Not currently expecting so this is purely for future reference for me.
When we were expecting our last baby we had quickly decided on [name_u]Winter[/name_u] [name_u]Eliot[/name_u] as our girl name. But then a few weeks later I changed my mind suddenly and we went back over the list and decided on [name_f]Elowyn[/name_f] [name_u]Sage[/name_u] pretty easily and stuck with it. [name_u]Baby[/name_u] ended up being a boy and we threw the name into our back pocket. Now almost a year later I was thinking about if we have a girl next time and I’m suddenly torn between the two. The concerns I had about [name_u]Winter[/name_u] the first time don’t seem as big of a deal anymore, and now I have some concerns about [name_f]Elowyn[/name_f] instead.
Cons for [name_u]Winter[/name_u] [name_u]Eliot[/name_u]: I was nervous about popularity, but now since giving my baby boy a name that has similar popularity I don’t think it’s as big of an issue as I originally expected. But does anyone think [name_u]Winter[/name_u] could surge any time soon?
I also am nervous that the season name will become cheesy or I won’t like it anymore in the future since I am not a fan at all of [name_f]Autumn[/name_f] or [name_f]Summer[/name_f].
All of the “cousin crew” right now has names that have the -en sounding ending - [name_u]Winter[/name_u] would break that streak.
Family from NY will probably pronounce it like Winta. Sounds like a silly complaint but we have to take it into consideration with baby naming because other people in the family have their names pronounced in ways I am not a fan of at all (like [name_f]Stella[/name_f] becoming [name_u]Stellar[/name_u], and [name_f]Jocelyn[/name_f] becoming Joshlyn)
Pros: I wanted the name [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] but SO doesn’t like it as a full name, but is ok with using it as a nickname so [name_u]Winter[/name_u] can get the nickname [name_f]Winnie[/name_f].
[name_u]Eliot[/name_u] has always been a favorite girl name of mine, and SO doesn’t like it as a first name but loved it as a middle with [name_u]Winter[/name_u].
Cons with [name_f]Elowyn[/name_f] [name_u]Sage[/name_u]: Sounds counterintuitive but I’m nervous about popularity with [name_f]Elowyn[/name_f] now. I know it’s low on the charts right now but is it a name that could skyrocket soon? I’ve been seeing it a lot recently, especially on “unique names to give your baby” lists and “names we think will become popular soon” lists, and with the [name_f]El[/name_f]- beginning I’m worried it could become the new Ella/Eleanor.
I don’t love the y spelling, but Elowin doesn’t look right to me. I also do not like the [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] spelling at all, but I know that’s the most common spelling and people may default to it.
[name_u]Will[/name_u] people default to [name_f]El[/name_f] or [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] as a nickname and find my [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] nickname strange?
Pros: I like the multiple nickname options rather than just Win/Winnie. Not only is there El/Ellie/Ella, you could also use Lowyn, LoLo, [name_f]Lo[/name_f], etc. So there’s a lot of options for her as she gets older to choose what she feels like actually fits her best.
The N ending follows the pattern we have so far with our boy and with the cousins. But then will it be weird if we break the streak in the future with baby #3?
I feel like it matches better with our first baby’s name in general, being a classic but unique name. But I don’t think we’ll stick with classic names for other future babies so will it be even weirder if we pull out a very “out there” modern word name for baby #3 after two classic traditional names? People have already made comments to us about how they like our baby’s name because it’s classic and “isn’t crazy or weird” so I’m already nervous about future baby names being judged. Ok maybe this one is actually a con…
I’m curious to hear everyone’s thoughts, both on the names themselves and on which name you think suits us better?
I think you’ve got massive pros and cons for both names to be honest neither option feels completely right for you.
Winter Eliot ~ Winter is lovely she’s bright and sparkly I also love the nickname Winnie! However I think your cons feel bigger than your pros. In my head I think you’ll definitely have similar thoughts about Winter as you do Summer & Autumn. There really isn’t much difference between them. Winter is a seasonal name just like Summer & Autumn why isn’t Winter cheesy? Is it because Winter isn’t as popular? My concern is that Winter could become more popular maybe reach the popularity levels of Summer & Autumn names that are not really popular and you would find her cheesy. I also think the pronunciation issue with your NY family will grate on you. Funnily enough pronunciation issues is what put me of Autumn she was a favourite about 2.5 years ago but OH father (and extended family) strong Ugandan (East African) accent put me off the name as the pronunciation was just off. If your anything like me It’ll put you off Winter hearing your NY family say Winta. I personally would take this one of your contenders.
Suggestions:
Winifred
Briar
Juniper
Piper
Clover
Winika
Elowyn Sage ~ This feels very beautiful with a lovely boho vibe just upbeat and fresh. I also think Elowyn sounds really pretty with Gideon. Gideon & Elowyn work well together! I also personally do not think Elowen will skyrocket as I do not think she’s as universally appealing like for example Willow is so I wouldn’t worry about that. However again you’ve got a lot of cons firstly with the spelling what is about Elowen you do not like? I think Elowen is the prettiest most natural spelling and if you do what to go with Elowyn you’ll have a lot of corrections. Do you remind constantly correcting people? Concerning nicknames you can’t really control them and she’ll most likely get some kinda Ellie name at some point but I don’t think it’s odd having Winnie as the nickname as people are called all things for short. Regarding the n thing it could be a bit odd not following the theme personally I would find it a bit jarring but I think it depends on how invested you are in the theme. If it was me I would the theme now or find other n ending names you can get on board with. What names are you planning on using for future children if you have more than two? I don’t think Elowyn is so classic that if you went with Wren for example it would be odd. It’s not like your naming your children Gideon, Naomi & Fable which would be a little off. Elowyn does feel modern.
Suggestions:
Arwen
Anwen
Bronwen
Linnea
Imogene
Elspeth
You seem to love Winnie I think Arwen, Bronwen or Winika could all be options for you especially Winika! Gideon & Winika would be lush
[name_f]Winslet[/name_f] comes to mind as a name to consider. To maybe address some of your concerns.
Between the two it’s really hard to say I feel like each con is very valid and at the end of the day you’ll have to figure out if [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] bothers you more then “Winta” etc etc.
Both names are beautiful, but [name_f]Elowyn[/name_f] [name_u]Sage[/name_u] gets my vote. It flows nicely, it’s feminine, grounded, and sounds unique without being too unusual. [name_f]Beautiful[/name_f] combo!
Thank you for all your responses!
To answer some of your questions, I don’t like the [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] spelling because I always instinctively pronounce the e in it, like Elo-When. I know it’s not supposed to be pronounced that way but I just can’t get past it.
With nicknames, I don’t dislike [name_f]El[/name_f] or [name_f]Ellie[/name_f]. I do like those as nickname options but I just hope that me calling her [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] and [name_u]Win[/name_u] isn’t seen as weird or counterintuitive for her or others.
Regarding the N ending theme, it was never an intentional theme, and I’m not invested in it at all. I wouldn’t pick [name_f]Elowyn[/name_f] specifically because I want to continue it, I’m more concerned about if we should actively avoid it. In the family there is currently [name_m]Caden[/name_m], [name_m]Keaghan[/name_m], [name_u]Karson[/name_u], and [name_m]Gideon[/name_m]. Plus BIL and SIL are deadset on [name_u]Addison[/name_u] if they have a girl. So if we add in Elowyn… Would it be too much?
Neither of these names strike me as feeling too popular. They’re both gorgeous though and I don’t think either are too out there or crazy- they feel familiar in sound and vibe.
[name_u]Winter[/name_u] [name_u]Eliot[/name_u] is my favourite!!
I really like both of them and I think [name_u]Winter[/name_u] nicknamed [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] is super cute but my favorite overall is [name_f]Elowyn[/name_f] [name_u]Sage[/name_u].
Does one sound better with the last name compared to the other, maybe that could help you decide?
Really gorgeous names!
Based on the factors you mentioned, I think I’d edge slightly toward [name_f]Elowyn[/name_f] Sage… but both are unique and beautiful!
I love love love [name_u]Winter[/name_u]! And I know it kind of repeats the Win/Wyn sound but personally I think [name_u]Winter[/name_u] [name_f]Elowyn[/name_f] would be a beautiful combo!
I do like it with the [name_u]Eliott[/name_u] spelling though