I went through, a couple weeks ago, searching for names with international flavor that I might be able to add to my list, and I’ve come up with a pretty good list, but I’m still not sure which, if any, I want to add to my list, and whether I want them to be in a FN or MN capacity. Thoughts on these? My list is completely unsorted right now, and I’m just trying to make a wee bit of sense of it.
Laerke
Madelief
Anne-Claire OR Anne-Sophie (probably nn Annie)
Audrey (MN only)
Lydia
Hazel
Lillian
Penelope
Odilia (MN only)
Isla
Cosima (MN only)
Eilidh
Tali (MN only)
Leona
Annabella (although it’ll probably get scratched, due to Isabelle being my top choice for a girl for forever, but I am really loving it right now!)
Winter “Winnie”
Winifred “Winnie”
Louisa OR Luella “Lou/Lulu”
I’ve listed the ones I know I prefer as a middle. I know for sure I want to use Odilia Claire or Odilia Lily as a double middle somewhere, but I’m having troubles coming up with the perfect FN for it. I also want to get Laerke in somewhere, as well as Cosima, as a middle.
Anyway. Thoughts? Suggestions? Opinions? My top 10 are Isabelle, Arianne, Olivia, Violet, Emmeline, Charlotte, Catherine, Eva, Eleni, and Tess at the moment, so I have room for about 3 more combos. Which of these, if any, should make the cut?
Seems like we have very different tastes, but I’ll try to be objective!
Laerke - I never heard about it until now. Danish version of [name_f]Lark[/name_f], right? I really like both, although I prefer it as a middle name.
Madelief - A great alternative to [name_f]Madeline[/name_f]/[name_f]Madeleine[/name_f].
[name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Claire[/name_f]/[name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Sophie[/name_f] - I prefer [name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Sophie[/name_f] (although I like both [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and [name_f]Sophie[/name_f], I think [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] sounds better with [name_f]Anne[/name_f]). Feels vintagey.
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] - I think it’s getting overused.
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f] - And this one, too.
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f] - [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] is beautiful. Vintage, yet sounds fresh. I love it.
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] - [name_f]Lovely[/name_f]. Perhaps it’s getting overused, too.
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] - Great choice, love the nickname [name_u]Penny[/name_u].
[name_f]Odilia[/name_f] - Wonderful name, distinctive yet recognizable. I slightly prefer [name_f]Ottilia[/name_f].
[name_f]Isla[/name_f] - Fresh, happy and playful. I love it.
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] - Quirky. Interesting choice.
[name_f]Eilidh[/name_f] - Would cause lots of spelling/pronunciation problems (assuming you’re not in [name_f]Scotland[/name_f]), but it’s lovely.
[name_u]Tali[/name_u] - Sweet, although a bit insubstantial as a full name.
[name_f]Leona[/name_f] - Quirky and cool.
[name_f]Annabella[/name_f] - I think it would make a great alternative if you decide [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] is too popular for you.
[name_u]Winter[/name_u] - Distinctive choice.
[name_f]Winifred[/name_f] - Vintage gem.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]/[name_f]Luella[/name_f] - I much prefer [name_f]Luella[/name_f], but if I loved both I think I’d keep [name_f]Louisa[/name_f]. It’s a great name, too bad I don’t like the sound of it. [name_f]Luella[/name_f] feels slightly hillbillyish.
I think [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], [name_f]Penelope[/name_f], [name_f]Cosima[/name_f], [name_f]Leona[/name_f] and [name_u]Winter[/name_u] go well with your other favorites.
I really like [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], [name_f]Isla[/name_f], [name_f]Cosima[/name_f], [name_f]Leona[/name_f], [name_u]Winter[/name_u] and [name_f]Anabella[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] top three are probably 1. [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] (I have it on my list, too:)) 2. [name_f]Leona[/name_f] (do you like [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] as a nickname? It’s so very cute!) 3. [name_f]Isla[/name_f].
The rest of your list are very lovely, too, but either not my style or a bit hard to pronounce(assuming you will still live in the US/not married to a man from other country). I like [name_f]Winifred[/name_f] and [name_u]Winter[/name_u]([name_f]Winnie[/name_f] is so cute) but while the first remindes me of [name_m]King[/name_m]'s The Shining too much to truly love, I have an issue with [name_u]Winter[/name_u] - I still wonder whether it would suit a winter-born or not. I remember on one of these threads about [name_u]Winter[/name_u] a few berries said it would be cheese for a winter girl so while I love it as a name, I haven’t quite decided on it. But, if you have any special connection to the winter season, it would be a stunning name for your daughter.
@polina - yes, Danish form for [name_f]Lark[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] mom has a Danish name, and Denmark was one of my father’s favorite places in the world (his favorite place in Europe for sure), and my grandmother loves birds. So it seems perfect. A little unusual, but I think maybe (hopefully!) Americans could figure it out, with a little bit of time.
@handsallover - my little sister and I both have [name_u]Christmas[/name_u]-themed names. So I’ve always thought of [name_u]Winter[/name_u] as a way to honor her, but I’ve only recently thought of actually using [name_u]Winter[/name_u] up front. I don’t think it’s a PERFECT match, stylistically, with my other favorites, but I still really love it…
Laerke - I have no idea how to say this at all, but it looks unattractive to me I would prefer [name_f]Lark[/name_f].
Madelief - I don’t see the appeal to this one at all. [name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] or [name_f]Madeline[/name_f] would be so much nicer.
[name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Claire[/name_f] OR [name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Sophie[/name_f] (probably nn [name_f]Annie[/name_f]) - [name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Sophie[/name_f] is beautiful
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] (MN only) - this upsets me, haha [name_f]Audrey[/name_f]'s a favourite of mine and I’d love to see it up front.
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f] - meh, I know too many [name_f]Lydia[/name_f]'s that I dislike, but it’s still a pretty name.
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f] - lovely.
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] - [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]/[name_f]Lily[/name_f] have a special spot for me, so I love them.
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] - I prefer this in the middle spot.
[name_f]Odilia[/name_f] (MN only) - meh, [name_f]Odette[/name_f], [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] or [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] would be nicer
[name_f]Isla[/name_f] - gorgeous but a bit too trendy for me.
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] (MN only) - lovely and would like to see this get more usage to be honest.
[name_f]Eilidh[/name_f] - it depends how you are saying it. I know it’s traditionally Ay-lee (which I like, but it’s waaaay too close to my name), but I’ve heard Eye-lee too. The traditional one is nicer.
[name_u]Tali[/name_u] (MN only) - I’ve never liked [name_u]Tali[/name_u]/[name_f]Talia[/name_f], they just sound weird to me.
[name_f]Leona[/name_f] - [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] but I prefer [name_f]Leonie[/name_f]
[name_f]Annabella[/name_f] - I love [name_f]Annabella[/name_f].
[name_u]Winter[/name_u] “[name_f]Winnie[/name_f]” - [name_u]Winter[/name_u] is nice, I would use it as a MN though.
[name_f]Winifred[/name_f] “[name_f]Winnie[/name_f]” - eh, it’s ok.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] OR [name_f]Luella[/name_f] “[name_u]Lou[/name_u]/[name_f]Lulu[/name_f]” - I strongly dislike the sound & look of [name_f]Luella[/name_f], all it reminds me of is hillbillies. [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] on the other hand, I adore.
Laerke - this name would get butchered in the States so I would use it in the middle spot
Madelief - see Laerke
[name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Sophie[/name_f] - I like this [name_m]French[/name_m] double-barrelled name. However, you would have to decide which first name you love the most: [name_f]Arianne[/name_f] or [name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Sophie[/name_f]? Tough one. [name_f]Arianne[/name_f] would be the bolder choice.
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] (MN only) - I love this elegant lady. Too bad it’s in the middle.
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f] -a fine Biblical name with a literary pedigree. I wish I could like it but I couldn’t stand the irritating and troublesome [name_m]Bennet[/name_m] sister.
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f] - not my favourite colour/nature name and you already have a [name_f]Violet[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] - I knew a nasty [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] in my childhood so I have negative association with this name. I do like the [name_m]French[/name_m] version [name_f]Liliane[/name_f] (lil-ee-AHN).
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] - I much prefer [name_f]Daphne[/name_f] and the Kardashian baby connection doesn’t help [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] much. If you choose [name_f]Penelope[/name_f], [name_f]Eleni[/name_f] would have to fall by the wayside as a first name. It could be a nn for [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] though.
[name_f]Odilia[/name_f] (MN only) - I love this name
[name_f]Isla[/name_f] - ok but getting trendy
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] (MN only) - lush and lyrical
[name_f]Eilidh[/name_f] - I like the name but I find it too cutesy with your other girl choices
[name_u]Tali[/name_u] (MN only) - ok as a mn
[name_f]Leona[/name_f] - ok but it reminds me of the [name_f]Queen[/name_f] of Mean, [name_f]Leona[/name_f] Helmsley.
[name_f]Annabella[/name_f] - [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] trumps this choice.
[name_u]Winter[/name_u] “[name_f]Winnie[/name_f]” - mn only
[name_f]Winifred[/name_f] “[name_f]Winnie[/name_f]” - I love this Welsh name.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] - I do like [name_f]Luella[/name_f] too but [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] is so classically gorgeous. Besides, you already have an [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] so [name_f]Luella[/name_f] is matchy.
Laerke- I much prefer [name_f]Lark[/name_f], but this obviously has meaning for you, so it’s fine. People will figure it out, and it’s not that much different from [name_f]Lark[/name_f] anyway.
Madelief-Not too sure on this one.
[name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Claire[/name_f] OR [name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Sophie[/name_f]- I like the NN and prefer [name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Claire[/name_f].
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] (MN only)-[name_u]Love[/name_u]!
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]-I can’t comment as this name is tied to someone that I dislike very much! It will always sound negative to me unfortunately.
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f]-Like!
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f]-[name_u]Love[/name_u]!
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f]-Too tied to a film in which the main character is a pig for me. This is such a pretty name, but the movie ruins it for me
[name_f]Odilia[/name_f] (MN only)-Never heard of this before but I actually really like it!
[name_f]Isla[/name_f]-[name_u]Love[/name_u], love, [name_u]LOVE[/name_u]!
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] (MN only)-[name_f]Lovely[/name_f] as a MN.
[name_f]Eilidh[/name_f]-Not too sure on how to pronounce this.
[name_u]Tali[/name_u] (MN only)-Not for me.
[name_f]Leona[/name_f]-Not for me.
[name_f]Annabella[/name_f]-Much prefer [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f].
[name_u]Winter[/name_u] “[name_f]Winnie[/name_f]”-[name_u]Love[/name_u] the nickname, but [name_u]Winter[/name_u] only as MN for me
[name_f]Winifred[/name_f] “[name_f]Winnie[/name_f]”-[name_u]Love[/name_u]!
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] OR [name_f]Luella[/name_f] “[name_u]Lou[/name_u]/[name_f]Lulu[/name_f]”-I prefer [name_f]Louisa[/name_f].
[name_f]My[/name_f] favorites are [name_u]Winter[/name_u] and [name_f]Annabella[/name_f]! (I like [name_f]Annabella[/name_f] sooo much more than [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] btw.)
Laerke; I like it. I do prefer [name_f]Lark[/name_f] though.
Madeleif; Beautiful! Nice alternative to [name_f]Madeline[/name_f]/[name_f]Madeleine[/name_f].
[name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Claire[/name_f]; Pretty!
[name_f]Anne[/name_f]-[name_f]Sophie[/name_f]; Beautiful!
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f]; I have never liked the name [name_f]Audrey[/name_f].
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]; It’s okay.
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f]; Pretty!
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f]; I have never liked this name. I love [name_f]Liliana[/name_f] though!
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f]; I don’t like this name, and honestly, I’m kind of tired of hearing it.
[name_f]Odilia[/name_f]; Pretty.
[name_f]Isla[/name_f]; Pretty.
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f]; [name_u]Love[/name_u]!
[name_f]Eilidh[/name_f]; Pretty.
[name_u]Tali[/name_u]; I don’t like it.
[name_f]Leona[/name_f]; It’s okay.
[name_f]Winifred[/name_f]; I’m not sure how I feel about this name. I don’t love it, but it’s been growing on me a lot lately.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]; I have never liked this name.
Luelle; I don’t like it.
If I had to pick three first names… [name_u]Winter[/name_u], [name_f]Annabella[/name_f], and [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]. [name_u]Winter[/name_u] is a lot more unusual and uncommon than the rest of your list though, so maybe [name_f]Winifred[/name_f] instead?
I would prefer [name_f]Lark[/name_f].
