My husband and I are expecting twin girls mid-[name_u]January[/name_u]. Like a lot of people we are having immense trouble picking names. We have put this rather long list together of the names we like or at least one of us likes, I’m a literary fan so quite a few of these names are derived from books, and then there is my husband the die-hard [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars and Game of Thrones fan. I would really appreciate your opinions on the names and any suggestions of combos. Thank you for your time and help.
[name_f]Amidala[/name_f] - a bit weird for me, though it’s pretty enough. [name_f]Non[/name_f]-[name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars fans (like me) probably wouldn’t even know of the link, if that matters to you. Could be shortened to [name_f]Amy[/name_f], [name_f]Mia[/name_f] or Dahl, all of which are lovely nicknames for girls.
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] - I like this a lot, and I don’t just think [name_m]Lord[/name_m] of the Rings as it’s a legit Welsh name
[name_u]Barry[/name_u] - this is a man’s name for me. An old, quite ugly man at that - sorry! I’m in the UK, where I think most people would have the same opinion, but maybe not in the States?
[name_u]Bliss[/name_u] - a bit too hippie for me.
[name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] - I quite like it, especially for a boy, but it’s a tad too trendy
Carrietta - [name_f]Carrie[/name_f] is a sweet nn and although Carrietta is nms, I think lots of people will find it very pretty and unusual without being weird
[name_u]Collins[/name_u] - again, this is just too masculine for me
[name_f]Corinne[/name_f] - nice and sophisticated, plus nns [name_f]Cora[/name_f] and [name_f]Cori[/name_f] are lovely
[name_f]Cosette[/name_f] - it’s a very pretty name but might get some teasing comments because of the literary associations. The younger generation has been reintroduced to [name_u]Les[/name_u] Mis by the recent film so I don’t think those associations are going anywhere.
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] - crisp and clean, while also remaining very feminine.
[name_f]Eowyn[/name_f] - I actually quite like this, though I wouldn’t use it as it’s a bit too obviously LOTR in a way that [name_f]Arwen[/name_f] isn’t. I also know several dogs with this name.
[name_f]Eponine[/name_f] - interesting and quite nice
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] - don’t really like word names, this sounds trendy to me
[name_f]Khaleesi[/name_f] - I know this is getting popular but I really can’t see why. It’s such an obvious GOT reference and I think it will date terribly. It’s also not at all aesthetically pleasing to me.
[name_f]Kitty[/name_f] - [name_u]LOVE[/name_u]! Such a gorgeous name, and nn [name_u]Kit[/name_u] is fab. Lots of people would prefer [name_f]Kitty[/name_f] as a nn for something more substantial, eg. [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], but I personally like it best on its own.
[name_f]Leia[/name_f] - I like it. It’s clearly [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars, but sounds a lot like [name_f]Leah[/name_f] and [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] so seems much more legit as a name. The spelling is also very pretty.
[name_f]Marisol[/name_f] - nice and unusual without being weird
Mataeya - again, nms but I can see lots of people liking and remembering this name
[name_f]Meera[/name_f] - ok but looks and sounds a lot like “meerkat”, might invite teasing?
[name_m]Nim[/name_m] - too weird for me, and I would guess masculine
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f] - also [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] as a standalone name more than as a nn for [name_f]Phillipa[/name_f]. I would have considered it for my daughter but be warned that it sounds like a rude word in an awful lot of languages
[name_m]Ramsey[/name_m] - too masculine for me but I can see this catching on for girls
[name_u]Raven[/name_u] - ok, but another word name
[name_f]Sansa[/name_f] - much better than [name_f]Khaleesi[/name_f]
[name_u]Spencer[/name_u] - see [name_m]Ramsey[/name_m]
[name_u]Stevie[/name_u] - don’t like this one; I don’t think it stands alone as a name and I don’t like [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f]
[name_f]Summer[/name_f] - feels a bit dated. Apparently [name_u]Winter[/name_u] is where it’s at, though season names are nms.
Vanellope - sounds like a personal hygiene product to me
[name_f]Vienna[/name_f] - nice enough, unusual but not weird, and I like nn [name_f]Vi[/name_f]
Ygritte - too weird for me, and I think there would be spelling issues
There is an eclectic mix of quite recognisable names and more “out there” choices here. I would maybe save the more unusual/unspellable/obviously pop culture ones for the middle name slot and give your girls something a little more wearable as a first name. My top picks for the fn slot would be: [name_f]Arwen[/name_f], [name_f]Corinne[/name_f], [name_f]Cressida[/name_f], [name_f]Kitty[/name_f], [name_f]Leia[/name_f], [name_f]Marisol[/name_f], [name_f]Pippa[/name_f], [name_f]Sansa[/name_f] and [name_f]Vienna[/name_f]. They’re all unusual but not crazy, easy enough to spell and remember, pretty and feminine.
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] and [name_u]Fable[/name_u] ([name_f]Arwen[/name_f] [name_u]Bliss[/name_u] and [name_u]Fable[/name_u] [name_f]Summer[/name_f]?)
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f] and [name_f]Kitty[/name_f] ([name_f]Pippa[/name_f] [name_f]Cosette[/name_f] and [name_f]Kitty[/name_f] [name_f]Vienna[/name_f]?)
[name_f]Vienna[/name_f] and [name_f]Sansa[/name_f] ([name_f]Vienna[/name_f] [name_f]Marisol[/name_f] and [name_f]Sansa[/name_f] [name_f]Corinne[/name_f]?)
[name_f]Eowyn[/name_f] and [name_f]Leia[/name_f] ([name_f]Eowyn[/name_f] [name_f]Summer[/name_f] and [name_f]Leia[/name_f] [name_f]Cosette[/name_f]?)
These aren’t my usual style, but for whatever reason, Stevie and Corinne are my faves from your list! I don’t know about middle names. I would probably go for something simple but traditional in the middle for both.
These aren’t my usual style, but for whatever reason, [name_u]Stevie[/name_u] and [name_f]Corinne[/name_f] are my faves from your list! I don’t know about middle names. I would probably go for something simple but traditional in the middle for both.
[name_f]Amidala[/name_f] - I suppose the question must be this: do you WANT it to be obvious you named your child based on [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars? Or subtle? For all TV Show names, think about if you would have wanted those names, personally. Unless you’re prepared for people making [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars comments/references ALL THE TIME when it comes to [name_f]Amidala[/name_f]/[name_f]Leia[/name_f], I wouldn’t pick either. Same goes for Game of Thrones.
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] - Again, a not-so-subtle reference. This is a gorgeous name, however, and since LOTR isn’t an ongoing franchise, I like this as an option.
[name_u]Barry[/name_u] - I agree with the pp about [name_u]Barry[/name_u] belonging to an old man. I live in the US and it feels like a very stereotypical gruff NYC middle-aged guy. Or perhaps a scruffy pawn shop owner.
[name_u]Bliss[/name_u] - Nope- again, think about what life would have been like had you been named [name_u]Bliss[/name_u]. Not easy, I’d expect. It just sounds cheesy.
[name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] - For a boy, meh, For a girl, never. The problem I have with it, is no one would know whether it’s pronounced “body” or “boh-dee” and especially on a girl, that could lead to some teasing in reference to derrieres. Basically, it’s too close to booty.
Carrietta - While this is made up, I appreciate the elegance. But I think a name with meaning is so much more desirable.
[name_u]Collins[/name_u] - It’s undeniably catching on for girls, undeniably trendy, undeniably pleasing to the ear. However I can’t stand seeing a girl saddled with [name_u]Collins[/name_u], unless it holds great family significance.
[name_f]Corinne[/name_f] - This name has a fantasy-appeal. I really love it and it’s feminine without being too flowery. [name_u]Cory[/name_u] is a really cute nickname, too.
[name_f]Cosette[/name_f] - Yes, this is from [name_u]Les[/name_u] Mis, but it’s respected literature and [name_f]Cosette[/name_f] is a beautiful name.
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] - I love this name, but fear for others’ faulty interpretations. It depends on how well you think people will pronounce/read the name.
[name_f]Eowyn[/name_f] - In [name_u]America[/name_u]? Nope. In the UK? I’m sure that’s more probable. Prepare for billions of “EE-Ow-win?”
[name_f]Eponine[/name_f] - The problem with [name_f]Eponine[/name_f] for me is that is has no meaning and it doesn’t stretch far back enough to be redeemable for me like in the cases of made-up names originating from [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m].
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] - Cringy. Like [name_u]Story[/name_u], this name should stay in the shelf.
[name_f]Khaleesi[/name_f] - Yuck. This is a very ugly name aesthetically. Calisi would be a better spelling. And again, it’s from a TV show…
[name_f]Kitty[/name_f] - Adorable- as a diminutive.
[name_f]Leia[/name_f] - Not AS bad as [name_f]Amidala[/name_f], but still obvious.
[name_f]Marisol[/name_f] - I love [name_f]Marisol[/name_f].
Mataeya - No idea how to pronounce this.
[name_f]Meera[/name_f] - [name_f]Mira[/name_f] would be a better spelling. Honestly, it’s pretty dull.
[name_m]Nim[/name_m] - Nope, not a chance.
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f] - Eh. Mediocre.
[name_m]Ramsey[/name_m] - [name_m]Gordon[/name_m] [name_m]Ramsay[/name_m] hasn’t made this one unusable?
[name_u]Raven[/name_u] - That’s So [name_u]Raven[/name_u]! This name died with the show.
[name_f]Sansa[/name_f] - I love this one. It’s uncommon and has a beautiful meaning.
[name_u]Spencer[/name_u] - No! leave this for a boy. It might sound cute now, but in time it’ll sound painfully trendy on a girl.
[name_u]Stevie[/name_u] - Stevia in your coffee?
[name_f]Summer[/name_f] - Try [name_u]Winter[/name_u] or [name_f]Autumn[/name_f].
Vanellope - 1. Not a real name 2. belongs to one of the most annoying characters on earth 3. sounds like an external hygiene cream.
[name_f]Vienna[/name_f] - This is chic.
Ygritte - Harsh, cold, no idea how to pronounce. No discernible meaning. try [name_f]Magritte[/name_f] if you really love the “gritte” ending.
[name_u]Spencer[/name_u] and [name_f]Pippa[/name_f]
[name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] and [name_f]Summer[/name_f]
[name_u]Raven[/name_u] and [name_f]Sansa[/name_f]
[name_u]Collins[/name_u] and [name_f]Vienna[/name_f]
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] and [name_f]Leia[/name_f]
[name_u]Stevie[/name_u] and [name_f]Corinne[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosette[/name_f] and [name_f]Meera[/name_f]
If you’re also looking for new suggestions- I thinj [name_f]Cosima[/name_f] is lovely and may fit your style? Some names on the list are more modern, short and spunky- but you could also consider more traditional names with strong nn like [name_f]Frances[/name_f] ‘[name_u]Frankie[/name_u]’, [name_f]Georgiana[/name_f] ‘georgie’ and winifred ‘[name_u]Freddie[/name_u]’.
Knowing something about the surname would help here - how many syllables, what does it start and end with, what sounds are prominent.
Without knowing that, my favourites are:
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f]
[name_f]Leia[/name_f]
[name_f]Marisol[/name_f]
[name_f]Meera[/name_f]
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f]
[name_u]Raven[/name_u]
[name_f]Summer[/name_f]
And I’d love to see [name_f]Matea[/name_f] or [name_f]Mattea[/name_f] instead of Mataeya - I don’t know if this is a literary reference or not so I don’t know if the spelling is important to you. Also I’d like [name_f]Mira[/name_f] better than [name_f]Meera[/name_f] - that’s just how I’ve seen it spelled more often so it’s the one that looks right to me, though there’s nothing confusing about [name_f]Meera[/name_f].
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] and [name_f]Eowyn[/name_f]
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] and [name_f]Vienna[/name_f]
[name_f]Kitty[/name_f] and [name_u]Stevie[/name_u]
[name_f]Leia[/name_f] and [name_f]Summer[/name_f]
You are optioning 4 names from GOT. One of them is [name_m]Ramsey[/name_m], which is a male character who sexually tortures another character. This is a name you’re considering for your daughter? That is completely inexcusable.
[name_f]Amidala[/name_f] - the shortform of [name_f]Ami[/name_f] is adorable, but I don’t think the name is strong. The “dala” ending is a bit silly.
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] - I like this, but [name_f]Anwen[/name_f] is more wearable.
[name_u]Barry[/name_u] - this is a man’s name and a terribly dated one
[name_u]Bliss[/name_u] - fine for a middle name but not as a first, it’s too descriptive
[name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] - I like this for a girl
Carrietta - I just don’t think this works because [name_f]Carrie[/name_f] is too familiar a name.
[name_u]Collins[/name_u] - this is a really cool name for a girl, but is it too cool? As in pretentious?
[name_f]Corinne[/name_f] - boring and safe
[name_f]Cosette[/name_f] - I keep telling people that no one uses this name in [name_f]France[/name_f]!
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] - just beautiful, perfect name.
[name_f]Eowyn[/name_f] - I like it, although generally [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] is an easier name for people to say and spell.
[name_f]Eponine[/name_f] - beautiful
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] - would work well, I like this name.
[name_f]Khaleesi[/name_f] - no, it’s not a beautiful enough name on its own without the GOT reference. People are overlooking that GOT, while a wonderfully imaginative and entertaining franchise, is over-the-top sexual and completely inappropriate for children. So why would you name your child after someone in a book they wouldn’t be allowed to read (or show they wouldn’t be allowed to watch) until they were a teenager at least?
[name_f]Kitty[/name_f] - a wonderful name, usually better as a shortform or middle, but it’s a lovable name.
[name_f]Leia[/name_f] - there are too many Leias, Leahs, Leilas and Lilys… not worth it.
[name_f]Marisol[/name_f] - lovely
Mataeya - too confusing
[name_f]Meera[/name_f] - this is nice but the [name_f]Mira[/name_f] spelling is cleaner and more familiar
[name_m]Nim[/name_m] - sweet but could it
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f] - doesn’t reflect your style because it’s too trendy.
[name_u]Raven[/name_u] - not as adventurous as the others, but I think it’s beautiful and suits your style.
[name_f]Sansa[/name_f] - very beautiful, especially as a middle, but, again, I don’t recommend any GOT names. The show is too adult.
[name_u]Spencer[/name_u] - less pretentious than [name_u]Collins[/name_u], not as silly as [name_u]Barry[/name_u], but it’s a little ironic, as in giving your baby girl an old man’s name.
[name_u]Stevie[/name_u] - wonderful, I highly recommend this energetic name that has the super trendy “[name_f]Evie[/name_f]” embedded in it.
[name_f]Summer[/name_f] - doesn’t reflect your adventurous naming style, feels safe.
Vanellope - looks like antelope, reminds of vanilla-pee… what a mess.
[name_f]Vienna[/name_f] - unless you have been here, or your family is from here, or you are a classical musician, this name is not for you.
Ygritte - very beautiful, especially as a middle, but, again, I don’t recommend any GOT names. The show is too adult.
I also think [name_f]Marisol[/name_f] and Mataeya would be nice middle names. The names I did not include I either really didn’t like, or I like only for boys, like [name_m]Ramsey[/name_m], which is my favorite boy name.
I like [name_f]Corinne[/name_f] and [name_f]Vienna[/name_f].
Middle name options-
[name_f]Vienna[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f]
[name_f]Vienna[/name_f] [name_u]Raven[/name_u]
[name_f]Vienna[/name_f] Rable
I agree with anyagreenwich that naming your child after a GoT character might be inappropriate because it’s not something they can watch/read until they’re a certain age at least (and definitely not [name_m]Ramsey[/name_m]). If you want a pop culture name, [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars and [name_m]Lord[/name_m] of the Rings are much more appropriate name sources.
That said, if you absolutely want a GoT name, at least go more obscure (look for a minor or historical character in A World of Ice and [name_m]Fire[/name_m] or the Westeros.org wiki), or pick names that actually exist and can pass as non-GoT names. I’m talking about names like [name_m]Garth[/name_m], [name_f]Arianne[/name_f], and [name_m]Brandon[/name_m], or, alternatively, “real-world” spellings of the more fanciful names–e.g., [name_m]Edward[/name_m] for Eddard, [name_f]Margery[/name_f]/[name_f]Marjorie[/name_f] for [name_f]Margaery[/name_f]. You can also tweak some names–in the case of [name_f]Catelyn[/name_f], for example, you can use [name_f]Caitlin[/name_f] (and other spellings), or possibly [name_f]Kathleen[/name_f].
I’m also singling out one of the many good points this blog post has said very well: what if your child doesn’t like the series/book/TV show? It’s not meant to be a discouragement, just something you need to consider when picking out a name.
I don’t know about [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars beyond the movies, but you don’t need to stick to [name_f]Arwen[/name_f] and [name_f]Eowyn[/name_f] for Tolkien options, and, like GoT, I think it’s better to go for more obscure names if you don’t like the options listed in the above blog post. You can look up names from several good online encyclopedias, like Tolkien Gateway and [name_m]Thain[/name_m]'s Book. If you want to create your own Tolkien name, the Merin Essi site has a guide to get you started, and you can also look up Old English names and online Quenya and Sindarin wordlists.
(Disclaimer: not fluent in any Tolkien language, just a geek. :))
