Too similar to last name?

I’m running into a problem… I have always loved the name [name_f]Ava[/name_f] (short, sweet and simple), but dislike the popularity/high rank on name charts (especially ince we have a pretty common last name as well).

After further searching, I’ve found another name I admire that’s nowhere near as popular as [name_f]Ava[/name_f]. [name_f]Ayla[/name_f] still has the short, sweet and simple feel that [name_f]Ava[/name_f] does and I love it! The problem is is our last name is [name_m]Allen[/name_m]… Somehow naming a future daughter [name_f]Ayla[/name_f] [name_m]Allen[/name_m] doesn’t sit right with me in terms of sound repetition.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and any name suggestions you have that have a similar feel to [name_f]Ava[/name_f] but without the popularity (but not too out there at the same time)!

[name_m]How[/name_m] about:

[name_f]Ada[/name_f]
[name_f]Eva[/name_f]
[name_f]Edie[/name_f]
[name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Ora[/name_f]
[name_f]Adeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Aveline[/name_f]
[name_f]Addie[/name_f]
[name_f]Aria[/name_f]
[name_f]Vera[/name_f]
[name_f]Tillie[/name_f]

I agree unfortunately that it is a little too close!

[name_f]Aoife[/name_f]
[name_f]Asia[/name_f]
[name_u]Avery[/name_u]
[name_f]Aviana[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_u]Ever[/name_u]
[name_f]Freya[/name_f]
[name_f]Gia[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
[name_f]Kayla[/name_f]
[name_f]Leah[/name_f]
[name_f]Leilani[/name_f]
[name_f]Lola[/name_f]
[name_u]Mica[/name_u]
[name_f]Nova[/name_f]
[name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Selena[/name_f]
[name_f]Vienna[/name_f]
[name_f]Zara[/name_f]

I like the suggestions of [name_f]Eva[/name_f], [name_f]Aviana[/name_f], [name_f]Adeline[/name_f], and [name_f]Edie[/name_f]. [name_u]Eden[/name_u] might work too.

I agree that [name_f]Ayla[/name_f] [name_m]Allen[/name_m] doesn’t quite work. I also think an A ending isn’t ideal (so no [name_f]Ava[/name_f]!) because you don’t really end the first name before moving to last and [name_m]Allen[/name_m] needs a decisive first name ending. Think if first name is A ending, it needs to be 3 syllables or more - eg [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_m]Allen[/name_m] so it’s easier to get to [name_m]Allen[/name_m], but that’s not short and sweet!

[name_m]How[/name_m] about:

[name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_u]Avery[/name_u]
[name_f]Amity[/name_f]
[name_f]Agnes[/name_f]
[name_m]Everley[/name_m]
[name_f]Grace[/name_f]
[name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_u]Ruby[/name_u]
[name_f]Neve[/name_f]
[name_u]Joss[/name_u]
[name_f]Edie[/name_f]
[name_u]Brooke[/name_u]
[name_f]Chloe[/name_f]
[name_f]Claire[/name_f]
[name_f]Amy[/name_f]
[name_f]Verity[/name_f]
[name_f]Hope[/name_f]
[name_f]Fleur[/name_f]
[name_m]Zo[/name_m]ë

Alliterative names are always tricky. They run the risk of sounding like a cartoon character. I agree with everyone else that [name_f]Eva[/name_f] would make a lovely alternative. I’d also suggest perhaps [name_f]Orla[/name_f] [name_m]Allen[/name_m]? You don’t see many of those around but it’s a lovely old-fashioned name.

[name_f]Eva[/name_f], [name_f]Audrey[/name_f], [name_f]Una[/name_f]/[name_f]Oona[/name_f]/[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f], and [name_f]Liv[/name_f] strike me as having a glamorous feel similar to [name_f]Ava[/name_f].