I must have a thing for short, unique-sounding, british girl names since [name_f]Esme[/name_f], [name_f]Isla[/name_f] and [name_f]Freya[/name_f] top my list for girl names. However, I have some concerns about their popularity, spelling and matching them with a family middle name.
First of all : [name_f]Esme[/name_f]. I am in love with this name. To me it is feminine and romantic without sounding weak or flowery/overdone. I’m curious how others perceive it… ? Then, of course, there is the dreaded twilight connection. I don’t want people to ask my daughter her whole life if she is named after the series. [name_f]Esme[/name_f] is a minor character in the book, but since the name is uncommon in the US I’m afraid it’s the only connection people will make ( hasn’t anyone read [name_m]Salinger[/name_m]!) As far as spelling, I know Esmee ( accent second e) is the [name_m]French[/name_m] feminine spelling and [name_f]Esme[/name_f] would be masculine. I prefer the shorter spelling though and it seems to be the “normal” spelling in English.
[name_f]Isla[/name_f]: Also georgeous and I love that if I save it for a sister for [name_f]Esme[/name_f] the meanings would come together to mean emerald ([name_f]Esme[/name_f]) island ([name_f]Isla[/name_f]) since DH and I areof Irish decent. However, there is a large hispanic population where we live including my step family and isla (pronounced ees- la instead of eye-la like the name) is the word for island in everyday speech. [name_m]Will[/name_m] Spanish speakers see it as a full on “I’m named a noun” like strawberry?
[name_f]Freya[/name_f]: This is a new favorite of mine. Curious about people’s impression of it. Is it too unique here in the states?
Finally, [name_u]Lee[/name_u] is the middle name of my mother, mother in law and brother who passed and we would like to honor them by including it in a middle name. I don’t like using just [name_u]Lee[/name_u]… too simple and common for me. Any ideas for a mn that incorporates it? I like [name_f]AnnaLee[/name_f] but would like a few more options. I tried combining it with some other family names including [name_f]Amma[/name_f] and [name_f]Ora[/name_f]. AmmaLee is pretty but I’m not sure it flows well with the first names I like. I loved the meaning and look of [name_f]OraLee[/name_f] until I realized what it sounds like, lol.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks a bunch!
Forgot to also ask, what about [name_f]Essie[/name_f] as a nickname for [name_f]Esme[/name_f]? I know it’s a nail polish brand, bit that doesn’t bother me.