Why?

Girl Names
23

I have a [name_f]Saskia[/name_f], aged 9. The correct pronunciation is somewhere between Sass-[name_f]Kia[/name_f] and Sars-[name_f]Kia[/name_f]. It’s more like Suh-skia. [name_f]My[/name_f] father in law is [name_m]Dutch[/name_m] so I have that from the source. Australians tend to say Sass-[name_f]Kia[/name_f] and I’m fine with that. We chose it because it reflects her [name_m]Dutch[/name_m] heritage, it isn’t common (although there are a few others at her school) and it has a number of meanings including “[name_f]Valley[/name_f] of light”, “Protector of mankind” and “[name_u]Saxon[/name_u] woman”. We call her Sass, Sassy and Saski for short.

I remember standing in a museum in [name_m]Amsterdam[/name_m], looking at a painting by [name_m]Rembrandt[/name_m] of his wife [name_f]Saskia[/name_f], and thinking “Oh, [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] is a [name_m]Dutch[/name_m] name…I didn’t know that…that’s cool” and tucking it away for my daughter.

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24

I love [name_f]Saskia[/name_f], I think it’s beautiful and could be a lovely, less common alternative to [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]/Sofia. I don’t mind [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] but I think [name_f]Maeva[/name_f] is much prettier and in the same vein as [name_f]Eva[/name_f]/Ava. The others are nice enough, but not really my style.

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Hey [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], what’s your take on your name? I’d love to know if you think I should christen my baby [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] someday or go with something else based on your experience :slight_smile:

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I absolutely LOVE [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] and [name_f]Maeve[/name_f].

Both of them are extreme badass warrior princess names, like two sides of the same coin. [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] is sweet and feminine but the spunky V at the end gives her this extra kick that elevates the entire name for me. She can be a science [name_f]Olympiad[/name_f] math whiz and a competitive dancer and a rough and tumble soccer player, and her name would fit her regardless.

Now, [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] is the opposite. She starts out with sass and that spiky K but then has the beautiful feminine -ia ending that’s soft like [name_f]Lilia[/name_f] or [name_f]Sofia[/name_f]. She has so much personality and spice. It’s another name that fits so many wonderful personalities and feels like it could be a [name_f]Queen[/name_f] and a doctor and a professional athlete.

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lol, as berries, I wouldn’t think any of us NEED to love another name, haha–we love plenty as it is. :wink:

Anyhow… I don’t love all, but will share why I love the ones I do. :heart:

Anouk - I wouldn’t say LOVE, but I do like. I sort of latched onto her when we picked our [name_u]French[/name_u] names in high school [name_u]French[/name_u] class (I used [name_f]Nathalie[/name_f], lol, but remember being fascinated by [name_f]Anouk[/name_f]?). I like that it’s just so unlike most [name_u]French[/name_u] names? When I think of [name_u]French[/name_u] names I think of things like [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f], [name_f]Odette[/name_f], [name_f]Amelie[/name_f], [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f], etc., etc., all which are so sleek and ooze femininity and aren’t clunky at all? [name_f]Anouk[/name_f] looks so foreign though and I think that’s why I like her. She’s so unexpected and fun. I think that’s also why I wouldn’t want to USE [name_f]Anouk[/name_f]–she’s not pretty enough for me?–but I am fascinated and would consider her as a middle. ah-NOOK.

Charlotte - honestly, one of my favorite names ever. Took a while to grow on me, but I love her softness and the reminder of some of my favorite authors and novels with [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Bronte[/name_f] and Pride & Prejudice. LOVE the nns [name_f]Lottie[/name_f], [name_f]Lotte[/name_f], and [name_f]Lola[/name_f], too. I don’t know if I can see me with a [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] but I have her as a middle for MULTIPLE names on my list. If I left it up to my heart’s whims, I’d have 20 combos with either [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] or [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] as the middles for EVERY single one. lol. SHAR-leht.

Saskia - eh, it’s interesting, but I don’t love it. I couldn’t tell you why it’s such a raging success on nb lol. SAHS-kyah.

Felicity - I love that it reminds me of the American Girl doll, and happiness, and history. And my faith. I’m minorly obsessed with [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] right now, and love the nns [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] and Cici, too. fuh-LISS-ih-tee.

Bronwyn - much prefer [name_f]Bronwen[/name_f], but it’s one of my favorite Welsh names. I like it a lot, but probably not enough to use? At least not up front. I have Welsh ancestry though so I’d consider it as a middle. I like the nn [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] and it has a nice meaning. BRON (like [name_m]Lebron[/name_m] lol)-when.

Maeve - eh. I can see the appeal and am minorly obsessed with just one berry one day making my dream come true by gracing the world with a [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] [name_f]Fiammetta[/name_f] (ugh, she’s so fiery and feminine and strong! I love her… but not for my kid. haha.). [name_f]My[/name_f] heart would be so happy to know that a little [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] [name_f]Fiammetta[/name_f] existed, but I would never use it myself. I like the Tahitian [name_f]Maeva[/name_f] much, much more. MAYVE.

Cordelia - yeah, you got me there. I have NO CLUE why nb loves [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] so much. It reminds me of… cordial cherries? I like [name_f]Cora[/name_f] and [name_f]Delia[/name_f] but they’re much better separate, imo, than smooshed into one name. She just seems so heavy and dreary to me, but I know tons of berries love her. core-DEAL-ee-yah.

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28

There is a [name_f]Princess[/name_f] [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] of Hanover!

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Charlotte - She’s classic, pretty, so feminine
Felicity- She sounds joyous, upbeat, classy and proper
Bronwyn- I really like how [name_f]Bronwyn[/name_f] is less expected, feminine, but not drippingly so, she gives me an ‘autumn’ type feel, really warm, friendly and comfortable

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30

Hi! Well without sounding vain I do love my name, I’ve never had any negative experience with my name other than my French teacher at school would sometimes call me Chalott which made me think of shallots lol. So I would correct him. Because I found it a bit irratating.
Charlotte looks pleasant to the eye, it embodies feminine and the masculine at the same time ( it means free man) whilst still retaining a feminine vibe. The nicknames from Charlotte are equally as strong. Charlie/Lottie/Chaz there is a good mix there to suit parental taste of a Charlotte was shortened.
When I was little I was my mum’s little Lottie then in college and university I went by Charlie and it’s stuck. I now get either Charlie or Charlotte and I really do like both.
The only negative about the name is the popularity, obviously it’s popular choice for the royals as it has a regal sound.
Both my children have popular names. I guess these names are
popular for a reason. If the popularity aspect doesn’t put you off then I would say go for it.
Charlotte has stood the test of time, it’s a classic and it’s timeless. I don’t think it will ever go out of fashion.
There really isn’t anything not to like about the name in my opinion.

Also my partner and I agreed that for our third baby ( we will TTC next year, if they are a boy)
We have decided on lawrence Arlo.
Arlo is actually the middle letters taken from Charlotte :slight_smile:

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31

I don’t pronounce my name like that. Family and friends pronounce it as [name_f]Char[/name_f]-lut (UK) I think in the states they say [name_f]Char[/name_f]-lett?

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[name_f]Anouk[/name_f] - I love variations of [name_f]Anna[/name_f] as much as the original. This is one of those I like best. The origins of it are related to the some of the areas my family are from (ancestry nut here).

[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] - This name is an honor name for me. I have had it on my list for a long time not just for the honors, but for a long-standing appreciation of the name. It has, unfortunately, slipped down my list as my honorees list has changed.

[name_f]Saskia[/name_f] - I love the fresh sound of this name and the fact that it is a variation on [name_u]Sascha[/name_u]. I don’t see [name_u]Sascha[/name_u] as a girls’ name, so this makes a nice alternative. It fits in with my top names list for girls.

[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] - I love the meaning of this name, but I don’t think I’d ever use it. I love the light, happy sound of this name.

While [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] has recently come into my peripheral due to a holiday movie, I’m not completely sure on it quite yet. As I have only recently heard of it, I’m still on the fence about the name.

[name_f]Bronwyn[/name_f] is not one I know anything about, so I have no opinion either way.

[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] is a name I can’t stand, so I can’t help you out on that one.

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33

Yeah, agreed.

US = SATC

Charlotte’s [name_m]Web[/name_m]

UK = SJ Strum - [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]

So the “shallot” thing is the [name_u]French[/name_u] pronunciation? Also, thank you for your lovely and thoughtful response!!

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I absolutely love [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] & [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] - can’t say I’m overly keen on the rest.
I love long names but they often feel too big for little girls but [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] hits that sweet spot of being long without feeling long. It’s soft yet strong and imo very pretty and classy.
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] feels so fun, youthful & almost sparkly to me. I remember reading a book about a [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] when I was young. It feels so pretty & fanciful.

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How very dare you not be head over heels in love with [name_f]Anouk[/name_f]?! ([name_m]Don[/name_m]'t worry, I’m only joking :wink:)

This is exactly why I love [name_f]Anouk[/name_f]. It’s elegant and mysterious and cute and quirky and a bit of an oddball in the world of names. Nothing else really has the same sound or vibe – to me, it feels half rough-and-tumble adorable (like [name_f]Anouk[/name_f] in Chocolat), and half sleek [name_u]French[/name_u] sophistication (like [name_f]Anouk[/name_f] Aimée).

We pronounce it the [name_u]French[/name_u] way: ah-NOOK (NOOK rhymes more or less with [name_m]Luke[/name_m]). The [name_m]Dutch[/name_m] say the NOOK part to rhyme with book, which I like a little less, but still think sounds funky and interesting.

The other one I LOVE from this list is [name_f]Saskia[/name_f]. We have a close family member with this name, or we may well have used it ourselves. I love that it’s pretty and feisty in equal measure, love the potential for nickname Sass/Sassy, the art connection is cool and it’s criminally underused.

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I only like it for a boy…it’s strange

the ending wyn is masculine in [name_m]Wales[/name_m]
so
maybe that’s it

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:joy::rofl: Funny thing is, I was ECSTATIC when you used it! It’s such a perfectly YOU name. I just can’t see me with an [name_f]Anouk[/name_f], and I like it much more as a middle. It would honor my grandma if I used it, so I’ll never count it out; it’s just not a contender for me up front lol. I probably downplayed how much I like it in my original response, lol; I am a huge fan it’s just a very unexpected name haha.

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38

My friends

I like [name_f]Anouk[/name_f] now! Thank you!

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39

Maeve is the name of an old queen of Connacht in [name_f]Ireland[/name_f], and a fairy queen in Irish mythology. It’s beautiful.

I believe it has risen to popularity due to a character with the name in a current TV show. Shame because I would have liked to use the name but don’t want baby to be 1 of 10 [name_f]Maeve[/name_f]’s in her year!

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Anouk: I would say a-NOOK. I think it has a cool, fresh sound but I don’t know much about the name.
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]: I actually am not a fan of this one. It has too “soft” of a sound for me.
[name_f]Saskia[/name_f]: SAHS-kia. Kindof like a spunkier [name_u]Sasha[/name_u]? I think it’s cool sounding but again don’t know the origins or anything.
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f]: I love this name. The sound and the meaning (happiness) are great. It’s airy and girly and sweet without being too sweet.
[name_f]Bronwyn[/name_f]: I like this one okay; it has a nice sound. I probably wouldn’t use it though.
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]: Simple, sweet, and unique. I like this one. I pronounce it just like [name_f]May[/name_f] with a V at the end.
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]: I go back and forth. I like all the sounds and the over-all vibe, but I wonder if it’s too old fashioned. I also think of a cornucopia for some reason lol.

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Charlotte is just so classic. I love regency era names and this is one of those, it has so much history as well, so many great namesakes: [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Bronte[/name_f], [name_f]Princess[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Augusta[/name_f] of [name_m]Wales[/name_m] (and obviously our new princess [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] of Cambridge). So many nn possibilities: [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], [name_f]Lottie[/name_f], [name_f]Carlie[/name_f], [name_f]Char[/name_f], arla.

I prefer [name_f]Felicia[/name_f] to [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] (again regency) great meaning of joy/felicity/happiness/elation love the nicknames [name_f]Lici[/name_f], Flic and fifi

Bronwyn annoys me because I’m partly welsh and so it should be [name_f]Bronwen[/name_f] for girls and [name_f]Bronwyn[/name_f] for boys. [name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_f]Bronwen[/name_f] though and most welsh names :slight_smile:

Cordelia is gorgeous but I find it lacking in nn possibilities

Maeve is pretty but still feels like an old lady name to me I prefer [name_f]Mae[/name_f]

Anouk and [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] I’m not a fan

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Bronwen interesting the original pronounciation is as spelt br-on-wen I agree brawn-wyn sounds horrible

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