~ sell me on a name 🌿

[readingreverie]

hi, friends!

[name_f][/name_f]

i was scrolling through old nameberry threads, and came across this[name_f][/name_f] really interesting one, and i thought it’d be super fun to bring it back! i’ve felt like my style has been evolving a lot over the past year, and i want to consider some fresh names, so i think this will be an extra fun way to get new ideas!

[name_f][/name_f]

essentially, i’d love for you to pick your favorite name(s) and/or names you think might suit my list, and then pitch it like you’re trying to sell it! share what it means to you, what you love about it, how you discovered it, nicknames you think you’d use, if it’s a family name or an honor name, or any other information that you want to share. whatever it is that makes you love the name, or makes you think i might love the name, i’m looking forward to reading it!

[name_f][/name_f]

thank you in advance, berries! i look forward to hearing your “pitches”

[daisydarcy]

Oooh fun! I’ll try to sell my newest love, the sweet [name_f]Geraldine[/name_f][name_f][/name_f]!

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Geraldine[/name_f] was my great-grandmother’s name. She was a warm lady who always had a fresh batch of cookies waiting in the cookie jar and gave the best hugs. She truly emulated her name perfectly, and I hope to use it someday on my own children. [name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Geraldine[/name_f] is so versatile [name_f][/name_f]— she can be spunky & bright, cozy & autumnal, or bookish & cottage-y. I love all the stretchy nicknames she could have, from the tomboyish [name_m]Gerry[/name_m] and [name_m]Dean[/name_m] to the youthful [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] or [name_f]Gigi[/name_f]. She’s got literary connections as the middle name of [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] [name_m]Quimby[/name_m] & and has such a strong meaning: “ruler with the spear”.

[kasatka]

A couple of names that I’ve always been surprised aren’t on your shortlist are [name_m]Bramwell[/name_m] and [name_m]Bramble[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

I’ve always felt they would pair well with your slightly offbeat, gentle, nature-inspired boy names – especially, from your list: [name_m]Heath[/name_m], [name_m]Elm[/name_m], [name_m]Grove[/name_m], [name_m]Oak[/name_m], [name_m]Ridge[/name_m], [name_f]Valley[/name_f].

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Bram[/name_m] is there as a practical and cute nickname, or even [name_m]Wells[/name_m] if you prefer [name_m]Bramwell[/name_m] > [name_m]Bramble[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

There’s so many great combos you can make with it. Unlike a lot of names, it doesn’t encounter the common ending of an -err or -ahh sound, meaning you can use some of those lovely names to pair it with. [name_f][/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

Some suggestions:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_m]Bramwell[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Luca[/name_m] [name_m]Bramble[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Bramwell[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Bramble[/name_m] [name_m]Sidney[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]John[/name_m] [name_m]Bramwell[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Ellis[/name_m] [name_m]Bramble[/name_m]

[Greyblue]

Mithian is on my mind so…

Mithian is an intriguing Cornish place name with a mystical and magic feel to it; I find it so sweet and delicate, light and pretty, but with a playfulness, a kind of fierceness.

In terms of sounds and origins, it’s got the draw of other Cornish names like Elowyn and Perran, though it’s also reminiscent of more classic choices like Lillian and Miriam too. As for nicknames if offers up plenty of possibility! Mitzi is my favourite, but you’ve also got Minnie, Thia, Mia, Mimi, Millie, Mith, Minty.

While the exact etymology of the name isn’t know “pool in the river”, “maiden” and “mystical” have been suggested.

I first discovered it on the BBC show Merlin which is a favourite, so it holds special meaning to me there

I can see it on your list as a middle name, perhaps, like Angharad, Chrysanthemum, and Maeblythe

[readingreverie]

@daisydarcy[name_f][/name_f] Oh, [name_f]Geraldine[/name_f] makes so much sense as a name for a baker of cookies, haha. I love that association and the cozy imagery it provides the name with. [name_f]Love[/name_f] the meaning and the [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] [name_m]Quimby[/name_m] connection too!

[name_f][/name_f]

@kasatka[name_f][/name_f] [name_m]Bramble[/name_m] is so sweet![name_f][/name_f] I love that [name_m]Bramble[/name_m] feels so cozy and autumnal, and [name_m]Bramwell[/name_m] has a sort of dramatic flair in my mind (very [name_m]Dracula[/name_m] for me!). I love the nickname [name_m]Wells[/name_m] as well! [name_m]Heath[/name_m], [name_m]Elm[/name_m], [name_m]Grove[/name_m], [name_m]Oak[/name_m], [name_m]Ridge[/name_m], [name_f]Valley[/name_f], [name_m]Bramble[/name_m], and [name_m]Wells[/name_m] go so well together! I also love[name_f][/name_f] the idea of [name_m]Bramble[/name_m] [name_m]Sidney[/name_m] – he is so warm and cozy.

[name_f][/name_f]

@Greyblue[name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Mithian[/name_f] is super cool! I love how it manages to be so soft and gentle in sound, but also so strong in imagery. What a beautiful meaning it has as well! It reminds me of [name_f]Luthien[/name_f], which is a name I think is so fab as well.

[GinnyPotter]

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]Under a cut because it turned into a novel

[name_f][/name_f]

I’ll pitch [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- somebody else described it as ‘tough and matronly but dignified as hell because it’s so classic’, and I think that’s perfect.

[name_f][/name_f]

I’ve always loved the up-and-down rhythm of it [name_f][/name_f]- the classically feminine ‘Mahr -’ sound, the satisfyingly tailored ending, the presence created by the hard g. It’s a prim-and-proper, ladylike, stone-cold [name_f]English[/name_f] classic with an undercurrent of real roughness, and uncompromisingly strong, but with that sweet humble edge. [name_m]Just[/name_m] a bit more interesting than the bright [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] or [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], to me. And it’s all that while still being warm and familiar and down-to-earth.

[name_f][/name_f]

I imagine [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] as a sharp, cheerful, somewhat bookish young girl, not the life of the parties but always a steady presence at them, who follows the beat of her own drum not for the sake of being a rebel but because that’s just who she is, and she can’t imagine being any other way. [name_m]Clever[/name_m] and probably goes in for ‘causes’, not afraid to take on the world. She grows up to be a woman who’s on several committees, whom you can’t really say anything wrong about character-wise but who isn’t necessarily all that committed to being ‘nice’ even though she can be. Deliciously pseudo-conservative.

[name_f][/name_f]

It means ‘pearl’, which I used to think was wonderfully tacky, but it isn’t really [name_f][/name_f]- it’s a pretty stone, yes, but it’s also been a symbol of excellent and admirable qualities since the Middle Ages [name_f][/name_f]- and it’s very occasionally an epithet of those named [name_f]Margaret[/name_f], which is cool. (see [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] Clitherow, ‘the [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] of York’). Oh, and there’s the artwork of St [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] and the dragon, plus the underrated [name_m]North[/name_m] and [name_m]South[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

The nicknames are so versatile [name_f][/name_f]- my favorite is [name_f]Meg[/name_f], which is sweet and strong and punchy, but there’s also the more stylish [name_f]Margot[/name_f] and cute [name_f]Maggie[/name_f], [name_f]Maisie[/name_f] which is also cute but a little more cool, and so on. And the original [name_f]Margarita[/name_f], and [name_f]French[/name_f] [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] (The [name_f]Scarlet[/name_f] Pimpernel! If you haven’t read it, you should) are exquisite, IMO.

[name_f][/name_f]

[winterlyricalfox]

I have been falling over Mr. Leominster lately, and I feel like he totally fits your old-man / slightly stuffy (in the best way ) style!!
[name_f][/name_f]He’s said LEH-min-ster, and reminds me so much of names like [name_m]Elmer[/name_m], [name_m]Bernard[/name_m], [name_m]Rupert[/name_m], Earnest,etc.!!
[name_f][/name_f]I also know you like the nn [name_m]Lemmy[/name_m] (which he comes with [name_f][/name_f] ), and he could also be the cool [name_m]Lem[/name_m], or the ever-trendy Leo!!

[name_f][/name_f]

I could totally also see him as a middle for one of your more artsy names:
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Wyeth[/name_m] Leominster, [name_m]Cassian[/name_m] Leominster, or [name_m]Alcott[/name_m] Leominster are all just so handsome!!

[miloowen]

Two of my favorite Welsh names include [name_f]Dilys[/name_f] for girls and [name_m]Emlyn[/name_m] for boys. [name_f][/name_f] I think both would fit your vibe. [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Dilys[/name_f] means steadfast or true, but her sound is sweet and light and [name_f]Dilly[/name_f] is a cute nn. [name_f][/name_f] [name_m]Emlyn[/name_m] includes “llyn” which means pool or lake; [name_m]Emlyn[/name_m] is placed near a deep pool which fits your nature vibe for boys.

[name_f][/name_f]

While [name_f]Angharad[/name_f] and [name_f]Myfanwy[/name_f] have long been favorite Welsh names of mine, I discovered DIlys only a couple of years ago. [name_f][/name_f] She’s now made the top of my list, simply because she’s simple but not plain, original, and doesn’t have the usual consonant/vowel problem that some [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers might have with Welsh names.

[name_f][/name_f]

I love [name_m]Emlyn[/name_m] because it’s rare (although not so rare that it’s unheard of) and literary. [name_f][/name_f] I’ve always loved “llyn” for a deep pool, a part of nature that always has attracted me, even when I was a kid wandering the woods behind my house. [name_f][/name_f] [name_m]Emlyn[/name_m] reminds me of mossy and lichen-covered rocks, wild orchids and violets, ferns, and deep, dark, cold water.

[readingreverie]

@GinnyPotter[name_f][/name_f] Both my sister and grandma are [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]! One goes by [name_f]Maggie[/name_f], the other by [name_f]Peg[/name_f]. So it’s got such sweet familial ties for me! [name_f][/name_f] The copious amount of nickname options is sooo appealing!

[name_f][/name_f]

@winterlyricalfox[name_f][/name_f] I do[name_f][/name_f] love [name_m]Lemmy[/name_m] so much! I feel like there are hardly any full names for [name_m]Lemmy[/name_m] when I go looking, but it’s actually so interesting to see just how many boys names unexpectedly lend themselves to the nickname. [name_m]Wyeth[/name_m] Leominster has such a sweet flow.

[name_f][/name_f]

@miloowen[name_f][/name_f] Aw, they both have such lovely meanings! I totally agree, they both feel very magical (like Welsh names so often do!), but aren’t difficult to pronounce. Very pretty!

[ashthedreamer]

I’ll take a shot with [name_m]Bertram[/name_m][name_f][/name_f]!

[name_f][/name_f]

He has this delightful Victorian gentleman vibe, I can see him strolling through [name_m]London[/name_m] with a cane and a top hat and a cane, maybe a client of [name_m]Sherlock[/name_m] [name_m]Holmes[/name_m] or a friend of [name_m]John[/name_m] [name_m]Watson[/name_m]. [name_f][/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

He feels smart and approachable, wise but mischievous, full of character and heart. [name_f][/name_f] He loves animals with his whole heart, and has the soul of an adventurer. [name_f][/name_f] He is kind, lifts up everyone around him.

[name_f][/name_f]

He is such a natural fit as a brother to [name_m]Rupert[/name_m], [name_m]Bernard[/name_m], [name_m]Lemuel[/name_m], [name_f]Olive[/name_f], [name_f]Ruthie[/name_f], and [name_m]George[/name_m]. [name_f][/name_f] The nicknames [name_m]Bertie[/name_m] and [name_m]Bram[/name_m] are adorable! [name_f][/name_f] His meaning, “bright raven,” feels so cottage core and homey. [name_f][/name_f] He’s got ties to literature through [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m]! [name_f][/name_f] He’s rare, but is very easy to figure out how to say him at first glance.

[readingreverie]

@ashthedreamer[name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f] I recently got another cat and really pushed to name him [name_m]Bertram[/name_m] (or Sycamore!) [name_f]My[/name_f] family wouldn’t agree to it, but it’s really been growing on me lately. I totally agree with those vibes. He’s so cozy and adventurous, and I love the nickname [name_m]Bertie[/name_m]. [name_f]Love[/name_f] it!

[salty.blonde]

after looking at your listography (stunning names by the way) i can totally see a whole style across all of it. names like louella, florence, eloise, and most of your other names have that soft, naturey cottagecore feel with a bit of frill! this is one of my favorite style, with girls that can be soft and girly but still have some bit behind them.

[name_f][/name_f]

for you i would suggest colette, bloom, evangeline, and wilhelmina!

[name_f][/name_f]

colette- she is sharp and has hard consonants, but is the perfect dreamy feminine name. i can 100% see her doing ballet. she has spunk and confidence, but once you know her she’s really just a teddy bear. personally, i would probably not pair her with other names that had hard consonants (like clementine for example). even though i love alliteration, it’s hard to find a c name that isn’t a hard consonant.
[name_f][/name_f]bloom- quickly after i found her i fell in love, i just adore her flow and how she sounds. she’s light and girly, someone who would consel you through your hurt and help heal your heart. i’ve always had the worst time trying to find flower names that are’nt super trendy or overused. i mostly would pair her as a middle with a longer first (think georgia bloom and theodora bloom).
[name_f][/name_f]evangeline- she’s classic and a favorite of the berries. i just feel like she ages so well and will go with absolutely anything. i also love evangelina, to twist the name a little. with nicknames like lettie, vange, and eve i am in awe!
[name_f][/name_f]wilhelmina- this one is one i absolutely picture you with. she fits into your aesthetic perfectly and flows with all the names in your list. she’s cottage core and timeless, and has a heart bigger than ever. i have such imagery for her! she probably lives in a cozy cottage with handfuls of books and a big garden. my favorite nicknames are willa and elle!

[readingreverie]

@salty.blonde[name_f][/name_f] Aw, thank you so much!! [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] “Willa” is sooo sweet. I’ve been loving [name_f]Willa[/name_f] a lot lately, and really like the idea of giving her a full name, especially because she feels particularly hard to pair middles with! I definitely agree with [name_f]Bloom[/name_f] as well.

[marysia]

I think you might like [name_m]Thaddeus[/name_m] and [name_f]Cecily[/name_f] (both of which are characters in a story I’m writing :D)

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Thaddeus[/name_m] has gravitas and sounds aristocratic, but it also has the sweet nickname Thaddy (or Tadpole for the adventurous), and a lovely meaning (heart).

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Cecily[/name_f] is elegant, vintage, and slightly mischievous. Soft and genteel, but not weak: clever and spirited.

[readingreverie]

@marysia[name_f][/name_f] Aw, I never knew that [name_m]Thaddeus[/name_m] means heart. That’s so sweet! I totally agree on the vibes for [name_f]Cecily[/name_f].