Comments on these combos?

General Name Discussion
1

We are officially TTC baby #3 (so excited!) and would love to hear opinions of the new (and I hope improved!) list of combos.

  1. [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] ([name]Annie[/name])
  2. Eftelia [name]Wren[/name] (Tuli)
  3. [name]Edith[/name] [name]Samuelle[/name] ([name]Edie[/name])
  4. [name]Elena[/name] [name]Millay[/name] ([name]Leni[/name])
  5. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Miriam[/name]
  6. [name]Helen[/name] [name]Cate[/name]
  7. [name]Lucia[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] (Cici)
  8. [name]Nola[/name] [name]Helen[/name]
  9. [name]Rose[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name]
  10. [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Wren[/name]

ricamaca – are you out there? You can see I’m hopeless!

2

I think I’m coming on in the middle of things here. :slight_smile: I don’t know all the background here, but here are my thoughts on your list…

1.[name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] ([name]Annie[/name]) Never heard [name]Annora[/name], but it’s kinda cute. [name]Love[/name] nn [name]Annie[/name]!
2.Eftelia [name]Wren[/name] (Tuli) Not sure how to pronounce this
3.[name]Edith[/name] [name]Samuelle[/name] ([name]Edie[/name]) Not really my style, but cute nn
4.[name]Elena[/name] [name]Millay[/name] ([name]Leni[/name]) I love this one!
5.[name]Eve[/name] [name]Miriam[/name] Pretty! [name]Eva[/name] [name]Miriam[/name] is also pretty.
6.[name]Helen[/name] [name]Cate[/name] Personally I would prefer [name]Helena[/name] [name]Cate[/name]
7.[name]Lucia[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] (Cici) Cute!
8.[name]Nola[/name] [name]Helen[/name] ok
9.[name]Rose[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] pretty
10.[name]Tessa[/name] [name]Wren[/name] Oooo, this is so cute!

My favorites: [name]Elena[/name] [name]Millay[/name], [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Wren[/name], [name]Eve[/name]/[name]Eva[/name] [name]Miriam[/name], and [name]Lucia[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name]. I would also like [name]Helena[/name] [name]Cate[/name].
[name]Hope[/name] that’s helpful! :slight_smile:

3
  1. [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] ([name]Annie[/name]) - Good choice
  2. Eftelia [name]Wren[/name] (Tuli) - Not sure about it
  3. [name]Edith[/name] [name]Samuelle[/name] ([name]Edie[/name]) - I like this
  4. [name]Elena[/name] [name]Millay[/name] ([name]Leni[/name]) - Hmmm
  5. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Miriam[/name] - Pretty
  6. [name]Helen[/name] [name]Cate[/name] - It seems quite sharp…how about [name]Helena[/name]?
  7. [name]Lucia[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] (Cici) - Nice
  8. [name]Nola[/name] [name]Helen[/name] - Not really feeling it
  9. [name]Rose[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] - I prefer [name]Eleanor[/name] [name]Rose[/name] personally
  10. [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Wren[/name] - [name]Don[/name]'t like, sorry
4

[name]Hi[/name]! I’m coming a bit in the middle of this as well, but I remember you were at one time thinking of using [name]Diana[/name] [name]Christine[/name] to honor family. I noticed [name]Eve[/name] on your list, and I think [name]Eve[/name] [name]Diana[/name] would be gorgeous, as would be [name]Evangeline[/name] [name]Dianthe[/name]. Also, if you wouldn’t mind sharing your other kids’ names, it might help me. But, let me just comment on these names…

  1. [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] ([name]Annie[/name]) - Gorgeous classic name with spunk! [name]Annie[/name] is a favorite. Great flow!
  2. Eftelia [name]Wren[/name] (Tuli) - Like the sound, but not Eftelia. [name]Evangelia[/name] [name]Wren[/name] or [name]Celia[/name] [name]Wren[/name], perhaps?
  3. [name]Edith[/name] [name]Samuelle[/name] ([name]Edie[/name]) - [name]Love[/name] [name]Edie[/name], but not so much [name]Samuelle[/name]…
  4. [name]Elena[/name] [name]Millay[/name] ([name]Leni[/name]) - I like [name]Helena[/name] just a bit more, but this is very pretty and sophisticated!
  5. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Miriam[/name] - Aw, what a great Biblical combination! Very sweet but strong at the same time. I like!
  6. [name]Helen[/name] [name]Cate[/name] - [name]Helena[/name] [name]Cate[/name] would be much improved, I think, but I love the [name]Cate[/name] spelling here…
  7. [name]Lucia[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] (Cici) - Inspired nickname, but [name]Lucia[/name] and [name]Eleanor[/name] both mean “light, bright.” [name]Lucia[/name] [name]Miriam[/name]?
  8. [name]Nola[/name] [name]Helen[/name] - [name]Nola[/name] is cute, but [name]Finola[/name] is a bit more distinctive, I think. [name]Fiona[/name] is even spunkier!
  9. [name]Rose[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] - Great classic name, and a perfect sister to [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] or [name]Annora[/name] [name]Cate[/name]! [name]Rosie[/name]!
  10. [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Wren[/name] - Eh, there is something missing here. [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Millay[/name]? [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Catherine[/name]? [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Miriam[/name]? Better.

My favorite name is [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name], followed by [name]Eve[/name] [name]Miriam[/name], [name]Rose[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name], and [name]Elena[/name] [name]Millay[/name]. My least favorites are Eftelia [name]Wren[/name] and [name]Edith[/name] [name]Samuelle[/name], and maybe even [name]Lucia[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] because of the similar meanings. Now, because I either don’t know or can’t remember your other kids’ names, I’ll tell you what I see with what, set-wise. If you’ve got classics like [name]Benjamin[/name] and [name]Sarah[/name] in your family, I’d say [name]Rose[/name], [name]Helen[/name], and [name]Annora[/name] are your best bets. If you’ve gotten slightly more adventurous with vintage names, say [name]Theodore[/name], [name]Gwendolen[/name], and [name]Estella[/name], I think something like [name]Annora[/name], [name]Edith[/name], [name]Elena[/name], or [name]Helen[/name] would be ideal. Now, if you’ve got kids with spunky, short names like [name]Brody[/name] or [name]Seren[/name] - though not together! - I think [name]Eve[/name], [name]Nola[/name], or [name]Tessa[/name] would be nice, even a [name]Lucia[/name] (though she’d be divine with a [name]Milo[/name] or a [name]Matthias[/name]) would be perfect for their sister. Good luck!

[name]Lemon[/name] :slight_smile:

5

[name]Hi[/name] – You have a wonderful list, and the following are my favorites:

[name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] ([name]Annie[/name])
[name]Eve[/name] [name]Miriam[/name]
[name]Lucia[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] (Cici)
[name]Nola[/name] [name]Helen[/name]
[name]Rose[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name]
[name]Tessa[/name] [name]Wren[/name]

6
  1. [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] ([name]Annie[/name]) – love it! Really nice. I love [name]Annora[/name] so much more than [name]Annie[/name], though – so I would be tempted to ditch the nickname :wink:
  2. Eftelia [name]Wren[/name] (Tuli) --I like it, but you might have pronunciation issues
  3. [name]Edith[/name] [name]Samuelle[/name] ([name]Edie[/name]) – adorable! [name]Love[/name] [name]Edith[/name]/[name]Edie[/name]; not sure I like [name]Samuelle[/name]. I think [name]Edith[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] or [name]Edith[/name] [name]Wren[/name] or even [name]Edith[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] all appeal more to me than [name]Edith[/name] [name]Samuelle[/name].
  4. [name]Elena[/name] [name]Millay[/name] ([name]Leni[/name]) – I don’t care for [name]Elena[/name] much, and I don’t know what to think about [name]Millay[/name]
  5. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Miriam[/name] – pretty, but not my favorite
  6. [name]Helen[/name] [name]Cate[/name] – very cute! I like the combo.
  7. [name]Lucia[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] (Cici) --like it!
  8. [name]Nola[/name] [name]Helen[/name] – not my favorite. I like the suggested [name]Fiona[/name] instead!
  9. [name]Rose[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] – nice, but kind of boring to me
  10. [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Wren[/name] – don’t know if I like the combo. I like both names separately, but not together.

Tough choice! You have a great list going…

7

Thank you so much for the amazing feedback!

Eftelia is an old family name on my husband’s side, pronounced Efta-lia. I know its a bit out there, but I like that it is a family name and thought it may be worthy of a revival. Unfortunately I’m thinking it may not work in the US. As far as our “style” for names goes…we don’t really have one (and I really wasn’t name-obsessed until now!). Our first son’s middle name, [name]Andrea[/name], was non-negotiable (honoring grandfather). We had a short list when he was born and the second we saw his sweet face and hair that stood straight on end, he was [name]Ari[/name]. His brother was born a year later without even a short list of names for reference…nothing seemed right so we were hoping he would just tell us when he arrived! When the nurses threatened to keep us in the hospital until we picked a name, we settled on [name]Christopher[/name] [name]Augustus[/name]. [name]Christopher[/name] honored our moms ([name]Christine[/name] is my mom, [name]Kristo[/name] is DH’s maiden name) and [name]Augustus[/name] for his [name]August[/name] birthday. So we have [name]Ari[/name] [name]Andrea[/name] and [name]Christopher[/name] [name]Augustus[/name] (nn [name]Gus[/name]). No recognizable style for this sib-set, but the names suit them just the same!

[name]Tessa[/name] [name]Wren[/name] is at the top of the list right now, not because it is my favorite combo, but because [name]Tessa[/name] is my husband’s favorite, and [name]Wren[/name] just speaks to me as a middle. I like the sound of [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] best, but for some reason I just don’t feel a connection to it (though seeing the positive feedback has warmed me to it!). I am a hopeless bookworm and [name]Millay[/name] is a nod to my favorite poet, [name]Edna[/name] St. [name]Vincent[/name] [name]Millay[/name]. I love [name]Lucia[/name] ([name]Lu[/name]-see-ah), but know there will be pronunciation issues. I really like the suggestion [name]Helena[/name] [name]Cate[/name] (nn?), and although I really love [name]Eve[/name] [name]Diana[/name], I don’t want to ruffle any family feathers by using one mom’s name and not the other. I have to admit [name]Edith[/name] is on there mostly because I love the nn…I guess I shouldn’t base a decision on that so it moves to the bottom!

Thanks again so much, you guys are amazing!

8

Okay, so you’ve got [name]Ari[/name] [name]Andrea[/name] - [name]Ari[/name] is so great! - and [name]Christopher[/name] [name]Augustus[/name], called [name]Gus[/name]. Would you like to use another three-syllable A middle name for this baby, say [name]Annora[/name]? That would be lovely. [name]Adelaide[/name] or [name]Antoinette[/name] would be fun, too.

I’m glad you like [name]Helena[/name] [name]Cate[/name], too. As for nicknames, I think you could use [name]Lena[/name], [name]Leni[/name], or [name]Nell[/name] for her. [name]Heidi[/name] Klum’s [name]Helene[/name] goes by [name]Leni[/name], as you may know. I do think your family name may be a no-go in the US, if only for pronunciation issues. It’s neat and all, but it would prove tricky. In fact, I already forgot how to spell it…

Off your list, my favorite first names with [name]Ari[/name] and [name]Gus[/name] - you call him [name]Gus[/name] all the time? - are [name]Eve[/name], [name]Nola[/name], [name]Lucia[/name], and [name]Tessa[/name]. But, actually, [name]Eve[/name] and [name]Nola[/name] may stand out the most! [name]Ari[/name], [name]Gus[/name], and [name]Eve[/name] is really perfect, and, if you wanted to continue your A theme in the middle, [name]Eve[/name] [name]Annora[/name], [name]Eve[/name] [name]Adelaide[/name], [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antoinette[/name], [name]Eve[/name] [name]Adela[/name], [name]Eve[/name] [name]Augusta[/name], or even the longer [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonia[/name] and [name]Eve[/name] [name]Aurelia[/name], would be beautiful with her brothers’ names! Or, you could splurge on a second middle name, I suppose - [name]Eve[/name] [name]Annora[/name] [name]Miriam[/name] is speaking to me, but I could easily see [name]Eve[/name] [name]Adela[/name] [name]Millay[/name] or [name]Eve[/name] [name]Augusta[/name] [name]Wren[/name] being perfect. Yes, I know [name]Jessica[/name] Capshaw just welcomed an [name]Eve[/name] [name]Augusta[/name], but it’s just striking me how beautiful a combination that really is! So, yea, I love [name]Eve[/name] with your boys’ names, but you’ve got plenty of great options!

[name]Lemon[/name] :slight_smile:

9

[name]Lemon[/name]–I fell in love with [name]Eve[/name] [name]Augusta[/name] the second I saw it…but unfortunately ruled it out because we’ve already used [name]Augustus[/name]. But totally love your idea of using a three syllable A name for a girl; in fact, we already decided to do so if we have another boy ([name]Adrian[/name]). Funny you mention [name]Antoinette[/name], its my mom’s middle name! She has always really disliked it though, so I wouldn’t want to use a name of hers that she dislikes. I think mn [name]Annora[/name] is my favorite mn option with that theme, but our last name is Tolka, and I don’t think [name]Eve[/name] [name]Annora[/name] Tolka has the best flow…maybe your idea of a second mn would solve it. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Annora[/name] [name]Wren[/name]? [name]Tess[/name] [name]Annora[/name] [name]Wren[/name]? As for [name]Helena[/name], I never thought of [name]Nell[/name] for [name]Helena[/name], I really like that – [name]Ari[/name], [name]Gus[/name], [name]Nell[/name]. I still can’t rule out [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] Tolka as the one with the best flow…

Also for consideration, my current favorites for a boy are [name]North[/name], [name]Hugo[/name], and [name]Liam[/name] all with [name]Adrian[/name] in the middle.

Thank you SO much for your thoughtful comments.

10

Oh, gosh, I totally forgot about [name]Augustus[/name] - sorry! [name]Augusta[/name] is obviously out. What a shame that your mother dislikes [name]Antoinette[/name] - I love it! - as [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antoinette[/name] Tolka would be such a cool name! Yea, [name]Eve[/name] [name]Annora[/name] Tolka, or really most names ending in -a, don’t have the best flow, but it isn’t horrible. [name]Eve[/name] Tolka is fabulous, though, and even though [name]Tess[/name] Tolka is cute, [name]Eve[/name] wins out for me!

I definitely think a second middle name could solve the problem, but I don’t love [name]Annora[/name] [name]Wren[/name] - it’s a lot of R! Let me see if I can find any other A middle names that might work for you - [name]Abigail[/name], [name]Abilene[/name], [name]Adeline[/name], [name]Adrienne[/name], Alannis, [name]Alexis[/name], [name]Amabel[/name], [name]Amberly[/name], [name]Amelie[/name], [name]Annabel[/name], [name]Anneliese[/name], [name]Antonie[/name], [name]Arabelle[/name], [name]Aurelie[/name], [name]Avalon[/name]? Yes, there are many more three-syllable A names that you could consider, but these are the ones I like most with Tolka, those that do not end in A. For [name]Eve[/name], I really like [name]Eve[/name] [name]Abigail[/name] ([name]Wren[/name]) Tolka, [name]Eve[/name] [name]Abilene[/name] Tolka, [name]Eve[/name] [name]Amelie[/name] ([name]Wren[/name]) Tolka, [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] ([name]Wren[/name]) Tolka, and [name]Eve[/name] [name]Aurelie[/name] ([name]Wren[/name]) Tolka. [name]Lovely[/name]! For [name]Tess[/name] Tolka - a little cutesy, maybe? - I like [name]Tess[/name] [name]Abilene[/name] Tolka, [name]Tess[/name] [name]Adrienne[/name] Tolka, [name]Tess[/name] [name]Amberly[/name] ([name]Wren[/name]) Tolka, [name]Tess[/name] [name]Annabel[/name] ([name]Wren[/name]) Tolka, and [name]Tess[/name] [name]Arabelle[/name] Tolka, though TAT as her initials are slightly less than desirable. Reminds me of a tattoo abbreviation!

And, yes, [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] has great flow, but I do prefer [name]Eve[/name] Tolka to [name]Annora[/name] Tolka, if only for that darn double A issue! Sorry! I just think [name]Eve[/name] Tolka sounds like a foreign movie star and it’s really cool! I don’t want to force you into liking it, though…

Boys! With [name]Ari[/name] and [name]Gus[/name], I love [name]Hugo[/name] and [name]Liam[/name]! I think I’d pick [name]Liam[/name], though, because [name]Liam[/name] [name]Adrian[/name] sounds better to me than [name]Hugo[/name] [name]Adrian[/name], and [name]Hugo[/name] looks similar to [name]Gus[/name], at least it does for me. [name]Liam[/name] Tolka is adorable! Handsome! Handsome is better, right? Ha.

[name]Lemon[/name] :slight_smile:

PS With [name]Ari[/name] and [name]Gus[/name], I also think that [name]Esme[/name], [name]Fay/name, [name]Phoebe[/name], or even [name]Wren[/name] - as a first name - would be great for a little sister and [name]Reed[/name] or [name]Seth[/name] would be cool for a little brother.

11

[name]Eve[/name] Tolka is really really growing on me (and I’m happy to be “talked into it”)! I like the [name]Antoinette[/name] combo a lot…but I think [name]Antonie[/name] captures the same feel. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] Tolka…I really like it (though not quite as much as [name]Eve[/name] [name]Augusta[/name] sigh)! [name]Tess[/name]/a Tolka is definitely more cutesy and you’re right, TAT is less than desirable. [name]Eve[/name] wins out over [name]Tess[/name] for me, it is now my quest to convince DH to move [name]Tess[/name]/a out of first place!

I get caught up in the middle name flow, but forget that the mn is rarely used in daily life in which case [name]Eve[/name] Tolka does sound better than [name]Annora[/name] Tolka. [name]Helen[/name]/a is still very much in the back of my mind though. I think [name]Helen[/name] Tolka is better than [name]Helena[/name] Tolka flow-wise? I have such a hard time with a mn name for [name]Helen[/name] and can’t think of a single “A” mn that would work well.

So glad you like the boy options…[name]Liam[/name] is adorable AND handsome to me! [name]Glad[/name] you pointed out the [name]Gus[/name]/[name]Hugo[/name] similarity…I guess that one is out! So funny you mentioned [name]Seth[/name]…that one I have REALLY been warming up to lately and [name]Reed[/name] was at the very top of my list until DH ruled it out. As far as your girl suggestions, the first time I heard the name [name]Esme[/name] it was instantly THE ONE…until DH said no way. [name]Faye[/name] seems a little incomplete to me and [name]Pheobe[/name] is still too “Friends” for me. [name]Wren[/name] has always been my favorite for a middle, but I like the idea of using it for a first…maybe [name]Wren[/name] [name]Amelie[/name]?

Thank you again so much for the thoughtful and insightful advice!

12

You’re so prompt to respond. I love it! Anyway…

I’m glad [name]Eve[/name] Tolka is growing on you! I love [name]Eve[/name] with [name]Ari[/name] and [name]Gus[/name] - why? [name]Ari[/name] and [name]Gus[/name], to me, are both spunky and playful and handsome and strong. Similarly, [name]Eve[/name] is sassy and youthful and elegant and romantic. Thus, they really compliment one another. I love the name [name]Tess[/name], and it captures much of the same criteria, but [name]Tess[/name] Tolka just isn’t doing it for me, at all. So, let’s hope you can convince your husband! I think [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] is really divine - why? Well, [name]Antoinette[/name] is darn cool, as we’ve both agreed, but your mom dislikes it; using [name]Antonie[/name] subtly honors her while giving the name a fresh spin! Also, you want to find a name that begins with an A but doesn’t make it sound like you’re saying [name]Eva[/name], like perhaps [name]Eve[/name] [name]Annabel[/name] would. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] works there, too. Finally, you’ve used two fairly uncommon, bold A names for [name]Ari[/name] and [name]Gus[/name]’ middle names, so [name]Antonie[/name] fits the bill, so to speak. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] Tolka is truly wonderful. I know you don’t like it quite as much as [name]Eve[/name] [name]Augusta[/name] right now, but honestly, I like it more - why? Well, now that I think about it, [name]Augusta[/name] Tolka has a lot of back-to-back T, whereas [name]Antonie[/name] Tolka has an N to break up the choppiness. Perfect!

As for [name]Helen[/name], I agree that it has slightly better flow than [name]Helena[/name] Tolka. However, when I go back to matching the feel of [name]Ari[/name] and [name]Gus[/name], to me, [name]Helen[/name] feels a bit drab. It isn’t quite as vivacious and playful, in my opinion, and thus I’d choose something different. As for A middle names, it is a bit tough to make sure you aren’t ending up with a “[name]Helena[/name]” sound, so maybe [name]Helen[/name] [name]Abigail[/name], [name]Helen[/name] [name]Amabel[/name], [name]Helen[/name] [name]Aurelie[/name], or [name]Helen[/name] [name]Avalon[/name]? Can’t say any are screaming at me the way [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] does, but maybe you’ll like one…

As for [name]Wren[/name], I think [name]Ari[/name], [name]Gus[/name], and [name]Wren[/name] could work, yes. [name]Wren[/name] Tolka is quite the name - she sounds like a celebrity child! I don’t mean that in a bad way, I promise. Anyway, for her A middle name, [name]Wren[/name] [name]Amelie[/name] is lovely! I also like [name]Wren[/name] [name]Abigail[/name], [name]Wren[/name] [name]Amabel[/name], [name]Wren[/name] [name]Arabelle[/name], and [name]Wren[/name] [name]Aurelie[/name], especially that last one! However, you might want to go with a tamer choice to balance [name]Wren[/name], in which case [name]Wren[/name] [name]Abigail[/name] would be stunning.

For boys, I do think [name]Liam[/name] [name]Adrian[/name] is wonderful. Isn’t it neat that [name]Liam[/name] and [name]Adrian[/name] both have “ia” in them? [name]Liam[/name]'s a little more popular than [name]Gus[/name] and [name]Ari[/name], but they fit together. So, is [name]Seth[/name] on the table still, or did your husband nix that one, too? It has a bit of a bad-boy sound to me, but I really love it with your sibling set. He sounds rough-and-tumble but a little bit charming to me! Oh, and in case you wanted more A middle name suggestions - though [name]Adrian[/name] is so very handsome! - I also like [name]Abraham[/name], [name]Alaric[/name], [name]Algernon[/name], [name]Amory[/name], and [name]Atticus[/name]. Yea, some of those are a little bold, but they are kind of cool, I think! I’m particularly fond of [name]Amory[/name], myself. [name]Seth[/name] [name]Amory[/name] Tolka is plain cool.

[name]Lemon[/name] :slight_smile:

13

You are a name genuis! Have always been an admirer of your insight and thoughtfulness, and feel very special to get your thoughts.

I too like [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] best after reading your thoughts. Honoring mom…check. Three Syllable A name…check. Good flow…check. Uncommon, bold name…check. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] Tolka is beautiful! Top of the list.

I agree with you that [name]Helen[/name] sounds a little plain next to [name]Ari[/name] and [name]Gus[/name], but I think nn [name]Nell[/name] gives it the spunk factor…though admittedly not as much as [name]Eve[/name]. And it just doesn’t flow well with any middle name to me for some reason! To tell you the truth, [name]Helen[/name] stays on my list because when considering a name, I always ask myself how I would feel saying “[name]Hi[/name], my name is XXX.” I have ruled out a lot of names that I adore because they lacked the “introducability factor.” For example, while I love the name, I could never imagine introducing myself as [name]Seraphina[/name]. On the other hand, I would love to introduce myself as [name]Helen[/name]. All of the names on my list pass that test for me with [name]Helen[/name] at the top and [name]Eve[/name] at a close second. I know this probably doesn’t make much sense, way overthinking!

I do really like [name]Wren[/name] for a first, especially with the boys names. I think [name]Amelie[/name] will be my choice for a middle there, I’ve always had a soft spot for that name. In fact, I can’t help but consider [name]Amelie[/name] [name]Wren[/name] Tolka as a nice choice too…though I’m at a loss for possible nicknames for [name]Amelie[/name].

I’m really glad you like [name]Liam[/name] [name]Adrian[/name], just love how it sounds together and with [name]Ari[/name] and [name]Gus[/name]. [name]Seth[/name] is still on the table and [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Seth[/name] [name]Amory[/name], though I think it would be a hard sell to DH…but worth a shot. Of your A suggestions, [name]Atticus[/name] was recently on my short list ([name]Atticus[/name] [name]Grey[/name]), but it just didn’t pass my “introducablity” test. I think I just love [name]Adrian[/name] too much to give it up…in fact I would use it as first if it wouldn’t be weird to have an [name]Ari[/name] and an [name]Adrian[/name]!

Thanks again so much for your advice!

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  1. [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] ([name]Annie[/name]) – I love [name]Annora[/name], but [name]Annie[/name] is so childish! Without the nickname, this would be my number 2 from your list.
  2. Eftelia [name]Wren[/name] (Tuli) – [name]Do[/name] not like this at all.
  3. [name]Edith[/name] [name]Samuelle[/name] ([name]Edie[/name]) – [name]Edie[/name] is cute. [name]Haven[/name]'t gotten on the [name]Edith[/name] bandwagon yet (unless it’s pronounced eh-dith, instead of EE-dith), but this is a nice enough combo.
  4. [name]Elena[/name] [name]Millay[/name] ([name]Leni[/name]) – Pretty, but something about it makes me think you are trying too hard. Might just be me though.
  5. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Miriam[/name] – I really like these two names. I’m not sure how well I like them together, but both are lovely, and [name]Eve[/name] is SOO hard to match to a middle name. My number 3 pick!
  6. [name]Helen[/name] [name]Cate[/name] – Cute enough, but I still haven’t fallen for [name]Helen[/name], while I love the rhyming [name]Ellen[/name].
  7. [name]Lucia[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] (Cici) – [name]Lucia[/name] is one of those names that I love the look of on paper, but don’t like the sound of. Cici is such a “precious” nickname to me (not in a good way).
  8. [name]Nola[/name] [name]Helen[/name] – Old lady with a beehive. Sorry!
  9. [name]Rose[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name] – While I don’t personally like the name [name]Rose[/name], I think this combo is really lovely. It flows, the styles match beautifully, there is a sweetness to it that is just really awesome.
  10. [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Wren[/name] – [name]LOVE[/name] [name]LOVE[/name] [name]LOVE[/name]! This is my favorite. Oddly, while both of these names are high on my favorite list, I have never thought to put them together. I picture just a really awesome person with this name!
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Thanks so much for your comments lieseysmom! [name]Love[/name] your honesty…great to hear impressions both positive and negative! Strangely enough, you validated some the lurking reservations I had with some of these. So glad to hear you like [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Wren[/name], it has been at the top of our list as DH’s favorite first name and my favorite middle. Thanks again!

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[name]Hi[/name]! I had previously voted for [name]Annora[/name] [name]Catherine[/name], but have since changed my mind, and I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antoinette[/name] for you! If your mom does not like her mn, how about going with [name]Annora[/name]? [name]Eve[/name] [name]Annora[/name] is beautiful. :smiley:

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Thank you kyemsma! Looks like [name]Eve[/name] is the consensus here! [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Eve[/name] [name]Annora[/name], but leaning toward [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] or maybe [name]Eve[/name] [name]Amelie[/name] for a better flow with the last name ([name]Eve[/name] [name]Annora[/name] Tolka vs. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] Tolka vs. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Amelie[/name] Tolka). Thanks so much for your input!

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Let me see…[name]Eve[/name] [name]Annora[/name] Tolka
[name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] Tolka
[name]Eve[/name] [name]Amelie[/name] Tolka
After saying all these beautiful combinations outloud, I vote for [name]Eve[/name] [name]Amelie[/name] Tolka! A stunning combination, and very beautiful. :smiley:

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Yes, I see what you are saying about the “introducing” factor - I think both [name]Arabella[/name] and [name]Estella[/name] are wonderful, but I really can’t picture introducing myself as either one. Sure, maybe my future daughter could pull it off, but I’m don’t know. Now, [name]Alice[/name]? That I can picture. [name]Charlotte[/name]? Sure thing.

[name]Wren[/name] [name]Amelie[/name] and even [name]Amelie[/name] [name]Wren[/name] are gorgeous. For the sake of sticking with your pattern, I’d choose [name]Wren[/name] [name]Amelie[/name] over [name]Amelie[/name] [name]Wren[/name]. Also, [name]Amy[/name]'s basically the only nickname I can think of for [name]Amelie[/name], and that is a little dated to me. [name]Mel[/name] isn’t the most natural, and [name]Lili[/name] (lee-lee) is way too cutesy. Li (lee) could work, I suppose. However, [name]Wren[/name] is a much bolder choice than [name]Ari[/name] and [name]Gus[/name], even though both are uncommon, so maybe you would like to start a second middle name trend for daughters, should you have one. [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] [name]Wren[/name] Tolka is absolutely stunning. As for [name]Helen[/name], I totally understand your love for the name, and I agree that [name]Nell[/name] is an adorable vintage nickname with substance, but I still wouldn’t call it perky. But, [name]Ari[/name], [name]Gus[/name], and [name]Nell[/name] work fine together. [name]Nell[/name] Tolka is a little L-heavy, but that’s not a huge deal in my opinion. I just find [name]Helen[/name] difficult to match with a middle name, and my favorite - [name]Helen[/name] [name]Abigail[/name] - feels a little bland next to [name]Ari[/name] [name]Andrea[/name] and [name]Christopher[/name] [name]Augustus[/name].

Have you tried writing the names out? In your own handwriting? Or, typing them? Well, you’ve done that on NB. Maybe go to a site where you can preview personalization on birth announcements or ornaments or whatever and see what you like - [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name], [name]Eve[/name] [name]Amelie[/name], [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] [name]Wren[/name], [name]Eve[/name] [name]Amelie[/name] [name]Wren[/name], [name]Wren[/name] [name]Amelie[/name], [name]Helen[/name] Something?

As for boys, I’m completely taken with [name]Seth[/name] [name]Amory[/name] Tolka, and I also love [name]Liam[/name] [name]Adrian[/name] Tolka. You’ve got two - assuming daddy likes [name]Seth[/name] [name]Amory[/name] - superb choices, so well done!

[name]Lemon[/name] :slight_smile:

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Okay…so it comes down to [name]Eve[/name] [name]Antonie[/name] or [name]Eve[/name] [name]Amelie[/name], in that order (tie breaker was the meanings: “life, priceless one” vs. "life, energetic) and though I love adding [name]Wren[/name] to both, I think its just too much name. I will put both to DH for a vote!

For the boys, I needed a tie breaker too for [name]Liam[/name] [name]Adrian[/name] and [name]Seth[/name] [name]Amory[/name] and found a very clear winner. [name]Adrian[/name] means “from the Adriatic” which, uncannily, is where my husband (who is very tied to his roots) grew up and emigrated from (Albania). I swear its a sign! So I will put these to a vote, but I have a feeling my husband will be even more sold on it then me.

Loved your idea of writing them out…these 4 all felt right (or “write” if you appreciate a pun!)

THANK YOU!