So I’ve been in the hospital for 4 months now due to pregnancy complications. It’s a miracle we’ve gotten this far and our elective c-section is due in 2 days time. We can only hope and pray that our baby girl will be well and healthy. We’ve been calling her [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] so far, but haven’t picked out an official first name for her. I feel like [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] should be more like a nickname or a middle name for her. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband and I also can’t seem to agree on a name. I want to land on a name that has a beautiful meaning that reflects what a miracle she is and the strength it has taken us to get to this point thus far. I was thinking the other day and the name ‘Dolina/Dolyna’ came to mind, just cuz it’s fitting to keep calling her [name_f]Dolly[/name_f]. What are your thoughts? [name_m]Feel[/name_m] free to give suggestions please 
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] could be a full name for [name_f]Dolly[/name_f]
Thanks for this 
. This is in my list too - Dorothy/Dorothea. But my husband isn’t too keen on [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]. He suggested [name_f]Dolores[/name_f], but I’m not too keen on [name_f]Dolores[/name_f].
[name_f]Dulce[/name_f] / [name_f]Dulcie[/name_f] might be another option than
Dolina is quite nice - intriguing and distinctive with a powerful meaning.
You might like:
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] ‘Dolly’ → has ‘blessed’ in the meaning
[name_f]Miranda[/name_f] [name_f]Olwen[/name_f] ‘Dolly’ → wonderful and admirable; a blessed footprint
[name_f]Marigold[/name_f] → golden flower
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] → strength in battle
[name_f]Dahlia[/name_f] maybe?
Congratulations! I’m going a bit more in the direction of what a blessing your little girl is, so bear with me here.
[name_f]Harlow[/name_f] [name_f]Miracle[/name_f]
[name_f]Dolly[/name_f] does mean “Gift from God” which I think is beautiful
[name_f]Elidi[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f] [name_m]Blessing[/name_m]
[name_f]Merry[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] (Which works as long as your LN doesn’t end with and ‘e’ sound)
[name_f]Dahlia[/name_f] [name_f]Elaine[/name_f]
[name_f]Dora[/name_f]
[name_f]Delia[/name_f]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f]
[name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]
[name_f]Dolly[/name_f] [name_f]Carina[/name_f]
[name_f]Dolly[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f]
[name_f]Violet[/name_f] [name_f]Dolly[/name_f]
I know I suggested some new names that don’t really relate to what you gave us, but you never know! [name_f]Hope[/name_f] you come to a decision for your precious little girl!
I like [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] as a nn for [name_f]Delphine[/name_f].
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f]!
[name_f]Valerie[/name_f] - “strength, health”
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] - “noble strength” also [name_f]Audrina[/name_f]
[name_f]Marcella[/name_f] - “warlike”
[name_f]Althea[/name_f] - “with healing power”
[name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f] - “God is my strength” also [name_f]Gabriella[/name_f]
[name_f]Bridget[/name_f] - “strength or exalted one”
[name_f]Brianna[/name_f] - “strong, virtuous, honorable”
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] - “strong or exalted one”
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] - “strong like a bear”
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] - “gift of God”. also [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]
[name_f]Theodora[/name_f] - “ gift of [name_m]God[/name_m] “
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] - “gift of God”
Combinations I like….
[name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] [name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f]
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]
[name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f] [name_f]Theodora[/name_f]
Congratulations for the imminent birth of your daughter! I’m sorry that it has been a difficult journey, but I hope everything goes well for you!
Dolly is a cute nickname! I love the name Dorothy which works perfectly with the nickname Dolly.
I think that Dolly can be used like Honey, Sweetheart, Darling, Sweetie, Princess, Love or even Baby. If you don’t love any full form of Dolly, go with a name that you truly adore. You can always keep Dolly as a term of endearment. How did you get to Dolly? Did you always wanted to use Dolly as a full name or nickname? Or did you start using it accidentally? For example:
“She will be such a doll!” And then you proceeded to call her Dolly?
I never saw Dolina before. It’s nice!
I love the suggestions of Dulce, Gwendolyn, Marigold, Dahlia, Delia and Delilah for you! Dorothea and Dora could work too.
What about:
Dulcinea
Cordelia
Elodie
Odelia
Daffodil
Dandelion
Melody
Olinda
Dorinda
Deolinda
Dulcibella
The following are a bit unexpected but could also work with the nickname Dolly:
Theodora / Theodosia
Daniella / Danielle
Dominica / Dominika
Isadora
Idalia
Delphina / Delphine
Dianella
Golda or Goldie
Iolanda
Soledad
I believe that some combinations may also inspire the nickname Dolly.
Deborah Olwen
Daisy Elowen
Doriana Emily
Delilah Soleil
Diane Waverly
Dagmar Oliviana
Isidora Lily
Demetria Olive
Dulce Isabel
Dawn Thessaly
Delaney Opal
Denise Everly
Eudora Noelia
Dione Olympia
Dahlia Gabrielle
Pandora Lilian
Diana Marisol
Dierdre Ottilie
Damaris Olivia
Meadow Lucille
Deryn Magnolia
Desiree Ophelia
Daphne Lorelei
Dakota Cecily
Good luck with everything 
[name_f]Dominique[/name_f] [name_f]Liana[/name_f]
[name_f]Donna[/name_f] [name_f]Lilian[/name_f]
[name_f]Danielle[/name_f] [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]
[name_f]Danica[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f]
[name_m]Drew[/name_m] [name_f]Holly[/name_f]
Congratulations on your baby girl. I will join you in praying that she is strong and healthy. 
I know two girls who have had the nickname [name_f]Dolly[/name_f]. One is named [name_m]Dolan[/name_m], and one is named [name_f]Erika[/name_f] (for her, the nickname was just a term of endearment from her father). I think you could easily go in either direction.
It’s a shame your husband doesn’t care for [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]. Dorothy/Dorothea would be my favorite way of keeping the nickname traditional.
I like that the name means “gift of God”. Others with that meaning are [name_f]Mattie[/name_f], [name_f]Mattea[/name_f], & [name_f]Thea[/name_f]. You could still keep the nickname [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] or put it in the middle.
A D name with an “Ol” middle name (like [name_f]Olive[/name_f], Olivia) would also work for [name_f]Dolly[/name_f]:
- [name_f]Dina[/name_f]
- [name_f]Deanna[/name_f]
- [name_f]Daisy[/name_f]
- [name_f]Dalia[/name_f]
- [name_f]Dana[/name_f]
- [name_f]Daniella[/name_f]
- [name_f]Danica[/name_f]
- [name_f]Desiree[/name_f]
- [name_f]Dominique[/name_f]
Names with “dol”/similar sound in the middle:
- Madoline/ Madaleine/Magdalena/etc
- [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]
- [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] (ok, it’s lod, not dol, but I think it would work)
- Odalie/ [name_f]Otilie[/name_f]
- Adelaide/Adeline/Adela
- [name_f]Kendall[/name_f]
Huge congratulations sending positivity your way upon your daughter’s arrival. [name_f]May[/name_f] you all be healthy and full of joy
[name_f]Dolly[/name_f] is such a sweet name! I really like the name as a nickname for [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f], [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] & [name_f]Isadora[/name_f]. I really like the idea of [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] + [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] as the name means ‘gift of G-d’ which is what your little girl is. [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] is also gorgeous and has a cosy cuddly feel with the meaning ‘gift of G-d’ and I also think [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] makes a fab nickname for [name_f]Theodora[/name_f]. I also like [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] she feels very bright with pretty rainbow fairy imagery attached along with the meaning surrounding gift.
Combination ideas
[name_f]Luna[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] [name_f]Luna[/name_f]
[name_f]Lyra[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] [name_f]Lyra[/name_f]
[name_f]Nova[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] [name_f]Nova[/name_f]
[name_f]Leona[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] [name_f]Leona[/name_f]
[name_f]Faye[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] [name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_f]Blythe[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] [name_f]Blythe[/name_f]
[name_f]Libby[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] [name_f]Libby[/name_f]
[name_f]Willow[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] [name_f]Willow[/name_f]
[name_f]Violet[/name_f] [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] [name_f]Violet[/name_f]
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] [name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] [name_f]Lily[/name_f]
[name_f]Olive[/name_f] [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] [name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_f]Astrid[/name_f] [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] [name_f]Astrid[/name_f]
[name_f]Celeste[/name_f] [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] [name_f]Celeste[/name_f]
[name_f]Winnie[/name_f] [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] ~ [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] [name_f]Winnie[/name_f]
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps and wishing you all the best 
I’ll suggest [name_f]Odile[/name_f] with the nn [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] (you could also spell it [name_f]Dollie[/name_f], which uses Odile’s letters) - with the meaning of “prospers in battle”, it seems appropriate.
Good luck for next couple of days. I had a Caesarian - the operation went super smoothly and quickly (and ultrasound therapy from a physiotherapist on scar after 6 week mark highly recommended for future health).
As for names, so many good suggestions - [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f], [name_f]Theodora[/name_f], [name_f]Eudora[/name_f], Gwendolyn/en, [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_f]Dahlia[/name_f], [name_f]Claudia[/name_f], [name_f]Holland[/name_f], or [name_f]Elodie[/name_f]. I prefer these to Dolina (but of course it doesn’t really matter that I do). [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] or one of the Doro/Dora names seem smart as give you a clear [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] and gift from [name_m]God[/name_m] meaning.
You can do the D.L first and second name (eg [name_f]Diana[/name_f] Lily).
But I also agree that using [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] as a “she is our precious dolly” unattached to the name is more than OK - my friend for eg, calls her daughter [name_f]Lady[/name_f] and her name is not related in any way. So if there’s another name you both love that has a special meaning, you should use it - eg [name_f]Mireille[/name_f], [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f], [name_f]Anna[/name_f], [name_f]Astrid[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Shiloh[/name_f] etc, (all have lovely meanings).
And I also love [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] as a stand-alone especially since it has a perfect meaning. I know kids called [name_f]Honey[/name_f], [name_f]Bambi[/name_f] and [name_f]Bunny[/name_f] so this doesn’t seem out there to me.
[name_m]Hi[/name_m] everyone,
Thank you for the lovely suggestions. I read them all and am so grateful that all of you took the time to weigh in. Unfortunately, my baby girl didn’t make it. She tried really hard but her lungs were just too small and stiff to hold when she was taken out of me. We decided to name her ‘Dolly’ because that’s what we kept calling her after we found out we were having a little girl.
Some of you asked how we landed on ‘Dolly’. It was me. When the nurse told me that I was having a baby girl, I was so happy that I said ‘Really? I’m gonna have a doll?’. I’ve always wanted a daughter, a little me. And then she came along. It was so natural that I started calling her [name_f]Dolly[/name_f], and somehow the name stuck. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband, my parents, and everyone around us started calling her [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] 
. She was really special. She was a beautiful, strong-willed baby who held on till the very end.
[name_m]Hi[/name_m] again, welcome back to Nameberry and thank you for taking your time replying to us.
I’m deeply sorry to hear that [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] didn’t come home with you. You had already shared that there had been several complications during the pregnancy, and I am very sorry that sweet Dolly’s birth was also very difficult.
[name_f]Dolly[/name_f] was beautifully named! I love the story behind your decision. [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] is a wonderful choice. She will always be your lovely doll. 
I wish you the best! You are a very strong, brave and determined family. You and your [name_f]Dolly[/name_f] were amazing warriors throughout this journey. Thank you for sharing your story with this community. I hope your recovery from the c-section is as smooth as possible. I hope you find peace, kindness and comfort. I hope that you are able to keep good memories of your little girl and that even in the most complicated moments, love and compassion accompany you always. Please take care and be gentle with yourselves!
I’m so sorry for your loss of sweet [name_f]Dolly[/name_f]. I can tell how loved she was. [name_m]Strong[/name_m] name for a strong girl. Hugs mama 