Still so stuck with 3 weeks left! Be my WD40!

Girl Names
1

Last time around we had a very late “aaaaaaah okay yes this one” moment for our first daughter’s name, Eve (nn Evie) Josephine. I was hoping for the same thing this time around, but it’s not looking good! When I last asked for opinions (month or so ago), it was helpful, so here we go again, in search of additional comments.

Our last name is similar to Rider (two syllables) and starts with an L.

We prefer a name that’s not super popular but at the same time is familiar, and that is spunky and more classic (which is funny because we are not super mainstream) than a newly created name, and which offers good flexibility, to fit a bookworm or skate rat. Our current daughter (toddler) is a bit of a hipster (via fun hand-me-down clothes) tomboy.

We aren’t sure if we want to pick a “meaning” name for the middle and may choose not to. In theory, we would, but we end up thinking other names sound way better. If we go for a meaning, it would be a T (grandmother is Toby w/ childhood nickname Tilly; we would have easily used Tobias for a boy) or a J (for Joseph), which has proven tough! We also have a special connection to Joshua Tree National Park, but can’t find anything there for a girl. Other possible “meaning” name would be from the man’s nickname “Mo”, but spouse rejected Simone.

Here’s our top list:

Cecilia Tobin (nn CiCi) (cherished grandmother is Toby, so I was exploring T options but is Tobin horrible?)
Cecilia Rowan (Rowan tree has great folklore and we could attach meaning to it)
Cecilia Tess
Elizabeth Maxine (nn Bess)
Elizabeth Rosalie (great grandma is Rose but I have no stories of or connection to her)
Eleanor Tess (nn Elle or Nora or Nell)
Olivia Tess (nn Liv) (always liked Olivia but put off by popularity)
Alexandra Tess (nn Alex)
Gwen Rosalie

Here’s our “still possibilities” list:

Vivian Elyse (Vivian we like in theory but it seems wrong)
Claudia Rose
Joselin Tess (we like nn Joss but Joselin seems dated to us)
Margo Juliette
Nola Jane

Also considered Quinn, Beatrice, Claire and Charlotte, but those have faded or didn’t seem right. Of course our list is fluid by the day, so who knows if these will jump into the top position.

Thank you in advance! We are working on having a final 3 to take in to the hospital.

2

My favorites are [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u], [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Maxine[/name_f], and [name_f]Nola[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] and [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] have nickname options to suit a personality, and [name_f]Nola[/name_f] is unusual so doesn’t have too many associations attached. Would grandmother’s maiden name work as a middle?

Other suggestions:
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_u]True[/name_u]
[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Twyla[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]
[name_f]Jacqueline[/name_f] [name_f]Tovia[/name_f]
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_f]Maxine[/name_f] nn [name_f]Meg[/name_f]
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_f]Talia[/name_f] [name_f]Maxine[/name_f]
[name_f]Tess[/name_f] [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]
[name_f]Theia[/name_f]/[name_f]Thea[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f]

3

I love [name_f]Margo[/name_f] [name_f]Juliette[/name_f].

4

I like [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f] and [name_f]Margo[/name_f] [name_f]Juliette[/name_f]! :slight_smile:

5

I love [name_f]Margo[/name_f] [name_f]Juliette[/name_f], but I also love [name_f]Margo[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f]!

In reference to the [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] Tree [name_m]Park[/name_m] (lovely place!), there are tons of names on nameberry that have ‘tree’ in the meaning. Trying to specifically link the park to a name, I did some research:

First of all, there’s the name [name_u]Joss[/name_u]. You have this on your list already. This is soooo close to [name_m]Josh/name_m, that it could easily be used as a feminine form of [name_m]Josh/name_m. You like [name_u]Joss[/name_u] better than [name_f]Jocelin[/name_f] anyway, so the association with [name_m]Josh/name_m could be better. I think it would be a lovely middle name.

There’s [name_m]Mojave[/name_m], which is traditionally a male name, but I think could fit a girl in the middle spot well. This also ties in with possibly having a reference to the man’s nn “[name_u]Mo[/name_u].” You could use [name_f]Moja[/name_f], or even anglicize it by spelling it Moha, and it could have the same reference!

There’s [name_f]Randa[/name_f], which I’m not sure you’d like, but it means ‘delicate desert tree’!

6

I’ve heard [name_u]Mo[/name_u] used as a nickname for [name_f]Maureen[/name_f] and [name_f]Maura[/name_f]. I think it could work for [name_f]Moira[/name_f] as well.

I love [name_u]Joss[/name_u], and I agree with the person above who pointed out that it’s very close to [name_m]Josh[/name_m], so you could get the [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] Tree connection from that. I’d suggest [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] as an alternate long form, but I see that’s your older daughter’s middle name. But I think [name_u]Joss[/name_u] stands just fine on it’s own as well, if that’s your style.

As for the options you have already, I personally like [name_f]Cecelia[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f] best. I like [name_f]Cecelia[/name_f] [name_u]Tobin[/name_u] (a nice girly but unisex mix) as well, but I live in [name_m]Boston[/name_m] where we have the [name_u]Tobin[/name_u] [name_m]Bridge[/name_m], so it’s kind of a weird association for me.

7

I personally like [name_f]Jocelin[/name_f] but I assume what you mean by dated is that it seems to fit the ‘ends-in-lyn’ trend, though in reality it’s a very old name. I like [name_f]Jocelin[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f] or [name_f]Jocelin[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f].

8

[name_f]Eve[/name_f] and [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] are perfection together! I love [name_f]Gwen[/name_f].

I like the combo of [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f], but wanted to suggest [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] as a potential alternative that gets your “[name_u]Mo[/name_u]” name in there too. I think [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] is super cool and spunky.

Best of luck with the impending arrival!

9

I really love [name_f]Cecelia[/name_f] [name_u]Tobin[/name_u]. I have know female [name_u]Toby[/name_u]'s so I think it works well. I also love [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and [name_f]Claudia[/name_f].

10

[name_f]Mora[/name_f] [name_f]Jillian[/name_f], [name_f]Mazie[/name_f], [name_f]Joycelyn[/name_f](joyce-lyn pronounced),[name_f]Johanna[/name_f], Joshlyn, [name_f]Ivy[/name_f], [name_f]Ava[/name_f]

11

What thoughtful responses! Thank you so much for all of the comments, and clearly if you did a little research for me, that was above and beyond the call of duty and so appreciated. This really helped me refine my list.

[name_u]Love[/name_u] the idea of [name_m]Mojave[/name_m], but I don’t think I’m bold enough to go for it. Would love to stick [name_u]Joss[/name_u] in the middle name spot, but [name_f]Tess[/name_f] sounds so much better for some reason. Still trying on [name_u]Tobin[/name_u] for size as a middle. I’d rather use it than [name_u]Rowan[/name_u], but it seems [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] sounds way better.

Surprised [name_f]Margo[/name_f] [name_f]Juliette[/name_f] is a hit with a few of you! That is a recent combo. We aren’t sold on [name_f]Margo[/name_f], yet! And [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] we do major swings on. Going from love it to what that’s no good. :slight_smile:

12

I really like [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u], [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f] and [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f] for you.

Some names that come into my mind:
[name_f]Timothea[/name_f] - a T name with “mo”. Two birds with one stone.
[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] - another way to honour [name_f]Tilly[/name_f]
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] - same as above.
[name_f]Morgana[/name_f] - “mo” name :slight_smile:
[name_f]Monica[/name_f] - same as above
[name_f]Moira[/name_f]
[name_f]Ramona[/name_f]
[name_f]Jocelyn[/name_f]
[name_f]Joanna[/name_f]
[name_u]Julianne[/name_u]
[name_f]Jemima[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f]

13

There’s always [name_u]Josie[/name_u] (nn [name_u]Joss[/name_u] or [name_u]Jo[/name_u]), which would sound very nice with [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] as a middle. Two more great “tree” names are [name_f]Daphne[/name_f] and [name_u]Dara[/name_u], although I’m not sure these are up your alley at all.

14

From your list I love [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_u]Tobin[/name_u] (two of my favorite names! and they actually sound pretty good together plus there’s meaning in the middle name) and [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f] nn [name_u]Alex[/name_u].
[name_u]Elisha[/name_u] has almost the same meaning as [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] and could work as another middle option. [name_f]Arbor[/name_f] could also be a middle name option in honor of [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] Tree [name_m]Park[/name_m].
[name_f]Tila[/name_f], [name_f]Tilde[/name_f], and [name_f]Tilu[/name_f] could also honor your grandmother, as could [name_f]Toba[/name_f].

Other first names:
[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] (lots of good nn’s!)
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f] (not sure if it’s quite your style but [name_f]Lydia[/name_f] and [name_f]Evie[/name_f]/[name_f]Eve[/name_f] sound good together)
Also want to second [name_f]Moira[/name_f]!

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] some of this is helpful and good luck!

15

Funny, I know an [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f]. It’s a very sweet name:) I really like [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] and [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f], too.

16

I like [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Maxine[/name_f] ([name_f]Bess[/name_f]) and [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f]. Also [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f].

[name_u]Leslie[/name_u]

17

[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] and [name_f]Jade[/name_f] [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] (like [name_f]Tilly[/name_f])
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] and [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] [name_f]Tabitha[/name_f] (like [name_u]Toby[/name_u])
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] and [name_f]Tess[/name_f] [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]

18

Hmm…

[name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] is so pretty and classic. [name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_f]Evie[/name_f] too. Furthermore your boy name choices/ideas [name_m]Tobias[/name_m], [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] & [name_m]Joshua[/name_m]. [name_u]Simone[/name_u] is pretty and it’s shame that it has been vetoed.

[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_u]Tobin[/name_u] - [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] is really feminine and light. It’s a pretty name and sounds lovely with [name_f]Eve[/name_f]. I am not keen on [name_u]Tobin[/name_u] it sounds cut off and unfinished. I think [name_u]Tobi[/name_u] is a better honour choice for your grandmother. [name_u]Tobi[/name_u] is a popular Yoruba choice (language of south-western Nigeria) and has the meaning ‘G-d is good’. I think [name_u]Tobi[/name_u] would be a great honour choice and feels more feminine than [name_u]Tobin[/name_u]/[name_u]Toby[/name_u].

[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] - [name_m]Ah[/name_m] I absolutely love this choice, [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] is of course gorgeous and [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] is such a hipster has great associations including [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Atkinson. [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] is fab. Great choice.

[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f] - I am not keen on [name_f]Tess[/name_f] or [name_f]Tessa[/name_f]

[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Maxine[/name_f] - [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is the name of my beloved Grandmother and I love this name especially as it honours her. [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is such a great choice with a range of lovely nicknames including my favourite [name_f]Libby[/name_f]. [name_f]Maxine[/name_f] sounds vintage and sweet with [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] too. However this could be limiting if you were to have another child as you already have an E name with your firstborn. Visually I think having sibling sets like [name_f]Eve[/name_f], [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] & [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] looks odd compared to [name_f]Eve[/name_f], [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] & [name_u]Emmett[/name_u].

[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] - [name_m]Ah[/name_m] this is such a feminine romantic choice but I would switch the two names around and have [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]. [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] & [name_f]Eve[/name_f] are lovely together. I like ‘[name_f]Rose[/name_f]’ as a nickname.

[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f] - [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] is a another lovely choice but I think it could be limiting regarding future children ‘should I just use E names?’ etc again I am not keen on [name_f]Tess[/name_f]. Suggestion [name_f]Leonora[/name_f]? The Italian diminutive of [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] and doesn’t have the ‘E’ problem. I also like the nickname [name_f]Leni[/name_f] for this one.

[name_f]Olivia[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f] - [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] is pretty not keen on [name_f]Tess[/name_f]. I like [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] & [name_f]Eve[/name_f] too.

[name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f] - [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] is a beautiful romantic name with a range of fab nicknames, [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] is just beautiful. [name_u]Love[/name_u] this name so much!

[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] - This is cute prefer [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f]

Because you are trying to narrow down your list I would dismiss the possibility list and just focus on your absolute favourites.

For me my favourite is [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] and my suggestion to honour your Grandmother of [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] [name_u]Tobi[/name_u]