[name_m]Hi[/name_m] berries! 3 weeks to go and I am still struggling with my little girl’s name. My husband and I want a Spanish name that isn’t so heavily used here in the US. I had thought I was set on [name_f]Alaia[/name_f], which is Basque Spanish with Arabic origins. I find it so pretty and unusual, although seems to be getting trendy- do you think so? The other name we love that keeps coming up is [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f]. I also think it’s beautiful and probably more timeless. I just can’t seem to decide and it’s driving me nuts! Any advice or preference?
I wouldn’t say you could go wrong with either. If you’re looking for something unusual, [name_f]Alaia[/name_f] is your best bet. It’s not on many people’s radars. If you don’t mind something more common, [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f] is fine.
I have never heard [name_f]Alaia[/name_f] I do not have any positive or negative thoughts about this name and definately do not consider it trendy. I know the name [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f] which I think is pretty, but I have never met anyone with this name. So I agree with @amberdaydream that to be it seems to be a choice between a known name, and a more unusual name.
I would prefer [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f] and using [name_f]Alaia[/name_f] as a middle name. [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f] [name_f]Alaia[/name_f].
Thanks so much for your responses. It’s comforting to hear that you think I can’t go wrong with either! I guess I am torn between [name_f]Alaia[/name_f] being too “out there” and [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f] not being “special” enough. It doesn’t help that I am leaning towards [name_f]Alaia[/name_f] while my husband is partial to [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f]. Using both names with one as the middle won’t be happening unfortunately since we have one already that’s a cultural/family name and non-negotiable. Older brother’s name is [name_m]Joaquin[/name_m], which I adore still everyday, and I really want to have that feeling about baby girl’s name too! Thank you again.
I really like both, and i personally have never heard of [name_f]Alaia[/name_f] being used, so it’s definitely not yet trendy where I live! I think they are both fairly timeless and you can’t go wrong with either
[name_f]Alaia[/name_f] is pretty, but feels more passive than [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f], which feels full of life to me. I do think (as a person with vowel-heavy names) that [name_f]Alaia[/name_f] would cause more spelling and pronunciation issues, especially since the letters L and I can look very similar in certain types of writing.
[name_f]Alaia[/name_f] is beautiful and to me not trendy at all. [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f] is pretty but I think it’s maybe a bit boring, as [name_f]Gabriella[/name_f] and [name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f] are/were so popular. I believe [name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f]/[name_f]Gabriella[/name_f]/[name_f]Gabriela[/name_f] are all dropping in the popularity lists though, so they’ll soon feel dated rather than classic.
I’ve only met one [name_f]Gabriella[/name_f] and only heard of one [name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f] in person. So, I think it’s still rather unusual. It’s really beautiful and I love the meaning. Now that I’ve seen [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f], I like this spelling better than the one with ‘elle’! [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f] can be considered trendy because it has the nn ‘[name_f]Ella[/name_f]’ and ‘[name_f]Brie[/name_f]’. [name_m]Even[/name_m] “[name_u]Gabby[/name_u]” reminds me of the popular [name_u]Abby[/name_u] and [name_f]Addie[/name_f] nicknames.
[name_f]Gabriela[/name_f] seems like the safe name here, and I never recommend the safe name. [name_f]Alaia[/name_f] is beautiful!
Thanks for all your thoughtful input! I am one of those people who doesn’t discuss or announce name choices with anyone I know in real life (except hubby) before birth, so this is quite therapeutic for me! Nice to hear what other people think.
Tilelli, that’s good to know about the Arabic non-connection, so I won’t be spouting off misinformation about my own child’s name should I go with [name_f]Alaia[/name_f].
I think I am still leaning towards it-- like some of you, I also tend to go for the less safe option (in everything in life). Still not 100% committed yet, but have lots more to think about thanks to your responses. Time for another heart-to-heart with the husband. I would love to have a firm decision made before baby comes so I’m not making such a huge decision post-birth, when I’m sure to be high on hormones and ragged from labor!
I had never heard of [name_f]Alaia[/name_f], I really like it! I know a lot of [name_f]Gabriela[/name_f]'s and while its a beautiful name, I understand your concerns about it not being special. Not sure if you consider this too trendy but what about [name_f]Briella[/name_f]? I find it to be a nice balance between traditional and trendy.
Nice to hear what other people think.