On my most recent post “Best Out of 8” I asked about 8 names and which y’all liked best. On that list I had [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f], I’ve loved the name [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] for a while and [name_f]Ann[/name_f] is my mother’s middle name. I was told that it was too close to [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] or that [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] isn’t a good name in general. Hearing that people hate this name just breaks my heart because it is definitely my favorite and I think it’s just down right adorable! (And I do NOT like it on a boy whatsoever.) What middle name could flow well with [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] and what spelling would you prefer ([name_u]Oakley[/name_u], [name_m]Oaklee[/name_m], [name_m]Oaklie[/name_m], etc.)?
Where I came across this name: I read the name [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] in a book by [name_f]Natasha[/name_f] [name_m]Preston[/name_m], a trilogy, actually. The 1st book is “[name_f]Silence[/name_f]”, then “Broken [name_f]Silence[/name_f]”, and “Players, Bumps, & Cocktail Sausages.” Anyway, the main characters name is [name_u]Oakley[/name_u]. The plot doesn’t really give the name a positive thought but there are some names that you just can’t shake. I thought the name was a little weird at first but the more I thought about the book the more I love it! 10/10 recommend for those of you who like to read to get these books, maybe [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] will grow on you!
[name_m]Just[/name_m] don’t care about what other people say. If you love [name_u]Oakley[/name_u], go for it. It’s not my cup of tea, but I wouldn’t tell you not to use it because it’s not my favorite. It’s your favorite, and that’s what matter.
I agree with @alicemarie1. If it’s your favorite, then use it. It ultimately doesn’t matter what a bunch of strangers on a name website think. Personally, [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is not my style at all and I don’t like it for a girl. However, I would never tell you not to use it. If you love it, absolutely use it. You do you.
Also, if it makes you feel better, I read your other post and did not think of [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] when I read [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f]. And I am American, so I am plenty familiar with [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u]. [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] just makes me think of sunglasses.
[name_f]Edit[/name_f]: middle names suggestions (missed that the first read through):
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Rebecca[/name_f] (older name, but it popped into my head and I liked it haha)
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_u]Rain[/name_u]
Oakely [name_f]Amelia[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Mae[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_u]June[/name_u]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Renee[/name_f]
Oakely [name_f]Paige[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Nicole[/name_f]
Oakley Analise
I think you should probably use a feminine middle name since [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is unisex. Also, it seems to flow best with either one syllable names or names that have the stress on the second or last syllables. As for the spelling, I think [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] makes it look more masculine, although I do not like [name_m]Oaklee[/name_m]/[name_m]Oaklie[/name_m]. Perhaps [name_m]Oakleigh[/name_m]? That looks all girl to me.
Ok, so I’m going to tell you the advice I most need to internalize myself right now. I’m considering [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] for my autumn baby if she is a girl, and most of the vocal people on nameberry hate this idea.
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is admittedly not my style. But does my style really matter to you? There is some fabulous advice to be had on Nameberry, but in the end, it’s just that: advice from strangers on the internet.
Nameberry has a particular culture. There are names that are immensely popular on Nameberry that just aren’t used much in real life, and there are plenty of top 1000 picks that barely ever get any attention on Nameberry ([name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is in this category). There are plenty of people vying for choices that are far from the norm, but honestly, the most common style gets chosen again and again while the bolder outliers get ousted. I think of it like a giant scatter plot with all the names anyone could ever conceive of. There is some love to be had for any one of these names. But when you actually put a line of best fit on the graph, you get back to the same, say, 300 names mentioned over and over and over.
This can be infuriating when you love a name that goes against this grain. Nameberry should be the place where you can vet it, consider the [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] thing, and get some feedback that will help you to make a decision. But there can also be a lot of negativity.
I think that [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f] is a nice to name for you to name your child. I would not choose it myself, but I support you in loving it. [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] was actually pretty awesome, so so what if that’s what others think when they hear it? [name_m]How[/name_m] many people in your daughter [name_u]Oakley[/name_u]'s life will know her middle name? [name_m]How[/name_m] many people in her life will know her middle name and NOT know that [name_f]Ann[/name_f] was a name that you chose to honor your mother?
Get with your love for [name_u]Oakley[/name_u]. Own it. And stop it with the cognitive dissonance about it. It’s your choice, it’s your daughter. It’s your life and hers. [Again, I’m giving myself this pep talk just as much as you.] You love it. Sure, it’s a very nice feeling knowing that dozens of other people love the name you choose, too. But is that a requisite for you continuing to love it? It shouldn’t be.
Over the years since I first heard the name [name_u]Oakley[/name_u], I thought it was awful in all honestly. But over time, its grown on me an awful lot. [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f] is very pretty, and I’ve never heard of [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u]. If you think [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f] is the name for you, go for it!
As I said on your other thread, Oakley is an extremely polarizing name on this website for some reason. I personally think it’s cute and spunky, and I don’t have anything negative to say about it. It’s one of those names that I might say “Oakley? Never heard that before, but hey that’s really fresh and different” and get used to it immediately. I think a lot of people could wear the name really well. It doesn’t strike me as feminine or masculine, and I like that about it–a true neutral in my eyes.
Also, I think Annie Oakley is a really cool association! And obviously most people either won’t know her middle name or won’t think of it even if they do, I just think it’s a cute quirk (even though it wasn’t intentional).
You love the name, so you should use it. I’ve come across names on here that were justifiably fought against (such as someone wanting to use the name “Feya” and I had to point out that “fea” means “ugly girl” in Spanish), so it can be really useful to get feedback on this site. But as long as there’s nothing objectively bad about the name, the rest is just opinions. Use the name you love, the rest is just noise :).
To answer your question, I much prefer the Oakley spelling, and I think any other spelling choice with this name would be a mistake. It’s already fresh and different, no need to use an obscure spelling since this one is the most intuitive (and in my opinion the most attractive). Regarding your middle name question, I honestly think that’s completely up to you and your own personal style. But from your other post’s names I really like the combo Oakley Anastasia!
I love [name_u]Oakley[/name_u]! Hubs vetoed it. [name_f]Do[/name_f] not let what people on here sway you. It’s nice to get feedback but Nameberry is not the ultimate authority on your baby’s name - you are. I would keep the traditional [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] spelling and give her a feminine MN.
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] for a girl!! I know an adorable toddler with the name and she is precious. [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f] was my favorite from your list and I would not at all associate it with [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u]…I swear people come up with some of the craziest associations on here sometimes. Honestly I think for the most part everyone is trying to think of something negative to say just so you are aware of all the possibilities one may come up with when they see the name, they don’t really have bad intentions in general (I don’t think). The only thing I would suggest is ithat if you don’t want the sunglasses association you may want to consider a different spelling. Although I do love the spelling!! Maybe Oaklei looks more feminine?
It’s not my style, but it’s not bad. I prefer it on a boy. It sounds like other surname/cutesy choices that I hear a lot in real life. I didn’t think of [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u]
Hello from a fellow [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] lover!! It is one of my more favourite names, for a girl or a boy.
I do agree that [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f] makes me think of [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u], but that isn’t necessarily a bad association. Some people just might think it a little cliche or unimaginative.
I have [name_f]Indira[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] in my signature, but that could easily be flipped and I think [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Indira[/name_f] would make a beautiful combo! I definitely like a very feminine middle name paired with it. Maybe
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Bronte[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Kaia[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Marina[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Annmarie[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Rianna[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Joanna[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Miranda[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Luana[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Annelle[/name_f]
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Diana[/name_f]
I definitely prefer the [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] spelling, I think it’s by far the best.
I do not like [name_u]Oakley[/name_u], but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it. I know plenty of people who do not like the names I would consider for my own children. I’ll still consider them when the time comes. We all have different preferences, and Nameberry is often filled with people who have very similar tastes. If you test some Nameberry favorites out in the real world, you will find that they aren’t always embraced with open arms either.
In terms of spelling, I think [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is the safest choice. It will incur the least spelling difficulty, and it looks a tad less trendy than the alternatives.
I think [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is a great name. [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f] did immediately make me think of [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u], but maybe a variation of [name_f]Ann[/name_f] could help with that (though it’s not like [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is a negative association!). For example, as was already suggested, [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Joanna[/name_f], [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f], etc. I think [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] would be lovely. I know a lot of people don’t like [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] because they think it’s too masculine or for other reasons, but I think you should try to have confidence in the name(s) that you really love!
While I don’t love [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] myself, I think you should go for it and the nickname [name_u]Oak[/name_u] is very cute! I prefer the [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] spelling and I think the name sounds best with short middles and longer middles that start with vowels. [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f] is very nice, as are the [name_f]Ann[/name_f] variations that others have suggested ([name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f], [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Annabel[/name_f], [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Annika[/name_f]). Some other suggestions:
I’m one of those who mentioned on your other thread that I personally dislike [name_u]Oakley[/name_u], mostly because you asked which name from your list was people’s least favorite (if you hadn’t included that question, I probably would have said “[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is NMS” and left it at that. Or maybe not mentioned it at all.)
But if you love it and don’t mind the [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] thing, then who cares what the rest of us think?
For middle names, I think you have to either really lean in to the [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] thing (so choose [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f]/[name_f]Ann[/name_f]/[name_f]Annastasia[/name_f]/[name_f]Marianne[/name_f] or something and say “yes” when people ask whether she’s named after [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u],) or choose an entirely different middle name with no [name_f]Ann[/name_f] anywhere in it and save [name_f]Ann[/name_f] for a different combo. You’ve gotten some good suggestions so far—if I were you, I’d probably pick something girly and frilly since it would make for the best balance. I like the suggestions of [name_f]Mariel[/name_f] and [name_f]Aurora[/name_f].
And I’d definitely go for the [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] spelling, since that’s easiest one, unless you really wanted to differentiate from [name_f]Annie[/name_f]!
Lots of people will love your choice and lots of people will hate your choice.
Here’s what I think [name_u]TRULY[/name_u] matters:
You love it / Your partner loves it
You wouldn’t mind having it as your own name
You are comfortable calling the name out loud, repeatedly
You are comfortable introducing your child with the name you’ve chosen
You are comfortable writing out your child’s name many times on many forms.
A lot of these seem like no-brainers, but ever since joining nameberry I’m so surprised by how many people post about baby name regret and say things like “I couldn’t even bring myself to say out loud the name that I chose!”
So the bottom line is, YOU have to be in love with YOUR choice.
What is the worst case scenario? The worst case scenario is that your child will change his or her name when they grow up. Other than that, people will always have something judgmental to say but that should never be your litmus test for how usable a name is. Take people’s input with a grain of salt!
All that being said, [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is not a name I love. But I can see why you love it.
I think it should be paired with something equally fun-loving and bright.
For example, [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] (Jaunty and complementary) instead of [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] (Too jarring and opposite in tone)
You need to go with the name you love, the name that makes you smile. I think most people on this site are well intentioned and give interesting feedback but there are some who like to use words like hate, detest, despise, loathe when describing a name… It’s juvenile and immature in my opinion. It’s not constructive feedback. [name_m]Just[/name_m] say it’s not your style and move on :).
There isn’t a name everyone will like. Everyone has their own associations and personal experiences. [name_f]Remember[/name_f] the people on this site are complete strangers on the Internet. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t regret not using a name you love because of what people who don’t know you say! Also, it’s easy to comment on just a name but when people meet a beautiful, caring person with that name, people think of the person not just the name. A wonderful person makes a name that more special:)
That said, I like [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] and find it adorable!!!
Like the other posters have mentioned, you should go with the name you love, regardless of what other people think. [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] used to rank pretty high on my girls list, but then a friend named their new puppy [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] and the name was ruined for me. That being said, I do not think of [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] as a “dog” name. I also don’t think the [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] association is a negative one, I actually thing it’s pretty cool. For me, [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is a perfect combination of girly and nature name. You really seem to love the name, so I say go for it!
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f] did immediately make me think of [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u], but maybe a variation of [name_f]Ann[/name_f] could help with that (though it’s not like [name_f]Annie[/name_f] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] is a negative association!). For example, as was already suggested, [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Joanna[/name_f], [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f], etc. I think [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] would be lovely. I know a lot of people don’t like [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] because they think it’s too masculine or for other reasons, but I think you should try to have confidence in the name(s) that you really love!