Forever looking for the perfect name to honor my grandma! 🌼

[namenerddoglover]

Hi everyone!

I know I’ve posted about this several times, but I am determined to find the perfect way to honor my late maternal grandma with a future daughter’s name. Her name was Ma.ry, middle name Elizabeth. I’ve gathered a list of names that remind me of her in one way or another with short descriptions of why I think of her when I hear these names.

If you don’t mind, I’d love to hear your thoughts on these and any suggestions you may have. What should I add or remove?

Molly (double honor for my grandma and my mom)

Eliza (a variant of our shared middle name, Elizabeth)

Faith (Grandma’s Faith was the most important thing in her life)

Vera

Evangeline or just Evie (Grandma could always find something good in each day, and was such a positive and loving presence in others’ lives and always made the most out of life)

Aurelia (because one of her favorite colors was yellow)

Frankie (She was a friend to all who knew her and was fiercely strong and independent )

Charlotte or Charlie (My mom has a cousin named Charlotte, but I’ve only met her once or twice very briefly. Is This weird? I’m also having trouble deciding between Charlotte and Frankie, so the are both here!)

Lola (a fun take on Mary)

Elena (Does anyone know the German pronunciation of this? My grandma was German, so I always thought it would be fun to use a German name someday!)

Lucy (she was such a positive influence and a light in my life)

Ellie

Anna (Grandma gave everyone such grace and every bit of love she had inside her. It was, and continues to be such a gift in my life)

Annika

Willow (Grandma was one of the strongest people I’ve ever known.)

Thea (She showed me God’s faithfulness and the love He has for me everyday)

Eliana (This name reminds me of how much she prayed for me)

Another option I will likely to connect the name to Grandma even more is to use Elizabeth as the middle name, unless I choose Eliza.

Any feedback you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much!

[lilyofthevale]

I feel that [name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] would be perfect for you!
It seems the most straightforward and obvious in the honouring process.
I feel by using [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] as the middle name, you’re encorporating the significance of [name_f]Faith[/name_f] as a name too: it means “God is my oath” or “consecrated to God”.
The other choices are all lovely, but I feel [name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is just gorgeous and works really well for you

[namenerddoglover]

@lilyofthevale Thank you so much! I love [name_f]Molly[/name_f] more than I can say. It is still a top contender, probably in my top two or three. I don’t think my family would find it strange if I chose to honor her so directly and also used [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]. It’s hard to know for sure! But [name_f]Molly[/name_f] feels so perfect. It’s timeless and spunky, and it brings me so me so much joy!

Thank you again!

[lilyofthevale]

That’s lovely to hear!!
[name_f]Molly[/name_f] seems to be a name that you really love - with good reason, it’s gorgeous! And I completely agree - it’s timeless, but still spunky.
[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] flows beautifully as well

[diane921]

[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] was my first thought, too. I absolutely love the name Molly; it’s an endearing classic that seems suited for a feisty and spirited little girl. And, [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is such a beautiful name. I can imagine a tradition of the name being passed down and used from one generation to the next,

[namenerddoglover]

@lilyofthevale Thank you! I do love [name_f]Molly[/name_f] and spunky names so much! I am still considering using a double name with [name_f]Molly[/name_f]. Something like:

[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Kate[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]

[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think creating a double name ruins it. I especially love [name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Kate[/name_f], but does it need to be a double name? I think there’s something extra fun and special and special about double names, but not every combination of names lends itself well to them. First and middle combinations that I’ve thought of without double names include:

[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Kate[/name_f] (without Elizabeth)
[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] +
[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] or [name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f]

Any thoughts?

Thank you again!

[acorn.oak]

I love [name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] , [name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Kate[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]
& [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] Elizabeth!!

[Greyblue]

[name_f]Molly[/name_f] → sweet, warm and meaningful

[name_f]Eliza[/name_f] → bright, sharp and sweet - I like how it connects your daughter to something you share with your grandma

[name_f]Faith[/name_f] → a way of sharing something your grandma cared about but not being over the top about it. [name_f]Faith[/name_f] is a gorgeous name

[name_f]Vera[/name_f] → not sure how it links, but it’s a charming, unexpected name

Evangeline/Evie → I think for the meaning you want, [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] would work best here - and it shares your grandma’s middle initial. You could do something like [name_f]Molly[/name_f] Evangeline/Evangeline [name_f]Molly[/name_f] etc?

[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] → lovely name, though I do associate this with specifically gold over yellow

[name_u]Frankie[/name_u] → cute and sassy

[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] → I think [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] ties better to the meaning/vibe you want

[name_f]Lola[/name_f] → it is a sweet and bright name

[name_f]Elena[/name_f] → eh-leh-nuh is what I think the [name_m]German[/name_m] pn would be. [name_f]Elena[/name_f] is lovely, and I like how it links to [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] subtly

[name_f]Lucy[/name_f] → strong but sweet, a lovely name

[name_f]Ellie[/name_f] → not as exciting as your other choices, a bit flimsy

[name_f]Anna[/name_f] → a solid, classic name

[name_f]Annika[/name_f] → sparky and sassy

[name_u]Willow[/name_u] → warm and pretty, stylish and fresh. A less obvious link

[name_f]Thea[/name_f] → I think I’d probably go with Dorothea/Dorothy for this meaning, as [name_f]Thea[/name_f] has multiple meanings?

[name_f]Eliana[/name_f] → bright and pretty, with the [name_f]El[/name_f]- for [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] too.

[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is a great option for the middle.

I think all this comes down to how obvious, how really tied to your grandma you want the name to be - and whether you want something creative (and a story to explain to your child when they’re older) or something you can say - Grandma was M. E - so your name is [name]'?

[name_f]Eliza[/name_f] and [name_f]Molly[/name_f] would give you the ‘obvious’ honour vibes.

[name_f]Eliana[/name_f], [name_f]Elena[/name_f], [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Faith[/name_f] feel more ‘unexpected’ and ‘creative’ but also obviously linked to your grandma and easy to explain.

[name_u]Frankie[/name_u], [name_u]Willow[/name_u], [name_f]Annika[/name_f], [name_f]Lola[/name_f] feel like ones you’d have to explain more?

One think you could do is use one of the less obvious ones with one of the more linked ones - like [name_u]Willow[/name_u] [name_f]Eliana[/name_f] or [name_f]Eliana[/name_f] [name_u]Willow[/name_u], [name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f], [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Faith[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f]?

[namenerddoglover]

@diane921 Thank you so much! I love how classic and traditional it feels. It’s very obviously tied to her, but still gives her something that is her own in being named [name_f]Molly[/name_f].

And the idea of the name being passed down through generations is so special to me because my future children will absolutely know who she was.

Thank you again!

[namenerddoglover]

@acorn.oak Thank you so much! I think it’s fun that you mentioned [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] because roses were her favorite flower.

Thank you again!

[namenerddoglover]

@Greyblue Thank you so much! I think [name_f]Molly[/name_f] and [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] are still my favorites from my own list. With [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], I wasn’t sure if it would be too strange to use a variant of [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] because it is also my middle name. But I love that I shared it with my grandma. When I think of [name_f]Molly[/name_f], I think of a bright, fun, and caring little girl who embodies her spirit. I think the reference to drugs in the US is a little outdated, and was mostly a thing before I was born. But I know there are people who still think of that when they hear the name [name_f]Molly[/name_f]. That is the only thing that makes me question the name, so I wanted to gauge it.

In including [name_f]Vera[/name_f], I was trying to think of another way to incorporate her faith, but I think I forgot to say that. I’m sorry! I do think I like some of the other choices more than [name_f]Vera[/name_f] to be honest.

I agree that [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] fits better than [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] for the meaning I am looking for, and that there are several options that would require more explanation.

I love your suggestions of [name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f], [name_f]Eliana[/name_f] [name_u]Willow[/name_u] and [name_f]Faith[/name_f] [name_f]Elena[/name_f]! I also still love [name_f]Eliana[/name_f] enough to use it even if I chose something else to honor my grandma. I think it goes well with some of the other names I like.

Thank you again!

[Greyblue]

@namenerddoglover

With Eliza, I wasn’t sure if it would be too strange to use a variant of Elizabeth because it is also my middle name. But I love that I shared it with my grandma.

I don’t think it’s strange at all! It’s your middle, so not something you’re called everyday - and it’s a twist on the name not the exact one! Plus, I know people who share names/middles with their kids - especially family ones! My aunt has my great grandma’s middle as her first name and then my cousin has it as her middle, for example!

In regards to Molly and drugs, I feel like it’s outdated where I am too - and, I’ve met lots of Mollys! It’s in the UK top 100 and has been for the last twenty odd years - and I know it’s been in the US top 100 before too, even if it’s not atm.

@namenerddoglover

In including Vera, I was trying to think of another way to incorporate her faith, but I think I forgot to say that. I’m sorry! I do think I like some of the other choices more than Vera to be honest.

I think just Faith or Evangeline encompass that better!

I did think of Eliora (god is my light) for you! Along with Elsa, Ilsa/Ilse, Liesel and Lisbeth (German forms of Elizabeth)

[tori101]

I actually love M@ry [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]! If it was me I would go with M@ry [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] the name is stunning 🪿🌷

[name_f]My[/name_f] thoughts…

[name_f]Molly[/name_f] ~ I think this name feels like the most perfect honour for M@ry even though [name_f]Molly[/name_f] isn’t my favourite name. Other [name_f]Mary[/name_f] variants that you may like could be [name_f]Mara[/name_f], [name_f]Maribel[/name_f] or [name_f]Marisol[/name_f]. I think [name_f]Mara[/name_f] is very you

[name_f]Eliza[/name_f] ~ gorgeous name that feels like another brilliant honour option. I really love the name [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] she’s bright, spunky and energetic. I like the idea of [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] M@ry.

[name_f]Faith[/name_f] ~ I love the name [name_f]Faith[/name_f] she’s beautiful and I love how it connects to your grandmother. Ultimately [name_f]Faith[/name_f] is so important to her so I love this choice.

[name_f]Vera[/name_f] ~ she is lovely has the meaning ‘Faith’ but feels very indirect and I wouldn’t immediately make the connection

[name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] ~ has the lovely meaning that conjures up imagery of your grandma which is lovely along with sharing the same initial of [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]. I think something like [name_f]Mara[/name_f] [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] or [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] M@ry would be gorgeous.

[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] ~ for me this connection feels very loose maybe [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] would work but I feel as a direct honour with no other name connected it’s not very direct. [name_f]Beautiful[/name_f] name but I think [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] which means yellow or a yellow floral name [name_f]Daffodil[/name_f] would work better.

Charlotte/Frankie/Lola ~ for me I again do not see the connection to your grandmother even though they are all lovely names

[name_f]Elena[/name_f] ~ a lovely name very strong and graceful shares similar letters to [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] I also like that she is of [name_m]German[/name_m] origin.

[name_f]Lucy[/name_f] ~ this name isn’t my favourite option I just hear the word loose I also find this as an honour very indirect.

[name_f]Ellie[/name_f] ~ I really like [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] and I think she’s a sweet tribute to [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f].

Anna/Annika ~ a lovely names however for me this honour is very indirect and I wouldn’t make the connection.

[name_u]Willow[/name_u] ~ the symbolism behind the willow tree is humans’ capability to withstand hardship, loss, and difficult emotions does this work for your Grandma? The co however I do like the sentiment behind the name. Maybe something like [name_u]Willow[/name_u] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] would be pretty.

[name_f]Thea[/name_f] ~ I do really love the name [name_f]Thea[/name_f] she’s gorgeous however there are many meanings to [name_f]Thea[/name_f] including meanings that are not connected to Christianity so for me this doesn’t work as a honour. I would say [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] or [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] would work better.

[name_f]Eliana[/name_f] ~ she’s gorgeous such a lovely name that has a great meaning to you shared similar letters to [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and feels very spiritual.

I know you have a thing for [name_f]Sunday[/name_f] and I wanted to say [name_f]Sunday[/name_f] is connected Christianity (I’m under the assumption that your grandmother is Christian) with this being the holiest day of the week for Christians. So I would say [name_f]Sunday[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] would be a lovely tribute name.

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps

[namenerddoglover]

@Greyblue Thank you so much! You have made me feel so much better about the possibility of using these. I know for a fact that I will name a daughter after my grandma, it’s just a matter of what name to use. I love seeing names passed down like this and think it would be so special to do that one day.

I agree that [name_f]Faith[/name_f] works best in this situation and I love your suggestions, especially [name_f]Eliora[/name_f].

Thank you again!

[diane921]

Personally, I feel [name_f]Molly[/name_f] is better without a double name. There is something sweet and genuine about just plain “Molly.” I especially love it paired with [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] as a middle name and, if anything, I can imagine affectionately calling her on occasion [name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Bette[/name_f] or [name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f].

[namenerddoglover]

@tori101 Thank you so much! [name_f]Mary[/name_f] Eli@beth is such a sweet name. To me, it just feels like it was her name, so I’m not sure I can visualize it on a baby, but I so really love the name! I do love [name_f]Marisol[/name_f] [name_f]Maribel[/name_f] and [name_f]Mara[/name_f] too! They are all so beautiful and sweet. I didn’t realize how much I love [name_f]Mara[/name_f] until the other day. [name_f]Mara[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is beautiful! Yes, we she was a [name_u]Christian[/name_u]. I’ve thought about [name_f]Sunday[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and I LOVE it! I agree with you on the names that don’t work. You have given me so much to think about, all of your suggestions are going on mg list!

Thank you again!

[namenerddoglover]

@diane921 Thank you so much, I agree! I am starting to think that [name_f]Kate[/name_f] would make a sweet sister to [name_f]Molly[/name_f], [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Sunday[/name_f], or most of my other favorites. But maybe [name_f]Molly[/name_f] and [name_f]Kate[/name_f] shouldn’t be paired together as a double name. First and middle? Maybe. Eliza-Kate? Maybe. But I agree that [name_f]Molly[/name_f] works best on its own.

Thank you again!

[isabellesmama22]

Have you heard of the name Ismerie/Ismary? It’s been on our list

Also [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] may be another way to honor her!

[name_f]Ismerie[/name_f] [name_f]Faith[/name_f] or [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f] maybe?

[coolauntieviolet]

here’s some combos with the names you listed

[name_f]Molly[/name_f] [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] [name_f]Faith[/name_f]
[name_f]Vera[/name_f] [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] [name_f]Kate[/name_f]
[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Faith[/name_f]
[name_f]Eliana[/name_f] [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] [name_u]Willow[/name_u]

[namenerddoglover]

@isabellesmama22 Thank you so much! I’ve seen that name, but was unsure how it was pronounced. I just looked it up and it’s very pretty! So is [name_f]Marsali[/name_f].

Also, I wanted to say I absolutely love your daughter’s name. It’s so classic and beautiful!

Thank you again!