I was wondering if anyone could please help us. I have 4 children. My first daughter passed away at birth and we named her Navarra [name]Skye[/name]. I went on to have another girl, then a boy and I just had another girl. We have a theme where each child is linked through a middle name that begins w/an “S” and is a nature name. We are unfortunately having a very difficult time coming to a conclusion about what we should name our daughter that was born 2 days ago because of the following reasons. We have had the names [name]Mara[/name]/[name]Amara[/name] on our list since before we even had our first child and it continued to be on each list thereafter, and even though I love the name, I continue to be uncertain if I should use it because I felt the “ara” ending made the name too similar to our first daughter’s name. [name]Even[/name] though my husband and I both like [name]Mara[/name]/[name]Amara[/name], we thought we would go with [name]Soraya[/name] (we would pronounce it Sa-ray-ah, not Sa-rye-ah), which is our other top choice. Now I am having second thoughts. The name we have now is [name]Soraya[/name] [name]Seren[/name] (pronounced Seh-ren) and I keep debating between this and [name]Amara[/name] [name]Seren[/name] (maybe [name]Mara[/name] [name]Seren[/name])…my husband says the choice between [name]Amara[/name] and [name]Mara[/name] is up to me…but the bigger decision is whether to go with [name]Soraya[/name] or [name]Amara[/name]/[name]Mara[/name] to being with?
So my question is…is [name]Amara[/name]/[name]Mara[/name] too similar to Navarra, and would she grow up wondering why we named her something so similar to her older sister that passed away or on a more positive note, would it actually be considered more of a tribute to her older sister?
Next, does the name [name]Soraya[/name] [name]Seren[/name] contain too much of the same sound?
Then, what is nicer in your opinion period [name]Soraya[/name] or [name]Amara[/name]/[name]Mara[/name]?
And lastly, what sounds better with our other children’s names…
it would be either Navarra, [name]Keira[/name], [name]Everett[/name] and [name]Soraya[/name] OR
Navarra, [name]Keira[/name], [name]Everett[/name] and [name]Amara[/name]/[name]Mara[/name]?
Also, do you like [name]Amara[/name] or [name]Mara[/name] better?
I love [name]Mara[/name] [name]Seren[/name] the best, I think it is beautiful. And, I think the fact that it is similar to your first daughter’s name is a tribute, not a bad thing. I love it. Not a huge fan of [name]Soraya[/name] (and think you’d have to constantly explain the pronunciation to everyone). [name]Mara[/name] is a beautiful name with your other children’s names.
I actually think [name]Soraya[/name] sounds better with your other kids name, only because both girls names end in -ra and so does [name]Amara[/name].
I prefer the flow of [name]Amara[/name] [name]Seren[/name] however, and I like the name more than [name]Soraya[/name]. I feel [name]Soraya[/name] might get miss pronounced often.
I dont think [name]Amara[/name] is too similar to your first daughter name. But if it really bothers you then go with [name]Soraya[/name].
Sorry if I wasnt much help. I really feel like either name could work given the situation. It is up to you to decide what name feels right.
[name]Hi[/name] there! Let’s figure out a name for your little girl!
I assume you posted on here because you want honest opinions so that’s what I’m going to give you 
To first answer your questions, yes, I do think [name]Amara[/name]/[name]Mara[/name] and Navarra are a bit too similar for sisters. I also think [name]Soraya[/name] [name]Seren[/name] contains too much of the same sound.
You say you would like an S middle name that has a nature theme. Are you set on [name]Seren[/name]? What about [name]Sage[/name]?
Here are some possible first names that I think flow well with your other children without being too similar. I’ll use [name]Seren[/name] as the middle if you are set on that! What about…
[name]Andorra[/name] [name]Seren[/name]
or
[name]Genoa[/name] [name]Seren[/name]
I agree with pp that the -ara ending seems like a tribute, not too similar. I love [name]Amara[/name] [name]Seren[/name] and to me it is more pleasing than [name]Soraya[/name] [name]Seren[/name]. That said, I think it is important that you go with your gut on this decision.
I think [name]Amara[/name]/[name]Mara[/name] is different enough from Navarra, although still a fitting tribute. I find [name]Mara[/name] [name]Seren[/name] the prettiest combo with your other childrens’ names (although you could always go for [name]Amara[/name] and just use [name]Mara[/name] as a nickname). With [name]Soraya[/name], you might find people have trouble getting the pronunciation right (if you hadn’t stated it already i’d have gone with the other one!). However, i agree with pp, at the end of the day, go with what you love, and what your heart tells you!
I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Mara[/name] [name]Seren[/name]!!
I know this may not be helpful to say but honestly, you cannot go wrong w/ any of your choices. They are all absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Go with your gut…and of course, let us know what you decide!
I would like to thank everyone that posted in response to my post for their input/advice; it is greatly appreciated. I will let you know as soon as I make my final decision.
I love [name]Mara[/name] [name]Seren[/name] - I think it is only complimented buy its similarity to your first daughter’s name, but not so similar as to sounds like a variation on Navarra. Perfect.
Have you considered the name [name]Amaya[/name]? It has the Am beginning of [name]Amara[/name], and the -ya ending of [name]Soraya[/name]. Also, it means “night rain” which is beautiful.
Would [name]Tamara[/name] be an option?
I think [name]Soraya[/name] is a beautiful name but as it is very exotic I think that [name]Tamara[/name]/[name]Amara[/name]/[name]Marissa[/name] would fit a little easier.
best wishes
I think [name]Mara[/name] [name]Seren[/name] is by far the best fit with your other children’s name. It’s also my favorite of your choices.
I prefer [name]Soraya[/name] to [name]Mara[/name]/[name]Amara[/name] but I think that [name]Seren[/name] does not flow
Have you considered using a different middle name?
[name]Soraya[/name] [name]Soleil[/name]
[name]Soraya[/name] [name]Stella[/name]
[name]Soraya[/name] [name]Star[/name]
[name]Soraya[/name] [name]Silver[/name]
Navarra, [name]Keira[/name], [name]Everett[/name] and [name]Amara[/name].
Definitely a tribute
I say use it! And I really like [name]Mara[/name] [name]Seren[/name]!
I think it sounds great and flows great with all the kids names
I love [name]Amaya[/name] [name]Seren[/name]! I like [name]Maya[/name], but it’s a little trendy and my husband doesn’t like it…