[name_m]Long[/name_m]-time reader here–first time posting. I am an essayist/writer and have been keeping a list of names since I was a kid, but haven’t found anything for a girl with which I am totally in love. What I’m looking for: Celtic roots–though not looking for difficult traditional spellings (last name is quite challenging already)–lilting/beautiful and strong, both (a challenging combination). I have a tendency to go toward Welsh names since they’re so stunningly beautiful, but don’t want to tip too much toward [name_m]Lord[/name_m] of the Rings.
[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t like: names that end in “ie” or “ey”, trendy names ([name_f]Ava[/name_f]/[name_f]Ella[/name_f]/[name_f]Olivia[/name_f]/[name_f]Sophia[/name_f]/[name_f]Emma[/name_f]/[name_f]Adele[/name_f]/[name_u]Aidan[/name_u]), names that start with “B,” “J,” “S,” “R” or “G,” female forms of male names ([name_f]Shawna[/name_f]), overly used, highly traditional names ([name_f]Kate[/name_f], [name_f]Sarah[/name_f]).
[name_m]Favorite[/name_m] name is [name_f]Isla[/name_f], but it’s too similar to my own name.
Not looking for feedback on the below as much as new ideas similar to them–because I’m not really in love with any. Thanks in advance!
Aila (nice sound, a little incomplete)
[name_f]Avalon[/name_f] (don’t like [name_f]Ava[/name_f]; don’t like Renaissance feel, but like sound)
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] (worry that it’s too much like [name_f]Ellen[/name_f]; love nickname “Wen”)
Aven (absolutely love, but too close to [name_u]Aidan[/name_u] and a bit made-up sounding)
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] (like sound, but way too [name_m]Lord[/name_m] of Rings)
Elida (like sound, but don’t think it’s Celtic)
Erraid (as in the “[name_f]Isle[/name_f] of Erraid”–not pronounced this way properly, but I would have it rhyming with “Parade”–this represents the kind of sound I like)
[name_f]Iona[/name_f] and [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] (pretty, just not terribly exciting–though probably tops of the list)
Lidah (again, not Irish, I don’t think, but love sound)
[name_f]Mairead[/name_f] (love the lilting sound, but with the M a bit matronly/heavy sounding to me)
[name_f]Mae[/name_f] (a bit too simple for me, though like it)
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f] (I like, husband feels it’s too old lady; I prefer Neave anyway)
[name_f]Neala[/name_f]/[name_f]Neilla[/name_f] (don’t love, but play off my maiden name)
Neave (which is how I’d spell it, love that it’s spunky, though don’t like that it’s not lilting, also close to top of list)
[name_f]Orlagh[/name_f] (like the sound and its uniqueness–but a bit heavy)
Thanks much!