My husband and I are considering names for our future daughter. The problem: We have a 10-letter surname that starts with a G and is very [name_m]German[/name_m] and rather gruff sounding. We want a name with strong religious associations – and preferably a short and sweet middle name, but one also with meaning.
Which is your favorite? WHY? What do you think of when you hear these two names?
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Veronica[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]
Also: Our surname has three syllables.
[name_m]Hi[/name_m] Loislane,
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you live in Germany or do you just have [name_m]German[/name_m] ancestry?
I prefer [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] to [name_f]Naomi[/name_f]. [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] has a beautiful sound and meaning (true image). With [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] my first association is the supermodel. Also, if you live in Germany, [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] is a more natural sounding name. If you don’t live in Germany, it may still be relevant, that [name_f]Veronika[/name_f] (pronounced almost the same in [name_m]German[/name_m]) is not an unusual name in Germany.
One more thought: I love the nickname [name_f]Ronia[/name_f] for [name_f]Veronica[/name_f].
I much prefer [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] to [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] for my personal name tastes, but for what you are looking for, [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] is the clear winner. It would sound a little less odd against the very strong surname. Plus, [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] runs into each other to where it sounds like Naomeve because the end of [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] is the same as the beginning of [name_f]Eve[/name_f].
I love [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] but am wondering if [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] might be better here. 3+3 syllable counts ([name_f]Naomi[/name_f] plus your last name) are sometimes difficult and 4+3 ([name_f]Veronica[/name_f] plus your last name) might sound better.
I wonder if you’d consider [name_f]Eve[/name_f] as a first name, it’s nice and light for a heavy last name, maybe [name_f]Eva[/name_f] too, or [name_f]Vera[/name_f] instead of [name_f]Veronica[/name_f]. [name_m]Just[/name_m] thoughts.
Oh, thank you SO VERY MUCH, berries! All of your advice is outstanding.
Before, I was leaning toward [name_f]Naomi[/name_f], but after thinking about everything you have said, I’m loving [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]. One saints’ name, one Biblical name!
Does anyone have a problem with the initials V.E.G.?
Also, to answer an earlier question, I live in the United States, not Germany. My husband’s family is [name_m]German[/name_m]-American. My family is actually Czech-American … so I am loving the [name_f]Vera[/name_f] suggestion for a possible nickname.
Thanks again, berries! You are amazing.
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]…
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f] is a lovely choice, she’s very fresh and elegant. [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] has a sweet, wholesome sound with gorgeous religious connotations. [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] would sound far better with a gruff [name_m]German[/name_m] surname (which you claim to have) as [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] is a rather soft sounding name. She’s fresh and light. Whereas [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] sounds harsh and her surname would add to the harshness of the choice. [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] has a very light and feminine vibe. It’s just so appeasing and would work with a surname like yours. She also has intriguing religious connotations without being over the top.
You can’t go wrong with either name, really. I will say though that I knew a [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] with a very long, Germanic last name - similar to yours, I would think - and I remember thinking how fantastic the combination was. Strong first name, strong last name. I admired that her parents didn’t give her a super short first name to “balance” the long last name - they just went for it! And the result was perfection. I don’t think the initials VEG are bad, either; maybe she’ll be a vegetarian chef. 
[name_f]Veronica[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] is gorgeous.
Thank you so much, everybody! We are still so torn. We love both.
If we went with [name_f]Naomi[/name_f], would anyone have trouble with the initials N.E.G.?
For awhile, we considered [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f], which would have been N.A.G. … is that too awful?
Thanks again, berries. You are all terrific.
Although I think [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] flows better, I strongly dislike the name. [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] is so nice though! It can be so cute for a little girl, and will definitely age well, while [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] sounds more outdated and old ladyish. I know one [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] (just about the nicest person ever) and we call her Nay and Omes. NAG is not too bad of initials, and [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] sounds so nice!
I think [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] would pair well with a [name_m]German[/name_m] last name, and I like that it’s shorter even though it’s still three syllables. [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] means “pleasant” and [name_f]Eve[/name_f] means “life” so the name would mean “pleasant life.” Sounds like a winner to me!
I prefer [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] for you, but [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] is nice too. I don’t think having the initials VEG is an issue.
I can’t think of any issues with NEG as initials.
I had a friend (a guy) whose initials were NAG and he didn’t seem too bothered. But it’s your call.
I [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f]! I don’t think VEG are terrible initials. I like vegetables. I think [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] is strong yet gentle, and would balance out your [name_m]German[/name_m] last name.
I am not a fan of [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] for a few reasons: 1) It has three syllables and could sound stunted with your last name; 2) When backwards, it spells “I MOAN,” and I knew a couple of girls who were teased about this endlessly; 3) It sounds whiny and nasal, whether it’s pronounced NIE-oh-mee or NAY-oh-mee; and 4) The initials NEG are NEGative, and I’m too superstitious for that.