We are expecting our 2nd girl, 4th child. I really want to name this baby after my grandmother whose name was [name]Ellen[/name]. But I don’t want to use the name [name]Ellen[/name] per se. We like unique names, even semi-unisex. Our other children are [name]Dakota[/name] (f), [name]Oakley[/name] (m), and Ryden (m).
We’ve come up with a list of names that honor my grandmother either by first or middle name. My husband is Japanese so we always use a Japanese middle name. [name]Ellen[/name] means “light”. I love this meaning since I am a photographer and photography is about light. So I feel it has a dual meaning.
Anistyn Hikari (He-kar-ee). Hikari means “[name]Light[/name]” in Japanese.
Avonlea Emiko (Eh-mi-ko). Emiko means “Child graced with Beauty”. We would call her [name]Avie[/name] (A.V.) for short. Avonlea is the town in [name]Canada[/name] where [name]Anne[/name] of [name]Green[/name] Gables took place. My Gma absolutely loved that series and she was also from [name]Canada[/name] so this name would definitely remind me of her. We would pronounce it like the beginning of avenue… Ave-en-lee.
[name]Ella[/name] Emiko. [name]Ella[/name] = [name]Ellen[/name] + [name]Alma[/name] (my grandfather’s name). [name]Love[/name] the combo of grandparent names, HATE that its so popular right now!
Esmee Hikari. [name]Just[/name] love the name Esmee and would use Hikari “light” as the middle name.
I cannot decide which name I like best! I love them all and they all honor my grandmother in some way. Please help!! Which do you like best? I’m also open to suggestions. Keep in mind our other children’s names and that we prefer not to use names in the top 50. And also, if it is not some form of [name]Ellen[/name] then we would use Hikari as the middle name for sure. And realize that our children are half Asian when you picture what she will look like and how that name will fit.
I like all of your names, but [name]Ella[/name] the least, just because like you said, it’s so popular right now. I think my favorites are Avonlea (because I love that series too) Emiko and Esmee Hikari.
Hmm, I don’t have many thoughts on your names, except that I really, really do not prefer Anistyn, as it has no strong meaning, and the spelling is very trendy without much substance. Is there any particular reason you prefer Anistyn over Aniston, or over its origin name, [name]Annice[/name]/[name]Annis[/name]?
Of what you’ve listed, Emiko is my favourite, as a first, either in full, or with nick names [name]Emmy[/name], [name]Em[/name], [name]Miki[/name], [name]Miko[/name], etc. Although I understand it doesn’t necessarily match with your other names (though, it’s not a far cry from [name]Dakota[/name]).
Avonlea is kind of cute and original; is it pronounced AY-von-[name]LAY[/name]-uh or Uh-[name]VON[/name]-lee-ya? Other ways of honouring your gran with [name]Anne[/name] of [name]Green[/name] Gables: [name]Lucy[/name] (the name of the author), [name]Shirley[/name] ([name]Anne[/name]'s last name, and perhaps more unique than [name]Anne[/name]), [name]Blythe[/name] ([name]Gilbert[/name]'s surname), [name]Cordelia[/name] (the name [name]Anne[/name] wishes to be called at first).
Names that mean light, like [name]Ellen[/name]: [name]Sol[/name], [name]Helene[/name], [name]Lenore[/name]/[name]Leonor[/name], [name]Lux[/name], [name]Noor[/name], [name]Orly[/name], [name]Ori[/name],
[name]Eleanor[/name], [name]Helen[/name], [name]Helena[/name], [name]Bella[/name], [name]Elle[/name], and [name]Belle[/name] could all work to honor [name]Ellen[/name].
From your list I would chose Avonlea Emiko and Esmee Hikari. They are beautiful and unique, although I like [name]Esme[/name] spelled with one E.
Anistyn is honestly one of the tackiest, trashiest girls names I’ve heard in my entire life. If you really wanted to name a child Anistyn (although I have no idea why anyone would) at least spell it the right way, [name]Anniston[/name].
I appreciate the honesty, but trashy?? When I think trashy and tacky, I think Cupcake, [name]Peaches[/name], [name]Sugar[/name], [name]Angel[/name] or something like that… I hardly think Anistyn/[name]Anniston[/name] is trashy. Might not be to everyone’s liking but that seems a bit harsh.
I think the best one on your list is [name]Esme[/name] Hikari! (classic spelling) That’s lovely! And the first name has 2 E’s like [name]Ellen[/name].
I usually find the name Avonlea a bit “over the top” but in your case as it actually has special significance and meaning, I think it would be sweet and Avonlea Emiko is a good combination.
I agree [name]Ella[/name] is too popular, I couldn’t do it.
Anistyn…I think what pp was trying to say is that this name just doesn’t convey the beauty, class, grace etc. of something like [name]Esme[/name].
So … Top choice: [name]Esme[/name] Hikari Runner up: Avonlea Emiko
Congratulations!
I agree that trashy is a little harsh to describe most names, even Cupcake and the like, and if you adore Anistyn, there’s nothing anyone can say to talk you out of it, and truly, that’s as it should be. But it is lacking the meaning and history of your other choices, and has a made-up feel to it. Now, all names were made up at one point, you could argue, but usually from a strong cultural tradition. What draws you to this name, OP? I admit that the first thing I think of is a misspelled [name]Jennifer[/name] Aniston, but sound-wise, it’s no different than [name]Madison[/name], etc, really, and thus could really work,especially in the States. My second thought was Annakin, as in Skywalker. People on this board seem to favour traditional naming practises, so that’s something to keep in mind when you ask for opinions here.
I think [name]Dakota[/name] and Emiko go really cutely together, but I understand you not wanting to break up the tradition of the Japanese middle name. As I think more about Avonlea, I quite like it, especially with your proposed nickname.
I know that [name]Ella[/name] is super popular, but I really like that it would have a lot of meaning to you. It is really pretty and if it has so much meaning I wouldn’t worry about popularity. My next favorite would be Avonlea, but I don’t know how to pronounce it correctly. I don’t really like Anistyn, but calling it trashy was very harsh. It just sounds like another trendy name.
My vote goes to Avonlea Emiko. I think it honors your grandmother in a very special, meaningful way, while still giving the child her own identity. And since [name]Dakota[/name] and Avonlea are both place names, it would unite the sisters and distinguish them from the boys (always a good thing when you favor unisex names).
Runner-up would be Esmee Hikari. I love the meaning of Hikari and think that is a great way to bring in your grandmother’s name. I do prefer the [name]Esme[/name] spelling, mostly because three of any letter is a lot to have in a two syllable name It’s just prettier on paper, at least to me. This one is second pick for me because [name]Esme[/name] is much more classically feminine compared to the unisex [name]Dakota[/name]. Someone looking at your children’s names on paper might think that you have three boys and one girl.
I agree that [name]Ella[/name] is perhaps too popular for you. I would hate for the special meaning and significance of the name to be overlooked just because the [name]Ella[/name] bandwagon was around at the time of her birth. [name]Ella[/name] is also the most incongruous with the sibset. It’s the same reasoning I have against [name]Esme[/name], but more so.
Anistyn…
There’s a stigma associated with names like Anistyn, sort of the idea that the parents wanted a unique name or an unusual twist on a popular name, but because they couldn’t think of one, they changed the spelling. Thus the disdain of “youneek” and “cre8ively” spelled names. This feeling mostly exists among name enthusiasts. It’s sort of like when people who see themselves as authentically “punk” or “goth” or what have you call someone a “poser.” I think the reason it bothers people, especially die-hard name lovers, is that it can come off like a pseudo-uniqueness. The idea that “The name [name]Emily[/name] is crazy popular in my area, but we spelled it Emmyleigh, so it’s different.” It’s still [name]Emily[/name] though. They could have chosen [name]Emmeline[/name] or [name]Emilia[/name], or a number of other established names with classical spellings that are still a different take on the [name]Emily[/name] idea.
I think you’re going for something truly original, judging from the fact that you dislike [name]Ella[/name]'s popularity, and from the great care you are taking to incorporate the essence of your grandmother’s name rather than just passing on the name itself. I think this is why people are trying to steer you away from Anistyn, because it falls more into the “youneek”/pseudo-unique category, instead of being an authentic, one-of-a-kind name in its own right. I hope this is helpful to you, rather than offensive. Best of luck with the naming!!!
My vote is for Avonlea. Avonlea Emiko is very, very pretty. The runner up would be [name]Esme[/name] (I also prefer one E)
I’m okay with Anistyn. I think it’s kinda cute and of course it’s not trashy. [name]Angel[/name] is far from trashy too, if you ask me (a bit offended since it’s my name).
[name]Ella[/name] Emiko is pretty too.
Avonlea reminds me of [name]Heavenly[/name], due to the „lee” ending. Therefore not a fan to be honest. Anistyn nms, Esmee neither, [name]Ella[/name] i like, both because it honors both grandparents and the name itself. [name]How[/name] popular is it really in your area?
I would choose Emiko as a first name, and add [name]Ellen[/name] as a second name. Emiko and [name]Dakota[/name] are a great set!
No offense meant… I really don’t think any name is trashy if the person who bears it isn’t trashy. There’s some names I’ve hated on paper but then I meet the nicest person with that name or the cutest little girl/boy with the name and then suddenly I don’t hate it any more.
Thanks for your help! Now I am starting to think I need to scrap it and come up with something different because none of them feels absolutely right. I’m obviously on an E/A kick… loving names that start with those letters.
Here is more brainstorming… help me come up with some names please!!
I am starting to love the name [name]Emerson[/name]. Her middle would have to be Hikari after my grandmother and I’d probably call her [name]Emi[/name] or [name]Emery[/name] for short.
I am wanting a unique name for her that doesn’t sound ultra-girly b/c my other daughter’s name is [name]Dakota[/name] which is very unisex. I feel like [name]Emerson[/name] is feminine but doesn’t have that frilly sound to it that would totally set it apart from [name]Dakota[/name].
I am also thinking of other names that include [name]Ella[/name] or [name]Elle[/name] as part of the name to honor my grandmother. Also names that include [name]Anna[/name] or can be shortened to [name]Annie[/name] for a nn. This is also a family name. I like Annikah and [name]Annelise[/name]… but [name]Annelise[/name] is maybe a bit too girly again.
Please help!!! If the first name does not include [name]Ella[/name] or [name]Anna[/name] in it, then the middle name would have to be Hikari (He-kar-ee). If it does include it, then we also like the middle name Emiko if that sounds better. (Eh-mi-ko)
My kids are half-Japanese so we always use Japanese middle names.
