We are still on the hunt for our baby girl’s name, she is due in early [name_u]July[/name_u] and lately, we’ve been debating on [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f]. I love the flower and the scent of gardenias (have gardenia bushes all around the yard) and I love how musical and romantic a name it is. Gardenias also remind us of [name_u]Billie[/name_u] [name_f]Holiday[/name_f], one of our all-time favorite singers, because she wore them in her hair, and I myself wore [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f]'s in my hair at my wedding a lifetime ago, lol, instead of a tiara or veil. So my main association with Gardenias are my home, my family and my love and I think that’s a very positive thing.
So, I was wondering how usable [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] might be as a first name… My husband is very enthusiastic about it and we both think it’s rare and quirky enough to fit with Larkspur’s name. Also, if we were to choose [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f], what middle name (non-botanical please) would you pair it with? [name_m]Ah[/name_m], also, what nickname would you use for [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f]? I’m kind of stumped on that…
I love [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] - as a flower and name, I also like Garden and [name_f]Garland[/name_f] too, I think it will suit well with Larkspur and names of your other children since they all have nature related names.
I really like [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] - my first thought for a nickname was [name_f]Edie[/name_f], as pp suggested - I feel like that could make it feel more familiar too. [name_u]Ari[/name_u], [name_f]Deenie[/name_f], [name_u]Denny[/name_u] or [name_f]Gigi[/name_f] might work too
I love the suggestion of [name_f]Edie[/name_f] as a nickname for [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f]!!! I also just thought of [name_f]Genie[/name_f], which I love, what do you guys think, would it work? I still haven’t been able to find a middle name to go with [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] that has made me go Wow…
@erin beth, I’m thinking something more British in style, similar to [name_f]Philippa[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Ramona[/name_f], [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] and [name_f]Philomena[/name_f]… It doesn’t need to be as long as these names are. I have thought of [name_f]Louise[/name_f]/[name_f]Louisa[/name_f], [name_f]Juno[/name_f] and [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] as well. To be honest I’m not quite sure…
[name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] is so lovely, and the significance it has for your family makes it very appealing. I like [name_f]Daney[/name_f] as a nickname.
[name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] [name_f]Colette[/name_f]
[name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] [name_f]Estelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] [name_f]Celeste[/name_f]
[name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] [name_f]Prudence[/name_f]
[name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] [name_f]Sonnet[/name_f]
I definitely think [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] is usable!
It has fantastic imagery, an attractive sound, and most importantly it has a lot of significance to you.
There are a lot of nn possibilities! [name_u]Arden[/name_u], [name_u]Eden[/name_u], [name_f]Edie[/name_f], [name_u]Denny[/name_u], [name_f]Dina[/name_f], [name_f]Nia[/name_f], [name_f]Nina[/name_f].
[name_u]Love[/name_u] the suggestion of nn. [name_f]Nina[/name_f]! [name_f]DeeDee[/name_f] (or just [name_f]Dee[/name_f]) is the only thing I have to add on that front.
I like it, and I think it would tie in well with the name Larkspur. The only nickname I can think of which would really come from the word [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] is [name_u]Gardie[/name_u], but I could also see calling her [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] or another botanical thing.
I like [name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] [name_u]Lee[/name_u], I think a short and punchy middle name is nice in combination with a longer, more whimsical first name.
[name_f]Gardenia[/name_f] is wordy but it could work as a name. It’s definitely unusual but pretty similar to Larkspur on that level. [name_f]Deena[/name_f] could work as a nickname, or [name_f]Gigi[/name_f] if you choose a G middle.