I’ve been on the forums before but this is my first time posting expecting my first child! So, now I feel the pressure of picking a name for another human being. Crazy.
Our last name is [name_u]Carter[/name_u].
For a boy, we’re 100% decided on our FN and MN and are obsessed with it.
The issue is with a girl name - [name_f]Emma[/name_f] has always been my favorite girl name, but due to its popularity I’m considering another option. I’ve been through so many girl names and none of them have “struck” me like [name_f]Emma[/name_f] does, but after watching Wonder I can’t get the thought out of my head that [name_f]Via[/name_f] would be a lovely name for a girl.
So what do you think? Here are our options:
[name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] [name_u]Carter[/name_u] ([name_f]Rose[/name_f] also is quite common for a MN, but I think it flows nicely with our last name)
[name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] [name_u]Carter[/name_u] (I think [name_f]Claire[/name_f] might be less common for a MN and I love the sound of [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f], but does it collide with our last name [name_u]Carter[/name_u]?)
What do you think? Should I go with my safe favorite [name_f]Emma[/name_f] despite popularity or should I seriously consider [name_f]Via[/name_f]? Does [name_f]Via[/name_f] work for a first name and if so, what are some MN that might go well with it? Thanks in advance!
[name_f]Via[/name_f] is becoming more popular, especially as a nickname for [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. So, these are both reasonably common names and you should go with your favorite!
[name_f]Emma[/name_f] is a more popular option, but I don’t think it’s any “safer”, really. [name_f]Via[/name_f] seems like a perfectly reasonable and wearable name too, though you might need to clarify spelling occasionally.
If you went with [name_f]Emma[/name_f], I think I’d prefer it with [name_f]Claire[/name_f] in the middle, just so it’s not a double “most popular” combo. I actually like the alliteration in [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] [name_u]Carter[/name_u], it’s snappy.
[name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is a pretty combo. Or [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f], [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f], [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Belle[/name_f]…?
I personally prefer [name_f]Via[/name_f]. It’s more unique, easy to say and spell and I like how it sounds. I could imagine it as a full name on a kid or adult! Another poster said that it’s not much more uncommon than [name_f]Emma[/name_f] since it’s a nickname for [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], but I disagree. I know several Olivias and they go by either their full name or [name_u]Ollie[/name_u].
[name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] is gorgeous! I also love the suggestions of [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Belle[/name_f] and [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f].
I meant more that [name_f]Via[/name_f] is an up and coming popular name/nickname. While it’s uncommon for adults, I work with young children and I see it quite a bit.
Though popular, I love [name_f]Emma[/name_f], its sweet and lovely, yet a simple classic. [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] and [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] would be alternatives if [name_f]Emma[/name_f] is too popular for you. That being said, I would not do the combo [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f], especially with your common last name. It may case problems with stolen identities later down the road as there will probably be more than one [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] [name_u]Carter[/name_u] in the world.
I think [name_f]Via[/name_f] would work fine, though you may well have to explain spelling and pronunciation to people ie it’s the same as word via which is pronounced differently. [name_m]How[/name_m] much you react to popularity of a name is such a personal thing - some people really like having a popular name. I prefer [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f], and think [name_f]Claire[/name_f] goes beautifully with [name_u]Carter[/name_u].
I think you should stick with [name_f]Emma[/name_f]. [name_f]Via[/name_f] just makes me think of the word (“a file was sent via email”). If you’re going to use it as a nickname for [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] or another name then I think that would be okay.
Also, I see no issue with [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] [name_u]Carter[/name_u].
[name_f]Every[/name_f] [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] I know goes by her full name, and is occasionally called [name_f]Livvy[/name_f] by her friends. It might be more common elsewhere but I know lots of young girls from my dance studio and I’ve never heard [name_f]Via[/name_f] before. [name_m]Don[/name_m]’t stress.
I can name over a dozen girls named [name_f]Emma[/name_f] off the top of my head. The name has no spark and is nothing special, I’m afraid. If you’re worried about popularity, definitely don’t go with [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. The most popular girl name with one of the most popular middle names… good chance she will meet others with the same name (possibly same exact name, since [name_u]Carter[/name_u] isn’t uncommon either). I get annoyed with how common my name is, and popularity is a dealbreaker for me, but that doesn’t mean it should be for you. I just think [name_f]Via[/name_f] is much prettier and more distinct.
[name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is pretty. You could do [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] to incorporate [name_f]Emma[/name_f] as well.
Oh, I love [name_f]Via[/name_f]! I fell in love with it after reading Wonder for the first time, actually. I think its beautiful, sweet, spunky, and strong. I do like it on it’s own (I think it sounds like a name, and is familiar thanks to [name_f]Mia[/name_f] etc), but it also can be a great nickname for other names ([name_f]Via[/name_f] in Wonder was named [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. Also [name_f]Octavia[/name_f], [name_f]Sylvia[/name_f], [name_f]Victoria[/name_f], [name_f]Lavinia[/name_f], etc could work. Any name with “[name_f]Via[/name_f]” in it, probably!) If you’re unsure about it just being a full first.
However, I’m usually a big fan of using your favorite name despite popularity. I think [name_f]Emma[/name_f] is a pretty, sweet name so its definitely popular for a reason. I personally wouldnt use it (I’ve just met SO many), but if you really truly love it, maybe you should.
Is it possible maybe to wait until you meet her? Then decide which names suits her best!
Out of your combos, I like [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f]. Very soft and beautiful, and I think [name_f]Claire[/name_f] is more unexpected than [name_f]Rose[/name_f]!
I think [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] would be a pretty choice. I also like the suggestions of [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Belle[/name_f] and [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f]. I was going to suggest [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f], [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Primrose[/name_f], [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Margot[/name_f], [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_u]Harper[/name_u], [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Elowen[/name_f], & [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f].
Good luck!!
I like a lot of V names but [name_f]Via[/name_f] does not appeal, as arriving via whatever is a pretty common usage without a cute meaning and confusing the pronunciation. Either [name_u]Zia[/name_u] or [name_f]Leah[/name_f] would be more attractive [name_f]IMO[/name_f], or any number of V names.
[name_f]Emma[/name_f] is very popular but I wouldn’t give it up just for that. You could look at [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] or Gamma if you wanted though.
Of the two, I would go with the popular name I loved anyway.
[name_f]Via[/name_f] means “way” in Italian/Latin, so to me, [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] etc sound like addresses, honestly! It’s also used in English “by way of” so it doesn’t feel like a name to me, although it has a beautiful sound.
Re [name_f]Emma[/name_f], I’ve had a similar situation myself with the names [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] and [name_u]Elias[/name_u]… ended up not using them, a little bit second guessing that later, although at peace with it now. So I’d contemplate whether you’d really get [name_f]Emma[/name_f] out of your head if you end up not using it now, no matter the popularity. [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] and [name_u]Elias[/name_u] downright haunted me for a couple of years after I had my son…
I agree with what a previous poster said that despite it’s popularity, if you love it go for it! As much as I’ve heard the name [name_f]Emma[/name_f] tossed around on name sites, and name lists, I can’t actually even tell you the last time I even met an [name_f]Emma[/name_f]! And, if I didn’t already have an [name_f]Ella[/name_f], it would be on my girl name list!
This one is difficult for me because I see issues with both choices.
[name_f]Emma[/name_f] is extremely popular, as is [name_u]Carter[/name_u]. I think if you had a less common surname it wouldn’t matter as much. And I agree with PPs that [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] [name_u]Carter[/name_u] is extremely common. If you go with [name_f]Emma[/name_f] and it’s just a choice between [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and [name_f]Claire[/name_f], I’d go with [name_f]Claire[/name_f] (although that is also a popular mn). Are there any more unusual/less popular mns you like?
With [name_f]Via[/name_f], I immediately think of the meaning through (“you can get there via Main St” or “send it to me via email”) or the word viaduct. I like it as a nn for [name_f]Sylvia[/name_f], [name_f]Octavia[/name_f], or [name_f]Victoria[/name_f], but not really on its own. And [name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] just makes me think of (and say like) La Vie en [name_f]Rose[/name_f].
Character names are often different and quirky as a way to be memorable to the readers. But I don’t think they always translate well to RL.
At the end of the day, though, you have to choose a name that you will love calling your daughter. Best of luck!
Thank you so much everyone! I have a lot to think about [name_m]Ah[/name_m], how I wish I wasn’t so emotionally invested in the names! Picking different ones would be so much easier. I’m determined to make either of them work. And @wittyusername103, out of those I have considered [name_f]Vera[/name_f], but I just don’t have the same affection for it as I do [name_f]Emma[/name_f]. I like [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Bianca[/name_f], but DH does not like [name_f]Bianca[/name_f] and I think they both clash with our last name. Sigh…
[name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] [name_u]Carter[/name_u] ! [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] is just beautiful but you could call her [name_f]Emma[/name_f] or [name_f]Emme[/name_f]. I love the way [name_f]Claire[/name_f] [name_u]Carter[/name_u] sounds. Very snappy and fresh.
[name_m]Ah[/name_m], how I wish I wasn’t so emotionally invested in the names! Picking different ones would be so much easier. I’m determined to make either of them work. And