Questionnaire - Names You Love But Wouldn't Use

FreyByTheWay · October 27, 2025, 10:01am

I feel like I have a ton of names that I really like, but wouldn’t make it onto my short list. Either because I like them for other people’s babies, they’re too popular, too out there or I can’t quite fit them in with my other choices.

I’m going to throw out some categories and if you have a name that matches that description, tell us what it is! If you don’t, you’re welcome to tell us why or just skip the question. Have fun!

Names you love, but are too popular?
Names you love, but are too bold/outlandish?
Names you love, but don’t feel are quite ready for revival?
Names you love, but for other people’s lists, not necessarily your own?
Names you would love, but you know/knew someone and they ruined the name for you?
Names you love, but can’t seem to find a good spot/combo for on your list?
Names you love, but you don’t feel connected enough to the culture?
Names you love, but can’t get over the meaning?
Names you love, but someone close to you (partner, parent, friend) vetoes?
Names you love, but it doesn’t go with your surname?
Names you love, but they’re already used by friends or family?
Names you love, but you dislike the nickname / a similar sounding name?
Names you love, but they just don’t match your style?
Names you love, but can’t get over a strong association?
Names you probably should love (they match your style, sound nice, look nice) but just aren’t quite feeling?

tori101 · October 27, 2025, 10:42am

Fun!

General Popularity wouldn’t put me off using a name if I love a name then I will go full steam ahead and use it. Not overly keen on giving a child a name that has suddenly leaped in popularity and was never popular before (for example Isla) as I think they become dated but if it’s an enduring classic that has always been popular (for example Henry) then I would go ahead and use that name. But if a name is popular within my immediate social circle it would put me off hence why I’ve got my beloved Rose as a middle name it’s just been used way too many times by friends.
River, Evermore, Sunday, Marigold, Prosper, Coast, Forest and my absolutely beloved Shepherd with my surname they are too outlandish.
I don’t really have any names that fit this criteria.
Hallelujah! Gorgeous name but it’s very much for @seawillow not for me.
Freya & Peter lovely names but names of school bullies so I wouldn’t use them.
Opal I love her but figuring out a combination for her is challenging.
Aisha, Eissa, Mateo & Yunus
Lola and Cecilia
Clementine!
Modern Nature/word names just sound off with my surname.
Rose everyone in my social circle has a child named something-Rose so I feel she would get lost within the crowd.
Patrick I love this name but not keen on Paddy & Pat and Paddy would definitely be used within my family. I like the idea of Patch but I would get laughed at for insisting on Patch over Paddy.
My style is really eclectic but maybe gender neutral names like Marlow for girls would be unusual but I do like. I couldn’t envision sisters named Lilia, Imogen, Clara & Marlow for example. Currently these are my top three names.
I think Thatcher is awesome but I do think Margaret Thatcher which just isn’t the best. If I wasn’t from the UK I would have Thatcher firmly on my list.
Lucy, George (and all the variants) & Alice dislike all of them but they would fit in with my style.

FreyByTheWay · October 27, 2025, 10:49am

Names you love, but are too popular?
Harper and Violet. I’d use them in the middle, but as firsts I think they’d have the “three in my class” problem.
Names you love, but are too bold/outlandish?
I usually go pretty bold with my names, but some are too bold even for me. Medusa “Muse” and Astarion “Star” would make a great twinset, but they’re just too fantasy/monstrous. Maybe for a book.

(Also Medusa has become a symbol for some survivors of SA, and I think that’s beautiful, but quite a heavy association for an infant.)

Bensiabel is also my absolute biggest boy name crush and it’s maybe just too fairytale.

Names you love, but don’t feel are quite ready for revival?

Ernestine/Ernest, Hugh, Beverly, Lindsay, and Marilyn.
Names you love, but for other people’s lists, not necessarily your own?

I really like some old fashioned elegant names. Eleanor, Louisa, Frances.

I always like seeing them, but my style tends to be more word names / obscure names.

Names you would love, but you know/knew someone and they ruined the name for you?

Lorenzo, Ruth, Lorelei

Names you love, but can’t seem to find a good spot/combo for on your list?

Eartha. I think because I tend to favor word names and Eartha’s kind of half word name and half name name, combos are hard. But Eartha Kitt! The sweetness, the boldness!

Names you love, but you don’t feel connected enough to the culture?

Kikiola is a gorgeous Yoruba name I would absolutely shortlist if I had any connection to Yoruba culture.

Names you love, but can’t get over the meaning?

Any Elizabeth derivatives. I think “pledged to God” could have a lovely, gentle meaning for people with a healthier religious community, but my experience with religion was quite harmful and it feels too possessive. I love Eliza, Elspeth, Isabeau, but they don’t feel useable for me.

As a lesbian, I also shy away from Cleophee and Cleopatra. “Glory of the father” feels a bit too ironic with two mommies.

Names you love, but someone close to you (partner, parent, friend) vetoes?

My wife isn’t into Frances, Hugo, Gwendolyn, Samson, Phoebe, Penelope, or Shepherd. I’ve gotten them just over the line on Sylvie and Eulalie, so I’ll take it.

Names you love, but it doesn’t go with your surname?

Isla and Embla (heartbreak).

Names you love, but they’re already used by friends or family?

Cosette nickname “Cosy” and Theo.

Names you love, but you dislike the nickname / a similar sounding name?

Deianira is so cool, but the nickname Dani just isn’t for me. Deia is okay, but nicknames I love are really important to me.

Names you love, but they just don’t match your style?

Lindsay and Everly. Both are really cute modern surnamey choices, but I don’t think they quite fit in with my Ophelie and Kiska and Sereia and Madelief.

Names you love, but can’t get over a strong association?

Delphine is so beautiful, but Delphine LaLaurie is such a horrible association I can’t personally use it.

Corentin has an amazing meaning, but sounds too close to quarantine for me (loved it up until the pandemic, made the association, now can’t see it the same way).

Names you probably should love (they match your style, sound nice, look nice) but just aren’t quite feeling?

Clover feels so right, and I’ve tried putting her on my list so many times, but she’s just not sticking.

I want to love Raphael/Rafaela and it feels like a name I should love, but I just… I don’t know, it just… Why?

Also, Gabrielle (how cute is Gabby?), Sienna, Arabella, Vivienne, Morgan. All beautiful, none quite fit.

tallemaja · October 27, 2025, 12:23pm

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Names you love, but are too popular?
[name_f][/name_f]This used to really bother me, but it doesn’t anymore! Especially with names I love that are common, but very classic, like [name_m]Valentin[/name_m] or [name_f]Ioanna[/name_f]. The one name it does affect for me is Luca/Luka. In the country I’ll most likely be in when I have children, it became very trendy very suddenly, so I’m worried it’ll feel dated in the future.
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Names you love, but are too bold/outlandish?
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Saturnina[/name_f], [name_m]Attila[/name_m], Thelxinoi & Iliostalakti
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Names you love, but don’t feel ready for a revival?
[name_f][/name_f]None, I don’t think!
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Names you love, but for others’ lists, not your own?
[name_f][/name_f]Most of the [name_f]English[/name_f] names that I like! [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Marlowe[/name_f], [name_f]Maisie[/name_f], [name_f]Louella[/name_f], [name_m]Maxwell[/name_m], [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_m]Louis[/name_m], [name_m]Wilbur[/name_m] come to mind first.
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Names you would love, but someone ruined them for you?
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Louisa[/name_f] and its variants! One of the halls at my school where we would do plays and meetings was named [name_f]Louisa[/name_f], so I can only think of being at school when I hear it [name_f][/name_f] Also Myrsini, it’s the name of an old best friend from middle school and I know my family would only think of her if I used it.
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Names you love, but can’t find a combo for?
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Vukašin[/name_m] !!! I tried forever but eventually surrendered trying haha.
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Names you love, but don’t feel connected enough to the culture?
[name_f][/name_f]There’s a lot here so I’ll break it down a little! Hungarian (Orsika, Orsolya, [name_f]Zsófia[/name_f], [name_f]Erzsébet[/name_f], Levendula, Tünde, Adorján, Sebestyén), Italian (Mattia, [name_m]Franco[/name_m], [name_f]Elisabetta[/name_f], Pasqualina), Kazakh (Aruzhan, Inzhu, [name_f]Zhansaya[/name_f], Akmaral) and others (Vašek, [name_m]Maksym[/name_m], Umihana, [name_f]Arezou[/name_f], [name_f]Vieroslava[/name_f], Amal). Also a lot of Romanian ones but my partner recently started Romanian classes so fingers crossed she enjoys learning it & in the future I can justify using them haha
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Names you love, but can’t get over the meaning?
[name_f][/name_f]None, I don’t really care about stuff like that!
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Names you love, but someone vetoed them?
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]My[/name_f] girlfriend has vetoed [name_m]Rosen[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] and [name_f]Rositsa[/name_f]
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Names you love, but don’t go with your surname?
[name_f][/name_f]Assuming I marry my partner in the future I would take her surname, so nothing ending in -s! The biggest losses for me would be [name_m]Johannes[/name_m], [name_m]Hannes[/name_m], Orfeas, [name_m]Orestis[/name_m], and Thomaïs.
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Names you love, but they’re already used by friends/family?
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]My[/name_f] brother’s name is [name_m]Nikos[/name_m], I would happily use [name_m]Niko[/name_m], [name_m]Nikola[/name_m] or [name_m]Nikolay[/name_m] if it wasn’t for that!
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Names you love, but you dislike the nickname/a similar name?
[name_f][/name_f]I absolutely adore [name_f]Alin[/name_f], but can’t stand [name_m]Alan[/name_m]. As for nicknames, definitely [name_m]Konstantin[/name_m] (my Greek family would call him [name_f]Kosta[/name_f] or [name_m]Dino[/name_m], both of which I dislike)
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Names you love, but don’t match your style?
[name_f][/name_f]Same as my answer about others’ lists!
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Names you love, but can’t overcome an association?
[name_f][/name_f]Same as my answer about someone ruining a name
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Names you should love, but just don’t?
[name_f][/name_f]Yes! [name_m]Cosmo[/name_m], [name_f]Nefeli[/name_f], [name_m]Milan[/name_m], [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f], [name_f]Theodora[/name_f], [name_m]Somerled[/name_m], [name_f]Paloma[/name_f], [name_f]Mathilda[/name_f]. [name_m]Maxim[/name_m], [name_m]Kaloyan[/name_m]
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persephonescrown · October 27, 2025, 12:37pm

This is so fun!

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Names you love, but are too popular?

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Oh, loads [name_f][/name_f]- [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] is probably the top one but also [name_f]Ivy[/name_f], [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_m]Arthur[/name_m], [name_m]Leo[/name_m], [name_m]Oscar[/name_m], [name_m]Henry[/name_m].

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Names you love, but are too bold/outlandish?

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I didn’t think the limit existed but yesterday tried calling for my imaginary daughter [name_f]Oriana[/name_f], [name_f]Seraphina[/name_f], or [name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] and discovered they’re too much for me irl. I also adore [name_m]Florizel[/name_m] for a boy but not sure I could actually go there. I love [name_f]Innogen[/name_f], specifically that spelling but wouldn’t use it because I know she’d constantly have to correct it from [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] and it would be too annoying. Also in this category: Luneciel, [name_f]Astraea[/name_f], [name_f]Parthenope[/name_f], [name_f]Stellaria[/name_f], Wishmay, [name_m]Aloysius[/name_m], Olorin, [name_m]Somerled[/name_m].

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Names you love, but don’t feel are quite ready for revival?

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I am the biggest [name_f]Beverly[/name_f] stan (or Beverley) it’s so pretty and lilting and everyone loves [name_f]Everly[/name_f] so why not Beverly?! But I think she’s still dated to most people.

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Names you love, but for other people’s lists, not necessarily your own?

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I was happy when various friends used [name_f]Georgiana[/name_f] and [name_f]Florence[/name_f] even though I wouldn’t have used them myself. I also get very excited about word/nature names even though I wouldn’t necessarily use them [name_f][/name_f]- things like [name_f]Sonnet[/name_f], [name_f]Moon[/name_f], [name_m]October[/name_m], Hare.

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Names you would love, but you know/knew someone and they ruined the name for you?

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I really like [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] but volunteer with a naughty [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] who loves toilet humour and it has put me off [name_f][/name_f] also, a horrible [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] majorly ruined that for me which is a shame as it’s Shakespearean (usually my jam) and I like an O-name.

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Names you love, but can’t seem to find a good spot/combo for on your list?

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[name_m]Robin[/name_m]! [name_f]My[/name_f] first boy love, but it seems to clash with many of my other favourite boy names in combos (they often have similar R sounds which get a bit sticky together).

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Names you love, but you don’t feel connected enough to the culture?

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[name_f]Esmeray[/name_f] (Turkish) is lovely, or [name_f]Arianell[/name_f] (Welsh).

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Names you love, but can’t get over the meaning?

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I mean. I don’t love that my top girl name means gazelle [name_f][/name_f] but can’t imagine calling a daughter anything but [name_f]Tabitha[/name_f] at this point. I love [name_f]Ida[/name_f] but it’s a shame she means ‘hard work’!

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Names you love, but someone close to you (partner, parent, friend) vetoes?

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[name_f]My[/name_f] husband vetoed [name_m]Bonaventure[/name_m] even as a middle

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Names you love, but it doesn’t go with your surname?

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In another universe I have a different surname and kids named [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] and [name_m]Cosmo[/name_m]!

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Names you love, but they’re already used by friends or family?

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A close friend has a Fr3derick Orl@ndo both of which were high on my list before that. I know my brother also wants to use [name_m]Frederick[/name_m] or [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] so alas I don’t get to have a [name_m]Freddie[/name_m] (and I would’ve loved a [name_f]Winifred[/name_f] ‘Freddie’!). I also love most names with a [name_f]Ros[/name_f]- prefix but one of our best friends is [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] so they’re off the table.

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Names you love, but you dislike the nickname / a similar sounding name?

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At one point I wanted an [name_f]Elinor[/name_f], and I love [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], but I can’t stand [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f] same with [name_m]Edmund[/name_m] and Ed/Eddie. I don’t love that the intuitive nn for a [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] is [name_m]Cass[/name_m]. Conversely I love [name_m]Bertie[/name_m] but don’t love most of the ways to get there.

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Names you love, but they just don’t match your style?

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Probably some of my more [name_m]Breton[/name_m], Cornish and Welsh loves like [name_f]Derowen[/name_f], [name_f]Meraud[/name_f], and [name_m]Tarian[/name_m]. I also love [name_m]Viggo[/name_m] for a boy which is not my usual vibe at all.

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Names you love, but can’t get over a strong association?

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As a Shakespearean I struggle with the tragic heroines like [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f], [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- and especially [name_f]Lavinia[/name_f]. Can’t shake the associations of death and suffering (although as a teenager I fancied [name_f]Desdemona[/name_f] as a middle name until I learned it literally means doomed lol). I am also struggling to shake the [name_f]Ambrosia[/name_f] custard association of [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m], because it’s the boy name my husband has really latched onto! I do love it but…the custard is always on my mind

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Names you probably should love (they match your style, sound nice, look nice) but just aren’t quite feeling?

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[name_f]Arabella[/name_f] should be my thing but I’m not quite there with her. [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] is similar for the boys.

Grandidieramy · October 27, 2025, 3:02pm

[name_m]Jack[/name_m] and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] for sure!
Pass
[name_f]Edith[/name_f] and [name_m]Edgar[/name_m] !!
Pass
[name_m]William[/name_m], [name_m]Raleigh[/name_m], [name_m]Davis[/name_m], [name_f]Jade[/name_f] (not ruined, just can’t happen LOL).
Pass
So many Spanish names; [name_f]Lucia[/name_f], [name_m]Cruz[/name_m], [name_f]Serena[/name_f], etc.
Pass
[name_m]Sampson[/name_m] and [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]
[name_m]Parker[/name_m], [name_f]Poppy[/name_f], [name_f]Polly[/name_f]
[name_m]Luke[/name_m] and [name_m]Blake[/name_m]
[name_f]Susanna[/name_f] and [name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
Pass
Pass
Pass

Rosebeth · October 27, 2025, 7:11pm

[name_m]Simon[/name_m] & [name_f]Lena[/name_f]
[name_m]Trooper[/name_m] & [name_f]Vindemiatrix[/name_f]
[name_m]Eugene[/name_m] & [name_f]Agathe[/name_f]
[name_m]Samuel[/name_m] & [name_f]Poppy[/name_f]
[name_m]Peter[/name_m]
[name_m]Zohar[/name_m]
Golshifteh
/
[name_f]Tiferet[/name_f]
Robichaux / Robichon
[name_m]Gabriel[/name_m]
[name_m]Nikias[/name_m] / [name_f]Nikita[/name_f]
[name_m]Jude[/name_m] & [name_f]Primrose[/name_f]
[name_m]Hermes[/name_m]
[name_m]Pollux[/name_m] & [name_f]Philomela[/name_f]

BronwynParry1 · October 27, 2025, 8:12pm

1. Names you love, but are too popular?
[name_f][/name_f]I generally don’t care about a name’s popularity, but I would be hesitant to use a very common middle name, such as [name_f]Rose[/name_f], as it sometimes seems as if less thought has gone into it.

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2. Names you love, but are too bold/outlandish?
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Loveday[/name_f], [name_f]Ceridwen[/name_f], [name_f]Wildflower[/name_f], [name_m]Auburn[/name_m], [name_m]Willoughby[/name_m] & [name_m]Woodrow[/name_m].

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3. Names you love, but don’t feel are quite ready for revival?
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Edwina[/name_f], [name_f]Jamesina[/name_f], [name_m]Winston[/name_m] & [name_m]Earnest[/name_m]

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4. Names you love, but for other people’s lists, not necessarily your own?
[name_f][/name_f]A lot of unusual virtue names, such as [name_m]Prosper[/name_m] and [name_f]Bravery[/name_f]. While they’re growing on me, I don’t think I’d ever actually use a lot of them.

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5. Names you would love, but you know/knew someone and they ruined the name for you?
[name_f][/name_f]There aren’t any currently, but for a while [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Juliet[/name_f], [name_f]Flora[/name_f] and [name_m]Reuben[/name_m] were ruined by some people I knew.

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6. Names you love, but can’t seem to find a good spot/combo for on your list?
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Elinor[/name_f]. I adore the name, but there are other similar names I would choose over it, so often gets left out of combos.

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7. Names you love, but you don’t feel connected enough to the culture?
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Valtteri[/name_m]. I think it’s so sweet, but would be a very strange choice for someone who isn’t Finnish.

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8. Names you love, but can’t get over the meaning?
[name_f][/name_f]None, meanings don’t really bother me

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9. Names you love, but someone close to you (partner, parent, friend) vetoes?
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]My[/name_f] mum isn’t a fan of [name_m]George[/name_m] as it reminds her of her grandfather who she didn’t get on with.

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10. Names you love, but it doesn’t go with your surname?
[name_f][/name_f]I’ll have a different surname if I ever have children, but with my current one I couldn’t use [name_m]Harrison[/name_m] as they have the exact same meaning.

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11. Names you love, but they’re already used by friends or family?
[name_f][/name_f]I love [name_m]Tristan[/name_m], but it’s the name of my cousin’s son. Also [name_m]Freddie[/name_m], but it’s the name of our cat.

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12. Names you love, but you dislike the nickname / a similar sounding name?
[name_f][/name_f]I love lots of names starting with [name_f]El[/name_f]- (Elinor, [name_f]Eluned[/name_f], [name_f]Elspeth[/name_f] etc.) but really don’t like [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] due to bad associations. If I ever used these names I’d use different nicknames such as [name_f]Nellie[/name_f] or [name_f]Elsie[/name_f].

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13. Names you love, but they just don’t match your style?
[name_f][/name_f]I have a very varied style, so I don’t think any feel out of place.

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14. Names you love, but can’t get over a strong association?
[name_f][/name_f]None

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15. Names you probably should love (they match your style, sound nice, look nice) but just aren’t quite feeling?
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] and [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. I’ve gone back on forth on them a lot, but they never quite stick.

atomicginge · October 27, 2025, 9:17pm

Names you love, but are too popular?

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For a girl, [name_f]Isla[/name_f] was our no.1 choice but it’s just too popular, it breaks my heart!
For a boy, I adore [name_m]Jack[/name_m]. It’s a classic, and I still do love it a lot, I think it’ll stay in my reserves for now though.

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Names you love, but are too bold/outlandish?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_f]Saylor[/name_f], [name_m]Cove[/name_m] and [name_f]Airlie[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- I like how airy and beachy they feel.
For a boy [name_m]Rooney[/name_m], [name_m]Perth[/name_m], [name_m]Coast[/name_m], [name_f]Harbour[/name_f] and [name_m]Forrest[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- these speak to my soul, I love nature, but maybe they’ll be middle names.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but don’t feel are quite ready for revival?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_f]Maude[/name_f], [name_f]Agnes[/name_f], [name_f]Agatha[/name_f] and [name_f]Pauline[/name_f].
For a boy, I was going through my family tree and found three different men (first name) Greenwell, which I think is kinda cool.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but for other people’s lists, not necessarily your own?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_m]Gwynedd[/name_m] and [name_f]Eirys[/name_f] for someone who likes Welsh names.
For a boy, [name_m]Gawain[/name_m] and [name_m]Euan[/name_m] they feel medieval-y.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you would love, but you know/knew someone and they ruined the name for you?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] and [name_f]Aisling[/name_f], which is a shame because they’re beautiful [name_m]Irish[/name_m] names but I just can’t see past it.
[name_f][/name_f]For a boy, [name_m]Liam[/name_m] and Ronan/Rowan, my sister’s cousin named her boy [name_m]Roman[/name_m] so that automatically vetoes [name_m]Ronan[/name_m] and [name_m]Rowan[/name_m] in my wife’s eyes.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but can’t seem to find a good spot/combo for on your list?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f], [name_f]Siobhan[/name_f], [name_f]Caitriona[/name_f], [name_f]Sinead[/name_f], [name_f]Fiona[/name_f], [name_f]Nora[/name_f] and [name_f]Geraldine[/name_f].
For a boy, [name_m]Ciaran[/name_m], [name_m]Caolan[/name_m], [name_m]Douglas[/name_m], [name_m]Hamish[/name_m], [name_m]William[/name_m], [name_m]Earl[/name_m] and [name_m]Declan[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but you don’t feel connected enough to the culture?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and Jospehine.
For a boy, [name_m]Ellis[/name_m], [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] and [name_m]Dean[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but can’t get over the meaning?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl [name_f]Mallory[/name_f], [name_f]Morrigan[/name_f] and Eadaoin.
For a boy, [name_m]Cole[/name_m] [name_m]Malcolm[/name_m] and [name_m]Cormac[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but someone close to you (partner, parent, friend) vetoes?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_f]Nora[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- a girl my wife went to school with named her stillborn baby this, but I would want to in honor of my Grandmother whom I’m very close to.
[name_f][/name_f]-For a boy, [name_m]Tadhg[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- it’s [name_m]Irish[/name_m] and I just adore it. It’s in the language of my people, it’s honoring my heritage but it’s a hard no from my wife.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but it doesn’t go with your surname?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_f]Morrigan[/name_f], our last name is Morgan… and obviously you can see why it would be mean to do that
[name_f][/name_f]For a boy, anything ending in ‘gan’ which is a shame because I quite like the names [name_m]Logan[/name_m], [name_m]Keagan[/name_m], [name_m]Finnegan[/name_m] etc.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but they’re already used by friends or family?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_f]Cate[/name_f], [name_f]Roisin[/name_f], [name_f]Nora[/name_f], [name_f]Caroline[/name_f], [name_f]Sloane[/name_f] and [name_f]Erin[/name_f].
For a boy, [name_m]Sean[/name_m], [name_m]James[/name_m], [name_m]Jack[/name_m], [name_m]Brandon[/name_m], [name_m]Aidan[/name_m], [name_m]Robert[/name_m], [name_m]Michael[/name_m] and [name_f]Riley[/name_f].

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but you dislike the nickname / a similar sounding name?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, we like the name [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] but I don’t like the nickname [name_f]Tilly[/name_f] or [name_f]Tildy[/name_f] and my wife doesn’t mind it, whereas I don’t mind the nickname [name_f]Mattie[/name_f] but my wife hates that.
For a boy, we love the name Corr but we know he’d be nicknamed [name_m]Cory[/name_m] and we hate that.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but they just don’t match your style?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_f]June[/name_f], [name_f]Juniper[/name_f], [name_f]Olive[/name_f], [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] and [name_f]Nerine[/name_f].
For a boy, [name_m]Zealand[/name_m], [name_m]Dean[/name_m], [name_m]Hadrian[/name_m] and [name_m]Seth[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but can’t get over a strong association?
[name_f][/name_f]Basically my answers for question 12.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you probably should love (they match your style, sound nice, look nice) but just aren’t quite feeling?

[name_f][/name_f]

For a girl, [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], [name_f]Caitlin[/name_f], [name_f]Bridget[/name_f], [name_f]Harper[/name_f], [name_f]Caoimhe[/name_f], [name_f]Marlowe[/name_f] and [name_f]Sydney[/name_f].
For a boy, [name_m]Cillian[/name_m], [name_m]Lowen[/name_m], [name_m]Rian[/name_m], [name_m]Lorcan[/name_m], [name_m]Darragh[/name_m] and [name_m]Oisin[/name_m].

persephonescrown · October 27, 2025, 9:24pm

[name_f][/name_f]

a girl I went to school with just had a little [name_f]Agatha[/name_f]!

Greyblue · October 27, 2025, 10:03pm

I’ll try to do two for each - but I’ve skipped the ones I can’t necessarily think of any for

1. Names you love, but are too popular?

Henry and Florence

2. Names you love, but are too bold/outlandish?

Stargazer and Benevolence

3. Names you love, but don’t feel are quite ready for revival?

Algernon and Beverley (or maybe Shelby?)

4. Names you love, but for other people’s lists, not necessarily your own?

Marigold and Hazel

6. Names you love, but can’t seem to find a good spot/combo for on your list?

Kelso and Xanthe

7. Names you love, but you don’t feel connected enough to the culture?

Nadira, Nour, and Taha

9. Names you love, but someone close to you (partner, parent, friend) vetoes?

I quite like it but my mum has always disliked Fabian so I feel like it’s slightly off limits

10. Names you love, but it doesn’t go with your surname?

Rory and Blue

11. Names you love, but they’re already used by friends or family?

Kit and Lucy (and therefore Lucia and Lucille too)

12. Names you love, but you dislike the nickname / a similar sounding name?

Robin (Rob/Robbie) and Barnaby (Barney, Bear)

14. Names you love, but can’t get over a strong association?

Edie ( because I know it kind of sounds like E D ) and Heathcliff (as in Wuthering Heights)

15. Names you probably should love (they match your style, sound nice, look nice) but just aren’t quite feeling?

Gaia and Morgana (they both fit, they both get suggested to me and I’ve yet to fully come round to them )

OctaviaMay · October 28, 2025, 12:02am

Names you love but are too popular

[name_f][/name_f]

I quite like the name [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] but she’s just too popular for me to want to use as a first.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love but are too bold

[name_f][/name_f]

Maybe more mythical names like [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f], [name_m]Endymion[/name_m], and [name_f]Hermione[/name_f].

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love but don’t think are ready for revival.

[name_f][/name_f]

None actually! All names I like I’d love to see on a little kid.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love for other peoples lists.

[name_f][/name_f]

I’m not quite on board with [name_f]Clementine[/name_f] for myself just yet, but I love seeing others use her.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you would love, but you know/knew someone and they ruined the name for you

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Cleo[/name_f] and [name_f]Gloria[/name_f].

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but can’t seem to find a good spot/combo for on your list?

[name_f][/name_f]

Literally all of them [name_f][/name_f]. I find it really hard to come up with combos for my favourite names. I’d say, at the moment, I’m particularly struggling with is [name_m]Bram[/name_m]. I find him so cuddly but middles are so hard to pair with him!

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but you don’t feel connected enough to the culture?

[name_f][/name_f]

I looove [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] but I’m not [name_m]Irish[/name_m], so she’s out for me unfortunately.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but can’t get over the meaning?

[name_f][/name_f]

I don’t really have this problem! A good meaning is a bonus, but a bad or boring one is not a dealbreaker in any way. I’ll still like the name!

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but someone close to you (partner, parent, friend) vetoes?

[name_f][/name_f]

Robin:sob:[name_f][/name_f]. He’s my top boy name but I could never use him because my mom has a traumatic association with the name. It breaks my heart but I will 100% respect that her request for me not to use it, so he’s a no for me.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but it doesn’t go with your surname?

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]My[/name_f] surname starts with a K, so that makes me feel unsure on Kit…

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but they’re already used by friends or family?

[name_f][/name_f]

None, I think!

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but you dislike the nickname / a similar sounding name?

[name_f][/name_f]

I think a [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] would just get called [name_f]Lily[/name_f], which is nice but not my personal style. Similarly, I think [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is pretty sweet, but not [name_m]Tom[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but they just don’t match your style?

[name_f][/name_f]

I feel like [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] doesn’t quite match the rest of my names, even though I love her.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but can’t get over a strong association?

[name_f][/name_f]

I think [name_m]Valentine[/name_m] is so sweet, but it also just makes me think of Valentine’s Day…not a terrible connection, but it is pretty strong. For that reason it’s mainly a guilty pleasure middle.

[name_f][/name_f]

Also, [name_m]Ferris[/name_m] is cute but makes me think of [name_m]Ferris[/name_m] Bueller’s [name_m]Day[/name_m] Off. That one is hard for me to shake.

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you probably should love (they match your style, sound nice, look nice) but just aren’t quite feeling?

[name_f][/name_f]

People recommend [name_f]Cecily[/name_f] and [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] to me a lot, a while I love them for others, I don’t see them on my list, even though they fit stylistically.

ashthedreamer · October 28, 2025, 3:21am

What a fun idea!

[name_f][/name_f]

Some of the top 10 names I would compromise on, but I’m not sure I’d pick if I was given the full decision—especially [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], [name_f]Isabella[/name_f], [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], [name_m]Noah[/name_m]. [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Love[/name_f] them, but it would take a lot to use them. [name_f][/name_f] [name_m]Noah[/name_m] is more because someone I don’t get on well with used it—otherwise he’d probably be on my list at least as a middle.
TBH not sure, does [name_f]Hero[/name_f] fit? [name_f][/name_f] I feel like she’d get too much heat in real life but 100% would’ve had her on my list otherwise. [name_f][/name_f] LOVE [name_f]Hero[/name_f]. [name_f][/name_f] Probably [name_m]Barzillai[/name_m] and Pudens for boys, obscure Bible names I really like.
Not sure there’s many of these, I love names with history but don’t traditionally lean toward vintage names.
I really[name_f][/name_f] wanted my sister to use [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] (although it’s probably good she didn’t, a little too punny with her surname for real life lol). [name_f][/name_f] I really loved some of her “like but wouldn’t use” names for a girl too—she didn’t end up having a girl but I would’ve loved having a niece named [name_f]Freya[/name_f] or [name_f]Anya[/name_f]! [name_f][/name_f] I would use [name_f]Anja[/name_f], maybe, but almost definitely not [name_f]Freya[/name_f].
[name_m]Noah[/name_m], 100%. I’ve known a [name_f]Camellia[/name_f] and a [name_f]Calista[/name_f] who ruined those for me too, but [name_f]Camellia[/name_f] is GORGEOUS. [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f] be able to overlook that one day.
[name_f]Alba[/name_f], [name_f]Hero[/name_f], [name_f]Lydia[/name_f], and [name_f]Xanthe[/name_f] are the main ones for girls. [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Nadia[/name_f], [name_f]Kaia[/name_f], [name_f]Fiorella[/name_f], [name_f]Peridot[/name_f], [name_f]Vienna[/name_f], [name_f]Tirzah[/name_f], [name_f]Winter[/name_f], too. [name_f][/name_f] For boys, [name_m]Whit[/name_m], [name_m]Drury[/name_m], [name_m]Atlas[/name_m], [name_m]Drake[/name_m], [name_m]Reuel[/name_m], [name_m]Bram[/name_m], [name_m]Mariner[/name_m], [name_m]Seamus[/name_m], [name_m]Malachi[/name_m], [name_m]Aalto[/name_m], [name_m]Maximilian[/name_m], [name_m]Bridger[/name_m], [name_m]Tobias[/name_m], [name_m]Rafe[/name_m]. [name_f][/name_f] I’m sure there’s more but those feel like the main ones for now lol.
[name_f]Eleni[/name_f] is the main one I think of, though maybe [name_f]Mireya[/name_f] too. [name_f][/name_f] Any name from a religion other than mine, too… unless it has additional references outside the religious tradition (like I would use [name_f]Iris[/name_f] to honor my grandma who loved irises, even though it’s a mythological name).
[name_m]Hayden[/name_m] might be the only one. [name_f][/name_f] I am weirded out by [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], though, since baldness already runs in my family lol.
Don’t have anyone to veto a name right now, but I know my family doesn’t like [name_m]Bailey[/name_m] on a boy, [name_f]Madelief[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Ariane[/name_f], etc.
Can’t think of a ton, tbh, because even though it ends in an r and s sound (think like Winters), I don’t think a name like [name_m]Jonas[/name_m] sounds bad with it—and some of my -r name favorites aren’t ideal, but I don’t plan to give my own last name to my kids, so for now I just get to collect until a serious partner comes into the picture haha.
[name_f]Olivia[/name_f] might be the only one—my nephew is named 0l!v£r, so I got put off by it for a while… I have [name_f]Olivet[/name_f] on my list instead now, but that’s more because I found that I couldn’t find a combo that both felt fresh and unexpected but also seemed to fit with [name_f]Olivia[/name_f].
Eliana/Eliora probably, I really don’t like [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] lol.
[name_m]Bridger[/name_m] feels like the main one right now.
Hmm, I can’t think of any right now?
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f], one thousand percent lol.

25vbrandeberry · October 29, 2025, 1:58am

[name_m]Liam[/name_m] for sure! [name_f]Emma[/name_f] and [name_f]Isla[/name_f] I love anyway, but also too popular
Not really many names like this cause I would use "guilty pleasure names. Maybe one would be [name_m]Ziggy[/name_m] for a boy. Not sure I could use it. Also [name_m]Grady[/name_m] cause I have a nephew named Graylin so its really close
[name_f]Martha[/name_f] & [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]. I wouldn’t use these, but they were all I could think of
I think my sister was gonna choose [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] and kinda hoped she would instead of [name_f]Lainey[/name_f]. I would never use it though
No one I can think of at the moment. I know people who INFLUENCED names, but not any that ruined it. Maybe [name_m]Zachary[/name_m] & [name_m]Daniel[/name_m] (my dad is [name_m]Daniel[/name_m] so can’t even think of using it)
So many of these, but [name_f]Isla[/name_f] doesn’t fit with my other names, so I ditched it. Same with [name_f]Blair[/name_f]
[name_m]Skip[/name_m]
[name_m]Skip[/name_m], don’t care for meanings. MAYBE (possibly) [name_f]Mallory[/name_f] (maybe as a middle name)
I don’t care what people think of my names
I’m not married yet, so my last name doesn’t matter
OMG, SOOO MANY!!! [name_f]Lainey[/name_f] (my sister chose for her baby in the womb). [name_m]Everett[/name_m] & [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] (two of my nieces and nephews plus [name_m]Brian[/name_m] & [name_f]June[/name_f] as a middle names). [name_m]Brayden[/name_m] I love but can’t use cause of a cousin. ALL [name_m]Gray[/name_m] names cause my nephew Graylin. [name_m]Parker[/name_m] for a girl cause I have a nephew [name_m]Parker[/name_m] (wouldn’t be so bad cause I’m not close to him, but he’s a boy and it would be weird), and all [name_f]Wren[/name_f] names cause I have a baby cousin named [name_f]Wrenlee[/name_f]
[name_m]Nathan[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- hate [name_m]Nate[/name_m]. [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- hate all nicknames
I don’t really have a style, so doesn’t matter
[name_m]Brock[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- sounds like Broccoli to me honestly. Also [name_f]Brecklyn[/name_f] sounds like Break or Breakfast to me
Probably [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], but just can’t seem to like it. Also [name_f]Nova[/name_f], but again, don’t like it. [name_m]Hunter[/name_m] I feel like I should like too but I don’t for some reason

junie.bug · October 29, 2025, 1:23pm

bronte, lola, margot, pippa, james, theodore, harvey
birdie, olivet, sunniva, clover, sunday, prarie, tansy, huckleberry, wilbur, willoughby
fredrika, winifred, myrtle, loretta, suzie, stewart, lyle, murray, howard
indy
perry, saffron, romy, bronwyn
bindi, lennon, banjo, malakai
marisol
cecelia
ruth
beatrice
rosemary, adelaide, pearl, shirley, hugo
none that I can think of
dulcie, vivienne, delphine, rufus, barnaby
myrtle, howard, gwendolyn
nellie, magnus

GreenEyes375 · October 29, 2025, 11:55pm

Names you love, but are too popular?

[name_f][/name_f]

so many! I actually really love names like [name_f]Chloe[/name_f], [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], [name_m]Alexander[/name_m], [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m], and [name_m]Elias[/name_m] but I know so many irl I could never see myself using them. I also really love trendy names (my style is all over the place) like [name_f]Kylie[/name_f], [name_m]Kaydence[/name_m], [name_f]Briar[/name_f], [name_m]Cade[/name_m], [name_m]Finn[/name_m], and [name_m]Rowan[/name_m] but again, the popularity thing is an issue for me personally

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but are too bold/outlandish?

[name_f][/name_f]

I don’t have any for this as that is the style of name I actually would use

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but don’t feel are quite ready for revival?

[name_f][/name_f]

a ton of “granny/grampy” names I adore like [name_f]Agatha[/name_f], [name_f]Winifred[/name_f], [name_f]Judith[/name_f], [name_m]Eugene[/name_m], [name_m]Howard[/name_m], and [name_m]Clarence[/name_m] fit here for me as I adore them but know I would get side-eyes from friends and family. I also know in my head I just view them as a little too “frumpy” maybe to actually use any of them

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but for other people’s lists, [name_f][/name_f] not necessarily your own.

[name_f][/name_f]

most names fit here for me, as I do actually love most names (or see their appeal!) but aren’t on my actual short lists. A lot of my niblings names fit here, as well as some names I know are on my siblings lists like Larsyn, [name_f]Chevelle[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_m]Remington[/name_m], [name_m]Felix[/name_m], and [name_m]Jericho[/name_m]

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you would love, but you know/knew someone and they ruined the name for you?

[name_f][/name_f]

I only have one name here and it’s [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m]

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but can’t seem to find a good spot/combo for on your list?

[name_f][/name_f]

making spots/combos specifically isn’t really something I personally do so this isn’t one I have an answer for; I tend to just put whatever on my list however and don’t have set combos or ordwe for any of them besides the ones S/O and I came up with together

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but don’t feel connected to the culture?

[name_f][/name_f]

so many! Most specifically minority cultural names I feel I couldn’t personally use as much as I love them. I have close connections to a couple different cultures I wouldn’t use names from either as I feel like others wouldn’t be able to “see” that I belong to them as I am a very pale redhead who was raised in a very isolated and heavily [name_m]Christian[/name_m] community and I don’t want to constantly have to explain that if asked. Especially my Indigenous American heritage as I am one generation removed from any family members who even live on a reservation even if I am a legal member of one (even though I have family and direct heritage from several). I’m also ethnically Jewish, but that is just as complicated, though a little less so for naming children as my S/O is also Jewish. I also adore a ton of [name_f]Asian[/name_f] names like [name_f]Mayumi[/name_f], Linh, [name_m]Yuri[/name_m], Ryuichi, [name_f]Sumire[/name_f], Suzaku, and [name_m]Vikram[/name_m] and a ton[name_f][/name_f] of Arabic names

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but can’t get over the meaning?

[name_f][/name_f]

mostly just [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f], as the name is just more off-putting due to a personal relationship with someone seeing impaired with the name who has commented on how ironic it became for them

[name_f][/name_f]

Names yoy love, but someone close to you (partner, parent, friend) vetoes?

[name_f][/name_f]

my S/O is the only person who has ever “vetoed” names but I those would have been super early on in our relationship (like 15+ years ago at this point) and I can’t remember any of them; I don’t talk about my actual favourites with anyone else irl and my top names are so obscure for non namen nerds they’ve never come up in a negative way

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but it doesn’s go with your surname?

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mine and S/O both have a hyphenated surname with both our “original” ones, so any kids would too. One of them ends in “son” so that has cut out a ton of otherwise potentially viable names for us

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Names you love, but they’re already used by friends or family?

[name_f][/name_f]

a few that were on my actual list over the years: [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] (a cousin used it), [name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] (I “gave” it to my best friend for on of her kiddos), [name_f]Erin[/name_f] and [name_m]Aaron[/name_m] (I have a nephew named Aaron), [name_m]Anthony[/name_m] (my uncles middle name), [name_f]Anna[/name_f] related names (I have an aunt with a double [name_f]Anna[/name_f] name), [name_f]Cassandra[/name_f] (my cousins new wife has a very similar name), and [name_m]Judah[/name_m] (my longest time top name, used a few times by people close to me now)

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Names you love, but you dislike the nickname / a similar sounding name?

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] (I only[name_f][/name_f] like the full name), [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] (Nell or [name_f]Nellie[/name_f] would be cute, but I know I couldnt enforce it with my parents or in-laws as they all have mentioned liking [name_f]Penny[/name_f] as a name), [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] (I don’t like [name_f]Izzy[/name_f] at all), [name_m]Evander[/name_m] (I don’t mind any potential nicknames but only love the full name), and [name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] (I only[name_f][/name_f] like the full name)

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you love, but they just don’t match your style?

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I don’t really have a specific style outside of it not being a popular name and me or S/O not knowing anyone (who made an impression of any kind) with the name, so I would never cut a name of I loved it

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Names you love, but can’t get over a strong association?

[name_f][/name_f]

I can’t think of anything specific outside of names/reasons already given above. Maybe [name_m]Christian[/name_m] Biblical names? I’m not religious now, though I was for most of my life, so I do see myself steering clear of a lot of strongly [name_m]Christian[/name_m] associated names for any future irl children

[name_f][/name_f]

Names you probably should love (they match your style, sound nice, look nice) but just aren’t quite feeling?

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I honestly haven’t come across a name I don’t[name_f][/name_f] love or really see the appeal of enough to get eventually there [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is really the only one I even recently remember not liking so much, and I’ve started crushing on it hard after meeting a couple kiddos with the name