This is starting to get depressing…would love some help! For reference, our son is [name]Charlie[/name] ([name]Charles[/name], with 2 mn’s - all family). Surname is one syllable. If this had been a boy, he probably would have been [name]Harry[/name]. We just can’t seem to agree on a girl’s name!
My short list: [name]Holland[/name] (family name), [name]Elisabeth[/name] (nn. [name]Betsy[/name] - childhood favorite), [name]Catherine[/name] (nn. [name]Cate[/name]/[name]Cricket[/name]), [name]Caroline[/name], [name]Georgina[/name], [name]Hilary[/name] and [name]Lucy[/name]. Like [name]Carmel[/name] too…but pronunciation is an issue.
Dh’s list: [name]Holland[/name], [name]Elisabeth[/name] (nn. [name]Elliot[/name], he LOVES this), [name]Madeline[/name], [name]Emma[/name], [name]Ellen[/name] and [name]Annelise[/name].
We both agree on [name]Holland[/name] but have reservations about it maybe not blending well with [name]Charlie[/name] and perhaps sounding suburban/trendy? (According to another website, [name]Holland[/name]'s sisters would be “harper, skyler, hannah, madison, brooklyn and avery”…not our style.) [name]Elisabeth[/name] we agree on, but the nickname issue brings us to an impasse.
Since [name]Holland[/name] is a family name, I wouldn’t worry too much about it seeming suburban/trendy. I think it sounds fine with [name]Charlie[/name].
[name]Elisabeth[/name] is another lovely option. Maybe you can find a compromise on the nn? [name]Ellie[/name] comes to mind, since it is similar to [name]Elliot[/name].
It looks like you both agree on [name]Elisabeth[/name] and [name]Holland[/name]. What about [name]Elisabeth[/name] [name]Holland[/name]? I love [name]Betsy[/name] too, what about Lissy, [name]Libby[/name], Libet, [name]Elle[/name], [name]Ellie[/name], or Ellet? It usually doesn’t bother me if nns are a stretch, but I’ve never thought of [name]Elisabeth[/name] nn [name]Elliot[/name]. I do prefer other nns for [name]Elisabeth[/name], but I guess it could work. What about [name]Elisabeth[/name] [name]Margot[/name] nn [name]Elliot[/name] or [name]Elisabeth[/name] [name]Holland[/name] [name]Margot[/name] nn [name]Elliot[/name]?
I like [name]Holland[/name], particularly given the family significance. I think it’s fine with [name]Charlie[/name] as long as you’re okay with people not knowing right away whether you have two boys or a boy and a girl. I think a feminine middle name would be good. I know two Hollands, one is a girl and one is a boy. It is a family name for both.
I agree with erb2010. [name]Elisabeth[/name] [name]Holland[/name] is something to consider. You both like both of the names, there is familial significance and the names work together.
I don’t know what to say about nicknames. Some people prefer their full name and others prefer to go by a nickname. The good thing about [name]Elisabeth[/name] is that there are many nicknames to choose from.
I say [name]Holland[/name] [name]Elizabeth[/name], and don’t sweat the [name]Charlie[/name] thing - I think [name]Holland[/name] and [name]Charlie[/name] work very nicely together!
Thank you all SO much…you’ve made me feel much better. I would totally feel settled except now DH has totally changed course and is in love with [name]Emma[/name]! Uggh…it’s a beautiful name, it’s just suddenly come out of left field and is too popular for me. I hate raining on his parade all the time, he looks so cute and excited when he’s trying to convince me, lol. Guess we’ll figure this out eventually…
Go to the Social Security baby names website, type in the year of your dh’s birth, and then show him the top ten. I’m sure he’ll know scores of each of the names. Tell him - do you really want this little one to face years of being in the same class as other Emmas/Emilys and have to deal with being called [name]Emma[/name] ___ (last name initial)?
(I know the counter argument to the “number of actual names are different now,” but I’m just trying to give the OP a convincing argument for her husband).
Here are a few ideas and btw I love, love, love [name]Harry[/name]!
What about [name]Caroline[/name] [name]Margot[/name] [name]Love[/name] but not sure with [name]Charles[/name] as it is the feminine form of [name]Charles[/name] [name]Elizabeth[/name] [name]Holland[/name] seems to be the natural combo [name]Imogen[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] Todays “It” name imo [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Hazel[/name] A vintage beauty [name]Anneliese[/name] [name]Amelia[/name] [name]Lovely[/name] names [name]Bettina[/name] [name]Elise[/name] nn [name]Betsy[/name] A nice way to get [name]Betsy[/name] [name]Georgina[/name] [name]Elspeth[/name] a great match with [name]Charles[/name], and you get another [name]Elizabeth[/name] variation! [name]Alexandra[/name] [name]Maude[/name] or [name]Alexandra[/name] [name]Laurel[/name] [name]Royal[/name], elegant, unique and everlastingly popular. [name]Lucy[/name] [name]Caroline[/name] I like [name]Lucy[/name] a lot she is a happy, fun girl [name]Eliza[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] [name]Eliza[/name] is such a spunky girl [name]Tessa[/name] [name]Hilary[/name] Outdoorsy girl with a bright and cheerful outlook [name]Lucinda[/name] [name]Marion[/name] Elegant as [name]Lucinda[/name] with the lovely nn of [name]Lucy[/name] and [name]Marion[/name] gives it a nice vibe.
First, would you consider nicknaming [name]Holland[/name] as [name]Holly[/name]? [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Holly[/name] sound like a more compatible sibset, in terms of the name they’ll usually go by.
If you don’t like [name]Holly[/name], perhaps consider [name]Annie[/name], or maybe [name]Laney[/name]?
As for [name]Elisabeth[/name], I would suggest putting it to one side (or even consider [name]Holland[/name] [name]Elisabeth[/name]) if you can’t agree on a nickname, or even use one that isn’t [name]Betsy[/name] or [name]Elliot[/name]. Or maybe [name]Emma[/name] as a nickname for [name]Elisabeth[/name]?
Oh, GOOD [name]LUCK[/name]!! We just found out we’re having a little girl on [name]October[/name]. My name is [name]Elisabeth[/name] (so glad you’re spelling it RIGHT) and our top pick for a little girl is [name]Holland[/name] (my husband is not quite on board, but he’ll get there). I don’t think it sounds too suburban… but maybe I’m just trying to convince myself. Our little boy is [name]Luke[/name] and I think they go well together. [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Holland[/name] are both fun and respectable. Best of luck
You guys are awesome…and I love all the name ideas!
(Chickpeaz - you’re killing me, I totally agree ) Anyway, turns out we’re doing a c-section tomorrow morning and still no decision so we’re going to be doing a lot of thinking in the hospital this weekend. I’ll probably log back on from bed! Thanks again…
Guess we’ll figure this out eventually…
