Help with our choices, please! ♥

Girl Names
1

Hello, dear Berries!

I’ll try not to make this post too long.

My husband and I share an international background, mainly [name_m]French[/name_m] and Irish. We favour names that are personally meaningful, elegant, timeless, feminine, and rooted in literature/mythology. We’re also romantics at heart! (Flow is quite a bit less important to us than meaning, although adequate flow, at least, would be a bonus.)

We’ve always loved the name [name_f]Lara[/name_f]. Doctor Zhivago - both the film and the book - is a shared favourite, and ‘Lara’s Theme’ has rich personal meaning. We like that the name has mythological connotations in several cultures, and that it’s generally known and liked in European and Slavic countries (where it is always pronounced correctly: LAH-ruh).

As for her middle name, we’ve never doubted that it would be [name_f]Audrey[/name_f]. The name honours two beloved grandmothers, and it works in both English and [name_m]French[/name_m]. It reminds us of the humanitarian work of [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] Hepburn, and we adore the meaning of ‘noble strength’. So [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] is set for the middle.

We have also since come to like the name [name_f]Elára[/name_f] (pronounced eh-LAH-ruh). We’re aware that some people think the name is made up, but although it is rare, it is actually a very old [name_m]French[/name_m]/[name_m]Breton[/name_m] name. Additionally, it appears as the name of a nymph in Greek mythology, and as a moon of Jupiter.

We’re not concerned about having to correct others regarding pronunciation and spelling. Both my husband and I grew up with relatively rare names - we have not minded pointing out correct spelling/pronunciation, and both of us love our names.

If we do go with [name_f]Elára[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] as her full name, she would still be known simply as [name_f]Lara[/name_f] to us, which we love. But she would have the official link to her [name_m]French[/name_m] genealogy - also, the rhythm of [name_f]Elára[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] (3-2) perhaps flows slightly better than [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f]…

My husband slightly favours [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f], whereas I go back and forth! (We have also toyed with the idea of [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] - [name_f]Jane[/name_f] recalling [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Eyre[/name_f], [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u], [name_f]Jane[/name_f] Goodall, and the lovely meaning of ‘God is gracious’…)

Sorry for the essay, dear Berries, and many thanks in advance for your thoughtful input! :heart:

2

I love [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] or perhaps [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] and the “[name_f]Jane[/name_f] connections” would be more resonant and meaningful to me personally, but I don’t know if this is something that other people can really advise you on. You might just need to decide which connections are most meaningful to you and your husband. Good luck!

3

Thank you, [name_f]Erin[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f]! We’re considering all options, so any input is greatly appreciated.

4

I think [name_f]Elara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] is a fantastic name! I like both [name_f]Lara[/name_f] and [name_f]Elara[/name_f], although I will say I think [name_f]Elara[/name_f] is a bit more magical :). [name_f]Lara[/name_f] works well as a nickname, of course. I think either way you can’t go wrong! [name_f]Elara[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] and [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] are fabulous too.

By the way, I don’t think most people will pronounce it wrong. I’m guessing you’re worried that people will say “LAIR-uh”? I think if anyone does it would be in the minority of people. Maybe it’s because I have strong European influences in my life as well, but the LAH-ruh/eh-LAH-ruh pronunciations seems the most intuitive to me.

5

[name_f]El[/name_f]ára [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] is my choice with the nickname [name_f]Lara[/name_f] :slight_smile: if you go with [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] though I think [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] makes the name more magical

6

[name_f]Lovely[/name_f] replies - really helpful! Thank you so much from the both of us.

Silversky: Yes, on the intuitive pronunciation. We feel the same way.

Any other input welcome:)

7

I like [name_f]Lara[/name_f] for the first name since it is meaningful to you and that is what you would call her. [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] or [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] are both nice depending on what flows better with your surname. You might also consider [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u] or [name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] [name_f]Jeanne[/name_f] after [name_u]Joan[/name_u] of [name_m]Arc[/name_m] for a [name_m]French[/name_m] connection. Are you in the US? I do think you might sometimes get a LOR-a pronunciation here.

8

[name_f]Elara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] is absolutely beautiful! I also love all of the meaning behind it. I think it’s a stunning name.

Also, I’m from the US (north east), and I would pronounce [name_f]Elara[/name_f] (and [name_f]Lara[/name_f]) the correct way! I’m pretty sure most people would, too.

9

I love [name_f]Elara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f]. I also like [name_f]Elara[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f].

10

I would say you should go with the choice that gives you the most options- [name_f]Elara[/name_f] can easily be nicknamed [name_f]Lara[/name_f], but if you just go with [name_f]Lara[/name_f] you’ve lost [name_f]Elara[/name_f] and the meanings that go with it. Why not have your cake and eat it too? :wink:

11

[name_f]Elara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] is beautiful! And love nickname [name_f]Lara[/name_f].

[name_f]Lara[/name_f] [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] on its own is pretty, but too simple for my taste. :slight_smile: