Respondents: 57 (This poll is closed)
I like most of your options. Having so many honour names and associations in the mix makes it very hard to put one above the other, since they all honour your great-grandmother, and you obviously love all (hopefully!) the combinations on your shortlist. I would suggest whittling it down to three, perhaps - one [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] and one [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] combo.
My favourites for each are:
[name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f]
I think this is beautiful. [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f] is much sweeter and lighter than [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_u]Jule[/name_u], and I like that it would honour his ancestor as well as yours. The h makes the name softer and more feminine to me, perhaps slightly more grown up too, certainly less popular. Anyway, I like it a lot. The nickname [name_f]Hildie[/name_f] is gorgeous too - though I like [name_f]Hilde[/name_f] so I may be slightly biased here!
[name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f]
I agree that [name_f]Helen[/name_f] gives [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] a hefty dose of class - it also makes it feel more grandmother-ish (in a good way), i.e. sepia-tinted and sweet, which is a nice contrast to the “superheroine” thing! I think it sounds great with your last name, and I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] how you can get the nickname [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]! It’s nice that the name nods to both of your backgrounds too. I feel that this also flows and looks much better than [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_u]Jule[/name_u], as well as setting the name off more effectively. There is the consideration that [name_u]Jule[/name_u] sounds like [name_f]Jewel[/name_f], which sounds like you’ve got two word names, but it’s a very niggly point.
[name_f]Helena[/name_f] is very elegant, but I prefer [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] and [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] for you. There’s also no trouble with different pronunciations, especially if you use nicknames. Though I guess some people might say th rather than t for [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] . . . ?? The middle Edelweiss is gorgeous - one of the things I like about this is that it LOOKS so beautiful just written down, and the flowers are very pretty too! Though for some reason I always think of them as blue, like forget-me-nots. I do like [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] Edelweiss a LOT, but that wouldn’t include any [name_f]Helen[/name_f] or [name_m]Julian[/name_m] variant.
I think another thing to consider is the possibility of having another girl, because you might not want to use up two honour names in one combo - i.e. [name_f]Helena[/name_f] Edelweiss. [name_m]Just[/name_m] a thought, it may not bother you that much.
Out of [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f], [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f], and [name_f]Helena[/name_f] Edelweiss - well, I think they’re all gorgeous! However, for some reason, although I personally like [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] better than either of the other first names, I find myself thinking that [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] is the combo that feels most ‘suited’ to you. Though I feel sad too at giving up (?) Edelweiss as a middle name.
I hope that - somewhat - helps!
This would be a difficult choice because they are all so special to you. My combos all honor and have special meaning to the extended family. We have combined names to honor certain loved ones together with other loved ones. All these names must feel so important to you. [name_f]Do[/name_f] any of them speak louder to you than the others? Are there loved ones that you would prefer to honor sooner than others? Not that they aren’t all very important to you. For me it is very special that I honor my late mom (she passed almost two years ago) before the others. It is also very important that I honor my mom and dad in the same combo. So [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] is my top choice for a girl. [name_m]Piers[/name_m] [name_m]Lachlan[/name_m] [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] is my top choice for a boy. Through the meanings of [name_m]Piers[/name_m] and [name_m]Lachlan[/name_m] they come close to the name of the city so many of my extended family members and in-laws grew-up or spent their adult lives raising their children. The city is filled with so many memories. [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] is a special name for many of us but especially my late mom and late grandma. That one combo means so much to us. I honestly cannot choose which combo I feel best for you. Taking away the honoring, I personally prefer (in order) [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f] and [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_u]Jule[/name_u].
@morning_glory, [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] Edelweiss is gorgeous, and is on the docket for siblings if we don’t use either name this time around. We are simply carrying the [name_f]Helen[/name_f] derivatives forward with the firstborn. In general, every name I ever consider has some form of honorific, usually several as you can tell, so I don’t mind using so many honorifics for the firstborn because if she has sisters, there is no shortage of honor and meaning and significance to go around.
We plan for 3 children, but the second will be adopted (domestic infant). Since we want to keep open to the possibility of the birthmother contributing to the name and want to honor the heritage and birth family she will inherit as well as our own, we especially don’t mind putting so many honorifics in a row because our opportunities to have another girl whose name is solely our own to decide is limited (we would probably add at least one name as a first or middle to the adopted child’s, or else we would be collaborating actively with the birthmother in naming choices, which makes things all the more complicated when 3 or even 4 voices with birthfather matter instead of just our 2 alone).
Your response was very helpful and thorough. I’m glad someone else likes [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] with our last name, and that [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] could be a real option.
@lovemysweeties, what special combinations for you. I definitely feel the same way about these names. The most important element to me is to honor [name_f]Helen[/name_f] in some way. But all of these names tick that box. I love that [name_m]Piers[/name_m] [name_m]Lachlan[/name_m] city connection for you. I also had several place-inspired names in mind, but they’ve all been vetoed by my husband. For example, [name_f]Alma[/name_f] and [name_f]Alameda[/name_f]. [name_f]Alma[/name_f], Wisconsin is where a whole side of my family immigrated to during the 1840s and 50s. And [name_f]Alameda[/name_f] was the street that housed 4 generations of my more recent family over 64 years. I love the idea of incorporating meaningful places in names.
To answer your question specifically, I really don’t know which of these names is tugging at me more than the others. And my husband is not as conscientious about names, but he loves them all. I suppose time will tell if one haunts me more than the rest.
My pick is [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f] (though I also love the sound of [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f]).
[name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] I can’t even spell without checking three times that the letters are all in the right order and that I didn’t forget anything, it’s a hell of a first name as it’s complicated and long, even in an English speaking country she’d run into problems. I’d honestly save it as a middle name for a future child (say [name_f]Alma[/name_f] [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f]).
[name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_u]Jule[/name_u] is beautiful! Have you considered [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f]?
@opheliaflora, we don’t mind the spelling difficulties. [name_m]Just[/name_m] about every name, even the most seemingly straight-forward and classic, can somehow be misspelled and people somehow manage to do it all the time. My husband and I both have the less-common spellings of our respective names, so we have to do a lot of s-l-o-w spellings over the phone and whatnot, but I’m not afraid of saddling my kid with a name that they constantly have to spell out.
I’m glad you like [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f] though.
@boyandgirl and @opheliaflora, although I like [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] in theory and it is a beautiful combination, I do want to give my child a name that very few others have. [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] is just a bit too standard of a combination for my taste, despite the idea that neither is particularly over-used in 2017.
I love [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] and the meaning behind it for you! [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_u]Jule[/name_u] and [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] are both fantastic (I voted for both.) I had never thought about [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] nn [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], but it makes total sense. I’m not sure that [name_f]Chrissy[/name_f] is inevitable—I think [name_u]Chris[/name_u] is more likely, and also a nicer name (could be a convenient option for her if she grows up to be more of a tomboy.) The best way to avoid [name_f]Chrissy[/name_f] might be to introduce her as [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] first and then only mention later that it’s short for [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f]. And if you ever decide to go back to the drawing board on nicknames, [name_f]Annie[/name_f] or [name_f]Thea[/name_f] could also be options.
[name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f] would definitely be my first choice for you after reading your comments on each combo, but I also voted for [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f], mostly because [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] is such a cool name!
@geeknamezyo, I am also surprised I have never seen mention of [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] as a possible nickname for [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] because I agree that it makes complete sense. LIke you, I prefer [name_u]Chris[/name_u] to [name_f]Chrissy[/name_f] (it’s also my uncle’s and cousin’s name), and [name_f]Annie[/name_f] and [name_f]Thea[/name_f] are on the backup list for nicknames.
@stellarevolution, I think those two are my favorite options as of right this moment, but we will see how they fare over time. I seem to fall in and out of love with my entire list of options on a daily basis.
I love how they all have meaning to you. I feel like [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] might be a bit hard to wear, however I love the nickname [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f]. I chose [name_f]Helena[/name_f] because I love the honour in Edelweiss and [name_f]Helena[/name_f] is one of my all time favorites.
Good luck!
[name_m]Hi[/name_m], I think that [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_u]Jule[/name_u] is a really special name. 
I love the nickname [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f].
I actually love [name_f]Helena[/name_f] Edelweiss! If you want to honour [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] and don’t like HEK, then [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] could be an option?
I think my favourite is [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f], only because the nickname [name_f]Hildie[/name_f] is so dear, sweet and frankly really cool.
It’s easy to see why you’re having a hard time choosing - these are such great names!
[name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f]! It’s a standout name. I agree with your [name_f]Chrissy[/name_f] aversion; I grew up with a [name_f]Chrissa[/name_f], however, and found the simple vowel change at the end to offer a completely different and more pleasant name; it’s very intuitive with [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f]. Depending on her preference as she ages, she could also go by [name_u]Chris[/name_u]-[name_f]Ann[/name_f], or something along those lines. Although [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] is a name to love, and I can’t imagine not wearing it proudly
What wonderful names.
I voted for Mathilda Elin. I think it’s a great mix of the unusual (the spelling of Mathilda, the nickname Hildie, the choice of Elin over Elen or Helen) and the familiar. And I like the idea of keeping your family’s naming tradition alive.
Mathilda Elin Chrysanthemum K_g would be great, too, if you’re comfortable with double middles (and one long one). Your last name is short, so I don’t think it’s too much
I think Chrysanthemum’s a great name, and I love that it honours your daughter’s heritage. I do think, though, that her Chinese heritage is clear from her last name. Her German and Scandinavian backgrounds would be fairly well hidden if her name were Chrysanthemum K_g.
Wikipedia says Chrysanthemums are associated with grief and adversity in China, and that it has a slang meaning (Urban dictionary backs this second one up, but it’s not one of the first things that comes up online, so it might not be that common). Of course, that doesn’t stop it being a lovely name anyway. It might be worth bearing in mind or checking up on, though.
If you wanted a shorter Chrysanthemum name (maybe if you decide to use it as a second middle), there’s K/Chrysanthe. The Daisy family is also known as the Aster family. Millaray has the same meaning as Chrysanthemum (golden flower) in Mapuche. Not that I think you shouldn’t use Chrysanthemum, just putting a few more options out there.
Congratulations, and all the best of luck!
Like other posters, I love how [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] honours both sides of the family and has so much meaning. The names balance each other nicely; [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] is bold and daring while [name_f]Helen[/name_f] is a timeless classic. Also, using [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] as a nickname is an awesome idea!
I’m glad that the general consensus seems to be that [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] is a totally wearable nickname for [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f] and that [name_f]Hildie[/name_f] makes sense for [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f].
@anyagreenwich, [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] is darling! Unfortunately, I won’t find myseld able to use it in this case. My grandmother ([name_f]Helen[/name_f]'s daughter) was named [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] at birth. She was nicknamed [name_f]Margot[/name_f] from day one, and the second she was able to as an adult, she legally changed her name to Marg0t Jul1an because she thought [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] was drowning her in its plainness and ubiquitousness. While [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] has much more personality, I know my grandma [name_f]Margot[/name_f] wouldn’t like it very much. [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] and [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] derivations are on the docket for a second baby girl for sure to honor [name_f]Margot[/name_f], though.
@Bjoy, wow, yes, what a difference a single letter makes. [name_f]Chrissa[/name_f] is much more sincerely sweet, while [name_f]Chrissy[/name_f] is practically of the asperatame kind of sickly artificial sweetness. I don’t like [name_f]Chrissa[/name_f] nearly as much as [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f], but that will definitely be one to consider as she grows.
@a_r, I had not considered [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f] [name_f]Elin[/name_f] [name_f]Chrysanthemum[/name_f]. It is a doozy, but I actually like it. With our last name, it’s an aesthetically asymmetrical imperfectly-iambic pentameter. I asked my husband about it, though, and it was pretty immediately vetoed. Names have been known to grow on him, but if we don’t both love it, it can’t be the one. We will see if it’s a possibility down the road. I can’t count on it, though. I have a double middle name (Cla1re-H3lene), and with my maiden name that meant 8 syllables, so 10 doesn’t seem tooooo crazy, but 10 it is a lot no matter how you look at it.
It’s funny that you say that about our last name. I assume it will be obvious to those meeting our biological children that the name is Chinese, because they will look half [name_f]Asian[/name_f], but I have an interesting time with it. When non-acquaintances call me on the phone, they assume I’m [name_f]Asian[/name_f]. But if I meet people face to face (which obviously means they compute that I’m not [name_f]Asian[/name_f] at all), they sometimes pronounce my last name as if it were [name_m]German[/name_m]. I found out it is indeed a very rare [name_m]German[/name_m] surname as well. But I agree that to most people our last name will definitely translate our children’s Chinese heritage without any effort on our parts. It’s also a big part of why my husband is a-OK that all the names we are considering go out of the way to honor my family, not his (our children will also have Chinese names as well, although they won’t get used except for family ceremonies and the like).
I’m fairly sure it’s just white Chrysanthemums that symbolise grief and death in [name_f]China[/name_f] (along with most other white flowers), although I’m no expert by any stretch.
Double post…