Starting off with the names I love:
[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] - [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] has such an upbeat, sunny feel to it, but it’s still a grounded classic that ages well. I can see why the most optimistic character on Friends was named [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]. I love the meaning, “radiant, shining one.” It so perfectly fits the sound.
[name_f]Lyla[/name_f] - I will say that I far prefer the classic spelling, [name_f]Lila[/name_f], as opposed to [name_f]Lyla[/name_f], but [name_f]Lyla[/name_f] is the more common spelling now in the USA, so it’s clearly a compelling alternative. [name_f]Lyla[/name_f] is a beautiful name. It has such a stunning lilt to it and is very multicultural (more so spelled [name_f]Lila[/name_f] than [name_f]Lyla[/name_f], but still).
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] - [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] is a really interesting name with such a rich, long history and a huge amount of versatility due to its nickname options, far more so than other 4-syllable, ultra-feminine names. A [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] can go by P, [name_u]Pen[/name_u], [name_u]Penny[/name_u], [name_f]Nel[/name_f], [name_u]Nelly[/name_u], P, [name_f]Poppy[/name_f], and so on. I do find it disappointing how popular [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] is nowadays, probably because of its Kardashians association – I’d hate to see it start to feel too trendy, given that 12 years ago, [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] was in the 900s.
Names aren’t on my list, but I would still recommend:
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f] - [name_f]Lydia[/name_f] feels like a great choice for the current naming environment, where classic, vintage names are stylish but not so trendy that they’re filling up spots on the top 20. [name_f]Lydia[/name_f] is at #80, which means it won’t really bat any eyelashes, but it’s unlikely that you’ll ever see someone having to go by [name_f]Lydia[/name_f] P. or [name_f]Lydia[/name_f] S. in a classroom or at work. “Liddy” is a pretty and a bit more youthful-sounding nickname option.
[name_f]Kiara[/name_f] - I wish the more popular version of this name was [name_f]Chiara[/name_f], the traditional Italian spelling, because it looks so beautiful with the Ch. But the K-initialed [name_f]Kiara[/name_f] is more popular, so it’s a logical choice. [name_f]Kiara[/name_f] is a very pretty name; my only reservation about it is that I personally prefer classic names that have a long history of usage as opposed to more modern ones, and [name_f]Kiara[/name_f] seems like it’s only really been used in the US this century.
[name_f]Alana[/name_f] - [name_f]Alana[/name_f] is a pretty name that feels somehow both slightly modern and classic at the same time (I guess that would make it a modern classic?) It sidesteps the problem of what [name_f]Lana[/name_f] spells out backwards, but it still offers [name_f]Lana[/name_f] and [name_f]Lani[/name_f] as nicknames.
[name_f]Marina[/name_f] - [name_f]Marina[/name_f] is so overtly ocean-themed that I think it could ultimately be really meaningful for any family with a close tie to the sea. At the same time, it’s far subtler than a name like [name_u]Sailor[/name_u] and I love its calm sound. There are so many nickname options with this name: [name_f]Mar[/name_f], [name_f]Mari[/name_f], [name_f]Mia[/name_f], [name_f]Rina[/name_f], etc. – even [name_f]Mina[/name_f], which you listed on its own. I think it’s really appealing to get two names in one that way.
[name_f]Emmaline[/name_f] - I personally far prefer the spelling [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f], because it looks more like its own name rather than [name_f]Emma[/name_f] with an add-on, it has quite a few interesting connections to feminists/suffragettes, and it’s more popular than [name_f]Emmaline[/name_f] and therefore probably the assumed spelling for most people. With that being said, [name_f]Emmaline[/name_f] is a really nice name and a great alternative to using [name_f]Emma[/name_f], which is lovely but maybe too broadly appealing, since it’s at #1.
[name_f]Paige[/name_f] - [name_f]Paige[/name_f] feels a bit past its prime, given that it’s dropped about 100 spaces in the past 12 years or so, but it’s still a really appealing name. I like names that start with P or T because the first initial can be used as a nickname in and of itself. [name_f]Paige[/name_f] is also a versatile name that I feel would work really well on a variety of personalities.
[name_u]Eden[/name_u] - [name_u]Eden[/name_u] isn’t my style, but I can’t picture people hating it. It has nice biblical associations if you’re religious, and if not, it still calls to mind a positive image. I like the nickname “[name_f]Edie[/name_f].”
[name_u]Piper[/name_u] - I don’t love [name_u]Piper[/name_u], but it’s a cute name. The downside is that I can see it becoming much more popular as more parents start looking for alternatives to [name_u]Harper[/name_u], because both have the orchestra association and the -per ending, like [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] rising in conjunction with [name_f]Emily[/name_f].
[name_f]Liliana[/name_f] - [name_f]Liliana[/name_f] is a pretty name and definitely my favorite of the two [name_f]Lili[/name_f]- names you have on your list. I can’t imagine how much I would’ve loved having this name as a kid, and a teenager or adult can shorten it to [name_f]Lili[/name_f] or [name_f]Ana[/name_f].
[name_f]Rosalind[/name_f] - [name_f]Rosalind[/name_f] is very pretty and is underused, though I understand why more parents go for [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] instead, since it sounds less serious. I like the idea of a [name_f]Rosalind[/name_f] with the nickname [name_f]Rosa[/name_f], [name_f]Rose[/name_f], or [name_f]Rosie[/name_f].
[name_f]Ava[/name_f] - [name_f]Ava[/name_f] is a beautiful name, but immensely popular. I do think it’s a gorgeous classic, but it’s all the way at #3 on the popularity charts. You might like [name_f]Ada[/name_f] or [name_f]Eva[/name_f] instead?
[name_f]Reina[/name_f] - Not my style, but definitely a pretty name. I associate it with the Nashville character.
[name_f]Willow[/name_f] - [name_f]Willow[/name_f] has a really nice association and a pretty look and sound.
And then my least favorites:
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] - This name feels like a lot for someone to carry, even if you do use the nickname “[name_f]Mina[/name_f].” It also reminds me of a modeling agency. It’s so long and consonant heavy.
Liliet - This feels made up for me and I don’t know if anyone would know how to spell it. Maybe use [name_f]Lilian[/name_f] instead?
[name_u]Adley[/name_u] - [name_u]Adley[/name_u] feels like a very of-the-moment, trendy name that will quickly drop in and out of the top 1,000 because of its [name_m]Ad[/name_m]- beginning. I can see it being constantly mistaken for [name_u]Hadley[/name_u], which I think is a really compelling name.
Dilana - This looks/feels made up to me. I guess it’s more of a personal preference to have a name with some level of history behind it, but this name seems like it would be a bit burdensome and you have a much more appealing alternative on your list already ([name_f]Alana[/name_f], though [name_f]Liliana[/name_f] has similar sounds too).
[name_u]Oakley[/name_u] - Feels too branded for me, by [name_u]Oakley[/name_u] sunglasses.
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] - Feels dated. But I do know a [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] who loves her name, so I think the problem more is that it isn’t my style sound-wise.
[name_f]Corinne[/name_f] - I just think of the controversial contestant from the [name_m]Bachelor[/name_m]. [name_f]Coralie[/name_f] is a really beautiful alternative.
[name_f]Kinsley[/name_f] - Feels dated already.
[name_f]Ashlynn[/name_f] - Same as [name_f]Kinsley[/name_f].
Acelyn - Same as [name_f]Kinsley[/name_f].
[name_f]Skyla[/name_f] - Same as [name_f]Kinsley[/name_f].
Marabell - This spelling looks odd to me. Maybe [name_f]Marabelle[/name_f]? [name_m]Even[/name_m] so, it looks like a made up, smashed together name. I prefer [name_f]Mirabel[/name_f] or [name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f].
[name_u]Ember[/name_u] - I can see this being confused for [name_f]Amber[/name_f] constantly, but it is charting fairly high, so maybe I’m wrong. Would you consider [name_u]Emery[/name_u]?
[name_u]Fable[/name_u] - I think this is so cute up until the age of maybe six or seven, and then it’ll start to feel a bit too out-there. If you like the sound, maybe you could consider [name_f]Mabel[/name_f]?
