I adore vintage names, and am certain they are right for my future children.
But do I choose those that make me happiest or them happiest?
For example: [name_f]Araminta[/name_f], [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] and [name_f]Lavinia[/name_f] are probably three of the most wearable and socially acceptable names on my list. Debatably followed by [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f], [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f] and [name_f]Forsythia[/name_f].
But other favorites like [name_f]Erma[/name_f], [name_f]Flossie[/name_f] and [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f] – or [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f], [name_f]Parthenia[/name_f] and [name_f]Thomasina[/name_f] – excite me even more.
I’ve been really conflicted about this for a few years now.
Any advice from American moms who’ve gone the vintage route?
Well I’m not a mom yet, but all of those names are beautiful! [name_f]Flossie[/name_f], [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f], and [name_f]Erma[/name_f] are my least favorite, while [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f], [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f], and [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] are just stunning! Compromise, choose what makes you happy, but make sure it’s something your child will appreciate. Give them a nickname, for example, [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] or [name_f]Neve[/name_f] for [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]
I agree that it’s probably about finding a balance. On one hand, it’s great to have a name that’s unique. On the other, I like names that people can ‘make their own’ to some degree. Choosing names with a great nn is a good idea, in case they want to go with something simpler.
Also, maybe you could use some of the names you love, but are unsure about, in the middle?
Ps I would put Erma, Guinevere & Thomasina on the wearable list!
Pps what makes you happy might make them happy too! & I’m sure they’ll appreciate all the thought & love that has gone into finding them special names.
Interesting choices…[name_f]Guinevere[/name_f], [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], and [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] are gorgeous and have nn options that are quite comfortable for the kid who just wants to blend in. I actually know a little [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f], and the full name suits her. If you go w/names like [name_f]Erma[/name_f] or [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f], I’d recommend giving her a more socially accepted mn. I know another child who received an ‘out there’ name from her mother (along the lines of [name_f]Celestial[/name_f] Solace)…she goes by her initials at school out of sheer embarrassment.
I do think you need to choose names that are wearable and think how they’ll sound on an actual child and an actual adult. That said, a lot of your names are wearable, if a bit left of centre for most people’s taste. I think the following names would be quite okay on a little one:
These names maybe less so: [name_f]Erma[/name_f], [name_f]Flossie[/name_f] (maybe better if short for [name_f]Flora[/name_f] or [name_f]Florence[/name_f]), [name_f]Forsythia[/name_f], [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f] and [name_f]Parthenia[/name_f].
Not a mom but I am American and have worked with kids in schools a lot. I’ve known two [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f]'s, one [name_f]Thomasina[/name_f], three [name_f]Erma[/name_f]'s, and an [name_f]Araminta[/name_f]. All were perfectly fine. There was no problem with teasing, they each developed cute nn’s. In my opinion [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_f]Parthenia[/name_f], [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f], and [name_f]Lavinia[/name_f] would also be cool.
But…[name_f]Flossie[/name_f] might be problematic because “flossing” is a whole thing in health education. And [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f] rhymes with turtle (and Ninja [name_m]Turtle[/name_m] [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f]), plus there’s Moaning [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f] from [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m]… [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] and [name_f]Forsythia[/name_f] are difficult because it’s not clear how to pronounce them, and so the child may go through life correcting people many times a day (trust me, I know what that’s like it sucks).
