I’ve posted previously about a name for our little girl due in a few weeks. I think we’re going to call her [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Hazel[/name_u] (Bea for short.)
Her brother’s name is [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] [name_u]Edward[/name_u]. It was our shared favourite and I haven’t had a moment’s regret over that choice. I am having some insecurities about [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]:
We don’t have easy consensus this time. [name_f]My[/name_f] favourite name is [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and my husband loves [name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f] and neither of us really likes the other’s choice. Now I’m not enjoying that intuitive “right” feeling and neither is he.
I love the literary/regal/historical connotations of [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] - and its super cute nickname - but sometimes I trip over the pronunciation - BEE-uh-tris. I worry it won’t be an easy name for an Australian child to carry.
We also like [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] - but we don’t like the [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] nickname. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband doesn’t like the idea of trying to coach/correct everyone on what to nickname her when [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] feels natural. We’d go with [name_f]Nora[/name_f] (and we’re very nicknamey - so she’ll get shortened a lot).
So, what are your thoughts. How do you feel confident about second choices? Am I right that [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] sounds a little clunky? Is [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] a better choice despite the nickname issue?
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] is gorgeous - sleek, sweet and regal! I like it a lot!
Have you tried mentioning the name to someone you trust, to see how they respond, how they say it? That might help settle the second point.
I think it would be hard to avoid [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] with [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] tbh - it’s one of those that nicknamer people will go to - and one she might like herself.
I’d keep [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Hazel[/name_u] for now, keep thinking about it, see whether it grows more comfortable, more ‘right’ in the next few weeks.
You could play about with some combos for [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] - see if feels more intuitive, or keep browsing names, but not putting any pressure on yourself - just in case something that does give you that intuitive feel comes up, when you aren’t looking too hard?
As I say, [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Hazel[/name_u] is lovely and my favourite of your options
I don’t think [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] is clunky or difficult to say at all (I’m American). If that’s the name you would both be most excited about then go for it! I do personally like both [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] (Gwen) better. Both so beautiful!
For [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], I think [name_f]Elle[/name_f] would also be a natural and wonderful nickname if that would suit you better than [name_f]Ellie[/name_f]. They give off diff vibes imo. (I love [name_f]Elle[/name_f] but not Ellie)
Naming an actual human being is so tough! I also think when compromising on a name and coming up with a name that has never been on your radar it’s tricky and it’s normal to have doubts.
Have you tested out the name on a trusted friend? Someone who can provide supportive kind feedback. Maybe that could put your mind at rest regarding pronunciation. Also maybe doing the Starbucks test could work on giving the name a test drive? Essentially you order a drink from Starbucks using the name [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] and see how the barista responds. I think before going ahead with the name give it a test drive.
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] is lovely she’s timeless, enduring, a lovely meaning and elegant. I think she’s very cohesive with A.rthur and honestly I think the name is very easy. She’s recognisable, has a lovely intuitive nickname and I think pronunciation is easy. I also lovely how cosy she sounds with [name_u]Hazel[/name_u]. You could also look at variants of [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] I think [name_f]Beatris[/name_f], [name_f]Beatriz[/name_f] and my favourite [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] feel slightly less clunky. But I do not think [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] is incredibly clunky ~ she’s clunky cool which is definitely a whole vibe!
I really like [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]! Where I am the name doesn’t have an elongated ‘nor’ sound which in the states is the predominant pronunciation therefore [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] is more intuitive. However I’m unsure on how this name is pronounced in Australia. I think with the elongated ‘nor’ sound [name_f]Nora[/name_f] feels really intuitive and works so well. Whereas without the ‘nor’ emphasis it’s not as obvious. Still I do believe you can get a bit hung up on factors I’m certain if you introduced her as ‘Nora’ she would be known as [name_f]Nora[/name_f]. [name_m]Just[/name_m] like if your [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] you don’t have automatically go with [name_f]Liz[/name_f] you can introduce yourself as [name_f]Betty[/name_f]. Maybe test drive [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] and the nickname situation see what the response is.
Both names are lovely I would be more inclined to go with [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] but this is a personal choice and I’m also a fan of [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] so for me this nickname is a plus. I just prefer [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] over [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] (however if you were asking my mum she’d say [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] as she lovesss this name so much) and [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Hazel[/name_u] is beautiful. Maybe test drive the names then wait till you meet your girl and see what name works for her.
Thanks for this thoughtful response. The Starbucks test is a very good idea. I will definitely give this a go.
The [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] pronunciation thing is interesting in Australia. It is not a rhotic accent so it’s “caah” for car and “burgah” for burger - so you’d think we’d all do the [name_f]English[/name_f] “Elen-ah” but we don’t - it’s “Ella-nor” here nearly exclusively. That’s why we’d get away with [name_f]Nora[/name_f]. I can’t think why, maybe an influential [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] shaped the pronunciation for us here??
They’re both lovely. Maybe that’s why it is harder this time as there are (imo) just so many really great girl’s names and comparatively fewer boys? So maybe it’s indecision paralysis where we were easier pleased before!
Ahh that’s interesting! Well I think you’d definitely get away with [name_f]Nora[/name_f] as the nickname very intuitive. Good luck with Starbucks test!
I really love [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Hazel[/name_u]! I think the nickname [name_f]Bea[/name_f] is super cute. It also matches really nicely with [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] [name_u]Edward[/name_u]. They feel like very similar styles and vibes.
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] feels similar to [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f] style wise. But so does [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]. I wouldn’t instinctively use the nickname [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] for [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] any more than I would [name_f]Nora[/name_f]. Would [name_f]Ella[/name_f] or [name_f]Elle[/name_f] fit better than [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] for you guys or you just don’t like the feel of any Ellie/Ella/Elle variation? I think [name_f]Nora[/name_f] could definitely work as a nickname for [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] if you love that.
I don’t think [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] sounds clunky or that [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] is a better name despite the nickname issue. HOWEVER, I think it sounds like you are leaning more towards [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] than [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] in your explanations. Therefore, [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] (Nora) sounds like a better fit for you guys.
Coming back to add another thought. Since you’re wanting the [name_f]Nora[/name_f] nickname could you do [name_f]Eleanora[/name_f]? Then you could more easily get [name_f]Nora[/name_f] from [name_f]Eleanora[/name_f].
That’s a clever solution, but the extra bit of context is that my husband and I are both teachers - we taught at least a dozen Elle/Ellie/Ellas each - this year alone. I also taught an [name_f]Eleanora[/name_f] this year and it is firmly off limits now. [name_m]Bless[/name_m] her
I probably prefer [name_f]Berenice[/name_f] to [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] but it’s okay. It will be a tad clunky in her age group though, IMO.
A few more classic/regal/historical names that go well with [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] but aren’t heard often (and might be less clunky?)
Maybe you and your husband will agree on…
[name_f]Cherith[/name_f]
[name_f]Katherine[/name_f]
[name_f]Victoria[/name_f]
[name_f]Eileen[/name_f] (I love this one with big bro’s name!)
[name_f]Bettina[/name_f]
[name_f]Corrine[/name_f]
[name_f]Edith[/name_f]
[name_f]Ethel[/name_f]
[name_u]Evelyn[/name_u]
[name_f]Madeleine[/name_f]
[name_f]Marcia[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosalind[/name_f]
[name_u]Shirley[/name_u]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f] (Dorothea)
[name_f]Virginia[/name_f]
Oh I love [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_u]Hazel[/name_u] with [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] Edward!! [name_f]Bea[/name_f] is so sweet and adorable
[name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f], and [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] are stunning as well!
If you are having doubts, you could wait to meet her and see if one name fits her better than the other. [name_u]Or[/name_u] maybe trying each name on for a day and seeing how it makes you feel!
You have four wonderful choices - you can’t go wrong! Overtime you may feel more connected to one name or you may find that one stands out more than the other
I’m going to work through your comments backwards. So to Eleanor, I think your gut is right about this name being too much hassle in the long run. The nickname will be less and less in your control as she grows up and it just doesn’t sound like you love the name enough that you don’t care about the cost of using it.
On to Beatrice. I’m Australian and nothing immediately stands out as overly difficult about it. I actually knew Beatrice in my school year growing up. She pronounced her name as BEE-tris. I also know a Beatrix with Dutch heritage who pronounces her name similar to BEE-uh-trix. I think it is simple enough to adapt to someone’s preferred pronunciation and at least there is only one standard spelling of Beatrice to think about.
Clunky is a description I would use for most of the names on my list. I really like the style. Children are being given so many different styles of names I don’t think Beatrice would be perceived as too much of anything. It feels a lot more middle of the road compared to other names I’ve come across. Beatrice would fit right in with names like Clementine, Joyce, Vivian, Anouk, Irene, Maggie and Yolanda all of whom I’ve recently met in primary schools.
When we named our son last year, we weren’t excited by any names on our list. There was no intuitive feeling. In the last weeks of pregnancy we both made two late additions to our list and it turned out we each liked the other’s suggestion more than our own. We waited until we felt satisfied with one option. For us, that was five days after our son’s birth. It was a name I would never have thought of on my own and it took time to grow on me but I’m delighted by how it turned out.
There are lots of ways to get to the final decision. For some, it’s an instant decision but for others, a joint decision involves struggle and compromise on the path to finding their child’s name. Choosing Beatrice puts your partnership above your individual favourites. In that sense, values can give you reason to feel confident when intuition isn’t leading the decision making.
Some find that meeting their baby helps with their decision. I think that’s another way that intuition can speak to parents. There is something about holding and seeing their baby face to face that allows a name to settle in place. I think it probably helped us when it came to naming our son in making it feel more tangible.
All absolutely beautiful names!!
In terms of Eleanor and the nickname situation, you’re right that in Australia people will almost certainly shorten Eleanor to Ellie. But if Eleanor is introduced as Nora, or “This is Eleanor but we just call her Nora” then I don’t think that would be a problem at all!
I have a little girl in my preschool class whose name is Eleanor, but her parents introduced her as Nori and so without exception everyone calls her either Nori or occasionally Eleanor. So as long as you specify which nickname you use when you introduce your daughter, there’s no need to worry about nicknames with unwanted associations! (especially when Nora as a nickname makes complete sense and feels quite natural as well)
Best of luck with your final decision and for the last few weeks of your pregnancy!!