[name_f]Alina[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Lina[/name_f], pronounced [name_u]Lee[/name_u]-nah) [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_f]Emma[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Ro[/name_f]) [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] or [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Mari[/name_f]/Mhari, which I know is a Scottish form of [name_f]Mary[/name_f], and is part of the reason I like this name!)
I don’t think it’s all that likely we’ll end up with 6 children… it’s more about having a range to choose from when we actually meet the child. Hopefully one of the three will feel like it “fits” shortly after birth.
All of the names have at least one piece (FN or MN) with layers of family/personal meaning, and the other piece is generally chosen for sound/beauty/linguistic meaning.
I have a few questions as we ponder, though. [name_f]Answer[/name_f] as many as you feel like
What do you think of the sibling set in general? [name_m]Just[/name_m] hypothetically, if you did meet a family with these six names, what would your immediate impressions be?
It’s not impossible that we might have quite a few kids eventually, and any names not used on the first baby would likely be in heavy consideration for the next. After all, I don’t really have favorites among these; I love each one for different reasons.
What do you think of the flow of the names? Any that stand out as particularly awkward? We have a 3 syllable last name, first syllable has the accent, starts with W.
Which do you prefer, [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kendrick[/name_m] or [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m], and why? [name_m]Both[/name_m] mn’s are honor names; so other suggestions are not really useful here.
What do you think of [name_m]Pascal[/name_m], really? I adore this name, partly because my mother’s maiden name was Easterday… if we have a baby boy near [name_f]Easter[/name_f], I will be lobbying hard for little [name_u]Pax[/name_u]! But it’s the least common (in the US) on my list, and my family finds it rather weird. None of them have ever met a [name_m]Pascal[/name_m]. Also, if you wouldn’t mind sharing your own location/background, that would be really helpful on this question.
Which do you prefer, [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] or [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f]? (Or [name_u]Clare[/name_u]) I like both. Unfortunately my [name_f]MIL[/name_f] really dislikes [name_f]Margaret[/name_f], saying it sounds harsh. I see her point, and I like the daisy meaning of [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f], but I think it’s a bit too [name_m]French[/name_m] for me.
Several of our names already have [name_m]French[/name_m] usage/[name_m]French[/name_m] feels, but that’s more or less an accident… we take them from the Dutch/[name_m]German[/name_m] usage. We are Germanic + Scottish in background.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think the mix of linguistic backgrounds is a bit much, or does it feel okay?
[name_m]Silas[/name_m] [name_m]Peter[/name_m] (nn [name_u]Si[/name_u]) - [name_m]Both[/name_m] are two-syllables but I like them together.
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] (nn [name_u]Theo[/name_u]) - Handsome and distinquished.
[name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kendrick[/name_m] or [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m] (nn [name_u]Pax[/name_u]) - I prefer [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m] as it’s a little softer. Other options: [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m]. I knew a [name_m]French[/name_m]-Canadian woman named [name_u]Pascale[/name_u] so I like the name.
Girls:
[name_f]Alina[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Lina[/name_f], pronounced [name_u]Lee[/name_u]-nah) - The flow is good. I like the [name_m]French[/name_m] [name_f]Aline[/name_f] too!
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_f]Emma[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Ro[/name_f]) - These two names blend into each other and [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] as a first name is the odd one out. I would feel like the parents did a 180 degree turn in their naming choice :). [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] would “fit” in better with the other five names.
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] or [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Mari[/name_f]/Mhari, which I know is a Scottish form of [name_f]Mary[/name_f], and is part of the reason I like this name!) - I prefer the [name_m]French[/name_m] [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] better. Many [name_m]French[/name_m] names are pretty well-established in the English speaking world so [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] wouldn’t be unusual.
[name_m]Silas[/name_m], [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], [name_m]Pascal[/name_m], [name_f]Alina[/name_f], [name_f]Emma[/name_f] and [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] would be my favourite sibset. I like [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] but it’s too contemporary and modern to “match” the vintage style of the other names.
I love the name [name_m]Pascal[/name_m], and I agree with [name_u]Mischa[/name_u] about her favorite sibset. I know a [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] in her late 20s who goes my [name_f]Meg[/name_f]. She is of Irish heritage, but her name goes nicely with her last name. It’s a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning. I am a huge fan of [name_m]French[/name_m] names, Like a lot of Americans I am a “mutt” with a mixed Western European background including [name_m]French[/name_m], Dutch, Scottish, Welsh, Belgian and [name_m]German[/name_m] lineage so I find names with an international flair to be quite adaptable here.
[name_m]Silas[/name_m] [name_m]Peter[/name_m] (nn [name_u]Si[/name_u])
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] (nn [name_u]Theo[/name_u])
[name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kendrick[/name_m] or [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m] (nn [name_u]Pax[/name_u])
[name_m]Silas[/name_m] and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] fit so well, but I hesitate a little on [name_m]Pascal[/name_m]. I think it can work, though [name_m]Silas[/name_m], [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], and [name_m]Kendrick[/name_m] fits better for me. Your mileage will vary, of course.
[name_f]Alina[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Lina[/name_f])
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_f]Emma[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Ro[/name_f]) — Agree that [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] seems to suit better
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] or [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Mari[/name_f]/Mhari) — do you mean Mhairi? I like [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] better with [name_m]Silas[/name_m] and [name_u]Theo[/name_u], but [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] ties in the [name_m]French[/name_m] of [name_m]Pascal[/name_m]. I do think it might be a bit much to use a [name_m]French[/name_m] spelling and a completely-non-intuitive Scottish nickname. Especially because, as I understand it, Mhairi and [name_f]Mari[/name_f] are forms of [name_f]Mary[/name_f], not [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]. Of the two, I’d go for the nn [name_f]Mari[/name_f].
I think it fits as a sibset pretty well, and I think each individual name is one that will serve the kid well as a child and an adult. I think you chose well.
[name_m]Pascal[/name_m] and [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f], when I say them, have a slight emphasis on the second syllable. If W—— has a starting emphasis and they has a final emphasis it does run together a smidge. Not a big deal and I wouldn’t let it stop you.
[name_m]Kendrick[/name_m], because I feel it balances [name_m]Pascal[/name_m]'s soft flowiness.
I’m not sure. [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] I know is masculine, and I bet if I met a rosy-cheeked, rough-and-tumble little fellow with this name I’d fall in love. But right now it feels a bit feminine, even though I know it’s not [name_u]Pascale[/name_u]. I’m not opposed to it, I just hesitate. I’m in the US, and I grew up around [name_m]French[/name_m] language and culture a little—language study is my mother’s hobby, and now mine.
My favorite spelling is [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_u]Clare[/name_u], and it doesn’t feel or sound harsh when I say it.
Several of our names already have [name_m]French[/name_m] usage/[name_m]French[/name_m] feels, but that’s more or less an accident… we take them from the Dutch/[name_m]German[/name_m] usage. We are Germanic + Scottish in background.
It’s a little much, but it’s okay. The ones that had me raising my eyebrows were [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] and Mhairi. I really do think Mhairi for [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] is a bit much.
What do you think of the sibling set in general? [name_m]Just[/name_m] hypothetically, if you did meet a family with these six names, what would your immediate impressions be? I think [name_m]Silas[/name_m], [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] and [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] go together beautifully. And [name_m]Pascal[/name_m], [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] and [name_f]Alina[/name_f] go together well also. The 2 groups don’t flow perfectly together stylistically but they aren’t bad. If I met a family with all of these names I’d be a bit surprised at the variety, if it was just a portion – [name_m]Silas[/name_m] and [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] for example I’d love it!
What do you think of the flow of the names? Any that stand out as particularly awkward? We have a 3 syllable last name, first syllable has the accent, starts with W. [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kendrick[/name_m] is a bit K heavy. Something like [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Hendrick[/name_m] might flow a bit better. [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Winslow[/name_u] is rather W heavy.
Which do you prefer, [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kendrick[/name_m] or [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m], and why? [name_m]Both[/name_m] mn’s are honor names; so other suggestions are not really useful here. [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m] because of the double rather than triple K sound.
What do you think of [name_m]Pascal[/name_m], really? I’m in [name_u]California[/name_u]. It’s definitely different and I’ve never met one, but it’s not completely insane. I’d rather meet a [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] than an Ayidyn.
Which do you prefer, [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] or [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f]? both are pretty, but they have very different feels. I don’t find [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] harsh and I do find [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] frilly, so I guess it’s just finding what’s the most important to you.
Thank you everyone! Your responses really helped, and I’ve been mulling over things for a few days… I think I have a better understanding of my/our own style now. [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] is definitely a bit out of place, especially when I look at historical usage, but I just loved it so much that it was hard to give up. Same with [name_m]Pascal[/name_m], I guess- I think it can work, but it’s better as a middle.
I definitely over-complicate things by insisting that each possible name be very very distinct. It’s especially difficult because many of my favorite names sound quite similar to each other. But I refuse to use the same beginning or ending letter, and I don’t even really want boys or girls to share the same middle initials. (I have no idea why it’s okay across genders. It’s just my craziness.)
And to top it all off, I care a lot about meaning, including religious + personal/family associations.
I’m just a wee bit hesitant about [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] because I’m not in love with the meaning, but I can’t find anything else that fits quite as well. Still open to suggestions for that one!
Oh, one more thing- I think I might have confused people with my talks of nicknames for [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]… I definitely would not use the Scottish Mhairi as pronounced Vah-ree; that was an accident! What I meant is that I would likely use the first syllable of [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] and attached an -ee to it, therefore [name_f]Mari[/name_f]… not that weird, I think? It seems like a pretty intuitive homemade nickname, even for [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f]. I happen to like the sound better than [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] or [name_f]Meg[/name_f] (standard nicknames that deviate quite a bit more from the actual, original name!).
As for the Scottish talk, I just meant to say I’m aware that the resulting sound IS quite similar to the Scottish name [name_f]Mairi[/name_f], another form of [name_f]Mary[/name_f]. I think this is a neat little connection, given our Scottish heritage, but it’s mostly just a coincidence.
What do you think of the sibling set in general? [name_m]Just[/name_m] hypothetically, if you did meet a family with these six names, what would your immediate impressions be?
[name_f]Alina[/name_f] seems to stick out quite a bit, the boy set is spot on
What do you think of the flow of the names? Any that stand out as particularly awkward? We have a 3 syllable last name, first syllable has the accent, starts with W.
[name_m]Pascal[/name_m] is a lil awkward, too clunky & [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] for a girl, plus the double W sound with the last name
also, you are forcing [name_u]Pax[/name_u] out of this name, the sound really isnt there
Which do you prefer, [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kendrick[/name_m] or [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m], and why? [name_m]Both[/name_m] mn’s are honor names; so other suggestions are not really useful here.
[name_m]Kendrick[/name_m], different and strong
What do you think of [name_m]Pascal[/name_m], really?
as above it is very awkward sounding, very clunky. would prefer to see a child literally named Passover just since it is more pleasing to the ear.
Which do you prefer, [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] or [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f]? (Or [name_u]Clare[/name_u]) I like both. Unfortunately my [name_f]MIL[/name_f] really dislikes [name_f]Margaret[/name_f], saying it sounds harsh. I see her point, and I like the daisy meaning of [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f], but I think it’s a bit too [name_m]French[/name_m] for me.
[name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f]. [name_f]Margarita[/name_f] would be too much but [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] is elegant - therefore it need the elegant spelling of [name_f]Claire[/name_f] - not stale 90s [name_u]Clare[/name_u]
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think the mix of linguistic backgrounds is a bit much, or does it feel okay
no, none of them (besides [name_u]Rowan[/name_u]) stick out too much, they arent clearly representing a culture like [name_m]Jose[/name_m] or [name_m]Giovanni[/name_m] would
[name_f]Alina[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] - still dont see how [name_f]Alina[/name_f] fits, the other two have the ‘old lady’ feel…and not in a good way
[name_f]Rosamond[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] - feels like grandmothers heavy stuffy fur coat - try Rosavine or [name_f]Rosemarie[/name_f]
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_u]Clare[/name_u] - i like [name_f]Maggie[/name_f], but not [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] and together with [name_f]Rosamond[/name_f] your girl sibset feels bogged down - much prefer [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] - its not too much, [name_f]Margarita[/name_f] would be
also [name_f]Mari[/name_f]/Mhari does not seem like the nickname for either of these names, while there may be name ties too [name_f]Mary[/name_f], the sound just isnt there
I really love [name_f]Alina[/name_f] and don’t want to change it… it started out as a compromise because my first loves ([name_f]Adelaide[/name_f], [name_f]Adele[/name_f], etc) all contain the “del” sound, and that’s a prominent part of our surname. [name_f]Alina[/name_f] is a diminutive of the [name_f]Adeline[/name_f] group, in addition to being a Slavic and Arabic name.
After thinking about it, I found that I really like the nn “[name_f]Lena[/name_f],” and I discovered that [name_f]Alina[/name_f] is also Romanian for “to soothe, comfort.” It has such a range of gorgeous meanings across many languages and cultures.
However, I thought it had been in use for quite a while, and now I’m having trouble finding data to back that up… frustrating~!
What would you pair with [name_f]Alina[/name_f], if that were the starting point? (For girls… I am not sure my girl and boy names will ever be perfect stylistic matches, but I think that’s okay. I like sturdier, simpler names for boys, and slightly more eccentric ones for girls.)
Other girl names I love: Mariana, Evangeline, Della, Delphine (out for the sounds), Amalia, Katharina/Kate, Magdalena, May, most Rose- names, Johanna, Charlotte, Dahlia
[name_f]Rosamond[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] - lovely! I like this combo a lot
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_u]Clare[/name_u] - still like this one
[name_f]Alina[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] - it sounds like you’ve thought a lot about this one. I guess the reason I’m not so fond of [name_f]Alina[/name_f] is that it feels like one of a crowd of similar names (Alyiah, [name_f]Elena[/name_f], Alainna, etc…on and on with various combinations of [name_m]Al[/name_m] and [name_f]El[/name_f] ending in the -a sound. It is a pretty sounding name, but it just doesn’t feel special to me because there are so many like it. [name_f]Helena[/name_f] would be my only suggestion, but it doesn’t have the other things you like. [name_f]Alina[/name_f] [name_f]Delphine[/name_f] sounds nice or [name_f]Alina[/name_f] [name_f]Katherine[/name_f].
Boys:
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] - lovely
[name_m]Silas[/name_m] Emerick - oh, I like this a lot! I much prefer that to [name_m]Kendrick[/name_m]
[name_m]Joseph[/name_m] [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] - this is nice. [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] is a great steady name, but if you’re not sure what about [name_m]Josiah[/name_m]?
I think I have a better understanding of my/our own style now. [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] is definitely a bit out of place, especially when I look at historical usage, but I just loved it so much that it was hard to give up. Same with [name_m]Pascal[/name_m], I guess- I think it can work, but it’s better as a middle.