Please excuse my edit
I like [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] with the nickname [name_f]Tilly[/name_f].
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_f]Grace[/name_f] are nice but very common! I dont mind [name_f]Frances[/name_f] with the nn [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] either!
[name_f]Roxanne[/name_f]/[name_f]Roxana[/name_f] -has possibility of cute, spunky nickname [name_f]Roxy[/name_f]
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f] -more refreshing than [name_f]Mary[/name_f], but not too out there
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] -Slight change from [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] but definitely adds some flair without going crazy, plus has some literary sentiment with [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] [name_m]Potter[/name_m]
[name_f]Violet[/name_f] -less common alternative to [name_f]Lily[/name_f]
[name_u]Sloane[/name_u] -uncommon, but not completely unheard of or unusable
[name_u]Winter[/name_u] -has the same feel of your other names, but slightly less popular
[name_f]Isadora[/name_f] -close to the more popular [name_f]Isabel[/name_f], but definitely more exotic
[name_f]Cora[/name_f] -less common alternative to [name_f]Clara[/name_f]
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]/[name_f]Norah[/name_f] -very usable but less common
[name_f]Cleo[/name_f] -reminiscent of [name_f]Cleopatra[/name_f], but definitely way more usable
[name_f]Kaya[/name_f]/[name_f]Kaia[/name_f]/[name_f]Caia[/name_f] -spunky and less common than the popular [name_f]Maya[/name_f], but just as charming and usable
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps!
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] - [name_f]Liliosa[/name_f], [name_f]Anemone[/name_f], [name_f]Calla[/name_f], [name_f]Liliane[/name_f], Chrysanthe, [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f], [name_f]Viola[/name_f], [name_f]Yolanda[/name_f], [name_f]Zita[/name_f]
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] - [name_f]Gratia[/name_f], [name_f]Graciella[/name_f], [name_f]Engracia[/name_f], Graciosa, Igraine, [name_f]Esperanza[/name_f], Solace, Hopestill, Joyous, [name_f]Acacia[/name_f]
[name_f]Mary[/name_f] - [name_f]Maren[/name_f], [name_f]Maija[/name_f], [name_f]Mariana[/name_f]/[name_f]Marianna[/name_f], [name_f]Mariel[/name_f], [name_f]Marigold[/name_f], [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], [name_f]Maryam[/name_f], [name_f]Moira[/name_f], [name_f]Muriel[/name_f], [name_f]Marisa[/name_f], [name_f]Marina[/name_f]
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] - [name_f]Ailis[/name_f], [name_f]Alida[/name_f], [name_f]Aliza[/name_f], Alcina, [name_f]Alba[/name_f], [name_f]Aida[/name_f], Aglaia, [name_f]Alaia[/name_f], Alodia, [name_f]Amabel[/name_f], [name_f]Alvina[/name_f], [name_f]Almira[/name_f]
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] - [name_f]Chiara[/name_f], [name_f]Clarinda[/name_f], [name_f]Clarissa[/name_f], [name_f]Clorinda[/name_f], [name_f]Kerensa[/name_f], [name_f]Ciara[/name_f], [name_f]Cassia[/name_f]
[name_u]Vivian[/name_u] - [name_f]Bibiana[/name_f], Niniane, Nimue, [name_u]Vesper[/name_u], [name_f]Viveca[/name_f], [name_f]Undine[/name_f]
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f] - [name_u]Juniper[/name_u], [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f], [name_f]Oliva[/name_f]/[name_f]Olive[/name_f], [name_f]Briony[/name_f], [name_f]Briar[/name_f], [name_u]Waverly[/name_u]
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f] - [name_f]Eliane[/name_f], [name_f]Eira[/name_f], [name_f]Eudora[/name_f], [name_f]Elspeth[/name_f], [name_f]Irina[/name_f], [name_u]Elisha[/name_u], [name_f]Elysia[/name_f], [name_f]Adeliza[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] - [name_f]Tess[/name_f], [name_f]Nell[/name_f], [name_f]Bess[/name_f], [name_f]Gwen[/name_f], [name_f]Fleur[/name_f], [name_f]Pearl[/name_f], [name_f]Blythe[/name_f], [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], [name_f]Blanche[/name_f]
[name_f]Vera[/name_f] - [name_f]Verity[/name_f], [name_f]Viridis[/name_f], [name_f]Viridiana[/name_f], [name_f]Veradis[/name_f], [name_f]Verbena[/name_f], [name_f]Veronica[/name_f]/Véronique, [name_f]Verona[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] - [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f], [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f], [name_f]Geneva[/name_f], [name_f]Ginevra[/name_f], [name_f]Winifred[/name_f], [name_f]Fiona[/name_f], [name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f], [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f], [name_f]Bronwen[/name_f], [name_f]Gaynor[/name_f], [name_f]Rhonwen[/name_f], [name_f]Elowen[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f] - [name_f]Hermia[/name_f], [name_f]Hermione[/name_f], [name_f]Elaine[/name_f], [name_f]Alaina[/name_f], [name_f]Ilona[/name_f], [name_f]Galina[/name_f], [name_f]Eileen[/name_f]
[name_f]Greta[/name_f] - [name_f]Hanna[/name_f], [name_f]Ingrid[/name_f], [name_f]Freya[/name_f], [name_f]Minna[/name_f], [name_f]Astrid[/name_f], [name_f]Signy[/name_f], [name_f]Dagmar[/name_f], [name_f]Thora[/name_f], [name_f]Sunniva[/name_f]
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] - [name_f]Mafalda[/name_f], [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f], [name_f]Magda[/name_f]/[name_f]Magdalen[/name_f]/[name_f]Magdalena[/name_f], [name_f]Marcella[/name_f], [name_f]Augusta[/name_f], [name_f]Armina[/name_f], [name_f]Hermina[/name_f], [name_f]Amalie[/name_f], [name_f]Eloise[/name_f], [name_f]Elise[/name_f], [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] - [name_f]Beata[/name_f], [name_f]Macaria[/name_f], [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], [name_f]Leatrice[/name_f], [name_f]Belinda[/name_f], [name_f]Althea[/name_f], [name_f]Anthea[/name_f], [name_f]Bonita[/name_f]
[name_f]Ellen[/name_f] - [name_f]Elena[/name_f], [name_f]Eleni[/name_f], [name_f]Eleanora[/name_f], [name_f]Leonie[/name_f], [name_f]Leona[/name_f], [name_f]Leontine[/name_f], [name_f]Liora[/name_f]
[name_f]Frances[/name_f] - [name_f]Franca[/name_f], [name_f]Francesca[/name_f], [name_f]Ines[/name_f], [name_f]Iris[/name_f], [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]
[name_f]Susan[/name_f] - [name_f]Susanna[/name_f]/[name_f]Susanna[/name_f], [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f], [name_f]Saskia[/name_f], [name_f]Sephora[/name_f]
I love a lot of the names on your list. Particularly [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], and [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f].
A few suggestions:
[name_f]Arcadia[/name_f]
[name_f]Amelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f]
[name_f]Annalie[/name_f]
[name_f]Annabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosalie[/name_f]
[name_f]Evangeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Liliana[/name_f]
[name_f]Angelica[/name_f]
[name_f]Tatiana[/name_f]
your existing list isn’t boring… it’s classic (just reframing). To complement your likely middles:
[name_f]Antonella[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Nell[/name_f])
[name_f]Anais[/name_f]
[name_f]Astrid[/name_f] (nn Triddy)
[name_f]Camilla[/name_f]/[name_f]Camille[/name_f]
[name_f]Clementine[/name_f]
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Dahlia[/name_f]
[name_f]Daphne[/name_f]
[name_u]Darby[/name_u]
[name_u]Darcy[/name_u]
[name_f]Delia[/name_f]
[name_f]Delphine[/name_f]
[name_f]Evangeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f]
[name_f]Hattie[/name_f]
[name_f]Isolde[/name_f]
[name_f]Lark[/name_f]
[name_f]Lola[/name_f]
[name_f]Luna[/name_f]
[name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Maggie[/name_f], [name_f]Nola[/name_f])
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f]
[name_u]Paget[/name_u] (nn [name_u]Page[/name_u])
[name_f]Petra[/name_f]
[name_u]Rory[/name_u]
[name_f]Stella[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Violet[/name_f]
[name_f]Zelda[/name_f]
I bolded the ones I really like but I figured why not try updating your list by using your current list as a jumping off point? I looked at behindthename.com and found variations that I think sound fresh but could still honor the names your hubby likes. Maybe he’d be amenable to exploring alternatives if you start small. (Also using a variant that honors your or his heritage could be cool).
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] - [name_f]Lileas[/name_f] (Scottish), [name_f]Lillia[/name_f] (diminutive of [name_f]Lilian[/name_f]),
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] - maybe different virtue name like [name_f]Hope[/name_f], [name_f]Honor[/name_f], [name_f]Temperance[/name_f] would work well too. (They are equally traditional just not as common).
[name_f]Mary[/name_f] - [name_f]Miriam[/name_f]/[name_f]Mirjam[/name_f] (Arabic/Germanic), [name_f]Polly[/name_f], [name_f]Molly[/name_f], [name_f]Moira[/name_f] (Irish), [name_f]Maja[/name_f] (Swedish), [name_f]Mairwen[/name_f] (Welsh).
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] - [name_f]Alise[/name_f], [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f], [name_f]Alida[/name_f] ([name_m]German[/name_m]), [name_f]Ada[/name_f] (Polish - super popular right now),
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] - [name_f]Kiara[/name_f], [name_f]Clarisse[/name_f] ([name_m]French[/name_m]),
[name_u]Vivian[/name_u] - you could argue against this by pointing out it was traditionally a boys name. (If he’s traditional). [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Viola[/name_f] or [name_f]Violetta[/name_f]
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f] - maybe other color or nature names would work. [name_u]Ruby[/name_u], [name_f]Wren[/name_f], [name_u]Rowen[/name_u], [name_f]Poppy[/name_f], [name_f]Hyacinth[/name_f] (virtually any flower).
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f] - oh choose any [name_f]Elisabeth[/name_f] derived name… some of my favorites are [name_f]Elisabetta[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Lilibet[/name_f] which is sort of [name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_f]Eliza[/name_f]), [name_f]Bettie[/name_f], [name_f]Buffy[/name_f], [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_f]Elise[/name_f], [name_f]Liesel[/name_f] ([name_m]German[/name_m])
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] - [name_f]Johanna[/name_f] (Biblical), Janneke (Dutch), [name_f]Janina[/name_f] ([name_m]German[/name_m]), [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] (Italian), [name_f]Siana[/name_f] (Welsh)
[name_f]Vera[/name_f] - there aren’t a lot of varients on this one. [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_u]Vesper[/name_u]?
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] (DH is tentative on this one) -
[name_f]Helena[/name_f] - [name_f]Helen[/name_f], [name_f]Eleni[/name_f], [name_f]Eleanora[/name_f], [name_f]Elena[/name_f], Illena.
[name_f]Greta[/name_f] - [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] nn [name_f]Greta[/name_f] would work. [name_f]Meta[/name_f] (Swedish), [name_f]Maisie[/name_f] (Scottish)
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] - [name_f]Maude[/name_f],
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] (tentative on this one, as well) - wonderful name not a lot of variants on this on either. (I have nothing up my sleeve as I think this might be the one non-nn B name I like)
[name_f]Ellen[/name_f] - See [name_f]Helena[/name_f] but also [name_f]Olena[/name_f] (Ukranian), [name_f]Elin[/name_f] (Welsh), [name_f]Elaine[/name_f] (Welsh Mythology)
[name_f]Frances[/name_f] - [name_f]Francesca[/name_f] (Italian), [name_f]Sissy[/name_f] (which is an English diminutive)
[name_f]Susan[/name_f] - [name_f]Susanna[/name_f], [name_f]Savannah[/name_f], [name_f]Zula[/name_f] (Polish)
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] that helps some.
Okay I’m looking at more distinct/exotic names that won’t scare your traditional Southern Family
[name_f]Liliana[/name_f] or [name_f]Liliosa[/name_f] - in consideration of [name_f]Lily[/name_f]
[name_f]Francesca[/name_f] - I like this name more than [name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] - Fresher version of [name_f]Helena[/name_f] or [name_f]Ellen[/name_f] or [name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] or [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] - instead of [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]
[name_f]Genevieve[/name_f] - instead of [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]
even [name_f]Isla[/name_f]
[name_f]Valentina[/name_f]
Maybe even go in the route of less common [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] name like:
[name_f]Nerissa[/name_f]
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f]
[name_f]Adriana[/name_f]
[name_f]Portia[/name_f]
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
I was even thinking of [name_f]Perla[/name_f] which is the Spanish version of [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] so it is a typical southern name with a bit of a flair to it
[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] which is becoming more common now was also the name of an old queen so you have history on your side with that one
Some suggestions:
[name_f]Fern[/name_f]
[name_f]Delia[/name_f]
[name_f]Moira[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]
[name_f]Thalia[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosalie[/name_f]
[name_f]Liliana[/name_f]
[name_f]Daphne[/name_f]
[name_u]Sage[/name_u]
[name_f]Valora[/name_f]
[name_f]Callista[/name_f] nn [name_f]Callie[/name_f]
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f]
From your list I love:
[name_f]Vera[/name_f] - not many little girls have this name! It’s so cute and ages very well! Definitely a good choice!
[name_f]Greta[/name_f] - I adore this name, it’s definitely different and as with [name_f]Vera[/name_f], not many little girls have this name. It’s very feminine, I don’t understand why more people don’t use this name.
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] - This will forever be an absolutely lovely name! I can’t stand [name_f]Lillian[/name_f], so [name_f]Lily[/name_f] is really brilliant and so adorable! Maybe to give it a unique twist spell it differently: [name_f]Lillie[/name_f], [name_f]Lilly[/name_f], [name_f]Lilli[/name_f], Lillee
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f] - This is such a cute name and I don’t think it’s a boring name at all!
[name_f]Frances[/name_f] - [name_u]Frannie[/name_u] is one of my favorite nicknames and I feel that more people should use [name_f]Frances[/name_f]!
Suggestions:
[name_f]Genevieve[/name_f]
[name_f]Flora[/name_f]
[name_f]Sidonia[/name_f]
[name_f]Leona[/name_f]
[name_f]Adeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Petra[/name_f]
[name_f]Adah[/name_f]
[name_f]Evangeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Alba[/name_f]
[name_f]Britta[/name_f]
All of these names have a unique factor and a beauty to them that I love, and I hope you love at least one of these names as well!
I love many of your names, especially [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f], [name_f]FRANCES[/name_f], and [name_f]Greta[/name_f]
I read this a second time and realized I missed the instructions. So, taking those into consideration:
[name_f]Amelia[/name_f] ([name_f]Earhart[/name_f])
[name_u]Arden[/name_u] (As You Like It)
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f] (Terms of Endearment)
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f] (the Great)
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] (A Room with a View)
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] ([name_m]King[/name_m] Lear)
[name_f]Daisy[/name_f] (The Great [name_m]Gatsby[/name_m])
[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] (I & II)
[name_f]Elinor[/name_f] (Sense & Sensibility)
[name_f]Estelle[/name_f] (Great Expectations)
[name_u]Harper[/name_u] (nod to [name_u]Harper[/name_u] [name_u]Lee[/name_u])
[name_f]Harriet[/name_f] ([name_f]Harriet[/name_f] the Spy) + [name_m]Beecher[/name_m] [name_m]Stowe[/name_m] + Tubman
[name_f]Isolde[/name_f] ([name_u]Tristan[/name_u] & [name_f]Isolde[/name_f])
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f] ([name_m]Romeo[/name_m] & [name_f]Juliet[/name_f])
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f] (Pride & Prejudice)
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] ([name_m]Hamlet[/name_m])
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f] (S. [name_m]Buck[/name_m])
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] (The Odyssey)
[name_f]Portia[/name_f] (The Merchant of [name_f]Venice[/name_f])
[name_f]Rosalind[/name_f] (As You Like It)
[name_u]Scout[/name_u] (To Kill A Mockingbird)
[name_u]Simone[/name_u] (de Beauvoir)
[name_f]Virginia[/name_f] (nod to [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] [name_m]Wolf[/name_m])
[name_f]Willa[/name_f] (Cather)
Is the meddling Southern family religious? I feel like in that situation you could get away with [name_f]Renata[/name_f] or [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f], which are probably more exotic than they’re used to, but with some solid religious background to the name that might excuse it for them if they happen to be devout. And both names have some historical street cred, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Or just cut the family out of the discussion. When i was pregnant, I only discussed names on the Internet. I knew that my family would hate the options that I was kicking around, so I was really strict about not saying anything to them until my daughter was actually out in the world.
I’ve bolded suggestions for you.
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] - a little demure, a little soft, but lovely all the same. Consider [name_f]Livia[/name_f]: historical credentials include [name_f]Empress[/name_f] [name_f]Livia[/name_f], wife and, more importantly, advisor of Emperor [name_m]Augustus[/name_m], mother of Emperor [name_m]Tiberius[/name_m].
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] - Hmm, very bland. I don’t know about literary or historical, but there are much more daring, innovative virtue names out there, like [name_f]Verity[/name_f], [name_m]Valor[/name_m] and [name_f]Virtue[/name_f] itself.
[name_f]Mary[/name_f] - Also a classic, but not very spunky. [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] was another Biblical figure, prophetess and sister of [name_m]Moses[/name_m] who ensured his safety as he floated down the river, and watched as the [name_m]Pharaoh[/name_m]'s daughter adopted him. She is considered one of the Bible’s feminists and strong women.
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] - [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is lovely; conjures up images of [name_f]Alice[/name_f] in Wonderland. Safe, maybe, but lovely all the same.
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] - isn’t my favorite name, but there’s always [name_f]Clarissa[/name_f], better known as [name_f]Clara[/name_f] [name_m]Barton[/name_m], a pioneer American teacher and founder of the [name_u]Red[/name_u] [name_m]Cross[/name_m].
[name_u]Vivian[/name_u] - [name_f]Valentina[/name_f] Tereshkova was the first woman to fly in space (most people incorrectly believe [name_f]Sally[/name_f] Ride to be the first woman in space: she was the first woman from the USA. Tereshkova came 20 years before her).
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f] - the similar [name_f]Harriet[/name_f] has credentials like Tubman and [name_m]Beecher[/name_m] [name_m]Stowe[/name_m], the latter both historical and literary.
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f] - [name_f]Beth[/name_f], the second half of [name_f]Eliza[/name_f]'s original [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], was the nickname of the kindest and most beloved sister in [name_m]Little[/name_m] Women. [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] boasts some famous females as well; a few queens, saints, empresses, and heroines of certain [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] novels.
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] - simple, but exceptionally well-grounded both in history and literature. There’s [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] of romance, Lady [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Grey[/name_u] of royalty, [name_f]Jane[/name_f] Goodall of science, [name_f]Jane[/name_f] the daughter of [name_f]Wendy[/name_f] Darling ([name_m]Peter[/name_m] [name_m]Pan[/name_m]), [name_f]Jane[/name_f] Addams, the activist and Nobel Prize winner, [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Eyre[/name_f], the first name of Miss Marple, and [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_m]Morris[/name_m]/Burden (a Raphaelite beauty adored by painters; she is the model for the gorgeous Rossetti painting “Proserpine”, also known as “[name_f]Persephone[/name_f]”). There’s also the classic [name_f]Joan[/name_f]: strong bearers include [name_f]Joan[/name_f] of [name_m]Arc[/name_m], as well as the alleged Pope [name_f]Joan[/name_f], sole female in papal history.
[name_f]Vera[/name_f] - [name_f]Verona[/name_f] is the romantic setting of [name_m]Romeo[/name_m] and [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]; similar, but decidedly more exotic and romantic.
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] - [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] [name_m]Brooks[/name_m] is a poet laureate, [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] is also a character in Wilde favorite The Importance of Being [name_m]Earnest[/name_m]. [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f] was the wife of [name_m]King[/name_m] [name_m]Arthur[/name_m], and lover of [name_m]Lancelot[/name_m].
[name_f]Helena[/name_f] - [name_f]Helena[/name_f] is lovely, but [name_f]Helen[/name_f] is more profound in history and literature; there’s [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_m]Keller[/name_m], and legendary beauty [name_f]Helen[/name_f] of [name_m]Troy[/name_m], considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
[name_f]Greta[/name_f] - I personally don’t find [name_f]Greta[/name_f] a very attractive name, but [name_f]Gerda[/name_f] was the heroine of [name_m]Andersen[/name_m] fairytale The [name_f]Snow[/name_f] [name_f]Queen[/name_f]; not royalty, but an ordinary girl, who treks across frosty terrain, befriends thieves, outwits monsters, and finally defeats the vicious [name_f]Snow[/name_f] [name_f]Queen[/name_f] in order to save her friend, [name_u]Kai[/name_u]. Probably the most badass fairytale heroine to date.
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] - there’s the [name_m]Roald[/name_m] Dahl heroine, of which you probably know. [name_f]Empress[/name_f] [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] was [name_f]England[/name_f]'s first female ruler.
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] - [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] was the spunky heroine of Much [name_f]Ado[/name_f] About Nothing. [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] Portinari was [name_m]Dante[/name_m]'s muse. [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], a slightly spunkier choice, is most familiar as the children’s author [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] [name_m]Potter[/name_m], but also as the recent [name_f]Queen[/name_f] of the Netherlands. [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] [name_m]Jones[/name_m] Farrand was a female landscaper, the only female charter in the American Society of Landscape Architects.
[name_f]Ellen[/name_f] - [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] would be a better choice; there’s activist and first lady [name_m]Roosevelt[/name_m], as well as powerful duchess and queen of the Middle Ages (the most wealthy and powerful woman of her time; also a patron of literature) [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] of [name_f]Aquitaine[/name_f]. [name_f]Elinor[/name_f] Dashwood is a character in [name_u]Austen[/name_u]'s Sense and Sensibility, [name_f]Eleonora[/name_f] is one of [name_u]Poe[/name_u]'s short stories, and [name_f]Elanor[/name_f] appears in The [name_m]Lord[/name_m] of the Rings.
[name_f]Frances[/name_f] - [name_f]Florence[/name_f] Nightingale pioneered modern nursing and was a prominent British activist. The beautiful Italian city has witness many important events in history (it was the center of medieval trade), and is famous for its Renaissance (considered the birthplace of the Renaissance) art, architecture and monuments. [name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_m]Bascom[/name_m] was an important female scientist, the first female in geology, and was admitted to Johns Hopkins University when women were still prohibited; she was taught behind a screen so as not to “disturb the male students.”
[name_f]Susan[/name_f] - This name sounds stiff and old-fashioned to me, though it does have its place in history. [name_f]Susan[/name_f] Helms was an astronaut, [name_f]Susan[/name_f] B. [name_m]Anthony[/name_m] a feminist (there’s a coin minted in her honor), [name_f]Susan[/name_f] Schaeffer the author, [name_f]Susan[/name_f] Polger a famous chess-player and [name_f]Susan[/name_f] [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], an actress and aviatrix.
Other names to consider:
[name_f]Marie[/name_f] - [name_f]Antoinette[/name_f], the famous Austrian-turn-[name_m]French[/name_m] royal, inspired artists everywhere. Known not only for “let them eat cake,” but also for her last words: she apologized to her executioner for stepping on his foot as she ascended to the guillotine. [name_f]Marie[/name_f] Curie was a prominent female scientist.
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f] - [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] the Great, [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] of [name_m]Aragon[/name_m] and [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] I are all famous and strong-willed queens. There’s a [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] in Farwell to Arms and a [name_m]Bennet[/name_m] sister in Pride and Prejudice. St. [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] was a patron of women in education, literate and an accomplished writer, she was attacked for her knowledge and intelligently defended herself, also an expert healer.
[name_f]Ruth[/name_f]: [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] (prominent anthropologist), Ginsburg (Supreme [name_m]Court[/name_m] [name_u]Justice[/name_u]), Rendell (crime fiction writer), and Biblical figure.
Sorry for any repeats-didn’t read the other replies yet!
[name_f]Lily[/name_f]-beautiful, but just too common these days…
[name_f]Daphne[/name_f], [name_f]Lilac[/name_f], [name_f]Laurel[/name_f], [name_f]Ivy[/name_f], [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f], [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]
[name_f]Grace[/name_f]-again so pretty, but just doesn’t wow me anymore.
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] (has the same "feel to me for some reason) [name_f]Graziella[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Mary[/name_f]-[name_f]Love[/name_f]! Keep it on the list I say:)
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]-love:)
[name_f]Clara[/name_f]-nice
[name_u]Vivian[/name_u]-cute-another one of my favs
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f]-adore this-your list rocks!
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f]-seriously fabulous…
[name_f]Jane[/name_f]-eh, nice enough…
[name_f]Vera[/name_f]-so sweet!
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]-I prefer just [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]-eh, nrms. [name_f]Milena[/name_f] maybe?
[name_f]Greta[/name_f]-I just love the sound of this name…[name_f]Greta[/name_f]. Fabulous.
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f]-[name_f]Tilly[/name_f] as a nn…can’t help but love it! Maybe [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]?
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] nrms, but love [name_f]Bea[/name_f] and [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] maybe? [name_u]Bay[/name_u]?
[name_f]Ellen[/name_f]-MUCH prefer [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]
[name_f]Frances[/name_f]-nice enough for a middle
[name_f]Susan[/name_f]-prefer [name_f]Susannah[/name_f] or [name_f]Lily[/name_f]
Well, I think you have a spectacular list!
Good luck!
@carebear- I like [name_f]Nora[/name_f], but I have an unfortunate association with the name. My parents, in particular, would be quite upset if I ever used it.
@mischa- Thanks for taking the time for such a thorough response. I really like [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], [name_f]Esperanza[/name_f], [name_f]Kerensa[/name_f], [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] & [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f] from your list. Unfortunately, my husband doesn’t like any of those. He does, however, like [name_f]Saskia[/name_f]. But I don’t. At least it’s out of his usual comfort zone, so that’s something.
@collmcc523- I like [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] from your list. It passed scrutiny for a while on my list, but my husband eventually decided that the video game association was too much. We also had [name_f]Rosalind[/name_f] on our list for a while, but we only like it with the rose-a-lind pronunciation. We thought it would be better not to use it, since it isn’t traditionally pronounced that way.
@mcdonak1- It’s my husband’s family that is the problem. His father intentionally mispronounces names that he doesn’t like (which is any name the least bit unfamiliar), and I thought his mother was going to have a heart attack when I told her we were considering [name_m]Hugo[/name_m]. I would just leave them out of it entirely, but my husband is close to his family and wants their approval.
@bibliophile- thank you for taking the time for such a detailed response. You really ran with the literary/historical aspect of my request, but I feel like your suggestions have about as much spark as my current list.
Thanks to everyone for the help. I wish I could think of a proper way to describe what I’m looking for, because I feel like I’m falling short. I guess I want fewer English/Latinate names.