I feel like I've strayed too far!

[readingreverie]

Hello, friends!

I think I’ve sort of documented this change in my girls list over the last three months on Nameberry, and if you’ve been on Nameberry since before then, you might have noticed a change in the style of my girls lists. I love vintage and clunky names and always have, but back in [name_f]May[/name_f] I found a lot of eclectic word names and names from children’s literature entering my lists.

It was great at the time, and I still do like most of them, but I feel like I’ve strayed too far from my general style and have lost my naming identity in the process. It’s fun to find new names and enjoyable when you’re not agonizing over the sets being usable in real life, but now that I want to go back to being super serious about my lists, I’m having some difficulties.

I have always loved out-dated and crusty girls’ names. Ones that feel like crooked bangs cut by safety scissors, chunky knit sweaters, a rainy walk in a garden, an armful of books, little dresses and tights, vintage nurseries, and bonnets. I adore the crunchy homestead-feeling names, and those are the names I’ve always seen my children as having, but now that I’ve found so many new favorites that don’t fit that style, I feel a bit weird about my lists.

So, I thought I’d ask the berries for help!

What names would you suggest to me based on my less eclectic, less colorful favorites, the ones that have been on my lists for years, the clunky and witchy? What names do you associate with my style beyond my newer favorites? What names do you think I’d like? If you have any reasoning or explanations, I’d love to hear them!

[name_f]My[/name_f] current list (the names that fit the classic and clunky style I've loved forever):

[name_f]Agatha[/name_f], [name_f]Agnes[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Amelia[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f], [name_f]Blythe[/name_f], [name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Eloise[/name_f], [name_f]Esther[/name_f], [name_f]Evelyn[/name_f], [name_f]Fern[/name_f], [name_f]Frances[/name_f], [name_f]Harriet[/name_f], [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], [name_f]Hildegard[/name_f], [name_f]Hyacinth[/name_f], [name_f]Ida[/name_f], [name_f]June[/name_f], [name_f]Louise[/name_f], [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], [name_f]Margot[/name_f], [name_f]Martha[/name_f], [name_f]Nora[/name_f], [name_f]Oona[/name_f], [name_f]Philomena[/name_f], [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_f]Prudence[/name_f], [name_f]Ramona[/name_f], [name_f]Roberta[/name_f], [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f], [name_f]Sybil[/name_f], [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f], [name_f]Tabitha[/name_f], [name_f]Timothea[/name_f], [name_f]Viola[/name_f], [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Winifred[/name_f]

[name_f]My[/name_f] current list (the names that fit the newer style, of which I'm trying to get away from slightly):

[name_m]Alcott[/name_m], [name_f]Benedicte[/name_f], [name_f]Beulah[/name_f], [name_f]Bird[/name_f], [name_f]Bridget[/name_f], Cavatica, [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f], [name_f]Concordia[/name_f], [name_f]Favor[/name_f], [name_m]Garland[/name_m], [name_f]Hero[/name_f], [name_f]Merit[/name_f], [name_m]Murphy[/name_m], [name_f]Pepper[/name_f], [name_m]Quimby[/name_m], [name_m]Royce[/name_m], [name_m]Vision[/name_m], [name_f]Winsome[/name_f], [name_f]Zelda[/name_f], [name_f]Zipporah[/name_f]

Thank you all in advance!

[lucy_halo1]

I think [name_f]Zelda[/name_f], [name_f]Beulah[/name_f], [name_f]Bridget[/name_f], and even [name_f]Pepper[/name_f] absolutely work for your original list.

Based on the classic/clunky list, I would suggest:
[name_f]Mavis[/name_f]
[name_f]Polly[/name_f]
[name_f]Emma[/name_f]
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f]
[name_f]Judith[/name_f]
[name_f]Nell[/name_f]
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f]
[name_f]Millie[/name_f]
[name_f]Elsie[/name_f]
[name_f]Jean[/name_f]
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]

[PeachyMum]

Some names that come to mind when I see your first list. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] it helps

[name_f]Henrietta[/name_f]
[name_f]Eugenie[/name_f]
[name_f]Janet[/name_f]
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f]
[name_f]Kathleen[/name_f]
[name_f]Jenny[/name_f]
[name_f]Beverley[/name_f]
[name_f]Mona[/name_f]
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]
[name_f]Sabrina[/name_f]
[name_f]Deborah[/name_f]
[name_f]Cathy[/name_f]
[name_f]Marica[/name_f]
[name_f]Joan[/name_f]
[name_m]Stacey[/name_m]
[name_f]Kimberley[/name_f]
[name_f]Barbara[/name_f]
[name_f]Portia[/name_f]
[name_f]Irene[/name_f]
[name_f]Shirley[/name_f]
[name_f]Johanna[/name_f]
[name_f]Diana[/name_f]
[name_f]Cheryl[/name_f]
[name_f]Lorraine[/name_f]
[name_f]Sarah[/name_f]
[name_f]Andrea[/name_f]
[name_f]Vanessa[/name_f]
[name_f]Wilma[/name_f]
[name_f]Sharon[/name_f]
[name_f]Christina[/name_f]
[name_f]Phyllis[/name_f]
[name_f]Michelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Jennifer[/name_f]
[name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Stephanie[/name_f]
[name_f]Francesca[/name_f]
[name_f]Linda[/name_f]
[name_f]Angela[/name_f]
[name_f]Courtney[/name_f]
[name_f]Shannon[/name_f]
[name_f]Erica[/name_f]
[name_f]Helen[/name_f]
[name_f]Rita[/name_f]
[name_f]Sandra[/name_f]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f]
[name_f]Janice[/name_f]
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f]
[name_f]Ingrid[/name_f]
[name_f]Lisa[/name_f]
[name_f]Amy[/name_f]
[name_f]Jemima[/name_f]
[name_f]Susanna[/name_f]

[user10]

Names I think you would like:
[name_f]Alma[/name_f]
[name_f]Bonnie[/name_f]
[name_f]Cecelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]
[name_f]Greta[/name_f]
[name_f]Helen[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f]
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
[name_f]Kitty[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucille[/name_f]
[name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f]
[name_f]Mavis[/name_f]
[name_f]Meredith[/name_f]
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosalind[/name_f]
[name_f]Roseanne[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]
[name_f]Roxanne[/name_f]
[name_f]Sabrina[/name_f]
[name_m]Spencer[/name_m]
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]

Btw I love your classic clunky style best!!

[ellerbea]

I think these two styles can live really happily together on your lists if you choose! However, here are a few names that fit the style of the first list but are based off of names from the second …

[name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_f]Myrna[/name_f]
[name_f]Calpurnia[/name_f]
[name_f]Wendy[/name_f]
[name_f]Bridget[/name_f] “Birdie”
[name_f]Birgitta[/name_f]
[name_f]Zadie[/name_f]
[name_f]Meret[/name_f]
[name_f]Winnie[/name_f]
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]
[name_f]Moira[/name_f]
[name_f]Hester[/name_f]
[name_f]Greta[/name_f]
[name_f]Joyce[/name_f]
[name_f]Joycie[/name_f]
[name_f]Henny[/name_f]
[name_f]Marlene[/name_f]
[name_f]Marla[/name_f]
[name_f]Etta[/name_f]
[name_f]Cordia[/name_f]
[name_f]Hetty[/name_f]
[name_f]Hattie[/name_f]
[name_f]Margo[/name_f]
[name_f]Nelda[/name_f]
[name_f]Nella[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]
[name_f]Marilee[/name_f]
[name_f]Caro[/name_f]
[name_f]Carolyn[/name_f]

[readingreverie]

@lucy_halo1 Thank you! I like [name_f]Mavis[/name_f], [name_f]Emma[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Pippa[/name_f], [name_f]Elsie[/name_f], and [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]!

@PeachyMum I like [name_f]Eugenie[/name_f], [name_f]Beverly[/name_f], [name_f]Mona[/name_f], [name_f]Barbara[/name_f], [name_f]Portia[/name_f], [name_f]Irene[/name_f], [name_f]Diana[/name_f], [name_f]Sarah[/name_f], [name_f]Phyllis[/name_f], [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f], [name_f]Olive[/name_f], [name_f]Francesca[/name_f], [name_f]Helen[/name_f], [name_f]Ingrid[/name_f], and [name_f]Amy[/name_f]. Thank you!

@user10 Thank you! I like [name_f]Alma[/name_f], [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f], [name_f]Cecelia[/name_f], [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], [name_f]Greta[/name_f], [name_f]Helen[/name_f], [name_f]Jane[/name_f], [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], [name_f]Mabel[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Mavis[/name_f], [name_f]Pearl[/name_f], and Wilhelmina!!

@ellerbea I do like [name_f]Faye[/name_f], [name_f]Calpurnia[/name_f], [name_f]Wendy[/name_f], [name_f]Bridget[/name_f] “Birdie,” [name_f]Winnie[/name_f], [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f], [name_f]Moira[/name_f], [name_f]Greta[/name_f], [name_f]Joyce[/name_f], [name_f]Cordia[/name_f], and [name_f]Margo[/name_f]! Thank you!

[MsJAJ]

One thing I’ve learned is to not put myself into this definitive box when it comes to my name style. There’s always a subconscious underlying thread/commonality anyway, even though on the surface the names may appear different. For example, I found whilst my names varied from celestial to mythical on the surface, they all had a nature connection upon further research.

Your names may appear vintage, literary and cottagecore on the surface, but they all have an edge/strength to them - very badass and warrior like. [name_m]Alcott[/name_m], [name_f]Beulah[/name_f] and [name_m]Garland[/name_m] for example, fits in VERY well with your previous list. As do the other names on your current list.

[name_f]Gardenia[/name_f]
[name_f]Juniper[/name_f]
[name_f]Dahlia[/name_f]
[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]
[name_f]Darcy[/name_f]
[name_m]Brave[/name_m]
Elovie
[name_f]Athena[/name_f]
[name_f]Marjorie[/name_f]
[name_f]Vesper[/name_f]
[name_f]Inez[/name_f]
[name_f]Endellion[/name_f]
[name_f]Pearline[/name_f] / [name_f]Pearlene[/name_f] (Pearl-leen)
[name_m]Pearlie[/name_m] / [name_f]Pearly[/name_f]
[name_f]Xanthia[/name_f] / Zanthia
[name_f]Brontë[/name_f]

[readingreverie]

@MsJAJ I do generally agree with you! I love the names still, but I just feel like I’ve lost my style. I love the vintage cottagecore names and I know that’s likely what ones I’ll pick for my children, but I just feel like I don’t have a good list of them at the moment, which frustrates me. Anyhow, I’m glad you think the other names still fit! I like [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f], [name_f]Juniper[/name_f], [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f], [name_f]Darcy[/name_f], [name_m]Brave[/name_m] (Bravery is on my boys list for a middle!), and [name_f]Brontë[/name_f]! Thank you.

[MamaANC]

I love your classic list! I have a daughter named [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] and [name_f]Harriet[/name_f], [name_f]Ramona[/name_f], and [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] were among my top picks for her little sister due next week!

[readingreverie]

@MamaANC Thank you so much! I’d love to hear what you name her!!

[MamaANC]

Stay tuned, I’ll definitely post in the announcement forums sometime in the next couple weeks

[babymamallama]

Okay I think we have similar style. [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] is top of my list. I’ll just tell you other names I like and maybe something will stick! Sorry for any repeats. I have the short term memory of Dory….

[name_f]Zelda[/name_f]
[name_f]Violet[/name_f]
[name_f]Juniper[/name_f]
[name_f]Nova[/name_f]
[name_f]Stella[/name_f]
[name_f]Estelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f]
[name_f]Skyler[/name_f]
[name_f]Raina[/name_f]
[name_m]Mars[/name_m]
[name_f]Lavender[/name_f]
[name_f]Maxine[/name_f]
[name_f]Araminta[/name_f]
[name_f]Tatum[/name_f]
[name_f]Venus[/name_f] (but worry about a certain P word it rhymes with)
[name_f]Athena[/name_f]
[name_f]Halle[/name_f]
[name_f]Roxanne[/name_f]
[name_f]Ruby[/name_f]
[name_f]Marigold[/name_f]

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] you find some winners! Best of luck to you.

[Greyblue]

I’ll suggest:

[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] → clunky with a hint of children’s lit (Gwendolyn → [name_f]Wendy[/name_f] → [name_m]Peter[/name_m] Pan)

[name_f]Philippa[/name_f] → grand and cute, plus nn [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] (reminds me of [name_f]Pepper[/name_f] to combine the two styles)

[name_f]Ethelmary[/name_f] → clunky cute, but playful too

[name_f]Alberta[/name_f] / [name_f]Albertine[/name_f] → grand and regal but with a bubbly sound

[name_f]Priscilla[/name_f] → sharp but sweet, confident and unexpected

[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] → reminds me of [name_f]Concordia[/name_f] but also feels more classic, more clunky and royal

[name_f]Frederica[/name_f] → sparky and clunky cool

[name_f]Constance[/name_f] → both elegant and clunky and gives you nicknames [name_f]Connie[/name_f] and [name_f]Tansy[/name_f]

[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] → grand and literary with plenty of sweet nicknames

[name_f]Hester[/name_f] → unexpected, a bit more clunky than [name_f]Esther[/name_f] somehow

[name_f]Ruthanne[/name_f] → sharp and clunky at the same time

[name_f]Cynthia[/name_f] → reminds me of [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] and [name_f]Hyacinth[/name_f] but more classic

[Demoiselle]

[name_m]Just[/name_m] my opinion, but I think [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] and [name_f]Beulah[/name_f] would fit quite nicely with your original/“clunky” list.

Anyway, I would suggest:

[name_f]Euphemia[/name_f]
[name_f]Albertine[/name_f]
[name_f]Eunice[/name_f]
[name_f]Myrtle[/name_f]
[name_f]Ernestine[/name_f]
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f]
[name_f]Marjorie[/name_f]
[name_f]Alma[/name_f]
[name_f]Gretchen[/name_f]
[name_f]Anne[/name_f]
[name_f]Helen[/name_f]
[name_f]Berenice[/name_f]
[name_f]Beryl[/name_f]
[name_f]Lavinia[/name_f]
[name_f]Constance[/name_f]
[name_f]Frieda[/name_f]
[name_f]Geraldine[/name_f]
[name_f]Gillian[/name_f]
[name_f]Hedwig[/name_f]
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f]
[name_f]Judith[/name_f]
[name_f]Joan[/name_f]
[name_f]Muriel[/name_f]
[name_f]Millicent[/name_f]
[name_f]Mildred[/name_f]
[name_f]Nadine[/name_f]
[name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosetta[/name_f]
[name_f]Salome[/name_f]
[name_f]Thelma[/name_f]
[name_f]Thora[/name_f]
Ermengarde
[name_f]Anneliese[/name_f]
[name_f]Brunhild[/name_f]
[name_f]Selma[/name_f]
[name_f]Clarice[/name_f]

[rosajune]

sorry for any repeats! Just based off your list…

Abilene
Adeline
Clarisa / Clarissa
Collette
Cordelia
Dora
Dorothy
Doris
Edith
Felicity
Josephine
Mabel
Mavis
Matilda
Samantha
Thomasina
Velma
Wilhelmina
Winona

[readingreverie]

@babymamallama Thank you!! I like [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Juniper[/name_f], [name_f]Lavender[/name_f], [name_f]Araminta[/name_f], and [name_f]Ruby[/name_f]! [name_f]Maxine[/name_f] has slowly becoming one I like too.

@Greyblue I do like Alberta/Albertine, [name_f]Cressida[/name_f], [name_f]Constance[/name_f], [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f], and [name_f]Ruthanne[/name_f]! Thank you!!

@Demoiselle Thank you!! I really like [name_f]Euphemia[/name_f], [name_f]Albertine[/name_f], [name_f]Eunice[/name_f], [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f], [name_f]Ernestine[/name_f], [name_f]Margaret[/name_f], [name_f]Constance[/name_f], [name_f]Geraldine[/name_f], [name_f]Imogen[/name_f], [name_f]Joan[/name_f], [name_f]Muriel[/name_f], [name_f]Millicent[/name_f], [name_f]Mildred[/name_f], [name_f]Olive[/name_f], [name_f]Thelma[/name_f], [name_f]Thora[/name_f], and Brunhild!!

@rosajune I do quite like [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_f]Dora[/name_f], [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], [name_f]Doris[/name_f], [name_f]Edith[/name_f], [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Thomasina[/name_f], and [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]! Thanks!!

[rosajune]

I forgot to add [name_f]Bernice[/name_f], [name_f]Bertha[/name_f], [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f], [name_f]Gladys[/name_f] and [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f] nn [name_f]Trudy[/name_f] or [name_f]Gertie[/name_f]!

[readingreverie]

@rosajune Thanks!! [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] is recently a favorite on my lists, but I also like [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f]!

[pocketfullofwhimsy]

I’ll add some that feel like a marriage between these two (sorry for any repeats).

[name_f]Maeva[/name_f] : [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] from the 1st + the “a” instead of the “e” makes it more modern IMO.

[name_f]Hyacinth[/name_f] : it’s braver and more word name, but also vintage enough.

[name_f]Clementine[/name_f] : “minty” and “lemon” feel like [name_f]Pepper[/name_f] from your 2nd list.

[name_f]Monroe[/name_f] : it’s like [name_f]Margot[/name_f] in some of the sound, but more edge to it

[name_f]Evelina[/name_f] : a fancier spin on [name_f]Evelyn[/name_f]

Liliette : I’ve just been loving this one

[name_f]Olivette[/name_f] : a name that has grown on me and a fuller version of “Olive” which is both wordy yet vintage

More to mull over…
[name_f]Fiona[/name_f]
[name_f]Annabel[/name_f], “Belle”
[name_f]Emmeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Winter[/name_f], “Winnie”
[name_f]Susannah[/name_f], “Sunny”
[name_m]Jules[/name_m]
[name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f]
[name_f]Vienna[/name_f]
[name_f]Birdie[/name_f]
Jessinta, “Jesse”

[readingreverie]

@pocketfullofwhimsy Thank you! I do like [name_f]Hyacinth[/name_f], [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Olivette[/name_f], [name_f]Fiona[/name_f], [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f], and [name_f]Birdie[/name_f]!