One thing I always love hearing is why people love a particular combo. What the name means to them, the images it evokes, the feelings people have about their favorite choices.
[name_f][/name_f]I’ve been in a bit of a naming slump lately, so I’d really love to hear your favorites and descriptions of what you love about them. It can be your top 10, a favourite sibset, or just a few names you’re crushing on.
A lot of mine trigger ethereal images. Some evoke the impressions of qualities I hope for my children to grow into. [name_f]My[/name_f] son’s name, Dever.ell Sincl@ir, for example, I find extremely handsome, debonair with an air of competence while also being warm.
Theres a lot of different styles that I think are beautiful and I have an eclectic long list, it’s definitely different criteria when I consider names for my own children. I find i’m drawn to classic names that are not overused today. Maybe even considered “dated” [name_f][/name_f] Names that are salt of the earth and belong on the country side, and give nature/animal imagery. I prefer simple 2 syllable easy to spell names as well with no added frill. Theres also certain sounds i’m drawn to! I love the sh sound in names (Marshall, [name_f]Shiloh[/name_f], Shepherd) and the ie ending for girls sounds so cute to me (Bonnie, [name_f]Dottie[/name_f], [name_f]Julie[/name_f], [name_f]Birdie[/name_f], Tillie) I don’t mind a cutie vintage nickname for a first name whereas some would find it incomplete, I love it!
[name_f][/name_f]I also always want to make sure there’s a 1 syllable nickname I can use in a pinch that I like!
[name_f][/name_f]Theres certain sounds that I don’t like so much as well like loose, lie, devil, sin.. etc.
[name_f][/name_f]This is a fascinating topic, everyone is so unique in the names they are drawn to!
I’ll do one by one (some of them don’t have specific reasons)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Hailey[/name_f] [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] [name_m]Lyn[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- between [name_f]Hailey[/name_f] and [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]. [name_f]Hailey[/name_f] for Eminem’s daughter. [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] is the first girl name I ever fell in love with and cant get rid of it. [name_m]Lyn[/name_m] is my middle name and my mom’s
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Archer[/name_m] [name_m]Cooper[/name_m] [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_m]Archer[/name_m] is my most special name as it was my favorite teacher’s last name. [name_m]Cooper[/name_m] is a special name to my grandma that I want to pass on. [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] just because its cute to me
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]River[/name_m] [name_m]Holden[/name_m] [name_m]James[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_m]River[/name_m] is just a sweet name and I love -er names. [name_m]Holden[/name_m] is just strong and sweet and I just love how it sounds. [name_m]James[/name_m] is just a filler name
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Sage[/name_f] [name_f]Valeria[/name_f] [name_f]Jade[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_f]Sage[/name_f] is just short and sweet and I love nature names (clearly). [name_f]Valeria[/name_f] is a variation of my name. [name_f]Jade[/name_f] is just a filler that I love (also from Eminem’s daughter)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Isla[/name_f] [name_f]Summer[/name_f] [name_f]Blair[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- love the sound of [name_f]Isla[/name_f] and first heard it on Varney Fam (youtube). [name_f]Summer[/name_f] just reminds me of my favorite season. [name_f]Blair[/name_f] is just short and sweet like [name_f]Isla[/name_f] is
Some names that I love (and might use) from other people & inspired by things I love: [name_f]Indigo[/name_f] & [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] (Morgan Wallen’s son). [name_m]Chandler[/name_m] (Chandler [name_m]Bing[/name_m] & [name_m]Chandler[/name_m] Hallow), [name_f]Annie[/name_f] (stole from my sister lol)
[name_f]Sarai[/name_f] [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] → it gives me ‘warrior princess’ vibes [name_f][/name_f]- a sweet blend of strong and classic, bright and distinctive, and I love that bright EYE sound
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Sholto[/name_m] [name_m]Felix[/name_m] → rugged but gentle [name_f][/name_f]- reminds me of sweeping landscapes, hills and valleys [name_f][/name_f]- and it’s subtly a nod to two of my favourite books
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Cherith[/name_f] [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] → for it’s ‘cherished’ sound, its wintery meaning, its bright EYE syllable in the middle, and because I love -th names
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Ozias[/name_m] [name_m]Lorcan[/name_m] → this feels earthy and slightly mystical to me, and its also linked to a favorite character
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Ginevra[/name_f] [name_f]Cleo[/name_f] → another favourite character whose name I also just love for its bright, stylish sounds and the nicknames [name_m]Nev[/name_m], Nevvie, [name_f]Gin[/name_f], and [name_f]Gia[/name_f]. [name_f]Cleo[/name_f] is more recently paired with it [name_f][/name_f]- a long time love that’s so spirited which fits Ginevra’s energy imo
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Katri[/name_f] [name_f]Viola[/name_f] → sharp and wintery with a hint of spark and sweetness, it’s another one connection to a favourite book too
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Nai[/name_m] [name_m]Barnaby[/name_m] → it makes me think wise, quirky, and arty [name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- fun but balanced [name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- and it’s got the EYE sound 
I think in a way I find them so beautiful because they reflect values, aesthetics or places that I also find absolutely beautiful!
[name_f][/name_f]A few examples, using some names I really love…
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Valentin[/name_m] ‘Valya’ & [name_f]Karolina[/name_f] ‘Karo’ [name_f][/name_f]- Me and my partner’s favourite names! I think I like both of them for similar reasons. 1) The vibe, I love the timeless, elegant feel of the full names, paired with the slightly off-beat & playful but also cute and cosy nicknames! I could imagine a [name_m]Karo[/name_m] as a children’s book heroic protagonist, and I could also imagine a [name_f]Karolina[/name_f] in really any time and place! 2) How international they are (in a European context, since we’re Europeans). [name_m]Perfect[/name_m] for our multicultural family + it aligns with values that matter to us!
[name_f]Flora[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- Same as above, very international + I also love how it makes me picture spring fields of flowers, fresh-baked tarts and sunny blue skies! 
[name_f][/name_f] A strong nature/location imagery goes a long way.
[name_f]Maristella[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- Speaking of nature/location imagery! This one feels really connected to my heritage for me. Not just because it’s Greek, I have other Greek names on my list, but because of the origin combined with the vibe! [name_f]Maristella[/name_f] makes me think of sparkling blue waves and rocky shores, half-melted ice cream, outdoor cinemas, seagulls and sea glass and colourful bracelets and carnivals. It doesn’t get more 
[name_f][/name_f] than that, so I feel a special connection to it, especially since I’m not planning on living in Greece when I have children!
[name_m]Milen[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- Thought I’d mention this one because I love it for different reasons than the others so far which have mostly been vibes-based! I feel like it represents me and my partner very sweetly through our shared interests (Milen is a Bulgarian name, my partner is studying Bulgarian in university and we’re both very interested in Balkan culture and history!). And, while I’m usually not one that cares about meanings, I do adore[name_f][/name_f] a boy name with a soft, loving meaning, because I think we should be raising more soft, loving boys! [name_m]Milen[/name_m] means “dear, beloved, sweet” and that just makes me so happy when I think about it!
Isabelle Aurora Grace - I fell in love with Isabelle in the midst of one of the darkest times of my life. I heard it on a television show and with my synesthesia it was like sparkling gems covering a crystal clear creek bed, glittering in the sunlight. It was the most sparkly, beautiful, mesmerizing image I’d experienced in the middle of years of depression. I’m waffling between Isabelle and the Scottish Isobel, but the name is very sentimental to me because of that. I also adore the meaning “My God is a vow” because that has been so true for me in my own life. Grace is in honor of my grandma. Aurora I love because it feels natury and princessy and I love the meaning “new dawn”. I’m fascinated with the auroras and Aurora’s meaning has even deeper significance given my mental health journey. I hope my kids always know that they can always start again.
Caspar Nathaniel Eden - I fell in love with Caspar after my best friend died about 15 years ago. She had had triplets a few years prior and if she’d had all boys, one of them would’ve been Caspar. She never got to use it, but I fell head over heels in love with it with time, and also love it because it is a French Christmas name, something my sister and I also share. Nathaniel is for said sister; it’s similar to her name. Eden is for a song I fell in love with years ago, by an artist called Phil Wickham. It reminds me that as children of God, we are His royalty, and I hope my children always see their value in God’s eyes.
Adele Petra ________ - Adele I just love for its unexpected, delicate, strong presence… I love the meaning “noble” in honor of my family members who have served in the military. I adore Petra because it reminds me of the apostle Peter, who has always been one of my favorite Bible characters. Galilea or Christiana or maybe Liisi are probably the highest contender for second middle right now, though maybe Liliosa, Natalia, or Jacinthe too. All of them except Christiana or Liisi honor family.
Aquila Leo Grey - I am a sucker for unusual Bible names and Aquila is maybe my favorite. Familiar, easy to sound out, but unexpected, and I like the “quill” sound in the middle as I would love to be a novelist one day. Leo is for one of Jesus’ names, the Lion of Judah. Grey is for my grandma.
Evangeline Dagny Louise - Evangeline I fell in love with, partially for its meaning, partially for how princessy it is, partially for the Longfellow poem. Dagny is for my dad’s Nordic ancestry, and Louise is because Evangeline Dagny was busy enough and I just love how she feels in the combo (very rare for me, lol, to pick something just because I like it). Dagny is also for similar reasons to Aurora. I also love that with my synesthesia, Evangeline Dagny reminds me of panels of stained glass stories in church walls—my mom is very creative and loves making her own stained glass creations (she made a mirror for me that I still have today that is surrounded in stained glass lilacs and irises), so that’s also for her.
Boaz Andreas Henry - Boaz is for my other grandmother (her name was Ruth). I love the subtle tie, especially since she’s been so honored in our family already—I like the idea of my kids having a “new” way to honor her. I wanted something Dutch for Boaz since he’s so well loved there, and fell in love with Boaz Andreas. I’ve always adored Henry as a middle and liked that he was more conservative after zippy Boaz.
Vera Éliane Charlotte - Vera is for my grandma (again lol). She went on a mission trip to Russia when I was a kid and she loved the people of Russia for the rest of her life. For years she kept correspondence with some of the women she befriended there, and gave money to help them long after their borders closed to Christianity. She had a virtue middle and I think she would’ve loved knowing that I chose a name that means “Faith” in Russian and “truth” in Latin (two values she greatly valued) and honors her love of the Russian people. Éliane is another name that honors my faith (my God has answered). Charlotte I have adored for close to 2 decades but I have had trouble finding a combo where she’s a first name and I couldn’t bear to part with her completely.
Rowan Arthur James - Rowan I love for its ties to trees (I have a tree name too), and feels like exploring and adventuring with make believe battles and heroes with tinfoil coated wooden swords and magical forests and rescuing maidens and little brothers and pets stuck up trees. Arthur lends that image imo, with the ties to the king, but also feels very kind to me because it is my therapist’s name and I don’t hate that it’s taken on an air of healing and wholeness and restoration because of it. James is for my great grandpa.
Claire Tirzah/Viola/Vienna Elisabeth/Elise - currently in a tie between these—Claire honors my dad and brother and is a name I have loved since I remembered first loving names. Tirzah (Ben Hur), Viola (Twelfth Night), and Vienna (a whole series of WWII novels) are all in honor of special stories close to my heart. Elisabeth and Elise feel rather filler here but I could never find anything more creative I liked as well with Tirzah, Viola, or Vienna.
Lorcan Ignatius Jack - I first discovered Lorcan on Nameberry—and mostly fell for it because I love Gaelic names for boys and I adore the meaning “little fierce one”. It just seems like such an underappreciated, cool, gentle, strong name. There could never be enough Lorcans in the world! Ignatius I love for its meaning of “fire” which reminds me of the Holy Spirit. I could never use it because it would upset my mother, truly offend her, and that’s not something I’m willing to do (if it was just personal taste, I wouldn’t care, but it’s more than that). If I get to use Lorcan, I’ll probably replace Ignatius with Isaac or Irenaeus or something. Jack honors my dad and brother.
This has already turned into a novel so I won’t do the back side of my top 10s, but most are inspired by my love of literature, my faith, my fascination with Europe, my love of family, and my love of flowers (Tali, Audrey, Eleanor, Ariane, and Olivet for girls, Bartholomew, Augustine, Asa, Cyrus, and Avery for boys).
Good luck with your name rut! 
Wow, you guys are good at explaining yourselves! For me, I’ve just… Loved the same names for years. [name_f]Dahlia[/name_f], [name_f]Evaluna[/name_f], [name_m]Jasper[/name_m], [name_f]Kaska[/name_f], [name_f]Alaska[/name_f], [name_f]Leonie[/name_f], [name_m]Viktor[/name_m], [name_m]Oskar[/name_m], Murphy… I’m about to be 22 and I don’t think my name taste has ever changed since I got into names around 10/11. They just represent me so well.
[name_f][/name_f]However, I have loved reading the beautiful explanations so far!
Have to start with the name of my little one as it is my most favorite [name_f][/name_f]- [name_m]Sonny[/name_m] is just the epitome of bright, cheery, endearing, and playful in my eyes. There’s no clunk to it (clunkiness can be good, it’s just not my style) just a short, smooth and sweet name that makes me smile when I think about it 
Other favorites of today:
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Romeo[/name_m]: [name_m]Handsome[/name_m], romantic, literary, easy to say, love the nicknames [name_m]Rome[/name_m] and [name_f]Romy[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]Zoro / [name_m]Zorro[/name_m]: Guilty pleasure, but I find it interesting and cool, dashing and mischievous [name_f][/name_f]- I love the vigilante vibe, which leads me to…
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Robin[/name_m]: a la [name_m]Robin[/name_m] Hood, it’s heroic and dashing, but this one is also soft, down to earth, gender neutral and sweet.
[name_f][/name_f]A longstanding favorite girl’s name is [name_f]Rosalina[/name_f], for some reason this name is just the right flavor or frilly for me. It’s sugary, pink, red, feminine, princessy [name_f][/name_f]- I love how it’s an elaborate form of the simple, classic [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. I love the way it rolls of the tongue and I love the floral imagery. 
Sunnifa [name_f][/name_f]- It has a special personal meaning to me and I love the meaning and the sunny imagery.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- I just think it’s a beautiful name. I like that’s floral and elegant but not over the top
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Mees[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- I love that it’s a [name_m]Dutch[/name_m] name meaning chickadee. I also like the simple, cozy sound of the name
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- I just think it’s a cool name
[name_f]Azalea[/name_f] Annelyn [name_m]Jae[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- I started really getting into names around the time leading up to and after my sister was born. And for a good few months, whenever someone asked her name, it always got a resounding ‘oh my gosh, that’s beautiful’, ‘oh what a beautiful name’ etc. So in planning way far ahead, it made me want to find I name I wanted to use for my little girl one day that had that ‘wow’ effect and I came across [name_f]Azalea[/name_f] and that was that, I have adored it ever since. Annelyn is a subtle honour to represent myself and my sister and [name_m]Jae[/name_m] is to represent my best friend.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Imogen[/name_f] [name_f]Jaelee[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] is one I have adored for a long time, every [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] I’ve met has just been so sweet and it started off on my list as a subtle honour to represent a character that really just got me through some tough times in my life but has since also come to honour one of the most important people in my life. [name_m]Jae[/name_m] is to represent my best friend and my mama and [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is a subtle honour I use to represent my brother.
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] [name_f]Jaelyn[/name_f] [name_m]Miller[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_m]Nico[/name_m] was a name I always liked but one day just clicked (thanks to the actor from a show), he is just so sweet and a good few months back, I had a dream that I had a son named [name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] (he was about 5) and he really just feels like my little boy. [name_f]Jaelyn[/name_f] is to represent my best friend and myself and [name_m]Miller[/name_m] I use as a subtle honour to my sister.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Jaia[/name_f] [name_f]Jaelyn[/name_f] [name_m]Carter[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_f]Jaia[/name_f] is name that although I’d briefly heard before, was really introduced to me by my brother and I think that’s why he’s stuck in my head, he’s just so sweet. [name_f]My[/name_f] reasoning for [name_f]Jaelyn[/name_f] is the same as above and I use [name_m]Carter[/name_m] as a subtle honour for my mama.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Kelsey[/name_f] [name_m]Lee[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- will forever be my first love and will always hold a special place in my heart. [name_f]Kelsey[/name_f] was the first name I really loved (from about 5 onwards, and I still love it to this day), I heard it from a TV show which – and in addition to the character herself – still remains very near and dear to my heart as it always got my through some tough times and [name_m]Lee[/name_m] is an honour to my mama that I’d always planned to use.
[name_f]My[/name_f] most favourite girl name is [name_f]Susannah[/name_f]! I know numerous great people named [name_f]Anna[/name_f] (my best friend, my great-grandma, my SIL etc) but it’s so common in my area that it’s no go for me :(. I also love the name [name_f]Lilia[/name_f] but can’t use it for the number of reasons and [name_f]Susannah[/name_f] means lily so it’s like my two favourite names combined!
A lot of my favorites can be broken down into a few categories:
[name_f][/name_f]-Names that remind me of people I love
[name_f][/name_f]-Names that remind me of books I love
[name_f][/name_f]-Names whose meanings I love (or remind me of things I love)
[name_f][/name_f]-Names with sounds I love
Most of my combos incorporate names from at least two of those categories. For example:
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Alice[/name_f] Baleen (I love the “al” sound, reminds me of my mom and a few favorite books. Reminds me of my love of humpback whales)
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Farley[/name_m] [name_f]Jean[/name_f] (I love the “ar” sound and reminds me of my love of the ocean. Reminds me of all four of my grandparents)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Hannelore[/name_f] [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] (I love the sound. Reminds me of my parents and great aunt)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Juniper[/name_f] [name_f]Meg[/name_f] (reminds me of my aunt and I love the sound. Reminds me of humpback whales and my mom)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Kendra[/name_f] Dew (reminds me of a favorite book. Reminds me of my grandmother)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Linnea[/name_f] [name_f]Lupine[/name_f] [name_m]Mako[/name_m] (I love the “ea [ay-uh]” sound, reminds me of my grandfather. Reminds me of my grandmother. Reminds me of my love of the ocean, karate and many people I love)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Paloma[/name_f] [name_f]Lavender[/name_f] (I love the meaning. Reminds me of my grandmother and a favorite book)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Sonia[/name_f] [name_f]Jean[/name_f] [name_f]Soleil[/name_f] (I love the meaning. Reminds me of all four grandparents. I love the meaning)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Thisbe[/name_f] [name_f]Mabel[/name_f] (reminds me of a favorite book. Reminds me of my great aunt and I love the meaning)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Tuesday[/name_f] [name_m]Kimble[/name_m] (reminds me of a favorite book. Reminds me of my cousin)
[name_m]Felix[/name_m] [name_m]Ocean[/name_m] (I love the meaning)
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Granger[/name_m] [name_m]Leo[/name_m] (I love the sound and reminds me of a favorite book. Reminds me of my grandfathers)
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Kennet[/name_m] [name_m]Evander[/name_m] [name_m]Jack[/name_m] (reminds me of my grandfather. Reminds me of many people I love and I love the meaning. Reminds me of my grandfathers)
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Merrick[/name_m] [name_m]Milo[/name_m] (reminds me of my mom and grandparents. Reminds me of my grandparents)
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Ronan[/name_m] [name_m]Gregory[/name_m] (I love the meaning. Reminds me of a favorite book and my uncle)
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Soren[/name_m] [name_m]Jeffrey[/name_m] (reminds me of a favorite book and I love the “or” sound. Reminds me of my dad and I love the meaning)
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Talmadge[/name_m] [name_m]Thor[/name_m] (I love the “al” sound and the “dg” sound. Reminds me of my dad)
I have loved reading all the explanations here so far! I don’t have a set list of combos, so I’m just going to explain some of my favorites.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Saffron[/name_f] [name_f]Athena[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]: [name_f]Saffron[/name_f] is one of the colors on the [name_f]Indian[/name_f] flag, which represents courage. I think that it really honors my heritage while still being an [name_f]English[/name_f] word. [name_f]Athena[/name_f] honors my little sister (because ancient Egyptian names aren’t really an option haha). [name_f]Rose[/name_f] is just a name that I really love and have always loved since I started liking names (about 9/10 years old).
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] is the name of one of my close friends and she means a lot to me. I really would want to use this name or some variation of it for a future kid. Right now I have it paired with [name_f]Jean[/name_f].
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Irene[/name_f] [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- the meaning for this one is my main factor. peace and happiness are two qualities I really like and would want to name my kid after, but not direct virtue names.