For a possible girl name my husband would really like to honor his favorite grandmother, [name_f]Deborah[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Debbie[/name_f]), who had a huge impact on his life. My only objection to the name is that my mother’s name is [name_f]Debra[/name_f] and I don’t want to name after a living relative. [name_f]Devora[/name_f] is too similar, and not a favorite.
Hubby’s grandmother had no middle name. [name_f]Deborah[/name_f] feels difficult as a middle name. Since she went by [name_f]Debbie[/name_f] a lot maybe something that rhymes with it like [name_f]Libbie[/name_f]?
I’ve seen the suggestion of using a name with the same meaning “bee” but I don’t like any of those short of possibly using [name_f]Bee[/name_f] as a mn. I liked [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] but hubby nixed it early on.
I like traditional sounding names that are uncommon. Hubby and I both have common first names paired with a common surname- starts with an M, one syllable, an actress by the name [name_u]Julianne[/name_u] has it 
So the ideal is uncommon but not unheard of to the point of constantly having to spell it out or pronounce it for people.
I’ve also thought of tossing my mom’s mn in for inspiration, [name_f]Eileen[/name_f], which I adore.
Another name that means “bee” is [name_f]Melissa[/name_f]. Mélisande ([name_u]MEL[/name_u]-ih-san) is one of my top favorites as well, although it could be a variant of [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] rather than [name_f]Melissa[/name_f]. Running the meaning “bee” through the search gives the options of [name_f]Bina[/name_f], [name_f]Darva[/name_f], and [name_m]Beckett[/name_m] (among others that are either [name_f]Deborah[/name_f] or I don’t care for). So, my suggestions to you are:
[name_f]Melissa[/name_f] [name_f]Eileen[/name_f]
Mélisande [name_f]Eileen[/name_f]
[name_f]Eileen[/name_f] [name_f]Darva[/name_f]
[name_f]Eileen[/name_f] [name_m]Beckett[/name_m]
You could always go with a ‘D’ name to honour grandma [name_f]Deborah[/name_f].
[name_f]Dinah[/name_f]
[name_f]Delia[/name_f]
[name_f]Dahlia[/name_f]
[name_f]Daisy[/name_f]
[name_u]Dana[/name_u]
[name_f]Danae[/name_f]
[name_f]Daniella[/name_f]
[name_f]Daphne[/name_f]
[name_u]Dara[/name_u]/[name_f]Daria[/name_f]
[name_f]Della[/name_f]
[name_f]Dorah[/name_f]?
[name_f]Dorah[/name_f] [name_f]Eileen[/name_f]
oh, but I guess that sounds a little rhymey with your surname. Maybe as a middle name?
[name_f]Bianca[/name_f] nn [name_f]Bee[/name_f] [name_f]Doreen[/name_f]?
I’m probably going to use [name_f]Bee[/name_f]/[name_f]Bea[/name_f] as a middle name to honour my mum [name_f]Debbie[/name_f]. I’ve thought about [name_f]Bibi[/name_f] as a first name before too. I like [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]/[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] but they’re a bit too far out imo to be considered honor names.
I’ve also considered the Scandinavian name [name_f]Ebba[/name_f] as a possible honouring idea but it does sound fairly obscure in English.
I like the sound of [name_f]Melissa[/name_f] [name_f]Eileen[/name_f] but I’ve known too many Melissas. It’ll have to stand up to an older brother [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] [name_m]Tiberius[/name_m]. For a possible boy name we have [name_m]Callum[/name_m] [name_m]Harrison[/name_m].
[name_f]Devra[/name_f] might be nice as a mn. Or I like [name_f]Dorah[/name_f], reminds me of [name_f]Nora[/name_f] which I’ve liked for a while. It always makes me think of [name_f]Dora[/name_f] the [name_u]Explorer[/name_u] though Lol [name_f]Ebba[/name_f] I’m kind of loving now as well. Lots to consider.
I like the sound of [name_f]Melissa[/name_f] [name_f]Eileen[/name_f] but I’ve known too many Melissas. It’ll have to stand up to an older brother [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] [name_m]Tiberius[/name_m]. For a possible boy name we have [name_m]Callum[/name_m] [name_m]Harrison[/name_m].
[name_f]Devra[/name_f] might be nice as a mn. Or I like [name_f]Dorah[/name_f], reminds me of [name_f]Nora[/name_f] which I’ve liked for a while. It always makes me think of [name_f]Dora[/name_f] the [name_u]Explorer[/name_u] though Lol [name_f]Ebba[/name_f] I’m kind of loving now as well.
What about [name_f]Ebba[/name_f] [name_f]Darleen[/name_f]. Alter the normal spelling a little to make it sort of a Mashup with [name_f]Eileen[/name_f], or go with traditional [name_f]Darlene[/name_f]?
My sister had a friend once named [name_f]Debora[/name_f] who pronounced it di-[name_u]BO[/name_u]-ruh and therefore went by [name_f]Bora[/name_f]. Might be too much of a stretch, but just thought I’d throw it out there.
I’ve talked to hubby and we agreed on [name_f]Ebba[/name_f] [name_f]Darleen[/name_f] if we have a girl. Thank you everyone for the replies!