Hoping for some feedback again as I try to narrow down. I started with 0 names I liked and this forum has helped me start a list! Yeay - thanks!
I have what are probably crazy-tight criteria, which eliminate a lot of otherwise good possibilities:
No strong associations with current religious, ethnic, or cultural groups (e.g. [name_f]Mary[/name_f], [name_f]Rebekah[/name_f], Sha’nika, etc) - we are a mixed family and need to stay ‘neutral’ in this regard
Meaning of the name can’t be negative, religious, or simply a feminization of a male name
Not a name that spiked in popularity in the 70s-90s and has since diminished (e.g. [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f], [name_f]Melissa[/name_f], [name_f]Amy[/name_f], etc - this is my generation and I anticipate them being the ‘old lady’ names of my kid’s generation)
Fairly international - we relocate internationally every few years, so it can’t be impossible for folks in [name_f]Asia[/name_f] or [name_f]Africa[/name_f] to understand or pronounce
With all that being the case, you all helped me to start a small list:
[name_f]Helena[/name_f] / [name_f]Alena[/name_f] / [name_f]Lena[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Elodie[/name_f] (not in top 1000 but doesn’t sound unusual to my ears…)
[name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] (waffling on this one because of extreme popularity of this + [name_f]Evie[/name_f], [name_f]Eve[/name_f], [name_f]Ava[/name_f], etc)
Middle name will most likely be [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] after a relative.
What are your thoughts on the above? Other suggestions?
I really can’t express enough thanks for the super helpful feedback and ideas you all offer on here! Priceless resource for us name-impaired expectant moms!
[name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] has a nice flow. I also like [name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f].
I’d stay away from [name_f]Elodie[/name_f], [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u], and [name_f]Thea[/name_f], personally, just because they feel a little bit trendy.
I can’t speak to whether [name_f]Helena[/name_f] or [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is particularly pronouncable for Asians or Africans.
From your list I love [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] & [name_f]Helena[/name_f]/[name_f]Lena[/name_f].
[name_f]Thea[/name_f] & [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] don’t do much for me & the popularity puts me off them.
Some other suggestions - hope they help.
[name_f]Elena[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_f]Leah[/name_f] / [name_f]Lia[/name_f]
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f]
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Emily[/name_f]
[name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Abigail[/name_f]
[name_f]Joy[/name_f]
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f]
[name_u]Sky[/name_u]
[name_f]Annalise[/name_f]
[name_f]Kate[/name_f]
I love [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f]! [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] & [name_f]Alena[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] are also beautiful. I much prefer [name_f]Elena[/name_f] over [name_f]Alena[/name_f] though. [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] & even more so the associated nn’s have become too popular for me, although I think it’s a beautiful name.
[name_f]Helena[/name_f] / [name_f]Alena[/name_f] / [name_f]Lena[/name_f] - I’d go with [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] with the nickname [name_f]Lena[/name_f]… lovely! I think [name_f]Lena[/name_f] is quite international too…
[name_f]Thea[/name_f] - short, but absolutely gorgeous! [name_f]Thea[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] is cute! Also, [name_f]Thea[/name_f] is international and not too difficult.
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] - I like [name_f]Alice[/name_f] but more as a middle name and [name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] sounds too abrupt.
[name_f]Elodie[/name_f] - Oh my goodness what a gorgeous name! I’ve loved [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] for years and I would swoon if I ever had the priveldge to meet one… [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] is lovely. [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] [name_u]Rue[/name_u] could be a cute nickname. [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Elle[/name_f] as a nickname!!! I don’t know how international it is however…
[name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] - In my opinion it’s wayyyy too popular. I have a 9 and 6 year old, you wouldn’t believe how many [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u], [name_f]Evie[/name_f], Eves I know… That being said [name_f]Eve[/name_f] is one of my favorite middles, but I guess it’s quite religious (I only think of “the night before” and “All hallows eve” etc.)
Your list (feminine names deeply rooted in history… is my impression) makes me think of:
[name_f]Athena[/name_f]
[name_f]Daphne[/name_f]
[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]
While I adore [name_f]Thea[/name_f] and [name_f]Elodie[/name_f], they’re a bit popular nowadays than many people would prefer. [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] as well.
I personally love the flow of [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] but I love [name_f]Alice[/name_f] and [name_f]Alena[/name_f] more than [name_f]Helena[/name_f]. [name_f]Alice[/name_f] or [name_f]Alena[/name_f] also seem like less of a mouthful if foreigners may need to say it many times. I visit [name_f]Asian[/name_f] family once or twice a month, and this is a list from best to worst of your favourite names so far on pronounciation difficulty:
[name_f]Lena[/name_f]
[name_f]Alena[/name_f]
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_u]Evelyn[/name_u]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
[name_f]Elodie[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
I like [name_f]Elena[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] or [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f]! I don’t think [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] will be getting unbearably popular as it’s one of the first times i’ve heard it on this forum.
[name_f]Thea[/name_f] and [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] are my favorites by far. Not a fan of [name_f]Alice[/name_f], and I agree that [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] might be too popular. [name_f]Helena[/name_f] is fine for me. As long as international pronunciations are fine for [name_f]Thea[/name_f] and [name_f]Elodie[/name_f], I’d choose between one of those.
