Sorting out my favourites list - Lelia? Coriander?

Girl Names
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I’ve been sorting out my favourites list and was hoping to hear some of you wonderful namers’ opinions on the following, as first names. I tend to prefer unusual names, and as you’ll see I also have a soft spot for floral and vintage virtue names.

First names :
[name]Lelia[/name] - I know this is a nn for [name]Cecilia[/name]. I normally don’t care for nns as full first names, but I think both [name]Cecilia[/name] and the nn [name]Lelia[/name] are unusual enough for it not to matter that her name would be [name]Just[/name] [name]Lelia[/name]? I much prefer this to [name]Cecilia[/name], although I do like the style of the full name. What do you think?
Coriander
[name]Aretha[/name]
[name]Jubilee[/name] - I’m concerned that this would get caught up in the current trend of -lee endings, although I won’t be having children for around ten years.
[name]Isolde[/name] (iz-OLD-uh)
Hekate (HE-ca-tee) - the name of a Greek goddess … but also the name of one of the witches in Macbeth.
[name]Juniper[/name]
[name]Agatha[/name]
Providence
[name]Marjorie[/name] - I normally really dislike J sounds in girls’ names … but something about the feel, and especially the look, of this one charms me. Would it be mean to give this name to a little girl?
Ermengarde - ditto my above question about being mean. I like it, but so many other people think it’s ugly. But then again, I think some names are ugly which lots of other people like, so should I let that stop me? It’s all a matter of taste, anyway.

Other names I like, but cannot use for one reason or another (to give you an idea of my style) :
[name]Virtue[/name]
[name]Lark[/name]
[name]Apolline[/name]/[name]Pollyanna[/name] nn [name]Polly[/name]
[name]Annora[/name] nn [name]Nora[/name]
[name]Clover[/name]
[name]Pansy[/name]
[name]Plum[/name]
[name]Silence[/name]
[name]Thisbe[/name] (THIZ-bee).

Suggestions are welcome!

[name]Auburn[/name]

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[name]Hi[/name]! Your list is SO cool,

[name]Lelia[/name] - I didn’t know about this being a nickname for [name]Cecilia[/name] and I wouldn’t have thought that it would be a nickname for anything, like an [name]Abby[/name] I know where everyone assumes that her full name is [name]Abigail[/name] but it isn’t. I think it is really pretty, but I think it would get confused for the more popular [name]Leila[/name].

Coriander - This was the reason I clicked on your post :slight_smile: I read a book quite a few years ago called ‘I, Coriander’ and I have loved it as a name ever since, but recently I have forgotten it, it is now firmly back on my list. I love nature-y names I just think this is fabulous. I also love [name]Basil[/name] for a boy.

[name]Aretha[/name] - When I first looked at it I did think of [name]Aretha[/name] [name]Franklin[/name] straight away, but I do think [name]Aretha[/name] is great; spunky, feminine and still familiar enough not to have any pronunciation problems.

[name]Jubilee[/name] - This is really cool, I’m not sure it would get caught up in the -lee trend because for the most part I think they are usually two syllables and I did notice that on the popularity list for [name]Britain[/name], the first -lee name is [name]Ashlee[/name] at 546, also [name]Jubilee[/name] is a recognised word so its not like it looks made up. I think [name]Jubilee[/name] sounds really happy and fun.

[name]Isolde[/name] (iz-OLD-uh) - Really nice, after [name]Isobel[/name] (I know stupidly popular!) this is my favourite Is- name. I hate how I group all of the -Is names together though. So vintage and different and really, really, cool.

Hekate (HE-ca-tee) - I am a huge fan of Greek names and I do like Hekate but I know nobody would pronounce it right first time round, which is a real shame because Hekate is brilliant. I don’t think the Macbeth connection is too bad because she might never learn about Macbeth and if she does, I don’t think anything really bad could come from it, as long as you aren’t naming her after a witch.

[name]Juniper[/name] - Amazing, such an upbeat name, I do wonder how well it would age but then again I do think people grow into their names whatever they are. I think, despite the film, I love [name]Juno[/name] more, but thats just me.

[name]Agatha[/name] - [name]Love[/name] so much, [name]Aggie[/name] is such a brilliant nickname but the [name]Agatha[/name] is awesome all on its own too. Can’t really fault thid one!

Providence - Sorry, not a fan! I just don’t feel like it could work as a name, I do want to like it though, especially as I love some of the virtue names ending in the same way. DOes it have a special meaning to you or is it just the sound?

[name]Marjorie[/name] - I think [name]Marjorie[/name] is great, just not that cool. I don’t think I would want to be called [name]Marjorie[/name] and thats the only real reason why it isn’t on my list. I’m also not sure if the nn [name]Marj[/name]/[name]Marge[/name] can be helped, and I don’t really like that.

Ermengarde- I don’t love it, it sort of reminds me of Ermintrude from The [name]Magic[/name] Roundabout which I like better. I don’t think you should stop liking it because other people don’t like it, everyone has different tastes and if they didn’t life would be so boring. Depending on who it was, I think it could be really cool.

Suggestions:
[name]Agnes[/name]
[name]Tabitha[/name]
[name]Prudence[/name]
[name]Patience[/name]
[name]Hebe[/name]
[name]Siri[/name]
[name]Calista[/name]
[name]Clarence[/name] (I know this technically falls into the ‘geezer names for girls’ catergory which I know hardly anyone here on nameberry is a fan of, [name]Clarence[/name] my exception and I thought since it ends similarly to Providence you might like it)
[name]Twila[/name]
[name]Capucine[/name]
[name]Tansy[/name]
[name]Victoire[/name]
[name]Coralie[/name]
[name]Ondine[/name]
[name]Kerensa[/name]
[name]Verbena[/name]
[name]Jonquil[/name]
[name]Amaryllis[/name]
Celandine
[name]Mariposa[/name]
[name]Saffron[/name]
[name]Magdalen[/name]
[name]Alouette[/name]

I’m probably way off with a lot of them, but I hope you find some you like in there :slight_smile:

~[name]Elena[/name]

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[name]Thisbe[/name] is gorgeous. Unfortunately, it sounds as if you need a Speech Language Pathologist when you say it. I really like it on paper, though.

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[name]Annora[/name] (nn [name]Nora[/name]) is beautiful. I considered this – so pretty and unique.

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I REALLY like [name]Lelia[/name]. I have never heard it before but I think it’s lovely. A lot of people may pronounce it wrong and if that doesn’t bother you, I think it would be a great name to use. Personally, it doesn’t bother me, people should only need to be corrected once then they will get it.

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[name]Lelia[/name] - Not sure. Prefer it to [name]Cecelia[/name] though.
Coriander - No. I love it as a herb but not for a child.
[name]Aretha[/name] - No
[name]Jubilee[/name] - I like it. A bit different and i don’t connect it to the lee names.
[name]Isolde[/name] (iz-OLD-uh) - Beautiful
Hekate (HE-ca-tee) - Straight away thought of witch in Macbeth.
[name]Juniper[/name] - Beautiful. [name]Love[/name] it!
[name]Agatha[/name] - Nice but a bit harsh sounding.
Providence - OK. I kind of like it but I am unsure. I think it could grow on me.
[name]Marjorie[/name] - [name]Adore[/name] it! Something i would never have thought of. Would be beautiful on a little girl.
Ermengarde - Sounds harsh. Not a fan! Yes i would even say this would be a little mean!!

[name]Auburn[/name], I would also like to commend you on the feedback you give others. The comments and feedback you give are usually spot on in my opinion.

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[name]Lelia[/name] - Its nice but she will be called, [name]Lily[/name], [name]Lyla[/name], [name]Layla[/name]…
Coriander- hey why not people name their kids [name]Basil[/name] and has a cute nn [name]Corey[/name]
[name]Aretha[/name]- nice
[name]Jubilee[/name] - I do not think this will become pop also dont like it
[name]Isolde[/name] (iz-OLD-uh)- really like this name I met a very cute twin girl w this name BUT when i say it fast it sounds like " IS OLD"
Hekate- [name]Love[/name] the history behind it but i see Tecate like the beer
[name]Juniper[/name]- super cute love nn possibilities
[name]Agatha[/name]- Very nice
Providence- no
[name]Marjorie[/name] - Nothing wrong with it just not that special, I feel the same about [name]Mary[/name]
[name]Ermengard[/name]- sound very masculine and like a type of adhesive for dentures.

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Thank you for the replies everyone!

@merylp and [name]Elena[/name] - that”s my one worry about [name]Lelia[/name] - that she will get caught up in the popularity of double L names at the moment, even though I doubt [name]Lelia[/name] itself will become popular.

@missbsmum - thank you! I”m glad you agree with my comments. I find yours really helpful, too.

@[name]Elena[/name] - thank you! You definitely have my taste nailed - several of the names on your list are ones I really like, and some are on my long list (as opposed to this list, which is my not-so-short short list!). Some of the ones I really like are [name]Ondine[/name], [name]Alouette[/name], [name]Mariposa[/name] and [name]Coralie[/name]. I also like [name]Saffron[/name], and love the idea of the unusual floral choices like Celandine, [name]Amaryllis[/name] and [name]Verbena[/name]. [name]Capucine[/name] is the sweetest name, and I only wish it reminded me less of cappuccinos! [name]Siri[/name] and [name]Twila[/name] are new ones for me, but both sound adorable.

I”ve nixed Ermengarde and [name]Marjorie[/name], as while I still find them quirky I agree with [name]Elena[/name] that I”m not sure I would like my first name to be [name]Marjorie[/name]/Ermengarde, and so I don”t think I should give another person that first name.

I”ve also nixed Providence, as although it does have nice meaning for me religion-wise, I”m wary of giving a clearly religious name to a child who may not be. I suppose by the same logic I should rule out [name]Jubilee[/name], but somehow it seems less obviously religious to me, like it could just be proclaiming non-religious happiness and celebration. I also worry that it sounds like ”jubbly” when said without particular care, as in ”lovely jubbly” (think Only Fools and Horses). I don”t know whether the [name]Jubilee[/name] [name]Line[/name] on the Underground here connection would bother me, either.

I”m dithering over [name]Aretha[/name], as I like the name and love the connection, but I”m not sure if I really love the name as much as I love some of my other choices. I”m also not sure about Hekate, although I really like it I don”t think it”s my favourite of the list.

So my edited list (thank you so much for helping!) is :
[name]Lelia[/name]
Coriander
[name]Isolde[/name]
[name]Jubilee[/name] (perhaps)
[name]Juniper[/name]
[name]Agatha[/name].

Any comments or favourites?

Thank you again!

[name]Auburn[/name]

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[name]Isolde[/name] and [name]Juniper[/name] are my favorites from your updated list.

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I really like [name]Juniper[/name] and [name]Lelia[/name]! I don’t think people will ask what [name]Lelia[/name] is short for, I never knew it was a nickname for [name]Cecilia[/name], so I think it could stand alone. [name]Jubilee[/name] I’m torn on-I think it sounds really cute, and it reminds me of a very yummy desert, but I don’t know if it could translate well as a name, or work too well on, let’s say, a 30-40 year old woman. I read a book where the main character’s name is [name]Jubilee[/name] and she says she thinks it’s a stripper name! [name]Julie[/name]/[name]Jules[/name] (I actually really like the nn [name]Jules[/name]) could be a possible nickname, or [name]Billie[/name], but I don’t like that one very much.

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[name]Lelia[/name] - I prefer [name]Cecilia[/name] in full, although I’m digging [name]Lelia[/name]. Note that there will be many [name]Lily[/name]'s/etc. with double L’s, so if you used [name]Cecilia[/name] with the nn [name]Lelia[/name], there would be something to fall back on.
Coriander - [name]Love[/name] this!! (As long as it isn’t tarnished with the [name]Cori[/name]/etc. nn–if anything, I’d use [name]Ria[/name] or [name]Annie[/name].)
[name]Aretha[/name] - Automatically, I thought of [name]Aretha[/name] [name]Franklin[/name]. It’d be like using [name]Madonna[/name] or [name]Elvis[/name]. [name]Aurelia[/name] and [name]Alethea[/name] have similar sounds.
[name]Jubilee[/name] - I think this is kind of cute. I’d call her [name]Jules[/name] or [name]Billy[/name] for short. Great meaning, too!
[name]Isolde[/name] - I love the story behind this one–kind of like calling your kid [name]Juliet[/name], or any tragically romantic heroine, for that matter.
Hekate (HE-ca-tee) - it looks too harsh to me.
[name]Juniper[/name] - Another Coriander-esque choice. Great path to nn [name]June[/name], anyone? (:
[name]Agatha[/name] - Has grown on me.
Providence - Quite a lot to harness on a child…
[name]Marjorie[/name] - I think this is beautiful! Also a nice alternative to all the [name]Mallory[/name]'s I’ve met.
Ermengarde - Hmm… If you really like this name, I’d go with one of two things: either use it as a mn, or use the shorter [name]Erma[/name] as the fn, and nn her [name]Em[/name]/[name]Emmy[/name] to balance it out.

Other names I like, but cannot use for one reason or another (to give you an idea of my style) :
[name]Virtue[/name]- Try [name]Verena[/name], [name]Remember[/name], [name]Felicity[/name].
[name]Lark[/name]- Try [name]Clark[/name], [name]Birdie[/name] (can be short for [name]Bridget[/name], etc.), Kestrel.
[name]Apolline[/name]/[name]Pollyanna[/name] nn [name]Polly[/name]- Try [name]Sally[/name] (nn for [name]Sarah[/name], [name]Sarita[/name], [name]Seraphina[/name], [name]Sorcha[/name]–or just by itself), [name]Delphine[/name] nn [name]Delphi[/name].
[name]Annora[/name] nn [name]Nora[/name]- Try [name]Eleanor[/name]/[name]Ellinor[/name]/[name]Lenore[/name]/[name]Leonora[/name], [name]Annabel[/name], [name]Florence[/name] nn [name]Flora[/name].
[name]Clover[/name]- Try [name]Cleo[/name], [name]Ever[/name], [name]Clothilde[/name] nn [name]Tilly[/name], [name]Lotus[/name].
[name]Pansy[/name]- Try [name]Tansy[/name], [name]Pandora[/name], [name]Dulcie[/name].
[name]Plum[/name]- Try [name]Clementine[/name], [name]Tatum[/name], [name]Poppy[/name].
[name]Silence[/name]- Try [name]Mercy[/name], [name]Quincy[/name], [name]Silvie[/name]/-a.
[name]Thisbe[/name] (THIZ-bee)-[name]Love[/name] this one–I thought I was the only one! Try [name]Phoebe[/name], [name]Lisette[/name] (S prn like Z), [name]Cressida[/name].

NameGoddess

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I also read I, Coriander. The only downside is that it reminds me of [name]Corey[/name] which I hate. I personally love the name Ermengarde. Probably because I grew up reading A [name]Little[/name] [name]Princess[/name]. It sounds beautiful. I also like the medieval name [name]Guinevere[/name] and the names [name]Callisto[/name], [name]Calista[/name], and Anaxandra. [name]Callisto[/name]/[name]Calista[/name] have the nn [name]Callie[/name] and there are a million nicknames for Anaxandra. [name]Calista[/name]/[name]Callisto[/name] means Most Beautiful and Anaxandra actually means [name]Unknown[/name] Meaning.

[name]Hermione[/name]… [name]Just[/name] throwing it out. She’s actually an important person of Greek mythology and was [name]Helen[/name] of [name]Troy[/name]'s daughter. Also has a bunch of cute nns.