WDYT of my long list?

Thanks to everyone who contributed to my “Short and Sweet” post! I’ve gotten a lot of really great ideas. Please tell me what you honestly think of these. Also, help me out with middle name options. Our last name is one syllable that starts with “S”. More suggestions are welcome too! Thanks!

[name]Agnes[/name] (nn [name]Aggie[/name])
[name]Aoife[/name] (prn. ee-fa)
[name]Ballou[/name]
[name]Bijou[/name]
[name]Billie[/name]
[name]Circe[/name] (prn. Sur-see)
[name]Dagny[/name] ( I think this is cute, but it might be a little much?)
[name]Elke[/name]/[name]Elka[/name]
[name]Franca[/name]/[name]Franka[/name]
[name]Frida[/name]/[name]Frieda[/name]
[name]Lilou[/name]
Loie
[name]Maeve[/name] ([name]Mae[/name])
[name]Minerva[/name] ([name]Minnie[/name])
[name]Pearl[/name]
[name]Suki[/name]/[name]Sukey[/name]
[name]Sunday/name

Most of these aren’t really my style, but I love [name]Maeve[/name] with the nn [name]Mae[/name]! Such a sweet name!

My favorites are [name]Bijou[/name], [name]Billie[/name], [name]Lilou[/name], Loie, & [name]Minnie[/name](not a fan of [name]Minerva[/name] but [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Minnie[/name]). [name]Agnes[/name], [name]Dagny[/name], [name]Maeve[/name], & [name]Sunday[/name] are also nice.
[name]Lilou[/name] [name]Maeve[/name] would be a cute combo!

[name]Agnes[/name] (nn [name]Aggie[/name])
[name]Elke[/name]/[name]Elka[/name]
[name]Franca[/name]/[name]Franka[/name]
[name]Frida[/name]/[name]Frieda[/name]
[name]Lilou[/name]
Loie
[name]Maeve[/name] ([name]Mae[/name])
[name]Minerva[/name] ([name]Minnie[/name])
[name]Pearl[/name]
[name]Suki[/name]/[name]Sukey[/name]
[name]Sunday/name

are the ones that I like. [name]Daphne[/name]?

I’m going to guess from your screen name (maam = mammy) and the selection of [name]Aoife[/name] that you’re in [name]Ireland[/name]?

With a one-syllable surname that I will call [name]Shea[/name], I think a longer first name (2+ syllables will pair best). Which means [name]Maeve[/name] and [name]Pearl[/name] should be moved to the middle spot.

[name]Agnes[/name] (nn [name]Aggie[/name]): quite like [name]Agnes[/name]. I know it gets reactions from raised eyebrows to howls from the unenlightened… I mean, the majority of people, but I think it’s beautiful and dignified.

[name]Aoife[/name] (prn. ee-fa): very popular in [name]Ireland[/name] now. Outside of [name]Ireland[/name] you would still run into pronunciation issues, but again it’s a beautiful Gaelic name that luckily sounds a lot like [name]Eva[/name]/[name]Ava[/name] and pairs well with most things.

[name]Ballou[/name]: I have never heard this name; I tried to google it and look it up on babynames websites to no avail. My gut reaction is not to lie it-- I think the -lou ending it tough, but “ball” in the front kills it. It sounds a lot like balloon and would be rife for teasing.

[name]Bijou[/name]: ‘jewel’ in French, but far too cutesy for my taste. I think you have better options.

[name]Billie[/name]: do not care for this nickname. It’s a 1920s trend-- take a man’s name, swap the -y for an -i or an -ie, and voila! instant “modern” girls’ name. Again, with beauties like [name]Aoife[/name], [name]Agnes[/name], [name]Elke[/name], [name]Pearl[/name], etc I couldn’t possibly endorse choosing it.

[name]Circe[/name] (prn. Sur-see)-- this is a Greek witch from the Odyssey. She was kind of a bad guy, and her name was pronounced keer-kuh. Only Spanish-speaking people pronounce it seer-suh. Either way, I think it’s open to mispronunciation and the evil namesake kills it for me.

[name]Dagny[/name] ( I think this is cute, but it might be a little much?)-- I think [name]Dagney[/name] / [name]Dagny[/name] is an inspired choice! A very dignified name with a modern -y ending. It means “new day”-- what a symbolic name for a new baby!

[name]Elke[/name]/[name]Elka[/name]- beautiful, rare and refreshing. I love it.

[name]Franca[/name]/[name]Franka[/name] - I think it’s a little better than [name]Frankie[/name], and it’s got a certain exotic allure, but it’s not my favorite.

[name]Frida[/name]/[name]Frieda[/name]- still not ready for resurrection, imo

[name]Lilou[/name]- this is more of a term of endearment than a full name. I know it’s very popular in [name]France[/name], but it’s drawn a lot of criticism there for being insubstantial. Would much prefer [name]Dagny[/name], [name]Maeve[/name], [name]Aoife[/name], [name]Agnes[/name], [name]Elke[/name], etc.

Loie-- this is the name of a dancer, which started as a joke. Are you saying it low-ee? My preference would be for one of your more recognizable names, with stronger sounds. Low-ee just sound like [name]Lilou[/name], kind of babytalk, you know?

[name]Maeve[/name] ([name]Mae[/name])-- the Irish classic. Beautiful and dignified, with rich sounds. Would definitely save for the middle.

[name]Minerva[/name] ([name]Minnie[/name])-- a heavy name for a young girl, but certainly formal and venerable.

[name]Pearl[/name]-- it’s a gentle vintage classic; I don’t think it will be ultra-fashionable due to the -earl ending. But it’s pretty and rather demure.

[name]Suki[/name]/[name]Sukey[/name]-- do not care for this at all. It’s an old nickname for [name]Susan[/name], trendy now because of [name]True[/name] Blood, but I just hear ‘pukey.’

[name]Sunday/name– also not a favorite of mine. I don’t like using everyday words for names (I know I contradict myself a bit with [name]Pearl[/name]). I think [name]Dagny[/name] is far preferable and much more interesting. Also, everyone will think you named your daughter after [name]Nicole[/name] Kidman’s kid.

[name]Agnes[/name] (nn [name]Aggie[/name]): I love the GN sound. People say it’s “ugly-beautiful” I think it’s just beautiful.

[name]Aoife[/name] (prn. ee-fa): I’m a sucker for complicated Gaelic spellings. I like the look of this name more than its sound, but it’s very pretty.

[name]Ballou[/name]: I think balloon. I know an artist named Vallou. She’s covered in tattoos and plays the harp.

[name]Bijou[/name]: I kind of love this. Not sure how the French feel about this one? I think it’s a great alternative to [name]Jewel[/name], [name]Ruby[/name], [name]Pearl[/name], etc.

[name]Billie[/name]: [name]Love[/name]. Especially if she has a strong middle name.

[name]Circe[/name]: Leaves me cold.

[name]Dagny[/name]: [name]Love[/name]. Especially love [name]Dagmar[/name], but I think of it as a guilty pleasure and I dislike the [name]Ayn[/name] [name]Rand[/name] assoc.

[name]Elke[/name]/[name]Elka[/name]: Yes. Especially [name]Elke[/name].

[name]Franca[/name]/[name]Franka[/name]: Prefer it with a C. If you have an Italian accent, it’s magical, otherwise, it falls flat [name]IMO[/name].

[name]Frida[/name]/[name]Frieda[/name]: [name]Love[/name] [name]Frida[/name]. [name]Love[/name] the namesake. I know a [name]Frida[/name] and she wears it so well. Strong, elegant, simple. “[name]Free[/name]” is a nice nn.

[name]Lilou[/name]: Sweet, kind of sexy a la [name]Lola[/name], but not as strong as some of your others.

Loie: Very cool if you’re a fan of Ms [name]Fuller[/name], or if you’re into the symbolism of “the eye.” If you just like the sound, I think it’s a little random.

[name]Maeve[/name]: I’m mad for [name]Maeve[/name]! So dramatic and fiery.

[name]Minerva[/name]: I prefer [name]Athena[/name]. Dislike [name]Minnie[/name].

[name]Pearl[/name]: I see the appeal, and I can objectively recognize its beauty. Personally I find it too tame. Also associate it with The [name]Scarlet[/name] Letter.

[name]Suki[/name]/[name]Sukey[/name]: I love this (only the [name]Suki[/name] spelling.) I know a [name]Susannah[/name] nn [name]Suki[/name], who only uses her nn. It’s bright and sharp, also slightly Japanese-inflected, though it’s a traditional English nn.

[name]Sunday/name: Well, [name]Sunday[/name] IS such a nice, restful day… But the sound of this name doesn’t thrill me. [name]Sunny[/name] I dislike.

My favorites: [name]Circe[/name], [name]Lilou[/name], [name]Sunday[/name], [name]Pearl[/name]

I like a lot: [name]Maeve[/name], [name]Agnes[/name], [name]Sukey[/name], [name]Minerva[/name]

Like, but not for me: [name]Frida[/name], [name]Franca[/name], [name]Elka[/name], Aofie, [name]Billie[/name], Loie

Dislike: [name]Dagny[/name], [name]Bijou[/name], [name]Ballou[/name]

[name]Dagny[/name] just isn’t attractive to me. [name]Bijou[/name] is a little too attractive if you catch my drift. [name]Ballou[/name] has an unpleasant sound and reminds me of Baloo from The Jungle Book.

I love [name]Sunday[/name] best (not so much the nn [name]Sunny[/name], though).

I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Maeve[/name] and [name]Minerva[/name]. [name]Pearl[/name] is growing on me.

I think I want to like [name]Dagny[/name] more than I actually like it. I see what you guys are saying about [name]Bijou[/name] being kind of… trampy? And I think I’m over [name]Circe[/name] and probably [name]Aoife[/name].

I love the combo of [name]Minerva[/name] [name]Pearl[/name].

[name]Agnes[/name] (nn [name]Aggie[/name])- I know it’s popular on hear, but I’ll never understand its appeal. I prefer [name]Agatha[/name].
[name]Aoife[/name] (prn. ee-fa)- [name]Love[/name] this. Only question, would it be useable where you live?
[name]Ballou[/name]- No. I think of the big bear from The Jungle Book.
[name]Bijou[/name]- Sounds like a cat name.
[name]Billie[/name]- cute
[name]Circe[/name] (prn. Sur-see)- naah
[name]Dagny[/name] - no way
[name]Elke[/name]/[name]Elka[/name] - not bad, I like the germanic/scandinavian vibe
[name]Franca[/name]/[name]Franka[/name]- cute
[name]Frida[/name]/[name]Frieda[/name]- nms
[name]Lilou[/name]- not wearable on anyone over 6 yrs old
Loie- more of a nn
[name]Maeve[/name] ([name]Mae[/name])- [name]LOVE[/name]
[name]Minerva[/name] ([name]Minnie[/name])- nice
[name]Pearl[/name] = sweet
[name]Suki[/name]/[name]Sukey[/name]- just the way it sounds rhymes with too many not-good words. It just does not sound pleasant.
[name]Sunday/name- its okay but i just think of [name]Nicole[/name] Kidman every time I hear the name.

[name]Agnes[/name] (nn [name]Aggie[/name]) - I think I’d prefer [name]Nessa[/name] as a nn. [name]Aggie[/name] reminds me of a gag-reflex. (I know that sounds harsh I just don’t know how better to describe it). I can see how [name]Agnes[/name] has appeal though it’s not quite my style.
[name]Aoife[/name] (prn. ee-fa) - very pretty.
[name]Ballou[/name] - reminds me of the Jungle Book
[name]Circe[/name] (prn. Sur-see) - I think of SoI&F so the connection is too strong for me to endorse the name, also I think circus every time i see it.
[name]Dagny[/name] ( I think this is cute, but it might be a little much?) - I think you are right and it’s a bit much.
[name]Elke[/name]/[name]Elka[/name] - love this name. I prefer it with the e ending
[name]Frida[/name]/[name]Frieda[/name] - I’d spell it without the e. with the e its too close to the [name]German[/name] word Friede = [name]Peace[/name]. Unless thats what you want it to be.
[name]Maeve[/name] ([name]Mae[/name]) - one of my favorites
[name]Minerva[/name] ([name]Minnie[/name]) - I really like [name]Minnie[/name] as a nn for [name]Minerva[/name]

[name]Agnes[/name] and [name]Maeve[/name] are the standouts for me, both are just perfect.

[name]Pearl[/name], [name]Sunday[/name], [name]Aoife[/name] an [name]Lilou[/name] are the others I think are pretty and definitely usable.

[name]Ballou[/name] reminds me of Jungle Book and the word Balloon, while [name]Bijou[/name] is the name of a group of nightclubs.

[name]Billie[/name] is too masculine, and [name]Circe[/name] too hard to pronounce.

[name]Dagny[/name], [name]Elka[/name], [name]Franka[/name] and [name]Suki[/name] aren’t my style but could definitely work.

[name]Minerva[/name], [name]Frida[/name], Loie are the ones that I really don’t like.

Combo ideas…
[name]Pearl[/name] [name]Amelia[/name]
[name]Agnes[/name] [name]Camille[/name]
[name]Aoife[/name] [name]Harriet[/name]
[name]Elka[/name] [name]Frances[/name]
[name]Franka[/name] [name]Rose[/name]
[name]Lilou[/name] [name]Charlotte[/name]
[name]Sunday[/name] [name]Olivia[/name]

I like [name]Agnes[/name] [name]Camille[/name]. [name]Franka[/name] [name]Rose[/name] is pretty.