Zora vs. Nora?

I’ve been struggling for a while to come up with a name to complete my [name_f]Eva[/name_f] combo (which, thus far, has been [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madelief _____–Madelief would have been in honor of my mom). Over the weekend, though, I’ve come across two that I think could be it. [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madelief [name_f]Nora[/name_f], or [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madelief [name_f]Zora[/name_f].

I have a list of pros and cons for each, so I’ll hold back my reservations for now. Which would you rather meet? [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madelief [name_f]Nora[/name_f]? or [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madelief [name_f]Zora[/name_f]?

Thanks, Berries!

[name_f]Zora[/name_f] is a little zingy-er, but I tend to stray away from names with one, singular, overwhelming association, such as [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] or [name_m]Hercules[/name_m], unless I am a rabid fan of said association (hence my GPs [name_f]Tesla[/name_f], Archimedes, etc.).
I guess it wouldn’t come down to which I’d rather meet - both are lovely, rhythmic names. I would, however, find it a little odd if the parents of [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madelief [name_f]Zora[/name_f] either hadn’t heard of Hurston or weren’t a fan.

I definitely like [name_f]Zora[/name_f] much better than [name_f]Nora[/name_f]. I like how [name_f]Zora[/name_f] isn’t as popular. Within the last year I’ve known 6 [name_f]Nora[/name_f]'s being born. My only think about [name_f]Zora[/name_f] is it reminds me of Zorro. What about [name_f]Zara[/name_f]?

[name_f]Nora[/name_f] is a wonderful vintage beauty. Strong yet delicate. [name_f]Zora[/name_f] puts to mind a black leather clad vixen.

I don’t really have a comment here, but am interested to see the responses. I considered [name_f]Zora[/name_f] as a middle myself, as I’m wanting to honour a [name_f]Dawn[/name_f] which I find a bit dated. [name_f]Zora[/name_f] was my favourite of the “[name_f]Dawn[/name_f]” names, but I’m still not sure… I was thinking maybe if the first name was quite basic, [name_f]Zora[/name_f] could spice it up which I’d like. But with one of my more unusual first names, I felt like the addition of [name_f]Zora[/name_f] was just a bit much.

Edited to add: I liked [name_f]Nora[/name_f] for a first name, but my husband has vetoed it. It would probably be my favourite of the two.

Our tastes align in unimaginable ways really. I love [name_f]Zara[/name_f], I love [name_f]Nora[/name_f] and therefore I also love [name_f]Zora[/name_f] and I like how it’s the more off beat choice. My doubts however are that I could get tired of it quickly when it’d be a first name while [name_f]Zara[/name_f] and [name_f]Nora[/name_f] are more timeless in that sense. As a middle however it’d remain an intriguing option and I guess I’d prefer it over [name_f]Nora[/name_f] in that spot although [name_f]Nora[/name_f] is the better fit in terms of style but [name_f]Zora[/name_f] would spice it up (even more).

[name_f]Nora[/name_f] I like better with the names you’ve selected, only because of that beautiful 2nd name you’re using. I think Madelief is the standout name and it’d be a shame to have [name_f]Zora[/name_f] pulling attention from it.

I prefer [name_f]Nora[/name_f]. I think It goes wonderfully with [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madeleif. For some reason I never liked [name_f]Zora[/name_f].

I love [name_f]Eva[/name_f]/ [name_f]Eve[/name_f]…but not too fond of [name_f]Nora[/name_f] or [name_f]Zora[/name_f]…

So, as Gracebraverman suggested, what about [name_f]Zara[/name_f]? It’s a gorgeous name…but if you love [name_f]Nora[/name_f] or [name_f]Zora[/name_f] ~ go for it! :slight_smile:

I prefer [name_f]Nora[/name_f]

I prefer [name_f]Zora[/name_f]

Though I prefer [name_f]Zora[/name_f] to [name_f]Nora[/name_f], I think [name_f]Nora[/name_f] works better in the combo.

Same here.

I think that [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madelief [name_f]Zora[/name_f] definitely flows better than [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madelief [name_f]Nora[/name_f]. Personally, I’ve never liked [name_f]Nora[/name_f], but [name_f]Zora[/name_f] is a beautiful addition.

I love the sound and look of [name_f]Zora[/name_f], but the Spanish word association has put me off the name completely…particularly because its used by my Hispanic students as an insult.

I dislike [name_f]Nora[/name_f] (all that comes to mind is snore) but I think both names work well in your combo. Because it’s a second middle, I’d still probably go with [name_f]Zora[/name_f]. The meaning is better.

Thanks, everyone! You all brought up some really good points, and unfortunately, helped me reach the conclusion that was in the back of my head all along, and that I just needed some help making. While I love [name_f]Zora[/name_f], and really like the idea of [name_f]Eva[/name_f], Madelief, and [name_f]Zora[/name_f] together, I don’t think they really work great as one combo. Madelief and [name_f]Zora[/name_f] just clash heads too much. They’re both just too unusual here in the US, and they seem to be vying for each other’s attention. On the other hand, I just don’t love [name_f]Nora[/name_f], and, as pretty as [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madelief [name_f]Nora[/name_f] is, I can’t make myself use it because I can’t make myself love [name_f]Nora[/name_f]. Maybe it’ll grow on me more, over time, and I’ll go back to it, but for now, I just can’t.

I am seriously thinking about [name_f]Zora[/name_f] as a MN for [name_f]Adele[/name_f], though (I really like [name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_f]Zora[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]/[name_f]Elisabeth[/name_f], but it really has no connection to family, so I’m thinking about [name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_f]Zora[/name_f] [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] or [name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_f]Zora[/name_f] [name_f]Helene[/name_f]/a, or maybe [name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_f]Zora[/name_f] [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] or [name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_f]Zora[/name_f] [name_f]Rebecca[/name_f]), and, with a little bit of magic, I might find a home for her, after all. And I might have a solid [name_f]Adele[/name_f] short list that I’m happy with ([name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [something], [name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f], [name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_f]Petra[/name_f] [something], [name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_f]Rosamund[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f], [name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_u]Wren[/name_u] [name_f]Elisabeth[/name_f], and [name_f]Adele[/name_f] [name_f]Zora[/name_f] [something]); so, hey! Maybe I can stop bugging you about her, too. :slight_smile:

I like [name_f]Nora[/name_f] much better than [name_f]Zora[/name_f]. [name_f]Nora[/name_f] is softer and more feminine imo

I love [name_f]Zora[/name_f] but I prefer [name_f]Nora[/name_f] with this combo. She fits in with the light delicate chic vibe.

The closest I’d get is [name_f]Coraline[/name_f]…just not a fan of the ‘ora’ names. They all remind me of the word ‘snore’. [name_f]Eva[/name_f] Madelief is lovely. I’d add [name_u]Adair[/name_u] or [name_f]Adele[/name_f].