Help Picking Name!

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] all! I’m having trouble coming up with a girl’s name. I don’t want the name to be super common, but everything I’ve suggested so far my husband has veto’d as being too “out there,” or he just doesn’t like them. He probably has a point with some of them, to be fair lol. But my favorite girl’s name right now is [name_f]Elowen[/name_f], which he doesn’t like, as per him it “sounds weird.” Sigh.

His favorite girl’s name is [name_f]Lily[/name_f], which I do really like, but it’s just way too popular right now for me. I’d really prefer something that’s less common. It doesn’t have to be the most unique name ever, but I also don’t want it to be super common.

So what are your suggestions for names that aren’t super common, but are still recognizable names that my husband could possibly agree to as well?

For reference, here are my current favorite names (all veto’d by my husband):

[name_f]Elowen[/name_f]
[name_f]Sapphire[/name_f]
[name_f]Amethyst[/name_f]
[name_u]Ember[/name_u]
[name_u]Finley[/name_u]
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f]
Amora
[name_f]Aurelie[/name_f]
[name_f]Zaria[/name_f]
[name_u]November[/name_u]
[name_f]Eliana[/name_f]

Thank you!

[name_m]Hi[/name_m], I tried mixing the styles of sweet and familiar [name_f]Lily[/name_f] and less-familiar more elaborate (but still sweet) names like [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] and [name_f]Rowena[/name_f]:

[name_f]Maura[/name_f]
[name_u]Sage[/name_u]
[name_u]Haven[/name_u]
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f]
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Elva[/name_f]
[name_f]Daisy[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosanna[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]
[name_f]Carlotta[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
[name_u]Juniper[/name_u]
[name_f]Emmeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Isolde[/name_f]
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f]
[name_f]Coralie[/name_f]

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] you like some

Suggesting…

[name_u]Ruby[/name_u]
[name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Margo[/name_f]/[name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]Elena[/name_f]
[name_u]Eloise[/name_u]
[name_f]Jordanna[/name_f]
[name_f]Esme[/name_f]
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f]

Based on the names you like and [name_f]Lily[/name_f],

[name_f]Amelie[/name_f]
[name_f]Leonie[/name_f]
[name_f]Sylvie[/name_f]
[name_f]Emilia[/name_f]
[name_f]Lilianna[/name_f]
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_f]Alina[/name_f]
[name_f]Fiona[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Calla[/name_f]–maybe you could sell this as an alternative to [name_f]Lily[/name_f]?
[name_f]Daphne[/name_f]
[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]
[name_f]Adriana[/name_f]
[name_f]Sybil[/name_f]
[name_f]Ariana[/name_f]
[name_f]Althea[/name_f]
[name_f]Daria[/name_f]
[name_f]Dahlia[/name_f]
[name_f]Serena[/name_f]
Nola

You could always try to nn Lily with another name, that way you can get the interesting long name you want, why he still gets the short and sweet name of Lily.

Maybe try…
Delilah (A little more hipster, but long and interesting like the names you like)
Liliette
Lilabeth/Lilibet
Millicent
Liliana/Liliane
Amelia
Cecily
Lilac (Another flower name, just as beautiful and recognizable)
Lilias
Lilith
Lelia

Some names that are phonetically similar to lily:
Laila
Lucy
Lacy
Leia
Laney
Laina
Lyra (This one gives me the same rustic vibes as Rowen/Elowen but is more common and sweet like Lily)
Lola
Luna
Lita
Laika

Names that are either similar to Lily but less common or similar to your names and less out out-there:
Isla
Ivy
Jade
Holly
Iris
Petra (I noticed you like gems, this is recognizable and tributes to them without being outright)
Ione/Iona
Evalina (Almost like Evelyn, which is recognizable for your husband, but interesting like Eliana for you)
Emory
Mallory
May
Trinity
Opal
Stella

[name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillith[/name_f]
[name_f]Amelie[/name_f]
[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]
[name_f]Garnet[/name_f]
[name_f]Avril[/name_f]
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f]
[name_u]Indigo[/name_u]
[name_f]Verity[/name_f]
[name_f]Isolde[/name_f]

Your list is really beautiful, vibrant and unusual. I definitely second [name_u]Eloise[/name_u] from the previous poster! It gives you many of the sounds of [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] but is a little less “out there” per your husband’s taste. I also like the suggestions of [name_u]Ruby[/name_u], [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], [name_f]Daria[/name_f], and [name_f]Fiona[/name_f]. What about…
[name_f]Minerva[/name_f]: Very strong, like [name_u]Ember[/name_u], with the “r” sound that is present in many of your names. It is also regal and feminine like [name_f]Aurelie[/name_f] and [name_f]Elowen[/name_f]. It is an uncommon choice, but recognizable due to its long and rich history.
[name_f]Lilia[/name_f]: I seem to recommend this name to everyone, but it is a stunner. It’s easy to get to the nickname [name_f]Lily[/name_f] from this, and it is recognizable and has been used everywhere from [name_m]Hawaii[/name_m] to Ukraine. However, it is also a rarity, like many of the names on your list, and seems to be a stylistic match to your [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] and [name_f]Eliana[/name_f].
[name_f]Seraphina[/name_f]: Elegant, beautiful, and unique, with many of the sounds of the names you like. It is far more accessible today, due to the popularity of names like [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], but is still unusual. I think this could be a more viable option for your husband than [name_f]Sapphire[/name_f].
[name_f]Serena[/name_f]: A beautiful, meaningful name with many of the best qualities of [name_f]Seraphina[/name_f], but a little more common per your husband’s preference.
[name_f]Sabrina[/name_f]: I recommended this for many of the same reasons as [name_f]Serena[/name_f]. This name flows gorgeously, much like Amora, has a nature connection, gives you the “r,” and is fairly uncommon, ranking at #434, but also familiar enough for your husband.
[name_f]Olympia[/name_f]: This is a valiant, strong, bold, and unexpected choice. However, due to the Olympic games and the rise of [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], it is easily pronounced, spelled, and does not seem “weird.”
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]: One of the more popular names I’ve recommended here, but it is definitely no [name_f]Emma[/name_f] or [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]. It is not “out there,” so your husband will probably be more open to it, but the sound is there: The “-el” from [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] and [name_f]Eliana[/name_f], the “-en” from [name_f]Rowena[/name_f], and the flow of [name_f]Aurelie[/name_f].
[name_f]Edie[/name_f]/[name_f]Edith[/name_f]/[name_u]Eden[/name_u]: These particular “E” names are a bit more mainstream that [name_f]Eliana[/name_f] or [name_u]Ember[/name_u], but they are just as spunky and impactful. I also think they pick up the sounds of [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] and [name_u]November[/name_u] very nicely.
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f]: This is a bold choice with distinctive sounds that seems to suit your style, but it is so beautiful that I hope the history of it, including the high-profile [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] reference, can win your husband over.
[name_f]Adelina[/name_f]/[name_f]Alina[/name_f]: Similar to resurgent choices [name_f]Adeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f], but the “-a” at the end adds a unique punch and delivers the flow of Amora and [name_f]Aurelie[/name_f].
[name_f]Elora[/name_f]: [name_f]Every[/name_f] bit as bright and fierce as [name_u]Ember[/name_u], plus the sounds of Amora. However, it is very feminine and within the top 1000, so your husband might find it appealing.
[name_f]Diana[/name_f]: For your husband, there is likely strong appeal in this name: It is a beautiful classic with a long history of use. For you, it has the “-ana” ending of [name_f]Eliana[/name_f], and the beauty/rhythmic flow of [name_f]Zaria[/name_f].
[name_f]Florence[/name_f]/[name_f]Flora[/name_f]: Strikes me as a meaningful, beautiful combination of [name_u]Finley[/name_u] and [name_u]Rowan[/name_u], with beautiful sounds and lush imagery. Both of these are classics, but still unusual, so I wonder if they could serve as a middle ground?

Best of luck with your decision. I wish you the best!

[name_f]Maren[/name_f]
[name_f]Winnie[/name_f]
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
[name_f]Lyla[/name_f]
[name_u]Bryn[/name_u]
[name_f]Talia[/name_f]
[name_f]Elle[/name_f]
[name_f]Scarlet[/name_f]
[name_f]Serena[/name_f]
[name_f]Sabrina[/name_f]
[name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Mira[/name_f]
[name_f]Willow[/name_f]
[name_f]Holly[/name_f]
[name_f]Amber[/name_f]
[name_f]Melody[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
[name_f]Tessa[/name_f]
[name_f]Elena[/name_f]
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f]

I second the earlier suggestions of [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] and [name_f]Petra[/name_f].

You have lovely taste! ”
I love your picks especially [name_f]Elowen[/name_f].(but have a goddaughter named [name_f]Ella[/name_f] so hubby said too close)
I have loved [name_f]Lily[/name_f] too, but agree it is just too common right now.

Names that feel similar to me:
Alara/Alora
[name_f]Elara[/name_f]/[name_f]Elora[/name_f]
[name_f]Elena[/name_f]
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f] (I noticed you had a few [name_f]Gem[/name_f] names)
[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] (has that Wen sound)
[name_f]Nova[/name_f]/[name_f]Novalie[/name_f]
[name_f]Calla/name_f
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f] (also on the rise)
[name_f]Amara[/name_f]
[name_f]Lorna[/name_f]
[name_f]Violet[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_u]Cyan[/name_u]
[name_f]Azure[/name_f]
[name_f]Opal[/name_f]
Lazuli/Zuli (lapis lazuli)
Zarli

Or have some fun and mix and match the sounds you like. Maybe like an Elilen([name_f]Ellie[/name_f]-[name_m]Len[/name_m])? Too odd?

Our beautiful girl is Zarlia. Naming is the hardest thing lol. We too wanted something familiar sounding but different and still girly. She was almost [name_u]Phoenix/name_u but Zarlia just felt right when she arrived xx.

Good luck! And congrats!

I know this has been suggested above but how about trying to find a name that is not super common but still familiar that [name_f]Lily[/name_f] can be a nickname for :slight_smile: Therefore your partner can call her by [name_f]Lily[/name_f] whilst also giving her a longer name.

Think of double up recommendations as a second vote for the name aha!

  • [name_f]Lilah[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Lilia[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Lilith[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Liliana[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Lilac[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Lilibet[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Delilah[/name_f]

All these names could easily be nicknamed [name_f]Lily[/name_f] :slight_smile: Best of luck!

I think splitting the difference works. [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Lilou[/name_f] or [name_f]Winnie[/name_f]?

Elowena, Emelaya, [name_f]Evalina[/name_f]

I love the name [name_f]Lilith[/name_f] but it does have negative conotations to some.
[name_f]Lilianna[/name_f] is lovely!

[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] is so beautiful, it’s a shame he vetoed it! [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_f]Lily[/name_f] would be perfect.

[name_m]How[/name_m] about:

[name_f]Elodie[/name_f]
[name_u]Eden[/name_u]
[name_f]Saffron[/name_f]
[name_f]Amelie[/name_f]
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f]
[name_f]Emelyn[/name_f]
[name_f]Lila[/name_f]

Or you could use a longer name for [name_f]Lily[/name_f]?

[name_f]Lilianna[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillith[/name_f]
Liliwen
Liliope
[name_f]Liliosa[/name_f]
[name_f]Lilibet[/name_f]