Not a double name, but just as a first and a middle. I can’t decide which one sounds less awkward. Any input is appreciated!
Neither sounds terrible, but neither sounds great. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you prefer one FN over the other, or are they tied?
I agree, it doesn’t flow quite right. She will be called [name_f]Helen[/name_f], but [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] is a must-use family name. Afraid I will have to save one of them for next time and cross my fingers that I have another girl.
I think [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] actually flows quite nicely! That was my pick before I read others’ comments. [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] definitely does not sound right.
But since you’re calling her [name_f]Helen[/name_f], then name her [name_f]Helen[/name_f]. And [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] fits perfectly as a mn, which is a great place for family names anyways:)
I think if the names have meaning than it trumps “flow”. I love Nameberry, but the whole flow thing gets to me often as having a meaningful name is…meaningful.
That said, I like [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f].
Thank you! I feel better about it already.
I tend to think of [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] as an all-purpose middle name like “[name_f]Ann[/name_f]” or “[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]” regardless of how many syllables it has.
Good point-- there’s a degree to which meaning trumps other factors, and [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] has a great deal of meaning for our family. [name_f]Helen[/name_f] is purely a like for me.
[name_f]Helen[/name_f] is such a fabulous name! Definitely a long-time favorite of mine. I love [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] as well, but it always becomes [name_f]Kate[/name_f] and I do prefer [name_f]Helen[/name_f] to [name_f]Kate[/name_f].
I wouldn’t worry too much about the flow of [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] - meaning definitely trumps flow, and it isn’t even that bad.
[name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
Yes! I prefer [name_f]Helen[/name_f] to [name_f]Kate[/name_f] as well. I have an unhealthy fear of choosing a name that will result in unwanted/unplanned abbreviated nickname. Part of the reason I don’t have the guts to pick a double name.
Appreciate your response. I have a feeling I will get plenty of sneers when I announce my “old lady” name. (their problem, not mine)
I like [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] more (mainly because I just like [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] more!), but if she’s going by [name_f]Helen[/name_f], I would definitely put that up front. If you’re open to variants, I think [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] would be beautiful, and you could still call her [name_f]Helen[/name_f]? Or just use [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]. The flow isn’t awful, and if it’s worth putting [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] in there, I think it’s worth dealing with the (slightly stunted) flow. I really don’t find it all that bad, honestly. It’s a nice name.
Good luck!
Thank you! 
I think [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] is beautiful as well. Part of the reason behind the [name_f]Helen[/name_f]… our last name begins with an “H” and I enjoy the alliteration. (Geeking out over here…)
I went to school with a [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] and I always thought it was a beautiful combination. That said, she was known through her rebellious mid-teen years as Hell [name_f]Cat[/name_f]! I much prefer [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] to [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f]
Wow! Hell [name_f]Cat[/name_f]! That hadn’t even crossed my mind.
I love [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]! [name_f]Helen[/name_f] is so beautiful and underused.
I would choose [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] because it has better flow and you plan to call her [name_f]Helen[/name_f]. I also like the suggestion of [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]. Would you be interested in two middles? I think another middle in the combination will help it flow better and bring it all together.
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] is my favorite, but then again I prefer the name [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] to [name_f]Helen[/name_f].
[name_f]LOVE[/name_f] all four of your childrens’ names.
That’s something to think about! I would hesitate just because I don’t want it to complicate things for them, but it would be pretty.
I like [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] the best. It’s very pretty. I also like the suggestion of [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]. I’d definitely put [name_f]Helen[/name_f] (in whatever form) up front. I’d love to see [name_f]Helen[/name_f] used as a first name.