The top 5 girls – Ines, Iris, Margaret, Fern and Adelaide

[imogeneve]

After umming and uhhing and thinking I had a name or two almost set, I’ve gone backwards and decided that I’ll be taking a list of 5 (yes 5) complete yet completely different girl name options to hospital, with the final decision being made after the babe is born. What do you think of my choices? Any clear favourites? Any you’d scrap? Anything you’d change?

1. [name]Ines[/name] [name]Clementine[/name] [name]Nell[/name]. DH is from South [name]America[/name], hence [name]Ines[/name], which is a nice simple name I love. [name]Clementine[/name] is an old favourite. [name]Nell[/name] is after a great-aunt (her full name was [name]Ellen[/name]).

2. [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name]. [name]Iris[/name] is after DH’s great-aunt. [name]Juliet[/name] is there because I think it is gorgeous, feminine and romantic and pairs so well with [name]Iris[/name]. [name]Austen[/name] is my grandmother’s maiden name, I’m not 100% certain about using [name]Austen[/name] here.

3. [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name]. [name]Margaret[/name], after my other grandmother (my grandmother was [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Mignon[/name]). What is your favourite nn option for [name]Margaret[/name]? I’m thinking [name]Meg[/name]. [name]Elowen[/name] because it is pretty. [name]Eve[/name] is my middle name.

4. [name]Fern[/name] [name]Evelyn[/name] [name]Pearl[/name]. [name]Fern[/name] is an old favourite from childhood. [name]Evelyn[/name] is my mum’s middle name. [name]Pearl[/name] is another way to honour [name]Margaret[/name].

5. [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Dahlia[/name] [name]Quinn[/name]. Not sure if this combination is just right. I think it’s the [name]Quinn[/name] that is throwing me, but maybe it is [name]Dahlia[/name]. [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Delilah[/name]? Suggestions? This is the only option that uses no family names.

At the moment my favourites are [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name] and [name]Fern[/name] [name]Evelyn[/name] [name]Pearl[/name], but that changes regularly! Last week I was favouring [name]Ines[/name]!

Now just to figure out a boys name option … I’ll settle for just one I like with the boys!

[peapodm]

I like [name]Iris[/name] and [name]Margaret[/name] the best! For [name]Margaret[/name], I like [name]Maisie[/name] or [name]Greta[/name] or [name]Molly[/name] as a nickname.

#1: I like each of those names separately, but I’m not sure about the flow. [name]Clementine[/name] [name]Ines[/name] something sounds nice. I think the [name]Nell[/name] is too short and punctuated at the end. Mixing things up: [name]Clementine[/name] [name]Austen[/name] [name]Ines[/name]?
#2: I like [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] but I’m not sure about [name]Austen[/name], but I like that you are using it because of a family connection. [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Pearl[/name]?
#3: This one flow really beautifully.
#4: This one has two one-syllable names so for some reason it seems a bit clunky. [name]How[/name] about [name]Evelyn[/name] [name]Austen[/name] [name]Fern[/name]?
#5 is a bit too contemporary sounding compared to the rest on your list.

Looking over at my comments, I think I like the longest name first (most syllables) and the shortest at the end, in a 2-3-1, 3-3-1 or 3-2-1 syllable pattern. Three names are harder to put together rhythmically.

[Amydomsmom]

[name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name] is my favorite, but they are all great! If you aren’t 100% on the [name]Austen[/name] part of it (which I actually really love- [name]Jane[/name] [name]Austen[/name] is a literary reference that any girl would adore but being a family name is a great bonus) then what about [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Nell[/name]? Your [name]Margaret[/name] combo would be my second choice. Good luck you to. =]

[owlett]

Oh I like [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name]! The flow is just right, and I love that you included your middle, [name]Eve[/name].

My favorite first name from your list is [name]Adelaide[/name]. It’s long been a favorite of mine; historical, classic, lyrical and so many nicknames (if that’s your style).

[emmabobemma]

As is, I love: [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name] (feminine, strong) [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name] (fabulous flow, and [name]Margaret[/name] has a wonderful solidity)

[name]Fern[/name] [name]Evelyn[/name] [name]Pearl[/name]: [name]Fern[/name] is such a special name. Pssibly my fave of your first names. Sweet, mysterious, simple but evocative. [name]Fern[/name] [name]Evelyn[/name] is lovely. [name]Pearl[/name] on the end brings it into nature name overkill territory for me.
[name]Fern[/name] [name]Evelyn[/name] [name]Nell[/name]
[name]Fern[/name] [name]Evelyn[/name] [name]Marguerite[/name]

[name]Ines[/name] [name]Clementine[/name] [name]Nell[/name]: [name]Nell[/name] doesn’t stand up to jewellike [name]Ines[/name] or bright [name]Clementine[/name].
[name]Ines[/name] [name]Rita[/name] [name]Clementine[/name] (from [name]Margaret[/name], but closer in flavor to [name]Ines[/name])
[name]Ines[/name] [name]Clementine[/name] [name]Eve[/name]
[name]Ines[/name] [name]Iliana[/name] [name]Clementine[/name] ([name]Iliana[/name]- Spanish, from [name]Ellen[/name])

[name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Dahlia[/name] [name]Quinn[/name]- my least favorite. [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Evelyn[/name] [name]Pearl[/name]? Meh.

[bellarina]

[name]Love[/name] [name]Adelaide[/name]! It’s gorgeous but also playful at the same time. My favorite nn is [name]Della[/name]

[missmelissa]

I adore the name [name]Ines[/name], I’m just now too fond of [name]Clementine[/name] or [name]Nell[/name] sorry. [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name] is lovely and my favorite off your list.

[boyandgirl]

[name]Iris[/name] and [name]Margaret[/name] are my favs! I love [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name]. Such a perfect combination!

[Sunshine.10]

These combos are all beautiful! Regarding your dilemma with the [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Dahlia[/name] [name]Quinn[/name] combo, here are some alternative ideas:
– I think part of the problem is that the two “d” sounds right in a row break up the flow. Perhaps you could use a different flower name?
[name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Laurel[/name] [name]Quinn[/name]
[name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Jessamine[/name] [name]Pearl[/name] (adding a way to honor family into this combo!)
[name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Violet[/name] [name]Quinn[/name]
[name]Adelaide[/name] Cleome [name]Pearl[/name]

I hope those help!

[imogeneve]

Wow! [name]Iris[/name] and [name]Margaret[/name] seem to be the clear favourites.

@peapodm, the nn’s [name]Maisie[/name], [name]Greta[/name] and [name]Molly[/name] are all gorgeous. DH is vehemently opposed to [name]Clementine[/name] as a first, hence it being in the middle spot. And you’re right about [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Dahlia[/name] [name]Quinn[/name] being to contemporary, I think I need to come up with new options there.

@Amydomsmom, so true, if she is anything like me, then she will love the literary reference, as well as the family association. It’s growing on me. I think the main issue is my Grandmother is still alive, and I’m not sure if she would be honoured or annoyed. I should probably discuss it with her first.

@owlett. [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name] is probably one of my current frontrunners, I love the flow and [name]Elowen[/name] is so romantic sounding. [name]Adelaide[/name] has always been a favourite name, but I can’t seem to figure out the right combination. Problem is I always liked [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Lily[/name], then I went and used [name]Lilian[/name] with [name]Nora[/name]! Oh well. And nn’s are the best. What are your favourite nicknames for [name]Adelaide[/name]?

@bellarina. [name]Della[/name] is a cute nn option that I hadn’t even considered!

@tfzolghadr. “A romantic name of epic proportions that will have the boys swooning… hope you’re ready for that.” Lol! You just made me love the [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name] option very, very much. Thank you for the great advice on flow, you’re right Adelaidahlia isn’t great.

@sunshine.10. Thanks for the [name]Adelaide[/name] options. [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Laurel[/name] [name]Quinn[/name] would possibly be my fave from your suggestions.

Thank you everyone for such great feedback. I’ve decided to keep looking for the perfect [name]Adelaide[/name] combination, as [name]Adelaide[/name] is DH’s favourite, although I checked with his mum and abuela and it isn’t the easiest name for Spanish speakers! If she becomes an [name]Adelaide[/name], then she may possibly go by a nn with half the family. [name]Ines[/name] and [name]Iris[/name] are the best bilingual options as is, and [name]Iris[/name] currently seems to be the top contender in my books.

[raptreverie]

[name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name] is a stunning combo and definitely my favorite from your current list.

I want to love the [name]Ines[/name] [name]Clementine[/name] combo, as I think it’s my favorite of your first names. However, I don’t particularly like how the final -n of [name]Clementine[/name] butts into the beginning N- of [name]Nell[/name]. The whole combo just feels too nasally. [name]Ines[/name] [name]Clementine[/name] [name]Pearl[/name] or [name]Ines[/name] [name]Clementine[/name] [name]Eve[/name] would work much better in my opinion.

[shieldsc]

[name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name] is my favorite, hands down! I love family names!

[niteowl13]

At first I was going to pick [name]Iris[/name]. The combo of [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name] is nice too.
However, I love [name]Elowen[/name] and [name]Eve[/name] together. [name]Margaret[/name] isn’t my favorite name, but I love the nn [name]Meg[/name]! [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name] is lovely!

[owlett]

Our eldest’s mn is [name]Adelaide[/name]. Papa Owlett hated [name]Addie[/name] enough that he wouldn’t let me use it as a fn. I think [name]Dell[/name] is my favorite, but [name]Ada[/name] is so sweet. [name]Adele[/name] is a bit more formal and Ladie (Lady) isn’t my style.

[loisvs]

I think [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name] is lovely, and [name]IMO[/name] fits best with the two kids you already have. Plus, if you say that it’s already a bilingual option, that’s awesome. [name]Nora[/name] and [name]Iris[/name] are PERFECT sister names, [name]IMO[/name]. Similar “feel”, lovely and vintage but not frou-frou at all. Also, both have more frilly/feminine mns–[name]Nora[/name] has 2 but I think it’s nicely balanced, because [name]Juliet[/name] by itself has tons of femininity and [name]Iris[/name] is a tad more girly than [name]Nora[/name]…[name]IMO[/name].

I like [name]Fern[/name] [name]Evelyn[/name] [name]Pearl[/name] as a 2nd choice. [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name] is also pretty and fits.

I don’t prefer the [name]Adelaide[/name] option. The combo doesn’t flow, it doesn’t seem to fit the other 2 names as well, and if half the family can’t pronounce it, that seems like a shame.

[sjpau]

[name]Margaret[/name] and [name]Iris[/name] are my favourites, both really lovely! [name]Margaret[/name] nn for me would be [name]Meg[/name], [name]Maggie[/name] or [name]Peggy[/name] in that order.
I love [name]Fern[/name], [name]Evelyn[/name] & [name]Pearl[/name] but together it just doesn’t seem to flow. [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Iris[/name] [name]Quinn[/name]? hmm the last is the most tricky. Good luck!!

[wattle]

[name]Imogen[/name],

Your post makes me laugh because you sound exactly like me! I thought I was 100% settled on [name]Marguerite[/name] but now I’ve got a list of five favourites too (I havent even started with combos though).

[name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name] is so gorgeous, really love this for you… and [name]Meg[/name] is adorable.

[name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] is still a clear winner for me. I did prefer [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Pearl[/name] to [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name], but I do love that [name]Austen[/name] is more unexpected and that it has family significance.

So my choice at this stage would be [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name] followed by [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name]. I still looove [name]Ines[/name] too… but perhaps the combo needs work?

What about [name]Ines[/name] [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Pearl[/name]? [name]Ines[/name] [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Fern[/name]?

[name]Fern[/name] and [name]Adelaide[/name] are probably my least favourites from your list (I do like them in the middle though)… however, I think [name]Adele[/name] would be PERFECT for you. What do you think? My favourite nn for [name]Adelaide[/name] would have to be [name]Adele[/name] or [name]Ada[/name].

Bottom line is, all your options are really lovely… you cannot go wrong.

I might PM you with my latest dilemmas x

[theclocktowerofjoy]

I like [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Dahlia[/name] [name]Quinn[/name].

[aguafresca]

These are some lovely combinations.

I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name] and think it fits amazingly well with your other two kids’ names. That is my top choice, and I think you could keep [name]Austen[/name] as it sounds lovely, or swap it out with something else.

I think I said this in a previous thread, but I love how [name]Oscar[/name] and [name]Nora[/name] are easy in both English and Spanish, so I think you should keep it the same for this third child. Would you be willing to switch up your fifth name and do [name]Dahlia[/name] [name]Adelaide[/name] instead? [name]Dahlia[/name] is a perfectly easy name in Spanish and I think it fits the feel of [name]Oscar[/name] and [name]Nora[/name] better than [name]Adelaide[/name] does. I think [name]Fern[/name] and [name]Margaret[/name] are nice, and are similar enough to [name]Fernanda[/name] and [name]Margarita[/name] that those names will probably be okayish with your inlaws. I knew a [name]Fernando[/name] in high school and he was mostly called Fernie, so I imagine that may happen with a [name]Fern[/name]. I don’t like [name]Nell[/name] or [name]Quinn[/name] where you have them. [name]Quinn[/name] doesn’t feel to me like it fits the other names at all. [name]Nell[/name] fits in stylistically better than [name]Quinn[/name], but I can’t make it sound right in any combinations. Maybe [name]Estelle[/name] instead of [name]Nell[/name]? I don’t like how [name]Fern[/name] and [name]Pearl[/name] have the same /er/ sound as each other and are both one syllable long in the same name, so I’m moving [name]Pearl[/name] to take the place of [name]Quinn[/name].

So my order is:

1. [name]Iris[/name] [name]Juliet[/name] [name]Austen[/name] ([name]Oscar[/name], [name]Nora[/name], and [name]Iris[/name])

2. [name]Ines[/name] [name]Clementine[/name] [name]Estelle[/name] ([name]Oscar[/name], [name]Nora[/name], and [name]Ines[/name]) (switch out Nell for Estelle)

3. [name]Dahlia[/name] [name]Adelaide[/name] [name]Pearl[/name] ([name]Oscar[/name], [name]Nora[/name], and [name]Dahlia[/name])

4. [name]Margaret[/name] [name]Elowen[/name] [name]Eve[/name] ([name]Oscar[/name], [name]Nora[/name], and [name]Margaret[/name]) (So beautiful, but not as bilingual as I like. Also, as beautiful as this combo is, [name]Margaret[/name] itself is a tad on the boring side compared to [name]Nora[/name] and [name]Oscar[/name] (and [name]Iris[/name], [name]Ines[/name], [name]Dahlia[/name], and [name]Fern[/name], [name]IMO[/name])).

5. [name]Fern[/name] [name]Evelyn[/name] [name]Louise[/name] ([name]Oscar[/name], [name]Nora[/name], and [name]Fern[/name]) (just throwing out a random middle name that I like better with [name]Fern[/name] [name]Evelyn[/name])

Ooh, I hope you pick [name]Iris[/name], [name]Ines[/name], or [name]Dahlia[/name]!

Edited to say: I also like Dahlia Elowen Eve.