I have four weeks left until my daughter is born. I never would have expected to find naming her so challenging. [name_u]Early[/name_u] on a few names emerged as top choices for various reasons and I’ve been wavering back and forth the whole time. At this point I almost feel like I’ve worn out the whole subject entirely.
The two names I’ve been trying to decide between are [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and [name_u]Avery[/name_u] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]. The names have a totally opposite feel which makes it even harder for me to make a final decision. For some reason [name_u]Avery[/name_u] feels like an easier and safer choice. [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] seems a little more bold in that it is a stronger sounding name and slightly more dated. [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] has been leading for most of the pregnancy, I just can’t get the confidence I need to decide. Feeling like a failure! Any reassuring words or feedback about either name choice would be much appreciated. At this point, I’m set on it being one of the two names so not sure introducing other ideas into the mix would be helpful at this point. More just looking for anyone who can give advice on becoming confident about a name or feedback on my two choices. Thank you!!
You have plenty of time! [name_m]Both[/name_m] choices are lovely, so no harm either way. I’d recommend just detaching a bit and opening your mind to the possibility of either name, or perhaps even an intuition about a different name altogether. [name_m]Just[/name_m] take some time to imagine attending your daughter’s graduation, for instance, and let your imagination fill in the blank on her diploma. If this technique doesn’t work for you, go with the name you’d prefer to have been given.
I love the name [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]. I think it sounds better with [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], and I think you should have a lot of confidence in the name.
I love [name_u]Avery[/name_u], too, and I don’t think you can go wrong. I’m sure you’ll know when you see her!
Chachel: what about the name [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] should give me confidence? I’m leaning toward it but just trying to get rid of these last few bits of insecurity.
Honestly, I think [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is the safer choice. It’s skyrocketing in popularity right now, and unlike [name_u]Avery[/name_u], no one will ever question its gender. (not that I’m bashing [name_u]Avery[/name_u], I actually like [name_u]Avery[/name_u]) Personally, I like [name_u]Avery[/name_u] better, since I seem to hear [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] every way I turn nowadays. I must say, I get the total opposite vibe from each name than you do; [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is dainty and frilly, [name_u]Avery[/name_u] is spunky and a little tough.
They’re completely different in style. [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is a feminine, timeless classic with options for spunky nicknames ([name_f]Char[/name_f], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], [name_f]Lotte[/name_f]). [name_u]Avery[/name_u] has become a unisex name, though traditionally masculine, and seems a bit trendy right now (in US from what I can tell). It has little nickname options.
So I guess it depends what you’re hoping for. I much prefer [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]. (I’m not a fan of [name_u]Avery[/name_u] or unisex names in general.)
Good luck!
I vote [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]! It’s gorgeous. I absolutely love it on a little girl and on an adult woman. [name_u]Avery[/name_u] is cute, but I just can’t see an 80 year old named [name_u]Avery[/name_u].
I personally absolutely love the combos [name_u]Avery[/name_u] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] and [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_u]Avery[/name_u]!
In the United States, [name_u]Avery[/name_u] is the 13th most popular name, and [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is the 19th most popular name.
Whether you choose [name_u]Avery[/name_u] or [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] or both, you can be 100% confident that your daughter will fit in with her peers.
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is such a lovely, classic, feminine name that I can’t imagine you’d ever regret it ! Sure, [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]'s popularity is high in the US right now, but it is such a nice classic that it hardly matters. And it is a name that will take your baby girl nicely through every stage of her life, from infant to grandma via college and job search !
That being said, [name_u]Avery[/name_u] is very nice too, and as someone posted, has a bit more spunk to it, so I don’t think you can go wrong either way. [name_u]Avery[/name_u] just feels a little too trendy and less perennial to me, but like [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], it is also safe but not boring.
I’m also struggling with naming my baby (boy) due in three weeks - DH and I have been going in circles with three names for a couple of weeks now, so I feel your pain. At some point, I think it was actually taking away from the joy of welcoming him soon (and probably the best outlet I’d found for the anxiety of bringing a little person into the world!). We’re still undecided but less tortured about it, and what has helped immensely is :
to have fun with it and write an alternate list with all the guilty pleasure names we can’t use and the names we’d use if we were from another country (we are a trilingual family, which makes our name choice even more difficult…)-> it does actually takes the mind off the conundrum of the actual list to imagine a little [name_m]Fergus[/name_m] or [name_m]Henrik[/name_m] just for a little while …
to just focus on the other baby stuff (I’ve ironed a lot of baby onesies lately, and I know more than I ever thought I would about pelvic muscles!!) and let go of the idea of arriving at the hospital with THE name ready to go on the birth certificate : with [name_u]Avery[/name_u] or [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], you’ll see when you meet her!!
Good luck with the last stretch of pregnancy and the arrival of the little one !
I really do like [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], it’s timeless and gorgeous–a name that will age seamlessly. [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is a lot more feminine and sweet than [name_u]Avery[/name_u] is, along with being a classic and having that sweet yet strong appeal. Plus, [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] has a lot of nickname options ([name_f]Lottie[/name_f], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], [name_f]Char[/name_f], [name_u]Arlo[/name_u]) which make it more attractive, since your little girl can decide on her own identity.
There’s a reason why you’ve loved [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] for most of the pregnancy. It’s the stronger choice.
[name_m]Both[/name_m] are lovely. [name_u]Avery[/name_u] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is pretty and very sweet. [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is very beautiful. I personally would choose [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and call her [name_f]Lottie[/name_f]. I also really like [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_u]Avery[/name_u] and call her Lizbe/Lizby.
I would recommend having at least two options. I prefer [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], but when that little girl comes into the world she may totally scream [name_u]AVERY[/name_u] ! Keep your options open in the event that she doesn’t fit into a name you were so positive would be perfect.
Relax and don’t overstress. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if you don’t have the right name for her on her birthday, that’s ok. Give it a couple weeks. Go with the name that gives you that warm content feeling and not with the one that fearful voice/everyone else is telling you is right. You got this mama
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is an impeccable classic. [name_u]Avery[/name_u] feels very trendy to me and I think you stand more chance of regretting that than something more timeless. [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is so elegant and beautiful.
I know that [name_u]Avery[/name_u] is a variation of [name_m]Alfred[/name_m], so even though it’s used on girls these days, it feels very masculine to me.
But that’s probably not an issue for you.
More pertinent I would think is what others have mentioned: [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] has so many great nickname options (including [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] for a similar masculine-girlie effect as [name_u]Avery[/name_u]) whereas [name_u]Avery[/name_u] would only ever be called [name_u]Avery[/name_u].
Keep your options open in the event that she doesn’t fit into a name you were so positive would be perfect.