My name is [name_f]Heather[/name_f] [name_f]Elaine[/name_f], and it has been a wonderful name to live with. [name_u]Early[/name_u] in life, I thought it sounded soft and boring (not edgy or cool) but by the time I was a teenager I liked it because of how it flows. Considering naming my next daughter [name_f]Elaine[/name_f] [name_m]Lewis[/name_m], with possible nns: [name_f]Elle[/name_f], [name_u]Lane[/name_u], [name_f]Layna[/name_f], or [name_m]Lew[/name_m]. First daughter is [name_f]Eva[/name_f] [name_m]Willis[/name_m] with nns: Eves and [name_m]Willi[/name_m]. Both middles are grandmother’s maiden names. BUT - a pesky voice in my head says to do something edgier this time…currently the name [name_m]Jovi[/name_m] is really appealing to me. What are your thoughts on traditional (safe and meaningful) versus fun/cool/edgy?
I don’t think fun/cool/edgy OR traditional/safe/meaningful are mutually exclusive. Names like [name_f]Luna[/name_f], [name_f]Iris[/name_f], [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], and [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] are all (in my opinion) fun/cool/edgy while also being traditional/safe/meaningful because they are legitimate names while also not as commonly used.
I think what you mean by fun/cool/edgy is “made-up” names and unisex names? In which case I will almost always go with the legitimate name that also historically matches the sex of my child. It’s a personal choice for everyone and no one is wrong.
Have you considered alternatives similar to [name_f]Elaine[/name_f] to make it more “fun”? [name_f]Elena[/name_f], [name_f]Elowen[/name_f], and [name_u]Delaney[/name_u] are a few.
[name_m]Jovi[/name_m] is okay. It reminds me of the character from Elf. There is also [name_u]Vivian[/name_u] nn [name_f]Vivi[/name_f], [name_f]Ivy[/name_f], [name_f]Olive[/name_f] nn [name_f]Liv[/name_f], [name_f]Vera[/name_f], [name_u]River[/name_u], [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], and [name_u]Raven[/name_u] which all fit the bill for fun/cool/edgy and traditional/safe/meaningful!
I would go with [name_f]Elaine[/name_f] [name_m]Lewis[/name_m]. it has potential for “edgy” or “cool”, but still gives her something “traditional” or meaningful if she doesn’t want to go by something “edgy”. honestly [name_m]Lewis[/name_m], on a girl, could be enough considering its typically a boy name and one that hasn’t really been popping up on the girl side like [name_u]James[/name_u].
I agree with the earlier poster that edgy and traditional are not mutually exclusive. A name can be both. For example, [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] strikes me as both edgy and traditional. (I also like the subtle connection to your name. [name_f]Eva[/name_f] [name_m]Willis[/name_m] and [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] [name_m]Lewis[/name_m].
Other traditional, edgy names I like include:
[name_f]Bianca[/name_f], [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f], [name_f]Coral[/name_f], [name_f]Jade[/name_f],[name_f]Jasmine[/name_f], [name_f]Daisy[/name_f],
Holding all that aside, I don’t think [name_f]Jovi[/name_f] works with sister [name_f]Eva[/name_f] -
[name_f]Jovi[/name_f] and [name_f]Evie[/name_f] sound way too similar to me.
[name_f]Elaine[/name_f] is a lovely name and I love the nicknames, especially [name_m]Lew[/name_m]. What are some of the ‘edgier’ names you’ve been thinking of?
I love edgy names, and definitely think they can be traditional at the same time. [name_m]How[/name_m] do you feel about double middles? [name_m]Jovi[/name_m] [name_f]Elaine[/name_f] [name_m]Lewis[/name_m] gives her a “safe” fall back. But I really like [name_m]Jovi[/name_m] too 
Thanks everybody! ALL helpful input. I think by edgy, I mean very rare or daring, but still easy to pronounce/spell and somewhat familiar sounding. A few edgy examples are Kite, Siren, Castle, Selkie, [name_f]Oksana[/name_f]…my [name_f]Eva[/name_f] was almost [name_f]Evening[/name_f], but I decided I liked short better. I’m taking to heart the idea that a name can be both, though. So I’m now comparing:
[name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_f]Elaine[/name_f]
[name_m]Jovi[/name_m] [name_m]Lewis[/name_m]
[name_f]Elaine[/name_f] [name_m]Lewis[/name_m]
and boy:
[name_m]Jove[/name_m] [name_m]Lewis[/name_m]
I had no idea I could even have this conversation, so seriously, BIG THANKS for all the fun feedback. HD
Good perspective - thanks! I like several suggestions, especially [name_u]River[/name_u].