I tend to favor feminine classics with a European flair; he’s a fan of unisex and modern favorites.
Here’s a list of seven favorites, some mine, some his. I’m seeking feedback, combo suggestions, anything to make a particular choice stand out over another, because nothing seems to be just right yet. I’m definitely open to alternatives that you think we might like, too.
Last name is [name_m]Estes[/name_m] (both “e” sounds as in “bed” or “let”).
[name_f]Camille[/name_f] - our best compromise for now, but it seems a bit flat to me. Maybe a special middle to jazz it up? [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] - I love the solid, classic vibe with great nickname possibilities ([name_f]Ellie[/name_f], [name_f]Lena[/name_f], [name_f]Nora[/name_f], etc.), but DH thinks it’s too old-ladyish [name_f]Isla[/name_f] - a bit trendier than I normally like, but love the long “i” sound. Should I be concerned that it would be mispronounced often? [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] - too nicknamey for a full name? [name_f]Lila[/name_f] - another one that I like, but think lacks a bit of pizzaz. [name_u]London[/name_u] - DH would name his daughter this in a heartbeat, but as much as we love the city, I worry it’s a bit too cheerleader mom and Toddlers in Tiaras for my taste? [name_f]Margot[/name_f] - love the sound, prefer this spelling, but should I be concerned about pronunciation?
I’m very open to middle suggestions, but here are some family names and other faves for consideration: [name_u]Clare[/name_u], [name_f]Grace[/name_f], [name_f]Joy[/name_f], [name_f]Ruth[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f], [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f], [name_u]Wren[/name_u]. Bonus points for [name_m]Christian[/name_m] allusions or [name_u]Paris[/name_u]-chic vibes.
There are names on your list I love while others I’m not really a fan for various reasons…
[name_f]Camille[/name_f] - NMS…reminds of [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] PB you know who and so a big turn-off for me…sorry
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] - Prefer [name_f]Leonor[/name_f]
[name_f]Isla[/name_f] - Great name!!! …sounds great & lovely image - a lush tropical island comes to mind…
[name_f]Leonie[/name_f] - Prefer [name_f]Leonor[/name_f]
[name_f]Lila[/name_f] - Prefer [name_f]Lily[/name_f]
[name_u]London[/name_u] - I’d prefer [name_f]Tiara[/name_f] over [name_u]London[/name_u], even the name [name_u]Paris[/name_u]…
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] - Great name!! I also like [name_f]Margaux[/name_f]
Re your middles, I actually think they’re wonderful for FNs i.e. [name_u]Clare[/name_u], [name_f]Grace[/name_f], [name_f]Joy[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f], [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f], [name_u]Wren[/name_u]. They’re lovely
I agree that [name_f]Lila[/name_f] is bit flat and [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] too nicknamey, but I love [name_f]Isla[/name_f].
[name_m]Favorite[/name_m] Combos from your list:
[name_f]Camille[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f] (I love the repeated letters, and yet it doesn’t clash in sound)
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_u]Clare[/name_u] ([name_u]Clare[/name_u] balances out the classic, old ladyish [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f])
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f]
[name_f]Isla[/name_f] [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] or [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_f]Isla[/name_f] is a great combo as well!
I think a perfect name for you is [name_f]Evanna[/name_f]. It’s got a [name_m]Christian[/name_m] meaning, has a European sound (like the British actress, [name_f]Evanna[/name_f] [name_m]Lynch[/name_m]) but is similiar to [name_u]Evan[/name_u], a unisex name.
[name_f]Camille[/name_f]: it’s okay, but I agree–it falls kind of flat for me as well
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]: [name_u]LOVE[/name_u]! I think it’s classic, not old-lady-ish. [name_m]How[/name_m] does your husband feel about using a more modern-feeling nickname, like [name_f]Ellie[/name_f]?
[name_f]Isla[/name_f]: very pretty, maybe not my own style, but I like it a lot. It feels like a fairy name to me, which is a really good thing! I think pronunciation wouldn’t be too big of an issue–if you can say island, you should be able to say [name_f]Isla[/name_f].
[name_f]Leonie[/name_f]: it’s okay; I’d prefer [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] or [name_f]Leonor[/name_f].
[name_f]Lila[/name_f]: it’s nice; I think it has more pizazz (and I like it better) than [name_f]Camille[/name_f]
[name_u]London[/name_u]: sorry, I don’t like [name_u]London[/name_u] at all in general and it does give off a cheerleader/Toddlers and Tiaras vibe for me (not to say there couldn’t be a really smart and quiet girl named [name_u]London[/name_u], for example, but that’s not the prevailing image I get with it)
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]: [name_u]LOVE[/name_u]! I think some people might struggle with pronunciation, but not terribly so. You might consider [name_f]Margo[/name_f] if you’re really worried about it, but I like [name_f]Margot[/name_f] better.
Here are aome other first or middles you might like:
[name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] (very [name_m]Christian[/name_m] association)
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Mila[/name_f]
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f] (“pearl of great price”)
[name_f]Mira[/name_f]
[name_f]Sadie[/name_f]
[name_f]Violet[/name_f]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] (could use [name_f]Lila[/name_f] as nn)
[name_f]Rosalind[/name_f]
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f]
[name_u]Waverly[/name_u]
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f]
[name_u]Eden[/name_u]
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] (lots of great nns: [name_f]Celie[/name_f], [name_f]Lia[/name_f], [name_f]Cece[/name_f])
[name_f]Eloise[/name_f]
[name_m]Just[/name_m] some ideas to play around with. I starred my favorites:
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] [name_u]Clare[/name_u]
I like [name_f]Margot[/name_f], [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], and [name_u]London[/name_u] best, in no particular order. [name_f]Camille[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f] and [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f] are great middle names!!
Hmm…
[name_f]Camille[/name_f] - its an elegant choice with a lovely [name_m]French[/name_m] flair, I do prefer [name_f]Camilla[/name_f] though I think it’s prettier and has more spunk.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Camille[/name_f] [name_f]Francesca[/name_f]
[name_f]Camille[/name_f] [name_f]Lark[/name_f]
[name_f]Camille[/name_f] [name_f]Elise[/name_f]
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] - this name is on my forever changing favourite name list it’s beautiful. [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] is strong, romantic, and very classic. I also love the range of nicknames such as [name_f]Ellie[/name_f], [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_f]Elle[/name_f], [name_f]Lena[/name_f], and [name_u]Laney[/name_u]. Great choice!
Suggestions:
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_f]Jade[/name_f]
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_f]Violet[/name_f]
[name_f]Isla[/name_f] - it’s a cool name with a fashionable flair and I honesty wouldn’t worry about pronunciation problems.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Isla[/name_f] [name_f]Delphine[/name_f]
[name_f]Isla[/name_f] [name_u]Blaire[/name_u]
[name_f]Isla[/name_f] [name_f]Posey[/name_f]
[name_f]Leonie[/name_f] - A sweet name with a bouncy European flair. It’s very wholesome and light. But [name_f]Leona[/name_f] could be potentially more grown up.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Leonie[/name_f] [name_f]Rebekah[/name_f]
[name_f]Leonie[/name_f] [name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f]
[name_f]Leonie[/name_f] [name_f]Victoria[/name_f]
[name_f]Lila[/name_f] - Another fabulous choice, [name_f]Lila[/name_f] is really spunky, feminine, and sugary. She’s a great choice similar to [name_f]Isla[/name_f] in sound but I think [name_f]Lila[/name_f] is slightly prettier.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Lila[/name_f] [name_f]Verity[/name_f]
[name_f]Lila[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_f]Lila[/name_f] [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]
[name_u]London[/name_u] - I think as a middle name, [name_u]London[/name_u] works but I wouldn’t use [name_u]London[/name_u] as a first name, I agree that as a first name it’s too Toddlers & Tiaras. Suggestion [name_f]Camilla[/name_f]/[name_f]Camille[/name_f] [name_u]London[/name_u]?
Suggestions:
[name_u]London[/name_u] [name_f]Isabella[/name_f]
[name_u]London[/name_u] [name_f]Fiona[/name_f]
[name_u]London[/name_u] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] - A lovely name with a Danish inspired sound. [name_f]Margot[/name_f] is a great [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] alternative and I wouldn’t worry about pronunciation regarding this choice.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] [name_f]Blythe[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] [name_f]Arabella[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] [name_f]Jasmine[/name_f]
[name_u]Clare[/name_u] - Another lovely name but I prefer [name_f]Claire[/name_f] spelling wise.
Suggestions:
[name_u]Clare[/name_u] [name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_u]Clare[/name_u] [name_f]Iris[/name_f]
[name_u]Clare[/name_u] [name_f]Sienna[/name_f]
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] - A lovely virtue choice with a elegant sound. [name_f]Grace[/name_f] is refreshing as a first name but slightly predictable as a middle name.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f]
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] [name_f]Philomena[/name_f]
[name_f]Grace[/name_f] Lysandra
[name_f]Joy[/name_f] - Yet again another wonderful choice! [name_f]Joy[/name_f] is such a pretty virtue name she sounds vibrant and has a fresh preppy sound. I think [name_f]Joy[/name_f] would be really refreshing.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Joy[/name_f] [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f]
[name_f]Joy[/name_f] [name_f]Viviana[/name_f]
[name_f]Joy[/name_f] [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f]
[name_f]Ruth[/name_f] - This biblical name is very classic and has a soft sound. [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] has a lovely meaning attached ‘compassionate, friend’ and is very sweet. I also love the [name_f]Ruthie[/name_f] nickname.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Ruth[/name_f] [name_f]Giselle[/name_f]
[name_f]Ruth[/name_f] [name_f]Astrid[/name_f]
[name_f]Ruth[/name_f] [name_f]Calantha[/name_f]
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] - A majestic choice with a sweet elegant sound. I also love the [name_u]Allie[/name_u] nickname.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_f]Zara[/name_f]
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_f]Calliope[/name_f]
[name_f]Vivienne[/name_f] - I honestly adore this choice. [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f] is so effortless, beautiful, and demure. I also love the [name_f]Vivi[/name_f] nickname. She’s beautiful.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Vivienne[/name_f] [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Vivienne[/name_f] [name_f]Marja[/name_f]
[name_f]Vivienne[/name_f] [name_f]Petra[/name_f]
[name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] - An intriguing twist on [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] even thought it’s a nice choice. It’s not my favourite on the list.
Suggestions:
[name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Lula[/name_f]
[name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Nina[/name_f]
[name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_u]Wren[/name_u] - A lovely nature inspired choice. Adorable as a middle name.
Suggestions:
[name_u]Wren[/name_u] [name_f]Eloise[/name_f]
[name_u]Wren[/name_u] [name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_u]Wren[/name_u] [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f]
[name_f]Camille[/name_f] - gorgeous and romantic
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] - a vintage name of historic depth and distinction.
[name_f]Leonie[/name_f] - it’s a legitimate [name_m]French[/name_m] name so it’s not just a nickname.
[name_f]Lila[/name_f] - pretty and sweet.
[name_f]Margot[/name_f] - it’s a pretty familiar name so I don’t think pronunciation should be a problem
Oh, wow! Thank you all for the excellent feedback! You’ve made some fabulous first/middle combo suggestions and eased some of my pronunciation fears. This will be a wonderful resource once we’ve narrowed down our list to a top name or two and are trying to narrow middles.
I’m going to run [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f], [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f], and [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] by my husband as first name possibilities, too.
[name_f]Camila[/name_f] (with the middle name [name_u]London[/name_u])
[name_f]Leona[/name_f] (can use nn [name_f]Leonie[/name_f])
[name_f]Ayla[/name_f]
[name_f]Ione[/name_f]
[name_f]Iona[/name_f]
[name_f]Marjorie[/name_f]
…sounds great & lovely image - a lush tropical island comes to mind…