful, melodic sound, and it conveys an image of curiosity and spunk combined with intelligence and wit that is hard for me to pass up. [name]Lydia[/name] [name]Bennett[/name]'s example doesn’t taint the name for me!
[name]Margaret[/name] - Not a favorite at all. Before my mother chose my name, she wanted to name me [name]Maggie[/name]. [name]Just[/name] [name]Maggie[/name]. I think it is a sweet nickname, as is [name]Meg[/name], but the name as a whole is too clunky for a first name. A great middle, though!
On to your suggestions:
[name]Clara[/name] [name]Genevieve[/name] - [name]Love[/name]! I think the two names pair well, because I see a spunky side to both [name]Clara[/name] and [name]Genevieve[/name]. [name]Clara[/name] has a simple sophisticated that partners well with [name]Genevieve[/name]'s sparkle factor, too…
[name]Clara[/name] [name]Margaret[/name] - This name doesn’t sing to me.
[name]Clara[/name] [name]Jane[/name] - Not enough shine.
[name]Clara[/name] [name]Charlotte[/name] - Two beauties, but they don’t sparkle together.
What about [name]Clara[/name] [name]Cecily[/name]?
[name]Lydia[/name] [name]Charlotte[/name] - Very nice! I love the feminine charm and melody of [name]Lydia[/name] paired with the sophisticated [name]Charlotte[/name]. Together they create an image of a playful, curious, yet grounded girl.
[name]Lydia[/name] [name]Jane[/name] - Pretty, indeed.
[name]Lydia[/name] [name]Emmeline[/name] - Awkward vowels…
[name]Lydia[/name] [name]Genevieve[/name] - Pretty, but [name]Clara[/name] [name]Genevieve[/name] is better, yes?
[name]Lydia[/name] [name]Caroline[/name] - This was always my favorite, but maybe [name]Lydia[/name] [name]Charlotte[/name] is better?
What about [name]Lydia[/name] [name]Margaret[/name]?
[name]Eliza[/name] [name]Jane[/name] - Simple and straight to the point. Elegant, but does it need more flair?
[name]Eliza[/name] [name]Genevieve[/name] - This is beautiful! Why does [name]Genevieve[/name] seem to work with every name?
What about [name]Eliza[/name] [name]Caroline[/name]?
[name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Genevieve[/name] - These seem at odds with each other.
[name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Jane[/name] - This doesn’t have sparkle factor for me.
What about [name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Eliza[/name]?
[name]Caroline[/name] [name]Alice[/name] - I don’t know. I think it needs more melody.
[name]Caroline[/name] [name]Eliza[/name] - Definitely pretty, elegant, and sophisticated, but I don’t think it is singing quite yet.
What about [name]Caroline[/name] [name]Amelia[/name]?
[name]Amelia[/name] [name]Jane[/name] - Pretty, simple, feminine. But is it enough?
[name]Amelia[/name] [name]Charlotte[/name] - I just can’t get on board with this.
I don’t think [name]Amelia[/name] can be a first name for me.
[name]Cecily[/name] [name]Jane[/name] - Gorgeous. This is a perfect combination!
[name]Cecily[/name] [name]Charlotte[/name] - I like this, but it seems a bit abrupt.
[name]Cecily[/name] [name]Genevieve[/name] - I think this is shining a bit too much.
[name]Cecily[/name] [name]Margaret[/name] - It’s alright, but it isn’t my favorite.
[name]Cecily[/name] [name]Amelia[/name] - I think this has a rhyme sound that isn’t right.
I can only think of [name]Cecily[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] that sounds good right now.
[name]Emmeline[/name] [name]Clara[/name] - Pretty.
[name]Emmeline[/name] [name]Claire[/name] - Prettier.
[name]Emmeline[/name] doesn’t seem to be hitting a high note for me.
[name]Margaret[/name] [name]Caroline[/name] - Nice, simple, to-the-point, but not fun.
[name]Margaret[/name] [name]Alice[/name] - [name]Alice[/name] [name]Margaret[/name], maybe?
[name]Margaret[/name] won’t be a first name, either.
Alright, you have given me much to think about and I really appreciate it. If anyone wants to respond to this really long post with some comments on my extra names, I’d be happy! Thank you, all!