[name_f]Ive[/name_f] asked similar before, but baby is nearly here and we are in a name pickle.
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We have a LB named [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] [name_m]Jack[/name_m], his is an honour name for my grandfather, we are expecting a girl in 1-2 weeks
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[name_f]My[/name_f] husband likes [name_f]Martha[/name_f] and is pretty set on it. I like it but it doesnt feel 100% to me yet, and id like a middle name with some family meaning to round it out. Our options are
Our last name starts [name_f]An[/name_f] so this is what makes me hesitate about the A name options, is to too rhyming? [name_f]Mary[/name_f] feels a bit heavy? Other family names are [name_f]May[/name_f], [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] and [name_f]Helen[/name_f] but again, these dont feel quite right
I absolutely love [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Mary[/name_f] and [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f], but if these don’t feel right, what about [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Marianne[/name_f] or [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Marian[/name_f]? That way you get the “Ann” in there too [name_f][/name_f]- or you could reverse and consider something like [name_f]Annemarie[/name_f] if it works with your last name
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Marianne/Marian would be beautiful for a first as well if not sold on [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- I also love [name_f]Mavis[/name_f] and [name_f]Mabel[/name_f] with brother A.lfred
[name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] is pretty, and you didn’t mention anything being wrong with it either. So that’s what I’d go with in your situation.
[name_f]Martha[/name_f] goes so well with [name_m]Alfred[/name_m]! [name_f][/name_f] I think if you’re not sold on [name_f]Martha[/name_f], it’s ok to keep looking, or like others have said, use it as a middle? [name_f][/name_f] Something like [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_f]Martha[/name_f] would be beautiful with [name_m]Alfred[/name_m]!
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I hesitate with [name_f]Mary[/name_f] because it is very reminiscent of [name_f]Martha[/name_f] and [name_f]Mary[/name_f] (sister set in the Bible), and the [name_f]Anne[/name_f] names because of your surname (I get tripped up, for example, with [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Anne[/name_f] Anderson). [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] or [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_f]Martha[/name_f] are both lovely combos! [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f] is sweet, and I really like [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] or [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] [name_f]Martha[/name_f] with [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] too. [name_f][/name_f] I prefer [name_f]Helena[/name_f] to [name_f]Helen[/name_f], but [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f] and [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Martha[/name_f] are nice options as well.
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Are you open to combining multiple family names? [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]My[/name_f] first idea was [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Maialen[/name_f] (variant of [name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] but combines [name_f]May[/name_f] and [name_f]Helen[/name_f] well in my head), or [name_f]Martha[/name_f] Anna-May?
Maybe [name_f]Martha[/name_f] could be moved to the middle, especially if you don’t warm up to it 100%? I also think it’s a bit dated for a first name.
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A couple softer options: [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Lucia[/name_f] [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Marietta[/name_f] [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Lucille[/name_f] [name_f]Martha[/name_f]
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[name_m]Or[/name_m] maybe [name_f]Marta[/name_f] instead? it would work with any of yours or my suggestions.
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If [name_f]Martha[/name_f] is to be the first name:
I really like the name Martha and it goes so well with Alfred - both refined and affable names. With your last name, can use Marnie as a nn, if Martha doesn’t quite feel right.
I probably wouldn’t use an Anne name for the middle when going into an An last name - too sing song repetitive?
Martha Beatrice is lovely and gives you Maby, Maisie, Macy and Missy as nickname options.
I like Martha Mary as gives you Mamie and Mimi as nn options but it is biblical and also repetitive and a tad clunky with the repeat “Mar” (even if different vowel sounds). Martha May feels easier to say and gives you these nicknames too.
My husband was dead set on our daughters name too and at first I was uncertain but now I love it and it couldn’t be more perfect for her and it was also so special that he got to pick it out!
If Lucy / Helen don’t feel right how about alternative forms of those names like
Martha Elaine
Martha Lucille
or names with similar meaning
Martha Phoebe
Martha Soleil (so-lay)
since women commonly change their last names having a middle that starts with the same sound as their birth name could be a sweet honor in that way too
Hey OP, totally get the “name pickle”—you’re so close and want it to feel just right[name_f][/name_f]! [name_f]Martha[/name_f] is lovely: warm, grounded, and vintage-chic like [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] Jack—great sibset. That said, I agree that flow and meaning matter, especially with a tricky “An-” surname.
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[name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] has a beautiful rhythm and vintage flair that pairs well with [name_m]Alfred[/name_m]. If [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] has any family link, I’d lean into it!
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If you’re feeling unsure about the A-names and [name_f]Mary[/name_f] feels heavy, maybe consider these spins on your family names:
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[name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Lucille[/name_f] (a different spin on [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] with a softer, lyrical vibe)
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[name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] (a nod to [name_f]Helen[/name_f] but flows better)
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[name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] (gives [name_f]May[/name_f] a slightly fresher feel and avoids the sing-songy, almost childish feel that [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f] carries)
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[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps ease the pickle! You’ve got great taste—whatever you land on will be beautiful. Keep us posted!
[name_m]Hi[/name_m], thanks for this, my husbands aunt is [name_f]Marian[/name_f] but we wouldnt particularly want to honour her, so this is out unfortunately!
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] was a great aunt of mine so its a distant link but agree it does flow nicely. [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] was her sister (my great grandmother), and i like the flow of [name_f]Lucille[/name_f].
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We had considered [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Daisy[/name_f], our little boy often sings “daisy daisy” but again, im not sure if it feels a bit twee? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you have thoughts?
Thankyou!! [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] was actually nearly a [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] so this has been on our list a while, not sure its the best fit with his name though. I love [name_f]Lucille[/name_f], il have to float it with my husband
[name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Mary[/name_f] is so sweet. I also love [name_f]Mara[/name_f] & [name_f]Marta[/name_f] as nickname options [name_f][/name_f].
[name_f]Martha[/name_f] was the name of my great great grandmother. I never knew her, but have always heard glowing reports from my mother and late [name_f]Nan[/name_f], who did, so it holds a special place in my heart. It’s a lovely name. I am another [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] fan out of your options. It flows beautifully.
[name_f]Martha[/name_f] & [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] are absolutely perfect together!! I’m loving your options of [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] & [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] – the story behind [name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] is just darling
[name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] is sweet [name_f][/name_f]- [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] is a solid choice but also softens [name_f]Martha[/name_f].
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If nothing is feeling quite right, would you consider a variation/twist on any of the family names? so…
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[name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Nancy[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Lucille[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Amy[/name_f] (same letters as May) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Nellie[/name_f] (from [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- similar meaning to [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] too) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] (same meaning as Anne) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] (similar meaning to Beatrice) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Laine[/name_f] (from Helen) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Martha[/name_f] [name_f]Esme[/name_f] / [name_f]Esmae[/name_f] (shares sounds with May)
