Opinions Welcome - Need HELP!

General Name Discussion
1

We are having a baby in the first week of [name]October[/name] so we are finally getting serious about baby names. We have an 11 year old son, [name]Skyler[/name]. Gender of this baby is unknown so we are picking both boy and girl names. We like unique, rare names but nothing too crazy or made up.

We started out with [name]Bentley[/name] (boy) and [name]Briella[/name] or [name]Brinley[/name] (girl).

Then we started hearing those names more so we wanted something a bit different (and I had heard people criticize [name]Bentley[/name] on occasion). We then were set on [name]Boston[/name] (boy) and [name]Mila[/name] (girl - pronounced Mee-Luh).

Now my husband is having second thoughts on [name]Boston[/name], questioning if it is too different. I am having second thoughts on [name]Mila[/name], questioning if people will have a hard time pronouncing it.

So, we have gone back to our original names and added to the list with these names:

Girl: [name]Amaya[/name], [name]Oakley[/name] (although a friend has named her daughter this), [name]Audrina[/name], [name]Braylynn[/name], [name]Livia[/name], [name]Everly[/name], [name]Melina[/name], [name]Sophia[/name], [name]McKenna[/name], [name]Finley[/name], [name]Kiana[/name], [name]Kyra[/name]

Boy: [name]Hudson[/name], [name]Beckett[/name], [name]Beckham[/name], [name]Paxton[/name], [name]Crosby[/name], [name]Maddox[/name]

Any opinions on ALL of these names would be appreciated and if you have your own unique, rare name to add, I would love to hear it! By the way, we are not set on a “B” name - it just so happened that a lot of the names we liked, started with a “B”.

Thanks in advance!

2

[name]Bentley[/name] (boy) and [name]Briella[/name] or [name]Brinley[/name] (girl).

[name]Bentley[/name] - a car, trendy

[name]Briella[/name] - i believe a feminization of a soap, again sounds like an overused trendy name not just ONCE, BUT TWICE - [name]Bri[/name] + [name]Ella[/name]

[name]Brinley[/name] - same as [name]Briella[/name] minus the soap

[name]Boston[/name] - because of recent events it would seem like a bombing tribute/honor name. maybe if that hadnt of happened, but that city has just been thrust into the spotlight too recently.

  • try looking at the town for inspiration like Revere instead, after the patriot and smithie [name]Paul[/name]

[name]Mila[/name]'s pronunciation should be ok because of [name]Mila[/name] Kunis. if you are worried just change it to Meela

[name]Amaya[/name] - sounds like you are trying too hard to find an ‘exotic’ name and added an A because [name]Maya[/name] has been ‘done’

[name]Oakley[/name] - friends kid + sunglasses brand

[name]Audrina[/name] - Patridge i believe, reality star, [name]Audrey[/name] has [name]WAY[/name] more charm and weight to it, a case where frilling it up does not make a name better

[name]Braylynn[/name] - TRENDY EXTRA Y AND A [name]LYNN[/name] NAME? TOO MUCH

[name]Livia[/name] - go with the obvious [name]Olivia[/name] and use this as a nickname, otherwise it just sounds like one, ps popular so alternative is [name]Lavinia[/name]

[name]Everly[/name] - TRENDY

[name]Melina[/name] - just ANOTHER short, fake sounding -lina name, theres too many out there that none of them sound special anymore

[name]Sophia[/name] - popular

[name]McKenna[/name] - not bad, seems that the Mc names are girls are ‘out’ though, they WERE trendy and then they crashed, they had their 15 minutes and they got [name]WAY[/name] overused

[name]Finley[/name] - TRENDY

[name]Kiana[/name] - trying too hard to find a different K name, no ‘weight’ or history to this name, feels empty

[name]Kyra[/name] - [name]Keira[/name]? if so spell it that way

[name]Hudson[/name] - popular/trendy but seems classic

[name]Beckett[/name] - ok, people are looking to this to replace the Beckhams and Bentleys, not uber popular yet, but on trend alert

[name]Beckham[/name] - soccer player and posh spice, trendy

[name]Paxton[/name] - half a [name]Jolie[/name]-[name]Pitt[/name] child

[name]Crosby[/name] - middle name maybe, not the best first

[name]Maddox[/name] - [name]Jolie[/name]-[name]Pitt[/name] child

[b]Summary: [name]Olivia[/name], [name]Hudson[/name], [name]Beckett[/name]

Suggestions: Revere, [name]Audrey[/name] (maybe even [name]Aubrey[/name]), [name]Lavinia[/name][/b]

3

[name]Just[/name] wanted to chime in and say that [name]Livia[/name] is a perfectly legitimate full name used in Ancient [name]Rome[/name], so ignore what orphanedhanyou said about it. I think it’s the nicest one on your list, besides [name]Mila[/name], which I don’t think will have many pronunciation problems.

I do agree that [name]Hudson[/name] and [name]Beckett[/name] are your most solid, least trendy boys’ names, though. [name]Both[/name] better options than [name]Boston[/name], and they go well with [name]Skyler[/name].

4

[name]Mila[/name] is a great name, becoming sufficiently common, so most people will know how to pronounce it. I love [name]Amaya[/name] and [name]Brielle[/name] is nice (without the ‘a’, kind of frilly with the ‘a’). Overall, you have good taste and should trust your instincts. Although, [name]Bentley[/name] does have a strong association w/the car. [name]How[/name] about [name]Cabot[/name]? or [name]Boyer[/name]. I love [name]Paxton[/name] because it can be shortened to [name]Pax[/name], meaning [name]Peace[/name]. Ariston is another ancient Greek name you might like for a boy.

5

I like:

[name_m]Beckett[/name_m]
[name_u]Hudson[/name_u]

[name_f]Mila[/name_f]

6

I agree with almost all of what orphanedhanyou said. For girls my favorites are [name_f]Mila[/name_f], [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] and [name_f]Keira[/name_f]. There are a number of your girls names which I would never use (particularly [name_u]Bentley[/name_u] and [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] - I really dislike “luxury brand” names, as they read tacky to me). Your boy’s names are not necessarily objectionable (with the exception of [name_m]Beckham[/name_m]), though surnames as first names is not my style - of your list my favorite is [name_m]Beckett[/name_m].

I know you said you weren’t aiming for B names, but what about [name_u]Bailey[/name_u] (for a boy or girl), [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] (boy) or [name_m]Burton[/name_m] (boy)?

7

I personally don’t see a problem with [name_u]Bentley[/name_u] and am always confused with the criticism. [name_f]Briella[/name_f] and [name_u]Brinley[/name_u] are okay however, I prefer [name_f]Brynn[/name_f]. To me, the -ley ending just seems to trendy. That’s just my opinion though because I’m into more masculine names for girls ([name_u]Peyton[/name_u], [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] etc). Maybe you’ll like [name_u]Quinn[/name_u]! It has similar sounds to [name_f]Brynn[/name_f].

I don’t really like [name_m]Boston[/name_m] I feel like there are many other, better sounding place names to use for a boy if you wanted to go that route. I really like [name_f]Mila[/name_f] though! and [name_f]Mila[/name_f] Kunis definitely helps to steer the pronunciation in the right direction. I don’t think it will be a problem.

[name_f]Amaya[/name_f]: I like it but it definitely depends on your surname! (I know a girl who wanted to use it but her surname completely ruined it)
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u]: Cute but I prefer [name_u]Oak[/name_u] as a middle for a boy so I wouldn’t use it. I’m not big on the -ley endings.
[name_f]Audrina[/name_f]: I think it’s refreshing just because of all the [name_f]Audrey[/name_f]'s and [name_u]Aubrey[/name_u]'s. I like it a lot :slight_smile:
[name_f]Braylynn[/name_f]: Y overload!
[name_f]Livia[/name_f]: Because of the popularity of [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] I feel as though this name will just be confusing later (your daughter may think people are calling her name)
[name_u]Everly[/name_u]: [name_u]Everly[/name_u] is one of the -ly names I like! However, I fear it’s becoming too popular.
[name_f]Melina[/name_f]: Meh… Not a fan
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f]: Beautiful but too popular for my tastes.
[name_f]McKenna[/name_f]: I love the name [name_f]McKenna[/name_f] even though it receives criticism.
[name_u]Finley[/name_u]: Prefer [name_u]Finn[/name_u] for a boy rather than the feminine -ley ending.
[name_f]Kiana[/name_f] and [name_f]Kyra[/name_f]: Nothing wrong with them but I wouldn’t use either.

By far, [name_f]Audrina[/name_f] and [name_f]Mila[/name_f] are the the best names!

I [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] all your boys names except for [name_u]Paxton[/name_u], [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] and [name_m]Crosby[/name_m]. The associations are too strong.
I know people may say the same thing about [name_m]Beckham[/name_m] but I’ve fallen in love with it recently. It’s a softer version of [name_m]Beckett[/name_m] which I really like.

8

i like :[name_f]Mila[/name_f] , [name_f]Amaya[/name_f],[name_u]Oakley[/name_u], [name_f]Braylynn[/name_f] - (but spelt [name_f]Braelynn[/name_f]), livia, [name_f]Melina[/name_f] is nice perhaps mila as a nn for this name? Or [name_f]Maliyah[/name_f]/[name_f]Maliah[/name_f], [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] like this as well as kiara and tiana, kyra ( my cousins name- always been complimented on her name and she says it as key-ra) [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] < LOVE Paxton i prefer baxter to this… but those are the ones i liek best ! xx

9

I like
Boston (if it has meaning for you go for it. I think to not use it, because of the tragedy is dumb. All the more to honor a city or place you have ties to while it’s down. On the other hand, if you have no ties there I say don’t use it)
I do like Revere for boy though.
Hudson
and
Beckett (both on my favorites list)
I also like Maddox but not on my list.

For the girls I like:
Mila (ok, pronunciation is not much of a problem)
Audrina
Melina
Sophia (#1 name in the country, but it’s pretty)
McKenna
Finley
and
Kiana

Suggestions (if you’re looking for something else)(most these work for either gender):
Sage
Shea/Shay
Marlow
Truman (boy)
Marcy (girl)
Parker
Delaney
Stella (girl)
Mitchell (probably a boy)
Quinn
Paige (probably a girl)
Selina/Sabine/Serena (girl)
Kennedy

I also suggest looking through the family tree since surnames as first names seem your style. (maybe your maiden name or your mother’s maiden or his mother’s maiden name, etc.)
Good Luck!

10

[name_f]Amaya[/name_f] - I’ve met one (who wasn’t super pleasant). It’s a nice name. I’m not wild about it.
[name_f]Audrina[/name_f] - just seems like [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] trying to be different
[name_f]Briella[/name_f] - I actually really like this. It’s trendy, but fun and lovely. I also like [name_f]Britta[/name_f] and [name_m]Berlin[/name_m] (which I much prefer to [name_f]Braylyn[/name_f] and it’s variations)
[name_f]Livia[/name_f] - love! It does feel like a knock off of [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], but it’s still so lovely I can’t not like it. [name_f]Livy[/name_f] gives me happy chills.
[name_u]Everly[/name_u] - yea, it’s trendy, but I don’t care. I love it!
[name_f]Melina[/name_f] - sorry, but all I hear is melanoma
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] - it’s a lovely name, but I know many
[name_f]McKenna[/name_f] - I feel like I know hundreds. I work with kids and there is at least 1 in my group every year. Spelled 10 different ways of course.
[name_u]Finley[/name_u] - feels very masculine to me
[name_f]Kiana[/name_f] - trendy and not in a way I like. [name_f]Tiana[/name_f] I like though!
[name_f]Kyra[/name_f] - I prefer [name_f]Kira[/name_f], but it’s okay. Not terrible

[name_u]Hudson[/name_u] - I like it! [name_m]Huck[/name_m] is cute too. It’s a great name with lovely history.
[name_m]Beckett[/name_m] - I like it. A lot! Might be might fave on your boys like
[name_m]Beckham[/name_m] - I much prefer [name_m]Beckett[/name_m]
[name_u]Paxton[/name_u] - meh, okay, not wild about it.
[name_m]Crosby[/name_m] - [name_m]Bing[/name_m]? Stills & [name_m]Nash[/name_m]? … bill? lol, there’s just too many connections or partial connections for me to consider this a name.
[name_m]Maddox[/name_m] - Mad Dog? sorry, that’s all I think of.

My faves are [name_f]Briella[/name_f], [name_f]Livia[/name_f], [name_u]Everly[/name_u], [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] and [name_m]Beckett[/name_m]!

11

[name_f]Audrina[/name_f] and [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] sound nice

12

I’m confused that you describe your style as rare and unique when all of the names you listed are extremely trendy and common.

[name_u]Bentley[/name_u], [name_f]Briella[/name_f], [name_u]Brinley[/name_u], and [name_f]Braylynn[/name_f] are absolutely terrible – trashy and instantly dated. [name_f]McKenna[/name_f] and [name_u]Everly[/name_u] are feather-light names without substance, and both are very trendy. [name_u]Finley[/name_u] and [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] are boy’s names only.

[name_m]Boston[/name_m] is a major city that your son has a fair chance of visiting someday, and as someone who used to live there, I can tell you that he would get no end of crap for being named after the city. [name_m]Boston[/name_m] is not an appropriate name for a child. It’s just silly.

[name_f]Mila[/name_f] is trendy, but it’s also a pretty, legitimate name. It’s getting very popular, so there’s a good chance pronunciation won’t be an issue – there will probably be several [name_m]Milas[/name_m] in her age group.

[name_f]Amaya[/name_f] is sweet and distinctive. I really like this one. [name_f]Audrina[/name_f], [name_f]Livia[/name_f], and [name_f]Melina[/name_f] are all lovely. [name_m]Crosby[/name_m], [name_m]Beckett[/name_m], and [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] are good, strong names, and [name_u]Paxton[/name_u] and [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] are, if not exactly timeless, at least legitimate and appropriate.

Some more you might like:

[name_u]Shaw[/name_u]
[name_m]Sutton[/name_m]
[name_f]Whitley[/name_f]
[name_u]Leighton[/name_u]
[name_f]Greer[/name_f]
[name_f]Tinsley[/name_f]
[name_u]Bellamy[/name_u]
[name_m]Calvin[/name_m]
[name_f]Amerie[/name_f]
[name_m]Slater[/name_m]
[name_u]Delaney[/name_u]
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f]
[name_m]Anders[/name_m]
[name_u]Nikita[/name_u]
[name_u]Keeley[/name_u]
[name_u]Ellis[/name_u]
[name_m]Breccan[/name_m]
[name_u]Hartley[/name_u]
[name_u]Waverly[/name_u]
[name_u]Channing[/name_u]
[name_u]Windsor[/name_u]
[name_u]Sterling[/name_u]
[name_f]Clover[/name_f]
[name_u]Keeva[/name_u]
[name_u]Gentry[/name_u]
[name_m]Boden[/name_m]
[name_f]Audra[/name_f]
[name_m]Harmon[/name_m]
[name_f]Nova[/name_f]
[name_f]Flora[/name_f]
[name_u]Tierney[/name_u]
[name_m]Lennox[/name_m]
[name_u]Romy[/name_u]
[name_f]Vita[/name_f]
[name_f]Geneva[/name_f]
[name_u]Kieran[/name_u]
[name_m]Cyrus[/name_m]
[name_f]Thais[/name_f]
[name_m]Bowen[/name_m]
[name_m]Gannon[/name_m]
[name_f]Vianne[/name_f]
[name_u]Campbell[/name_u]
[name_m]Ansel[/name_m]
[name_u]Merritt[/name_u]
[name_m]Quillan[/name_m]
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u]
[name_m]Maxfield[/name_m]
[name_m]Hale[/name_m]
[name_u]Destry[/name_u]
[name_f]Leona[/name_f]
[name_f]Cambria[/name_f]
[name_u]Darcy[/name_u]
[name_u]Embry[/name_u]
[name_m]Cabot[/name_m]
[name_u]Flannery[/name_u]
[name_u]Cedar[/name_u]
[name_f]Millay[/name_f]
[name_m]Adler[/name_m]
[name_f]Keziah[/name_f]
[name_u]Tatum[/name_u]
[name_f]Sienna[/name_f]
[name_f]Calla[/name_f]
[name_m]Tobin[/name_m]
[name_f]Talia[/name_f]
[name_m]Axel[/name_m]
[name_f]Merrin[/name_f]
[name_f]Anya[/name_f]
[name_m]Gable[/name_m]
[name_m]Brannon[/name_m]
[name_u]Abbott[/name_u]
[name_u]Raleigh[/name_u]
[name_m]Hewett[/name_m]
[name_m]Clark[/name_m]
[name_f]Mirabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Cassia[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_m]Remington[/name_m]
[name_f]Mira[/name_f]
[name_m]Brenner[/name_m]
[name_m]Radley[/name_m]
[name_m]Vaughn[/name_m]
[name_f]Samara[/name_f]
[name_u]Hollis[/name_u]
[name_u]Cade[/name_u]
[name_f]Maris[/name_f]
[name_f]Romilly[/name_f]
[name_f]Aisha[/name_f]
[name_m]Zeke[/name_m]
[name_u]Walker[/name_u]

13

“We like unique, rare names but nothing too crazy or made up” I kept this in mind whilst reviewing the names.

Bentley - I really like this name and it has become sufficiently popular so I truly believe within the next generation the car association will be strongly diminished (least we forget name of the car was also the inventors surname). It’s at number 75 currently and has steeply risen up the charts so I don’t quite think it’s the unique or rare name you are looking for.

Briella - I actually really like this name. It’s not quite top of the list popular (375) but has recently entered the charts (2010) and it’s a bit too soon to tell. Rapid riser but too soon to tell if it will plateau. If anything her name will be popular yet she will be a bit ahead of her time.

Boston - not particularly fond of Boston, but it’s in the 500s range and has plateaued. I think it will be known but not too common a name. If you like this one, I’d go for it.

Mila - Mila Kunis has single-handedly desenitized this name to the general public. No pronunciation issues there. This name has actually been a rapid riser within the past 5 yrs and is just outside the top 100. Not quite the unique or rare you were going for.

Amaya -Not really my cup of tea but has plateaued and generally lies between the 200-400 on the popularity list. Should be known but not too popular a name. Go for it!

Oakley - I agree on the association with the sun glasses, but I still like this name. It’s cute, but like Bentley I believe it will age well. I’ll keep this in the running as it is on the bottom of the top 1000 list.

Audrina - I like this name I really do. Never crossed the 400 line so it isn’t too popular.

Braylynn - I absolutely despise the spelling of this name. The y’s are ridiculous. Braelyn?

Livia - I like this. Bottom of the top 1000 so it’s got the uniqueness you are looking for. It’s also reminiscent of but very distinct from Olivia so it’s not too outlandish a name.

Everly - Depends… boy or girl? I like it better for a boy, but still not my favorite name. Maybe the unique you were looking for though

Melina - I like it but I prefer Audrina. Melina nickname Mila is nice though.

Sophia - Adorable name but nothing unique or rare about it. It’s been a steady top 10 for at least 7 years now. I’d also not pair Sophia with Skyler in case another sibling (planned or not) comes along. Unless you plan on continuing the S tradition. If you do… I’d start coming up with other S names from now, just to prepare myself.

McKenna - nice but not my fave. It’s a cheaper version of Mackenzie. (I don’t really like Mc names as a first name)

Finley - I like for a boy. Go for it!

Kiana - don’t like.

Kira -Alright. i’d go for it.

Hudson - really nice name. but this is a rapid riser which will predictably enter the top 100

Beckett - Solid name but not my favorite. It’s a good contender though

Beckham - I like it, solid name. Go for it! (too soon to tell if it will be uber popular, rising but not as rapidly as other names)

Paxton - Not my favorite but I don’t see anything wrong with it.

Crosby - Not my fave either.

Maddox - Alright I guess.

On reviewing this list none of these names are unique or rare… Most are trendy. Some are trendy but not too popular. I reviewed it from that standpoint.

14

Name suggestions:
Girls: [name_f]Brynn[/name_f], [name_f]Brynna[/name_f], [name_u]Brinsley[/name_u], [name_f]Bibiana[/name_f], [name_f]Behati[/name_f]? Or even [name_f]Briar[/name_f] like Sleeping Beauty?

Boys: [name_u]Brett[/name_u], [name_m]Breton[/name_m], [name_m]Brody[/name_m] (borders the too popular line as it is in the top 100)

I just browsed through some B names.

15

I too am somewhat confused, as the style that you described doesn’t seem to match at all with the names you’ve listed.

GIRLS
[name_f]Love[/name_f]:
[name_f]Mila[/name_f] – I doubt there would be very many pronunciation issues
[name_f]Livia[/name_f] – though it does always look incomplete to me
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] – but it’s #1 in the US, thus extremely popular

Okay:
[name_f]Amaya[/name_f]
[name_f]Audrina[/name_f]
[name_f]Melina[/name_f]
[name_u]Finley[/name_u]

Dislike:
[name_f]Briella[/name_f] – what about [name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f]/[name_f]Gabriella[/name_f]?
[name_u]Brinley[/name_u] – what about [name_f]Brynn[/name_f]?
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] – strongly dislike for a girl, and immediately makes me think of the company; what about these tree-related names: [name_u]Aspen[/name_u], [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], [name_u]Juniper[/name_u], [name_f]Laurel[/name_f], and [name_f]Willow[/name_f]?
[name_f]Braylynn[/name_f] – strongly dislike, invented name plus invented spelling
[name_u]Everly[/name_u] – what about [name_f]Eva[/name_f]?
[name_f]McKenna[/name_f] – what about simply [name_f]Kenna[/name_f]? [name_f]McKenna[/name_f] means “son of [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m],” not a name you probably want for your daughter!
[name_f]Kiana[/name_f] – again, invented name plus invented spelling
[name_f]Kyra[/name_f] – what about [name_f]Ciara[/name_f]/[name_f]Kiera[/name_f]?

BOYS
[name_f]Love[/name_f]:
[name_u]Paxton[/name_u] – nn [name_u]Pax[/name_u] is pretty legit

Okay:
[name_u]Hudson[/name_u]
[name_m]Beckett[/name_m]
[name_m]Maddox[/name_m]

Dislike:
[name_u]Bentley[/name_u] – what about [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] nn [name_m]Benji[/name_m]?
[name_m]Boston[/name_m] – what about [name_u]Dallas[/name_u]?
[name_m]Beckham[/name_m] – what about [name_m]Hamilton[/name_m]?
[name_m]Crosby[/name_m] – what about [name_u]Grady[/name_u]?

RECAP
Favorites from your list: [name_f]Mila[/name_f] and [name_u]Paxton[/name_u]
[name_m]Favorite[/name_m] suggestions for you: [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] and [name_u]Grady[/name_u]

Good luck!

16

Thank you all for your responses! I will keep in mind the suggested names and the opinions you have given on the other names. I think giinkies maybe described it better as “trendy but not too popular”…but I also live in a small town in a small state so these names are all unique and rare to the people around us! We are just looking for a different name so they will not have to be known as “[name_u]Lindsay[/name_u] S.” or “[name_f]Sarah[/name_f] J.” forever, as I have several friends that are still referenced by their last name or their last name’s initial.

17

What is rare and unique to one person, might be common and trendy to another and vice versa.
With that said…

Girls:
[name_f]Briella[/name_f]- I prefer [name_f]Brielle[/name_f] and I find this name to be trendy, but not common. I don’t personally know a [name_f]Brielle[/name_f]/a.
[name_u]Brinley[/name_u]- It sounds made up, personally.
[name_f]Mila[/name_f]- I like this name. It’s pretty and I don’t think you should have an issue with pronunciation.
[name_f]Amaya[/name_f]- I’m just not a fan. It’s nice, but I wouldn’t use it.
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u]- I don’t like names that are luxury brands. Plus, if a friend used it, they might not be happy if you use it too. I guess depends how close of friends you are.
[name_f]Audrina[/name_f]- I like this. It’s pretty and not common.
[name_f]Braylynn[/name_f]- It is Y overload.
[name_f]Livia[/name_f]- It sounds incomplete. I prefer [name_f]Olivia[/name_f].
[name_u]Everly[/name_u]- To me it feels incomplete. Maybe [name_f]Beverly[/name_f]?
[name_f]Melina[/name_f]- This isn’t bad, but I wouldn’t use it.
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f]- [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] name and has always been a favorite of mine. It is very common though.
[name_f]McKenna[/name_f]- I’m not a fan of ‘Mc’ names, but this one isn’t too bad.
[name_u]Finley[/name_u]- It may be considered trendy, but I’ve never heard someone named this besides on tv. I like it! [name_u]Finn[/name_u] is a great nickname too.
[name_f]Kiana[/name_f]- It’s pretty.
[name_f]Kyra[/name_f]- I like [name_f]Kiera[/name_f] better.

Boys:
[name_u]Bentley[/name_u]- Luxury name and I don’t care for it. Plus, I can’t help but think of [name_f]Macy[/name_f] from Teen Mom and her son.
[name_m]Boston[/name_m]- To me, it’s a city and that’s all.
[name_u]Hudson[/name_u]- I like it. It’s a strong name.
[name_m]Beckett[/name_m]- I like it. Probably my favorite from your list.
[name_m]Beckham[/name_m]- [name_m]David[/name_m] [name_m]Beckham[/name_m] is the only thing that comes to mind when I see this. I’m not a fan.
[name_u]Paxton[/name_u]- I like it, but wouldn’t use it myself.
[name_m]Crosby[/name_m]- Sounds odd as a first name.
[name_m]Maddox[/name_m]- I’m just not a fan. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t like it.

My favorites are [name_f]Mila[/name_f] and [name_u]Finley[/name_u] for a girl, and [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] and [name_m]Beckett[/name_m] for a boy.
A few names I seem suggested and I think work well with the names you like are [name_f]Brynn[/name_f] and [name_m]Bennett[/name_m].

18

With big brother [name_u]Skyler[/name_u], who has what is commonly perceived as a unisex name, I would avoid anything that leans too masculine/unisex for a daughter - ruling out [name_u]Finley[/name_u], [name_u]Bailey[/name_u], [name_u]Brinley[/name_u] [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] and [name_u]Everly[/name_u] - in case people think [name_u]Skyler[/name_u] is the daughter and [name_u]Finley[/name_u]/etc the son.

[name_u]Bentley[/name_u]: A car, very trendy. [name_m]How[/name_m] about other uncommon [name_m]Ben[/name_m]- names: [name_m]Benton[/name_m], [name_m]Bennett[/name_m], [name_m]Benedict[/name_m], [name_m]Benson[/name_m].
[name_f]Briella[/name_f]: This feels very nicknamey to me, would prefer [name_f]Gabriella[/name_f] nn [name_f]Briella[/name_f]. [name_m]How[/name_m] about other -ella ending names: [name_f]Stella[/name_f], [name_f]Nella[/name_f], [name_f]Ariella[/name_f], [name_f]Della[/name_f].
[name_u]Brinley[/name_u]: Trendy and a bit unisex next to [name_u]Skyler[/name_u]. [name_m]How[/name_m] about other Br- names: [name_u]Brooke[/name_u], [name_f]Brenna[/name_f], [name_f]Briony[/name_f], [name_f]Bridie[/name_f], [name_f]Bridget[/name_f]?

[name_m]Boston[/name_m]: I’m not a massive place name fan, I’d find it awkward to be called [name_m]Boston[/name_m] if I ever visited it. If you want to honour a place you love, I’d say the middle would be the best place to do it. [name_m]How[/name_m] about other -ton ending names: [name_u]Ashton[/name_u], [name_m]Dalton[/name_m], [name_m]Quinton[/name_m]?
[name_f]Mila[/name_f]: [name_f]Mila[/name_f] Kunis will probably have most people OK on pronouncing the name.

[name_f]Amaya[/name_f]: [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] (although a friend has named her daughter this), [name_f]Audrina[/name_f], [name_f]Braylynn[/name_f], [name_f]Livia[/name_f], [name_u]Everly[/name_u], [name_f]Melina[/name_f], [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], [name_f]McKenna[/name_f], [name_u]Finley[/name_u], [name_f]Kiana[/name_f], [name_f]Kyra[/name_f]

Boy: [name_u]Hudson[/name_u], [name_m]Beckett[/name_m], [name_m]Beckham[/name_m], [name_u]Paxton[/name_u], [name_m]Crosby[/name_m], [name_m]Maddox[/name_m]

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“I also live in a small town in a small state so these names are all unique and rare to the people around us! We are just looking for a different name so they will not have to be known as “[name_u]Lindsay[/name_u] S.” or “[name_f]Sarah[/name_f] J.” forever, as I have several friends that are still referenced by their last name or their last name’s initial.”

Makes more sense when you put it in that perspective. People there may prefer more “solid” names ie ones that have withstood the test of time, making these name more unique and rare. Also, if you kids ever decide to leave home they won’t have too distinct a name or a hard time fitting in which I think is a good thing.
I understand what you are saying about being referred to by your last inital or last name. I too think it detracts from a name when you have to refer to someone by their last name. It’s kind of my pet peeve which is why i kept referencing the popularity of the name as you seemed to want to avoid that.

I honestly love the name [name_u]Paisley[/name_u]. Maybe you may like it? To some, there is a strong association to the fabric, but I think the name is lovely enough to withstand that criticism. It also means “church” and was originally the name of a town in [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] (a merchant town that imported the fabric from [name_f]India[/name_f] and hence gave the fabric it’s name in the [name_u]West[/name_u]). It’s a place name and has a solid meaning! (I believe the meaning is enough to sway “traditionalist” detractors). I just like to think of potential criticisms before I name a child as challenging a critical opinion will help me see how much I truly love a name. If I love a name, it can truly withstand any criticism.

Best of luck to you both… Please follow up with your final decision.