Usually a name grows on me slowly, but there have been a few recently that have suddenly stood out to me and have joined my favourites list. Particularly -
[name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] - I disliked this name for the nickname [name_m]Ben[/name_m] because I knew lots of annoying Bens growing up, but I’ve recently started to really like the nickname [name_m]Benji[/name_m], which has lead to a 180 on my opinion of [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m].
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] - I was never really part of the [name_f]Lily[/name_f] movement, it was a name I liked but wasn’t a stand out. [name_f]Lillian[/name_f], however, I find really appealing! It brings a regal element to a lovely nickname.
[name_m]Roman[/name_m] - this was an overnight favourite which I had never previously considered but now think is quite striking. It’s the first word name I’ve ever liked.
[name_f]Celia[/name_f]: Found out it’s not in the top 1000 where I live, which caught my attention. Then I remembered the awesome meaning, an added bonus. And I already really like [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f], so now I’m looking for middles (with good meanings) for [name_f]Celia[/name_f], just in case I decide to add it.
Lucelia: Whilst searching for opinions for [name_f]Celia[/name_f], I discovered Lucelia. A mash up of [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] and [name_f]Celia[/name_f] giving the meaning ‘[name_f]Heavenly[/name_f] light’ and I really like it. I don’t think it’s any more over the top than [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] is, and there’s the added bonus of [name_f]Lulu[/name_f]/[name_f]Lula[/name_f] and [name_f]Celia[/name_f] as possible nicknames.
[name_f]Fidelia[/name_f]: A recent thread made me look more into this one.
Fidelma: Found this whilst doing so research on [name_f]Fidelia[/name_f].
[name_u]Kit[/name_u] (b): I’ve been thinking about [name_u]Kit[/name_u] for a while, but now I’ve heard it on a character I’m liking it even more.
[name_m]Warren[/name_m]: First heard it on a really sweet character, and I’ve been meaning to add it for a while. Then a film reminded me of it again, and I’m crushing on it again.
Leonetta: I had never seen this name before I spotted it in a magazine feature about [name_f]Silvia[/name_f] Venturini Fendi, whose children are named [name_m]Giulio[/name_m], [name_f]Delfina[/name_f] and Leonetta. I think it’s an uncommon gem.
[name_f]Pomeline[/name_f]: I was reminded of my love for this name by a recent thread.
I was reading a book the other day and came across the name Ingelise. The woman with the name was Danish. I’m not sure how to pronounce it – my uneducated guess is like [name_f]Inga[/name_f]+[name_u]Lisa[/name_u], which takes away some of the appeal for me – but I think it at least looks rather pretty.
Fidelma has intruiged me too, but mostly it’s diminutives Fidelm and [name_f]Delma[/name_f]. I especially love the idea of [name_f]Delma[/name_f] as an alternative to the Turkish Damla which I’m very much infatuated with but couldn’t ever justify without a Turkish husband hahaha.
Also [name_f]Delphi[/name_f] & Oenone (ee-no-nee).
I’m toying the [name_f]Nula[/name_f] / [name_f]Nuala[/name_f] over [name_f]Fenella[/name_f] also but I don’t think I prefer either yet. I just can’t get on board with the original Finnuala.
[name_m]Amadeus[/name_m], which I had never considered before and am now in love with! Also, boys’ name ending with an “A” sound have really been on my mind lately. I’m loving [name_m]Ezra[/name_m], [name_m]Uriah[/name_m], and [name_m]Isaiah[/name_m]!
[name_m]Tyge[/name_m] which was the actual name of a cool 16th century Danish astronomer who is slightly better known as [name_m]Tycho[/name_m] Brahe. It’s my new crush for a baby boy.
[name_f]Eugenie[/name_f] - I never used to like [name_f]Eugenia[/name_f], [name_f]Eudora[/name_f], [name_f]Eulalia[/name_f] and all Eu-names but somehow I stumbled on [name_f]Eugenie[/name_f] and I’m starting to like it but pronounced you-zhay-NEE. Sounds beautiful and french-y. I would totally use it in a combo with a classic, one-syllable feminine first name e.g. [name_f]Rose[/name_f] [name_f]Eugenie[/name_f], [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] [name_f]Eugenie[/name_f].
[name_m]Bastian[/name_m] - Being interested in [name_m]German[/name_m] football, I became interested in our (ex :c)capitan’s name [name_m]Bastian[/name_m] Schweinsteiger. And also me and my friends always joke that if he scores I will name my firstborn [name_m]Bastian[/name_m] and actually, it is not impossible. It gives me that fairytale vibe but I haven’t thought of a combo yet. Bonus, the nickname [name_m]Basti[/name_m] is super cute.
[name_m]Manuel[/name_m] - The same reason as above and it also would sound good in my native language though people here would pronounce it ma-nu-[name_f]EL[/name_f] which is something I might get used to. If I name my son after the goalkeeper, he can go by [name_m]Manu[/name_m] too and this would be precious.
[name_f]Lavinia[/name_f] & [name_f]Opal[/name_f] - I’ve loved these names since ever but just thought how good would they sound for twin girls. [name_f]Lavinia[/name_f] has this ancient and mystic feel while [name_f]Opal[/name_f] balances it with its sparkles and foolishness. I imagine two ginger beauties, [name_f]Lavinia[/name_f] being the introverted one riding a bike in the woods and [name_f]Opal[/name_f] playing tomboyish games and getting covered in dust. It’s just my view.
It’s a lot less exotic than most of the names mentioned so far, but lately I’ve kind of been crushing on the name [name_f]Rachel[/name_f]. Growing up I knew several Rachels, generally all around my age (now 24) or older, so for a long time I felt it was too common or too dated. But for some reason lately it’s really grown on me! It sounds and looks so pretty to me, and I like that it’s a classic yet doesn’t feel as overdone as [name_f]Mary[/name_f] or [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] (which I also love, but they’ve been used a ton over the past few centuries).
[name_f]Theodora[/name_f] - Never liked feminizations such as this but I fell in love with [name_f]Thea[/name_f] and quickly fell for [name_f]Theodora[/name_f] too.
[name_f]Madrigal[/name_f] - Found from a username on Nameberry, just a spontaneous love for the name.
[name_f]Genevieve[/name_f] - I never liked this name until now, I’ve heard it everywhere these days and I’m beginning to love it.
[name_f]Arabelle[/name_f] - I like the sound and feel of [name_f]Arabella[/name_f], but I couldn’t bring myself to love it. I took away the last ‘a’ and now I have a name I love.
[name_f]Cynthia[/name_f] - All I think when I hear this is [name_f]Cynthia[/name_f] [name_u]Lennon[/name_u], but I love the name nonetheless. I had to hate it, so I’m not sure what exactly made me like it.
[name_u]Meredith[/name_u] - Spontaneous love since yesterday.
[name_f]Nina[/name_f] - no clue why or what even made this name pop into my head but I adore it!
[name_f]Nia[/name_f] - same as [name_f]Nina[/name_f], it’s come out of nowhere & now one of my favourites.
[name_f]Melody[/name_f] - I’ve gone through phases of loving this name since I was a kid & it’s recently growing on me again.
[name_m]Kristoff[/name_m] - I’m a big [name_u]Kelley[/name_u] [name_m]Armstrong[/name_m] fan (may be obvious from my boys list if you know her work) & this name has started to really appeal lately.
I had never paid this name any attention, and didn’t have any opinions about it either way. The other night however, I dreamed about the name. I’ve been inundated with baby-dreams lately, but this was different. I was just dreaming about the name, not of naming a baby. When I woke up, I told my husband, and he liked it, and said we should add it to out list.
We’ve already practically chosen a girl’s name, but perhaps we would consider [name_u]Marian[/name_u] in the future. Funny how much influence dreams can sometimes have.
The name [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] won’t get out of my head. It’s not an ideal name, because of the tease-able virgin associations but I just think it’s so pretty and lively.
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f], [name_u]Ellis[/name_u] (b), [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], [name_f]Tessa[/name_f], [name_f]Lillian[/name_f], [name_m]Judah[/name_m], and [name_f]Leonora[/name_f] for now. Most are longtime favorites, but I’m just seeing them in a fresh light right now.
Most are longtime favorites, but I’m just seeing them in a fresh light right now.