I am feeling like a lost soul. I am a 24 year old, female and I am trying to decide on a new name for myself.
I have read this forum and searched this topic, I know there is a few of you that would say “learn to love your first name!” So allow me to explain, I share my first and middle name with a woman who is not only an alcoholic but is/was mentally, physically, verbally abusive to my mother and myself. It pains me for anyone to say my actual name because I get terrible mental imagery. My mother, family, friends, and even husband never call me by this name. They instead use various nicknames like “love, hun, darling.” etc.
But I am struggling to find a name that is me and I would love to hear some opinions/suggestions on names or even on ways on how to pick a name for myself.
I consider myself an old soul or an old fashioned person. I love knitting, crocheting, sewing, and I’m stay at home wife that loves being at home and being a devoted wife. [name]One[/name] day to have kids but… I’m honestly holding off on children because I want to be proud when I see my name on my child’s birth certificate.
I think under the circumstances a new name would make a fresh start for you.
I would recommend the first starting point is looking up name lists from around your birth year, this will give you some idea of popular and typical names. Perhaps take the entire list and sort it into four categories “No way”, “Maybe” “[name]Love[/name], but not for me” and “[name]Love[/name]”. Take a look at the results- you may notice a pattern. Certain sounds, certain letters, certain vintage, classic, quirky or maybe another association. This will guide you with insight into what appeals and what doesn’t and more importantly WHY.
Another possible inspiration is your family tree- perhaps there is a great grandma or great aunt that has a name you indentify with?
Perhaps you like a particular book? maybe that will provide an inspiration- eg [name]Amy[/name] or [name]Beth[/name] from [name]Little[/name] Women, [name]Emily[/name] or [name]Charlotte[/name] as in [name]Bronte[/name]. If you are religious you might relate to a particular biblical name.
I know this sounds weird, but once you make a list of possible name say the names to yourself. Tune in to how you feel when you say them- which make you smile? which seem a little stuffy or odd? What works with your last name? [name]Say[/name] the whole name aloud. Your DH might be a great help at this point- ask his opinion. Check the initials out too.
I am definately getting as soft feminine vibe for you. But equally at 24 you may grow into yourself and want a more versatile name for later.
Here are some from your era to get you started:
[name]Amy[/name]
[name]Laura[/name]
[name]Kate[/name]
[name]Amanda[/name]
[name]Natalie[/name]
[name]Lisa[/name]
[name]Megan[/name]
[name]Hannah[/name]
[name]Elizabeth[/name]
[name]Katherine[/name]
[name]Courtney[/name]
[name]Claire[/name]
[name]Anna[/name]
[name]Sophie[/name]
[name]Hayley[/name]
[name]Rachael[/name]
[name]Elise[/name]
[name]Louise[/name]
[name]Lucy[/name]
[name]Julia[/name]
[name]Fiona[/name]
[name]Bethany[/name]
[name]Naomi[/name]
[name]Joanne[/name]
[name]Amelia[/name]
As one PP mentioned, categorize. Now way, Okay, [name]Love[/name], but not for me, [name]Love[/name] etc.
Also, if you want help narrowing down names, you can take a look at the meanings.
For example, you mentioned that your family don’t call you by your actual name, but by a nickname such as love, hun, darling.
Perhaps find names with similar meanings and/or sounds.
I really like the idea of [name]Darlene[/name] because I love the meaning, and I think it fits you.
You can also look for names that symbolize things you love/appreciate. Or just sounds you absolutely love hearing. Like for me, I really like the sound of [name]Elena[/name], perhaps if it’s too modern you may like [name]Helena[/name] (heh-lay-na).
I’m also a fan of the name [name]Sierra[/name] one reason being because it’s one letter of from the word [name]Aries[/name], which is my zodiac sign.
In my opinion you should go for a old-lady style first name with a modern middle. I especially like:
[name]Isadora[/name]
[name]Dorothea[/name]
[name]Florence[/name]
[name]Mabel[/name]
[name]Eva[/name]
[name]Beatrix[/name]
I also like the name that was on a blog last week ‘[name]Mabel[/name] [name]Ray[/name]’. I think something like that would suit you as you’re cool but arty and crafty.
I like the idea of using a name that fits your nicknames, and I love the suggestion of [name]Darlene[/name]. Here are some other options for you:
[name]Amanda[/name] - worthy of love
[name]Adabella[/name] - lovely
[name]Adora[/name] - beloved one
[name]Darla[/name] - loved one
[name]Amy[/name] - beloved
[name]Esme[/name] - loved
[name]Freya[/name] - goddess of love
[name]Sherry[/name] - darling
Some other suggestions that I think fit:
[name]Charlotte[/name] (lottie)
[name]Alice[/name]
[name]Lydia[/name]
[name]Sophia[/name]
[name]Sophie[/name]
[name]Michelle[/name]
[name]Claire[/name]/[name]Clare[/name]
[name]Clara[/name]
[name]Lucia[/name]
[name]Samantha[/name]
[name]Cecelia[/name]
You can also ask your family and friends what they think fits you and also share a list a names you like.
I would look for something that had nickname options that I liked so that I didn’t feel later that I’d made a big mistake and had nowhere to go.
Some ones that I personally like from the 1988 list: [name]Samantha[/name], [name]Kimberly[/name], [name]Catherine[/name], [name]Natalie[/name], [name]Molly[/name], [name]Cassandra[/name]
if you’re looking for some eloquent names, might i suggest a name like [name_f]Elouise[/name_f], [name_f]Adeline[/name_f], [name_f]Harriet[/name_f], [name_f]Ruth[/name_f], or [name_f]Bethany[/name_f]? they all sound beautiful and delicate and give me old fashioned vibes