I’ve been hesitating a lot about our first name pick, [name_f]Eloise[/name_f], I’m just sick of E names already. While I was looking (and looking and looking) for one, just [name_f]ONE[/name_f], other name my husband and I could even remotely agree on, I found [name_f]Noa[/name_f]. I think it’s adorable. Lo and behold, my husband loves it.
Finally - something we agree on! WOOHOO!
Now I’m just afraid of the obvious confusion between [name_f]Noa[/name_f] and the popular [name_u]Noah[/name_u] for boys. I offered the alternatives [name_f]Nora[/name_f] or [name_f]Nola[/name_f] or [name_f]Nova[/name_f], and he hates them. [name_m]How[/name_m] is it even possible to love [name_f]Noa[/name_f] and hate [name_f]Nora[/name_f], I don’t know!!!
I’m wondering if there’s other longer less confusing names that would have the nn [name_f]Noa[/name_f]? I’ve heard of [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] being nicknamed to [name_f]Noa[/name_f], anything else?
I love [name_f]Noa[/name_f], but [name_f]Nora[/name_f] sounds boring and middle-aged. As to getting there…[name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] (but prefer [name_f]Nola[/name_f] as a nn), Also:
I’m just afraid of always correcting the spelling “no H!” or having to say “she’s a girl”! It’s very popular as a girl name in other countries, but in the US I’m afraid we’d be correcting people a lot, no? If you guys think it wouldn’t be a huge problem, that makes me feel better!
This used to be one of my very favorite names. I loved it as a nickname for the simple [name_m]French[/name_m] [name_f]Noelle[/name_f]. It’s so beautiful!
I agree [name_f]Nora[/name_f] could work, but it [name_f]Noa[/name_f] is not really a nickname for [name_f]Nora[/name_f], as they are the same syllables.
But it could also work for something less expected like
[name_f]Zenobia[/name_f]
[name_u]Domino[/name_u]
[name_f]Finola[/name_f]
[name_f]Genoa[/name_f]
I used to teach a bunch of girls named [name_f]Ainhoa[/name_f] when I lived in the Basque Country… it’s pronounced basically like “I know a” (Pronunciations for ainhoa (from Ainhoa Arteta to Ainhoa Etxaide)) but it definitely works for [name_f]Noa[/name_f].
My husband shot down everything that has [name_f]Nora[/name_f] at the end. And with our baby due mid-[name_u]November[/name_u], he said we can’t take [name_f]Noelle[/name_f] until after Thanksgiving ha ha
I like [name_f]Ainhoa[/name_f] in writing, but not sure I’m fond of the way to sounds.
I really love [name_f]Noemie[/name_f] (or [name_f]Naomi[/name_f]) but my husband doesn’t like it. I already tried!
[name_f]Noa[/name_f] has also been a top contender on my list, I love the meaning and origin. However, I have the same issue with it. Despite [name_f]Noa[/name_f] and [name_u]Noah[/name_u] being completely different names in [name_m]Israel[/name_m], [name_u]North[/name_u] Americans would see no difference and I find it hard naming my daughter a name that’s in the top ten on the boys side. Potentially she could go to school and be the only ‘[name_f]Noa[/name_f]’ but there be 3 other boys named ‘[name_u]Noah[/name_u]’ and that might be hard. I really like your idea of naming her something longer with a nick name of [name_f]Noa[/name_f]. That way if it does become an issue for her she can always be called her full name.
I did the same thing as you when picking my daughter’s name. At the end of the day, [name_f]Noa[/name_f] was the name I LOVED. I would suggest just going with [name_f]Noa[/name_f]. There are so many girls out there with unisex names that no one will really be phased by a little girl [name_f]Noa[/name_f]. I have gotten so much positive feedback on my dd’s name. Pair it with a super girly middle and you will have a beautiful name!
[name_f]Noelle[/name_f], [name_u]Noel[/name_u], or [name_f]Noella[/name_f] are great! Or just name her [name_f]Noa[/name_f] if that’s what you both love.
There’s Chenoa, a native American name meaning ‘dove’. Or, you could just go with [name_f]Noa[/name_f]. It’s popular as a girl’s name in [name_m]Israel[/name_m]. It’s also a girl’s name in Hawaiian, it means ‘freedom’. Simply a beautiful choice.
ha ha