I have a boys list a mile long, but have the hardest time loving girls names. So here’s the naming conundrum…
My son and oldest is [name_m]William[/name_m] [name_u]Ray[/name_u]. 100% family name and [name_m]WAY[/name_m] more common than I prefer, but the significance of honoring family trumped uniqueness when naming him, and having a name that means “resolute protection” and “wise protector” for biggest brother won me over. And wouldn’t you know, we meet lots of [name_m]Liam[/name_m]'s at the playground but have yet to encounter another [name_m]Will[/name_m], my son’s nn.
[name_m]Little[/name_m] sister is [name_f]Verity[/name_f] [name_f]Sakura[/name_f]. My hubs and I knew since dating if we had a daughter she’d have [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] as a mn, despite zero Japanese ancestry. We just love the name, love cherry blossoms, and after spending some time living in [name_f]Asia[/name_f] and [name_m]Washington[/name_m] DC where cherry blossom festivals are a highlight we knew we had to find a first name to pair with it. We searched high and low before coming across [name_f]Verity[/name_f], and we just knew it was our name. It means “truth” and her nickname [name_f]Vera[/name_f] means “faith;” we’re religious so it felt like a perfect way to honor our faith.
[name_u]Baby[/name_u] #3 is coming soon and we’ve named a boy ([name_m]Alastair[/name_m], nn [name_m]Ace[/name_m], with a mn that means “love”… still deciding which that will be), but we can’t find a girl name that seems just right. I feel like I’ve seen every name on nameberry 100x, and am hoping the fresh context of some [name_u]Berry[/name_u] suggestions might help me see a name in new light, or be a new discovery! Meaning is vital; I’m looking for a name that is a hope or prayer for her life (mercy, light, peace, joy, compassion etc). It also must have a nickname, and rather than older, dusty names I prefer girl names that are infrequently heard because they’re truly unique (in the US) not just fallen out of favor. I want to hear with surprise, “oh, that’s a pretty name!” when introducing her, but don’t want a name that she’d be embarrassed to give to a new group in middle school or at a business meeting someday. Some names on the list we’re considering…
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Carys[/name_f] – flower name, and “love.” Nickname [name_f]Lina[/name_f], which means “tender, merciful.” I love that this follows the same theme as [name_f]Vera[/name_f]'s name without being obvious. This is my favorite on the list, but I just can’t decide if I want to give a daughter a name she’ll forever be spelling and have mispronounced. It’s closeness to other words like linear and linea nigra give me pause as well. I love it, but I have reservations. [name_f]Carys[/name_f]/[name_f]Cerys[/name_f] we like a lot but only want to use in the middle because we can’t come up with a nickname from it we like. Really would like to use [name_f]Lina[/name_f]/[name_f]Lena[/name_f] as a nickname for a girl as it’s a family name, so other suggestions welcome. I’ve searched nameberry endlessly and feel like I don’t like any of them or they’re not unusual enough 
[name_f]Amara[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] – “lovely forever, grace” and flower name. Nickname [name_f]Mara[/name_f], which is the biggest drawback of this name, I don’t like that it means “bitter.” It’s actually the only thing holding me back. Buuuut, paired with [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] I could tell myself it means bittersweet, and I’m a big believer some of the best things in life are bittersweet. Again, this gives me pause, and I don’t totally love it.
Another name I could use in fn place is [name_f]Thalia[/name_f]/[name_f]Talia[/name_f]; mn love goes out to [name_f]Nova[/name_f], Larkspur, [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u], and [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f].
So, Berries, can you help me out? Offer opinions or make new suggestions? We can’t ask family because they’d ask us to stay within the top 100 and veto virtually everything outside of it, and geographically we’re not in a creatively named community either so local friends aren’t much help. That’s why our kids must have simple nicknames!
I treasure any input from other mindful namers out there!
Nicknames could be Sery,[name_f]Sera[/name_f], Reny and [name_f]Clary[/name_f], [name_u]Clare[/name_u], [name_f]Rita[/name_f]