[name_m]Hi[/name_m] there! Looking for input on some girl names we are fond of. Due THIS MONTH! Hopefully we will know what fits when we meet baby, but would love input on some FN and MN combos.
I would like to honor my grandmother whose name was [name_u]Joan[/name_u]. At first I was pretty set on using [name_u]Joan[/name_u] as a FN because I like the fact that it is one syllable and also I seriously doubt there will be many other 2017 babies (at least where I live) sharing the same FN. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though it is kind of matronly and dated (according to many books I have read) I am trying to stay away from names that will possibly be shared with classmates down the road.
Other ideas that DH and I both like:
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Poppy[/name_f])
[name_f]Isadora[/name_f] (nn [name_u]Izzy[/name_u]/[name_f]Dori[/name_f]/[name_f]Dora[/name_f])
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f]
[name_f]Althea[/name_f] (although I know a young girl by this name and might instead prefer [name_f]Alethea[/name_f] pronounced like [name_m]Al[/name_m]-E-THE-ah, or [name_f]Altheya[/name_f] pronounced [name_m]Al[/name_m]-THEY-ah)
Other names I like (mixed or no reaction from DH on most of these)
[name_f]Colette[/name_f]
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_u]Everly[/name_u]
[name_f]Marlo/name_f
Another consideration is that our LN is a two syllable name that ends in -ton, so initially we were trying to stay away from any names ending in N, but [name_u]Joan[/name_u] seems to work without really the clash of similar end sounds.
What are your favorite FN/MN combos and do you have any similar suggestions? Ones you would [name_f]Nix[/name_f] for any reason (popularity or pop culture reference I am not thinking of etc.)
I really love [name_f]Laurel[/name_f]. I don’t know that [name_u]Joan[/name_u] would work as a middle for that though. Oh, but the charm of [name_f]Laurel[/name_f]! Anyways, here are the suggestions.
[name_f]Erin[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosette[/name_f]
[name_u]Evelyn[/name_u]
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f]/a
[name_f]Joanna[/name_f] (this one works as joan’s honorable mention and deserves revival!)
[name_f]Marina[/name_f]
[name_f]Georgia[/name_f]
[name_f]Jocelyn[/name_f]
[name_u]Lynn[/name_u]
I tried to match these (minus a few exceptions) for [name_u]Joan[/name_u] as a middle. Some like [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] and [name_f]Joanna[/name_f] are already tributes, with the [name_u]Jo[/name_u] beginning. Good luck!
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u] - [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] as full name
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u]
[name_f]Marlo[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u]
I actually really like [name_u]Joan[/name_u] as a first name! I do see how it could feel dated, but personally I think it’s ready for a comeback. It has a sleek sound to it that gives it kind of a modern edge.
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Poppy[/name_f]) - I love [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] but I haven’t really gotten on board with [name_f]Poppy[/name_f], even though it seems to be getting a lot of attention lately. To me it kind of sounds like something a child would call their grandfather. I’m probably just weird though. I prefer [name_u]Penny[/name_u], [name_f]Nell[/name_f], or just [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] in its full form. It does seem to be getting pretty popular though, so if that’s a big concern for you it may not be the best choice.
[name_f]Isadora[/name_f] (nn [name_u]Izzy[/name_u]/[name_f]Dori[/name_f]/[name_f]Dora[/name_f]) - I like this, but the only nickname I really care for is [name_f]Dora[/name_f] and that has sadly been hijacked by the explorer, so I’m not sure if I would be brave enough to use it or not.
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f] - This is a really nice name. It’s pretty, uncommon, but not weird or hard to spell.
[name_f]Althea[/name_f] - I like [name_f]Althea[/name_f]. The two alternatives you listed aren’t really my cup of tea.
[name_f]Colette[/name_f]- Very pretty.
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]- Another beautiful name.
[name_u]Everly[/name_u]- Not bad, but definitely not my style.
[name_f]Marlo[/name_f]- Again, it’s okay but not my favorite. I prefer the -owe spelling to the -o.
[name_f]Alethea[/name_f] is so gorgeous!! Definitely my favorite of your list The flow of [name_f]Alethea[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u] ___ton is awesome! My second choice would be [name_f]Penelope[/name_f], though it does a feel a bit mismatched with [name_u]Joan[/name_u]. I dislike [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] and [name_u]Everly[/name_u], but they do go with [name_u]Joan[/name_u] a bit more stylistically than [name_f]Alethea[/name_f](though I do think [name_f]Alethea[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u] totally works- I think of [name_u]Joan[/name_u] of [name_m]Arc[/name_m]), and [name_u]Everly[/name_u] [name_u]Joan[/name_u] ___ton has a nice flow.
I think [name_u]Joan[/name_u] is lovely, and I’ve never understood the negative reactions people have to it. But I do prefer it as a middle name. I think [name_f]Althea[/name_f] is beautiful and by far my favorite on your list. [name_f]Altheya[/name_f] is cool, too.
I don’t think any of these names are terrible, so putting my personal taste aside, I really like the idea of [name_u]Joan[/name_u] [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] and [name_u]Joan[/name_u] [name_f]Alethea[/name_f] with your surname.
If you were to consider using [name_u]Joan[/name_u] as a middle name, then I like the idea of [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u], [name_f]Alethea[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u], and [name_u]Everly[/name_u] [name_u]Joan[/name_u].
I like [name_u]Joan[/name_u] and if it sounds good with your surname I think it would work as a first. [name_u]Joan[/name_u] [name_f]Alethea[/name_f] is my favourite.
For other first name possibilities I love [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] and [name_f]Alethea[/name_f]. I don’t think [name_f]Althea[/name_f] works nearly as well as [name_f]Alethea[/name_f]. I also love [name_f]Anthea[/name_f].
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] may be too popular for you, but many will be [name_u]Penny[/name_u] for short. [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] as a nn is lovely and a great option.
Combos I love are:
My favorites are [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] and [name_f]Isadora[/name_f]. [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u] is cute, but it is #34 in the US so she will know other Penelopes. If you are really concerned about popularity, an [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] nn [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] will probably have to share the nickname with some Isabellas. [name_f]Althea[/name_f] is very serious sounding to me but it could work. I’m personally not a fan of [name_f]Colette[/name_f], [name_u]Everly[/name_u], or [name_u]Marlowe[/name_u], and I don’t think [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] sounds great with a one-syllable middle name.
My top 3 would be:
[name_u]Joan[/name_u] [name_f]Isadora[/name_f]
[name_u]Joan[/name_u] [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f] [name_u]Joan[/name_u]
Thanks for all the input! I am feeling much better about [name_u]Joan[/name_u] and when we meet baby, I am sure we will know whether to use it as a FN or one of the others. I also think I can narrow down the list and eliminate some of the other maybes.
