Our final two... but neither are perfect.... help

[lovelywillow]

Ok so I am almost positive that our final two are either Genevieve or Penelope, as a sister for Leo. I love both names but have concerns about each one.

1) Genevieve- What I am MOST concerned about is her being called Jenny. I have known so many Jennifers/Jennys that I have some really bad associations with the nickname. I know I can ask family and close friends to not call her Jenny but do you think it is inevitable that her friends and classmates will call her Jenny? I much prefer the nickname Eve/Evie/Neve. Another thing, though not as big of a deal, is that I am worried the pronunciation will get butchered. Do you think its a difficult name for non nameberries to pronounce?

2) Penelope- I am worried about the popularity of this name, even before Kim Kardashian named her daughter Penelope it was rising. I want my daughter to have a name that is out of the top 100 and likely never to reach the popularity levels of Emma/Bella etc. How popular do you think this name will get?

Bonus question.... I am also trying to decide which middle name sounds the best. I have a few we might use but not sure which sounds best with which first name. Catherine, Margaret, or Mary to honor my grandmother.

Thank you so much for reading!

[shannoncancer711]

Genevieve - I don't think people will call her Jenny if you call her something else. Like, if you call her Evie (which I love), she will correct people when they call her Jen/Jenny. I don't think Genevieve's pronounciation will get butchered, it's a common although not-so-often used name.

Penelope - I think if Kim Kardashian had named her child this it would be popular, but it's only Kourtney Kardashian who named her baby Penelope (sorry, Kourt!). Honestely I think Penelope is just a passing fad. I only see the name in the 200s tops.

I like Genevieve best. Genevieve Mary Catherine sounds great!

[kyemsma]

I love Genevieve! I really don't think the nn Jenny will be used in school, especially if she only goes by Genevieve.
Genevieve Margaret is really pretty.

Penelope is beautiful with Leo, and I don't think she will become the next Emma or Bella. Penelope Catherine is my favorite combo.

[lemontart]

Love Genevieve! I agree with the other commenters, if she goes into school and already has the nn Evie, that's what she'll get called.

[maggiemary]

I love the sibset of Leo and Genevieve, so that would get my vote.

[lovelywillow]

Thanks! I'm still having trouble deciding. Any other opinions?

[dlawsonsmith]

My preference is Genevieve - and you can establish the nn early on, and there are several beautiful ones to choose from. Evie is particularly cute. I think with the accent heavy on the third syllable the tendency would be toward Eve over Jenny anyway.

[ottilie]

You can't decide what other people call your child. When she's little, sure, but when she gets older she decides. I think Jenny is cute, but for me the most natural nn for Genevieve is Vive.

I don't know about popularity of names in America, but I can't see Penelope becoming that popular.

I would pick Genevieve of those two, but I see Margot in your signature and think that would be adorable with Leo.

[everwaiteing]

Genevieve, for sure. If you introduce the nns Eve/Evie, I truly doubt people will call her Jen or Jenny. Eve and Evie are awesome nns, btw. I would go for it.

For a middle name, I love: Genevieve Catherine

[characternamer]

I love both.
Penelope probably won't be too popular, just more mainstream.
There is a Genevieve at my school and no one ever has messed up how to pronounce her name. If you call her Eve or Evie, I don't think anyone will ever call her Gen or Genny.