The Elva problem

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] berries,

Sorry for the long read… [name_f]My[/name_f] daughter has a long name (4 syllables, 8 letters). We call her [name_f]Leen[/name_f] at the moment ([name_u]Lane[/name_u]). I would love to, if we have another girl have a name ending in Lien (as in [name_f]Evelina[/name_f] without the a). Because [name_f]Leen[/name_f] & Lien would be too cute together, not sure if I can let that go… Over six months ago we saw the name [name_f]Elva[/name_f], and we are both so so in love.

Problems:

  • [name_f]My[/name_f] daughter’s name starts with [name_f]Anna[/name_f], I’m not too happy with [name_f]Anna[/name_f] & [name_f]Elva[/name_f] haha.
  • I don’t like that we would have one very long and one short name. But they are also individuals so they don’t have to match.
  • I love my kids to have options if they don’t like their names. [name_f]My[/name_f] daughters name has options for more boyish or genderneutral nicknames, and a middle name that’s more international and has a different vibe. I feel like that may be too much to ask from only a middle name because her first name would be so short.

We’ve considered using another name and call her [name_f]Elva[/name_f] to solve the shortness ([name_f]Elvira[/name_f], Elvana, [name_f]Elvina[/name_f], [name_f]Elvera[/name_f] etc.) I’ve considered adding on to it… Elvalina, Elvaliene, Elvaliene (lee-nuh). I’ve also considered using a double barreled name, but they don’t really get used over here.

For reference: my partner and I can agree on a lot of names, but once every year or so we find a name that gives us butterflies and that’s the one we use. So [name_f]Elva[/name_f] will be used one way or the other. But I’ve been stuck for over six months! Help! We love [name_f]Elva[/name_f] but I can’t seem to make it work.

I’m leaning towards Elvaliene, and calling her [name_f]Elva[/name_f]. But is it OK to butcher [name_f]Elva[/name_f]? And even if it is, I’m completely stuck on middles.

Sorry for my brains chaos, thanks for helping out :heart:

Hey there! [name_f]Elva[/name_f] is lovely. And it sounds like you put a ton of thought and care into picking the perfect name for your first daughter–which, of course, might make her name feel like a tough act to follow :wink: Have you considered using [name_f]Evelina[/name_f]/Eveline nn [name_f]Elva[/name_f]? It requires rearranging a few letters, but I don’t find it to be too much of a stretch at all. And besides the fact that I just love the sound of both of those names, I think either of them would serve the function of giving your daughter plenty of options later on. I’ll come back with some more suggestions, just wanted to throw this one out there on the off chance you haven’t considered it! :blush:

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This is just what I was about to suggest!

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This was also the first thing that ran through my mind as I read your post. Good luck in deciding.

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As promised, more suggestions! If you don’t love [name_f]Evelina[/name_f]/Eveline (or maybe the [name_f]Evalina[/name_f]/Evaline spelling would make the connection even clearer?), would you consider using an “[name_f]El[/name_f]” first name with a “v” middle? Maybe:

[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] [name_f]Vera[/name_f]
[name_f]Elodie[/name_f] [name_f]Victoria[/name_f]
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_u]Vesper[/name_u]
[name_f]Elsa[/name_f] [name_f]Verity[/name_f]
[name_f]Elsinore[/name_f] [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f]
[name_f]Ella[/name_f] [name_f]Veronica[/name_f]
[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_u]Vrai[/name_u]
[name_f]Elena[/name_f] [name_f]Violet[/name_f]
Etc…you could totally mix and match! Of these options, I think [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] [name_f]Vera[/name_f] is my favorite–both in terms of the name itself, and the clarity of the connection to [name_f]Elva[/name_f]!

You also mentioned that you feel like it may be too much to ask that a middle name give your daughter plenty of options on its own. It does feel like a lot of pressure to put on one name, but there are some evergreen classics that could probably take on that task! [name_f]Elva[/name_f] [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], [name_f]Elva[/name_f] [name_f]Margaret[/name_f], etc. would give your daughter plenty of nicknames to choose from, if need be.

Good luck! :blush:

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Wow, I don’t know how I missed that one. I love [name_f]Evelina[/name_f]. I haven’t met anyone here (Netherlands) whose nickname wasn’t in the same order in their full name (as in [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] - [name_f]Beth[/name_f]). So I guess that’s why I haven’t considered [name_f]Evelina[/name_f], but I don’t care… Its perfect. :partying_face:. I ran it past partner, he agrees. The description says it’s a form of [name_f]Aveline[/name_f], which was the runner up for my daughter’s name. So yes, [name_f]Evelina[/name_f]! Haha thank you!

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So exciting–I love [name_f]Evelina[/name_f]! And [name_f]Evelina[/name_f] nn [name_f]Elva[/name_f]/Lien seems so perfect for you. Congrats! :blush:

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