Need some help with the -ine names overtaking my list!

Girl Names
1

I’ve been cleaning up my long lists and managed to get them well below 100. One of the things I’ve been looking at is measuring similar sounding names up against one another, but sometimes I just can’t choose and there are way too many still on the list.
I would like to hear some outside opinions on which ones among these are keepers.
Something to keep in mind:

  • I love unexpected choices, obscure and rare names are everywhere on my lists
  • These names wouldn’t be on my list unless I personally considered them usable, so if you’re just going to tell me how these wouldn’t age well or be a burden to a child, that’s very unhelpful to me.
  • Would love some imagery, I love warm, naturalistic, mysterious names. I like both serious and playful names, but not names that bring to mind coldness or detachment. [name_f]Generous[/name_f] and intelligent are also wonderful. Professional is not something I care about.

So the -ines:
Ambrosine
[name_f]Apolline[/name_f]
Aventine
[name_f]Columbine[/name_f]
[name_f]Clementine[/name_f]
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
[name_f]Eglantine[/name_f]
[name_f]Honorine[/name_f]
Ludivine
[name_f]Marceline[/name_f]
[name_f]Melusine[/name_f]
[name_f]Olivine[/name_f]
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f]
Ombeline
[name_f]Pomeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Sabine[/name_f]
[name_f]Severine[/name_f]
[name_u]Valentine[/name_u] (I might like this better for a boy, is that reason enough to leave it off the girls list?)

Tell me anything, you don’t have to say something about all of them, but let me know which 5 you like most and which 5 you would maybe toss or sort them by feel or imagery, rankings are fine as well but tell me something about why they’re ranked like that. [name_m]Just[/name_m] rating them on a scale of 1-10 isn’t helpful if I don’t know what criteria you applied.

2

5 I would keep:
[name_f]Clementine[/name_f]
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f]
Ombeline
[name_f]Sabine[/name_f]

5 to Toss:
[name_f]Columbine[/name_f] (makes me think of the horrific event)
[name_f]Honorine[/name_f] (same feel as [name_f]Verity[/name_f], only less name-like?)
Ludivine (feels more masculine)
[name_f]Pomeline[/name_f] (the palm sound)
[name_f]Severine[/name_f] (makes me think of severing something)

3

I love [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Marceline[/name_f], [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], [name_f]Ondine[/name_f], and [name_f]Sabine[/name_f].
I love [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] as well, although I agree I prefer it for a boy.

Ones I’m on the fence about: [name_f]Pomeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Olivine[/name_f], although I think I like them a lot, haha.

I would nix:
[name_f]Columbine[/name_f] (for me, too, I think of the shooting - I think many people have this connotation if you live in the US)
[name_f]Severine[/name_f] (sounds very…severe, for lack of a better word!)
[name_f]Eglantine[/name_f] (just don’t like the sound of it)

4

Honestly, I’d only “keep” Ambrosine (love) and Severine (like) and maybe Valentine but that’s just me. The five I’d definitely toss are Columbine (reminds me of several tragic recent events), Clementine (too popular), Catherine (too popular), Honorine (just makes me think “honouring” though I just this makes me a hypocrite because I like the name Onur, and Pomeline (I just don’t like the look of it.)

5

Ambrosine- Beautiful, warm name. [name_u]Love[/name_u] it!
[name_f]Apolline[/name_f]- I think it’s pretty but it’s definitely not my favourite. Seems a bit cold- plus I love [name_m]Apollo[/name_m] on a boy.
Aventine- There are too many harsh sounds in this name for me to love it- the hard v and t put me off.
[name_f]Columbine[/name_f]- I think I have an adversion to names with a b in them. I think it makes them look clunky? Maybe its a phase, but this name will also always remind me of [name_f]Columbia[/name_f] from the [name_m]Rocky[/name_m] Horror Picture Show.
[name_f]Clementine[/name_f]- This is a very sweet name, though personally I’m not a fan of the seemingly inevitable nickname of [name_u]Clem[/name_u].
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f]- [name_u]Love[/name_u]! Mostly because its the perfect way to get [name_f]Rin[/name_f] as a nickname.
[name_f]Eglantine[/name_f]- The first syllable of this name isn’t the most attractive.
[name_f]Honorine[/name_f]- I’m usually not a big fan of virtue names, but this is nice. I think the ‘ine’ ending makes it sound a bit cold though.
Ludivine- This is very masculine but I kind of like how it has ‘divine’ in it :slight_smile:
[name_f]Marceline[/name_f]- Definitely one of my favourites on your list, though I love [name_f]Marcella[/name_f] a bit more. This is a very cool name.
[name_f]Melusine[/name_f]- Another favourite, I love the unusualness of this one.
[name_f]Olivine[/name_f]- I’m not really a fan of any ‘olive’ names for a girl, except [name_f]Livia[/name_f] if it counts.
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f]- I would only use this as a middle name. It feels like its awkward when I say it out loud.
Ombeline- Not a fan of this one. The ‘Om’ at the beginning sounds awkward to me.
[name_f]Pomeline[/name_f]- I actually like this name! It’s on my GP list. It has a certain charm.
[name_f]Sabine[/name_f]- Beautiful and very intelligent sounding
[name_f]Severine[/name_f]- [name_m]Will[/name_m] only ever remind me of [name_m]Severus[/name_m] Snape. Definitely not a fan of this one.
[name_u]Valentine[/name_u]- I love this on a boy, but I don’t love it as much on a girl.

So, I would personally keep: Ambrosine, [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], [name_f]Marceline[/name_f], [name_f]Melusine[/name_f], [name_f]Pomeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Sabine[/name_f]. I would also add [name_f]Delphine[/name_f], [name_f]Seraphine[/name_f] and [name_f]Amandine[/name_f].

6

Woah, that’s a lot of -ines! Alrighty, here we go.

Top 5 (would keep)

[name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
I love this name (though, I spell it with a K :)). It’s a beautiful, classy name that feels soft to me, if that makes sense. I also feel that’s it’s versatile in that any personality can pull it off without much trouble. By default, though, I imagine a gorgeous, reserved, mysterious, yet popular girl. She’s extremely intelligent almost effortlessly, and everybody seems to love her.

[name_u]Valentine[/name_u]
Very pretty name! I remember a poster whose thread I posted in wanted to name her daughter [name_f]Lacey[/name_f] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u], and I thought it was just gorgeous. To me, it’s an interesting alternative to [name_f]Valentina[/name_f] (could actually be the other way around for all I know). I (unimaginatively) think of pink and red, hearts, sparkles, [name_f]February[/name_f], love, happiness. I imagine a girl named [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] would be quite bubbly, playful, and beautiful. I would just make sure you think about whether you think it’s more suitable for a boy or a girl. :wink:

[name_f]Olivine[/name_f]
This seems like a great way around the insanely popular (but beautiful) [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]! I feel like it’s [name_f]Olive[/name_f] taken a step further in to an even more unique name! This name brings to mind olive green (I’m terrible), all the gorgeous colors of [name_f]Autumn[/name_f] (reds, oranges, yellows), and a girl who is very generous, warm, loving, and smart, with an infectious smile and great looks too boot!

[name_f]Marceline[/name_f]
I really like the idea of [name_f]Marceline[/name_f]. There’s plenty of nickname options, and while it’s not something I would ever use myself, I would love to meet a little [name_f]Marceline[/name_f]! I picture an enchantingly pretty, reserved, artistic girl who’s a bit mysterious and who always finds a way to be outside.

[name_f]Pomeline[/name_f]
I like that it’s so different. I never see anyone who has a name starting with [name_m]Pom[/name_m]. It’s screams “cute!” to me. I can see [name_f]Pomeline[/name_f] and [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] having similar, cheerful personalities. I picture an extremely adorable, petite girl with a huge personality! She can (and will) talk your ear off, very uninhibited/carefree (in a good way), positive, and very giving.

Bottom 5 (would toss)

[name_f]Columbine[/name_f]
This name feels very masculine to me. On top of that, I immediately get bad vibes because of the [name_f]Columbine[/name_f] school shooting here in the US.

[name_f]Melusine[/name_f]
This name seems negative, like a villains name. The [name_u]Mel[/name_u]- part I believe means “dark” or “bad” maybe, and the -sine part combined with that just gives off negativity. It’s the opposite of what you want, in my opinion.

[name_f]Severine[/name_f]
If the two preceding names are giving off bad vibes, then this one is pretty much smacking people in the face with them. Severe jumps out immediately and that falls right in line with coldness and detachment, which is definitely not what you want.

[name_f]Sabine[/name_f]
I think this is a little more just me, personally, but this name also seems cold and harsh (in sound, I think). I feel like if I met a [name_f]Sabine[/name_f], she would be very mean. Again, not the most solid of arguments, and it’s probably just me.

Okay, so it’s a top 5 and bottom 4. I couldn’t think of any reasons beyond my personal preferences regarding the pleasantness of the sound and usability of any of the remaining names.

This was a lot of fun to think about! I hope it helps out :smiley:

7

Have you considered [name_f]Nadine[/name_f]? It’s lovely and elegant yet relatively uncommon.

From your list, I like [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Sabine[/name_f], and [name_f]Severine[/name_f]. I’m not a big fan of the sounds or meanings of the other names.

8

When I think of unexpected, obscure, rare names that evoke warm, naturalistic and mysterious imagery, I think of:

Clementine (I don’t think this is rare at all but it ticks all the boxes regarding imagery)
Catherine (see Clementine)
Marceline
Melusine
Sabine

I think the complete opposite, sort of like Agatha Trunchbull (I can’t think of another way to describe someone I would assume to wear the below names), of:

Columbine (I mean… the massacre)
Eglantine
Ludivine
Severine
Aventine

Although I don’t think Apolline, Honorine and Olivine evoke the imagery you’re looking for, I want to give them honorable mentions. They’re sweet names, especially Apolline. And regarding Valentine, I’d save that for a boy.

9

I only like [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Ondine[/name_f] and [name_f]Sabine[/name_f]. I like [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] for a boy too. Definitely avoid [name_f]Columbine[/name_f]. I just don’t care for the sound of the others.

10

I would keep [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], and [name_f]Marceline[/name_f]. I would toss all others.

11

Okay…let me preface by admitting we have very different taste! However, this sounds fun and I’d love to help.

TOP 5:

  1. [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] (classic name and a perennial favorite of mine)
  2. [name_f]Olivine[/name_f] (sounds like olives which are delicious, and it is a fresh take on [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. Also reminds me of [name_f]Italy[/name_f])
  3. Aventine (sounds like avenue and Aven, which gives nice imagery and sound)
  4. [name_f]Sabine[/name_f] (shorter and simple, plus it’s a people/river and not diminutive)
  5. [name_f]Clementine[/name_f] (it’s a yummy orange fruit and not diminutive)

BOTTOM 5:
5. Ambrosine (too much like [name_f]Amber[/name_f] and [name_f]Ambrosia[/name_f])
4. [name_f]Eglantine[/name_f] (sounds like Eggland’s Best eggs, or eggplant)
3. [name_f]Severine[/name_f] ([name_m]Severus[/name_m] Snape, feminized)
2. [name_f]Columbine[/name_f] ([name_f]Columbine[/name_f] High School)

  1. [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] (As a non-fan of [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]'s [name_u]Day[/name_u], I couldn’t choose this name)
12

My personal faves:

  • Ambrosine
  • [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Melusine[/name_f]
  • [name_f]Ondine[/name_f]
  • [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] (though i like it better on a boy)

I would toss

  • [name_f]Columbine[/name_f]: I agree with the others. I cant shake off the associations.
  • [name_f]Honorine[/name_f]: this name feels rather cold to me.
  • [name_f]Severine[/name_f]: see [name_f]Honorine[/name_f].
13

My 5 favourites:
[name_f]Severine[/name_f]
[name_f]Apolline[/name_f]
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f]
[name_f]Columbine[/name_f] (I just worry about the association with the tragedy)
Ludivine

My 5 least favourite:
[name_f]Sabine[/name_f]
Aventine
[name_f]Olivine[/name_f]
Ombeline
[name_f]Eglantine[/name_f]

14

Thanks a lot for all the replies and thoughts!
It’s been very helpful reading, I figured out which names I was always defending and which ones I was frustrated at seeing get so much love. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though I chose almost the opposite of the general consensus here, I feel like I wrangled it down to a manageable five I can feel comfortable about. And I decided to keep [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] for the boys list exclusively.

@dreamingoffireflies - Thanks for commenting on all of them ^^ And thanks for the suggestions, they’re all nice but don’t wow me. With [name_f]Delphine[/name_f] I prefer the more mysterious [name_f]Delphi[/name_f], [name_f]Seraphine[/name_f] always sounds a little airy and naïve to me, I much prefer the serious feel of [name_f]Severine[/name_f]. [name_f]Amandine[/name_f] is too much like [name_f]Amanda[/name_f] which I really don’t like. There’s also the potato connection I’m kind of iffy about.

@world_wanderer - Thanks for the suggestion, [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] has much too dated a feel for me. It also has a kind of flat sound I’m not fond of, so it’s not something I would consider.

(For the curious, Ludivine, [name_f]Severine[/name_f], [name_f]Melusine[/name_f], [name_f]Olivine[/name_f] and [name_f]Eglantine[/name_f] are staying on the list. These are the ones I realised I was rooting for, and although [name_f]Melusine[/name_f] and [name_f]Olivine[/name_f] recieved mainly favourable comments, the other three were among the most disliked. [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Apolline[/name_f], [name_f]Pomeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Marceline[/name_f] are cut, either for being too expected or too twee or too similar to other names I love (not -ine name). [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], Ambrosine, [name_f]Ondine[/name_f], [name_f]Sabine[/name_f], [name_f]Honorine[/name_f], Ombeline, [name_f]Columbine[/name_f] (mainly for the negative associations) and Aventine have been moved to the middle-only portion of my list.)

15

My favorites from your list are [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Marceline[/name_f], and [name_f]Sabine[/name_f].
My least favorites are:
Colunbine >>all I can think of is the massacre
[name_f]Honorine[/name_f]>> it seems like it is trying to hard
[name_f]Pomeline[/name_f]>> I want to pronounce it so it rhymes with mine
[name_f]Severine[/name_f]>> I don’t quite know why I hate this, I just do. I think it just seems so severe

16

Top 5:
[name_f]Clementine[/name_f]
[name_f]Sabine[/name_f]
[name_u]Valentine[/name_u]
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f]
Why: Pretty, not super odd

Bottom 5:
[name_f]COLUMBINE[/name_f] - this immediately brings to mind the famous high school shooting. Terrible association.
[name_f]Eglantine[/name_f] - sounds like eggplant
[name_f]Melusine[/name_f] - I do not like the sound
Ludivine - this is just very odd to me
Ambrosine - thinking of ambrosia salad

17

Ambrosine - I like how steampunk this name feels. It’s dark and although at first glance it seems heavy it’s lilting and actually delicate.
[name_f]Apolline[/name_f] - this feels like a country girl, strong and resourceful, always in the sun. On the other hand it feels modern and romantic… it also reminds me of the name a drag queen might use… for me I guess this name is all over the place!
Aventine - sounds pretty… like the name of a heroine in a film set in the Victorian period. In real life, though, it reminds me of medication.
[name_f]Columbine[/name_f] - it looks stylish but there are too many negative associations with the name
[name_f]Clementine[/name_f] - a bit plaintive
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f] - too plain, but obviously classic. This name reminds me of Wuthering Heights.
[name_f]Eglantine[/name_f] - it’s more awkward that the other names on this list.
[name_f]Honorine[/name_f] - it sounds very close to [name_f]Norine[/name_f]/[name_f]Noreen[/name_f], out loud.
Ludivine - this is very cool. It’s striking, and reminds me of a modern fairy tale
[name_f]Marceline[/name_f] - so beautiful, strongly recommend, it has an aristocratic feel and also sounds classic.
[name_f]Melusine[/name_f] - a little witchy, but I think it would wear well. It’s sort of surprisingly cheerful. Sounds Southern.
[name_f]Olivine[/name_f] - a lovable name, so sweet and pleasant.
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f] - beautiful, the name of a true beauty who is very confident
Ombeline - reminds me of Thumbelina! For this reason it’s beguiling, but like Aventine reminds of me of medication.
[name_f]Pomeline[/name_f] - evocative and poetic, intriguing. It sounds friendly.
[name_f]Sabine[/name_f] - love it, feminine and intelligent sounding.
[name_f]Severine[/name_f] - beautiful and innocent
[name_u]Valentine[/name_u] - too many associations, better on a boy

[name_u]LOVE[/name_u]
Ambrosine
[name_f]Marceline[/name_f]
[name_f]Olivine[/name_f]
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f]
[name_f]Sabine[/name_f]
[name_f]Severine[/name_f]

LIKE
[name_f]Apolline[/name_f]
[name_f]Pomeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Melusine[/name_f]
Ludivine
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f]

[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t recommend:
[name_u]Valentine[/name_u]
Ombeline
[name_f]Honorine[/name_f]
Elgantine
[name_f]Clementine[/name_f]
[name_f]Columbine[/name_f]
Aventine

18

A bit late for another opinion, but I just want to say I’m thrilled that I am not the only one liking the lovely [name_f]Eglantine[/name_f]. She is so elfin and charming, and just breathes sweetbriar, a flower I have always loved.

19

It’s a very welcome opinion! ^^ Sweetbriar is one of my favourite flowers as well! Most people who commented on it said they didn’t like the EGG part which I never even noticed because I pronounce it eh-glan-TEEN.
She’s a very sweet name, I love the whimsical, elfin quality as well. I was surprised that every person who commented about her said I should toss her, but I’m keeping her regardless… :stuck_out_tongue:

@anyagreenwich - Thanks for commenting on all of them! I kind of agree about Aventine and Ombeline being medication-like. I think when it boils down to it I love Ombeline mostly for her meaning and unusual letter-combination (I love names with B or M in the middle, Ombeline (anc [name_f]Columbine[/name_f]) has both!). Aventine is the name of a favourite album of mine (by [name_f]Agnes[/name_f] Obel), which is the main reason it’s on the list, but can’t stop thinking abour asthma-medication or the Avent baby products by [name_m]Philips[/name_m]… She’s moved down the list for sure, so thanks for bringing it to my attention!
I love your description of Ambrosine, it’s exactly how I see her as well ^^ Also love that you described [name_f]Severine[/name_f] as innocent! Most people think of [name_m]Severus[/name_m] Snape and ‘severing’, so I’m delighted too see that you don’t. I love the sleek feel and the lovely rhythm, the me the names feel like the caress of a breeze or something whispered in secret between lovers.
Also digging the kind of contrasting imagery you gave for [name_f]Melusine[/name_f], witchy and cheerful is a sweet combination :stuck_out_tongue:

@naecrazy59 - super odd actually more appeals to me than pretty does.

20

5 I would keep:
[name_f]Marceline[/name_f] (personal favorite of the set–mostly because my favorite Adventure Time character has this name)
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f] (an RPG I’m part of has a character with this name. Also lots of positive associations)
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
[name_f]Sabine[/name_f]
[name_f]Severine[/name_f]

5 I would toss:
[name_u]Valentine[/name_u]
[name_f]Columbine[/name_f] (I know it’s a flower, but it just reminds me of the mass shooting, and if you live in the US that might be a problem for you)
[name_f]Clementine[/name_f]
[name_f]Eglantine[/name_f]
[name_f]Pomeline[/name_f]