[name_u]Abilene[/name_u] nn [name_u]Abi[/name_u]/[name_f]Lena[/name_f]: nms, I like the nicknames though!
[name_f]Acacia[/name_f] (ah-kay-see-ah): I wouldn’t use it, but wouldn’t think twice if someone else did, it’s a pretty name
[name_f]Antoinette[/name_f] nn [name_f]Etta[/name_f]: I think of [name_f]Marie[/name_f] [name_f]Antoinette[/name_f], not sure if I’d use it on a child
[name_f]Bedelia[/name_f]: Not a fan
[name_f]Bronwen[/name_f]: I’ve heard it before, nms but cute
[name_f]Calanthe[/name_f]: I like this! [name_f]Callie[/name_f] as a nn?
[name_f]Celestine[/name_f]: Not a fan
[name_f]Clarinda[/name_f]: ^
[name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]: Cute! I knew a [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] at the daycare I used to work at, unusual but adorable! nn [name_f]Thea[/name_f]?
[name_f]Drusilla[/name_f]: Sounds evil to me, sorry!
[name_f]Edeline[/name_f] nn [name_f]Edie[/name_f]: I prefer [name_f]Adeline[/name_f], but still useable. [name_f]Edie[/name_f] is darling though
[name_f]Imogene[/name_f] (ihm-mo-geen): I prefer [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]
[name_f]Maude[/name_f]: not sure about it on a little girl, but I suppose! I prefer [name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ava[/name_f]?: Unusual but not in a bad way. I like the nn
[name_f]Primrose[/name_f] nn [name_f]Posey[/name_f]: [name_f]Love[/name_f] it! Prefer rose as a nn though
[name_f]Theodora[/name_f]: This is cute, [name_f]Thea[/name_f] is a good nn, but it does remind me of [name_f]Dora[/name_f] the [name_u]Explorer[/name_u]. Working at a daycare, I LOATHE that show haha.
[name_f]Viola[/name_f]: [name_f]Love[/name_f] it!
[name_f]Virginia[/name_f]: nms
[name_f]Acacia[/name_f] (ah-kay-see-ah) - I would be concerned about pronunciation issues
[name_f]Drusilla[/name_f] - this one strikes me as a little too out there and also…it just makes me picture an unattractive (in every sense of the word) girl who’s destined to be an emo/goth type
[name_f]Maude[/name_f] - I’m not sure this would be an issue outside the US (because I don’t know whether it was shown elsewhere), but [name_f]Maude[/name_f] was the title and main character of a tv show that was somewhat controversial and that, to a great extent, made its main character a caricature of a limousine liberal
[name_f]Viola[/name_f] - just not wild about the idea of naming a child after a musical instrument
I really like some of your other names and just have to add:
[name_f]Antoinette[/name_f] nn [name_f]Etta[/name_f] - I’d actually like to see [name_f]Antoinette[/name_f] used more than it is (it’s one of the only names ending in “ette” that I actually like). Off with their heads, I say!
Where I live all but [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] would be met with a blank stare or a huh? Some of them I’m not sure how to pronounce. The only one I kind of like is [name_u]Abilene[/name_u].
Abilene - ok, I prefer Aveline, but it’s a nice enough name.
Acacia - I think it will be pronounced Uh-kay-shuh by most people (like the tree), so I wouldn’t use it if you’re really wanting a different pronunciation.
Antoinette - okay, very frilly, but I don’t mind it since it has so many options for nicknames.
Bedelia - never heard of it IRL. Make me think of Amelia Bedelia. I personally wouldn’t want the word “bed” in my name. I know a girl named Adelia though.
Bronwen - never been a fan. Make me think of a chunky woman with braids singing opera.
Calanthe - my first thought is “caliente” the Spanish word for hot. I prefer other “cal” names.
Celestine - feels heavy handed to me, more so even than Angel.
Clarinda - never heard of it, I like Clarissa though.
Dorothea - I’m really not a fan of heavy feminizations and this one is definitely a primary contender for leader of that group.
Theodora - same as above
Drusilla - sorry, it’s right up there with Elvira, just makes me think of witches.
Edeline - meh, Adeline is nice, Edeline looks like Adeline trying to be unique and instead being a clunkier more masculine version of a pretty name.
Imogene - what’s wrong with Imogen? I think you’re just opening your kid up to a lifetime of spelling and pronunciation problems.
Maude - I just find this one unpleasant. It’s not a pretty sound. All I can think is “clod” “wad” sod" “bod” “odd” “doddering” “fodder” or “gaping maw”
Virginia - meh, never been one I’ve really like but it’s okay. very…virginal.
Primrose nn Posey - bit heavy handed in the sweetness department. Right up there with Amaryllis
Octavia - I actually don’t mind this one. It’s not a favorite, but it’s okay. I like the nn Tavi
Viola - my favorite from your list. I really like the name Viola. I find it charming and uncommon and pretty.
[name_f]Acacia[/name_f] (ah-kay-see-ah) - I’ve long loved [name_f]Acacia[/name_f] (Spanish pronunciation) but dislike the English Uh-[name_f]CAY[/name_f]-sha pronunciation
[name_f]Antoinette[/name_f] nn [name_f]Etta[/name_f] - might be seen as dated by some because of the -ette ending. I love [name_f]Etta[/name_f] but would be afraid that she’d end up as [name_f]Toni[/name_f] at some point - majorly NMS
[name_f]Bedelia[/name_f] - I’m afraid [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_f]Bedelia[/name_f] always makes [name_f]Bedelia[/name_f] feel daffy and flighty to me. Weird, I know, because [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] escapes unscathed for me
[name_f]Bronwen[/name_f] - I really like [name_f]Bronwen[/name_f] and am a fan of [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] for the Welsh -wen names. Doesn’t need a nickname though. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t know if people will lump it with the Br- names that are trendy now ([name_f]Brynn[/name_f], Braeley, [name_f]Braelynn[/name_f] -NMS!) but it feels completely different to me.
[name_f]Celestine[/name_f] - unpopular opinion, but I love it. There’s actually a little boy with this name at a refugee center where I teach. The kids have the most gorgeous [name_m]French[/name_m] names.
[name_f]Imogene[/name_f] (ihm-mo-geen) - more partial to [name_f]Imogen[/name_f], as [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] feels more “country” to me, but still nice. [name_u]Gene[/name_u]/[name_f]Genie[/name_f] are potential NNs, but I love [name_f]Imo[/name_f].
[name_f]Maude[/name_f] - love it
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ava[/name_f]? Somehow [name_u]Avi[/name_u] feels more intuitive to me but [name_f]Ava[/name_f] works.
[name_f]Theodora[/name_f] - I love [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] for boys and the feminine version is great too. I read this with the [name_u]Tay[/name_u]-o-DOH-ra pronunciation though, and I’d feel pretentious asking anyone to use that because I know most would say Thee-o-DOR-a. [name_f]Thea[/name_f]/[name_u]Theo[/name_u], [name_u]Teddy[/name_u], [name_f]Dora[/name_f], [name_f]Dot[/name_f]/[name_f]Dotty[/name_f] - so many NNs! [name_f]Theda[/name_f] is a similar but condensed old-Hollywood name.
[name_u]Abilene[/name_u] nn [name_u]Abi[/name_u]/[name_f]Lena[/name_f]- I think it’s pretty but a little unfamiliar. One of those names you either love or hate.
[name_f]Acacia[/name_f] (ah-kay-see-ah) - I probably wouldn’t use it, but it makes for a lovely middle!
[name_f]Antoinette[/name_f] nn [name_f]Etta[/name_f]- With the [name_m]French[/name_m] names quickly making an appearance in the name world, I think it will be accepted perfectly.
[name_f]Bedelia[/name_f]- The [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_f]Bedelia[/name_f] references would be too much for me.
[name_f]Bronwen[/name_f]- I like this name as a middle, but its a bit outlandish as a first name for me.
[name_f]Calanthe[/name_f]- Very pretty! ([name_f]Calli[/name_f] as a nickname?)
[name_f]Celestine[/name_f]- I’ve never liked the [name_f]Celeste[/name_f]/[name_f]Celestia[/name_f]/[name_f]Celestine[/name_f] names personally, but they’d be fine in general.
[name_f]Clarinda[/name_f]- Probably not a great choice, as people tend to receive unfamiliar names without much enthusiasm.
[name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]- Pretty and not too ‘[name_m]Wizard[/name_m] of [name_m]Oz[/name_m]’
[name_f]Drusilla[/name_f]- I think the link to [name_f]Cinderella[/name_f]'s evil stepsister would be a little too strong.
[name_f]Edeline[/name_f] nn [name_f]Edie[/name_f]- Very nice!
[name_f]Imogene[/name_f] (ihm-mo-geen)- I enjoy this simple, pleasant-sounding name, and the adorable ‘[name_f]Immy[/name_f]’ as a nickname.
[name_f]Maude[/name_f]- A bit old-ladyish for me
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ava[/name_f]?- Not very common anymore but not too outlandish.
[name_f]Primrose[/name_f] nn [name_f]Posey[/name_f]- Very nice, but the nickname [name_f]Posey[/name_f] along with the name [name_f]Primrose[/name_f] might be too Hunger Games-ey
[name_f]Theodora[/name_f]- I think [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] is a better bet.
[name_f]Viola[/name_f]- I think [name_f]Violet[/name_f] or [name_f]Violetta[/name_f] would be better, but it’s still very nice.
[name_f]Virginia[/name_f] I don’t love [name_f]Virginia[/name_f], but I adore the nickname possibility ‘[name_f]Ginnie[/name_f]’
[name_u]Abilene[/name_u] nn [name_u]Abi[/name_u]/[name_f]Lena[/name_f] - very cute, I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Acacia[/name_f] (ah-kay-see-ah) - adorable and spunky, I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Antoinette[/name_f] nn [name_f]Etta[/name_f] - vintage, I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Bedelia[/name_f]- pronunciation issues
[name_f]Bronwen[/name_f] - see above
[name_f]Calanthe[/name_f]- see twice above
[name_f]Celestine[/name_f]- sweet and vintage, I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Clarinda[/name_f]- very sweet yet spunky, I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]- [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] this, I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Drusilla[/name_f]- might be too much for some
[name_f]Edeline[/name_f] nn [name_f]Edie[/name_f]- very cute and spunky, I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Imogene[/name_f] (ihm-mo-geen)- [name_f]Love[/name_f] this much more than [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Maude[/name_f]- Very vintage chic, I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ava[/name_f]?- Very in trend with [name_f]Ava[/name_f] but unique with [name_f]Octavia[/name_f]. I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Primrose[/name_f] nn [name_f]Posey[/name_f]- [name_f]LOVE[/name_f], I think she’ll fit in with her [name_f]Violet[/name_f] classmates, I think this one would be accepted
[name_f]Theodora[/name_f]- see [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]
[name_f]Viola[/name_f] - see [name_f]Clarinda[/name_f].
[name_f]Virginia[/name_f] - see [name_f]Maude[/name_f]
[name_f]Acacia[/name_f] is nearly always pronounced like the flower (ah-kay-sha) so there could be problems there.
There is an [name_f]Antoinette[/name_f] at my school who goes by [name_f]Toni[/name_f], and I think [name_f]Etta[/name_f] is just as intuitive.
I think these would work:
[name_f]Bronwen[/name_f]
[name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]
[name_f]Maude[/name_f]
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f]
[name_f]Primrose[/name_f]
[name_f]Theodora[/name_f]
[name_f]Viola[/name_f]
[name_f]Virginia[/name_f]
