We are aiming on TTC later next year (assuming things have calmed down a little pandemic wise), and I’ve been revisiting my favorite names from my lists in anticipation. I’d appreciate some feedback on my favorite firsts and middles, plus new combinations or suggestions for the list! I’m pretty settled on boy names but girls names are a bit harder for me.
I like names that are unusual but while I love me some out-there mythical names, I do know I need to keep things more grounded. I also love [name_u]French[/name_u] names that aren’t already super common in Anglo countries. Celtic names I love but know that many are hard to pronounce/spell.
Here are my favorite firsts possibilities:
[name_f]Aveline[/name_f] - I’ve loved this name for years. I pronounce it Uh-vuh-leen. It’s unusual but not out there, [name_u]French[/name_u] but not too flowery or pretentious.
[name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] - this name is sweet, but wonder if it’s too cutesy ala [name_f]Evie[/name_f] and [name_m]Archie[/name_m] neither of which I like for full names (and I don’t really like [name_f]Sylvia[/name_f]). Still, I love the silvery:summery vibe, of [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] and the nickname Syl! (A nod to my favourite book series). I do think it is maybe about to have a big popularity boost however.
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]/Maeva - I love [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], but feel like it may be rising fast in popularity. I also don’t really like it’s meaning, and the mythological figure ([name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f]), isn’t a good one if I remember correctly (would love to be proven wrong tho!). [name_f]Maeva[/name_f] has a similar sound, but a different meaning (“welcome” which is far nicer than “intoxicating”) and leans more [name_u]French[/name_u] because of its [name_u]French[/name_u] Polynesian roots. Could potentially still call her Maev/Maeve for short.
[name_f]Aerin[/name_f] - she is a LOTR namesake, but a very little known one (so should receive few eye-rolls) and her character has good qualities. It’s also very similar in sound to the well known (but not too common) [name_f]Erin[/name_f], but with a slightly more ethereal quality (I pronounce it with a slightly more drawn out first syllable, more like [name_f]Air[/name_f]-in, than the more clipped [name_f]Erin[/name_f]. It roughly means “ocean” in Elvish.
Middle names:
[name_f]Morwenna[/name_f]
Éowyn
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Serena[/name_f]
Sola/Solana
[name_f]Carys[/name_f]
[name_f]Niamh[/name_f]
[name_f]Alda[/name_f]
[name_f]Elinor[/name_f]
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f]
[name_f]Morgana[/name_f]
[name_f]Anwen[/name_f]
Linnéa
I also love the idea of the meanings of the first and middles complementing each other. For example, “[name_f]Aerin[/name_f] [name_f]Serena[/name_f]” would mean “ocean, serenity” which evokes a calm ocean. It would also be a nod to my faith, referencing [name_m]Christ[/name_m] stilling the waters of [name_f]Galilee[/name_f]. “[name_f]Maeva[/name_f] [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]” would be “welcoming heart” though the sounds don’t flow that well. So bonus points for combos like these!
[name_u]New[/name_u] name suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks!