After years of trying to convince SO to consider my beloved [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f], he finally agreed. For me, it has replaced [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] [name_f]Ada[/name_f] as our top name for a future daughter, but he’s still pretty set on [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]. We’ll see.
The problem now is the middle name. I love how [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Ada[/name_f] looks, and [name_f]Ada[/name_f] is one of the few names SO loves, but I also think it sounds a little weird. Too many repeating sounds. Our next choice is [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]. We both love [name_f]Alice[/name_f], but I think it looks weird. Not that that really matters, it isn’t like I’ll be writing out her name just for kicks her entire life.
We’re looking for a more traditional name that starts with A, because my SO likes the idea of her initials spelling ZAP. I think it’s pretty cute. Any comments and opinions are appreciated. What do you think of [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]?
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] has the best flow.
I understand wanting to use your absolute favorite name [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f], and how great that must feel that you may get to use it. I also see your SO’s side. It seems like you’re not really giving your SO a choice. It sounds like he feels pressured to give in or you’ll be upset. Of course it is your and SO’s business how you make the decision. If I were in your shoes, I would only use a name we both felt OK about, even if it wasn’t my favorite. You can always use [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] as a sweet and quirky middle ([name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] has a cute and quirky feel), or you can use [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] as a offbeat nickname for [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f].
My favorite option is [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f], nicknamed [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f].
raqkel - I didn’t badger him relentlessly for years. He likes [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f], he just had some trouble imagining it on an adult. We considered [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] as a nickname or [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], but it just seemed like too much of a stretch. Thank you for your input!
Not a fan of either. Sorry. I can see the appeal of [name_f]Alice[/name_f], although I’m not a fan of it myself, but I don’t get [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] at all.
the problem isnt imagining it on an adult its believing an adult would ever want to be called [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] for eternity.
there is also the connotation of the Zhuzhu pet craze.
to make sure your child has options, plus give the name better flow, go with [name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] or even [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f]?
my husband goes by his middle name and its never been that big of a problem.
plus this way if the cute factor wears off or gets tiring for your child it easier for them to transition to the first name instead of the other way around. the fact that your SO has taken so long to come around means theres probably a good reason. hearing your view on it all the time most likely made is seem more normal.
it doesnt feel like a ‘name thats just not for everyone’ at all. its BEYOND quirky or different like [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], its at the point where people question its legitimacy. it IS a great name! but only in theory, fiction, and sadly jokes.
i think a lot of time we get lost in names we love and dont truly admit to ourselves or consider if we are really doing whats best in naming another person.
it really sounds like you are set, but hope you can think past what you want and think about what your child, not just as a cute little girl, but as a woman, mother, and professional would want to be called by her friends, husband, and boss.
I’ll be honest I’m not a fan of [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] as it feels like a nickname. I however love [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] which is unusual but very beautiful. Could [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] be a nickname? Whilst it is absolutely none of my business I struggle to see [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] on an adult. Sorry
I loved [name_f]Alice[/name_f], for a long time. But i notice a LOT of little girls being called that lately. Would you consider maybe changing it a bit?
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Elise[/name_f]?
This has probably already been suggested, but have you considered [name_f]Zuzana[/name_f] or [name_f]Zuzanna[/name_f]? ([name_f]Zuzana[/name_f]/[name_f]Zuzanna[/name_f] is the Slavic version of [name_f]Susanna[/name_f].) It would still give you the [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] nickname with a little bit more oomph. I can see why you love [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] - the little girl in It’s a Wonderful Life is so iconic.
bluejuniper - Great combos! I like [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Aveline[/name_f], [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Audra[/name_f], [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Amelia[/name_f], [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] Adalind, and [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Alessa[/name_f]. I am absolutely smitten with [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f], and [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] was one of SO’s grandmothers, but it’s a celebrity name. I can never remember which celebrity or what she does ([name_f]Tania[/name_f] [name_m]Peterson[/name_m] from Top Chef), and I don’t know if that matters. Thank you so much!
thenoona - [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Elise[/name_f] is adorable! It breaks the ZAP initials, but we will absolutely consider it.
orphanedhanyou, legalbeagle, and namenerdia - I know it isn’t for everyone, but thank you for your replies. We really want to keep [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] as [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f], we know it’s technically a nickname, but that’s a big part of the reason we want to use it. It’s the same reason we wanted to use [name_f]Vivi[/name_f] as just [name_f]Vivi[/name_f]. I don’t think [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] is very different than [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] was 30 years ago, although a little further off the charts, or would be taken any better by more traditional namers than [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]. It’s a name that I truly love and that my SO is willing to consider, mostly depending on what the hypothetical baby seems like. Thanks again for your input!
I think that you should call your little girl a name you love and if people judge you for it then it says more about them than you! [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] is very cute and I think a name starting with A is ideal. Here are some ideas:
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Adele[/name_f]
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Avalyn[/name_f] ([name_f]Love[/name_f] this!)
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Amanda[/name_f]
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f]
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Alexa[/name_f]
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] Annalese
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Anthea[/name_f]
Thank you for your suggestions and support with this name choice. [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] is gorgeous! I also like [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f], [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Alexa[/name_f], and [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Anthea[/name_f].
[name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] is too out-there for me. I think you need to pair [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] with something more recognizable. I actually really like [name_f]Alice[/name_f], and I wouldn’t worry about it being overly popular when its in such an unusual pairing.
I don’t like [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] especially with [name_f]Ada[/name_f]. It sounds like a place in [name_f]Africa[/name_f]. I guess my pick would be [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f].
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Adela[/name_f]
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Alina[/name_f]
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_f]Anais[/name_f]
[name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] [name_u]Angel[/name_u] - which was the name of a Brazilian fashion designer in the 1960s.
I would consider going by [name_f]Zuzanna[/name_f] as someone sugested, or maybe [name_f]Zuleika[/name_f]. They both are nice and would fit a grown up better. I get why you’d like calling your kid [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f], it sounds cute, but maybe cute is not what she would like to be perceived like when she’s an adult.
I don’t think [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f] is too out there. I know grown women named [name_f]Cricket[/name_f], [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] and [name_f]Sissy[/name_f]. If your kid finds that she hates her name, she can use her middle as her “professional” name. Also- I love the suggestion of [name_f]Zuleika[/name_f]
