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

[baya44]

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]

[lavenderwitch]

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…

[alatari]

@lavenderwitch

the [name_f]Buffy[/name_f]/Angel character. How strong of an association is this for folks?

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

[may.rose]

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.

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

[dogs_books]

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
[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!

[TeaJay]

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]

[Xandraswede]

Wow! You have really collected a lot of names

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]

[skylerros]

Ditto.

[lululemonmee]

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]

[HarderToBreathe]

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

[name_f]My[/name_f] 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.

[lavenderwitch]

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!

[RainbowMermaid]

I really love the name Aetheria.