Having second thoughts, girl due in March

Girl Names
1

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] Nameberries,
[name_u]Haven[/name_u]'t been around much since [name_m]Eric[/name_m] [name_m]Charles[/name_m] was born a while ago!
We’re expecting our second and final child, a girl. I always thought that I’d name my daughter [name_f]Linnea[/name_f], but now I’m having second thoughts.

I have always loved my name. I was [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] 30+ years before the princess, and both names are for strong wonderful women in my family. I love the history of my name, I love the elegance of my name, and I love that it travels well - people have heard it, know it - I still have to spell it (particularly at Starbucks) but I don’t have to explain it. [name_m]Eric[/name_m] works the same way, my father’s name [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] works the same way - and all of these names are good because we had classics when those particular names were not on trend.

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is lesser-known. It’s an old name, but it doesn’t travel as well. We just lived for five years in [name_f]France[/name_f] and every [name_m]French[/name_m] person I’ve presented it to draws a blank face when I try it out. DH [name_m]Andrew[/name_m] still prefers it to most of the alternatives I’ve come up with but [name_m]Eric[/name_m] hates it. He is pulling strongly for [name_f]Louise[/name_f], the number one name in [name_f]France[/name_f], which is his frame of reference. Close friends of ours, sorta the trendsetters in our little [name_m]French[/name_m] town, have already used [name_f]Louise[/name_f] so that is awkward, though I’d really like to use it as the middle name because many strong women in both families have [name_f]Louise[/name_f] there, and also [name_m]Eric[/name_m] will be happy.

Names I’m considering:

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] - hesitating, [name_m]French[/name_m] nickname would be “[name_f]Lilou[/name_f]” which people love, but I worry is too juvenile
[name_f]Laura[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] - [name_f]Laura[/name_f] used by neighbors
[name_u]Andrea[/name_u] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] - Already have an [name_u]Andrea[/name_u] in the distant family but with same last name, father [name_m]Andrew[/name_m] is the one who objects and prefers [name_f]Linnea[/name_f]

The rest of my list is largely taken - non-trending but classic is a small slice to begin with…

[name_f]Juliette[/name_f] - taken
[name_f]Madeline[/name_f] - my father’s third wife (of five)
[name_f]Claire[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] - my new niece
[name_f]Rachel[/name_f] - taken
[name_f]Anna[/name_f] - taken
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] - taken
[name_f]Katharine[/name_f] - taken
[name_f]Giselle[/name_f] - this fits my criteria but as a ballet dancer it has too much baggage
[name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] - another niece
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] is nice but [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] isn’t nice with our last name
[name_f]Emma[/name_f], [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] - all too trendy

I had so hoped for a name we love by now. She may just end up “[name_f]Lilou[/name_f]”, but I would love any brainstorming to break out of this box.

[name_u]Love[/name_u] to hear your thoughts!
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]

2

Let me start off by saying that your name is wonderful! It is so graceful and classic. Linnea is very pretty. Linnea Louise is beautiful, and the alliterations sounds charming. And Lilou is an adorable nickname! Louise is also very nice as a first name, but if the popularity in France is too high for your liking, I can recommend Lucy, Lucia, Lucianna, Lucille or even Lucinda. These names are quite similar and are lovely. Perhaps the best name I can recommend for you though, is Leonore. I absolutely love Leonore! It’s a short and sweet version of Eleanor, that still has the classy charm but also is a bit quirky. It’s also quite similar to Linnea! I think it goes very well with your name, and Eric and Leonore make an adorable sibset! Other variations include Lenore, Leonora, Eleanor and Eleanora, which are all very elegant. Good luck! :slight_smile:

3

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] is stunning and it is the one I think you should use. It seems like it is your first love and in my experience working in a school, when there is a child with a name others weren’t sure how to pronounce, they just asked one time and all was fine. If you choose [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] I find [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] a cute nickname, but if you prefer others use [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] do you feel they would use it if you introduced her as such?

4

I feel confident that she could be [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] in [name_u]America[/name_u]. In [name_f]France[/name_f] it will be hit or miss, but I think I’d be ok with [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] up to the age when she’s going to be choosing for herself anyway. We already have a [name_f]Lynne[/name_f] in the family, so we’d want to guard against [name_f]Lin[/name_f] as a nickname for [name_f]Linnea[/name_f], a little cousin is [name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] and is quite insistent that people don’t assign her nicknames. That is one my syllable so I think we probably can hold out for [name_f]Linnea[/name_f].

I love [name_f]Lenora[/name_f], but [name_m]Eric[/name_m]'s godmother’s daughter is [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] ([name_f]Ellie[/name_f]) and my closest work colleague’s daughter is [name_f]Nora[/name_f] so it feels a little close to names that are already used. This is what I get for having my children later than my friends!

5

I think [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] is the perfect choice for you. It’s your long time love and your husband loves it.

6

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] nn [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] is just too precious. I love it! :slight_smile:

7

Your name is very pretty. Would you consider giving your daughter [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] for a middle name, especially since you gave [name_m]Charles[/name_m] as a middle name to your son? I think [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] or [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] would be very pretty. I don’t particularly like [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] or [name_f]Louise[/name_f].

8

I did consider it, but it is trendy now and we’ve already used [name_m]Charles[/name_m] for that reason. Seems a bit selfish to name both children for me! That is how I came to [name_u]Andrea[/name_u], since Dad has been somewhat left out, but he rejected it. His middle is [name_m]Carl[/name_m], though his mother wanted [name_m]Charles[/name_m], so we’ve sorta included him with the [name_m]Charles[/name_m], and that is 6 generations in a row on that side of the family with [name_m]Charles[/name_m]-[name_m]Carl[/name_m]-[name_f]Carol[/name_f]-etc. (if you’re flexible with the format of the name).

Our last name is a mouthful, three syllables starting with T so [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] T-- would be a lot of name. I would like to honor a [name_f]Jacqueline[/name_f] but have the same reservation that it just leads to so much name.

9

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] is stunning and I love [name_f]Lilou[/name_f]!

10

I think you should definitely go with [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f], it’s such a beautiful name! The alliteration is lovely, it has a nice flow and [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] is an adorable nickname! I agree that [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] as a first name is too juvenile but as a nn it’s sooo beautiful and no problem at all!

11

Another vote for [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f]. It’s unique but classy, and [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] is cute without being over the top. If you don’t want [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] to happen you could do [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Jacqueline[/name_f] which is also nice. I like [name_f]Jacqueline[/name_f] as a first too – it looks long but is easy to say. [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] feels more modern though.

I don’t think you should worry too much about your son’s opinion since it is not his name and his tastes will change over time while his sister will have the name forever. Maybe you can buy him a fish or something to name…

12

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] is great and will your daughter always live in [name_f]France[/name_f]? Maybe it’s not that important of a consideration when one thinks long term.

13

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] is gorgeous

Similar names that come to mind:
[name_u]Eloise[/name_u]
[name_f]Elise[/name_f]
[name_f]Alissa[/name_f]
[name_u]Linden[/name_u]
[name_f]Leora[/name_f]
[name_f]Eliora[/name_f]

14

I think you should go with the name you love. [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is sweet, [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] will grow with her and [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] is perfect for a spunky, young nn. Your post resonated with me because I felt so unsure of committing to my first daughter’s name - [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f]. It seemed so big and so different than anything around me. My husband was not on board - he wanted a familiar name, but all those I liked were taken. I took a deep breath and went for it and haven’t regretted it for a minute. I’m glad she’s not one of the two other [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]'s in her preschool class (adore the name!) and I’ve encountered a handful of Vivians in the past 3.5 years too. Her name truly fits her - my younger daughter is [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] and I can’t imagine switching their names, given their personalities.
The only other suggestions I have that seem similar but maybe more familiar would be [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] or [name_f]Lena[/name_f]. Either could be a nn from a longer name ([name_f]Elena[/name_f], [name_f]Helena[/name_f], [name_f]Luciana[/name_f])
Good luck!!

15

[name_f]Lilou[/name_f] is hovering around the top 10 or 20 in [name_f]France[/name_f] afaik. It’s definitely trending! This may or may not put you off.
Classic non-trending name that work in [name_m]French[/name_m] or English:
[name_f]Susan[/name_f] / [name_f]Suzanne[/name_f] / [name_f]Susannah[/name_f]
[name_f]Victoria[/name_f]
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Caroline[/name_f]
[name_u]Julie[/name_u] / [name_f]Julia[/name_f]
[name_f]Diane[/name_f] / [name_f]Diana[/name_f]
[name_f]Angela[/name_f] / [name_f]Angeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Rachel[/name_f]
[name_f]Stephanie[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] /[name_f]Margaux[/name_f]
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f] / Noémie
Béatrice
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]/ [name_f]Lucie[/name_f]
[name_f]Amy[/name_f] / aimée

16

I think [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] travels reasonably well, although it is not common. [name_u]True[/name_u], it doesn’t seem to have received much use in [name_f]France[/name_f], but it is easily pronounced in [name_m]French[/name_m] and most other European languages I can think of and fits in not only with the [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] and [name_f]Louise[/name_f] crowd, but also Léa, which is a name I often hear used among [name_m]French[/name_m] couples of my acquaintance. I think it hits a nice place where it fits seamlessly into modern trends, but is not trendy itself.

I could see it being the kind of name that gets blank looks at Starbucks, but I also think it’s a mistake to use Starbucks as the benchmark (they are famous for being able to butcher even the most common names).

17

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] is such a beautiful combo! It seems a shame to shorten such a striking, elegant name as [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] but [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] definitely works if you like it. It is very trendy and considered a little bit “bobo” in [name_f]France[/name_f], I think, but it’s undeniably sweet.

You seem to like traditional but not over-popular, and feminine but not over-frilly. Here are a few more suggestions:

[name_f]Esther[/name_f]
[name_f]Clara[/name_f]
[name_f]Cassia[/name_f]
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
[name_f]Athena[/name_f]
[name_u]Simone[/name_u]
[name_f]Adele[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]
[name_f]Mathilde[/name_f]
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f]
[name_f]Ramona[/name_f]
[name_f]Frida[/name_f]
[name_f]Salome[/name_f]
[name_f]Cecile[/name_f]/[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]
[name_f]Viveca[/name_f]
[name_f]Eleni[/name_f]

18

[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f] ‘[name_f]Lilou[/name_f]’ is just gorgeous and I really hope you do stick with it regardless of the negative feelings of others surrounding your beloved [name_f]Linnea[/name_f]. [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is lovely, and once your little girl’s named and it’s being used, it will fit her beautifully and no-one will give you blank stares as little [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] will own her name. I love that your son, her big brother, would get his desired name in there too, and that the [name_m]French[/name_m] culture you’ve been apart of has a great nod in there too with [name_f]Lilou[/name_f]. Sounds a pretty darn perfect name for your little gem, to me.

19

I think [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] will work out fine in [name_f]France[/name_f]. The name [name_f]Lina[/name_f] is in the top 10 and sounds similar

20

I love [name_f]France[/name_f], but the [name_m]French[/name_m] can be quite direct, by anglo sensibilities, regarding things that they find, um, irregular. Thank you all for your feedback, it helps to get outsider’s perspective!