We’re expecting our second little girl in about 8 weeks… and can’t decide on a name! Our 2 year old’s name is [name]Fiona[/name] [name]Helen[/name] ([name]Helen[/name] was my maternal grandmother’s name) and our last name is very Irish - starts with O’.
We like older names, unusual without being too out there. My husband doesn’t like gender-neutral names. I’m not a nickname person - I tend to use people’s full first names, but realize that others will use nicknames so want to think something out that as well).
We’re torn between another Celtic-type name that would go well with our last name (like [name]Maeve[/name]) or giving up on that and selecting a different name all together. Middle name will likely be [name]Patricia[/name] in honor of my Aunt who passed away the day after we found out we were expecting this little one.
Would love your opinons on the following and also other suggestions!
Well, I have a [name]Maeve[/name], so that’s my vote! Another suggestion is [name]Mira[/name] (could also spell [name]Meara[/name] for your Celtic connections). My name is [name]Erin[/name] and I have an O’… last name as well and I get tonnes of complements on it. I know some consider [name]Erin[/name] to be dated (I was born in the '70s) but it is coming back onto the scene. It is particularly growing in [name]Scotland[/name], and perhaps [name]Ireland[/name]? But I’m not overly certain, since I’m Canadian.
Good luck! Also, [name]Beatrix[/name] is one of my favourites, and I love [name]Imogen[/name] and [name]Elora[/name]. You have great taste!
[name]Maeve[/name] [name]Patricia[/name] is fantastic! [name]Maeve[/name] seems like the ‘obvious’ choice with [name]Fiona[/name], and I think it’s a gorgeous name. I do love [name]Eloise[/name] and [name]Vivian[/name], too, but [name]Maeve[/name] ‘clicks’, I think.
I agree that [name]Maeve[/name] feels perfect with [name]Fiona[/name]. Look at the popularity for your state, though, if you are concerned about your name feeling unusual. I know in MA, where I live, it’s in the 50’s(!) while nationwide it isn’t even in the top 500.
Thanks so much everyone! We didn’t have nearly this amount of trouble naming our first daughter
Great suggestion to look popularity by state - a stat wouldn’t have even thought was available!
We had also tossed around [name]Brigid[/name], but just weren’t mad over it. I did take a moment of pause about both [name]Beatrix[/name] and [name]Brigid[/name] giving her intials of [name]BO[/name]… do people worry about initials?
I like all your choices and [name]Maeve[/name] is fine if you want to stay with a Celtic feel. [name]Beatrix[/name] and [name]Vivian[/name] are on my long list but I can see the appeal of [name]Maeve[/name], although I prefer [name]Mavis[/name].
As for [name]BO[/name], maybe an issue but wouldn’t it be BPO?
I think that [name]Eloise[/name] [name]Patricia[/name] goes perfectly with [name]Fiona[/name] [name]Helen[/name]. I also think [name]Beatrix[/name] would work well!
I have a [name]Fiona[/name], too. Personally, I disagree with everyone saying [name]Maeve[/name]. I think [name]Maeve[/name] would be jealous of [name]Fiona[/name], since I think [name]Fiona[/name] is a “pretty girl” name and [name]Maeve[/name]… isn’t At least to me! I like [name]Eloise[/name], but I love [name]Elora[/name]. It goes perfectly with [name]Fiona[/name]. They’re both melodic sounding, feminine, delicate, and I can hear “[name]Fiona[/name] and [name]Elora[/name] are coming over!” and it just sounds right to me.
Thanks to all! I think we’ve reached an agreement at home… complete with a change in middle name to one that will honor my husband’s grandmother.
I feel such a relief once we can stop debating names back and forth. My mother, of course, doesn’t like our choice, but I expected that. We don’t typically share with family or friends our final choice because I think people are more likely to say that they don’t like a name when the baby hasn’t yet arrived! But my mom needs time for the name to sink in, so I told her today. She didn’t like [name]Fiona[/name] at first either, but loves it now.
I prefer [name]Eloise[/name] or [name]Vivian[/name], [name]Brigit[/name] is beautiful as well. I wouldn’t worry about the initials [name]BO[/name], as someone said it would be BPO, and it’s not very obvious/offensive.
ETA: I sort of agree that [name]Maeve[/name] isn’t a “pretty” name like [name]Fiona[/name]. Sorry I know I’m in the minority there, as it’s a popular name in this forum.
I couldn’t help but post, [name]Vivian[/name] [name]James[/name] is my 5 year old and her sister, [name]Fiona[/name] [name]Glenn[/name] was born last year. I wanted to compliment your taste in names!
At least to me! I like [name]Eloise[/name], but I love [name]Elora[/name]. It goes perfectly with [name]Fiona[/name]. They’re both melodic sounding, feminine, delicate, and I can hear “[name]Fiona[/name] and [name]Elora[/name] are coming over!” and it just sounds right to me.
I know I’m in the minority there, as it’s a popular name in this forum.