This will be our 1st/only baby, and I’m agonizing over choosing a name! (I’d use both if I could!) Any feedback is appreciated!
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f]:
PROS: I’ve loved this name since I was about 10. I know it’s pretty common/popular out there (actually a [name_u]Con[/name_u] because I prefer names that are outside the top 50), but it has a “cool, spunky, independent, strong” vibe to me. It’s also my husband’s favorite.
CONS: I honestly can’t picture [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] on a woman over 40. It is very short, nick-namey and incomplete to me these days. It could come off as “childish/cutesy” which I don’t want! I’m also not sure if it’s very feminine? Reminds me of a tomboy (because the only [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] I know is lesbian/tomboy type). I also can’t find a Middle Name that I love with [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] (all other names I like, rhyme too much, ending with the same Eeeee sound or just don’t flow as I’d like)
[name_f]Lola[/name_f]:
PROS: I’ve started crushing hard on this name lately. It’s less common than [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] (big plus for me) I love names that have a prominent L sound - it just sounds musical, more feminine (a bit [name_m]French[/name_m]) and graceful to me. I can think of several middle names that go well with. To me, it’s also got the “cool, spunky, independent and strong” character that I love. I only know 1 [name_f]Lola[/name_f] and she’s a feisty & fun grandma - so I definitely can see this name on all ages!
CONS: The whole “[name_f]Lolita[/name_f]” and “Showgirl” associations of others (doesn’t bother me at all, I can easily overlook this…) Some ppl say it won’t mature well or sounds pretentious or childish (what do you think?)my husband prefers [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] (but could maybe be convinced with [name_f]Lola[/name_f]).
I like both names but prefer [name_f]Lola[/name_f] because it’s elegant and fun at th same time. I’m also a Kinks fan, plus I like the idea of [name_u]Lou[/name_u] as a nickname.
This is tough - I’m quite fond of both [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] & [name_f]Lola[/name_f] (would be cute sisters!) I tend to agree with you on many points.
I prefer [name_f]Lola[/name_f] myself, I know quite a few younger [name_f]Zoe[/name_f]'s (much more common I think) but I’ve never actually met anyone named [name_f]Lola[/name_f]…I think the name [name_f]Lola[/name_f] has more depth, mystery & history to it. [name_f]Lola[/name_f] does have a lot of character associations though for many people (btw I love the book “[name_f]Lolita[/name_f]” I also love the Kinks song: LO-LA, lalalala, LO-LA…) it has a bit of a “showy” vibe (but I wouldn’t say pretentious) so I also find it a very musical/sing-song kind of name (but in a good way!!) I also agree, I can picture [name_f]Lola[/name_f] on a woman of any age and I do find it a more “complete” and also feminine/womanly name compared to “[name_f]Zoe[/name_f]” [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] is very cute and down-to-earth, but since it is so short, it comes off as more of a nickname to me.
I quite like both, but I actually think [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] ages better than [name_f]Lola[/name_f]. It could just be because I’ve met a few dogs named [name_f]Lola[/name_f], but [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] feels more complete and grounded to me. It’s my favorite popular name because it just has so much energy (and a great meaning!) I think [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] and [name_f]Lola[/name_f] are both very feminine; I wouldn’t worry about that at all.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could always combine them and use [name_u]Zola[/name_u]. Unusual, but easy to say, and it avoids most of the cons of [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] and [name_f]Lola[/name_f].
I love both [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] and [name_f]Lola[/name_f], they’re other on my top ten list for girls and have been for sometime.
If I was going to use either, I would pick [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] as a first name and [name_f]Lola[/name_f] as a middle, because I think [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] ages better than [name_f]Lola[/name_f]. It’s also versitle - I can see [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] on a girly girl and a tomboy, whilst [name_f]Lola[/name_f] is much more feminine sounding to me and I’m not sure it would suit a tomboy as well.
Have you considered using both, with [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] as the first name and [name_f]Lola[/name_f] as the middle. I’m warming up to the sound of ‘[name_f]Zoe[/name_f] [name_f]Lola[/name_f]’ as I type.
My all-time favorite name is [name_f]Zoe[/name_f], so of course that’s my choice. While you feel it might sound childish and cutesy, to me, it’s elegant, sophisticated, regal (there was Byzantine empress named [name_f]Zoe[/name_f]), and chic. And while I do intend to use [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] as an unconventional nickname for [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] if we ever have another daughter, that’s due to a compromise between me and my husband, and it’s not actually a nickname, despite kinda having a nickname-y sound. [name_f]Lola[/name_f], on the other hand, is a nickname name (traditionally for [name_f]Delores[/name_f], but I’m a fan of it as a nickname for [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]), and even though it may be less popular than [name_f]Zoe[/name_f], when you think about all the double-L names that are popular nowadays ([name_f]Lila[/name_f], [name_f]Lily[/name_f], [name_f]Layla[/name_f], etc.), [name_f]Lola[/name_f] may not feel as distinct.
I also think if [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] is your husband’s favorite and you love it, too, that’s a better choice than a name that your husband has to be convinced about. It’s great when both parents love a name!
I really like [name_f]Lola[/name_f] in the middle, especially @handsallover’s combo [name_f]Frances[/name_f] [name_f]Lola[/name_f]. She’s divine.
I prefer [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] though as a first name, it’s one of my favourites. I think it ages better than [name_f]Lola[/name_f] and I can definitely imagine [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] on a woman.
I really like both. I do agree with you about the the aging aspect of names. I’ve always thought [name_f]Edith[/name_f] was a grandma name until I met a newborn with the name. I think both [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] and [name_f]Lola[/name_f] can age fine, but [name_f]Lola[/name_f] might age a little better. I can’t picture a grown woman name [name_f]Zoe[/name_f], but eventually all of the girls name [name_u]Madison[/name_u], [name_f]Brittany[/name_f], [name_u]Ashley[/name_u], [name_f]Brielle[/name_f], [name_f]Luna[/name_f], etc. have to grow up.
I’d say go with what you feel is the best name. My vote is for [name_f]Lola[/name_f], but [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] is also great.
I wish I could use them both but I dont think [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] [name_f]Lola[/name_f] sounds nice at all… I see [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] with a longer, more elegant name Unfortunately the right middle name is not materializing for me!!
I do think [name_f]Lola[/name_f] sounds great as a middle name suggested here: [name_f]Frances[/name_f] [name_f]Lola[/name_f] or [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Lola[/name_f]… But I really don’t want to “hide” my favorite name in the middle
[name_m]How[/name_m] long do you guys “try out” a name choice before pulling the trigger or making a decision? Like I said, [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] was my favorite, but the last 3 months [name_f]Lola[/name_f] has really taken the lead… What to do…
I wish I could use them both but I dont think [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] [name_f]Lola[/name_f] sounds nice at all… I see [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] with a longer, more elegant name Unfortunately the right middle name is not materializing for me!!
I do think [name_f]Lola[/name_f] sounds great as a middle name suggested here: [name_f]Frances[/name_f] [name_f]Lola[/name_f] or [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Lola[/name_f]… But I really don’t want to “hide” my favorite name in the middle
[name_m]How[/name_m] long do you guys “try out” a name choice before pulling the trigger or making a decision? Like I said, [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] was my favorite, but the last 3 months [name_f]Lola[/name_f] has really taken the lead… What to do…
I would go with [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] for sure. I think it is very easy to grow into, where as [name_f]Lola[/name_f] is extremely childish and I can’t picture it on anyone over 7. [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] is feminine and spunky to me and I think it has started to slow down popularity wise. I think [name_f]Lola[/name_f] is less popular because it’s such a common dog name.
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f] brings to mind a strong, adventurous and kindhearted girl/woman. With [name_f]Lola[/name_f] all I can see is a french poodle wearing a Dimond collar.
[name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_f]Lola[/name_f]! [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] is nice too, but is very popular and I know it’s pretty popular for dogs now also (tho that wouldn’t necessarily deter me from using it). Both are fun and spunky choices!
I really like both. I think both have a spunky independent vibe. I used to think of [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] as more bohemian chic, but as it’s become more common, I now view it as more cutesy. However I think the only reason you can’t picture it on someone over 40 is because the name was not commonly used that far back. I think either will age fine. At this point I’d say my preference is [name_f]Lola[/name_f] though… There’s just something cool about [name_f]Lola[/name_f]… Slightly mysterious and artsy, but totally sweet at the same time. Plus, I like the movie Run [name_f]Lola[/name_f] Run!
Good points! [name_u]True[/name_u], [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] wasnt really used 40 years ago so that’s probably why I see it as more immature or a young girls name.
I have also started hearing more dogs named [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] lately!! I used to hear more tiny “[name_f]Lola[/name_f]” dogs, but now hearing lots of [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] dogs too.
Ill keep both on my list and see how my feelings evolve, but it does seem that [name_f]Zoe[/name_f] is much more popular & common (and therefore strikes me as a little less Bohemian as it once was) And I am someone that is attracted to more uncommon boho-type names
Aww, thank you!! also, all my names keep springing up as pet names around me too! in fact, we have new neighbors with new puppy named [name_f]Lola[/name_f]…:/. What can you do…
Unfortunately the right middle name is not materializing for me!!