We’re in the final weeks before baby #2. Our first is [name_u]Reese[/name_u]. We have been deadlocked and not agreeing on anything, so much so that I’m sick of looking at names. Husband’s style is more eccentric and seems to be “space” themed (i.e. [name_f]Luna[/name_f], [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]), and I love classic names and those that are a bit unisex ([name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_u]Blake[/name_u]). He is adamantly against anything that seems unisex for our second girl. Due to our last name, we cannot use the first letters B or H. Husband has also ruled out P and J.Due to working in healthcare service jobs seeing many many people as clients a day, there seem to be so many negative connotations to names, or names that just remind us of people we encounter regularly. I would love to have an easy name that doesn’t require explanation, but nothing too common, as I was one of many with my name in the 80’s. Is it impossible? Can you give some suggestions? Help! I am so tired of thinking about names and landing on none.
[name_f]Stella[/name_f] - starry, not overly frilly/girly, simple but not too popular
[name_u]Vivian[/name_u] - feminine but also originally unsiex, simple but gives me the vibe of [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] - not too popular where I am, reminds me of [name_f]Violet[/name_f] and [name_f]Luna[/name_f]
[name_f]Elara[/name_f] - [name_f]Elara[/name_f] is space themed, a bit like [name_f]Clara[/name_f], not too girly, unique without being out there. [name_f]Elora[/name_f] could be another option
[name_u]Skye[/name_u] - kind of space themed but not too girly?
[name_f]Aria[/name_f] - again, not too popular where I am, but familiar enough, not unisex but not too frilly
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f] - familiar, feminine and simple
[name_u]Reese[/name_u] and…
[name_f]Aria[/name_f]
[name_f]Amaya[/name_f]
[name_u]Ariel[/name_u]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Daisy[/name_f]
[name_u]Eden[/name_u]
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_u]Emery[/name_u]
[name_u]Emerson[/name_u]
[name_u]Everly[/name_u]
[name_u]Finley[/name_u]
[name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Isla[/name_f]
[name_f]Lola[/name_f]
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Mila[/name_f]
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]
[name_f]Nova[/name_f]
[name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Sienna[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
[name_f]Tessa[/name_f]
[name_f]Willow[/name_f]
[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]: I think this could be a great choice for you. It has the upbeat vibe of [name_u]Reese[/name_u], but is a classic name with lots of history, just as you like. For him, it does have a bit of quirk, as well as connections to the moon and nature. It does violate his veto of “P” names, although I think he might be able to come around.
[name_f]Lara[/name_f]: The best of [name_f]Luna[/name_f] and [name_f]Clara[/name_f] compacted into one dynamic, short name that is not overused but not unrecognizable, either.
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]: A definite classic with a haunting beauty, this fits your preferences for naming style while also picking up on the sounds of [name_f]Luna[/name_f].
[name_f]Lena[/name_f]: Very similar to [name_f]Luna[/name_f] in terms of sound, but definitely less space-themed. It has a peaceful and complete feel.
[name_f]Fiona[/name_f]: A sister every bit as spunky as [name_u]Reese[/name_u]. [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] definitely won’t be one in a crowd, but people will instantly recognize her name. While [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] has a modern feel, she actually has deep roots in Gaelic, and contains many of the sounds that that he loves.
[name_f]Flora[/name_f]: Similar sounds and strengths to [name_f]Fiona[/name_f], though this one is more obviously classic and has a different vibe.
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]: This name is very tailored and shares an ending sound with [name_u]Reese[/name_u], which makes them feel like sisters. However, [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is impeccably feminine, and blends [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] and [name_f]Clara[/name_f] nicely. [name_f]Elise[/name_f]/[name_f]Elyse[/name_f], [name_f]Alessia[/name_f], and [name_f]Alicia[/name_f] are similar/related names that work well.
[name_f]Mae[/name_f]/[name_f]May[/name_f]: [name_u]Reese[/name_u] is a wonderful one-syllable choice, unexpected in its simplicity. What about one of these choices? They have a classic, homespun feel, but are definitely feminine.
[name_f]Eva[/name_f]/[name_f]Eve[/name_f]: These names are nice and short, and, especially with [name_f]Eve[/name_f], classic. They’re distinctly feminine, and suit his night sky vibe without being too obvious. Although close to [name_f]Ava[/name_f], they’re far less popular and wear well professionally.
[name_f]Freya[/name_f]: [name_u]Reese[/name_u] and [name_f]Freya[/name_f] seem like the ultimate spunky, modern sisters. [name_f]Freya[/name_f], with its mythological connections, absolutely fits with his [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] and [name_f]Luna[/name_f]. However, its origins go back a long ways, and its pronunciation is very intuitive.
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]: [name_m]Even[/name_m] though one is vintage and one is modern, I can easily imagine [name_f]Willa[/name_f] and [name_u]Reese[/name_u] as sisters.
Gwen: Yet another tailored, feminine beauty.
I so appreciate all of the thoughtful responses so far! I will be showing each complete list to my husband. There are some really really solid choices in there, and I love that you all are so helpful! Another question. If [name_f]Grace[/name_f] were an option, is it too similar in sound to [name_u]Reese[/name_u]? We both like the name but had put it off as “too similar”. I don’t know if I can let myself use it because I just imagine mixing them up and yelling “Grease!”… I am loving the possibilities of [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_f]Lara[/name_f], [name_f]Lena[/name_f], [name_f]Mila[/name_f], [name_f]Ivy[/name_f], [name_f]Elara[/name_f], and [name_f]Stella[/name_f]. I hope with continued new options (we just keep telling each other the same names over and over at this point), that we can come up with a good one! Keep them coming if you think of more!
My first thought was [name_f]Stella[/name_f]! It means star (similarly to [name_f]Esther[/name_f] and [name_f]Estelle[/name_f]), plus it’s considered a classic. Very romantic, imo.
[name_f]Stella[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] would be nice!
I have to agree that [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and [name_u]Reese[/name_u] sound too similar. But [name_f]Grace[/name_f] could definitely work as a middle name!
I was going to say [name_f]Estelle[/name_f] - it means star and [name_f]Estelle[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] would be lovely
Growing up I knew a girl named [name_u]Rigel[/name_u], which is a star; I wanted to suggest it even though it’s another R name and technically unisex, as it’s the first name that came to mind. It’s unusual but simple.
[name_u]Vesper[/name_u] is another star related name, but might feel too unisex (though it isn’t) or out there?
Another thought: you could go with a traditional, easy name like [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] but use an unexpected nickname, e.g. [name_f]Dodie[/name_f] - may be a bit fusty but I don’t know anyone who uses it and find it cute. [name_f]Susanna[/name_f], nicknamed ‘[name_f]Sukie[/name_f]’? [name_f]Harriet[/name_f] ‘[name_f]Hattie[/name_f]’?
Other ideas:
[name_f]Clio[/name_f]/[name_f]Cleo[/name_f]
[name_f]Daphne[/name_f]
[name_f]Cecily[/name_f]
[name_f]Verity[/name_f]
[name_u]Romy[/name_u] (nickname for [name_f]Rosamund[/name_f] or [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]?)
[name_f]Ines[/name_f]
[name_f]Cassia[/name_f]
[name_u]Zola[/name_u]
[name_f]Mahala[/name_f]
[name_u]Adair[/name_u]
[name_u]Ellery[/name_u]
[name_f]Lotus[/name_f]
[name_f]Odessa[/name_f]
[name_f]Jemima[/name_f]
[name_f]Zelda[/name_f]
[name_f]Zelie[/name_f]
[name_f]Shasta[/name_f]
[name_f]Esme[/name_f]
[name_f]Eavan[/name_f]
[name_f]Corinna[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f]
[name_f]Thais[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_f]Dahlia[/name_f]
[name_f]Azura[/name_f]
[name_f]Meridian[/name_f]
[name_u]Reese[/name_u] &
[name_u]Aspen[/name_u]
[name_f]Starla[/name_f]
[name_f]Lula[/name_f]
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f]
[name_f]Elara[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
[name_u]Skye[/name_u]
[name_f]Jade[/name_f]
[name_f]Lyra[/name_f]
[name_u]Ember[/name_u]
[name_f]Ayla[/name_f]
[name_f]Scarlet[/name_f]
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f]
[name_f]Leda[/name_f]
[name_f]Mara[/name_f]
[name_f]Juno[/name_f]
[name_f]Vera[/name_f]
[name_f]Ramona[/name_f]