[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]