A first name to go with last name of Gr.....

[amickey]

I keep coming back to the same names without making a decision! I think one of the deciding factors is our last name, which is Grinsted and I am paranoid about giving her a name that does not work well with the last name.

So here are the names, again:

Ingrid
Greta
Astrid
Maren
Ella

Right now, I really like Ingrid, but am worried about how it sounds with the last name. I love the other names as well.... Ella recently came up and it feels "safe" since outside family members seem to dislike all names except for that one, which I think is confusing me even more.

[emiliaj]

I respectfully wish to say that I am finding some of the name suggestions a bit of a mouthful to say.
Ingrid Grinsted -almost rhymes- the grid and sted parts blend into one another
Greta Grinsted -not fond of the alliteration myself, especially as it is Gr and Gr
Astrid Grinsted -almost rhymes- the strid and sted parts blend into one another
Maren works, but is NMS
Ella Grinstead sounds alot softer and prettier to me

Based on your chosen names can I suggest a few similiar feel ideas:
Anya Grinsted
Saskia Grinsted

[ljb2010]

While I like Ingrid and greta I'm not sure they are ideal w/ your last name. Maren is hands down my favourite.

[holbs]

Normally I'd have fallen over my feet to vote for Ingrid, but I don't like the repeating "gri" sound with your last name. sigh!

[catloverd]

I voted Ella. Grinsted is such a heavy last name, it was the only name you had that sounded light. The d' endings of Ingrid and Astrid just make the name heavier. Maren also sounds heavey. Greta, despite ending in an a, also appears heavy with Grinstead.

Variations of those names though will help make it lighter sounding:
Inga
Astra
Mary
Marine
Marie

some other options:
Phoebe
Sophie
Bella
Stella

[irishmom]

I think Ella works best with your last name. The others have sounds that are too similar to Grinstead, imo. Individually, though, they are all great names!

Best wishes!

[ellenelle]

I agree with the pp's. Astrid and Ingrid sound funny because of the similar endings (and Ingrid for the repeating GR sound, too). The suggestions of Astra and Inga resolve those problems. Maren Grinstead also has a repeating -ren/-rin sound that would irk me. Maybe Maret or Merritt would work better? I don't mind Greta Grinstead, though it does sound a little character-ish with the alliteration. Ella Grinstead is easiest and lightest to say. Maybe you'd also like Alma or Alba, Lorelai or Laurel, Talia, Romilly (nn Romy or Milly), Sonja, or Vera?

[ashthedreamer]

I really love Astrid, Greta, and Maren, but I agree with the others, they don't sound great with your LN. Ella Grinsted, however, just works. It is really common, but it's also a really great name! Maybe you could do something like Elsa Grinsted? It has a similar feel to Ingrid, Astrid, Maren, and Greta, and also some aspects to Ella, but it still sounds pretty good with your LN. I think Annika Grinsted would be lovely, as well.

ETA: I also love @emiliaj's suggestion of Saskia! I think that would be fabulous with your LN.

Good luck!

[elisabeth rae]

At this point I think Ella is the only one that doesn't clash with your last name. It's a nice name too. Good luck!

[p.pie]

I like the suggestion of Inga or Astra ... normally I would have voted for Ingrid hands down! But it really doesn't work well with your last name unfortunately. I also really like the suggestion of Stella or Estella. It brings in the "ella" that works well with your last name, but has a bit more flair.