Need help naming our little girl :)

[marybeth]

I love both Rosalie Antoinette and Stella Antoinette. They're beautiful names.

If I can add my two cents to the discussion about the "owning of rights" to baby names: it strikes me as sad that some people, like Luci, feel entitled to ownership of a family name. There is such a long, rich tradition of middle names being used to honour special family members, so many families have multiple members who share names (that's certainly the case in my own family)...which can actually be a meaningful bond between members. The two little girl cousins would probably enjoy sharing a special "secret" link of a shared middle name. And I agree with previous posters who have said that no one "owns" a name (and especially a middle name, which will not be used for everyday purposes)! It astounds me that someone would feel that a grandmother's name "belongs" to them.

Maybe you can try to plant a better reception by cheerfully telling your brother and Luci how wonderful you think it is that both of you were thinking of using the same middle name in honour of your dear grandmother. Think how happy your grandmother would have been to have two little girls named in her honour! And then if they express the idea that they wanted their daughter to have a "unique" name (something that parents truly can't control...particularly with family names), you can say how sorry you are that they feel that way, as you had always looked forward to honouring your grandmother and thought it would be such a nice bond for the girls to share. And go ahead with your planned middle name.

[kala_way]

Ruby Antoinette - really like this one! Lovely combination
Rosalie Antoinette - very soft and pretty
Cora Antoinette - I like, simple but still with an old-fashioned flair
Delilah Estelle - I don't mind it, not my favorite but it's good
Sadie Antoinette - I don't mind Sadie but I don't think it goes well with Antoinette
Stella Antoinette - okay, but Stella feels very hard to me, and it sounds like Stella Artois
Etta Estelle - I don't like how these flow together, Etta Lucille? Annette Estelle?
Eliza Estelle - again, I don't think these flow nicely together

[saracita00]

All of your names are pretty so go with the one you love the most no matter how the votes here add up!

Stella Antoinette: It is very sweet to honor both great-grandmothers and this is a nice combo.
Cora Antoinette: Cora is a favorite of mine. I think I would like Cora Estelle better.
Etta Estelle: Again, love the family significance. I'm not as crazy about Etta though.
Eliza Estelle: Eliza is definitely spunky and the alliteration is nice.
Sadie Antoinette: Cute, though maybe a bit mismatched with Antoinette. Sadie Estelle?
Rosalie Antoinette: Your mom is right, it does sound like a princess name!
Delilah Estelle: This is the one I don't care for so much, though I do love Lillian or Lily.
Ruby Antoinette: Never write off Dad's choice! This one is spunky and cute, yet refined.

My favorites are Stella, Cora, Eliza, Rosalie and Ruby but I would be hard pressed to choose the one I liked best. With Antoinette as the middle I think Rosalie and Stella are best. Estelle would go best with Cora and Eliza. Ruby is sweet with either middle name.

[mika13]

I love Stella Antoinette. And if you want to use Antoinette,use it. You're the one who has lived in this family and loved this name forever. As far as I'm concerned, it's yours. I love James, and it's used a ton in my family, but no one in my generation has used it. If my sister had had a son, he was going to be sawyer James. I decided even if she did have a son, I was still naming my first son Shannon James. As is, she didn't, so the name is mine as both of my sisters (after 4 kids each) are done having kids. My Dad's name is James Lorn. On my mom's side, my uncle is James Jeffrey, my grandfather is James Harold, my great grandfather is James Robert. They go by Jeff, Jim, and Robert respectively.

[shutterbuglove]

Hello!
I just want to say thank you for all the positive replies on our last board. It's really boosted our confidence and made us feel better about the dilemma we're in.

To summarize our situation:
My older brother eloped recently with a woman named Luci (Lucy was originally me and hubby's top girl name, and now we can't use it). Shortly after, my brother announced he and Luci were expecting a baby. My niece is due in July, and Luci just announced they'll be using the middle name Antoinette, after my grandmother. However, I've been telling the family since I was a little girl that I would be using Antoinette for my daughter's middle name. I've talked to my brother and Luci and Luci does not want our girls to share the middle name, because she wants her daughter to be unique.

So here we are, tip-toeing around family turmoil just as two beautiful little girls are about to be born.
My DH and I are leaning towards still using Antoinette, but I worry about the potential conflict it could cause between the family (my brother is siding with his wife and our mother is ready to knock some sense into Luci). I've loved the name for years and want to honor my grandmother. We've already had to give up on Lucy and search for a new love. I don't want to give up on Antoinette, but I worry about the outcome.

DH and I have a little list of names we could see ourselves naming our little girl. We're also thinking about honoring my paternal grandmother, Estelle, by using her name in the middle instead of Antoinette, or maybe my husband's grandmothers, Lillian and Greta.

So here's our list (most are paired with Antoinette):
Stella Antoinette: We love this one. It honors both my grandmothers.
Cora Antoinette
Etta Estelle: Etta honors both Antoinette and Greta.
Eliza Estelle
Sadie Antoinette: Sadie is growing on us!
Rosalie Antoinette: My mama's favorite. She says it sound like a princess' name.
Delilah Estelle: Delilah could honor grandma Lillian, and we love the sweet sound.
Ruby Antoinette: Slowly becoming DH's favorite.


We'd love your opinions and suggestions!
Nameberry is amazing and everyone on this site is brilliant and amazingly supportive . Thank you so much!

I found your name list while running a search. I adore these ALL!! Which one did you end up going with if you don't mind me being nosy to ask?

[jillianelizabeth]

Rosalie Antointette and Ruby Antoinette are both stunners!!
I can't decide which one I like more. You should use the name for sure. Either your sister-in-law will get over it or she can pick something else. I think she is being rude, especially since it is YOUR Grandmother and you chose it first! Honouring a family member is not limited to the first person who calls dibs. Also, how happy would your Granmother be to know that there are 2 people named after her?!

[palejewel]

My apologies if someone has already suggested this, but what about using Antonia in the middle spot instead of Antoinette? It would a) be a different name than your niece, b) would still very much honor your grandmother, and b) is a very lovely name!

Ruby Antonia, Sadie Antonia, and Rosalie Antonia are all really pretty! And I think it could even still work with some of the other first name choices that end in A. Also, I don't know if you like Lillian for a first name, but Lillian Antonia, or even Lily Antonia, could also be options.

[savvyg2]

My favorite is Rosalie Antoinette.

[isabellemarie]

Stella Antoinette & Rosalie Antoinette are my favorite!!

Some other suggestions:
Lillian Estelle
Rosalie Estelle
Ruby Estelle
Sadie Estelle

[smooshaloo]

Ugh, what a frustrating situation! Personally, I would stay away from Antoinette or use a name that would honor it!!! Such as Antonia, Antonella, Alouette...Just curious, do you know the first name their choosing?
How about:

Stella Ruby Antonia
Cora Antonella
Cora Alouette
Etta Lillian
Sadie Estelle
Sadie Antonella
Sadie Antonia
Rosalie Estelle
Rosalie Antonella
Delilah Estelle
Ruby Alouette
Ruby Antonella
Ruby Antonia

I think there are a lot of stunning combinations you can use without using Antoinette and feeling weird about it GOOD LUCK!