The thread about ‘O’ names made me think of Ornella, which doesn’t come up here the way that Ottilie does (and there were 7 Ornellas and fewer than 5 Ottilies born in the US last year)- but it’s very pretty, and could work so well!
So- what are your favourite names that don’t get much attention in real life or on Nameberry? I’ve got five for each gender, just to keep it manageable, and would love to read everyone else’s favourite neglected names
Ornella (7 babies born in the US in 2011)
Magali (78)
Afton (82)
Saskia (16- gets some mentions on blog posts, but doesn’t seem to come up that often in discussion)
Joan (63…if Jane’s making a comeback, so should Joan! Love Jo and Joanie more than Janey and Jay myself :P)
[name]Saskia[/name] & [name]Galen[/name] are huge favorites of mine! Great thread, I can’t wait to read everyone’s contributions.
Girls:
Esper - I’ve found that people who don’t get it just don’t get it. I love it
[name]Cyane[/name] - everyone loves [name]Cheyenne[/name] but nobody else seems to see the appeal of [name]Cyane[/name]
[name]Neoma[/name] - I think it’s so cool. People disagree.
[name]Leire[/name] - pronounced [name]LAY[/name]-ree - It’s NOT made-up! People I’ve talked to just can’t get past the spell/say hurdle.
[name]Loire[/name] - pronounced Lo-AR - Same issues as [name]Leire[/name].
Boys:
[name]Tobiah[/name] - Why doesn’t everyone love [name]Toby[/name]??
[name]Ridge[/name] - I haven’t gotten any good feedback on this but it’s very close to popular [name]River[/name] (#424 for boys, #913 for girls)
[name]Blaise[/name] - People are always telling me what word it sounds like to them.
[name]Ignatius[/name] - It isn’t a weird name to me. Others go cross-eyed. [name]Iggy[/name]'s adorable
Xavien - [name]Xavier[/name] is #77 but I haven’t gotten any good feedback on Xavien.
Interesting @mapleblythe, where I live (small french/english community) [name]Pascal[/name] is quite common, I knew at least 3 of them growing up and I knew a [name]Magali[/name] and always thought it was interesting.
Names that I love:
Girls:
[name]Lacy[/name]/[name]Lacey[/name] (Always preferred it to the currently trendy [name]Lucy[/name] which always reminds me of the word loose.)
[name]Hyacinth[/name] (This seems like a pretty and modern sounding flower name. Kind of had the same appeal that [name]Cynthia[/name] might have had back in the day.)
[name]Rowan[/name] (I wish more people saw how pretty and feminine this name can be. It is a truly unisex name and people still claim that it is a boy name and that it is all masculine.)
Boys:
[name]Wolf[/name]/[name]Wolfe[/name]/[name]Wolfgang[/name] (My son’s middle name is [name]Wolf[/name]. It drives me crazy when people think wolves are only vicious/predatory creatures, when they are also strong and beautiful and deserve to shed the “big bad wolf” reputation.)
[name]Damian[/name]/[name]Damon[/name] (I wish people didn’t associate this name with the little boy from the Orphan movies. I actually had a co-worker argue with me that according to the Bible, [name]Damian[/name] was actually [name]Lucifer[/name]'s son. I tried telling her that it is not true, that it was just in the movie and she didn’t believe me.)
[name]Althea[/name]- great meaning, great nickname of [name]Thea[/name]
[name]Cerise[/name]- such a sweet middle name option especially
[name]Marianna[/name]- such a different feel to me than [name]Marianne[/name]
[name]Edwina[/name]- a vintage name with no love
[name]Keelin[/name]- a legitimate name with a trendy feel for those who like that kind of thing
[name]Davis[/name]- love this spin on [name]David[/name]
[name]Rafe[/name]
[name]Drake[/name]- too soap opera for people?
[name]Dalton[/name]
Agreed, I love [name]Edwina[/name]! I’ve had a crush on that one since seeing National [name]Velvet[/name] as a kid.
Others:
[name]Myrtle[/name] (Gets a couple mentions on here, but really, it’s old lady and botanical, you’d think it would get more mainstream love)
[name]Uma[/name]
[name]Inga[/name] and [name]Ilse[/name] (I group these because it feels like there’s a whole cluster of those short vowelly names that just havent taken off like the Avas and Ellas)
[name]Hedy[/name] (With all the old hollywood love, I’m surprised this one doesnt get mentioned more, it almost makes [name]Hedwig[/name] wearable imo)
[name]Vernon[/name]
EDIT: I forgot two other boys names: Alwin & Ebenezer. I just adore the latter, especially with nn Eben.
[name]Madelaine[/name]- I think this name is so pretty and fits right in with the current “Mad” name trend.
[name]Daphne[/name]
[name]Gladys[/name]- With all the new old fashion names being revived I think it’s time for [name]Gladys[/name] to come back.
[name]Sally[/name]
[name]Zella[/name]- A perfect twist on [name]Bella[/name].
[name]Zephyr[/name]- It has the same feel as [name]Mason[/name] and [name]Kane[/name] give of laid back but cool.
[name]Forrest[/name]
[name]Valor[/name]
[name]Chester[/name]
[name]Otis[/name]- It’s just so handsome.
I work with a [name]Saskia[/name]! She is not from the US though. I think a lot of my top names are under appreciated
Girls:
[name]Ursula[/name]/[name]Ursela[/name]- I’m convinced that the Disney villian has not ruined this beautiful name
[name]Wallis[/name]- I think that it’s a very pretty unisex name
[name]Thisbe[/name]- Its just so spunky
[name]Myrtle[/name]- one of my cousins named her doll [name]Myrtle[/name] [name]Inez[/name] after her two great-grandmothers (gramma inez is the one that we share) I just thought it was a great name!
Temperence- Sort of a mouthful but I love its elegance
Boys:
[name]Edgar[/name]- It is a bit harsh, but I like how sturdy, manly and respectable the name is.
[name]Hodges[/name]- I just adore this name, I met a teenager named [name]Hodges[/name] onces and plus I’m a huge fan of the show Bones. It maybe better suited as a middle name.
Can my favorites (in particular [name]Aurora[/name]) fall out of love? Seriously could the world stop loving it? I’d be real grateful… mmmmk. Thanks!
I’d love for [name]Ismene[/name] (which I’ve been suggesting every time it seems appropriate) to gain some lovin’. It’s so close to [name]Esme[/name] which has been gaining height and I think it would be a great alternative.
Great thread, I can’t wait to read everyone’s contributions.