Just Plain Confused (Name Hunt/Episode 11)

Update: September 12

New list, new thread. Thanks for the input here!

Here are some other names both like but haven’t seemed right for first names (some are still on the middles list). I’m looking for ideas/suggestions along these lines.

Zuzia (this was the front-runner until we realized that it sounds like the Spanish word for dirty, “sucia.” About half of my extended family are Spanish speakers so this is a deal-killer. He doesn’t like [name_f]Zuzu[/name_f], Zuza, or [name_f]Zsa[/name_f] [name_f]Zsa[/name_f])
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f]/Rowenna
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f]
[name_f]Petra[/name_f]
[name_f]Quilla[/name_f]/[name_f]Aquila[/name_f]
[name_f]Rilla[/name_f]/[name_f]Marilla[/name_f]/[name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f]/[name_f]Priscilla[/name_f]
[name_f]Serafina[/name_f]
[name_f]Celeste[/name_f]/[name_f]Celestia[/name_f]/[name_f]Celestine[/name_f]
[name_f]Luna[/name_f]/[name_f]Lumina[/name_f]
[name_f]Nova[/name_f]
[name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f]
[name_u]Dagny[/name_u]
[name_f]Delphine[/name_f]
[name_f]Katya[/name_f]
[name_f]Lida[/name_f]-[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Zelda[/name_f]
[name_f]Opal[/name_f]
[name_f]Autumn[/name_f]
[name_f]Willow[/name_f]
[name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f]
Colanthe

If it helps with suggestions, here are some his/hers favorites:

My nominations, which cause him to make faces:
[name_f]Georgiana[/name_f]/[name_f]Georgia[/name_f]
[name_f]Una[/name_f]
[name_f]Oriana[/name_f]
[name_f]Roxanne[/name_f]
Iselda

His nominations, which cause me to cringe:
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]
[name_f]Emily[/name_f]
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f]
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_f]Hermione[/name_f]

Our other children are C a s p i a n, Z e p h a n, P e r e g r i n e (P i p p i n), E v e, and D u l c i n e a (D a i s y). The girls have “epic woman” names (first woman, ideal woman), so we are having trouble equaling that without just going majorly [name_m]OTT[/name_m]. We’re not into goddesses, but we do like literary and historic ladies.

Oh, you’re so close! At this point I’m really loving [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. [name_f]Constance[/name_f] registers as a name before it registers as a word, so I see it as two word names separated by a name name, which totally flies imo. It honors your [name_f]MIL[/name_f] and your dad and you get the cute [name_m]Doctor[/name_m] Who reference for your boys. I think [name_f]Opal[/name_f] goes great with your kids’ names, more so with your boys’ names, but if this is your last child I do like that [name_f]Opal[/name_f] ties the boys’ and girls’ names together. So there’s my two cents. If I had to pick a second place name I’d say [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f].

I totally agree with @southernmaple! I really love [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and agree that [name_f]Constance[/name_f] definitely is more of a name to me than a word. I think it’s the best option and ticks all your boxes!

Really, [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] works? Ehhh I’m so confused! Maybe I have been staring at these names too long. I’m not sure my husband is very enamored with those three as a combo. For [name_f]Opal[/name_f] I was thinking a more flowy/pretty type name would be a good balance in the middle, and the gem and flower both… I don’t know. Rowenna isn’t cutting it for my husband, but Rowenna [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is definitely the “feel” I had in mind for a combo using middles [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] – indisputable “name” name, 3+ syllables, with a more more “flowy” sound to it.

I’m not really worried about balancing the boy and girl names, we are fairly young so we could decide on more, but it’s not really what we have in mind at the moment. I’m more worried about having all the girls feel like they got comparable names. The other girls’ full names are E v e A n a s t a s i a and D u l c i n e a T e s l a so I’m afraid [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] might be a bit… austere? non-princessy? It’s really difficult this time!

Thanks for the input @southern.maple & @meyera4. I appreciate hashing it over with some fellow name nerds!

I agree that [name_f]Constance[/name_f] is much more of a name than a word to me. In fact, while [name_f]Constance[/name_f] means “constant”, I don’t think “constance” itself is actually a word. The lower-case version is showing up as misspelled and the only definitions that are showing up in the online dictionaries I’ve check are “female name” and “a lake/city in Germany”, both as a proper noun. I think [name_f]Constance[/name_f] is like [name_f]Celeste[/name_f]. [name_f]Celeste[/name_f] obviously means “celestial”, but it’s only used as a name, so a combo like [name_f]Celeste[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] doesn’t come across as too word-y at all.

[name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] seems like a great choice for you! (For me, [name_f]Opal[/name_f] would knock out the possibility of using [name_m]Apollos[/name_m] as a first name in case you ever do have another son since they use the same exact letters, so you should probably take that into consideration, but if you’re fairly sure she’s going to be the last, there doesn’t seem much of a point in passing [name_f]Opal[/name_f] up for just a theoretical future [name_m]Apollos[/name_m].)

I am so happy to see [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] and [name_f]Opal[/name_f] back in the running!!!

I agree that [name_f]Opal[/name_f] could use a flower/flowy/princesses middle name
What about [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Georgina[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] or [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Georgiana[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] - it sort of has the [name_u]Jean[/name_u] sound in like [name_f]MIL[/name_f] name
I really like both of them, but you would have to sell it to DH.

[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]
I actually like the combo. I see [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] and [name_f]Constance[/name_f] as names first, if [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] were in the middle I could see how it could have word issues but I don’t get that with this combo. I also don’t have an issue with [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] T-name, if your name didn’t have a hard constant at the beginning I could see having issues with first and last name running together but I think this combo is distinct, not choppy.

I’m also still a fan of [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] [name_u]Dagny[/name_u] [name_f]Rose[/name_f].

Oh, [name_f]Opal[/name_f]-[name_m]Apollos[/name_m] didn’t even occur to me. You’re right, what an interesting similarity – they even sound a bit alike! No wonder I have both on my list. My husband seems to have his heart set on [name_m]Ragnar[/name_m] if we ever have another boy. We would be at baby #8 (or later) before we got down to [name_m]Apollos[/name_m]… I don’t think we will change our minds THAT much. @@

FWIW, [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] doesn’t strike me as a “wordy” name - in fact, it’s absolutely gorgeous. All of these words have been used as names for a long time, unlike [name_f]Topaz[/name_f] Happiness [name_u]Blue[/name_u], for example. I know a young [name_f]Opal[/name_f], and she wears it very well. [name_f]Opal[/name_f] somehow is lush and elegant, while also being sporty and spare; memorable, but not too precious.

Ooh, I just got what may be a genius idea: what about [name_f]Apollonia[/name_f], nn [name_f]Opal[/name_f]? It makes as much sense as [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] for D’s nickname, and it even honors the grandmas in almost the exact same way. (You could also use the nickname [name_f]Polly[/name_f], which is similar to [name_f]Peggy[/name_f], but I like [name_f]Opal[/name_f] better.) [name_f]Apollonia[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is gorgeous!

I agree. [name_f]Apollonia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Opal[/name_f] is a good idea. Or maybe [name_f]Apolline[/name_f]? [name_f]Apolline[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] sounds lovely, imo. :slight_smile:

[name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is wordy but NOT too wordy, so if you really love it, I say go for it.

@saraB - Sorry, your post must have gone up while I was still writing the reply to mega_muffin. I thought you would be happy to see [name_f]Opal[/name_f] and [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] come back, you’re one of their fans! I’ve been mentioning [name_f]Georgina[/name_f] as a possibility I think [name_f]MIL[/name_f] would “get” as a [name_u]Jean[/name_u] name. I haven’t gotten a “bite” on it from DH, but he seems to like the “precious gem - Mom likes precious gems” train of thought for [name_f]Opal[/name_f] (we also briefly discussed [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] and [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] but he likes [name_f]Opal[/name_f] best, which is fine by me). I think he might still be a bit in the “letting it grow on me” stage, but the subtle reminder to his mom seems to have pushed it to the top of his list. I think a “princess” middle would probably seal the deal for him, but he does also like [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] as well. It figures that we would come out with “too many” names to decide if we like them all together!

Ahhhh, if I could just figure out what I think about [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] T. It always irritated me that my middle name ends in L and maiden surname began with L, so I hate to commit a name crime, hahahahaha. Maybe I just need to start saying it to myself around the house like I do other name ideas.

Totally forgot about [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] [name_u]Dagny[/name_u] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. That’s bold. I like it. I put it on the ideas list to hash through with the hubby next time he’s ready for a big discussion.

@nathalia - Thank you very much for your comments. I’m having such a terrible time sorting out what to think now that my husband threw me these curve balls.

@mega_muffin - I like the concept, especially with the similarity in both grandmothers getting a nn, but I’m not very keen on [name_f]Apollonia[/name_f]. I don’t really like the “apple” part. Maybe I’m not saying it right? [name_f]Apollonia[/name_f] sounds like it begins with “apple,” like apple-OWN-ee-ah, but [name_m]Apollos[/name_m] emphasizes the “paul” and the long-O sounds. I still put it on the “hash list” to find out my husband’s take. In all honesty, it’s a little disappointing to me for [name_f]MIL[/name_f] to get the legal first name as the honor name, when all of the other grandparents/great grandparents have middle names or nicknames. On the other hand, I DID have [name_f]Opal[/name_f] as a favorite for a long time and I gave up on my husband even coming around to it, so maybe I should take my breaks where I can get them.

@c@29 - I agree, [name_f]Apollonia[/name_f] is a really good idea, unfortunately I don’t really like [name_f]Apollonia[/name_f]. The difference between “apple” and “opal” bothers me. [name_f]Apolline[/name_f] has the same problem, though I do like several “een” ending names, like [name_f]Ondine[/name_f] and [name_f]Delphine[/name_f]. I don’t love [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and I don’t think my husband does, either. He liked the idea of [name_f]Opal[/name_f] with different middle names, or a different first name with [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. I did have in mind a more princessy name to balance out the word names in the combos. I’ve just been thrown a curve ball I don’t know how to hit, because I was really happy with the idea of looking for _____ [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f], but if I use [name_f]Opal[/name_f], which I did like, I either have to decide on using full combo I really don’t love or say goodbye to the middles I did love.

I think [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is fine. Yes, it’s wordy but I don’t mind it as much because you’re taking words from different areas (eg. a jewel, a virtue and a flower). I would avoid [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] if your surname begins with a “T”.

I don’t think that [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is too wordy but I agree with you that it might sound a bit less “princessy” than her sisters’s names. Besides, it’s so many O’s and A’s next to each other, the names sort of seem to blend into each other when you see them written?
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is definitely more wordy than [name_f]Opal[/name_f] because it makes me think of a scarlet rose and then a “constance rose” as if that were a type of rose…
From your other first name options I love Rowenna, [name_f]Aurora[/name_f], [name_f]Petra[/name_f], [name_f]Serafina[/name_f], [name_f]Celeste[/name_f], [name_f]Luna[/name_f], [name_f]Autumn[/name_f], [name_f]Willow[/name_f], [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] and [name_f]Oriana[/name_f].

@mischa & @melusina - Thanks for the input! I’m glad to know that [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is not coming across as too wordy. If it grows on Hubby and me then we will have less pause about that. I’m really not feeling it, so I’m still looking for different combos for each to put on my “take to the birth” list.

If you’re looking for a princessy / flourishymiddle for with Opal, I’m gonna throw back to Celestia.
That said, I love Opal but I think you have to use Constance Rose. That mn combo hits the sweet spot. I do think it needs something a little more exotic in the front. I still really like Colanthe or Iolanthe or Rowenna. Exotic and feminine and interesting, and not resembling words.

I don’t love Opal Constance Rose. Its not terrible, but it also doesn’t feel balanced enough. Not as beautiful as your other daughters names, not as quirky & interesting as your boys’.
I think you will end up dropping Scarlett anyway because of your surname so I think it’d be a waste of time to pursue that avenue too much.

What did DH think of your wen name list? A lot of those feel like princesses names to me. If he likes those I would focus on that list as finding a first name to pair with [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f].

[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Bronwyn[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]

[name_m]How[/name_m] about changing the mn a little to make it more princessy?
What do you think of:
[name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constancia[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalind[/name_f]
[name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constancia[/name_f] [name_f]Rosamund[/name_f]
[name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constancia[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f]

I think Opal Constance Rose is great. I much prefer Opal to Scarlett. On your long list, I like [name_f]Marilla[/name_f] and [name_f]Esmerelda[/name_f]. Both sound nice with [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. [name_f]Esmerelda[/name_f] could be that precious gem tie-in that honors your Mother in [name_m]Law[/name_m], no? And Esmerelda Constance Rose is stunning.

I think [name_f]Opal[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] works, honestly. [name_f]Opal[/name_f] is the only one that seems like a “word” name but only because the other two are ([name_f]IMO[/name_f]) more commonly used as names than [name_f]Opal[/name_f] is. I also liked the suggestion of [name_f]Apollonia[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] but I know you aren’t the biggest fan. What about [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] “[name_f]Opal[/name_f]”, [name_f]Polina[/name_f]/[name_f]Paulina[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] “[name_f]Opal[/name_f]”, or [name_f]Opaline[/name_f]/[name_f]Opalina[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]?

I am not the biggest fan of [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] in general… it’s harsh [name_f]IMO[/name_f] and I also get a lot of “red” from [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f].

I’d suggest other middles but honestly I think [name_f]Constance[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is such a beautiful combination I wouldn’t even want to touch it at this point.