Family ties for a baby girl

So my husband and I recently found out that we’re going to have another girl in [name_f]October[/name_f] and are super excited. However choosing a name for a second girl seems to be a lot tougher than it was for our older daughter and I’d love some help.

Our older daughter is [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_f]Marnie[/name_f]. Both her grandmothers have [name_f]Mary[/name_f] as a name, and [name_f]Marnie[/name_f] was my grandmother. By adding the [name_f]Rose[/name_f] we were able to give her her own identity. We call her [name_u]Romy[/name_u], but like all the nicknames people call her ([name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_f]Rosie[/name_f], [name_f]Mary[/name_f], etc.).

We’d love to honor family this time around and that’s where we’re getting stumped. His father’s name was [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] [name_m]Wayne[/name_m], my father’s name is [name_u]Gary[/name_u] [name_m]Clifford[/name_m]. [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] should seem like an obvious girl name, but within our family we have [name_f]Marilyn[/name_f], Lyndi, [name_f]Linda[/name_f] and [name_f]Madeline[/name_f]. The other names are so ‘boy’ I can’t figure out girl options.

Our last name is a popular city in [name_u]Texas[/name_u] that start with an ‘A’ and ends with an ‘N’ and is a very common gender neutral name. Because of that we want to choose a name for our daughter that is very obviously:

  1. a first name, and
  2. a girl’s name.

Names we have considered are:
[ul]

[/ul]

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is beautiful and also really compliments [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]. [name_u]Romy[/name_u] and [name_f]Linny[/name_f] are cute.

[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] is so cute. I like [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] from your list. Some other ideas…

[name_u]Laine[/name_u] ([name_u]Lynn[/name_u] + [name_m]Wayne[/name_m])
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] or [name_f]Margery[/name_f] could possibly work for [name_u]Gary[/name_u]
[name_u]Lindsey[/name_u] for [name_u]Lynn[/name_u]

A -lyn name like…
[name_f]Jocelyn[/name_f] (I like [name_u]Josie[/name_u] & [name_u]Romy[/name_u])
[name_u]Evelyn[/name_u]
[name_f]Jaclyn[/name_f]
[name_f]Carolyn[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]

I saw on the entry for [name_u]Gary[/name_u] that [name_u]Gary[/name_u] [name_m]Cooper[/name_m] was named after [name_u]Gary[/name_u], [name_u]Indiana[/name_u]. Maybe you could use a place name referring to one of the dads as a middle?

[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] are perfect together :slight_smile:

[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] is cute. What about…
[name_f]Melinda[/name_f]
[name_f]Caroline[/name_f] nn [name_f]Carrie[/name_f] - C from [name_m]Clifford[/name_m] [name_m]Ary[/name_m] from [name_u]Gary[/name_u]

[name_u]Gary[/name_u] means “spear” so you could use a name with that meaning: [name_f]Rhonwen[/name_f], [name_f]Geraldine[/name_f] (also can get [name_u]Gary[/name_u] from the name), and [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f].

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Rhonwen[/name_f]

[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] are an adorable sibset!

Other suggestions:
[name_f]Clementine[/name_f] incorporates [name_m]Clifford[/name_m]
[name_f]Caroline[/name_f] would incorporate both [name_m]Clifford[/name_m] and [name_u]Lynn[/name_u].
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] incorporates [name_u]Lyn[/name_u], [name_m]Wayne[/name_m] and [name_u]Gary[/name_u] ([name_f]Gwen[/name_f] and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] also make a cute sibset!)

Those are difficult names to work with!

I think you have some good options though - names that honor, but still allow your little lady to have her own identity.

[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and [name_f]Clementine[/name_f] are adorable, but then you have a food theme going on…I still like the set though!
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] are cute, very [name_u]Kennedy[/name_u]-esque.
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] go well together, but not as well as the other two.

[name_f]Clementine[/name_f] [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] and [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_f]Marnie[/name_f] sound beautiful together!

I love [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] and the suggestion of [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]!

[name_f]Clio[/name_f] shares the first few letters of [name_m]Clifford[/name_m].
[name_u]Waverly[/name_u] uses most of the letters from [name_m]Wayne[/name_m].

What about [name_u]Gray[/name_u] as a middle name? I really like [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_u]Gray[/name_u]!

[name_f]Loralyn[/name_f] might be a good option, a variation of [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] with a similar meaning to [name_m]Clifford[/name_m]. Maybe [name_f]Gayle[/name_f]… kind of a mashup if letters from the two names. [name_f]Garland[/name_f]/[name_f]Garlynd[/name_f] might make a nice middle name.

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_u]Cary[/name_u] / [name_f]Carys[/name_f]
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Clary[/name_f]
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] + your father’s surname???

[name_u]Lane[/name_u] (L+ ayne) maybe [name_f]Lorraine[/name_f]/ [name_f]Helene[/name_f]
[name_f]Gracelyn[/name_f]

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f]!! I am not a fan of any of your other options at all [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_f]Marnie[/name_f] is such a pretty name the other options pale in comparison

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] would be so cute with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]. I also think [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] is sweet.

You could also ask your family members for their fave names so that way the name is still honouring them.

I love [name_f]Linnea[/name_f]
[name_f]Caroline[/name_f] is such a classic, pretty name, and I think the nickname [name_u]Caro[/name_u] is fun

Wow! I’m loving all the names you all are suggesting! You are much more creative than I ever would have been.
We do like [name_f]Caroline[/name_f], but it’s the name of one of my really good friends and one of his cousins, so I’m afraid that’s off our list. And my cousin just got engaged to a [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], and they’re a couple we see a lot. Cute names, but we want our girl to be distinctive, yet recognizable at the same time which is why I appreciate all your help.

He did throw out the name [name_f]Danica[/name_f] the other day (he likes the nickname [name_u]Dani[/name_u]). It’s a nice name and all…but it’s just one I can’t embrace for some reason.

We are now toying with Margary as a middle name, and we’re playing with [name_u]Laine[/name_u] (maybe [name_f]Elaine[/name_f], but called [name_u]Laine[/name_u]) due to your suggestions. So this is great!

Thank you.

i like the idea of [name_f]Veronica[/name_f]! I love the double meaning. I would say [name_u]Layne[/name_u] is a viable choice, but [name_u]Layne[/name_u] with your last name sounds very “[name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_m]Austin[/name_m]” to me.

What about these?
[name_f]Alyna[/name_f] - hn. [name_u]Lynn[/name_u]
[name_f]Clarice[/name_f] - hn. [name_u]Gary[/name_u] [name_m]Clifford[/name_m] - nn. [name_u]Romy[/name_u] and [name_u]Reese[/name_u] :slight_smile:
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] - hn. [name_u]Gary[/name_u]

[name_f]Clarice[/name_f] is my favorite. Very sweet name, not too popular, clearly derived from your father’s name, pairs nicely with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]/[name_u]Romy[/name_u], nice meaning, and pairs nicely with your last name.

Best of luck!!

From “[name_u]Lynn[/name_u]” - [name_f]Adalyn[/name_f], [name_f]Belinda[/name_f], [name_u]Carlin[/name_u], [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]/[name_f]Eleanora[/name_f], [name_f]Elin[/name_f], [name_f]Ellen[/name_f], [name_f]Helen[/name_f]/[name_f]Helene[/name_f]/[name_f]Helena[/name_f], [name_f]Lanae[/name_f], [name_f]Lenore[/name_f]/[name_f]Lenora[/name_f], [name_f]Lillian[/name_f], [name_f]Lina[/name_f]
With the “air” sound from [name_u]Gary[/name_u] - [name_f]Arabella[/name_f]/[name_f]Arabelle[/name_f], [name_u]Ariel[/name_u]/[name_f]Arielle[/name_f], [name_f]Farrah[/name_f], [name_f]Tara[/name_f]
From [name_m]Clifford[/name_m] – [name_f]Clarissa[/name_f], [name_f]Clea[/name_f]/[name_f]Cleo[/name_f], [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f], [name_f]Raffaella[/name_f], [name_f]Saffronia[/name_f], [name_f]Tiffany[/name_f]
From [name_m]Wayne[/name_m] – [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u], [name_f]Alaina[/name_f], [name_u]Dana[/name_u], [name_u]Delaney[/name_u], [name_f]Elaine[/name_f]/[name_f]Elaina[/name_f], [name_f]Raina[/name_f]/[name_f]Rayna[/name_f]
From [name_f]Monica[/name_f] – [name_f]Desdemona[/name_f], [name_u]Harmony[/name_u], [name_f]Maura[/name_f], [name_f]Michaela[/name_f], [name_f]Minka[/name_f], [name_f]Moira[/name_f], [name_f]Mona[/name_f], [name_f]Nicole[/name_f]/[name_u]Nicola[/name_u]/[name_f]Nicolette[/name_f], [name_u]Simone[/name_u]

“Mash-ups” of two or more of these names within one name –
[name_f]Cara[/name_f]/[name_f]Clara[/name_f] – [name_m]Clifford[/name_m] + [name_u]Gary[/name_u]
[name_f]Clarinda[/name_f] = [name_m]Clifford[/name_m]/[name_u]Lynn[/name_u]/[name_f]Monica[/name_f]
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] – [name_m]Clifford[/name_m]/[name_f]Monica[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] – C from [name_m]Clifford[/name_m] + [name_f]Monica[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] – “G” from [name_u]Gary[/name_u], “W” from [name_m]Wayne[/name_m], and “n” from [name_u]Lynn[/name_u]
[name_f]Leona[/name_f] – [name_u]Lynn[/name_u]/[name_f]Monica[/name_f]
[name_f]Lorraine[/name_f] – [name_u]Lynn[/name_u]/[name_m]Wayne[/name_m]
[name_f]Magdalene[/name_f]/Magdelena – [name_f]Monica[/name_f] + [name_u]Lynn[/name_u]
[name_f]Marigold[/name_f] – [name_f]Monica[/name_f] + [name_u]Gary[/name_u]
[name_f]Marigold[/name_f] – [name_f]Monica[/name_f] + [name_u]Gary[/name_u]
[name_f]Marissa[/name_f] – [name_f]Monica[/name_f]/[name_u]Gary[/name_u]/[name_m]Clifford[/name_m]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f] – [name_f]Monica[/name_f]/[name_u]Lynn[/name_u]/[name_u]Gary[/name_u]
[name_f]Myrna[/name_f] – [name_f]Monica[/name_f]/[name_u]Lynn[/name_u]
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f] –[name_m]Wayne[/name_m]/[name_f]Monica[/name_f] mash-up?
[name_f]Shaina[/name_f] - rhymes with [name_m]Wayne[/name_m] + “a”
[name_f]Tawny[/name_f] – [name_m]Wayne[/name_m]/[name_u]Gary[/name_u] mash-up?
[name_f]Twyla[/name_f] – [name_m]Wayne[/name_m]/[name_u]Lynn[/name_u]/[name_f]Monica[/name_f] mash-up?
[name_f]Wanda[/name_f] – [name_m]Wayne[/name_m]/[name_f]Monica[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f] – [name_m]Wayne[/name_m]/[name_m]Clifford[/name_m]
[name_u]Wren[/name_u] – [name_u]Lynn[/name_u]/[name_m]Wayne[/name_m] mash-up?

You might also consider FN/MN combos to make up the sounds of one or more of the names, like:

[name_f]Grace[/name_f] [name_f]Arabelle[/name_f] (G + “air” = [name_u]Gary[/name_u])
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] [name_f]Noelle[/name_f] (Li + n = [name_u]Lynn[/name_u])
[name_f]Clarissa[/name_f] [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] (Cl + r + fi + o = [name_m]Clifford[/name_m])
[name_u]Whitney[/name_u] [name_f]Lorraine[/name_f] (W + “ayne” = [name_m]Wayne[/name_m])
[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] [name_f]Nicolette[/name_f] (M + a + nic + o = [name_f]Monica[/name_f])

You might also consider the meaning of these names and then swapping for something similar…

[name_m]Clifford[/name_m] – lives near the ford by the cliff – “[name_f]Lorelei[/name_f]” means a rocky cliff
[name_f]Monica[/name_f] – “advisor” – perhaps something like a guide – perhaps something associated with Angels, like [name_f]Angelina[/name_f] or Angelie? Or look into names meaning something like leader, trusted…
[name_u]Gary[/name_u] – spearman – [name_f]Geraldine[/name_f] “ruler with the spear” and [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f] (“strength of a spear”) must both be from the same root as [name_u]Gary[/name_u]
[name_u]Lynn[/name_u] – lake – could look into names more generally associated with water – for example, marina, [name_f]Maya[/name_f], [name_f]Tahlia[/name_f]…

I’d like to suggest [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f].

You’d have “lyn” honouring “[name_u]Lynn[/name_u]” plus many of the letters from “[name_m]Wayne[/name_m]”, and it begins with ‘G’ like [name_u]Gary[/name_u]. It’s also an English name like [name_u]Gary[/name_u] [name_m]Clifford[/name_m], and it sounds fantastic with your last name, imo.

[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] are very sweet together. [name_f]Gwennie[/name_f] and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] are sweet, too!

(I’d like to point out that [name_f]Mary[/name_f] and [name_u]Gary[/name_u] are similar and if you used [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] then between your two daughters “G-A-R-Y” is spelled.")