Help me narrow down my MASSIVE list! (Part 1: A-G)

Girl Baby Names
#21

I suggest keeping [name_u]Alder[/name_u] on your list! I love the connection to the trees on your property, it makes it a sort of family name for everyone. Beautiful, and also a nice name in general. I have a feeling I’ll be pushing for this one throughout and see it going well in a double middle name. The -er ending might not work for a first name when you have it in the surname.

I really love [name_f]Bianca[/name_f] and I’ll champion it if you want me too, it’s so great, but it also is a bit different in style than some of your names. For example, [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] is not for me, but it does seem to be at the center of your taste.

Also I think [name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f] should stay on your list at least for now! A very exciting name that has the qualities you’re looking for, and for me I feel a “wow” factor just seeing it and thinking about it

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#22

How exciting for you and your family, and what a show-stopping list!

I’m going to choose my top 10 for you from each of your three posts, since you want to arrive at around 30 names. When I’ve gone through your whole list, I’ll give my top 30 favourites :slight_smile: [name_f]My[/name_f] top 10 and ultimate top 30 will only be for first names, but I’ll suggest what I think you should keep in the bag for middles, and at the end I’ll throw some combos together.

As someone born with an uncommon (if beautiful) name that was incredibly difficult for people to spell/pronounce, my suggestions are coloured by that experience. I ended up legally changing my name to a nickname variant because it became so depersonalising to have people constantly get my name wrong. This is something I’d consider since many of your options are more ‘out there’ - which, don’t get me wrong, I love! But I feel it’s just an important disclaimer for why I’ve seconded the more intuitive options you have.

Favs for a first name: (not in any particular order)

  1. [name_u]Alder[/name_u] - you’ve been making posts about [name_u]Alder[/name_u] since last year (at least) and it seems like you’ve loved it for a while. It’s also a great non-binary option.

  2. [name_f]Avalon[/name_f] - I know I’m being biased here but this is one of my favourite names, and I love that it has such ancient, mystical, celtic vibes while still being accessible and intuitive.

  3. [name_f]Asherah[/name_f] - I love, love, love the meaning this holds and the fact that it also honours a
    close friend. This is an incredibly powerful name.

Flush it. As a fellow pagan with conservative [name_u]Christian[/name_u] family members, my opinion is that their personal religious views should hold no sway in the naming of your child. I’d completely scrap this downside and use this name if you want to. It’s gorgeous!

  1. [name_f]Belladonna[/name_f] - it’s one of your personal favourites as well as being a bonafide bad-a$$ in every way :wink: Again, intuitive to spell/pronounce, yet incredibly uncommon, beautiful and feminine but with an unexpected bada$$ meaning, strong yet gentle. Also a Tolkien connection here as [name_f]Belladonna[/name_f] is the mother of [name_m]Bilbo[/name_m] Baggins. [name_u]Love[/name_u], love, love.

  2. [name_f]Celeste[/name_f]/Celestia/Celestine - I’ve never liked that this name rhymes with m0leste, but that’s just a personal association. I like [name_f]Celestia[/name_f] for you, but you seem held back by the [name_f]My[/name_f] [name_m]Little[/name_m] Pony thing (which I never would have connected, for what it’s worth). Maybe they’ll really love [name_f]My[/name_f] [name_m]Little[/name_m] Pony as a kid and would like to see their name in it! I would go with the variants [name_f]Celestine[/name_f] or [name_f]Celestia[/name_f] (personal fav) which are both amazing. When I hear [name_f]Celestia[/name_f] I think of the whole universe. It’s a really powerful name.

  3. [name_f]Cosima[/name_f] - Any name that activates your synaesthesia in such a beautiful way is worth considering! I also get the same image from this name and it’s why I love it too. Another one that’s fairly intuitive while still being magical, mythological and vast.

  4. [name_f]Cynara[/name_f] - I also get swans here! It’s the Cygne association. This is another intuitive gem that is underused. I love the way this sounds with your surname.

  5. [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] - [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] actually means “star-maiden” in Tolkien’s Sindarin, so you get the same (or very close) meaning as Elentari while still using a name that is reasonably doable for the average person. The fact that it has been on your list for a long time is a huge plus.

  6. [name_f]Ferelith[/name_f] - amazingly powerful yet gentle, fae-like vibes here. I love this name to bits. It also doesn’t feel super-feminine and I could also see this on a boy or non-binary person.

  7. [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] - I’d keep this because you seem to love it so much. If you don’t plan to use the nickname [name_u]Corrie[/name_u], I wouldn’t worry about it. There are plenty of other nicknames for [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] that are just as, if not more, natural and intuitive. I like that this also gives you the sound of Caelia on the end, so you get that vibe as well. “Daughter of the sea” is a simply stunning meaning, oh my goddess. Mermaid vibes.

Middle name keeps:

  • [name_f]Alcyone[/name_f] - love this as a middle and it has personal meaning for you! Keep keep!
  • [name_f]Fern[/name_f] - this seems a little too simple/common for you in the first name slot, but I appreciate the meaning it holds for you and that it’s one of S’s favourites. I’d use this as one of the middles.
  • [name_f]Fawn[/name_f] and [name_u]Fable[/name_u] - other great middle options!
  • [name_f]Eve[/name_f] and Eilir - I’d also keep these but only in the middle.
  • [name_f]Alice[/name_f] - meaningful to T.
  • [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] - doesn’t seem to carry such a deep meaning for you, but would be great to keep in your back pocket for middle names
  • [name_u]Cypress[/name_u] - really cool middle, doesn’t feel weighty enough for the first spot
  • Aetheria - very pretty and I love the meaning. Cute nickname potential ([name_f]Thera[/name_f], [name_f]Ria[/name_f], Aetha etc) … I wanted so badly to put this as one of my favourites, but the pronunciation/spelling knocked it down - it seems like it might be difficult for people to get it right. Gorgeous in the middle though

Names that are just ‘meh’ to me:

  • Arundel - feels much more like a place name than a human name. It doesn’t sparkle as much as many of your other choices (to me personally, at least)
  • [name_f]Bianca[/name_f] - feels less magical than many of your other options

I’d drop…

  • Chime - too similar to chyme, the stomach’s gastric juices.
  • Dracaena - amazing name but it seems like you already know this one won’t work. [name_m]Even[/name_m] as a middle it will be close to your surname and create a repetitive sound. Consider this the final push to knock it off.
  • [name_f]Corisande[/name_f] - you seem to love your other C names more, and if there is a C name T likes more as well, might as well go with that. I also think it sounds like courtesan.
  • [name_f]Akasha[/name_f] - personally I think this might be mistaken for [name_f]Alaska[/name_f]. I know someone with a similar name to a more common name and people CONSTANTLY mistake her for the common version. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though the names are not the same. I also think Aetheria is a more interesting, beautiful name referring to the aether.
  • [name_f]Arianell[/name_f] - you’re right about the [name_m]Aryan[/name_m] thing. I’d steer as clear as you can from anything like that.
  • [name_f]Araluen[/name_f] - I personally wouldn’t use this if the baby wasn’t Aboriginal. There is a long and continued history of racist violence in Australia.
  • [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] - I really love the “thus said the Druids” it’s super powerful… but sadly the rest of the association is very tragic and it seems like you already have that reservation. You have better, more positive names on the list imho.
  • [name_f]Circe[/name_f] - Though the association to Game of Thrones may not last forever, there is another GOT prequel coming out on HBO (admittedly without [name_f]Cersei[/name_f], but still) so the pop culture moment is far from over. I also think it might be mispronounced. I’ve heard keer-kuh, kur-kuh, sur-see, seer-say, etc etc
  • Chione - if it keeps moving on and off the list, I’d take that as a sign and go with something more constant
  • Caelia - I would have intuitively pronounced this KAY-lee-yuh which felt almost like a kree8tyve spelling of [name_f]Kaylia[/name_f] or some kind of modern/trendy name. Knowing it’s [name_f]Celia[/name_f] makes it much more beautiful, but I’d expect pronunciation/spelling issues with this
  • [name_u]Briar[/name_u] - storming up the popularity charts as we speak
  • Aradia - I want to love this so much, but I keep seeing it as a miss-spelling of [name_f]Arcadia[/name_f].
  • [name_f]Forsythia[/name_f] - with so many great names on here with deep, powerful and special meanings for you, I’d drop anything that doesn’t measure up in that regard
  • [name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f] - I’m not sure [name_u]Snow[/name_u] White is as powerful a namesake as some of your other options, and the name might be tricky to spell/pronounce
  • Feronia - if you go back and forth, boot it. With 140 names you probably need to be a little cut throat haha!
  • [name_f]Farasha[/name_f] - SO stunning but kind of feels a bit sing-song with your surname.
  • [name_f]Avonlea[/name_f] - I feel like [name_f]Avalon[/name_f] is a more powerful, witchy version of this
  • [name_f]Belphoebe[/name_f] - ditto, with [name_f]Belladonna[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Clara[/name_f] - doesn’t seem to have much personal meaning, and I think [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is a very similar name that carries a special meaning to T
  • [name_f]Eileen[/name_f] - feels dated compared to many of your more timeless choices
  • [name_f]Elestren[/name_f] - I love this to smithereens but I dropped it in favour of [name_f]Elowen[/name_f], which I think is a better name and hits more of your points
  • Elentari - with my username, you’d think this would be my top vote :wink: however I have to say ditto [name_f]Elestren[/name_f] vs [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] here; [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] is a better name that achieves the same things

[name_f]Heaven[/name_f] and earth, this was painfully difficult. You have so many amazing options. I can’t imagine how tricky this must be for you! See you in the next post :wink:

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#23

Firstly, congratulations, and I LOVE witchy, earthy, [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m], and mythology names. I loved hearing your associations to the names, I do that too, meaning and association can make the name for me.

Hope you don’t mind me answering a-z in one reply, I put combos too

My favorites from your list

Avalon/ [name_f]Avonlea[/name_f]

Briar

Cosima

Deirdre

Elowen

Eve

Fable

Illyria

Juliet

Lenore

Lucia

Morwenna

Octavia

Ophelia

Thalassa

Viola

Willow

Avalon [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_f]Avalon[/name_f] [name_f]Opal[/name_f]
[name_f]Avalon[/name_f] [name_u]Snow[/name_u]
[name_f]Avonlea[/name_f] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_u]Briar[/name_u] [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]
[name_u]Briar[/name_u] [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f]
[name_u]Briar[/name_u] [name_f]Serafina[/name_f]
[name_u]Briar[/name_u] [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] [name_u]Rune[/name_u]
[name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_f]Opal[/name_f]
[name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_u]Lark[/name_u]
[name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_f]Moon[/name_f]
[name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_u]Willow[/name_u]
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_u]Lark[/name_u]
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_f]Opal[/name_f]
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_u]Rune[/name_u]
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_f]Viola[/name_f]
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_f]Zelda[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Araluen[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Celeste[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Isadora[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] Lunaria
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Morwenna[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_u]Nightingale[/name_u]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Thalassa[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Wisteria[/name_f]
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] [name_f]Isadora[/name_f]
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] Lunaria
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] [name_f]Morwenna[/name_f]
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] [name_f]Rosalind[/name_f]
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] [name_f]Sylvanna[/name_f]
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f]
[name_f]Illyria[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f] [name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f] [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f]
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f] Lunaria
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f] [name_f]Rowena[/name_f]
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f] [name_f]Serafina[/name_f]
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f] [name_f]Wisteria[/name_f]
[name_f]Lenore[/name_f] [name_u]Briar[/name_u]
[name_f]Lenore[/name_f] [name_u]Fable[/name_u]
[name_f]Lenore[/name_f] [name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Lenore[/name_f] [name_f]Moon[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucia[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalind[/name_f]
[name_f]Morwenna[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Morwenna[/name_f] [name_u]Fable[/name_u]
[name_f]Morwenna[/name_f] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_f]Morwenna[/name_f] [name_u]Lark[/name_u]
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] [name_f]Moon[/name_f]
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] [name_u]Snow[/name_u]
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] [name_u]Lark[/name_u]
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] [name_f]Moon[/name_f]
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] [name_u]River[/name_u]
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] [name_u]Snow[/name_u]
[name_f]Thalassa[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Thalassa[/name_f] [name_f]Opal[/name_f]
[name_f]Thalassa[/name_f] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_f]Viola[/name_f] [name_f]Lenore[/name_f]
[name_f]Viola[/name_f] [name_u]Nightingale[/name_u]
[name_f]Viola[/name_f] [name_f]Sylvanna[/name_f]
[name_u]Willow[/name_u] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]

#24

I think you have an amazing list and have put a lot of thought into part of the list. So here are my favourites in your list:

Avalon - I have just always loved this mythical sounding of this name

Briar - this reminds me us Sleeping beauty because she was called [name_u]Briar[/name_u] in at least one version

Caelia - when I first saw this name I thought it was pronounced [name_u]Kay[/name_u]-lee-a not like Ce-le-a

Clara - I love the [name_u]Doctor[/name_u] Who reference. But do you pronounce if Cl-r-a or more like Cl-air-a.

Gwyneira - this name is amazing and I think it’s going onto my list

#25

this list is amazing!! Here are my favorites and the names that I think are the most usable and unique that you should keep:

Aetheria!!
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Avonlea[/name_f]
Caelia
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_f]Fern[/name_f]
[name_f]Forsythia[/name_f]

#26

First, let me just say that I am absolutely blown away by everyone’s responses! Thank you all so much! I cannot tell you what a relief it was to log on this morning and see so many replies, each one full of valuable feedback.

I think what I’ll do first is tally up everyone’s votes and see how I feel about the results. Then I may get into a few more individual responses.

  • Aetheria - 4 votes for, 1 soft against, 1 against. I had no feelings of hurt or horror at the no votes, which tells me this is not one of my favorites.
  • [name_f]Akasha[/name_f] - 0 votes for, 1 soft against, 1 against. I was surprised by these results, but again, not hurt, which means the connection isn’t as visceral as some of the others. @alatari makes a great point about the [name_f]Alaska[/name_f] confusion. I think I’ll let this one go.
  • [name_f]Alcyone[/name_f] - 5 votes for, 0 against. I was absolutely thrilled with every yes vote, which tells me that I feel very strongly about this name!
  • [name_u]Alder[/name_u] - a whopping 11 votes for, 0 against! [name_f]My[/name_f] heart leapt a little with each yes vote, but I think it was already obvious that this is one of my favorites.
  • [name_f]Alice[/name_f] - 13 votes for, 1 soft against. I surprised myself by feeling fairly indifferent to all the enthusiastic yes votes. I think I may be less enchanted with this name than I used to be, and may be keeping it because of how much T likes it.
  • [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] - 9 votes for, 1 soft against. I felt fairly indifferent to both the yes and no votes. I think I like the idea of this name, but just lack a strong personal connection to it.
  • Aradia - 2 votes for, 1 vote against. This doesn’t seem to be a popular choice, but those that did vote for it seemed to do so because of the spiritual significance. @alatari makes a good point about the similarity to [name_f]Arcadia[/name_f]. I’ll have to ponder this one some more.
  • [name_f]Araluen[/name_f] - 4 votes for, 1 against. I literally felt a thrill just typing out this name, and again every time I tallied a yes vote, so I clearly have strong feelings about this name. At the same time, @alatari raises a good point about the potential cultural appropriation issue. I think I need to research some more.
  • [name_f]Arianell[/name_f] - 8 votes for, 1 soft against, 1 strong against. I found myself resonating with the no votes rather than the many yes votes. I will probably be letting go of this one.
  • Arundel - 3 votes for, 1 soft against, 1 strong against. I was mildly pleased with the yes votes until I read the reason for @rosepip’s no vote. I HAD NOT EVEN THOUGHT OF ARENDELLE. [name_m]Just[/name_m] like that, my love for the name evaporated, haha. This is why I need you Berries. I never would have made that connection on my own, and would have had SO MUCH name regret!
  • [name_f]Asherah[/name_f] - 1 vote for, and 1 mention, but I’m honestly not sure if it was a yes or no. Clearly not a popular choice. I’m still questioning this one.
  • [name_f]Avalon[/name_f] - 12 votes for, 0 against. I’m pleased that so many folks like this one. I think I have stronger connections with other names, but I’m not ready to eliminate this one.
  • [name_f]Avonlea[/name_f] - 7 votes for, 2 strong against. Once again, @rosepip makes an excellent point - this name is very pretty, but not very me. I’m not enough of an [name_u]Anne[/name_u] fan to justify keeping it over some of the others.
  • [name_f]Belladonna[/name_f] - 5 votes for, 0 against. I found myself a little giddy just typing this name and again with every yes vote, which is a sign that I really love this one.
  • [name_f]Belphoebe[/name_f] - 6 votes for, 1 against. I expected to be delighted with all the [name_f]Belphoebe[/name_f] love, and instead found myself frowning! After a little soul searching, I think this is one of those names I have convinced myself I should love, but don’t actually. [name_f]May[/name_f] let this one go.
  • [name_f]Bianca[/name_f] - 5 votes for, 2 soft against. @eattacosforbreakfast makes a very good point that this isn’t my usual style. I’m not ready to eliminate it because of the connection to my great-grandmother. I only knew her for my first three years of life, but all my memories of her are very sweet. I think I’ll move this one to middle only for now.
  • [name_u]Briar[/name_u] - 9 yes votes, 1 maybe, and 2 strong against. Oh dear, sweet, problematic [name_u]Briar[/name_u]. I wanted to feel vindicated with every yes vote, but instead I just felt stressed. I know this name would be problematic for T at the very least. I think it’s time to let go.
  • Caelia / [name_f]Celia[/name_f] - 4 votes for, 1 soft against, 1 strong against. I didn’t really feel anything either way, until I read @alatari’s note about the kree8tyve spelling issue. Super. Yikes. That is one of my huge pet peeves. I think this one is out.
  • [name_f]Celeste[/name_f] - 6 votes for, 2 in favor of [name_f]Celestine[/name_f], and 2 in favor of [name_f]Celestia[/name_f]. 0 against. This is another one I didn’t have any strong feelings about. Hm.
  • Chime - 1 vote for, as a middle, 1 against. Clearly not a popular choice. I’m not sure I love this one enough to fight for it.
  • Chione - 1 vote for, 2 strong against. I think I’m leaning toward the against. What I like about this name is the meaning, but just seeing or hearing it doesn’t really do much for me.
  • [name_f]Circe[/name_f] - 6 votes for, 2 strong against. I was definitely grasping at every bit of hope offered that the [name_f]Cersei[/name_f] association hasn’t ruined this name. I have a feeling I’ll ultimately have to let go of this one, unless partners have a change of heart, but I’m just not ready yet. It’s so magical…!
  • [name_f]Clara[/name_f] - 5 votes for, 2 strong against. I feel a little disappointed at the idea of letting go of this name, but not devastated. It is rather plain compared to many of the others.
  • [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] - 7 votes for, 0 against. I love the look, sound, and meaning. I think my only hangup is the [name_f]Buffy[/name_f]/Angel character. How strong of an association is this for folks?
  • [name_f]Corisande[/name_f] - 1 vote for, and 2 strong against. I don’t think I love this one enough to fight the objections. @rosepip again with the tough love, making an excellent point that if T isn’t happy with this name, it’s probably not The One.
  • [name_f]Cosima[/name_f] - 12 yes votes, 0 against! I was thrilled and delighted with each yes, so I think this is a strong contender. Also I forgot to tell you all one of my favorite things about this name - the potential nickname Cozy. How cute is that??
  • [name_f]Cynara[/name_f] - 1 vote for, 1 strong against. I think you’re all right. I just have lukewarm feelings about this name. I can let it go without much difficulty.
  • [name_u]Cypress[/name_u] - 3 votes for, 0 against. I thrilled with each yes, so I think this one is definitely staying high on the middle list.
  • [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] - 3 votes for, 1 soft against, 1 strong against. I was surprised to find that every time [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] was in someone’s list, I found it jarring with the surrounding names. I think this name might be further outside my normal taste than originally thought. I think I’ll let this one go.
  • Dracaena - 0 votes for, 2 strong against. I concur. It’s time for her to go.
  • [name_f]Eileen[/name_f] - 5 votes for, 2 strong against. Despite all the love, I feel increasingly disenchanted with this name, especially after two comments that it feels a little older. I loved [name_f]Eileen[/name_f] as a child, but I think I’ve outgrown that love.
  • Eilir - 1 vote for, 1 soft against. That’s fair, I think I like the idea of this name and what it represents more than the name itself. I can’t actually imagine calling a little Eilir to come in for dinner, for example.
  • Elentari - 0 votes for, 2 soft against. I was admittedly surprised at the lack of love for this name, because I think it’s absolutely beautiful. But once again, @rosepip has a good point. It doesn’t have as much personal significance as other options.
  • [name_f]Elestren[/name_f] - 0 votes for, 2 soft against. This one was a little painful to face the lack of love, but @alatari’s note that it lost out in favor of [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] makes that pill much easier to swallow. I do think I love [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] more.
  • [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] - A massive 16 votes for, 0 against! Wow! I think we found which name wins the popular vote. I was thrilled with all these yeses, so I clearly concur with the majority here.
  • [name_f]Eve[/name_f] - 11 votes for, 0 against. Several folks suggested keeping this one as a middle, and I concur. As I was writing part 3 of the list, I realized I had a couple more interesting ways to get to [name_f]Evie[/name_f] that I could use as firsts if desired.
  • [name_u]Fable[/name_u] - 11 votes for, 0 against. I’m thrilled with all the [name_u]Fable[/name_u] love!! This one is definitely staying on the middle list.
  • [name_f]Farasha[/name_f] - 0 votes for, 2 against. Oof. This one stings a little, but I can’t fault anyone. I have no strong connection to this name beyond just liking it. [name_m]Will[/name_m] consider taking it off the list.
  • [name_f]Fawn[/name_f] - 6 votes for, 0 against. Yay! I think I’m more partial to this name than I initially thought. [name_f]Every[/name_f] yes vote made me feel so happy!
  • [name_f]Fern[/name_f] - 12 votes for, 0 against! I’m so excited by the enthusiastic response to this name! It really does feel perfect in many ways. I will not be surprised at all if it ends up one of the final two middle names.
  • [name_f]Ferelith[/name_f] - 7 votes for, 0 against. I’m pleased and surprised by the positive feedback, as I’ve gotten criticism for this one sounding “lispy” in the past. I love @alatari’s point about it seeming less gendered. T is non-binary, so they will like that! It’s important to them that our final combo have at least one name or nickname that could be unisex or used for the opposite gender, so that they have options regardless of their gender identity. That’s been one of the hard parts for me, because I gravitate away from most unisex or masc-coded names on girls, being a cis femme who grew up with a name that was all boy. Thankfully, most word and nature names are unisex, which is one reason why I’ve collected so many. But I digress!! Back to the list.
  • Feronia - 0 votes for, and 2 against. That’s fair! I was ambivalent about this one, and the reaction confirms it. One down, 138 to go, haha.
  • [name_f]Forsythia[/name_f] - 3 votes for, 1 soft against, and 1 strong against. I’m just as divided on this one as you are. I keep thinking I should kick it, since I don’t seem to have any deeper connection and the meaning is disappointing, but I do love the look and sound. Why are decisions so hard??
  • [name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f] - 6 votes for, 1 soft against, and 1 strong against. I found myself delighted and surprised by all the love for this name, as I consider it one of my more unusual choices. I also surprised myself with how defensive I felt around the no votes. I must feel more strongly about this one than I thought.

Whew! I don’t know why, but tallying all this up took almost three times as long as writing the post in the first place. It was so worth it though, because every bit of feedback helped me gain clarity on which names I really love, which I’m less in love with than I thought, which I’m undecided about, and which I can let go of.

Here’s what we’re looking at after the first round of edits for this portion of the list:

Definitely Keeping
[name_f]Alcyone[/name_f], [name_u]Alder[/name_u], [name_f]Belladonna[/name_f], [name_f]Bianca[/name_f] (middle only), [name_f]Cosima[/name_f], [name_u]Cypress[/name_u] (middle only), [name_f]Elowen[/name_f], [name_f]Eve[/name_f] (middle only), [name_u]Fable[/name_u] (middle only), [name_f]Fawn[/name_f] (middle only), [name_f]Fern[/name_f] (middle only), [name_f]Ferelith[/name_f], and [name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f].

Keeping, but Questioning
[name_f]Alice[/name_f], Aradia, [name_f]Araluen[/name_f], [name_f]Asherah[/name_f], [name_f]Avalon[/name_f], [name_f]Circe[/name_f], [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_f]Farasha[/name_f], and [name_f]Forsythia[/name_f].

Letting Go
Aetheria, [name_f]Akasha[/name_f], [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f], [name_f]Arianell[/name_f], Arundel, [name_f]Avonlea[/name_f], [name_f]Belphoebe[/name_f], [name_u]Briar[/name_u], Caelia, [name_f]Celeste[/name_f], Chime, Chione, [name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Corisande[/name_f], [name_f]Cynara[/name_f], [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f], Dracaena, [name_f]Eileen[/name_f], Eilir, Elentari, [name_f]Elestren[/name_f], and Feronia.

Thank you all SO MUCH. This chunk of the list has been narrowed down from 44 potentials to 13 keepers and 9 maybes. We said no to half these names in the first edit! I could not have made this much progress without all of your help! I appreciate every single response, and I want to give special shout-outs to @katkabet for her reflective listening system, @rosepip for their individual analysis of each name, and @alatari for her in-depth analysis of each name plus her very useful ranking system. Those responses must have taken y’all forever, and they were extremely helpful to me!

I’m off to analyze Parts 2 and 3. Wish me luck…

8 Likes
#27

not strong at all for me. I think of oceans and mermaids and pearls, and then I think of [name_u]Anne[/name_u] of [name_u]Green[/name_u] Gables, and that’s it :slight_smile:

1 Like
#28

I would keep: [name_f]Arianell[/name_f], [name_f]Avonlea[/name_f], [name_u]Briar[/name_u], [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_f]Cosima[/name_f], [name_u]Fable[/name_u], [name_f]Fern[/name_f], and [name_f]Ferelith[/name_f]

I also love [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Eve[/name_f] and [name_f]Clara[/name_f], but it seems like you are more drawn to unique or less well known names.

My absolute favorites for you are [name_f]Ferelith[/name_f] and [name_f]Arianell[/name_f]! :heart_eyes:

1 Like
#29

I love your style!

My favorites:
Aetheria- something about this just feels so airy and magical!
[name_u]Alder[/name_u]- This feels sturdy and fitting for any personality
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]- bookish and imaginative!
[name_f]Arianell[/name_f]- I don’t think it sounds too close to [name_f]Ariya[/name_f], and [name_m]Aryan[/name_m] is definitely not what comes to mind with this name. I think that sometimes the As can make it sound flat if they’re pronounced a certain way but it has such great vibes!
[name_f]Araluen[/name_f]- I’m stunned, this is so beautiful!
[name_f]Avonlea[/name_f]- I would love to live in the imaginary [name_f]Avonlea[/name_f], and the name is just as beautiful as the description.
[name_f]Circe[/name_f]- I love the sound so much. I haven’t watched game of thrones nor read the associated series so I can’t speak on whether the association is too strong!
[name_f]Clara[/name_f]- This name is so beautiful, although it feels like it would be kind of a shame to not use one of the ultramagical, uncommon names on your list.
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]- Always beautiful! I don’t think that it’s too similar to [name_u]Corrie[/name_u], and there are lots of other nicknames I associate more with it.
[name_f]Corisande[/name_f]- If T doesn’t like it then it’s hard to support it but it’s so beautiful! It reminds me of coriander and oranges :joy:
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f]- I love names with clear imagery, and this fits the bill! It has the magic that seems to define your style, it’s uncommon, and it would be hard to have better imagery.
Eilir- I love the meaning and sound! I read about [name_m]Alban[/name_m] Eilir and it’s another great association!
[name_f]Elestren[/name_f]- I love Irises and this name sounds so elf-like!
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f]- I recently found out I’d been mispronouncing this name but really any way it’s pronounced is beautiful. I love the tree meaning and it’s both sturdy and dainty!
[name_u]Fable[/name_u]- no way to describe this except amazing.
[name_f]Fern[/name_f]- I am a fanatic for this name! It doesn’t immediately sound as magical as, say, Aetheria or [name_f]Araluen[/name_f] but I just love it.
[name_f]Ferelith[/name_f]- Kind of reminds me of monolith and yet is still lovely.
[name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f]- It’s just… beautiful.

If I had to give my very favorites, I’d say [name_f]Cosima[/name_f], [name_f]Elowen[/name_f], and [name_f]Araluen[/name_f], but they’re all wonderful!

2 Likes
#30

I love your names! So going with both names I like and names that I think suit your last name better my top picks are:
Aetheria
[name_f]Araluen[/name_f]
[name_f]Arianell[/name_f] (one of my faves, I think with the “nell” on the end it pulls away from the [name_m]Aryan[/name_m] connotation and they can go by [name_u]Ari[/name_u] or [name_f]Nell[/name_f].)
[name_f]Belladonna[/name_f] (I like it but would choose for middle only)
[name_u]Briar[/name_u]
[name_f]Celeste[/name_f]
[name_f]Corisande[/name_f] (like as middle)
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_u]Cypress[/name_u] (like this one a lot maybe only for middle? but it’s so fresh)
Eilir (is it eye-leer? Ay-ler?)
[name_f]Elestren[/name_f] (lovely and easy to pronounce but super unique)
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] (I feel like this makes a great second middle place)
[name_u]Fable[/name_u]
[name_f]Ferelith[/name_f]- (love gaelic names and this one is one I’ve just seen popping up. Very pretty)
[name_f]Forsythia[/name_f]- (omg I never thought of this as a name!)
[name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f]- (love it so much. right up there with [name_f]Arianell[/name_f])

Combo suggestions:
[name_f]Arianell[/name_f] [name_f]Celeste[/name_f] [name_u]Fable[/name_u]
[name_f]Arianell[/name_f] [name_f]Cosima[/name_f] [name_u]Briar[/name_u]
[name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f] [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f] [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_u]Fable[/name_u]
[name_f]Araluen[/name_f] [name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f] [name_u]Fable[/name_u]
[name_f]Elestren[/name_f] Eilir [name_u]Fable[/name_u]
[name_f]Elestren[/name_f] [name_f]Belladonna[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_f]Ferelith[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Ferelith[/name_f] [name_f]Cosima[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_u]Briar[/name_u] [name_f]Ferelith[/name_f] [name_f]Corisande[/name_f]

1 Like
#31

I didn’t think of this until you brought it up. I’m the age of the oldest coworkers your kid will have, and [name_f]Buffy[/name_f] predates my TV watching experience. It was on Netflix for a hot second years ago which is the only reason I get the reference.

1 Like
#32

Wow! You have really collected a lot of names :slight_smile:

My favs are:
[name_f]Avalon[/name_f]
[name_f]Celeste[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_f]Eileen[/name_f]
[name_u]Fable[/name_u]

1 Like
#33

Ditto. :slight_smile:

#34

My favorites are:
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f]
[name_f]Arianell[/name_f]
[name_f]Avalon[/name_f]
[name_f]Avonlea[/name_f]
[name_f]Bianca[/name_f]
[name_u]Briar[/name_u]
[name_f]Celeste[/name_f]
[name_f]Clara[/name_f]
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_u]Cypress[/name_u]
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_u]Fable[/name_u]
[name_f]Fern[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f]

1 Like
#35

I just read through your third list and now I’m cycling through!

My favorites from this list are:

  • Alcyone - This name seems to have a lot of significance to you so I’d keep it. It’s not my favorite because I think it’s hard for most people to pronounce.
  • Alice
  • Belladonna - I personally am not a huge fan of this one but you seem to really love it so I’d keep it.
  • Belphoebe - This is one of my favorite guilty pleasure names. Such a pretty choice and I think it’s quite wearable.
  • Bianca - LOVE
  • Celeste - I also really like Celestine
  • Circe - I like this name for you. I haven’t watched Game of Thrones so idk anything about the character. I think [name_f]Circe[/name_f] is a lot older of a name and spelled differently, so I think if you wanted you could use it.
  • Clara- you don’t really seemed thrilled about her though, so maybe toss?
  • Cordelia- If you don’t call her [name_u]Corrie[/name_u], I don’t think your friend’s child name is a big deal. If you’re big on nicknames, you could do [name_f]Delia[/name_f], [name_f]Cora[/name_f], or [name_f]Cordy[/name_f].
  • Cosima
  • Elowen
  • Eve
  • Fable - very cute middle!
  • Fern

Comment:

  • Chione- is the Greek word for snow! I don’t think it goes well with your last name and think it would be impossible for most people to pronounce.
1 Like
#36

UPDATE:

I’ve created a new thread for the 30 names that were on my Keeping, but Questioning lists in all three parts. I go through and list my questions and concerns, in hopes that your responses will help me sort out whether to keep or discard these “maybes.” Here is the link to that post. Round Two of the Monster List: The Questioning.

I eagerly await your feedback over on the new thread!