We are expecting a girl in [name_f]November[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] DH is probably what one would call a “brave” namer, but his taste is eclectic and he doesn’t follow the baby naming world obsessively like I do. He is oblivious when it comes to name popularity or trends but wants something unique (his hard-to-define version of unique to him). He does seem leans toward nature inspired names.
He told me this morning that his new favorite name is [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f]. I think it’s a sweet name, but my name is [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] and for me, that is way too similar. I also tend to prefer shorter names. I told him [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] is somewhat trendy and he didn’t seem to mind- once again stumping me on what he’s truly looking for!
Any ideas for names I can suggest to DH? I feel like I have suggested every name on my list of 50 girl names I love and none are good enough!
Names we both like (but he is not sold 100%)
[name_f]Cleo[/name_f]
[name_f]Delia[/name_f]
[name_f]Maisie[/name_f]
Names I love:
[name_f]Ruby[/name_f]
[name_f]Noa[/name_f]
[name_f]Oona[/name_f]
[name_f]Greta[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
[name_f]Minna[/name_f]
Names he loves:
[name_f]Magnolia[/name_f]
[name_f]Meadow[/name_f]
[name_f]Scout[/name_f]
Rose/Rosemary
[name_m]Robin[/name_m]
Why not [name_f]Althea[/name_f]? It has the same [name_m]Southern[/name_m] style, and is similar to the magnolia in that its blossom is sweetly-scented. (Also called [name_f]Rose[/name_f] of [name_f]Sharon[/name_f], but that’s too Steinbeck for me.)
The first idea that comes to mind is using [name_f]Nola[/name_f], [name_f]Nolia[/name_f], or [name_f]Noli[/name_f]! I love the other names you guys have come up with, especially [name_f]Cleo[/name_f], [name_f]Greta[/name_f], and [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]. Some more ideas:
I feel like there are at least similarities between your styles! I’m surprised he doesn’t like something like [name_f]Oona[/name_f], for example – it strikes me as familiar-sounding but not something you’re likely to have encountered much before, which sounds like his style! [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think you could maybe compromise by using the names you like but with a longer name, since he seems to prefer those? For example, [name_f]Thea[/name_f] being a nickname for [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f], [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] or [name_f]Theodosia[/name_f] and [name_f]Minna[/name_f] being a nickname for [name_f]Philomena[/name_f], [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f], [name_f]Minerva[/name_f], [name_f]Marina[/name_f], [name_f]Melina[/name_f] or [name_f]Araminta[/name_f]?
Maybe…
(I’ll put an * next to the nature ones, since your husband has a preference for those!)
You both have some M- names as those you really like or love, so that made me think of ~
[name_f]Minta[/name_f] (on its own or as a nickname for [name_f]Araminta[/name_f], as per @tallemaja’s compromise idea)
[name_f]Marlowe[/name_f] (I’ve read various nature-related meanings for this name, could be spelt [name_f]Marlo[/name_f] too)
[name_f]Mavis[/name_f] (bird meaning, slowly making a comeback) or [name_f]Maven[/name_f], [name_f]Maura[/name_f], [name_f]Myra[/name_f].
Moving away from the M initial, here’s some more I think there’s a chance you’ll both like ~
Yes, re: [name_f]Oona[/name_f]. He at one point told me he liked it. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband changes his opinions on all sorts of things, often swinging in a total opposite direction in a short period of time It is a trait that I have grown to accept, and in naming our first child, I learned to be flexible and patient, as he often comes around to my ideas!
I will suggest some of your longer names- we had discussed Wilhemina before— my husband is [name_m]William[/name_m] but it feels doable with [name_f]Mina[/name_f] or [name_f]Minna[/name_f] as a nickname!
I love your suggestions, thank you! [name_f]My[/name_f] husband actually really likes [name_f]Ramona[/name_f]. I think it’s sweet, but a close friend of mine has an evil cat named [name_f]Ramona[/name_f], so I can’t quite kick that association!
Thank you! It is typical for us to feel like we are opposites on most topics, but I think we are slowly learning that’s not necessarily true (or the more time we are together the more similar we become)! Either way, your comment is so thoughtful and validating, and we continue to have fun finding the perfect name— we do have some time to figure it out!
I really like [name_f]Marigold[/name_f], actually. I will add that to the list! Also love [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] and [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], I think those could both be contenders.
[name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] is a gorgeous name! I think it could be a sweet way to honor you. I think you can find a nickname help differentiate your name from [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f]. [name_f]Noa[/name_f] would work! [name_f]Mae[/name_f], [name_f]Mia[/name_f], [name_f]Nola[/name_f] and [name_f]Nolia[/name_f] would be nice as well. [name_m]Or[/name_m] maybe you can keep it as a middle name.
I must say that I love [name_f]Meadow[/name_f], [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] from your husband’s favorites. From your joint list, [name_f]Delia[/name_f] and [name_f]Cleo[/name_f] are stunning. Two melodic, majestic and unexpected names. From you favorites, [name_f]Ruby[/name_f] stands out to me. I think it could be a food compromise for you. A gentle, short and colorful name. [name_f]Noa[/name_f], [name_f]Greta[/name_f] and [name_f]Thea[/name_f] are interesting, too. Your style leans towards nickname-names, it seems.
I believe that perhaps a nature themed name with a lovely nickname may be the perfecf choice for you. Maybe something like [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f] nn Jessa/Minnie or [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] nn Amy/Lily. I love the suggestion of [name_f]Juniper[/name_f] nn June/Juno/Junie. In alternative, a short word name like [name_m]Sky[/name_m], [name_f]Rue[/name_f] or [name_f]Birdie[/name_f] may satisfy both your preferences.
Ok, so hear me out. I get why you feel weird about naming your kid something so similar to your name, BUT it’s your significant other that’s suggesting it and that makes it sweet. Someone had to tell me this when I felt weird about giving my daughter my middle name which was suggested by my husband. It feels weird to name someone after yourself, but I didn’t name her, my husband did. And your little Magnolia wouldn’t be named by you either. She’d be named by her dad after you and that really is just the sweetest. Also, I noticed you have Noa on your list. That could be little Magnolia’s nickname, or the similar Nola. Short and sweet like you like.
It is a trait that I have grown to accept, and in naming our first child, I learned to be flexible and patient, as he often comes around to my ideas!
