Weird names thread - back to square one!

[aguafresca]

I had a great Aunt Opal who had a long, lovely, blessed life with healthy children, an amazing husband, and she was well-respected in the community. (Granted, I have no idea what month she was born but it very well may not have been October). I think it's silly to be worrying about Opal as being bad luck and I would just put that concern aside. What about all the Opals (Marigolds, etc.) who have had great lives?

[lulu jane]

I came up with some names you might like, based on your love of Opal, Marigold and other word names...it's a random mishmash of old lady names (some of them really obscure, pulled from 19th century SSA lists...) and word names...I also tried to get some strong "o" sounds in there!




Halo
Brio
Olwen
Callisto
Yarrow
Fife
Mavis
Avis
Saga
Tanith
Sorrel
Saffron
Shale
Reva
Glenna
Hester
Cypress
Enid
Nella
Meliora
Endora
Verna
Vesta
Theda
Thora
Eunice
Paralee
Alzora
Clarinda
Cressida
Corinth
Sable
Hebe
Tova

[k8d]

I'm sorry. I haven't read through all of the pages, so please disregard the parts of this that are repeats. I thought of Fern because it has that sort of old lady quality to it, and it doesn't lead to any nickname that I know of. Some other suggestions -
Flowers
Caspia
Nerine

Ocean-Related
Marin
Marina
Coral

Names meaning Pearl - Etta, Margaux, Peninah (coral, pearl, ruby)

Gems
Alexandrite
I would have suggested Beryl, as I think it fits your desire for blue-green, but it begins with a B.

[melissaintlouis]

I've mentioned Peridot before, and voting for it again. It's a gorgeous green gemstone and has the prominent "o" sound.

I'm also a huge fan of Opal, and as another October girl, it's an underlying part of my life! I can understand how using it for a baby not born in October might seem a bit "off" -- but I'm sure there are babies named June who weren't born in June, babies named Ruby who were not born in July, etc., who do just fine in life.

And, again, I feel you on Pearl (and Iris!) I get pretty bummed every time a celeb uses it now, it feels like a matter of time before everyone and their momma has "rediscovered" it. Booooo.

[meganelizabeth]

I've been following this thread and the previous thread but haven't commented because I've got a very different style from you. I thought I'd jump in, though, to vote for Opal. I think the name is shimmery and twinkly enough to feel fairy-like but old and crusty enough to ensure it will most likely not be on the rise anytime soon. As for the bad luck: you're daughter is coming into a family with a mother so enthusiastic about her existence that she'll spend hours and hours analyzing comments from complete strangers just to find her the perfect name- I'd say she's pretty lucky already!

[flashy09]

Spice
Poppy
Glitter
Melody
Posey
Serena
Sapphire
Seaspray
Sparkle
Sprite
Sundance
Berry
Wysteria

Some of those are actual My Little Pony names!

[leosma]

Here's what my "complete book of magical names" says about opal:The mysterious opal wraps us all inits subtle spell It is said that it is unlucky for any but one born under the sign of Libra to wear opals. Despite this unlucky folklore, people began to use there early on in history. The earliest example of objects made from opal dates from 500 BCE....Opals are as much as 34 percent water, and are often stored in water to keep the dryness of the air or changes in temperature from cracking the delicate stones. They form in cracks or in veins in rock and the amount of water in them determines the mix of colors present in the stone. The colors vary from the milky iridescence of delicate pastel hues of the precious opal, the brilliant fiery reds in a fire opal, to the dark reds, blues, greens, and purples emanating from a black opal. These stones captivate and fascinate like no other stone can do. They are indeed magical. The name Opal brings a quixotic unpredictability. This is a name for bringing quicksilver intensity, sparkling beauty, milky softness, gently but undeniable power, emotionality, intuition, and water energy." Sounds pretty good to me! (And I'm the one who originally said it reminds me of Opie!) If you're really superstitious, I think you could look into Wiccan naming rituals once your baby is born to boost the positive magic/energies in her name.

Here are some other suggestions. I've added brief excerpts from the same book, when they seemed interesting/appropriate for what you're looking for.

Rock/stone/mineral names:
Arkose
Gypsum-a name for water energy, especially ocean energy
Ochre-rich in humanity, earthiness, fertility, fire, and life
Quicksilver- a shining, soft, liquid personality who easily melts from one attitude to another
Topaz-brings subtlety and mystery

Plants:
Orchid
Tamarisk-embodies beauty, mystery, uniqueness, purity, and power

Spices:
Marjoram-aka joy of the mountain, mountain mint, and Wintersweet
Star Anise-for developing psychic powers and bringing luck!

Celestial:
Nova- a name of brilliance and achievement
Lyra-a poetic name with a hint of music
Lumina-a name for personal enlightenment
Vega

Wheel of the Year names:
Eostar- (spring equinox) balance
Imbolc- stirring of the light
Mabon-a harvest name, balance
Midsummer

Others:
Tamesis-British river goddess
Moraine:Glacial debris

[lineska]

More...
Gloaming
Glimmer
Marine
Savona
Ambrosia
Illumination
Soleil
Monet





And agree with pp, I do still like Peridot for you.

[thelifespark]

I have to add my vote for Opal I think it really fits everything you're looking for. I'm not born in October (I'm August, my birthstone is the gorgeous Peridot, which I believe was a suggestion for you) and my Aunt Julie gave me her opal ring which I wore for years until I couldn't fit it on even my pinkie finger anymore (the ring is very very tiny!) and the ring never caused me undue bad luck. In fact I got many compliments on it and often enjoyed holding my hand in the light to watch the green and red sparkles of light below the surface.

[whirligig]

I have just thought of Sapphia it is like Sapphire but not as common.
You could use Flora (old lady and word name)
For some reason Nola (I have no idea why or if its popular of anything but it seems rather colourful)