We are expecting our first baby on 1/1/24 – [name_u]New[/name_u] Years [name_u]Baby[/name_u]! And little one is a baby girl
Now comes the difficulty of naming. Some background on us and our naming preferences. Husband is [name_u]West[/name_u] African, so that has influenced some of our naming and pronunciation preferences–one of his first languages is [name_u]French[/name_u]. I have always been partial to older/vintage names and desperately am trying to avoid any top names. I don’t want my daughter to be one of five in a classroom and then she has to go by her first name and last initial all through school.
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f] - bright and cute, also Papy is used as a nickname for my husband by his family, so a cute nod to him that only family would really know
[name_f]Tilly[/name_f] - watching the Women’s World Cup put me on [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] (Australia), but I much prefer the nn [name_f]Tilly[/name_f]
[name_f]Zelie[/name_f] - pronounced the [name_u]French[/name_u] way (Zay-lee), I do NOT like alternative spellings, and having to correct name pronunciation isn’t a huge turn off for me or concern, I have corrected my name my whole life and don’t mind, also she will already be correcting people on last name pronunciation, so why not the first, too, we like the nn options like [name_f]Zee[/name_f], Zay-Zay, [name_f]Zizi[/name_f], and [name_m]Zel[/name_m]
[name_f]Olive[/name_f] - I have LOVED this name for decades and am so sad that it has become as popular as it has now as the trendy alternative to [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]
[name_f]Binta[/name_f] - [name_u]West[/name_u] African name, I think it sounds pretty and we both love the nn of [name_f]Bee[/name_f] and [name_f]Beanie[/name_f] (at least when she is tiny)
[name_f]Zelie[/name_f], [name_f]Binta[/name_f], and [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] are my top 3. Thoughts and preferences? Suggestions for other names?
Omg, these are all lovely names! For uniqueness factor id go with [name_f]Zelie[/name_f] and [name_f]Binta[/name_f]! I will also vouch for [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] and [name_f]Olive[/name_f], they are 2 of my favorites of all time but they are a little popular. [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] is cute but I know a lot of Matildas nicknamed [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] (much more then poppy and olive)
You have great taste!! Congratulations!!!
Thank you! I honestly am in mourning over [name_f]Olive[/name_f]. Thoughts on middle names for [name_f]Zelie[/name_f] and [name_f]Binta[/name_f]? Last name is 3 syllables and starts with a K. I love my middle name, which is [name_f]Joy[/name_f]. I don’t know if it would be weird to give the same middle name to my daughter, but [name_f]Zelie[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] just sounds so cute.
I think [name_f]Zelie[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] is perfect! [name_f]My[/name_f] grandma, mom and sister all have the same middle name and I gave my first daughter the same middle as me. It’s totally fine! And [name_f]Binta[/name_f] would be a great name for if baby girl #2 comes along someday.
If you are wanting to avoid popularity, I wouldn’t go with [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] as I know a few. I don’t know any Olive’s but it could possibly be shortened to [name_f]Liv[/name_f] which is a really popular name where I am from and I think across the world. I think your best bet is [name_f]Zelie[/name_f], which is gorgeous and so many nicknames.
[name_f]My[/name_f] favourites are [name_f]Zelie[/name_f], [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] and [name_f]Olive[/name_f] and I feel like [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] would be a gorgeous mn.
[name_u]Welcome[/name_u] to NB! Congratulations on your sweet girl to ring in 2024!!!
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f] and [name_f]Binta[/name_f] are my preferences for you, especially with the sweet family/language connections.
[name_f]Zelie[/name_f] (if you live in the US) will almost be pronounced “Zeelie” or “Zeh-lee” instead of [name_f]Zaylie[/name_f] without a doubt so I want you to avoid the frustration of that. I cannot speak for other countries.
Other French-esque suggestions with a vintage feel that aren’t super popular (in the US):
[name_f]Annette[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ann[/name_f], [name_f]Nettie[/name_f]
[name_f]Antoinette[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ann[/name_f], [name_u]Toni[/name_u], [name_f]Nettie[/name_f]
[name_f]Apolline[/name_f] nn Appy, Liney, [name_f]Linny[/name_f], [name_f]Polly[/name_f]
[name_f]Bettina[/name_f] nn [name_f]Betty[/name_f], [name_f]Tina[/name_f], [name_f]Bet[/name_f]
[name_f]Eulalie[/name_f] nn [name_f]Lala[/name_f], [name_f]Leah[/name_f]
[name_f]Helene[/name_f]
[name_u]Hilaire[/name_u] nn “Hilly”
[name_f]Jacqueline[/name_f] nn [name_u]Jackie[/name_u], [name_f]Linny[/name_f],
[name_f]Jolie[/name_f] nn [name_u]Jo[/name_u]
[name_f]Josette[/name_f] nn [name_u]Jo[/name_u], Settie
[name_f]Lucette[/name_f] nn [name_f]Lucy[/name_f], [name_f]Ettie[/name_f]
[name_f]Rafaella[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_m]Raffy[/name_m]
Such a special [name_u]New[/name_u] Year Eve’s gift wishing you all the best with your baby girl
[name_f]My[/name_f] thoughts on your list
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f] ~ I adore [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] she’s absolutely gorgeous such a happy bright floral choice with happy colour imagery and I love the nod to your husband. [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] has that vintage appeal that you love as well.
[name_f]Tilly[/name_f] ~ I do prefer as a nickname for [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] but as a [name_u]Brit[/name_u] living in the land of nicknames I know a lot of girls known as just [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] and I see the appeal she’s sweet, youthful and playful.
[name_f]Zelie[/name_f] ~ an intriguing mystical choice that has a touch of magic to her. I do think [name_f]Zelie[/name_f] is cool however how challenging is her surname? [name_f]My[/name_f] daughter’s father is [name_u]East[/name_u] African descent she has his [name_u]East[/name_u] African surname along with a first name that Brits struggle with and it can be challenging correcting/spelling out both first name and surname. Similarly I have a lovely friend whose daughters father is [name_u]West[/name_u] African descent and has a [name_u]West[/name_u] African surname with a complicated to brits first name which also results in some difficulty for her. I just wanted to give the heads up as it can be tricky at times A&E is a ball ache.
[name_f]Olive[/name_f] ~ I do love [name_f]Olive[/name_f] I like that she symbolises peace has a cool hipster feel and just sounds so wholesome. [name_f]Olive[/name_f] is an elevated [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] for sure but I do see the concerns surrounding popularity through being seen as an alternative to [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. However I haven’t encountered many Olive’s.
[name_f]Binta[/name_f] ~ a fun quirky name that feels so bold and has really lovely energy. I think she’s s fab way to get the nickname [name_f]Bee[/name_f].
The name I love the most from your list is [name_f]Poppy[/name_f]
[name_f]Zelie[/name_f] is my favourite for you a gorgeous name - not outlandish or completely unheard of but distinctive and lovely - the sounds are great!
[name_f]Binta[/name_f] is charming too - it has strength and sweetness too
I do love [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] too - bright, zippy and lovely. That said, where I am, [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] ranks highly, so I guess it depends where you are as to whether it fits your criteria
[name_f]Safiya[/name_f], [name_f]Amina[/name_f], Adanna, [name_f]Farah[/name_f], [name_f]Pippa[/name_f], [name_u]Zuri[/name_u], [name_f]Corinne[/name_f], [name_f]Fleur[/name_f], [name_f]Polly[/name_f], [name_f]Noemi[/name_f], and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] came to mind too
I really like [name_f]Zelie[/name_f] from your list! I would pronounce it as Zeh-lee at first, but as you’ve already said that you’re not bothered by having to correct people I don’t think it’s a big deal.
I also think [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] is adorable, not sure how popular it is with [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] though but doubt she would be first name last initial with just [name_f]Tilly[/name_f]
Could you use [name_f]Olive[/name_f] as a middle name? I would hate for you to have to give up on a favorite name just because of popularity
I like Zelie, Poppy or Tilly (though I think I’d use Matilda nn Tilly so I could have the option of Tilda as well - I love Tilda, it’s so elegant to me - actually, you could use Tilda nn Tilly). Zelie is very cool and sophisticated, it’s my favourite.
I like the idea of Binta but I’m not sure about Bin starting sound (could easily get Bin/Binny etc), prefer Araminta. Olive is too hip and cutesy for me, I think it’ll be a name of its time and I also think it suits kids and teens only.
I definitely think the middle should be an honour to you especially if you use a West African first and last name, but also Poppy as a nod to your husband. Joy is perfect!
Poppy-I like the way that you describe it, and I like the Papy connection. It does feel nick-name-y to me though, even though [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] is actually the name of the flower. I know a [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] too who is eleven. I’ve known her since she was a baby, & the name fits her a lot less the older she gets. I love the name [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] & [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] nn [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] is pretty adorable. [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] is a lot more popular though.
Tilly-I think that [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] nn [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] is darling. Are you in the U.S.? A little [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] would be unique here. I also really like [name_f]Millie[/name_f]. I’m not huge on [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], but [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] seems too nick-name-y on its own. I don’t know why…I think [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] sounds clunky. Most people seem to love it. I kind of like [name_f]Tallula[/name_f] nn [name_f]Tilly[/name_f].
Zelie-Yep, at first glance I would say this Zell-ee. Zay-lee is super cute, but that would get very annoying. On another note, do you like [name_f]Azalea[/name_f] nn [name_f]Zelie[/name_f]? How beautiful would that be?
Olive-I adore [name_f]Olive[/name_f]. It’s spunky & vintage & artsy & just charming. I don’t think that [name_f]Olive[/name_f] is that popular, is it? It may get mistaken for [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] often though, which would be a pain in the butt.
Binta-So so cute. I’ve never heard it, but I love it for you. It’s really easy to say & spell, but a totally unique way to honor her heritage.
I’m loving [name_f]Zelie[/name_f] a lot for you! It’s cute, fresh, and not at all expected. I pronounce it the same way you do, but I did learn [name_u]French[/name_u] and I know many other people might not find it as intuitive. [name_f]Zee[/name_f] and [name_f]Zizi[/name_f] make super cute nicknames.
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f], [name_f]Olive[/name_f], and [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] are amazing choices too. Other suggestions:
[name_f]Daisy[/name_f]
[name_f]Peony[/name_f]
[name_f]Millie[/name_f]
[name_f]Ophelie[/name_f]
[name_f]Nala[/name_f]
Poppy—personally I don’t care for this name, but that’s just a matter of personal taste, it’s a fine name.
Tilly—sweet but doesn’t quite feel complete to me. I’d go for the full [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], or even just [name_f]Tilda[/name_f]. [name_u]Or[/name_u] perhaps the [name_u]French[/name_u] version [name_f]Mathilde[/name_f] with [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] as a nickname?
Zélie—I absolutely love this name (it’s my number 1 girls name right now) and think [name_f]Zélie[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] is an incredibly sweet combo. [name_m]Just[/name_m] one word of caution about nicknames: in [name_u]France[/name_u] zizi is a widely used kid-word for genitals (usually male specifically)—so just avoid that particular nickname if you plan on traveling to france!
Olive—I know two, one in the US, one in [name_u]France[/name_u]. Like [name_f]Poppy[/name_f], it’s just not my cup of tea, but I don’t think you should let popularity hold you back because it is a very nice bilingual choice.
Binta—this is really beautiful as well and she may appreciate the ties to her heritage as well. I think [name_f]Binta[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] would be beautiful, and also mix in a name from your side to make a very meaningful combo.
Overall I’d choose [name_f]Zélie[/name_f] or [name_f]Binta[/name_f] with the middle name [name_f]Joy[/name_f].
a gorgeous name - not outlandish or completely unheard of but distinctive and lovely - the sounds are great!