Respondents: 75 (This poll is closed)
Voted for [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] because of the sound, and because I’m just unsure of the honorific situation with your husband’s grandmother. Is it an option to ask her how she would feel? You could even phrase it that you’re considering a name that’s similar to hers, but don’t want to offend her. Of the three [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]-based middles, I like [name_f]Elin[/name_f].
So many beautiful choices here, and all so meaningful - I’m blown away by how much thought and care has gone into all of these.
I personally prefer [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] with one of your shorter options: [name_u]Jule[/name_u] or [name_f]Elin[/name_f]. [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] is a beautiful, quirky, substantial name and I think it gets a little bit weighed down by your longer options. [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_u]Jule[/name_u] and [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f] feel much lighter and brighter as combos, and I think they allow the first name to shine that bit more.
If it was up to me, I’d go with [name_u]Jule[/name_u]. It’s such a strong, gorgeous sounding name and I would have thought almost unique - I think it’s amazing! I love that it would tie in so perfectly to both of your great-grandmothers, and I think it’s absolutely fine not to include a nod to [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] in the baby’s English name since her Chinese name will cover that side of the family. It also means you don’t need to worry about your DH’s grandma or her family taking your gesture the wrong way.
[name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_u]Jule[/name_u] “[name_f]Hildie[/name_f]” = PERFECT 
Why not use [name_f]Helen[/name_f]? It directly honors the original [name_f]Helen[/name_f], and could honor [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] as an English-language version of including the same characters in the name. It’s so nice that you’re so keen on following traditions and honoring your family. I love [name_f]Hildie[/name_f] as a nickname, by the way, it’s unique and adorable.
Thanks for the lovely and thoughtful comments so far! I appreciate the feedback.
@[name_f]Katinka[/name_f], do you still believe [name_u]Jule[/name_u] is the best option considering we have a one-syllable last name? That has been my largest barrier for [name_u]Jule[/name_u].
@findemaxa13, I worry that [name_f]Helen[/name_f] just doesn’t have the luster and is also too popular a choice. I do like it though and it’s on the back burner being considered over time.
I didn’t vote because I think you should speak with [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] first. It’d be a bit silly to honor someone in a way they wouldn’t like, and I think it’s important to hear her thoughts before you decide.
I agree that you should check with [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] first.
I really like [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], but I would recommend checking with your DH’s grandmother first. [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Leonore[/name_f] and [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f] are also beautiful.
Hmm, well, I’ll admit DH and I are hesitant to approach her about it. In Chinese culture, you aren’t supposed to pick out a real name before the baby is born. You traditionally give baby an unappealing decoy name for the pregnancy and early days so that spirits can’t take your new baby from you (they get confused, I guess?). Then you announce the real name on the one-month birthday. There’s also a slight language barrier to contend with and I fear she might make assumptions that we would for sure be using the names we talk about. Also she’s a bit of a gossip, lol, and we think she would tell everyone what we talk about, when we have so far avoided disclosing any name possibilities to our family members. Perhaps we should scratch [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] from the list. I still feel like [name_f]Leonore[/name_f] and [name_f]Elin[/name_f] could solve the issue. Such a conundrum, honestly. Naming a real babe is so hard after years of limitless possibilities.
I rather like tfzolghadr’s advice for indirect questioning, if that’s an option for you. Would you actually be using [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]/[name_f]Leonore[/name_f] as an honorific, or do you just like the name? If it’s the former, I think finding a different name might be best to avoid any problems - especially since your daughter’s Chinese name will be honoring your husband’s family.
Looking at the names on their own, I think I like [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Leonore[/name_f] the best, especially with a one syllable last name. However, I think [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] is also gorgeous and might best tick all your boxes. I love [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] and the nn [name_f]Hilde[/name_f] by the way
Indirect questioning may work. I’ll think over how to best address it.
I’m glad that everyone seems to like [name_f]Hildie[/name_f] as her nickname.
@raptreverie, while I have always liked the name [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] on its own, it would be an honorific in this case.
If [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] is off the table I like [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f].
Overall I like the sound of [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f] best, but [name_f]Lenore[/name_f] and [name_u]Jule[/name_u] take close seconds. I do think the shorter middles fit better, and I totally understand the conflict of who to honor and how to honor them. [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] (or [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]) isn’t that common int he US, but perhaps where you live it is more than the #500.
I personally prefer the spelling of [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] without the ‘h’ im not sure why, perhaps since it’s a silent h and when I see it in the name I want to sound it out like “math”
@sillypumpkin, it’s not common where I live at all because of racial demographics. I would be SO surprised if my child meets another [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] (or [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]) in school or activities K-12. And in my state as a whole, there were 22 Matildas and fewer than 5 Mathildas born 2015. But I do worry that when she leaves the nest she may encounter far more Matildas than she cares to, particularly if it continues to rise in popularity, and that if it doesn’t rise in popularity, that it will date her. But those are very specific and mostly irrational concerns.
@lily42, I prefer the H because I feel it sounds more [name_m]German[/name_m], which is an important part of my heritage. And [name_f]Hildie[/name_f] is a bonus I wouldn’t have otherwise with [name_f]Matilda[/name_f].
[name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_u]Jule[/name_u] is gorgeous and unique.
I also quite like [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Lenore[/name_f]…And it seems a lot less “trendy”, which seems to concern you somewhat.
Whatever you choose, you’ll end up with a beautiful combination.
Congratulations!