Thoughts on the following…

Girl Names
1

Aluma - a name I don’t see anyone else mention on here that I love - I don’t even think it’s in the nameberry db. [name_u]Perfect[/name_u] for an [name_f]Autumn[/name_f] baby, it means sheaf of grain at harvest. I find this name cosy and evocative and the ‘Lum’ part also makes me think of golden autumnal light. Log cabins, woolly knits, woodland and wellies come to mind.

[name_f]Albertine[/name_f] - there’s something about the offbeat feminisation of a male name / dusty clunkiness of this that I really like compared to other -ine ending names. I feel like we’re one indie band member naming their kid this away from it becoming a notting hill hipster choice.

[name_f]Elva[/name_f] - not a great fan of a v sound, except in eve, but I’m really loving this atm. [name_f]Gorgeous[/name_f] meaning too.

Einara - Norse feminine version of [name_m]Einar[/name_m]. [name_u]Loving[/name_u] the meaning of bold warrior.

[name_f]Embla[/name_f] - the Norse ‘Eve’ first woman figure. Means elm tree

[name_u]Esca[/name_u] - a soft and gentle choice reflected by its ‘water’ meaning.

[name_f]Francie[/name_f] - really liking this atm.

[name_f]Hilda[/name_f] / [name_f]Hildie[/name_f] - loving the patrician fustiness of this mixed with the adorable nn of [name_f]Hildie[/name_f].

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] - simple, universally appealing virtue name independent of religious connotations. We all need hope.

[name_f]Trudie[/name_f] - cute & clunky. Too dogs name?

[name_f]Rowenna[/name_f] - come to love this more than [name_f]Rowena[/name_f]. I fine the softer -enna sound so beautiful, without the name losing any of its mythological / lit & legend appeal. Also love the nn [name_f]Wenna[/name_f].

[name_f]Maura[/name_f] - love the mournful, melancholic beauty of this.

[name_f]Muriel[/name_f] - a true old lady name I adore. [name_u]Love[/name_u] the sea meaning.

[name_f]Lucille[/name_f] - love the retro vibes.

[name_f]Imelda[/name_f] - I feel like this is underrused and overlooked in the ‘clunky’ grouping of names.

[name_f]Jamesina[/name_f] - love this offbeat feminisation. There’s something about the pronunciation I like.

[name_f]Melba[/name_f] - super cute. [name_u]An[/name_u] old lady name I could definitely see revived. I do think of the peach [name_f]Melba[/name_f] dessert.

[name_f]Ivadell[/name_f] / Ivadelle - recently heard this and instantly loved. Has familiarity from similarity to [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] but I’m loving the strong I sound and the fantasy place name feel.

What are your thoughts? [name_f]Honesty[/name_f] welcome :pray:

1 Like
2

Forgot [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] and [name_f]Ramona[/name_f]. But the post is long enough :joy:

1 Like
3

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] is the best name on your list.

Aluma - reminds me of the word Alumni.
[name_f]Albertine[/name_f] - I really hate this feminization. It’s very harsh sounding.
[name_f]Elva[/name_f] - makes me think of elves. I prefer [name_u]Alma[/name_u] or [name_f]Maeva[/name_f] as alternatives.
[name_f]Trudie[/name_f] - I know someone with this name. Never liked it.
[name_f]Maura[/name_f] - I like this name.
[name_f]Muriel[/name_f] - Not a fan. [name_m]Can[/name_m] only picture a grandmother with this name.
[name_f]Lucille[/name_f] - I like it because of the option to use [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] as a nickname.
[name_f]Imelda[/name_f] - like it but don’t love it.
[name_f]Jamesina[/name_f] - so unique that it’s weird. I think people will have pronunciation issues. It’s the type of name that you have to read twice before saying it aloud.
[name_f]Melba[/name_f] - this is cute.
Ivadelle - sounds like a place, not a name.
[name_f]Imogene[/name_f] and [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] - dislike both of them.

1 Like
5

Thankyou for your honest thoughts. I think the reason you don’t like [name_f]Elva[/name_f] is why I like it :joy:.

6

There’s something nice about it isn’t there. Don’t think I’d ever use as a first but like for a middle

1 Like
7

Aluma - I love saying this but I don’t think I could use because of alumni/alumnus or illuminate, but a cool kid among other cool kids (with very unusual names) could wear it

Albertine - I love an -ine ending and this is a band member’s kid name as you say, or the name of the band itself. I like it!

Elva - its meaning is beyond cute. It doesn’t quite charm me enough (I prefer Elvira), but I’d like to meet an Elva.

Einara - no, I don’t like this even with the meaning - would be good on a fictional character.

Embla - a little too close to emblem. It and Esca seem like brand names to me, possibly of markers/colouring in pens.

Esca - see above - and a little too harsh.

Francie - I love Francie - Frances is one of the two middle names of my daughter. Had it been her first, this would be her nickname. It’s so literary, winsome and sweet - but with some heft behind it too.

Hilda / Hildie - agreed - matronly and brilliant. I love Hildie! I am keen on Clothilde too - just not ideal with the Clot/Clotty thing.

Hope - simple and pure, but I just don’t love saying it as a name (I know one.)

Trudie - dislike - find like it’s a word you automatically say with a faux-sincere, Southern US accent (bless your heart!, hey little buddy sort of thing) or else it’s a desert? Not for me.

Rowenna - I also like this better than Rowena - don’t love a ween sound (same for Edwina) so don’t love Rowena I can’t see Rowenna making my top 10 ever, though, because I don’t love Row names either - but I’d like to meet a Rowenna.

Maura - no, I don’t like the sound. It’s too droopy for me.

Muriel - no, it’s forever tainted by the drawl of the characters in Muriel’s Wedding.

Lucille - nice but not my favourite “pretty” name.

Imelda - not sure I can not think of this as a wicked stepsister or fusty spinster name.

Jamesina - prefer Thomasina, I think. I’m not sure about this one. Maybe. Prefer Albertine as a first pass!

Melba - too associated with Melbourne and Dame Nellie Melba for me - I also find it a bit too broad and stripped back as a first name - like Amba etc.

Ivadell / Ivadelle - very pretty, though would first think is was a country town or hotel name.

Imogene - one of my top 10-20 names for sure! I favour Imogen but don’t mind this spelling either (does it make it Imo-jen / jean more than Imo-jun?). Immy is too cute!

Ramona - I don’t like the “moan” part of this name but I can see it’s a hip name with the Romy nn possibility.

1 Like
8

Aluma ~ I love your evocative description of this and I’m loving it as a long form for [name_f]Lumi[/name_f], which I’ve always found cute but too nicknamey. However I did read ‘alumna’ the first time.

[name_f]Albertine[/name_f] ~ love it. Fusty chic but brightened by the sparkly last syllable and amazing nn [name_u]Bertie[/name_u]!

[name_f]Elva[/name_f] ~ simple, otherworldly, international.

Einara ~ beautiful! I love [name_f]Inara[/name_f] so this is similar.

[name_f]Embla[/name_f] ~ this was a nameberry discovery for me and I love it, it reminds me of embers in a winter fire and pine forests.

[name_u]Esca[/name_u] ~ this one trips me up, I keep saying ‘Esca’ and it sliiiightly reminds me of eczema, sorry!

[name_f]Francie[/name_f] ~ more unexpected than [name_u]Frankie[/name_u]! I quite like it.

[name_f]Hilda[/name_f] ~ underrated vintage name, [name_f]Hildie[/name_f] makes it so sweet

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] ~ love the sentiment, it’s a timeless classic but kind of overdone?

[name_f]Trudie[/name_f] ~ vintage and cutesy, very poodle skirt vibes

[name_f]Rowenna[/name_f] ~ I agree, I prefer this to the slightly nasal [name_f]Rowena[/name_f], and [name_f]Wenna[/name_f] is lovely!

[name_f]Maura[/name_f] ~ agree it sounds melancholic. I like it! Like a younger much more beautiful version of [name_f]Maureen[/name_f].

[name_f]Muriel[/name_f] ~ I should love this because I like sea names and things like [name_f]Cariel[/name_f], however it is forever stuck in my mind as Ms Finster from Recess :sweat_smile:

[name_f]Lucille[/name_f] ~ sleek fifties vibes, I [name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_f]Lucy[/name_f]

[name_f]Imelda[/name_f] ~ it’s nice but it’s just [name_f]Imelda[/name_f] Staunton to me (who is great but it’s very much ‘her’ name in my head)

[name_f]Jamesina[/name_f] ~ I should love this because I really like [name_f]Thomasina[/name_f] but somehow it feels more ‘made up’? Maybe it needs to grow on me!

[name_f]Melba[/name_f] ~ I like this, I think of peach [name_f]Melba[/name_f] too but that kind of gives it summery, beach vibes?

[name_f]Ivadell[/name_f] ~ highly obsessed I love it, no notes

1 Like
9

Oh! [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] and [name_f]Ramona[/name_f]!

[name_f]Imogene[/name_f] ~ I’m never sure how this is pronounced tbh, I vastly prefer [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] ‘IMM-uh-jun’

[name_f]Ramona[/name_f] ~ feels very 90s edgy cool to me, I also think of [name_f]Mona[/name_f] the Vampire

1 Like
10

[name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_f]Elva[/name_f]! It’s on my shortlist for a girl :blush:

Einara is really pretty. I’ve never seen that before!

I love Hilda/Hildie! Maybe a little too buttoned up for me, but a guilty pleasure for sure.

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] is lovely.

[name_f]Trudy[/name_f] is my favourite girls name ever! (but this spelling, not Trudie).

I’m not sure about [name_f]Rowenna[/name_f] on paper, but then I say it out loud and it’s gorgeous!! Have you considered [name_f]Morwenna[/name_f] too?

The others are fine just not my style. I kind of dislike [name_f]Muriel[/name_f], [name_f]Jamesina[/name_f], [name_f]Melba[/name_f], and [name_f]Ivadell[/name_f] though.

1 Like
11

Thanks for your detailed response. I’m the same with [name_f]Clothilde[/name_f] and also put off for the same reason. I definitely see all your points and associations with the names! [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] is pronounced how it’s spelt I believe (Jean ending) - I love [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] also.

1 Like
12

Thankyou for your comprehensive comments! Nice to meet another [name_f]Ivadell[/name_f] lover :heart: Particularly appreciating the love for Aluma and [name_f]Albertine[/name_f] also!

1 Like
13

I think [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] is Imo-jean. I also love [name_f]Imogen[/name_f], and I think possibly more, but I’m a lover of a twist on a classic.

14

Nice to meet a fellow [name_f]Trudy[/name_f] lover! Seems a bit marmite…
I don’t like [name_f]Morwenna[/name_f], and I don’t know why as it’s so similar! It’s possibly the fact that Mor-prefix reminds me of death, ie Morte .

1 Like
15

This is such a good list, it’s a joy to read one with so many offbeat choices. I’m most fascinated by [name_f]Ivadell[/name_f], which is new to me. Is it pronounced with an I like [name_u]Ivy[/name_u] or a long E sound as in bee :honeybee: ? [name_f]Ivadell[/name_f] sounds like a woodland sprite, I’m enchanted!

Aluma - I haven’t heard of this either but I instantly like it (one of my favourite names is Alara). I get a strong light association from the ‘lum’ part too. Its nature meaning is stunning.

[name_f]Albertine[/name_f] - love this! I also love [name_f]Alberta[/name_f]. To me it sounds delicate and quirky.

[name_f]Elva[/name_f] - rare but familiar, it’s really lovely. I like the similar [name_f]Elvie[/name_f] and Elke/Elka a lot too.

Einara - strong and beautiful.

[name_f]Embla[/name_f] - I’m not fond of the sounds in this one. I might be pronouncing it all wrong, of course!

[name_u]Esca[/name_u] - love!!! I also like [name_m]Escher[/name_m] sooo much.

[name_f]Francie[/name_f] - this one isn’t for me, even though I like [name_f]Frances[/name_f], [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] and [name_f]Francine[/name_f] a lot. I think I have trouble with it, because I don’t know whether to say it with a long or short A sound, and because it’s so close to the word fancy.

[name_f]Hilda[/name_f] I’m unsure of, but [name_f]Hildie[/name_f] - yes! She has sweet and independent vibes for me.

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] - lovely.

[name_f]Trudie[/name_f] - fantastic! I don’t have any doggy association’s with this one!

[name_f]Rowenna[/name_f] - I agree with you in liking this more than [name_f]Rowena[/name_f]. R names are a bright earthy red to me.

[name_f]Maura[/name_f] - agreed with your description and ditto I like it for the same reasons, as with [name_f]Morven[/name_f].

[name_f]Muriel[/name_f] is so pretty, and clunky! I possibly prefer the spelling [name_f]Murielle[/name_f] to distance from the dusty associations a little.

[name_f]Lucille[/name_f] - not a sparkly interesting name to me but I can see it’s appeal. You aren’t asking for suggestions but I can’t help but say my favourite is [name_f]Lucasta[/name_f] of the [name_m]Luc[/name_m]- names!

[name_f]Imelda[/name_f] - I know a little one named this. It works well.

[name_f]Melba[/name_f] - I like it but I fear people will find it more dessert-like than name-like and that could get very annoying.

[name_f]Ramona[/name_f] - I love this spunky name! It has a touch of Maura’s melancholic beauty mixed with Rowenna’s deep earthy red.

1 Like
16

[name_m]Hi[/name_m]! Was a joy to read your comments! :blush:

[name_f]Ivadell[/name_f] is with the strong I as in [name_u]Ivy[/name_u]. In fact [name_u]Ivy[/name_u] would be an intuitive nn if one was so inclined.

It was nice to hear your thoughts on Aluma, for me it has the coziness of [name_u]Alma[/name_u] which I also find ‘woolly’ but with a little more elegance? And yes, the light association is lovely because with it being an Autumnal name I envisage that warm and honeyed light that everyone looks good in. [name_f]Gorgeous[/name_f] :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

1 Like
17

Oh, and I see the appeal of [name_f]Lucasta[/name_f], I quite enjoy [name_f]Jocasta[/name_f] :blush:

1 Like
18

Aluma - Very pretty but I think it blends in with the current trend of [name_f]Elena[/name_f], [name_f]Alina[/name_f], [name_f]Alora[/name_f], [name_f]Alana[/name_f], [name_u]Elisa[/name_u], etc. names. Also reminds me of illuminate.

[name_f]Albertine[/name_f] - hipster and stands out in a clunky way, verging on clunky-cool

[name_f]Elva[/name_f] - too close to elves for me

Einara - actually quite cool, not sure how accessible it is in an Anglo-speaking world though

[name_f]Embla[/name_f] - I always found this name uncharacteristically awkward to pronounce

[name_u]Esca[/name_u] - I actually think it sounds quite harsh

[name_f]Francie[/name_f] - super cute, prefer as a nickname

[name_f]Hilda[/name_f] / [name_f]Hildie[/name_f] - prefer [name_f]Hildie[/name_f], it feels like one of those impossibly dated “grandma” names that just isn’t going to come back in style

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] - simple and sweet, a little on the plain side but solid

[name_f]Trudie[/name_f] - cute and I could see it making a comeback in a few years

[name_f]Rowenna[/name_f] - TIL [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] is not pronounced this way… Much prefer this pronunciaton

[name_f]Maura[/name_f] - SUCH an underrated name!

[name_f]Muriel[/name_f] - along the lines of [name_f]Bertha[/name_f], [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f], [name_f]Hilda[/name_f], etc. I just see it as impossibly dated

[name_f]Lucille[/name_f] - cute, bouncy, sophisticated, and glamorous

[name_f]Imelda[/name_f] - my great grandmother’s name so I have a special connection to it. I feel like it still falls solidly into “grandma name” (and not in the cool vintage [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Ada[/name_f], kinda way) but I’m rooting for it to make a comeback! I can see it being revived.

[name_f]Jamesina[/name_f] - Not gonna lie, when I read this name I thought it was a typo for [name_f]Jasmine[/name_f]. I prefer [name_f]Jamesetta[/name_f] as a feminine version for [name_u]James[/name_u], but I find that all [name_u]James[/name_u] feminizations just sound awkward and forced to me.

[name_f]Melba[/name_f] - a popular restaurant where I’m from so that’s my overwhelming association. I can see it being revived too, though, it has a cute sound.

[name_f]Ivadell[/name_f] / Ivadelle - Great name for an RPG character, lol. I slightly prefer [name_f]Ivadell[/name_f], it feels more grounded.

1 Like
19

Aluma - is this pronounced with a ‘loo’ sound (like in [name_f]Lumi[/name_f] or Lucy), a ‘llum’ sound (like in Callum) or ‘lum’ sound (like in lumberjack)? (It reminds me of a place that I like, so I hope I like it after learning the pn)

[name_f]Albertine[/name_f] - my instinct was ‘no’, but then I read it and thought about it, and I kind of enjoy it - sort of clunky-cute yet regal with cool nickname possibility. [name_m]Can[/name_m] definitely see a hipster-y set of sisters called [name_f]Doris[/name_f], [name_f]Albertine[/name_f] and [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] (Issy, [name_u]Alba[/name_u] and [name_f]Millie[/name_f] - or, Dizzy, [name_f]Birdie[/name_f] and Misty)

[name_f]Elva[/name_f] - sharp and mystical - I like it.

Einara - this feels like a very you name - magical and bright

[name_f]Embla[/name_f] - love it, warm, warrior-princessy and magical

[name_u]Esca[/name_u] - sharp and interesting

[name_f]Francie[/name_f] - never sure if I should rhyme this with fancy/Nancy or like France-ee

Hilda/Hildie - charming, rugged, and clunky-cute

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] - you capture what I love about [name_f]Hope[/name_f] in that description - visually appealing, and charming in sound too

[name_f]Trudie[/name_f] - love this - such a great sound.

[name_f]Rowenna[/name_f] - warm and woodsy. I like it

[name_f]Maura[/name_f] - I want to like it more than I do. I find it a bit hard to say, like trying to stuff marshmallows in my mouth (sorry, that’s weird :person_shrugging: )

[name_f]Muriel[/name_f] - a great meaning and a kind of woolly/shepherd-y feel??? Which way do you pronounce it?

[name_f]Lucille[/name_f] - sleek and sweet

[name_f]Imelda[/name_f] - kind of like [name_f]Imogen[/name_f], [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] and [name_f]Melody[/name_f] smooshed into one with a thread of [name_f]Isolde[/name_f] in there too. Kind of like it

[name_f]Jamesina[/name_f] - like [name_u]James[/name_u], but worse (sorry, sorry)

[name_f]Melba[/name_f] - I think of both the dessert and [name_f]Melba[/name_f] Pattillo [name_m]Beals[/name_m]. I don’t love it, but I remember always being drawn to it in history lessons

[name_f]Ivadell[/name_f] - sort of magical, fantastical and sharp - I like it

1 Like
20

Thank you for your detailed response, and I can totally see where you’re coming from even with the not so positive comments, they’re all fair points. The same thing occurred to me re Aluma, or rather, why don’t I see it as another one of those names that you’ve listed that follow the same structure, because this is a bugbear of mine and a definite reason I write some names off - they just seem to blur into one and become indistinct. So I questioned why I kept coming back to that one in particular because I totally saw this same pattern. I think, for me, the ‘um’ sound marked it out as distinct - u is quite an unusual sound in names across the board, and that leant it a cosy and semi clunky woolliness I don’t get from those other names, which generally have a much ‘prettier’ and cleaner feel. But I do get it. Thanks once again.

21

Aluma has the lum (loom) sound as in [name_f]Lumi[/name_f]. Really intrigued to hear if this makes you like it or not…
I don’t think I’d ever realistically use [name_f]Albertine[/name_f], there are loads of names I love more. But I keep being drawn to it.
[name_u]Love[/name_u] your comment re Einara, I think you have my style down.
The marshmallow comment re [name_f]Maura[/name_f] made me laugh :blush:
[name_f]Muriel[/name_f] I say Myoo-ree-el or probably more like Myoo-ree-ul with the stress on the first syllable. Tbh, I wasn’t aware there was another pronunciation, do some people stress the last syllable into more of an -elle?
Don’t be sorry re [name_f]Jamesina[/name_f]! :joy: it’s one of those and a bit of an outlier on my own list really. In fact all the names are quite divisive, that’s why i find it fun and interesting to ask and find out peoples opinions, and why I asked for honesty. Your takes are always beautifully considered :blush:

1 Like