Our two mom’s names are [name_f]Judy[/name_f] and [name_f]Marilyn[/name_f] and we are looking for a girl’s name to honor both - without actually using either.
So far we have:
#1 - Looking for suggestions for other variations #2 - Question: If we aren’t using either of the Grandmother’s actual names, is it really just too far a stretch to say we are honoring them at all???
To answer your question: Yes! You are honoring them. [name_m]Just[/name_m] b/c you aren’t using their actual names doesn’t mean you aren’t honoring them. That’s like saying you can’t give a name a nickname because it’s not an exact shortened version
I really love Maryn as a way to honor a [name_f]Marilyn[/name_f]. [name_f]Meryl[/name_f] would also be another one that’s quite close to the original. A little bit further are [name_f]Maris[/name_f], [name_f]Mari[/name_f], [name_f]Marietta[/name_f].
Maryn [name_f]Juliette[/name_f] is a lovely combo. I prefer [name_f]Juliette[/name_f] to [name_f]Julietta[/name_f].
I think [name_f]Judita[/name_f], [name_f]Judina[/name_f], Judine, [name_f]Judetta[/name_f] would make more direct references to [name_f]Judy / Judith[/name_f] than [name_f]Juliette[/name_f], but [name_f]Judith[/name_f] is a harder name to find variants of that might be appealing. Maryn with any of these sounds absolutely lovely. Maryn [name_f]Judina[/name_f] is my favorite.
Otherwise I think all of the names you chose honor their names work except for [name_f]Madeline[/name_f]. It’s too much of a stretch for me. Sounds like [name_f]Marilyn[/name_f] but doesn’t share the common root name as the others do.
I think too intention is important, and the intention is obvious.
[name_m]How[/name_m] about honoring them by choosing names with similar meanings? [name_f]Judith[/name_f] means “he will be praised”. Names with a similar meaning of praise include:
[name_f]Odelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Oksanna[/name_f]
[name_f]Kaena[/name_f]
[name_f]Marilyn[/name_f] is a smoosh of [name_f]Mary[/name_f] and [name_u]Lynn[/name_u], so you could go with the meaning of either. [name_f]Mary[/name_f] means “bitter”, variations include [name_f]Mamie[/name_f], [name_f]Mitzi[/name_f], [name_f]May[/name_f], [name_f]Molly[/name_f], [name_f]Maura[/name_f], [name_f]Mara[/name_f], [name_f]Marietta[/name_f], [name_f]Maria[/name_f], [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], [name_f]Mia[/name_f]
[name_u]Lynn[/name_u] means lake, so you could go with [name_u]Lake[/name_u], especially as a middle.
[name_f]My[/name_f] fave combo from above: [name_f]Odelia[/name_f] [name_u]Lake[/name_u]
I think [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] [name_f]Madeline[/name_f] or [name_f]Madeline[/name_f] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] is gorgeous! Have you considered their middle names? It might open up a lot more names for you.
instead of [name_f]Marilyn[/name_f], how about [name_f]Maribel[/name_f]?
it has the same “[name_f]Mary[/name_f]” root, and the endings both mean the same; “lyn” is a variation of [name_f]Linda[/name_f], which means pretty, and [name_f]Belle[/name_f] means beauty. so essentially, they’re the same name! haha
you could also just use a pretty nickname of [name_f]Marilyn[/name_f], like Lynnie, [name_f]Mimi[/name_f], or [name_f]Mara[/name_f]. Or [name_f]Didi[/name_f] as a nickname of [name_f]Judith[/name_f].
I like the names you have already listed though I think I’d personally go with something like [name_f]Meryl[/name_f] [name_u]Jude[/name_u].
I’d also try to choose a name with a y in it as both [name_f]Marylin[/name_f] and [name_f]Judy[/name_f] have y’s. You could even just choose a name with a Y in it.
As to needing to use their actual names. I think any link you find and choose works. Honoring is all about what you think honors someone - there is no right or wrong way of doing it and no hard rules you need to follow. You could choose names with a similar meaning, name root, shares a notable letter, is themed with something the person loves (like their favorite flower or color) etc. For example: A friend of mine choose an L name for her daughter as both her mother and [name_f]MIL[/name_f] have L names. I plan on honoring my family heritage by choosing a name from an “exotic” culture of one of my ancestors. I’m sure both mothers will feel honored no matter what you decide on.