You’ve got the idea. I was more trying to distinguish them from some of the lesser-heard names of actual women–[name_f]Zipporah[/name_f], [name_f]Jerusha[/name_f], [name_f]Keturah[/name_f], and the like. My husband tends to not like that flavor of Bible name for some reason, and I’m too adventurous for [name_f]Rachel[/name_f] and [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f].
I probably prefer [name_f]Iona[/name_f] to [name_f]Geneva[/name_f] and drawing attention to a lesser known is a nice thought; I was just not sure how ‘[name_m]Christian[/name_m] sounding’ a name you wanted.
I’m more drawn to a great story than a [name_m]Christian[/name_m] “sound” if that makes sense. Both of these place names have that–it’s just that [name_f]Iona[/name_f] would be the less familiar. I’m not sure if I’m that adventurous, though. I’d be more comfortable if I could come up with a more accessible nickname, and so would my husband.
Out of the three - [name_f]Iona[/name_f], [name_f]Geneva[/name_f] and [name_f]Verity[/name_f] - [name_f]Iona[/name_f] is possibly the least commonly used still. (And, if it is not common in your circles, and you really like it, you might want to snap it up, LOL!!!)
That’s what I was thinking, too! I know that some people will probably say, “huh?”, but I’d like to think that there would be enough who would say “wow!” and wish they had thought of it first. LOL
[name_f]Iona[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] is my absolute favorite, it is so unique and beautiful. However, [name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] sounds the most [name_m]Christian[/name_m] which is important to you and is also very pretty.
That was almost our last baby’s name, by default, because we never could agree on a girl’s name. Thankfully he was a boy, or he may have waited a while to have a name. LOL
I suppose [name_f]Iona[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] could be simply [name_f]Jane[/name_f] or [name_f]Janie[/name_f] as a nickname…maybe? I hadn’t thought of that until just now. Hmmmm…
I love them all! Out of curiosity, what are the [name_m]Christian[/name_m] significance(s) behind [name_f]Iona[/name_f], [name_f]Serena[/name_f], and [name_f]Geneva[/name_f]? I think they’re all brilliant names, but I can’t make the connect. Although the [name_m]Christian[/name_m] schools I attended emphasized the church history of my denomination, rather than Protestant Christianity in general, for the most part, so it may have some ties to the martyrs during the Dark Ages that I’m unfamiliar with? I keep thinking that [name_f]Iona[/name_f] was the island [name_m]John[/name_m] was secluded on, but it’s not–that was Patmos. I’m just wondering what I’m missing here!
I think I would rank them:
[name_f]Magdalena[/name_f]
[name_f]Verity[/name_f]/[name_f]Serena[/name_f] (a tie for me! I can’t decide which I prefer!)
[name_f]Iona[/name_f]
[name_f]Geneva[/name_f]
[name_f]Iona[/name_f] has a fascinating history that isn’t commonly known. In the 6th century, there was a thriving [name_m]Christian[/name_m] community there that had their own schools and missionaries, and refused to submit to the authority of the pope. This is the lecture that made me fall in love with the name: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=221122353557
[name_f]Serena[/name_f] is a subtle virtue name, meaning “peace”.
[name_f]Geneva[/name_f], Switzerland was a haven amidst intense persecution for protestant Christians during the Reformation [name_f]Era[/name_f]. It’s slowly becoming popular among Reformed believers.
Well, off to a midwife appointment–thanks for your reply!
Considering your other children all have names found in the Bible, it depends on whether you want to continue this “pattern” in the sib-set or not. I know this does not matter to some. But, if it does to you, [name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] is your only (current) option.
If an “odd name” in the sib-set does not bother you, any of the others will work. And, if the names of your two daughters are not evidently linked to the Bible, even if this name is the “odd one out,” it may not appear to be so. If you would prefer more spiritual depth and history, more oomph and concrete/tangible substance to the name, then [name_f]Iona[/name_f] or [name_f]Geneva[/name_f]. If a pretty name rich in spiritual connotation, then [name_f]Verity[/name_f] or [name_f]Serena[/name_f].
I’m going to hazard a guess (but I could be totally wrong) that names with “more” to them are more your style…So, [name_f]Magdalena[/name_f], [name_f]Iona[/name_f] or [name_f]Geneva[/name_f] over [name_f]Verity[/name_f] and [name_f]Serena[/name_f]. (But, it really depends on what middle names you paired with [name_f]Verity[/name_f] and [name_f]Serena[/name_f].)
I’m not sure if I am making any sense! :rolleyes:
If you don’t mind my asking, how long until number 6 arrives?
I love [name_f]Magdalen[/name_f], but find [name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] a little over the top for my taste (a little drama queenish). I also love [name_f]Meg[/name_f] as a nickname.
[name_f]Verity[/name_f] is an incredible name, and [name_f]Vera[/name_f] might be a nice nickname.
[name_f]Iona[/name_f], the sacred Hebridean island, lovely choice.
[name_f]Geneva[/name_f], one of my all-time favorites.
[name_f]Serena[/name_f] to me does not fit with the rest of the list, but I think it’s b/c I just like it less. It feels kind of new age to me and not my style.
I don’t think [name_f]Iona[/name_f] or [name_f]Geneva[/name_f] would sound like the “odd name out”. [name_f]Verity[/name_f] or [name_f]Serena[/name_f] might. Especially [name_f]Serena[/name_f].
I’m going to hazard a guess (but I could be totally wrong) that names with “more” to them are more your style…
Definitely!
If you don’t mind my asking, how long until number 6 arrives?
We have until [name_f]October[/name_f], but I tend to feel a lot more peaceful if I have names nailed down early on. Since we don’t plan on learning the gender, we need to find a boy’s name, too. Usually that has been easier, but not this time.
[name_f]Serena[/name_f] [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f] (I like it)
[name_f]Verity[/name_f] [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] (I do not like it but it fits)
[name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] [name_f]Elaine[/name_f] (I do not like it but it fits)
[name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] -this is my favorite for you. I think it’s just gorgeous!
[name_f]Verity[/name_f] [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f] - guh! I love love love this name. I don’t think DH would go for it, but [name_f]Verity[/name_f] just keeps creeping higher on my list. It sounds beautiful with [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f].
[name_f]Geneva[/name_f] [name_f]Elaine[/name_f] - love [name_f]Geneva[/name_f]! It would be near the top of my list if I could use it. I don’t love [name_f]Elaine[/name_f] as much as your other middle options, but it’s the only one that really sounds nice with [name_f]Geneva[/name_f].
[name_f]Serena[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] - meh, okay. I don’t really know how this is connected to Christianity but it’s an okay name
[name_f]Iona[/name_f] - I don’t know how this is connected to Christianity. I have a hard time with onomatopoeia type names, I just hear “I own a”
I think [name_f]Magdalena[/name_f], [name_f]Iona[/name_f] and [name_f]Geneva[/name_f] have great potential for you. And, maybe [name_f]Verity[/name_f]. Potential in the sib-set, potential with your faith, potential with the circles your daughter will grow up in, and potential with the hopes/prayers you would have for her and her life, potential in the sense that these names have the sense of being set apart (following?). I think Serena lacks this potential.
For me it’s a tie between Magdalena Elaine and Magdalena Jane. Magdalena Evelyn is also nice. Iona works with all four middle names! Geneva is best with Elaine or Jane. It also works with Evelyn but I’m not sure about the double ‘v’ it creates. Verity is nice with Jane or Elaine. It also works with Genevieve, but again, I’m not sure about the double ‘v.’
I wondered how you were going with a boy’s list! As I often think they are easier than girl’s. Lol!
I’ve never heard anyone say that [name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] sounded “drama queen”. Is it the 4 syllables? We have a one-syllable last name, so long names don’t sound as long on us. Ending with -en instead of -ena would sound pretty abrupt with our surname.
I agree with all of this. I kind of think I’m at a point where my hubby just needs to pick one.
I wondered how you were going with a boy’s list! As I often think they are easier than girl’s. Lol!
The boys names have been easier every other time! The problem is, my hubby really upped the ante on me, saying that our youngest/third boy’s name was my “best name choice yet”, so the pressure is on! The two that I’m most in love with are names he’s already said “no” to in previous pregnancies, and I can’t for the life of me come up with anything else to swoon over.
I’m going to head over to the boys’ side and look for your comment!
I was more trying to distinguish them from some of the lesser-heard names of actual women–[name_f]Zipporah[/name_f], [name_f]Jerusha[/name_f], [name_f]Keturah[/name_f], and the like. My husband tends to not like that flavor of Bible name for some reason, and I’m too adventurous for [name_f]Rachel[/name_f] and [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f].
