I’ve been contemplating adding the following names to my list, but I’m hesitant for different reasons. For the most part their popularity coincides with the rest of my list, and the feel I find works, but I’m not 100% sure on the names themselves.
[name_f]Mercedes[/name_f] (peaked in 1991) - absolutely love the sound, and love that it was once a royal baby name choice in Spain. Is the car association too much?
[name_f]Marisol[/name_f] (peaked in 1996) - love that this is, in a round about way, connected to the name [name_f]Mary[/name_f] (it’s a contracted form of [name_f]Mar[/name_f]ía de la [name_f]Soledad[/name_f] - a title used for the Virgin [name_f]Mary[/name_f]), but would it seem ill-suited for a caucasian, potentially blonde haired, blue eyed child?
[name_f]Araceli[/name_f] (peaked in 2002) - [name_u]Love[/name_u] the sound and feel of [name_f]Araceli[/name_f]. I think it makes for a beautiful alternative in terms of sound for popular names like [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] and [name_f]Ariana[/name_f] (which we like, but don’t love, either due to popularity in our community or just can’t see ourselves using). Again, would it seem ill-suited if we don’t have Spanish ancestry?
[name_f]Lourdes[/name_f] (peaked in 1966) - The town of [name_f]Lourdes[/name_f], [name_f]France[/name_f] is so picturesque and beautiful, and to me, the name is a stunning, underused choice. Is it too confusing though, or awkward in terms of pronunciation?
My final sticking point - we have both been raised [name_m]Christian[/name_m] and would raise any future children this way as well, however we’re not exactly devout. Our children would likely be baptized Catholic, attend Catholic schooling, etc., but would these names be inappropriate for us to use?
Thanks!
[name_f]Mercedes[/name_f] isn’t my favorite. It does seem kind of 90s and a little bit…showoffy if that makes sense. I prefer [name_f]Mercy[/name_f].
[name_f]Marisol[/name_f] is a guilty pleasure of mine and I’ve loved her name since I was little (from the American girl doll). However I would keep it in the middle spot for a white child personally.
I haven’t heard [name_f]Araceli[/name_f] before but my first impression is that it sounds trendy or made up, sort of like when I see names like [name_f]Nayeli[/name_f] rising in popularity. I’m also not sure how to say it. What about [name_f]Arabella[/name_f]?
[name_f]Lourdes[/name_f] isn’t my style exactly but it’s nice. She will probably get called Lords a lot.
[name_f]Mercedes[/name_f]- I think the car association is too much for the Catholic upbringing you want your children to have (for me personally)
I agree with you for the name [name_f]Marisol[/name_f], I honk it’s does seem impossible for a Caucasian child as it’s more suited for Spanish/ South American children
[name_f]Araceli[/name_f]- It’s lovely! I don’t think it matters if you don’t have Spanish ancestry as I think [name_f]Araceli[/name_f] doesn’t sound majorly Spanish, but it raises the question of the name [name_f]Sofia[/name_f], it’s of Spanish heritage but lots of people from different cultures use his popular name!
[name_f]Lourdes[/name_f]- I think his is great name and links so well with your Catholic religion!
I second everything hanmay said
[name_f]Mercedes[/name_f] I like the sound of. But I find the car association very strong. U also find it dated but don’t consider that to be a deal breaker.
[name_f]Marisol[/name_f] I like a lot. I think it would be fine on a for skinned child. I like [name_f]Maris[/name_f] even more.
[name_f]Araceli[/name_f] isn’t my style and I don’t think it’s as familiar as [name_f]Marisol[/name_f] (at least where I live) so though it could fit a Caucasian child, I think it’s more likely to be seen as made up. Which may or may not bother you.
[name_f]Lourdes[/name_f] is lovely but I think she’ll face a lot of pronunciation confusion, especially if the pronunciation you’re planning on using doesn’t even represent her culture.
I attended a predominantly Latinx school district and have only ever known Hispanic Marisols and [name_f]Aracelis[/name_f]. I don’t think you can’t use the name on a Caucasian child, but if I met a baby [name_f]Araceli[/name_f] with parents who obviously have no Spanish heritage, I’d probably (silently) think to myself that they just chose the name because they “thought it was cool” and had no familiarity with its history, or just didn’t care, if they did.
With that said, I’m also Caucasian, so I would personally steer clear of traditionally Latinx names because I’m not familiar enough with the culture(s) to know what’s considered bad taste and what isn’t. Might be best to ask the Latinx folks directly.
[name_f]Mercedes[/name_f] and [name_f]Lourdes[/name_f] are old-fashioned names to me. Most of the woman that I’ve met called these names are older than 40 years old, althought [name_f]Mercedes[/name_f] is pretty common here in Spain and I had a Merchi and a Merche as classmates. I’m neutral about them, but I wouldn’t use them. NMS.
[name_f]Marisol[/name_f] - I definetely can picture a caucasian girl with this names, just because all of the Marisols I’ve met are caucasians hahahaha There were a star child in Spain around 1960-1970 known as [name_f]Marisol[/name_f], she was the girl you’re talking about. I do like this name.
[name_f]Araceli[/name_f] - I can’t see its appeal, really. Maybe because the only two [name_f]Aracelis[/name_f] I’ve met are terrible women. But I don’t like how it ends with and -i.