Unusual and fabulous girl names

[luuintyre]

Hello everyone,

My wife and I are trying for our first baby (wheeee!!!) and I have been looking into names ( I like to be prepared). The problems we've run into are 1) I like a name and she doesn't. 2) it doesn't sound good with the baby's last name 3)can't think of a nickname.

We both really like the name Lorelai but we have a nickname issue. I don't like Lori. I think Lo is fine but the baby will take my wife's last name (Luu) and Lo Luu sounds awful. We both like Rory but i just can't take how much Gilmore Girls that is. Wifey thinks it's fine and people won't draw that conclusion but I think people will think of GG right away. Other nickname ideas?

We also both love Vivian but it's her sister's name so it won't work. I love Lula and Tallulah but again we have a last name issue.

I adore Calliope but my sweetie is not convinced despite my desperate attempts to convince her. I love the name because I think it sounds delightful and it it's rare and unique without being outlandish. I also like Beatrix, Imogene, and Ramona but my love isn't wild for them and Imogene and Ramona have nickname issue and a nickname is sort of important to me.

We also like Hermione but I'm concerned about people only thinking of Harry Potter.

So I've given you some ideas of what we like, do you all have any others for me. To sum it all up we want a nickname friendly name, that is lovely and unique and sort of musical in sound ( I prefer long names with short,sassy nicknames--Bebe, Lula, Rory, etc.) that sounds ok with the last name Luu.

Thanks so much in advance,
Caitlin

[namespy]

First things first- have you thought about a double-barreled surname? It may solve some of you and your wife's issues.
For instance, Tallulah Wilkinson-Luu sounds absolutely fine (just trying a purpose fit surname there obviously)

That suggestion aside, I think Lorelai Luu would just remind me immediately of the Gentlemen Prefer Blondes character Lorelai Lee..

It seems you like fun, slightly dramatic, but established names- good style by the way..

Lorelai, Lula (retro), Calliope, Hermione (ancient Greek based)....or Hermione, Imogene (Shakespearean)...Beatrix and Ramona (vintage and fusty cool)..

Retro-
Nancy (Nannie/Nance)
Lilibet (Betty/Betsy)
Elsbeth (Elsie/Betsy)


Vintage/Fusty-

Florence (Flo/Flora)
Cordelia (Delia/Cora)
Lavinia (Vinia/Innie)
Agnes (Ness/Aggie)
Winifred (Winnie)
Clementine (Minnie)
Gwendolen (Gwen/Winnie/Dolly)
Ottilie (Lottie)- this one's my daughter's name and I've only met one other ever!
Eulalia (Lalie/Elle)
Musidora (Dorie/Musa)
Georgiana (jor-jay-na is a very musical prn. I think)
Marguerite (Maggie/Meg/Daisy)
Philomela (Mela/Pippa)
Philippa (Pippa)
Isadora (Dora)
Wilhelmina (Willa/Billie/Minnie)

Ancient Greek/Roman-

Minerva (Minnie)
Persephone (Sephy/Poppy)
Xanthe
Clio
Juno
Pandora (Dora)
Daphne
Cybele
Ariadne
Artemis
Atalanta
Calypso (adore this)
Iolanthe

Shakespearean-

Cymbeline
Rosalind
Octavia
Hero (love this one)
Viola (ditto this, but it may be too similar to the popular Violet for you)

Random-

Winona/Winola (Nola)
Reverie (Rev/Revvie)
Serafina (Sera/Fina)
Odele (Ode/Della)
Miriam (Miri)

Any that tickle your fancy at all?

[judyariel]

Angelica (Angie, Annie)
Amira (Miri, Mira, Ami)
Aria(Ari)
Augusta (Gussie, Augie)
Matilda (Mattie)
Millicent (Missy)
Natalia (Nat, Nattie)
Olivia (Liv, Livy)
Gianna (Anna)
Miranda (Mira, Randi)
Kiara (Kiki)
Antonia(Toni, Annie)
Bethany (Beth)
Devony (Devi)
Erica (Eri, Ricki, Rica)
Carina/Karina (Cari, Kari)
Felicity (Lissy)
Phillippa (Pippa)
Penelope (Penny)
Rosemary (Rosie)
Rosalie (Rosie)
Tamsin (Tam, Tammy)
Theodora (Thea, Dora)
Dorothea (Thea, Dora)
Isadora (Dora, Izzy)
Julianna (Julie, Anna)
Aurelia (Aurie, Rea, Raya)
Jacinda (Jacie, Cinda)
Amelia (Mimi, Melia)
Catherina/Katherina (Cate, Kate, Kitty, Catie, Katie)
Magnolia (Maggie)
Ariana (Aria, Ari)
Marjorie (Margie)

[elisabeth rae]

What about Anastasia or Ginevra? Ana Luu and Ginny Luu or Neve Luu are nice. Also I like Ginny as a nn for Imogen.

Unfortunately I think Hermione is too Harry Potter right now.

[sunshine.10]

What about Aurora nn Rory? I think Aurora Luu sounds much better than Lorelai Luu.

[blueberrya]

Maybe one of these would work with your last name? (A few are already rather short).

Aster or Astrid
Raewyn
Rori (I think if you like it, use it and make it your own)
Kirsten /Kristen
Jean / Jeanne
Vera
Joslyn
Valerie
Jaime
Raegan
Caroline
Annika
Carmen
Marni
Maren

[luuintyre]

Thanks for this wonderful reply! I have thoughgt about the hyphenated surname but my name with her name doesnt sound nearly as lovely as Wilkerson does. We like Cordelia and Winifred, and Lavinia was my favorite name growing up so those are definitely on the list. Ottilie is adorable! Can you spell out the pronunciation just so I'm sure I'm not butchering it?

I like Persephone and Calypso also but not sure if the sweetie will oblige. She's a bit more cautious with adventurous names than I am but I'll float them to her.

I also really love Serafina but am a little worried about a popularity surge due to Jennifer garner's little one. Are we past that point? Not sure.

Thanks again for your thoughtful response!

[luuintyre]

I like Millicent a lot. I also really like Penelope but its a bit too popular for me. And Theodora is kind of growing on me.

[luuintyre]

Oohhhh...Marni's cute.

[luuintyre]

We like the full name Lorelai more than we like the shortened name Rori. Aurora is lovely but doesn't quite fit for some reason.