Opinions on these unconventional names? Too weird?

Girl Names
1

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] everyone!

Not planning on kids anytime soon but love thinking of names, especially since I’m an author. Side note…it’s so hard not to use my favorite baby girl names on characters. UGH!

I’ve been a longtime lurker on this board but thought I’d throw out my favorite names for future children (or characters, if I cave in…) to the group since my friends all think I’m absolutely INSANE when I tell them what I like–sorry I’m not picking [name_u]Brooke[/name_u], [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], etc…LOL!

Here’s my list–can’t wait for your opinions!

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f] - After “National [name_f]Velvet[/name_f],” but I am a littttle concerned people unaware of the reference would think this sounds like a stripper’s name! I just love the character, though, and think it is so rich-sounding, beautiful and sophisticated.

[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] – After my favorite childhood book, “[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] Skates.” I would definitely pick a longer full name, like [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] or [name_f]Kathleen[/name_f]…would for sure call her [name_f]Kiki[/name_f] though. I think it’s fun, punchy and energetic.

[name_f]India[/name_f] – Got this name from “Gone With the Wind.” I like that it’s exotic but not too weird.

[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] – Knew a girl named [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] who is super cool. Name associations…what can you do?! I also love names with an “x” in them.

[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] – I think it’s beautiful and also lends itself to a cute nickname, [name_u]Bernie[/name_u].

[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] – Grew up on this street and love the name, but HATE HATE HATE the nn [name_f]Sherry[/name_f]. Can anyone think of another nn?

Other names I’ve toyed with:

[name_u]Lake[/name_u]
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f] ([name_f]Phillipa[/name_f]…but I hate how popular it’s getting)
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Nellie[/name_f] or [name_f]Nelle[/name_f])
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]

Thoughts, Berries?? Also, if you see a “theme” happening here, I’d love other suggestions to add to my faves!

Thanks in advance! :slight_smile:

2

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f] does sound like a stripper.
[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] sounds like a cute nickname.
[name_f]India[/name_f] - unless you have a strong connection to the place, I personally think it’s tacky.
[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] - See [name_f]India[/name_f].
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] is nice and different.
[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] is usable since there’s a story behind it. [name_u]Danny[/name_u] / [name_u]Dani[/name_u] / Sherdie ?

3

HA, thank you for the honest opinions!! :slight_smile:

Another one I forgot to list was [name_f]Marin[/name_f], which is alternate spelling of an inspiring teacher’s last name. Thoughts on that?

4

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f] - Not a fan at all
[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] - Cute as a nickname but not as a full name.
[name_f]India[/name_f] - Not a huge fan. What about [name_f]Indira[/name_f]?
[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] - This one is cute but nms.
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] - Not a fan.
[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] - I really actually like this one.
I’m not a huge fan of the other ones but [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] is okay. I do like [name_f]Marin[/name_f].

5

[name_m]Hi[/name_m]! I love unconventional names too. Here are my evaluations.

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f] - it is a little stripperish to me. But it would make a marvelous middle name. [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] [name_f]Velvet[/name_f], [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f] [name_f]Velvet[/name_f], [name_f]Amaryllis[/name_f] [name_f]Velvet[/name_f].

[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] - hate it for a full name, so I’m glad you said it would be a nickname. It’s very cute!

[name_f]India[/name_f] - beautiful. The only reason I hesitate to use it is because I have no connection to [name_f]India[/name_f] whatsoever. But that’s a personal issue.

[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] - love it! I always adored [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u], but kind of put it on the back burner when I realized how strange some people find it. For now it’s a middle name for [name_f]Elysia[/name_f] on my list. But I still have combo [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_u]Hadley[/name_u] all tucked away. :slight_smile:

[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] - personally I’m not a fan, but it have seen it on a real teenager with the nickname [name_u]Bernie[/name_u]. Overall I think it beats [name_u]Madison[/name_u] or [name_f]Mckenzie[/name_f], and it’s refreshing to see.

[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] - sounds masculine to me. Not my favorite. For nicknames it could be [name_u]Dani[/name_u].

[name_u]Lake[/name_u] - pretty! Such a beautiful image it conjures.
[name_f]Philippa[/name_f] nn [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] - I’ve been liking this lately, it’s so distinguished.
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] - I hear a lot of this on NB. But I like it, though [name_f]Eleanora[/name_f] is prettier to me.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] - I really like this!

6

I really like your list ! Its fun & different & not weird at all :slight_smile:

Velvet : I LOVE this name althought i prefer it to a boy . It makes think to a person with beautiful , velvet voice :smiley:
Kiki : I have a classmate named Kiki , short for Kiriaki / Kyriaki which is Sunday in Greek . I like it / Its cute althought i havent the best associasion . Katherine nn Kiki would be cool .
India : LOVE this name . I never get why most people doesnt like that name .
Phoenix : Its okay , nms but i think its cool & strong on a little girl .
Bernadette : Sorry but i dont like that name at all . It seem mismatched comare to your other names & kind of old fashioned althought Bernie is adorable .
Sheridan : Like it but agree nn Sherry is awfull . Other nn Danny , Errie . Eddie , Shea etc
Lake : LOVE this name . Its absolutly gorgeous !
Pippa : Sorry but i absolutly hate that name . In the country where i live the meaning isnt the greatest . If you dont like Phillipa how about Penelope ?
Eleanor : GORGEOUS !
Marin : Like it . Reminds of Navy .
Louisa : Another beautiful name .

Some others :

Meadow
Vesper
Wisteria
Persephone
Aurora
Everly

Hope you like any :slight_smile:

7

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f] does sound like a stripper.
[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] sounds like a cute nickname.
[name_f]India[/name_f] - i actually really like this.
[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] - this is masculine to me.
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] - makes me think of Big Bang [name_m]Theory[/name_m].
[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] - makes me think of the hotel chain. (Sheraton)

8

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f] - Not a fan of word names, and as I don’t know the reference, I think it does sound rather stripper-ish.
[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] – [name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_f]Kiki[/name_f] as a nickname, but not as a full name. [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] “[name_f]Kiki[/name_f]” would be adorable
[name_f]India[/name_f] – I like the sound of [name_f]India[/name_f], but I can’t get past the fact that it is a country. So I don’t really like it.
[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] – I think [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] is rather masculine sounding. But it isn’t the worst. I don’t love [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u], but I have nothing against it. You could make it more feminine by using the nickname [name_f]Nixie[/name_f] or something.
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] – To be honest, I think [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] is sounds really old and nerdy to me. Not a fan.
[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] – I dislike this name because the only association I have with it is the Civil War [name_m]General[/name_m], [name_m]Phillip[/name_m] [name_u]Sheridan[/name_u]. So to me it sounds rather masculine. But since you have an association, I guess it wouldn’t be unusable. I guess you could use [name_u]Danny[/name_u] for a nickname, but that sounds kind of masculine too.
[name_u]Lake[/name_u]- Not a fan of word names. I think it is awkward. “Come here, [name_u]Lake[/name_u]” It is weird.
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f] ([name_f]Phillipa[/name_f])- If you like [name_f]Phillipa[/name_f] (love the nn [name_f]Pippa[/name_f], adorable) you should use it. I doubt it is going to zoom up to the top 100, at least, not in the US. In the UK, it might get a bit popular, but I think it will fade out rather quick. [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] is lovely.
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Nellie[/name_f] or [name_f]Nelle[/name_f])- [name_f]Love[/name_f] it.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]- I love this too, I think of The Sound Of [name_f]Music[/name_f], [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] is one of the children. I think it should be used more.

9

Oh my cousin who turned 4 today is named [name_f]Ashlyn[/name_f] [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] and I think it is beautiful! I’d love to see a girl rock that as a first name!

10

[name_m]Just[/name_m] a note that [name_f]Marin[/name_f] isn’t just an alternate spelling; it’s an alternate pronunciation as well. The accent is on the second syllable rather than the first.

11

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f] - yeah, stripper, though you could get away with it as a middle
[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] – not my favourite nickname for [name_f]Katherine[/name_f]. Cute on a baby/toddler but might not age well.
[name_f]India[/name_f] – pretty, but reads ‘my mother is a posh bohemian who went there in her gap year’ to me.
[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] – too tied to lists of ‘crazy celeb baby names’ for my taste, thanks to [name_u]Mel[/name_u] B’s [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] [name_f]Chi[/name_f]
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] – Catholic housewife in her fifties
[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] – I really liked this about twenty years ago because it felt genuinely unisex. It is like the ck One of names.
[name_u]Lake[/name_u] – this sounds male to me, and best as a middle
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f] ([name_f]Phillipa[/name_f]…but I hate how popular it’s getting) – like [name_f]Pippa[/name_f], hate [name_f]Phillipa[/name_f]
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Nellie[/name_f] or [name_f]Nelle[/name_f]) – you can’t go wrong with this classic, and [name_f]Nell[/name_f] is so much fresher than [name_f]Ellie[/name_f]
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] – another favourite of mine, and [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] is a cute nn

12

Thanks everyone for your honest opinions–keep the honesty coming! I always am curious what people REALLY think because no one will tell you straight to your face! :slight_smile:

So sad my concerns about [name_f]Velvet[/name_f] were confirmed…LOL. Oh well, maybe as a MN?

Someone mentioned that [name_f]India[/name_f] sounds like a name used by a “posh bohemian” mom…I hate to say I fit this stereotype, but that is kind of the style I gravitate towards?! Haha. I love a lot of British “socialite” names:

[name_f]Pixie[/name_f] (though [name_f]Peaches[/name_f] is too crazy for even me!)
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f]
[name_f]Daisy[/name_f]
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_f]Sienna[/name_f]

etc etc etc

Any other names that fit that “vibe”??? I am REALLY into it. If [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] wasn’t taken by [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] Bonas, I would want it!

13

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f] - definitely goes on my list of “potential stripper names”

[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] – love [name_f]Kiki[/name_f] as a nn for [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] or [name_f]Christina[/name_f] (or similar). I had a classmate that went by [name_f]Kiki[/name_f] and it worked for her.

[name_f]India[/name_f] – I love it, but I know that in some parts of the world and in certain circles it has political implications.

[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] – I’ve only known men named [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] (three actually). They tended to be kind of hippy-ish.

[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] – I think it could work… not an easy name, but thanks to Big Bang [name_m]Theory[/name_m], it at least has pop culture resurgence.

[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] – reminds me of the hotel. not a fan personally. I suppose you could try [name_u]Dani[/name_u] or [name_f]Sher[/name_f] ([name_f]Cher[/name_f]) as a nn. I’m not sure those are any better.

Other names I’ve toyed with:

[name_u]Lake[/name_u]- would make a great middle I think
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f]- I thought it was adorable initially, but I’m kind of over it
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Nellie[/name_f] or [name_f]Nelle[/name_f])- love
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]- love

14

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f]- I feel like this is too… uhhh, sensual? I know a few dogs named [name_f]Velvet[/name_f], it’s not bad on an animal with fur, but on a person? I cringe when I feel velvet, so I just can’t with this one, lol, sorry.

[name_f]Kiki[/name_f]- It’s definitely better as a nickname. I’m all for unconventional/ unintuitive nicknames, but I personally dislike repeated syllables ([name_f]Gigi[/name_f], [name_f]Coco[/name_f], [name_f]Lulu[/name_f], etc). [name_m]Just[/name_m] not appealing to my ears.

[name_f]India[/name_f]- there’s a lot of debate about this one on these boards. I don’t know how to take it. I don’t think everyone who likes the name [name_f]India[/name_f] supported how things turned out for people in [name_f]India[/name_f] when the British colonized, but it’s touchy, and something I’d rather not bring up with my child’s name, I guess.

[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]- meh… I feel like it’s passé.

[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f]- eeeh, I’ve never been keen on it. I see it online all the time on peoples’ lists, my parents, and my grandparents have friends named [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f], and I’ve tried to like it, but no success. I do like [name_f]Berenice[/name_f], though.

[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u]- I used to hate this, I’m kind of neutral now, I’m not passionately for nor against it. There used to be a [name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] on my block, but she was never called a nickname, so I’m no help here. [name_f]Erin[/name_f]? [name_u]Shea[/name_u]? [name_u]Dani[/name_u]?

[name_u]Lake[/name_u]- it’s not my style, but not bad. Similarly I think [name_f]Lark[/name_f] is awesome.
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f]- very sweet
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]- I like it! I like a lot of its variants, too
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]- always lovely! I think it’s underused, honestly (at least where I’m from)

15

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f] - Really pretty, love this name…

[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] -- Prefer it as a nn....

[name_f]India[/name_f] -- [name_f]Adore[/name_f] this name! I'm also considering this name for a girl, a classic name with a bohemian feel...

[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] -- Reminds me too much of [name_u]River[/name_u] [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]...

[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] -- I generally love [name_m]French[/name_m] names, but this one isn't my favorite....

[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] -- A sophisticated name...quite nice....

[name_u]Lake[/name_u] -- Great name!

[name_f]Pippa[/name_f] ([name_f]Phillipa[/name_f]...but I hate how popular it's getting) -- Very elegant....

[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Nellie[/name_f] or [name_f]Nelle[/name_f]) -- not my style....

[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] -- gorgeous name!

As for your naming style, I would say it’s vintage Hollywood, from the 30s to the 80s…

16

Completely agree that [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] and [name_f]India[/name_f] work but that [name_f]Velvet[/name_f] and [name_f]Kiki[/name_f] do not!

17

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f]- No, not a fan!
[name_f]Kiki[/name_f]- My niece is called [name_f]Ciara[/name_f], and her nickname is [name_f]Kiki[/name_f]! I think [name_f]Kiki[/name_f] would be a good nickname for [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] or [name_f]Kathleen[/name_f] :slight_smile:
[name_f]India[/name_f]- I’ve never liked this name to be honest.
[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]- I do actually like this name, even though I see it more on a boy. Would make a great middle name!
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f]- I really like this name! So cute and not a lot of people are called it.
[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u]-Meh. I’m kind of neutral. Its okay, but I think you have better names on your list!

[name_u]Lake[/name_u]- I love this name as a middle, but not as a first!
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f]- I really love this name, so cute!
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]- I like this, think its really sweet and fresh, if you wanted to liven it up a bit there is always [name_f]Eleanora[/name_f] :slight_smile:
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]- I really don’t like this name :confused:

18

I don’t think any of theme are too unconventional for use.

I love [name_f]Velvet[/name_f]! I don’t think it sounds like a stripper name (even if it did, why is that an issue?) and like it even though I don’t get the reference.

[name_f]Kiki[/name_f] – I think of [name_f]Kiki[/name_f]'s Delivery Service. I have a cousin with this nickname, and her parents chose her name so she could ‘‘be called [name_f]Kiki[/name_f] like in the movie’’.

[name_f]India[/name_f] – have a look through some of the cultural appropriation threads before you seriously consider this.

[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] – I’ve never liked it, but know of several children called [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] for some reason.

[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] – [name_f]Lovely[/name_f].

[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] – I know a [name_u]Sheridan[/name_u], she’s a horrible girl. You could use the nn [name_u]Dani[/name_u]?

[name_u]Lake[/name_u] – [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] this!
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f] – is [name_f]Philippa[/name_f] getting popular? It’s not even big in the UK yet, but I do know several little Pippas. I’d just use it, honestly. I love it.
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] – eh, it’s okay. A bit dull, v popular where I live.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] – I like it, but again, a bit dull.

19

[name_f]Velvet[/name_f] does sound like a stripper, maybe middle name
[name_f]Katherine[/name_f] nn [name_f]Kiki[/name_f] is cute
[name_f]India[/name_f] - I love it and new a charming little girl by the name of it
[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] - It’s growing on my…I think it would be great in the middle spot
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] nn [name_u]Bernie[/name_u] - just reminds me of an old lady
[name_u]Sheridan[/name_u] - love this one, especially the special meaning, maybe just [name_f]Sher[/name_f] for nn
[name_u]Lake[/name_u]-[name_f]Love[/name_f]
[name_f]Pippa[/name_f]-very nice, not sure I like [name_f]Phillipa[/name_f] though
[name_f]Marin[/name_f]-this might be my favorite, I love [name_f]Marin[/name_f]
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]-NMS

20

My favorite is [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Kiki[/name_f]. I also think of [name_f]Kiki[/name_f]'s Delivery Service, which will always be one of my favorite movies. I also really like [name_f]Philippa[/name_f] nn [name_f]Pippa[/name_f]. Velvela, which is an extremely rare name, can be nn [name_f]Velvet[/name_f], and possibly Vetiver, [name_f]Vilhelmina[/name_f] or Vivendel.