[name]Hi[/name] everybody
Naming my girl is becoming more complicated by the middle name i feel i’ve saddled myself with
[name]Moira[/name]
My grandmother’s name. I love the name but it just doesnt flow with the first names i’m liking
eg [name]Elise[/name] [name]Moira[/name]
The [name]Moira[/name] just seems too strong to follow [name]Elise[/name].
Or [name]Verity[/name] [name]Moira[/name]
They just dont look right to me.
I like the name [name]Moira[/name] but not as much as many other names, i’m not a fan of the ‘moi’ sound, i dont think i’d like it if it wasnt my grandma’s name.
But i’ve kind of saddled myself with the name [name]Moira[/name] as i stupidly told my grandma i would use it, not in a serious i’m going to use your name but she suggested it as a first name and i said no but i’m going to use it as a middle name. Now my relationship with her has been rocky but this year we’ve got on and she’s been a bit of an ‘ally’ for me, and quite supportive. i would like to honour her.
Its just i feel the name cancels our several favourites of mine! i [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Maria[/name] from my all time favourite book ‘The [name]Little[/name] White Horse’ but then i probably couldn’t use that anyway as it is my OHs middle name! Well one of hers.
My last name is also two syllables, rhymes with [name]Warner[/name]
but note with a kiwi accent we pronounce our er sounds as uh but not quite there is a slight inflection that changes the way it sounds. so think ‘summuh’ and ‘warnuh’
I dont want to use [name]Moira[/name] as a first name. I do want to use it as a middle name but it just doesnt work to me. Is flow really that important? to me it kinda is, i mean not extremely important but i like things to sound right to me. I’m scared i’ll regret not choosing a first name i love because it doesnt fit with [name]Moira[/name] or choosing a first name i love but regret not using [name]Moira[/name].
Middle names are kinda important to me too, because i dont have one and kinda wanted one all my life. I also want something meaningful and a family name is that sort of thing.
Argh any advice!
What is your grandmother’s middle name? Or is her last name or maiden name usable as a middle name? There may be other ways to honor her without using [name]Moira[/name]. The month of her birth? That one might be stretching it. I would start with her middle name, last name, or maiden name. If none of those are usable, you have to ask yourself which is more important to you: having a first name that you love, or honoring your grandmother? If you aren’t willing to budge on either point, then nothing should stop you from using [name]Elise[/name] [name]Moira[/name] or [name]Verity[/name] [name]Moira[/name]. They really don’t sound bad! The first names are beautiful choices, by the way. Would you be willing to take out the O in [name]Moira[/name] and just use [name]Mira[/name]? [name]Elise[/name] [name]Mira[/name] or [name]Verity[/name] [name]Mira[/name]? That is also stretching it, as it isn’t REALLY honoring her anymore, but in a way it still is.
In my opinion, flow means close to nothing. I have a four-syllable first name and a four-syllable middle name and growing up I had a one-syllable last name. This was NEVER a problem and NO [name]ONE[/name] even said anything to me. I’ve gotten compliments on it!
Also, the middle name is almost never known. Who is going to say the entire first middle and last name all out right? Maybe twice in the kid’s life?
I say, pick the first name you like the best. Pick a middle name you like the best. And just stick them together. Nameberry worries so much about flow. I just think it’s unnecessary and ALL of the names you have there are gorgeous!!!
Go with what you love and don’t worry too much about flow.
If you’re having trouble with [name]Moira[/name], what about a variation of the name that honors your grandmother but is a little easier to work with? Something like [name]Maura[/name], [name]Maureen[/name], [name]Maire[/name] or Mairin.
I think that as you’ve said to your grandmother that you’ll use her name and because the relationship has been rocky in the past, it would be a blow to your relationship now if you didn’t use it. That being said, I like the suggestion of looking to her other names to see if one would fit better with your favourite names, as it really isn’t fair that you feel the need to give them up, especially as you’ve sort of been pushed into using her name (ugh, always so difficult when they tell you to name your child after them!)
A second middle name is a great idea as well, so that you can use more of your favourites. Maybe [name]Verity[/name] [name]Moira[/name] [name]Elise[/name]? [name]Saffron[/name] [name]Elise[/name] [name]Moira[/name]?
But in the end I actually think [name]Verity[/name] [name]Moira[/name] sounds lovely!
Oh thank you everyone,
It is starting to grow on me more
I really [name]DO[/name] want to use it, it means a lot to me. I dont want to use a variation as it just doesnt feel right and my family doesnt do middle names just first and last so that’s the only name she has.
I’m so picky though [name]Verity[/name] [name]Moira[/name] actually sounds lovely and [name]Elise[/name] [name]Moira[/name] is fine too… sometimes i just think no no no no though. i think i need to let them bounce around my head for a bit.
I too dont think flow is THAT important so i dont know why its bothering me now, i think when i spend too much time on nameberry i get a bit more picky that i normally would be! Or things that wouldnt normally bother me i get an opinion on lol.
I like the idea of a double middle name too actually, the thing with middle names if i dont want to choose a ‘favourite’ name of mine that i would wish it was a first name as you barely use them! People often talk about ‘grace’ and ‘rose’ being filler middle names but i think there is a place for them. I’m actually interested i wonder where and why middle names originated.
what kind of last name are you working with? that makes a difference:) I think flow can be important but meaning, moreso. I actually really like [name]Willow[/name] [name]Moira[/name] and actually super like the idea of 2 MN(I think a 2nd MN can often save the “flow” of a not-quite there name) and [name]Moira[/name] [name]Elise[/name] is an awesome combo. Another thing to consider is that you dont have to call her by her “first” name. I know lots of people who go by their middle name(some since birth)…name order is subjective(is that the right word lol)…you can put [name]Moira[/name] in the first spot but call her by her middle name and no one would care or likely even notice except for legal documents.
I’m in the same boat, my moms name is [name]Beverly[/name] but it just doesnt work as a middle lol.
