We’re stuck choosing between two totally different names of very different styles. What makes it very difficult for us is the fact that both fit fairly well with the name of our first daughter, we really love both and we’re not sure which of the styles we like best and want to continue naming in.
The names are [name_u]Tali[/name_u] and [name_u]Finley[/name_u]. [name_u]Tali[/name_u] is a bit more obscure, while [name_u]Finley[/name_u] is very well known and trendy. Our older daughter is named [name_u]Mika[/name_u], which fits current trends and definitely sounds trendy, but also isn’t super popular in our region and has the same vibe as [name_u]Tali[/name_u].
Between [name_u]Finley[/name_u] and [name_u]Tali[/name_u], I prefer [name_u]Tali[/name_u]. I also think it fits better with [name_u]Mika[/name_u]–though I don’t think that needs to be a primary consideration, it’s another mark in its favor in my book.
[name_u]Tali[/name_u]! Mainly because my sister has the nn [name_u]Tallie[/name_u], and I love it. Either said like [name_m]TAH[/name_m]-lee or [name_u]TAL[/name_u]-ee (like [name_u]Tally[/name_u]), honestly, although she uses the latter. [name_u]Finley[/name_u] I don’t get on a girl–it’s all boy to me–but I’ve come to appreciate it a little more after reading a novel with a girl [name_u]Finley[/name_u] in it (not realistic at all, haha, but she suited the name fairly well). I still like [name_u]Tali[/name_u] loads more, though!
I also prefer [name_u]Tali[/name_u]. It fits [name_u]Mika[/name_u] much better [name_f]IMO[/name_f] and it sounds sparkier and more individual. However, I’m not an especial fan of [name_u]Finley[/name_u], so you probably ought to take that with a pinch of salt!
I’ve met a Tali (and lots of Tahlias) and never met a Finley, or heard of one in my area. I have heard of a few Finns, though (Fionnuala, Finian, Finnegan etc). Sounds like the names have different popularities where I am . Nameberry doesn’t list Tali or Mika in the top 1000 names of any country, while Finley is at 204 in the USA.
I prefer Tali over Finley. The ‘-ley’ girls’ names (Ashley, Kylie, Kaylee etc) are not really my style. I know Tali has the ‘li’ sound, but it feels a bit fresher and crisper to me. It fits well with Mika too - the sounds work together and the meanings complement each other.
If Finley’s too popular where you are but you want a ‘Finn’ name, could you just call her Finn? Other ways to get to Finn: Fionnuala (mentioned above)/Finola/Finella/Fenella, Fiona, Finetta, Josephine, Delphine/a, Seraphina, Fina, Finch.
Those might not be your style, though (I think Fina comes closest).
Good luck with your decision, and congratulations!
I’ve met a [name_u]Tali[/name_u] (and lots of Tahlias) and never met a [name_u]Finley[/name_u], or heard of one in my area. I have heard of a few Finns, though ([name_f]Fionnuala[/name_f], [name_m]Finian[/name_m], [name_m]Finnegan[/name_m] etc). Sounds like the names have different popularities where you are, though.
I prefer [name_u]Tali[/name_u]. The ‘-ley’ girls’ names ([name_u]Ashley[/name_u], [name_f]Kylie[/name_f], [name_f]Kaylee[/name_f] etc) are not really my style, either. I know [name_u]Tali[/name_u] has the ‘li’ sound, but it feels a bit fresher and spunkier to me. It fits well with [name_u]Mika[/name_u] too.
If [name_u]Finley[/name_u]'s too popular where you are but you want a ‘[name_u]Finn[/name_u]’ name, could you just call her [name_u]Finn[/name_u]? Other ways to get to [name_u]Finn[/name_u]: [name_f]Fionnuala[/name_f] (mentioned above)/[name_f]Finola[/name_f]/[name_f]Finella[/name_f]/[name_f]Fenella[/name_f], [name_f]Fiona[/name_f], [name_f]Finetta[/name_f], [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], [name_f]Delphine[/name_f]/a, [name_f]Seraphina[/name_f], [name_f]Fina[/name_f], [name_u]Finch[/name_u].
Those might not be your style, though.
Good luck with your decision, and congratulations!
Another vote for [name_u]Tali[/name_u] here! I think [name_u]Tali[/name_u] and [name_u]Mika[/name_u] sound great together. [name_u]Finley[/name_u], while nice enough, seems oddly trendy and dissonant next to [name_u]Mika[/name_u].
. Nameberry doesn’t list Tali or Mika in the top 1000 names of any country, while Finley is at 204 in the USA.