[name_f]Penelope[/name_f]: so this one would be my least favorite; maybe it’s the Kardashian association, maybe it’s just how familiar it’s become at its level of popularity, but I’d describe [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] as “Pottery [name_m]Barn[/name_m] quirky.” But that is clearly an unpopular opinion! Forgive my snark, [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] fans!
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]: [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] is also really popular, but I love it. It’s queenly and intellectual and has such a gorgeous rhythm. Sometimes I wish I’d used [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] for my daughter.
[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]: this is a great name, but I’ve never wholeheartedly loved it. I do tend to prefer stronger consonant sounds, and it feels a little limp and hissy with all the S and L sounds.
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f]: it’s beautiful, but just the tiniest bit campy to me with its Shakespearean tragedy teen association. [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] is so far from a role model. I prefer [name_f]Julia[/name_f], which feels more mature and elegant.
[name_f]Sylvia[/name_f]: It’s feminine but strong, and an underused classic. I don’t love it myself (maybe it’s the syllables it shares with saliva) but would love to meet a little [name_f]Sylvia[/name_f].
[name_u]Vivian[/name_u]: [name_u]Vivian[/name_u] feels beautiful, warm, and witty. I associate it with vivid orange-red, and little [name_m]Art[/name_m] Deco.
[name_f]Rosalie[/name_f]: [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] feels sweet and competent. I think it’s a really likable name. It’s one of my favorite names ending in -lie/Lee.
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f]: on paper, I should LIVE for [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. But I’ve never quite gotten into her. Maybe it’s just that I don’t know any adult Matildas and I have a hard time imagining a [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] as anything other than a hipster toddler.
[name_f]Clara[/name_f]: I love [name_f]Clara[/name_f]. It’s a little more vintage than [name_f]Claire[/name_f] or [name_f]Sarah[/name_f], with the feminine strength of them both. I love the association with the Nutcracker Ballet, too.
[name_f]Alice[/name_f]: [name_f]Alice[/name_f] is another favorite of mine. [name_f]Alice[/name_f] in Wonderland helps it feel sweet but not too sweet.
I’d pick [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Clara[/name_f], and [name_u]Vivian[/name_u] from your list, in that order.