Our New List of Names for Little Baby (Girl version)

[ottilie]

I'm starting a new thread for our girl names, it all became such a mess. While our boy list is taking shape and nicely narrowing down, our girl list is out of control and ever growing. So these are our new "loves". We still want a name that evokes images of lush forests and waterfalls and a starry sky, a name that will suit an independent, self sufficient little creature. So, if you feel like giving it a go, we want to hear it all!

Again, we have been through a lot of books, but if you've got suggestions we'd love to hear them!

Amoret
Ariadne
Callisto
Circe
Ceres (Demeter?)
Dracaena
Eurydice
Endellion
Everild
Fiametta
Ferelith
Halcyon (or Alcyone)
Hippolyte
Hedone or Hesione
Lorca or Lorelei
Lùthien or Ludivine
Melusine or Melpomene
Moriko
Niniane
Ourania
Pomona
Proserpine (Persephone?)
Saturnina
Sequoia
Tempest
Thalassa
Vesper
Viatrix

Our top boys names are (at the moment) Endymion, Heron, Loxley, Skyros, Tiberius, Orpheus, Wilder, Robin and Solomon.

edit: eliminated Indigo and added Halcyon/Alcyone (she got lost somewhere when we made the new list!).

[claireelise]

From your list, I really like:
Ariadne
Indigo
Lorelei
Persephone
Vesper

I find all of your choices very intriguing...I just worry that some might cause pronunciation issues, or be too heavy for a little girl. The only one I deem completely unusable would be Hippolyte - no girl wants "hippo" in her name!

Maybe you'd also like:
Xanthe
Flavia
Veda
Calliope
Callista
Jania
Cordelia
Ianthe
Acacia
Persis
Delyth
Maris
Phaedra

Looking at your favourite boys' names, I quite like Wilder, Robin and Soloman.

Good luck choosing!

[amydomsmom]

I am so rediculously excited about all of these! Are you thinking you'll use nicknames or full names most of the time?
Ok so I'm going to eliminate names starting with the same letter as these boy choices, simply to have something to eliminate.

Amoret: still one of my favorites from your list, it sounds darling and the meaning is so romantic!
Ariadne: like this more than a few of your other -e ending Greek choices because of the 'ad' sound. Possible nn Ari
Callisto: I prefer Callista, but it is essentially the same sound so I still love this. nn could be Callie or Isa
Ceres: in my opinion a much better history than Circe and more wearable than Demeter.
Dracaena: I have one of these on my porch! Haha, a favorable -ae- combo, but unforutnately I think most people will only see Dracula
Fiametta: this is a new one to me, I had to look it up. Italian for "fire" is that correct? The nn's Fi or Etta would be adorable
Ferelith: well I love that it seems to have Scottish and Danish history, plus it seems to have great meanings!
Indigo: very very pretty. I have always loved this name, and I don't think you could go wrong with it. nn Indi or Ginny?
Melusine: is my vote, and definitely a water name. It just seems more familiar to girl territory for me, along the lines of Melissa
Moriko: is this the only Japanese name on your lists so far? I LOVE it, and it's easier to spell/say than some others if that matters
Niniane: I think I like the idea of this name in theory more than I like it in sound, but still how cool is the Lady of the Lake? nn Annie?
Pomona: you're not in the States so it seems usable you shouldn't get the California reference, but sorry I just see a brand of produce
Persephone: seems like the more well-known/practical choice, though she will still have a very unique name as I've never seen it used
Vesper: is starting to grow on me. I definitely see the appeal in this name, but it seems to be rising in popularity (and not just on nb)
Viatrix: Interesting! Beatrix does absolutely nothing for me so I have to wonder why this wasn't ever the favored option? It's pretty!
=]

[flick]

Really, really neat list! Melpomene and Viatrix have been on my long list for ages, I never see anyone mention Melpomene. I also adore Fiametta, Eurydice, and Pomona.

Maybe....

Fiorella
Erzebet
Nimue
Roksana
Beatriu
Gwyneira
Edelweiss
Madelief
Ishbel
Mythily

[ottilie]

Thank you so much!

claireelise: we were thinking that about Hippolyte, it might be teasing. But it's so pretty! I like Calliope (it isn't on our list because I feel Callisto is a little more badass maybe?) and Xanthe/Ianthe. I also like Persis and Phaedra. Thank you!

amydomsmom: Fiametta means "little flame"! Isn't that cute? We aren't planning on using nick names, unless they happen on it's own. And Moriko is super cute isn't it? I love this name. It's quite similar to the dutch Marike, so it doesn't feel to unfamiliar. Viatrix is amazing isn't it? It means "voyager"! And thank you for being ridiculously excited!

flick: Ooh, I love Mythily! It's cute! I also really like Edelweiss, but doesn't go with last name. Roksana and Nimue are really pretty too. I'm glad to see someone else liking Melpomene, it's so pretty!

[maple_blythe]

The concise version of this is that I LOVE Vesper for you, I think it fits the bill of what you are looking for perfectly. Everild, Ferelith, Pomona, Ceres, Callisto, and Thalassa would be runners-up (more or less in that order). I know you are looking to eliminate names, but Artemis and Apolline seem like such natural additions to this list...would you consider them? Edmee and Sunniva come to mind as well, though I think Sunniva is perceived as a bit trendy/passe in Norway.


Callisto- like it. Pretty enough on its own to overcome the bear thing.

Ceres (Demeter?)- Ceres I like! I went to high school with one who pronounced her name like Carys (I think her parents were classicists)- slightly ambiguous pronunciation would be my only very minor concern. Demeter is all right, but I think I'd avoid it because of the nickname Demi (Demi/Demi-Leigh being not quite what you're going for in a name, I don't think?)

Circe- Turning men into pigs (or other animals) isn't the kindest thing in the world-- and as much as I think there is something to be said for reclaiming powerful female characters who have been witchified over the years, I don't think I'd want to be the one doing it every day with my given name.

Endellion- This is gorgeous, but a very unusual with one reasonably well-known bearer- the Camerons' youngest daughter, Florence Endellion. If I met one born now (or while Cameron's the PM) I would probably assume that her parents were admirers of Mr Cameron.

Everild- One of my very favourites on your list. Strong, feminine, unusual but not unheard-of, and free from strong associations.

Fiametta- pretty, but perhaps a little insubstantial compared to the others?

Ferelith- Up there with Everild as one of my favourites here

Hedone- stick with Joy; what if she's a stoic little thing?

Hesione- my only point of reference is the Trojan princess; not a story I think I'd want for myself?

Indigo- Eh. Neither as pretty or substantial as some of the others. Bit old-school hippy?

Lorca or Lorelei- neither is as interesting as many of the others on your list. Lorca is the daughter of Leonard Cohen, and the mother of Rufus Wainwright's child (baby is Viva). I think Lorca Cohen was named for Federico Garcia Lorca? I'm not sure what to think of it- much too cool for me, but could work for artsy Londoners Edited to add that I was surprised to see Lorca included in the nb db! And mentions Cohen too...I forget that he's one of those Canadian artsy types who's well-known outside Canada too...oops.

Lùthien or Ludivine- both are pretty in English. I like that Luthien is a more subtle Tolkein name, but you'd probably have to explain it a lot, and the pronunciation could prove difficult in other languages (also, is the accent grave or acute? Would you include the accent on her name if you were to use it?). I think Ludivine is sort of an 80s name in France, if that is of any concern.

Pomona- I like this one. Friendly and approachable, but still quite regal. I think of orchards rather than forests, but close enough!

Sequoia- this is the name of a HUGE 4x4/SUV by Toyota in North America. The name is thus a little less natural and a little more like other nature/truck/SUV names in North America- Sierra, Dakota, Aspen, Cheyenne- it probably doesn't matter if she spends her years in Europe, but here the name has a very different set of associations.

Tempest- middle? I would hate to have this name if I had a tempestuous nature. Which most (pre)teens do, which is also the time at which they are most sensitive about names...not sure. I know it's been done; I also know that I wouldn't have appreciated this name myself from the ages of oh, eight to eighteen? Twenty?

Thalassa- this one works a little better than some of the other Greek deities. Definitely think more of the sea than starry skies and forests, but that's not a bad thing!

Vesper- in with Everild and Ferelith as one of my favourite three of your names. Definitely, definitely calls to mind a starry sky above a lush forest.

Viatrix- I like the history behind it. Two things would bother me, I think- it would be forever heard as Beatrix, and looks a little like a pharmaceutical name. They like their Vs and Xs in that trade (or a least the marketing departments do)-- I know the history of Viatrix and I still see it that way, sadly!

Hippolyte, Dracaena, Eurydice, Melusine, Melpomene, Proserpine, Saturnina do seem like too much in the first name spot for various reasons, but I think anything goes in the middle name spot.

Moriko, Niniane, and Ourania I like and I think would work as first names, but I don't have anything else to add (other than wondering how Moriko is perceived in Japan).

[asophie1]

I think in real life, the only usable ones would be:
Amoret
Ariadne
Callisto
Circe
Ceres
Fiametta
Indigo
Lorelei
Melusine
Moriko
Pomona
Persephone
Sequoia
Tempest
Vesper

These were narrowed down considering pronunciation issue and teasing issues. I think many of the names I took away are beautiful, and shouldn't be taken off the list completely, but are suited better for a middle name. An example of this would be Eurydice. I think she is so stunning and lyrical, but in real life the name would, unfortunately, be absolutely butchered.

Changing some of the names on the list slightly, could also give you a more usable name. So maybe you would like:
Demetria
Draca
Oriana
Carys
Paloma
Saturna
Satyana
Thessaly
Elysia
Melisande
Eulalie
Etta

What do you think?

[flick]

The concise version of this is that I LOVE Vesper for you, I think it fits the bill of what you are looking for perfectly. Everild, Ferelith, Pomona, Ceres, Callisto, and Thalassa would be runners-up (more or less in that order). I know you are looking to eliminate names, but Artemis and Apolline seem like such natural additions to this list...would you consider them? Edmee and Sunniva come to mind as well, though I think Sunniva is perceived as a bit trendy/passe in Norway.


Callisto- like it. Pretty enough on its own to overcome the bear thing.

Ceres (Demeter?)- Ceres I like! I went to high school with one who pronounced her name like Carys (I think her parents were classicists)- slightly ambiguous pronunciation would be my only very minor concern. Demeter is all right, but I think I'd avoid it because of the nickname Demi (Demi/Demi-Leigh being not quite what you're going for in a name, I don't think?)

Circe- Turning men into pigs (or other animals) isn't the kindest thing in the world-- and as much as I think there is something to be said for reclaiming powerful female characters who have been witchified over the years, I don't think I'd want to be the one doing it every day with my given name.

Endellion- This is gorgeous, but a very unusual with one reasonably well-known bearer- the Camerons' youngest daughter, Florence Endellion. If I met one born now (or while Cameron's the PM) I would probably assume that her parents were admirers of Mr Cameron.

Everild- One of my very favourites on your list. Strong, feminine, unusual but not unheard-of, and free from strong associations.

Fiametta- pretty, but perhaps a little insubstantial compared to the others?

Ferelith- Up there with Everild as one of my favourites here

Hedone- stick with Joy; what if she's a stoic little thing?

Hesione- my only point of reference is the Trojan princess; not a story I think I'd want for myself?

Indigo- Eh. Neither as pretty or substantial as some of the others. Bit old-school hippy?

Lorca or Lorelei- neither is as interesting as many of the others on your list. Lorca is the daughter of Leonard Cohen, and the mother of Rufus Wainwright's child (baby is Viva). I think Lorca Cohen was named for Federico Garcia Lorca? I'm not sure what to think of it- much too cool for me, but could work for artsy Londoners

Lùthien or Ludivine- both are pretty in English. I like that Luthien is a more subtle Tolkein name, but you'd probably have to explain it a lot, and the pronunciation could prove difficult in other languages (also, is the accent grave or acute? Would you include the accent on her name if you were to use it?). I think Ludivine is sort of an 80s name in France, if that is of any concern.

Pomona- I like this one. Friendly and approachable, but still quite regal. I think of orchards rather than forests, but close enough!

Sequoia- this is the name of a HUGE 4x4/SUV by Toyota in North America. The name is thus a little less natural and a little more like other nature/truck/SUV names in North America- Sierra, Dakota, Aspen, Cheyenne- it probably doesn't matter if she spends her years in Europe, but here the name has a very different set of associations.

Tempest- middle? I would hate to have this name if I had a tempestuous nature. Which most (pre)teens do, which is also the time at which they are most sensitive about names...not sure. I know it's been done; I also know that I wouldn't have appreciated this name myself from the ages of oh, eight to eighteen? Twenty?

Thalassa- this one works a little better than some of the other Greek deities. Definitely think more of the sea than starry skies and forests, but that's not a bad thing!

Vesper- in with Everild and Ferelith as one of my favourite three of your names. Definitely, definitely calls to mind a starry sky above a lush forest.

Viatrix- I like the history behind it. Two things would bother me, I think- it would be forever heard as Beatrix, and looks a little like a pharmaceutical name. They like their Vs and Xs in that trade (or a least the marketing departments do)-- I know the history of Viatrix and I still see it that way, sadly!

Hippolyte, Dracaena, Eurydice, Melusine, Melpomene, Proserpine, Saturnina do seem like too much in the first name spot for various reasons, but I think anything goes in the middle name spot.

Moriko, Niniane, and Ourania I like and I think would work as first names, but I don't have anything else to add (other than wondering how Moriko is perceived in Japan).

I LOVE Edmee (and Sunniva!) so much! No one ever mentions Edmee, either - it's always Esme, which is nice, but Edmee is just...better, IMO. (lol)

[ottilie]

Thanks ladies!

maple_blythe: Woha, someone who knows about Lorca Cohen and Rufus and Viva Katherine and everything. We both love Leonard Cohen (I've grown up listening to him) and Rufus is one of our favourite musicians ever, so for us Lorca would be an amazing way to honour them and we adore Federico Garcia Lorca as well. Sunniva is beautiful, but I've got several friends with nieces with this name (there are lots of them in Norway and while we probably won't ever live there, we've still got friends there). Edmee is pretty, but not really what we're going for. Besides, Endymion is front runner on the boy's side, and they're too close I think. Circe, yeah she was kind of mean, but people name their kids Loki and Juno and they were no angels. Sequoia is a car? Thanks for telling me. Abd an SUV... ugh. And we might scratch Indigo, it doesn't look right with our boys names either. Artemis and Apolline are on our list, we just prefer Ariadne (they're the same type of name).

asophie1: Thank you, we like Oriana (or Oriane), Paloma, Elysia, Melisande and Eulalie. All very pretty!

[oosally]

Great names! Vesper is my vote.