One last poll- Kelly, Brooke, Emerson, or Norah

Girl Names
1

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] Berries,

I appreciate your patience, as I asked a similar poll earlier in my pregnancy, but now I only have 4 weeks left and I’m really having a hard time picking a name. Here are the top 4, and bare with me while I explain their significance to us. Last name is Konnelly.

[name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]- I always thought [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] was a plain, boring name, yet pretty. When my husband suggested it, at first I was like no way, but the more I said it, the more I liked saying it. [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] means warrior woman, but is also a shade of green, and green roses symbolize hope for a healthy new life, which is nice because this pregnancy came right after a miscarriage. Concerns are, is [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] just too boring? I know some consider it dated but that doesnt bother me, plus I doubt there will be other [name_u]Kelly[/name_u]'s in her class. I like alliteration, but is [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] Konnelly just too sing songy? And lastly, big sister is [name_f]Maggie[/name_f]- are [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] and [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] great sisters, or too cutesie together?

[name_u]Brooke[/name_u] [name_u]Riley[/name_u]- [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] has been one of my favorite names since I was a child. I love short names, I love names that don’t end in a vowel. Sometimes it feels a little harsh to say, but I think I’d get used to it. The really only thing stopping me is having the “K” sound at the end of [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] run into the K sound that our last name starts with. I know doing this is breaking a “name rule.” Some people tell me I’m crazy and it sounds fine, but it is a little hard to say. [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] [name_u]Riley[/name_u] means “strong little stream or blessing.”

[name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f]- As I’ve said before, this is my husband’s favorite. I love the way [name_f]Norah[/name_f] looks written down, but it does not feel natural when I say it. I don’t dislike it, but it does not feel like my daughter. My husband let me pick DD 1 name, so I wonder if I should just give him this one, especially since [name_f]Norah[/name_f] seems to be a favorite on every poll I take? He’s agreed to all the other names, but I know this is his favorite.

[name_u]Emerson[/name_u] [name_f]Joy[/name_f]- Most people I ask say [name_u]Emerson[/name_u] sounds too much like a boy name to them, but the only [name_u]Emerson[/name_u]'s I know are girls. I like the full name, but don’t love [name_f]Emmy[/name_f], but I guess you can’t help what other people nickname your child. The meaning for this name is I love [name_m]Ralph[/name_m] [name_m]Waldo[/name_m] [name_u]Emerson[/name_u].

I’d love to hear from as many of you as possible, and the thoughts behind your opionions, even if you hate the names.

I wish I just “knew!”

2

[name_f]Norah[/name_f], [name_f]Norah[/name_f], [name_f]Norah[/name_f]! It’s definitely my favourite out of all your names. [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] is just so precious. I especially love [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] and [name_f]Norah[/name_f] together.

3

My personal fav is [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f]. I think [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] Konnely is cute. I like [name_u]Brooke[/name_u], but not [name_u]Riley[/name_u]. I detest [name_u]Emerson[/name_u].

4

[name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] is my favourite by far-gorgeous!

5

Welp. I see [name_f]Norah[/name_f] is also people’s favorite so far on here. I feel like something is wrong with me but I just can’t love this name! I want to give it to my husband because he always lets me get my way, and part of me feels like once I see it on my sweet baby it will grow to feel natural and I’ll love it, but what if I don’t? Keep the thoughts coming, it’s interesting to read!

6

I like [name_f]Norah[/name_f], too. But [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] is a close second, and not a boring choice at all.

I let my DH (basically) pick our first two kids’ names. So although I knew they were good choices, it took a little while for each of the names to grow on me. I was especially reluctant with the name of our second child, [name_m]Will[/name_m]. [name_m]Will[/name_m] reminded me of that “[name_f]Willow[/name_f]” movie from the '80’s so I felt kind of blah about it for awhile. But it’s funny–[name_m]Will[/name_m] is definitely the best possible name for him, especially now that he is eleven and the most stubborn/persistent soul I’ve ever met.

I’m a pretty big fan of compromise among spouses in the whole naming process, and [name_f]Norah[/name_f] is going to grow on you over time because she’s your own lovely child.

7

I’m afraid I’m also voting for [name_f]Norah[/name_f]! If it’s not working for you, do you like [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_f]Eleanora[/name_f], or [name_f]Leonora[/name_f]? I love all of those three, and they have great nickname potential! I know Eleanors that go by [name_f]Ellie[/name_f], [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_u]Nori[/name_u], and [name_f]Nora[/name_f]. [name_f]Leonora[/name_f] also has the adorable nicknames [name_m]Leo[/name_m] and [name_u]Lee[/name_u].

[name_u]Kelly[/name_u] Konelly is cute. My first and last names sound very similar as well, and I have always gotten complements on the alliteration! That said, I’m afraid [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] is a little boring, probably due to it being very popular in the 70s-90s.

I’m afraid [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] doesn’t really work too well with your last name. When you say it quickly, it almost sounds like a type of pasta or something :wink: I’m just not a fan of [name_u]Emerson[/name_u], or the “son” trend.

Possible suggestions… Is [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] your daughter’s first name, or a nickname for something else? If it’s her full name, it might be cute to give your second daughter a sort-of cute nickname-y type name as well. All of these names also have several full names that would work ([name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_f]Lillian[/name_f], [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f], etc).

[name_f]Emmy[/name_f]
[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]
[name_f]Lily[/name_f]
[name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_u]Penny[/name_u]
[name_f]Lottie[/name_f]
[name_f]Annie[/name_f]

8

[name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] has such a lovely meaning for you and sounds great with [name_f]Maggie[/name_f]. [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] is also beautiful. Whichever name you choose will be great though especially if it has meaning to you and you love it.

9

You have some beautiful names here!

For me, [name_f]Norah[/name_f] is the clear and gorgeous winner - it is such a beautiful name with perfect flow. There’s nothing negative about the other three names on their own, but to my ear, they don’t sound ‘great’ with your last name (for reasons you stated - super alliterative, [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] blends right into the last name, [name_u]Emerson[/name_u]/[name_f]Emmy[/name_f] Konnelly is a mouthful) . [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] Konnelly. has the 2-1-3 syllables … it’s classic without being common or ordinary and I love the middle name [name_f]Joy[/name_f].

THAT BEING [name_m]SAID[/name_m] - there has to be a name out there that you both [name_u]LOVE[/name_u]. You deserve to love your little girl’s name! Good luck :slight_smile:

10

I’m afraid I like [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] the best too!

Here’s my ranking:
[name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f]
[name_u]Emerson[/name_u] [name_f]Joy[/name_f]
[name_u]Brooke[/name_u] [name_u]Riley[/name_u]
[name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]

I’m just having a really hard time with the rhyming -elly of [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] Konelly. It doesn’t sound awful, but I certainly rhymes and that’s not something I like in names as my personal preference. But if it doesn’t bother you, it’s not a bad name by any means. You’re right in that it sounds dated to my ear but again, its up to YOUR ear as its your baby :slight_smile:

[name_u]Brooke[/name_u] Konelly actually sounds better to be than [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] did. Yes, the K’s run together a bit, but if she gets married, she may not even have the last name more than 20 something years and the rest of her 60 something years, she may have a different last name entirely. (Same applies with [name_u]Kelly[/name_u]!! Although [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] is maybe slightly less dated to me, that’s why it beats out [name_u]Kelly[/name_u], [name_f]IMO[/name_f])

[name_u]Emerson[/name_u] is a nice, on trend name last-name-as-first-name-gender-neutral that would easily blend in with other kids her age (which isn’t a bad thing!). I think of girl, not boy, when I hear [name_u]Emerson[/name_u]. [name_f]Emmie[/name_f] is a cute nickname too.

[name_f]Norah[/name_f] is beautiful and perfectly on trend with the vintage comeback names. It’s soft and classic. It sounds perfect with your last name, and your DH loves it (which to me, would be a big plus). Perhaps the name will grow on you?

That all being said, if you can’t see yourself [name_u]EVER[/name_u] liking [name_f]Norah[/name_f], I’d go with one of the others or find other options. [name_m]Just[/name_m] because berries like [name_f]Norah[/name_f] best, doesn’t mean you have to too :slight_smile: None of your choices are bad! And once you meet your little one, instead of just seeing a name, you will see a baby and fall in love no matter what you choose :slight_smile:

11

I understand what you’re saying about liking a certain name but not sounding natural. Ultimately, you made this baby and carried it around for 9 months so I think you have a right to overrule him on that one since you have a list of great names.

My favorite with your last name is actually [name_u]Brooke[/name_u], I’m just not crazy about the pairing with [name_u]Riley[/name_u] and Konnelly. Have you thought about pairing it with something else? Perhaps [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] [name_f]Norah[/name_f]?

I do like [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] and its meaning. I don’t think it’s too plain- actually I find it spunkier than [name_f]Norah[/name_f]. Have you tried alternate spellings? I know a [name_f]Kellie[/name_f] and a [name_u]Kelley[/name_u]. Maybe that helps. [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] Konnelly is a bit sing songey but not obnoxious.

There are a lot of other names that mean strong and hope and life if you want to keep searching… Best of luck!!

12

I actually like [name_u]Brooke[/name_u], too, though like @knnames I’m not particularly a fan of [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] [name_u]Riley[/name_u]. I think [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] Konnelly works fine - I hear both [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] and Konnelly clearly. You just have to make a little extra effort to say it than, say, [name_f]Rachel[/name_f] Konnelly, but it’s not hard.

[name_f]Norah[/name_f] is lovely and [name_f]Norah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] Konnelly works really well [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] is nice too, but I do think that [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] Konnelly is very matchy.

Not keen on [name_u]Emerson[/name_u]. [name_f]IMO[/name_f] doesn’t work with [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] and doesn’t feel half as distinctive as any of your other choices.

13

I think [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] has already captured your heart and now you are just trying to convince your head to give in.

[name_f]Norah[/name_f] is a beautiful name - and it is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds. I know 3 little [name_f]Norah[/name_f]'s all under 2 in my small town. Beautiful or not, you’ve said you just don’t feel the connection to the name. I think that says everything. Your husband might be disappointed but you said he likes the other names too.

I love how he suggested [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] early on and you initially thought “no way” and it has grown on you as she has grown.

To me, it’s a no brainer. I think you know her name.

14

I’m definitely in the minority here but I don’t actually like the name [name_f]Norah[/name_f]. I just don’t think it sounds very nice, although it does look lovely written down. It fits in perfectly with the current trend of vintage names, but if you’re not into that style (and you don’t seem to be given your comments and other names on your list) then I can see why you’d have trouble seeing it as your daughter’s name. It’s very different from the others on your list. [name_f]Remember[/name_f] that for a lot of the people who have commented saying they love [name_f]Norah[/name_f], that’s because they do like that vintage style, so it’s no surprise they would love it - it doesn’t mean you have to as well, just because it’s one of Nameberry’s current trendy names!
Of your names I like [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] the best. It seems meaningful, has a nice story behind it, and is familiar yet uncommon. It’s quite refreshing actually to hear someone using that sort of name instead of more fashionable ‘vintage’ or ‘hipster’ names. Despite what other comments have said, I don’t think it rhymes (unless I’m pronouncing Konelly very wrong? I say it with the emphasis on the first syllable so the e doesn’t really sound like an e. If you say it kon[name_f]ELLy[/name_f] then maybe it would be too rhymey.) I struggle to pronounce [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] Konelly fast, and I don’t like [name_u]Emerson[/name_u] on a girl at all. But that’s just me.

15

Thank you all for your very thoughtful comments. I agree with parts of all of your statements- while I objectively think [name_f]Norah[/name_f] looks gorgeous and flows best with our last name, it doesn’t feel “right.” And seeing as it’s not his only name he loves, I don’t feel pressure to choose it.

I think it’s safe to say [name_u]Emerson[/name_u] is off the table.

My heart does truly lie with [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] and [name_u]Kelly[/name_u], which is funny because neither sound the best with our last name (and yes, it’s pronounced like the actress, [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f] [name_u]Connelly[/name_u]- the e in it has the “uh” sound). I like [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] because I prefer one syllable names, and I love the nature vibe, but put together with my last name it does bother me, but I think I’d get used to it. I also like that it has a totally different sound than [name_f]Maggie[/name_f]. With [name_u]Kelly[/name_u], it feels happy to say. Part of me things [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] and [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] would be adorable together, but than part of me didn’t want two names that ended with that “ie” sound. And yes, [name_f]Maggie[/name_f]'s name is just [name_f]Maggie[/name_f]. We knew we’d never call her [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] so we like names that we felt we wouldn’t nickname.

Some other names that have been thrown around during this pregnancy are [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and [name_u]Piper[/name_u]. I know- such different style. I guess it’s safe to say we very from vintage to 1980s to trendy. We both don’t get overly jazzed about [name_f]Claire[/name_f], but it fits the one syllable requirement, doesn’t end in a vowel sound, and sounds pleasant with Konnelly. But…too boring? Too common? I think it fits in the vintage style catagory, but not as “old ladyish” as [name_f]Norah[/name_f]?

As for [name_u]Piper[/name_u], we both fear it might be too trendy in that 10 years we’ll wonder what we were thinking. But I do like the sound of it and the way it feels to say it out loud.

So, please talking about [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] and [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] (and your thoughts with our last name), and opinions on [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and [name_u]Piper[/name_u]. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you know any babies with these names? [name_f]Happy[/name_f] Thanksgiving!

16

Are you thinking of [name_u]Piper[/name_u] and [name_f]Claire[/name_f] as first names, or middle names, or possibly both/either?

If you don’t truly like [name_f]Claire[/name_f] (and it doesn’t sound like it) then don’t use it. It is fairly popular, if that would influence your choice.

I like [name_u]Piper[/name_u]. It sounds sweet and vintage-y but also quite trendy and spunky and girly. I’m just not sure how it would sound on an adult, but then I suppose the name would ‘grow up’ with the child so as to speak. [name_u]Piper[/name_u] [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] Konnelly is nice. [name_u]Piper[/name_u] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] Konnelly also works.

As a second name, I think [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] [name_u]Piper[/name_u] sounds fantastic. [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] doesn’t really work. [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_u]Piper[/name_u] works (but atm I prefer [name_u]Brooke[/name_u]), [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] works but somehow seems a little . . . bland?? Is that just me? It does have a nice flow to it though. [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] Konnelly on the other hand seems to have an awful lot of Ls in!

My favourite combos are:

[name_u]Brooke[/name_u] [name_u]Piper[/name_u] Konnelly
[name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] Konnelly
[name_u]Piper[/name_u] [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] Konnelly/[name_u]Piper[/name_u] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] Konnelly (can’t decide!)

That’s leaving out both [name_f]Norah[/name_f] and [name_f]Joy[/name_f], but you could go with [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_f]Norah[/name_f], [name_u]Piper[/name_u] [name_f]Joy[/name_f], [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] [name_f]Norah[/name_f], etc.

So really I’m still on team [name_u]Brooke[/name_u], although, like @kahope, I do like how you initially didn’t like [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] but now you do. As far as your last name goes, I prefer [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] Konnelly to [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] Konnelly, as before - you actually do have [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] in the Konnelly! But if you really love [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] more than [name_u]Brooke[/name_u], then go for it.

[name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] Konnelly could also be an option, unless you don’t want to give up [name_f]Rose[/name_f].

17

I feel like you gave good reasons for being unsure about your name options with the exceptions of [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] (and maybe [name_u]Piper[/name_u]). It seems like you don’t have anything significantly negative to say about either of them whereas you’re trying to convince us as to why [name_f]Norah[/name_f] and [name_f]Claire[/name_f] aren’t right. In my opinion [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] runs into your last name and should be ruled out because of that, which is a bummer since it’s a long time love of yours. [name_f]Norah[/name_f] is very pretty but I hear it so often. Same with [name_f]Claire[/name_f]. That doesn’t detract from their beauty but it’s worth bringing up. I think your winner is [name_u]Kelly[/name_u], and I think you think so too! The meaning the name has for you is just beautiful, and the fact that your husband brought it up should be some consolation since you don’t want to use [name_f]Norah[/name_f]. [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] is interesting, spunky, and unexpected on a child today. It sounds great with [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] but isn’t overly matching. And I love the alliteration with your last name; it will make her memorable!

That’s my opinion, for what it’s worth! Oh, have you considered [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] [name_f]Norah[/name_f] Konelly? That sounds sweet too.
Good luck!!

18

I’m with you on the [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] growing on you thing. On first glance I read [name_f]Barbie[/name_f]'s little sister, but then I read it again and she sounds like a big-time news reporter (“This is [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] Konnelly reporting live.”) and I really like it. Going with that, [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] fits but [name_u]Piper[/name_u] and [name_f]Claire[/name_f] don’t. I can’t say I’ve heard of a [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] younger than 25, but there are a few [name_m]Brookes[/name_m]. I really do like both [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] and [name_u]Brooke[/name_u], but I’m not a fan of the flow with [name_u]Riley[/name_u] as a middle (unless you have a special meaning behind it, then go for it!).

19

I like [name_u]Kelly[/name_u]. I think it has a nice ring with your last name, is meaningful to you, and will be unique for your daughter. I think it has a cute Irish feel. I don’t love [name_u]Brooke[/name_u] or [name_u]Piper[/name_u]–they feel too trendy. [name_f]Claire[/name_f] is nice but is popular (same with [name_f]Norah[/name_f]).

20

[name_f]Norah[/name_f] is my personal favorite. But for you personally, [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] is my favorite. At first I was thinking “wow [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] is dated no way.” But the more I say it out loud the more I like it.