This is, believe it or not, extremely narrowed down to my current faves from my ridiculously long list. [name_f]My[/name_f] shortlist rotates fairly regularly.
FIRSTS -
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] - simple and literary. Sweet on a little
one and elegant on a lady. [name_u]An[/name_u] easy to wear name.
[name_f]Beulah[/name_f] - just love the sound and look of this. Distinctive and underused, while fitting with some current naming trends.
[name_f]Cecily[/name_f] - twee and vintage but v. wearable.
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] - classic, feminine and streamlined.
[name_u]Cleo[/name_u] - Simple & strong.
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] - ornate but with strong sounds. Elegant.
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] - pretty and quirky.
[name_f]Eliza[/name_f] - classic yet fresh and spunky.
Esme(relda) - love this. [name_u]Esme[/name_u] is a modern classic imo.
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] - [name_f]My[/name_f] favourite. The LBD of names.
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] - unusual sounds for such a short word / name. Simple, beautiful meaning.
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f] - classic, strong, feminine, unfrilly.
[name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] - classic, movie-star glamour, strong, Nordic
[name_f]Iona[/name_f] - makes me think of a wild heroine on a windswept Scottish island moor with heather and malt on the air. [name_f]Beautiful[/name_f]. (Also like [name_f]Ione[/name_f] but has very different feel).
[name_f]Mabli[/name_f] - Unusual (outside of Wales), pretty and distinctive yet down to earth.
[name_f]Magali[/name_f] - sparkly sounds, with the adorable nn [name_f]Maggie[/name_f].
[name_f]Nell[/name_f] - love itās monosyllabic simplicity. Chic with vintage appeal.
[name_f]Nephele[/name_f] - [name_u]An[/name_u] usual collection of sounds which I love. Distinctive yet rolls off the tongue.
[name_f]Oona[/name_f] - Fun āOoā start, Gaelic, brings to mind wind tousled red hair
[name_f]Orlagh[/name_f] - [name_f]Beautiful[/name_f] meaning, shares a similar Gaelic wild beauty to [name_f]Oona[/name_f] and [name_f]Iona[/name_f]
[name_f]Orpah[/name_f] - Another lesser used biblical name. [name_u]Love[/name_u] the sounds, as well as the meaning āfawnā.
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f] - [name_f]Adore[/name_f] the lit and legend vibes. Feminine and strong.
[name_f]Tilda[/name_f] - [name_u]Love[/name_u] this sleeker alternative to [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. And love [name_f]Tilda[/name_f] Swinton as a namesake.
[name_f]Trudie[/name_f] - Sweet and strong. Unusual sound combo, suits all ages. [name_f]Imagine[/name_f] this on a quirky artist.
MIDDLES -
Arianthe / [name_f]Ariadne[/name_f] / [name_f]Arrietty[/name_f] - lumped these in together for shared sounds but Iād struggle to settle on one. [name_m]Just[/name_m] pretty. The first two Greek names have a very different feel to the latter with its whimsical literary vibe.
[name_f]Aveline[/name_f] - I find this simultaneously elegant and quirky. Fits the -ine trend, while remaining a distinct choice
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] - love this as a first but canāt use. Almost heartbreakingly beautiful, imo.
[name_f]Blossom[/name_f] - fun and quirky middle, lesser used floral
[name_f]Diana[/name_f] - elegant, elevated and refined
[name_u]Honor[/name_u] - adore the meaning
[name_u]Indiana[/name_u] - have always loved this
[name_f]Iris[/name_f] - popularity prevents use as a first. Simple and striking.
[name_f]Isolde[/name_f] - adore for its strength but have been told in no uncertain terms absolutely not for a first.
[name_f]Magdalena[/name_f] - [name_m]Just[/name_m] beautiful
[name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] - again, a quirky, lesser used floral. One of my favourite flowers
[name_f]Marietta[/name_f] - just love itās quirky vintageness
[name_f]Maude[/name_f] - simple and strong
[name_f]Muriel[/name_f] - adore these sounds and the sea meaning
[name_f]Odelia[/name_f] - [name_u]Love[/name_u] this as a lesser used alternative to similar popular choices eg [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], [name_f]Amelia[/name_f], [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Ottoline[/name_f] - [name_u]Love[/name_u] the quirk
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f] - beautiful imagery, simple and elegant
[name_f]Primrose[/name_f] - another quirky floral
[name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] - love its wild beauty, wonderful meaning
[name_f]Sunday[/name_f] - Sweet and quirky. [name_u]Spiritual[/name_u] rest day
[name_f]Sybilla[/name_f] - I canāt really explain why I love this, but I do.
[name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] / [name_f]Sylvia[/name_f] - love the sylvan meaning and the sounds
[name_f]Tabitha[/name_f] - the right side of clunk
[name_f]Winona[/name_f] - sweet, lovely namesake in [name_f]Winona[/name_f] [name_u]Ryder[/name_u]
[name_u]Wren[/name_u] - I like the simplicity and nature reference