And then realized that we aren’t sold on any girl names at all! I feel like I’ve looked at every girl name in existence. It’s not that I don’t like any-- I just don’t see them on OUR girl.
So, this is a two part question:
First, what is your opinion on using a shortening of a common name as the given name? I like names that are 1 or 2 syllables. My husband likes [name]Susan[/name], and I like Zuza (my taste is more eccentric, his is more traditional), so I was thinking we could meet halfway and use Suza, possibly. I don’t really find the name in a list anywhere, but I don’t think anyone would think it’s completely odd or made-up since it’s very similar to [name]Suzy[/name], [name]Susan[/name], [name]Suzanne[/name]. What do you think?
Second-- suggestions, please!
I’m looking for a 1 to 2 syllable name that you don’t hear every day; feminine, but not too girly; I tend to like international names.
Here are some that I like, but we’re not sold on: [name]Petra[/name], [name]Verona[/name], [name]Gianna[/name], [name]Mila[/name], [name]Fleur[/name], [name]Alma[/name], [name]Sloan[/name]
I think Suza works…people will think its made up, because it is, but I wouldn’t let that bother you. All names were made up at some point, and many many people are rockin “made up” names nowadays and they are fine. My nieces name is [name]Kaelen[/name], she is 12 and seems fine. She does get [name]Katelyn[/name] A LOT, but then again, many names get mistaken for others everyday.
As for suggestions, I would have to think about that but off the top of my head, [name]Scout[/name], [name]Juniper[/name], [name]Bronwen[/name], [name]Corinne[/name], [name]Isla[/name], [name]Quinn[/name], [name]Rue[/name].
Suza automatically makes me think of [name]John[/name] [name]Phillip[/name] Sousa, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but she might get some weird looks if she ever took band in high school. I’m not a fan of the sound either, sorry. It sounds more like a nickname than a given name.
Suza isn’t bad, but it sounds more like a nickname to me. I do agree that it would probably do just fine in the world though. It seem pretty intuitive to spell and say.
I like both [name]Susan[/name] and Zuza, but I can’t say I like Suza. What about [name]Susannah[/name] nn Suza? I also really love [name]Suzy[/name] at the minute (probably thanks to Moonrise Kingdom).
[name]Petra[/name] is my favourite of your other choices. I’m finding it hard to exactly place your style, so bare with me, but here are some off the top of my head…
A few more (also favorites of mine, they do have a Scandinavian/[name]German[/name] feel, I am not sure if that will appeal)-- [name]Astrid[/name], [name]Signe[/name], [name]Ingrid[/name], [name]Greta[/name]/[name]Gretl[/name], [name]Liesl[/name]
[name]Susan[/name] nn Zuza could probably work - maybe a stretch, but I totally could see that working, if you want to consider that. In the same vein, maybe [name]Susanna[/name] / [name]Susannah[/name] (I prefer the former, personally) or [name]Zanna[/name], or…[name]Susanna[/name] nn “[name]Zanna[/name]”? I knew a girl named [name]Zanna[/name] (prn ZAH-nuh); she was adorable and bubbly and pretty eccentric, herself.
Some other ideas (trying to avoid repeats, but I might not be entirely successful…we’ll see!):
I love [name]Susannah[/name]! For your second request, I love [name]Petra[/name] and [name]Mila[/name]! [name]How[/name] about [name]Mira[/name] and [name]Mina[/name]?
When I first read Suza, I thought like the tequila? But then I remembered that the tequila is Sauza. I like the suggestion of [name]Susannah[/name] with the nickname of Suza.
I think shortening a common name as a given name is ok…personally I would prefer that my child has the longer name and they can then choose to go by the shortened version if they want, because I like the history behind names. But especially in the case of a made-up name, if it has special significant to you and your husband, then go ahead! Made-up or mash-up names can be quite noteworthy…just think of Quvenzhané [name]Wallis[/name]! (her name is a mash-up of both of her parents’ names, plus the Swahili word for fairy, if I’m not mistaken).
I would delegate Suza to nickname material, unfortunately. Especially because there are already so many great [name]Susan[/name] variations already. [name]Suzanne[/name], specifically, or [name]Susannah[/name] . Fun nickname, sturdy full… you can’t really go wrong with that.
I would totally go with the more formal name of [name]Susan[/name] (or [name]Susanna[/name]) and call her Suza as a nickname. People will assume Suza is a nn and she is bound to be asked about it a lot. I can’t help but think having a more formal name to fall back on would be appreciated. I happen to really love the names [name]Susan[/name] and [name]Susanna/name. From your list of other considerations, I like [name]Petra[/name].
If I met a kid named Suza, I would assume her parents were big into marching bands. I think that you and your husband are so far apart stylistically, that you’re going to have to come up with a compromise. I think your best option, as others have said, is to come up with a traditional name that satisfies him with a quirky nn that you like.
[name]How[/name] about:
[name]Susan[/name]/[name]Susannah[/name]- nn [name]Sosie[/name], [name]Zanna[/name], [name]Zuzu[/name]
[name]Beatrice[/name]/[name]Beatrix[/name]- nn [name]Trixie[/name], [name]Betsy[/name], Bixie
[name]Elizabeth[/name]- nn [name]Libby[/name], [name]Zibby[/name]
[name]Catherine[/name]- nn [name]Kit[/name]
