We have an almost 2-year-old who, after much searching and debate, we named [name_u]Lennox[/name_u] (NN [name_m]Lenny[/name_m])
We had a really hard time finding his name. We have quite a set of rules.
Must not be in the top 100 (as far from as possible).
As far as is determinable, won’t slip into the top 100 in the near future (as you can see we’re a bit allergic to popular names)
Any obvious namesakes, uses in literature, or popular culture must be approved by the husband.
Can’t be a recently madeup/unique name or spelling.
Can’t be a name of recent import from another language (This is how my other half vetoed my suggestions of [name_m]Eero[/name_m] and [name_f]Saskia[/name_f]) “They’re too Scandinavian!”
Should have a nickname that also works with the above rules as we’ll use the NN more than the full name (we live in a country that NN’s everything and everyone. It’s unavoidable so we’d rather controll for it)
After reading an entire 10,000 name book we decided on [name_u]Lennox[/name_u] for number 1. Husband liked the Macbeth reference, I liked the NN [name_m]Lenny[/name_m] (husband was concerned that the Mice and Men reference wasn’t great but compromised). It’s not too popular but an acutal name with historical cultural past. We’re both really happy with the choice.
Whew!
Now, I’m 7 months pregnant with a little girl and we have to start again.
My husband is totally set on [name_f]Ada[/name_f]. He really loves having [name_f]Ada[/name_f] Lovelace as a namesake for a girl (I do too!) and won’t hear any other options.
I really like [name_f]Ada[/name_f] but don’t love it and I’m worried it’s so very close to the ever-present [name_f]Ava[/name_f]. I’m also a bit concerned people might NN her [name_f]Addy[/name_f] which I really dislike.
I was thinking of naming her [name_f]Adalie[/name_f] (pronounced “A-dah-lee”) with a NN of [name_f]Ada[/name_f]. I really like the sound of it and Husband is ok with this option too. But of course we (and then evenutally DD) would have to teach everyone how to pronounce it, as many would naturaly go for the “[name_m]Ad[/name_m]-dah-lee” pronounciation. Is that too big an anoyance to saddle on my poor child?
Am I overthinking all of this?
Am I missing any other good options for getting to [name_f]Ada[/name_f] as a NN?
Should I just give in to the Husband and go for [name_f]Ada[/name_f] as the whole name?
[name_f]Do[/name_f] people have experince of having a name one letter away from one of the most popular names on the planet?
Or having a name that requires correcting pronunciation?
I’ve been stuck in my own thoughts for too long and would love a broader perspective!
I personally wouldn’t want to deal with having to teach people how to pronounce a name, but it is a matter of preference. My first thought for you was [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] or even [name_f]Adelheid[/name_f], but if you are in Australia, you might not want to do that. I would suggest are [name_f]Adela[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ada[/name_f] or [name_f]Adele[/name_f] (if it passes the pop culture test.)
I’m in your same camp with [name_f]Ada[/name_f]: like but don’t love it and def don’t warm to [name_f]Addy[/name_f], even though [name_f]Adeline[/name_f] is quite popular where I live so I hear it. I really like [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] (though unhelpfully, I like the nn [name_f]Daisy[/name_f]).
[name_f]Ada[/name_f] does go nicely with [name_u]Lennox[/name_u]. I think I’d probably just use the name if that’s going to be the name rather than half-heatedly embrace it. It is a meaningful, strong and pretty name.
Other names that could go with [name_u]Lennox[/name_u]/ [name_m]Lenny[/name_m] with similar vibe (and understand that prob not going to be of influence): [name_f]Vera[/name_f], [name_f]Ida[/name_f], [name_f]Willa[/name_f], [name_f]Eve[/name_f], [name_f]Delia[/name_f], [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]/[name_f]Katherine[/name_f], [name_f]Fiona[/name_f], [name_f]Zara[/name_f], [name_f]Tess[/name_f], [name_f]Viola[/name_f].
[name_f]Ada[/name_f] is nice enough, and I much prefer it either on its own or as short form for [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]. Both go well with [name_u]Lennox[/name_u]. [name_f]Adalie[/name_f] doesn’t appeal to me.
I really like [name_f]Ada[/name_f]! And I like it by itself. It doesn’t need a nickname, of course, as it’s so short on its own. [name_m]How[/name_m] would you put pronounce it? A-duh? [name_m]Ad[/name_m]-uh? The first is my preference and I think might keep you away from the addy nickname, since the first syllable is different. I wouldn’t worry about the similarity to [name_f]Ava[/name_f] since [name_f]Ada[/name_f] is an established name of its own. It might be misheard ocassionally, but wouldn’t be confusing.
As [name_f]Erin[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f] very astutely pointed out we’re Australian so [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] is out as a choice (would be the same as calling your child Chicago and who would do that?). Also, [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] isn’t called [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] here but Radelaide (I’m serious with the Aussie NN obsession) so it’s a sure bet she would be too.
[name_f]Ada[/name_f] is A-dah, at least that’s how I’ve always heard/pronounced it!
Have you considered [name_f]Alida[/name_f]? I had a close friend in college named [name_f]Alida[/name_f] (uh-lee-duh) and she wore it very well. It’s unique and has a similar vibe to [name_f]Ada[/name_f], but feels a bit more “full.”
