Thanks to this community we are getting closer to having a name for number three!
We have got down to three names that we like: one is my husbands favourite ([name_f]Annabel[/name_f]), one we both like but aren’t madly in love with ([name_f]Alice[/name_f]), and one is my favourite but my husband is less sure about ([name_f]Florence[/name_f]/Flora).
I like [name_f]Annabel[/name_f], but we have a (not very pleasant) dog with the name on my mother’s side, which puts me off! However, I love the choice of nicknames, [name_f]Annie[/name_f]/Bel/Bella.
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] we both really like, but I just can’t feel excited about. I am not a fan of the nickname [name_f]Ally[/name_f], and knew an [name_f]Alice[/name_f] growing up who always got this. I do adore [name_f]Cece[/name_f] though, and I think we could use that if we felt the need!
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] I adore, and I love [name_f]Flora[/name_f] for a nickname; I realize it’s a name in its own right, but I like both so much that this feels like a win-win to have [name_f]Florence[/name_f] on the birth certificate and call her at [name_f]Flora[/name_f] at home! We are in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] where it isn’t remotely popular, but I am from [name_f]England[/name_f] (where it is top 20) and it feels so [name_f]English[/name_f], which is important to me.
[name_f]My[/name_f] husband, though, does not share the love—I Like to think he could come around though! He is concerned about her getting called [name_f]Flo[/name_f], but I think [name_f]Flora[/name_f] might avoid that, and also about the word “[name_f]Flora[/name_f]” in the scientific context. I just think flowers!
We already have a [name_f]Tessa[/name_f] and a [name_m]Charles[/name_m], and I feel that [name_f]Tessa[/name_f], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], and [name_f]Flora[/name_f] are a lovely sibset!
Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions would be hugely appreciated as well. Thank you!
Tessa, [name_m]Charles[/name_m], and [name_f]Flora[/name_f] is perfect!! [name_f]Flora[/name_f] is my favorite girls name so I am a bit biased, but that is definitely my vote for you.
That’s a really good point! The surname is short and sharp (think four letters, like [name_u]Tate[/name_u]) So a soft, flowy, first name might even it out.
I think [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is a lovely spunky choice that visually looks really pleasing with [name_f]Tessa[/name_f] & [name_m]Charles[/name_m] along with having a similar vibe. I’ve grown up with [name_f]Alice[/name_f]’s who were just [name_f]Alice[/name_f] I actually don’t know an [name_f]Alice[/name_f] who had her name shortened therefore I don’t think the nickname issue is necessarily an issue your [name_f]Alice[/name_f] could be like them. I’m [name_f]English[/name_f] and to me [name_f]Alice[/name_f] has an [name_f]English[/name_f] flair which is something you want. Finally I think it’s a plus that this name is liked by both of you.
I think [name_f]Florence[/name_f] ‘[name_f]Flora[/name_f]’ is gorgeous, feels very British due to the sheer popularity of [name_f]Florence[/name_f] in the U.K. But if you can’t get your husband on board it may be a struggle using this one. [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] is also lovely but the dog association isn’t the best so I wouldn’t use it.
I love [name_f]Florence[/name_f] “[name_f]Flora[/name_f]” for all the same reasons you do, but I think you have to both like the name. It sounds like he has some specific concerns about the name, which suggests he’s thought about it and still isn’t loving it. [name_f]Flo[/name_f] is the usual nickname here in the UK, but I do think [name_f]Flora[/name_f] would work if you can both get on board.
I think I actually suggested [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] for you but the family dog would definitely put me off. All the more so if it’s a negative association for you! I still adore [name_f]Annie[/name_f] with [name_f]Tessa[/name_f] and [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] though
Alice is sweet and classic and does fit beautifully in the sibset. Perhaps it’s just feeling a little stale because it’s been on your list for so long? It’s one of those names that feels eternally fresh to me because of the storybook connection, and I’ve never heard [name_f]Ally[/name_f] for [name_f]Alice[/name_f].
How about [name_f]Cecily[/name_f] “[name_f]Cece[/name_f]”, or [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] “[name_f]Bea[/name_f]”?
That’s so true—Perhaps after a couple of weeks of not thinking about this I will fall back in love with [name_f]Alice[/name_f]! I think we actually both might need a bit of time to sit with the names and let it come to us. And if we go into birth day with three names in our pockets, I think we will be able to come out with one that we can agree on!
I do think the point @tfzolghadr made about last name is a good one though. I don’t think [name_f]Alice[/name_f] sounds terrible with the last name (four letters, like [name_u]Tate[/name_u] but slightly less harsh), but [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] and [name_f]Florence[/name_f] definitely sound better.
I did have [name_f]Cecelia[/name_f] on a previous longer list, but my husband really couldn’t get into it so that’s why we had to take it off. I do love it though!
I prefer [name_f]Florence[/name_f] with [name_f]Tessa[/name_f] and [name_m]Charles[/name_m]/Charlie. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if her friend call her [name_f]Flo[/name_f] there is nothing wrong with a nickname of [name_f]Flo[/name_f]. I knew someone who’s names was [name_f]Flora[/name_f] and went by [name_f]Flo[/name_f]
I picked [name_f]Alice[/name_f] strictly because I LOVE the nickname [name_f]Cece[/name_f]. If [name_f]Alice[/name_f] were to be called [name_f]Alice[/name_f] and not [name_f]Cece[/name_f] my vote would have been for [name_f]Florence[/name_f]/Flora.
I feel like Alice would be the clear choice based on it being the only name the two of you agree on. I like all three but also understand that there are certain associations you just can’t get past, even once the name is connected to a person.
Fwiw, I think Cece could absolutely work for Alice, Sissi or Lissy/Lizzie as well; the name fits beautifully with your children’s names and never felt remotely boring to me once I’ve heard it on a person (though I can understand while it might feel a bit lackluster on paper, sometimes that happens to me as well but as soon as I hear it said out loud, I remember why I like it so much, it’s such so crisp yet gentle name, like a fresh breeze on a summer’s day).
As for your surname, and considering that you already have two children with shorter names, I don’t think either of the names would sound choppy.
Do you like [name_f]Anabelle[/name_f] or [name_f]Annelisse[/name_f] (/other spellings, this is just my preference) for [name_f]Annabel[/name_f]? I agree that the dog would put me off too.
I have voted for [name_f]Florence[/name_f]/Flora based on my preference and your love for it. There is also the nn [name_f]Florrie[/name_f] for a [name_f]Florence[/name_f], might that win hubby over?
Also there is [name_f]Alisa[/name_f] - it has a beautiful meaning and I thought it was worth throwing in as you both like [name_f]Alice[/name_f]. Perhaps it might work with your last name better. Good luck as you continue to narrow down and find something you both love just as much as each other
I ended up voting for [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] because I love [name_f]Tessa[/name_f], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], and [name_f]Annie[/name_f] together, but [name_f]Alice[/name_f] nn [name_f]Cece[/name_f]’s probably my favorite in general? I think [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is super sweet with [name_f]Tessa[/name_f] and [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], and I adore [name_f]Cece[/name_f]. I’m not a huge [name_f]Florence[/name_f] fan personally, but I do really like [name_f]Flora[/name_f] with [name_f]Tessa[/name_f] and [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], too.
I like all three options, so I see the problem! [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] feels the least quintessentially British, and you don’t love it, so I’d maybe nix that one. I think you could keep [name_f]Flora[/name_f] in the mix for a while longer, with the assumption that your husband really might not get on board. In which case [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is perfect! I’ve also never met an [name_f]Alice[/name_f] who goes by [name_f]Ally[/name_f].
All three of these versions are beautiful and there is no wrong answer!
I voted for [name_f]Alice[/name_f] - as it’s high on my list !!
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] is also on my list but I have the same reservation with the nickname
Would your husband be open to [name_f]Flora[/name_f] as a full name? [name_f]Flora[/name_f] [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] and [name_f]Flora[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f] have a nice ring.
