Face off: Gemma or Esme?

We are due with baby #3 in [name_u]March[/name_u]. We don’t know the gender, but we have our boy’s name locked in (for the most part).

DH is all about [name_f]Esme[/name_f] for a girl. Its ok, I just don’t love it. The real problem is, I don’t have an alternative I am in love with. Right now [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is in the lead for me, followed by [name_f]Eva[/name_f], [name_f]Nola[/name_f], and sometimes [name_f]Helena[/name_f]. But truthfully, I’m lukewarm on all of them.

If you had to choose between [name_f]Esme[/name_f] & [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], which way would you go? Or is there something better out there?

Big sibs are [name_f]Mira[/name_f] & [name_m]Ben/name_m. :slight_smile:

I think both are very pretty, but I would have to go with [name_f]Esme[/name_f]. [name_f]Mira[/name_f] & [name_f]Esme[/name_f] are gorgeous together!

I love [name_f]Gemma[/name_f]! It’s sweet and gentle sounding. [name_f]Esme[/name_f] is also pretty, but it sounds slightly harsh to me, for whatever reason. [name_f]Mira[/name_f], [name_m]Ben[/name_m], and [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is a lovely set.

I have an [name_f]Esme[/name_f] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f], so I am biased…we get many compliments on her name and we’ve yet to meet another [name_f]Esme[/name_f]. It fits our daughter’s smart and larger-than-life personality. :slight_smile: [name_f]Eva[/name_f], [name_f]Nola[/name_f], and [name_f]Helena[/name_f] are all pretty too! I’m crushing a little on [name_f]Nola[/name_f].

[name_f]Esme[/name_f] is soft, feminine and has the same exotic flair as [name_f]Mira[/name_f]. [name_m]Ben[/name_m] and [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] are too matchy in sound ([name_m]Ben[/name_m] and [name_f]Gem[/name_f]).

Esmé all the way!

If you’re not in love with either, I wouldn’t settle until you’re certain you’ve explored all of the options.

Have you considered…

  • [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] (which could have the nickname [name_f]Nola[/name_f])
  • [name_f]Nina[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] (can be pronounced a number of ways but my favorite is loo-SEE-uh)
  • [name_f]Etta[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Leda[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Celia[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Zara[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Stella[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Tahlia[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Lila[/name_f]

Good luck!

Oh, that’s a hard one; I really like both names. I think [name_f]Esme[/name_f] fits better in the sibset, though–like [name_u]Mischa[/name_u] said, [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is a little close to [name_m]Ben[/name_m]. It also sounds like your husband is more passionate about his pick than you are about yours.

[name_m]Both[/name_m] are lovely names (how are you pronouncing [name_f]Esme[/name_f]?) but I think that [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] almost sounds like it has [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] in it so maybe they are a bit close. [name_f]Esme[/name_f] is pretty so between the two, I would choose [name_f]Esme[/name_f]. But if you don’t love them, then maybe the name is still out there?

I love both names! Personally, I prefer [name_f]Esme[/name_f] (I pronounce it Ez-meh, as that’s the most commonway in my area). I’ve liked it since childhood, but now I’m reconsidering using it, due to the Twilight craziness. I actually thought of [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] as a possible substitute. [name_m]Both[/name_m] names are on my short list.
To go with [name_m]Ben[/name_m] and [name_f]Mira[/name_f], I like [name_f]Gemma[/name_f]. I also find it “softer,” and more sound-compatible with your other choices.