I am expecting a gender surprise in [name]December[/name] and I am completely lost when it comes to names. I have a son named [name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and I sort of regret being so “safe” with his name. I want this baby to have a more original middle name and a unusual but cool first name. My husband is no help, all he does is say “No” or “Eh, it’s okay” so it’s totally up to me to come up with lists and present them to him. I’m not sure how to describe my style… I guess I like names with a historic/regal vibe but also modern sounding. Origin/nationality doesn’t matter much, I don’t mind unisex names as long as they are uncommon, I tend to like shorter names with no more than 2 syllables. Here are the names I’m considering at the moment, even though they still don’t seem right. I definitely need more help with girl’s names, as you can see.
[name]Gillian[/name] - too common?
[name]Cora[/name] - I’m worried this will get crazy common soon
[name]Nona[/name] - DH thinks it sounds too “old lady”
[name]Asher[/name] - probably won’t use due to popularity, but I love it so!
[name]Silas[/name] - DH thinks it sounds “like a hillbilly”
[name]Theron[/name] - too similar in sound with [name]Roman[/name]?
[name]Jack[/name] - see [name]Asher[/name]
[name]Cyrus[/name] - see [name]Silas[/name]
[name]Felix[/name]
[name]Darwin[/name] - too closely associated with [name]Charles[/name]?
I think [name]Felix[/name] would sound good with [name]Roman[/name]…it is a little unusual and rare, not quite as “safe”. As far as girls names, I like [name]Cora[/name], but it does look to be poised for a huge jump in popularity. I don’t think [name]Gillian[/name] is very common, but are you planning to use the nickname [name]Jill[/name]? If you don’t want the popularity of [name]Cora[/name], you could try these:
[name]Nora[/name] (same sound, but not as popular)
[name]Nina[/name] (similar to [name]Nora[/name])
[name]Flora[/name] (similar sound, more girly and uncommon)
[name]Margo[/name] (a little more unusual, with the long O sound)
[name]Naomi[/name] was on that list until I realized how similar it sounds to [name]Roman[/name] - not sure if that’s something you want.
Alright, well, I’m not sure if these are your style, but I’ll give it a try. 
Girls ideas – these all seem either historic or regal to me:
[name]Ophelia[/name]
[name]Caroline[/name] (maybe too popular for your taste?)
[name]Julia[/name]
[name]Willa[/name] – Idk why I suggest this, but maybe [name]Nona[/name] made me think of it
[name]Cleo[/name]/[name]Clio[/name]
I don’t think [name]Gillian[/name] is too common, but that G spelling may get confusing.
I’m not good at predicting name popularity, but stylistically speaking, [name]Cora[/name] would be a lovely choice with [name]Roman[/name]! Would you consider [name]Coralie[/name] or [name]Coraline[/name]?
[name]Nona[/name] – Initially, I thought the same thing as your husband, but it’s growing on me!
[name]Asher[/name] - Mm, this is a very nice name
[name]Silas[/name] - I love this name
[name]Theron[/name] - Yes, I think it sounds a little too similar to [name]Roman[/name]
[name]Felix[/name] – I don’t like this name much
[name]Darwin[/name] - Yes, I instantly think [name]Charles[/name]
Other names you may like:
[name]Dawson[/name]
[name]Theo[/name]
[name]Gable[/name]
[name]Sander[/name]
[name]Seth[/name]
I thought of [name]Willa[/name] as well, but it seems a little “safe” to me, not quite the unusual name you were going for. I also like [name]Theo[/name]. Usually I’m a big fan of using the full name on the birth certificate, but [name]Roman[/name] and [name]Theodore[/name] don’t quite go together, style-wise.
[name]Gillian[/name] - like it, have very good associations. Not too popular
[name]Cora[/name] - there’s a chain of restaurants here called [name]Cora[/name]'s, and at least on this site, it seems a popular choice
[name]Nona[/name] - not sure, but I do think it’s traditionally what many Scandinavians call their grandmothers. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong
for boys, you’ve already taken out a few. I’m looking at the old social security lists. [name]How[/name] do you feel about
[name]Frederick[/name]
[name]Samuel[/name]
[name]Lawrence[/name]
[name]Clement[/name]
[name]Marion[/name]
[name]Patrick[/name]
[name]Willis[/name]
Manual
for a starting point? anything close, or not so much?
I am so happy to see someone using the name [name]Roman[/name]. I think it is a very lovely name, and [name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] is a great combo.
[name]Gillian[/name] - [name]Gillian[/name] is nice, but not my taste, and I think it sounds dated (not in a good/vintage way). I like [name]Lilian[/name] or [name]Liliana[/name] more.
[name]Cora[/name] - [name]Cora[/name] is so cute, I think it will become popular, but I think you should go ahead and use it if you love it!
[name]Nona[/name] - I really like the sounds of [name]Nona[/name].
[name]Asher[/name] - Nice, but agree with popularity. Still think you should use it if you love it.
[name]Silas[/name] - [name]LOVE[/name] this
[name]Theron[/name] - I don’t like this at all!
[name]Jack[/name] - Cute and classic
[name]Cyrus[/name] - I don’t like this as much as [name]Silas[/name] at all
[name]Felix[/name] - Cute, second favorite after [name]Silas[/name]
[name]Darwin[/name] - too closely associated with [name]Charles[/name]? ---- Yes!
Suggestions for girl’s names where I have thought of finding a shorter classic name that is also modern sounding (like [name]Roman[/name]), and then I have paired it with a really classic name (like [name]James[/name]):
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Lillian[/name] [name]Beatrice[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Cora[/name] [name]Gillian[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Vera[/name] [name]Gillian[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Alice[/name] [name]Eleanor[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Emilia[/name] [name]Rose[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Violet[/name] [name]Katherine[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Livia[/name] [name]Jane[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Mila[/name] [name]Josephine[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Ada[/name] [name]Margaret[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Beatrice[/name] [name]Caroline[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Nova[/name] [name]Elizabeth[/name]
[name]Roman[/name] [name]James[/name] and [name]Nora[/name] [name]Sophia[/name]
[name]Hi[/name]!
I wouldn’t worry about [name]Gillian[/name]'s popularity. This particular spelling is way down the ranks at #835 (in the US anyway; not sure where you’re coming from). Its cousin [name]Jillian[/name] is much higher, not far below [name]Cora[/name]‘s current position. I think [name]Gillian[/name] is fab. As for [name]Cora[/name], it’s one of my all-time faves and I’ve been watching its ascent with bated breath… As much as I want to scream NOOO! and sequester it away, I think you’re right: it has been making huge leaps up the charts. And [name]Nona[/name]…I think of Strega [name]Nona[/name], the Italian grandmother from the kids’ books. I can’t say I care for it… What about:
[name]Nina[/name] or [name]Nova[/name] - like [name]Nona[/name], but a little cleaner and newer. [name]Nina[/name] is actually slowly working its way down the charts…
[name]Corinna[/name] or [name]Corinne[/name] - [name]Cora[/name]'s sound without the popularity
[name]Zora[/name] - Definitely more out there than [name]Cora[/name], but I love the literary cred from [name]Zora[/name] [name]Neale[/name] Hurston and [name]Zora[/name] [name]Fitzgerald[/name]
[name]Viola[/name] - love the [name]Shakespeare[/name] and musical references; got that regal vibe to me
[name]Vera[/name] - [name]VEER[/name]-ah or VAIR-ah (I like both)
[name]Sorcha[/name]
[name]Aster[/name], [name]Daphne[/name], or [name]Dahlia[/name] - unusual florals
[name]Aurelia[/name] - nn [name]Goldie[/name]? [name]Little[/name] longer that you might like…
[name]Cyra[/name] - prn SEER-ah. I also like [name]Kyra[/name] with [name]Roman[/name], but [name]Cyra[/name] sounds a little newer
[name]Celia[/name]
[name]Indigo[/name] - definitely a different direction, but I think it’s so fun
[name]Clea[/name] - NB says its “[name]CLAY[/name]-ah” but I think you could do “CLEE-ah” if you prefer
[name]Esme[/name]
[name]Willa[/name]
[name]Cyrus[/name] and [name]Felix[/name] would be my first picks from your boys lists! [name]Asher[/name] would sound great with [name]Roman[/name], but [name]Jack[/name] just sounds plain by comparison. I understand that both are popular, though! I think [name]Darwin[/name] is pretty connected with [name]Charles[/name], but not necessarily in a bad way. I don’t know that it ends with a similar sound to [name]Roman[/name], though (like [name]Theron[/name], which is pretty close, yes). I like [name]Silas[/name], but [name]Cyrus[/name] is more unusual and has a little more gravity that pairs well with [name]Roman[/name]. Not sure how to win over your husband on it though… And [name]Felix[/name] is unusual, happy, and since it’s Latin in origin, it fits well with [name]Roman[/name]. My only other suggestions might be:
[name]August[/name]
[name]Jude[/name]
[name]Winslow[/name]
[name]Thatcher[/name]
[name]Hale[/name]
[name]Conrad[/name]
Seeing ellenelle’s suggestion of [name]Zora[/name], have you considered [name]Zara[/name]? It is similar to [name]Sarah[/name], and has a sound that is easily recognizable, but it isn’t quite so common, and a little more exciting.
[name]Love[/name] love [name]Cora[/name]. I only know one baby named [name]Cora[/name].
Maybe [name]Leo[/name] for a boy. I don’t know why, but I love [name]Roman[/name] and [name]Leo[/name]. Too cute.
Also instead of [name]Jack[/name]… maybe [name]Jax[/name]?
Ok, this is difficult but I will try to help give you some ideas. I love the name [name]Roman[/name]. [name]Cora[/name], like others have said, will be way too common soon and you’ll end up regretting choosing it possibly.
I dislike [name]Nona[/name], but what about: [name]Nora[/name], [name]Aura[/name], Phiona/[name]Fiona[/name]
I like [name]Gillian[/name], but it is kind of plain to me, but [name]Gillie[/name]/[name]Jilly[/name] would be a cute nick name. There’s also [name]Lilly[/name], [name]Lillian[/name], [name]Lillith[/name], [name]Cory[/name], [name]Corrinne[/name], [name]Kendall[/name], [name]Jordy[/name] or [name]Jordan[/name].
[name]Cyrus[/name] I like but may be getting too popular. Maybe for a middle name.
I dislike [name]Jack[/name], no offense, but what about [name]Jackson[/name], [name]Jackson[/name] [name]Cyrus[/name],
What about:
[name]Marshall[/name]
[name]Stetson[/name]
[name]Harris[/name]
[name]Xander[/name]/[name]Zander[/name] which may be pretty popular
[name]Tobias/name
[name]Phoenix[/name]–kind of like [name]Felix[/name]??
Sorry it took so long to get back on here! Life is a little crazy lately.
So, I’ll just go over the ones that stood out to me and I few comments on the ones I don’t like.
I do not like the name [name]Nora[/name] for some reason, maybe because It makes me think of [name]Norah[/name] [name]Jones[/name]. [name]Flora[/name] reminds me of the fairy godmothers from Sleeping Beauty, DH hates [name]Margo[/name] with a passion for some reason (I think it is cute), I can’t use [name]Corinne[/name] because we have a family friend with that name, I’m not a fan of [name]Coralie[/name] or [name]Coraline[/name]. Can’t use [name]Willa[/name], DH’s name is [name]Will[/name].
I did like…
[name]Ophelia[/name] - always loved this one, worried about the image of it
[name]Alice[/name] - maybe a middle
[name]Nova[/name] - does kind of remind me of a [name]Chevy[/name] [name]Nova[/name], but I do like it
[name]Indigo[/name]
[name]Kendall[/name] - maybe too trendy
[name]Seth[/name] - maybe too common
[name]August[/name]
[name]Hale[/name]
[name]Phoenix[/name]