Should They Stay or Should They Go? 🌈 [girls]

[seawillow]

Hello, friends!

[name_f][/name_f]

I’ve been struggling with my lists recently as I’ve been liking more and more “normal” names, and I’d love some guidance regarding which of my current favorites I should keep and which I should toss.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]My[/name_f] list currently includes:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] “Evie”
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Cornelia[/name_f] “Cora”
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Ada[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Hazel[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Marigold[/name_f] “Margo”
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Susanna[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Claramae[/name_f] “Clara”
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Willow[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Haven[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Mercy[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Felicity[/name_f] “Celie”
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Glory[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Ruby[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Evelyn[/name_f] “Evie”
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Martha[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Sosie[/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

And my latest crushes:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Adeline[/name_f] “Della”
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Eliza[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Ruth[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Helen[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] “Dottie”
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Winifred[/name_f] “Winnie”
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Fern[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Tabitha[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]Willadora “Willa”

[name_f][/name_f]

All that being said, I have two questions: which of my current names (including crushes) should I keep on my list, particularly if I am focusing on usability? Also, in the same vein, should I keep the longer versions of my favorite names, or stick with the nicknames as full names? I.e., [name_f]Cora[/name_f] instead of [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f]?

[tallemaja]

All of these names seem very “normal” and usable to me, except maybe [name_f]Glory[/name_f]? [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f], Willadora and [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f] are dramatic, but I don’t think that necessarily means they’re less usable. [name_f]My[/name_f] own favourites are Willadora, [name_f]Sosie[/name_f], [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], [name_f]Claramae[/name_f] and [name_f]Marigold[/name_f], I find them quite fun!

[readingreverie]

Focusing on usability for the first part of my answer…

The ones I think are 100% usable: Lucy, Evangeline “Evie,” Cornelia “Cora,” Ada, Hazel, Willow, Felicity “Celie,” Ruby, Evelyn “Evie,” Adeline “Della,” Eliza, Rose, and Dorothea “Dottie.”

The ones I think are 80+% usable: Marigold “Margo,” Susanna, Claramae “Clara,” Martha, Sosie, Ruth, Helen, Winifred “Winnie,” Fern, Alice, and Tabitha.

The one’s I’m apprehensive about: Haven, Mercy, Glory, and Wiladora “Willa.”

Ultimately, I think you should keep all of these on your list! The ones I said I thought were 80+% usable are the ones that I think are just slightly braver/more surprising for a baby, but overall all of them are still normal, in my opinion. The ones I said I’d be apprehensive about mostly fell under that category for personal preferences (Haven, Mercy, and Glory all feel religious, and I am not, but I’d also not want to give my child a name I think is super tied to religion even if I was religious, because if they were not, they might be uncomfortable with such a name. Willadora because I think both Willa and Dora are a bit unexpected compared to that of Claramae, and it reminds me a lot of the name “Winn-Dixie” ). Those are all personal reasons, so those are only “unusable qualities/cons” that you’d have to weigh and decide on if they matter for yourself.

Focusing on nicknames or longer versions for the second part of my answer…

Personally, I think that’s case-by-case. If you love Cora just as much as you love Cornelia, than I’d put Cora on the list too. I’d also look at it from a “If my partner didn’t like the full name, would I be happy with only using the nickname?” For me, that would look like keeping both Sylvia and Sylvie on my list for girls and Hugh and Hugo for boys as I like both names seperate and together. With using the second consideration option, I’d probably not be happy to settle with using just Aggie instead of Agatha or Agnes for my daughter, so I would keep it as a nickname or I would be happy to settle with Birdie if my partner didn’t like Bernadette, so they would go seperate. If your list was mine, I’d list Claramae and Clara seperate, but keep Cornelia and Cora together as I love Clara on its own just as much as Claramae, but only love Cora as a puzzle-piece to Cornelia

Hope this helps, friend! Have a great day

[ashthedreamer]

All your names feel infinitely usable and incredibly cohesive, girl… I think it’s just a matter of picking what you like best! [name_f][/name_f] And I think it depends on the nicknames—I prefer [name_f]Cora[/name_f] as-is but most of the others I prefer as nicknames. [name_f][/name_f] I do think I would combine [name_f]Susanna[/name_f] and [name_f]Sosie[/name_f] to do [name_f]Susanna[/name_f] nn [name_f]Sosie[/name_f]! [name_f][/name_f] She’s one of my favorite nns for [name_f]Susanna[/name_f]. [name_f][/name_f] She could work on her own but I can’t really see [name_f]Susanna[/name_f] and [name_f]Sosie[/name_f] as sisters, they feel too similar with all the s’s and vowels. [name_f][/name_f] (Even [name_f]Glory[/name_f] feels very usable to me, I know a little [name_f]Harper[/name_f] Gl0ry who goes by both names and I think it’s a beautiful name.)

[name_f][/name_f]

Only ones I would personally ax are:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Claramae[/name_f] (don’t love the smooshed double barrel with no hyphen, space, or capital letter for the second half… it’s obviously just personal style but I think [name_f]Clara[/name_f] [name_f]Mae[/name_f] or Clara-Mae looks cleaner)
[name_f][/name_f]Willadora (just don’t love [name_m]Will[/name_m] names in general and I’m tired of Willa… but it’s a fine name in general)

[name_f][/name_f]

I’d also pick between [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] and [name_f]Evelyn[/name_f], I like [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] myself, but both are nice names.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Adeline[/name_f] “Della”, [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] “Evie”, Susanna/Sosie, [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Ruth[/name_f], [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], and [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] are my favorites—I don’t love [name_f]Winifred[/name_f] but love [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] a ton and [name_f]Winifred[/name_f] is so you!

[name_f][/name_f]

However your list changes, I’m sure it’ll be beautiful and meaningful, because it always is. [name_f][/name_f]

[Greyblue]

With usability in mind, I’d keep:

Lucy
Evangeline “Evie”
Cornelia “Cora”
Ada
Hazel
Marigold “Margo”
Susanna
Claramae “Clara”
Willow
Felicity “Celie”
Ruby
Martha
Adeline “Della”
Eliza
Rose
Helen
Dorothea “Dottie”
Winifred “Winnie”
Fern
Alice
Tabitha

I’m in two minds on:

Willadora “Willa”
Sosie
Haven

I think they’re usable but less familiar but Willadora feels more unusual, Sosie stands out as a nickname and Haven feels very contemporary next to classics like Haven. I do love all of them though, and could easily imagine them being used

I’d keep the longer forms of your favorites - none of them are outlandish or unusable so unless you genuinely like just the nickname more, I’d keep the long form

[tori101]

Such lovely names!

I’m going to focus on usability in relation to my response.

I would say these names are 100% usable: Lucy, Evangeline, Ada, Hazel, Willow, Adeline, Felicity, Ruby, Alice, Evelyn, Eliza, Rose & Fern.

I would say these are 80% usable: Susanna, Claramae, Martha & Tabitha

I would say these are 70% usable:

Cornelia ~ I think just Cora is more usable only because Cornelia feels a little off the beaten path and I could foresee ‘corny’ jokes.

Glory ~ I actually know Glory’s it’s a name that Nigerian Christians do use however maybe doesn’t feel that universal. I think Gloria is more usable.

Marigold ~ love this name but we have marigold gloves in the UK and whenever I say Marigold the gloves come up.

Sosie ~ I think this name will be mistaken for Susie

Dorothea/Winifred ~ I adore both and have encountered Winifred’s but they do feel very grand and could be interrupted as OTT.

Willadora ~ I’ve never encountered this name she’s gorgeous but could be seen as a little too whimsy.

Mercy/Haven ~ they are very direct virtue names which may appear to be a bit much in comparison to other more mainstream virtues like Hope or Verity.

However despite all this commentary above I think you should keep all these names on your list as they are all beautiful. Furthermore people are named such a wide variety of names nowadays the bracket for usability has widened for sure. Why can’t a Willadora go to school with a River? Why can’t Florence’s best friend be Dorothea? What makes Verity acceptable but not Mercy? Honestly I think all names aside from ones that a glaring to much are absolutely fine and usable!

[EloiseT]

A cohesive and textured set!

I agree with the others, all of them are usable as firsts except probably Glory (in most contexts, a middle only). There are some I don’t warm as much to - because I think the (1870s-1910s, turn of century) genre has been around for a while now & they’re anyway a little too cumbersome for me:

Dorothea
Winifred
Willadora (I love Willa & Willow, and don’t mind Willamina but this is I “will adore her” to me)
Adeline - much prefer Adelaide (could nn Ada - or Laidy or Daisy) or Marceline
Claramae - I’m not a Mae fan, much prefer Clara-May or just Clara.
Cornelia - Cordelia is easier - avoids “corny”

I like the idea of Susanna nn Sosie as others have suggested.

Willa and Clara are the only ones whose nicknames I would almost certainly use over their longer versions.

I love tailored and often slightly unsettling names, so my faves of your list (fwiw) are Rose, Ruth, Helen, Martha, and for some flourish, I really like Evangeline, Tabitha & Ruby.

[Maria_Bennett]

Most usable:
Lucy
Evangeline “Evie”
Hazel
Susanna
Felicity “Celie”
Ruby
Evelyn “Evie”
Ada
Martha
Adeline “Della”
Helen
Rose
Alice
Cornelia “Cora”

I think you should stick with the full version plus nickname, as it gives you two favorite names in one. However, with Claramae, I like just Clara (maybe with the middle name Mae or a double barrel first name: ClaraMae, Clara-Mae, Clara Mae) Willadora also feels a little made up/fantastical.

[Jesuslovesyou316]

Ones I like: [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], [name_f]Tabitha[/name_f], [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], Dorothea/Dottie (so so cute), [name_f]Ada[/name_f], [name_f]Susanna[/name_f], [name_f]Cora[/name_f] (I just don’t like the name Cornelia), [name_f]Haven[/name_f], [name_f]Della[/name_f], Margot/Margo (I personally prefer the spelling of Margot)

[name_f][/name_f]

Meh: [name_f]Ruby[/name_f], [name_f]Adeline[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Helen[/name_f], [name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

Dislikes: [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], [name_f]Claramae[/name_f], [name_f]Willow[/name_f], [name_f]Fern[/name_f], Willadora, [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], [name_f]Martha[/name_f], [name_f]Sosie[/name_f], [name_f]Marigold[/name_f], [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f], [name_f]Glory[/name_f], [name_f]Winifred[/name_f]

[Janey17]

I do feel 99% are useable but if you were keeping 2 I’d pick:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Martha[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Alice[/name_f]

[seawillow]

Hey, friends! Sorry for the delay in replies!

[name_f][/name_f]

@tallemaja[name_f][/name_f], [name_f]Maya[/name_f], [name_f]Glory[/name_f] was actually the name that inspired this post, as I always thought that it was in the unusual-but-usable category until I came across an online group talking about how a girl called [name_f]Glory[/name_f] would be made fun of, and it completely changed the way I saw my lists. I understand people having something to say about a word name like [name_f]Hallelujah[/name_f], but [name_f]Glory[/name_f] felt so safe to me. Anyways! Thank you so much for your feedback. I’m glad that most of my names feel usable to you, especially [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f], which has been one of my favorites for close to a decade.

[name_f][/name_f]

@readingreverie[name_f][/name_f], [name_f]Mollie[/name_f], thank you so very much for your thoughtful reply – that helps a lot! The thing about my names is that I won’t be having children, so it ultimately doesn’t matter how usable they are, but I still worry about it because I will always find something to worry about! [name_f][/name_f] Willadora is one that I am always a bit apprehensive about, so I think this may be a sign to let her go. And I am so with you on the nickname thing! I love both [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f] and [name_f]Claramae[/name_f] unto themselves, so I think I will be keeping both of those. I’ve been falling out of love with [name_f]Mercy[/name_f] and [name_f]Glory[/name_f], so I’m wondering if perhaps they might need to go, too. Thank you again for your kind words and for taking the time to help me with this. I appreciate it more than you could know.

[name_f][/name_f]

@ashthedreamer[name_f][/name_f], oh, thank you so much, dear friend! Your words are such a comfort. [name_f]Susanna[/name_f] “Sosie” is brilliant! I can’t believe I’ve never thought of that. I completely see what you mean about [name_f]Claramae[/name_f] and Willadora. I love a good smoosh name, but I do wonder if perhaps they are more of a hassle than it’s worth, particularly with Willadora? I’ll have to think about it. And I completely agree about [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] v. [name_f]Evelyn[/name_f]! [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] has been one of my favorite names since I was a little girl, and [name_f]Evelyn[/name_f] is a newer love after being lukewarm about her for years, so I think she may be better in the middle name spot so that [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] is my only “Evie” name, because I truly think [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] is one of the most perfect names to exist.

[name_f][/name_f]

@Greyblue[name_f][/name_f], [name_f]Nell[/name_f], thank you ever so much! This was beyond helpful and I appreciate the time you took to help me with this so much. I’m definitely with you on [name_f]Sosie[/name_f] as a full name, as well as Willadora, which I’ve always been very hot-and-cold on. [name_f]Haven[/name_f] is so tricky for me because she’s so different from my other name loves, but I absolutely adore her. It’s one of those names that always just makes me smile. Perhaps I should consider her as a middle name? That may be a perfect compromise. Something like [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] [name_f]Haven[/name_f] would be so lovely. And thank you for your thoughts on my nickname versus full name dilemma – that helps a lot as I attempt to navigate which names I truly love.

[name_f][/name_f]

@tori101[name_f][/name_f], [name_f]Tori[/name_f], thank you so much for your time and feedback, dear! Your breakdown of these names is so, so helpful. I totally see what you mean about [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f]. That one is so tough for me because [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f] is one of my favorite names of all-time, but I know that I’m one of the only people who actually finds it pretty, and I’m not quite sure how to reckon with that. I do think that [name_f]Sosie[/name_f] will be relegated to the nickname spot after reading everyone’s thoughts, and I believe I will be parting with Willadora as well. In terms of [name_f]Haven[/name_f] and [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], I’m wondering if I should toy around with them as middle names? Something like [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] [name_f]Mercy[/name_f] could be fun. And thank you for their kind words about make usability! They are such a comfort and I do think that as society is venturing out into choosing more and more “unusual” names, those names are becoming more usable as time passes.

[name_f][/name_f]

@EloiseT[name_f][/name_f], your point about Willadora sounding like “will adore her” is something that never occurred to me but know that I hear it, you are absolutely correct! [name_f]Adeline[/name_f] is a tough one for me because I love the [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] [name_m]Woolf[/name_m] reference, but [name_f]Ada[/name_f] is already in my top five and I wonder if there are better names out there. And I completely see what you mean about [name_f]Winifred[/name_f], [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f], and their geeky-vintage ilk. I often tussle between [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] and [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] as my “Dottie” name, and I wonder if perhaps I should give more consideration to [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], as she seems a bit easier to wear? I’m not quite sure. [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f] and [name_f]Claramae[/name_f] are ones that I need to give more thought to, as I do absolutely adore [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Cora[/name_f] as full names, and having the full names be so unusual may be more trouble than it’s worth. Thank you so much for your time and feedback! It is so appreciated.

[name_f][/name_f]

@Maria_Bennett[name_f][/name_f], [name_f]Maria[/name_f], thank you very much for your response! This is so helpful. I do love a longer full name with a sweet nickname, as I completely agree that it gives you the best of both worlds. I think the true test will be deciding if I love the full name and nickname equally when it comes down to deciding which names should stay and which should go. And I completely see what you’re saying about Willadora! I think I will stick with [name_f]Willow[/name_f], as I like that one better anyway, and it feels much more usable. I’m so glad to se you think [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f] is usable! That just warms my heart.

[name_f][/name_f]

@Jesuslovesyou316[name_f][/name_f], thank you for your feedback! I actually also prefer the “Margot” spelling, but I was weary of using it as [name_f]Marigold[/name_f] doesn’t have a “T” in it. I wonder if I should find a different nickname for her, then? Again, thank you for taking the time to respond. I’m especially glad to see some love for [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f], as that one is so polarizing and most people aren’t a fan.

[name_f][/name_f]

@Janey17[name_f][/name_f], thank you so much for your response! I’m so glad that you think [name_f]Martha[/name_f] is usable. I absolutely love that name (obviously!) but it seems that not a lot of people agree that it’s usable and/or pretty, so it’s lovely to know that someone else does like it. It’s also such a joy that you picked [name_f]Alice[/name_f] out of the bunch – I’ve always loved the name, but its phonological similarity to “Alex” has always put me off of it.

[Greyblue]

[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]

@seawillow

[name_f][/name_f]

Something like Dorothea[name_f][/name_f] Haven[name_f][/name_f] would be so lovely

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

I love that!!!

[Kipperbo1]

[name_f]Every[/name_f] one of these names feels usable to me! I would say that a few of them might cause spelling confusion at the most, like [name_f]Claramae[/name_f] and Willadora as they might be assumed to be separate names, but one correction would probably do the trick perfectly.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]My[/name_f] other thought usability wise is that certain full name + nickname pairings might not catch on as intuitively and might require a little more effort on your part, like [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] “Celie” and [name_f]Marigold[/name_f] “Margo” [name_f][/name_f]— but again a quick reminder would solve that problem!

[name_f][/name_f]

I know many Berries are team “name them what you will call them”, but personally I love an unexpected full name. One consideration, is how do you feel about the other intuitive nicknames that come with the full name? Would it bother you if [name_f]Adeline[/name_f] was called [name_f]Addie[/name_f] in school instead of [name_f]Della[/name_f], or if Willadora decided to go by [name_f]Billie[/name_f] or [name_f]Dora[/name_f] instead of [name_f]Willa[/name_f]?

[name_f][/name_f]

Now for my personal favorites from your list:
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Ada[/name_f], [name_f]Marigold[/name_f], [name_f]Susanna[/name_f], [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], [name_f]Sosie[/name_f], [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Winifred[/name_f], [name_f]Fern[/name_f], and [name_f]Alice[/name_f]

[ashthedreamer]

[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]

@seawillow

[name_f][/name_f]

@ashthedreamer[name_f][/name_f], oh, thank you so much, dear friend! Your words are such a comfort. Susanna[name_f][/name_f] “Sosie” is brilliant! I can’t believe I’ve never thought of that. I completely see what you mean about Claramae[name_f][/name_f] and Willadora. I love a good smoosh name, but I do wonder if perhaps they are more of a hassle than it’s worth, particularly with Willadora? I’ll have to think about it. And I completely agree about Evangeline[name_f][/name_f] v. Evelyn[name_f][/name_f]! Evangeline[name_f][/name_f] has been one of my favorite names since I was a little girl, and Evelyn[name_f][/name_f] is a newer love after being lukewarm about her for years, so I think she may be better in the middle name spot so that Evangeline[name_f][/name_f] is my only “Evie” name, because I truly think Evangeline[name_f][/name_f] is one of the most perfect names to exist.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

I’m glad you like [name_f]Susanna[/name_f] nn [name_f]Sosie[/name_f]! [name_f][/name_f] If I used [name_f]Susanna[/name_f], that would probably be the nn I’d use (or one of the top 3, I also love [name_f]Annie[/name_f] & Anja).

[name_f][/name_f]

I’m much less opposed to Willadora than I am [name_f]Claramae[/name_f] for some reason, but I saw you mentioned to someone else you’re axing her… [name_f][/name_f] what’s your [name_f]Willow[/name_f] combo? [name_f][/name_f] Could you do something like [name_f]Willow[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] nn Willadora? [name_f][/name_f] I think that would be really fun, actually.

[name_f][/name_f]

And yes, I have that problem with Eve/Eva/Evie [name_f][/name_f]- I could probably fill up my whole list with variants of [name_f]Eve[/name_f] (Eve, [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f], [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f], Eva) & [name_f]Adele[/name_f] (Adeline, [name_f]Adeliza[/name_f], [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f], [name_f]Adele[/name_f], [name_f]Adelia[/name_f], [name_f]Adalia[/name_f], Adela) if I let myself. [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] is so[name_f][/name_f] special, she feels so you.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Just[/name_m] want to say too, if you love Cornelia… [name_f][/name_f] don’t ax her. [name_f][/name_f] She fits so well with [name_f]Susanna[/name_f] and [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] and you can just as easily use [name_f]Cora[/name_f] as a nn as a standalone. [name_f][/name_f] Plus I do like that she reminds me of [name_m]Cornelius[/name_m] in Acts… [name_f][/name_f] I’m rather partial to his story after seeing AD: The Bible Continues years ago. [name_f][/name_f] I’m so fascinated by his character which is why I love [name_m]Cornelius[/name_m] for a boy… [name_f][/name_f] but I do always think of him whenever I see [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f] on your list. [name_f][/name_f] I’m not a huge fan of [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] either, so it’s a preference thing, but she does feel perfect for you! [name_f][/name_f] There have been other berries to use [name_f]Cornelia[/name_f] so unless you have a really strong reason not to… [name_f][/name_f] I would keep her. [name_f][/name_f]