Please Help. Name Regret. :(

[boyandgirl]

I am not usually a fan of changing a baby's name. In this case, however, I am thinking maybe you should consider it. 12 years of infertility! I think you should get to do what ever you want. Personally, I think Arianna Ryleigh is lovely. However, if you don't like it, there are so many beautiful biblical options. I think Lydia Ryleigh would be gorgeous!

[gijanie]

Is it the sound of Ryleigh that you don't like, or is it partially the spelling? Would changing the spelling of her first name make a difference to you? Changing from Ryleigh to the more conventional Riley would be an easier switch than choosing a whole new name. It still wouldn't be a classic, biblical name, but it would be less unusual.

[tintri]

I don't know of what name you should go with, but I do think you should change it. Putting Riley in the middle is a great idea. Also, I just wanted to say that I understand exactly how you feel about watching everyone else use the names that you love. We are also dealing with fertility issues, and I have watched 3 names that I love be used by close family and friends.

After 12 long years, you should get the chance to pick the absolute perfect name for your miracle. I say, WHO CARES what everyone else thinks about it. Give your daughter a name you and she can both love and be proud of. BTW, pp's suggestion of Lydia seems like a great name for your dd's personality!

[lilysong]

Arianna is a soft name for me too, but if you don't like it, you don't like it. I can understand the frustration of having to throw out your list of favourites and then finding out DH actually didn't have an opinion!

Anna would be a perfect name for your daughter, and you can get it from Arianna (in case you can't change her name for some reason) -she is the faithful prophetess who blessed baby Jesus and it means "grace". Anna Ryleigh is cute too.

But, if you want to change her first name completely, I think you should. I like the Ryleigh spelling if that is to be her mn, and there's a nice family story behind that name so I agree that you should keep it as part of her name, if not in first position.

[everwaiteing]

I'm sorry for what you're going through. If you are avoiding saying your daughter's name, there is no doubt in my mind that you should change it ASAP. Change it to something that brings you joy to hear or say... a name that feels totally 'right' and 'at home' in your heart and mind.

I love the idea of having Riley be your daughter's middle name. Rebecca Riley is an awesome suggestion that's already been made, but I also like:

Julia Riley
Eva Riley
Susanna Riley
Magdalena Riley

[juliet.a]

I love the suggestions of Anna Riley, Lydia Riley, Eva Riley, and Susanna Riley!

They're gorgeous.

A few more suggestions:
Cecilia Riley (this name seems so gentile and loving to me!)
Rosie Riley (cutesy but sweet!)
Grace Riley (Grace is such a beautiful name and ages so well)
Atara Riley (this unusual Jewish name means crown and is nicely understated)
Oriana Riley (a nice alternative to Arianna)

Hope I've helped a little, good luck to you! Do what your heart says is right

[mrstoon]

What about Leah?

Very traditional, Biblical, sounds like Ryleigh but has more meaning and poise. To go from Ryleigh to Leah doesn't seem like much of a stretch. Both have emphasis on the first syllable. Leah Riley might not work though because of the Lee repeat. Hmmm.

[mrstoon]

Love Lydia Riley.

[jersey_gray]

Changing her name is certainly an option but I would at least call her by her name now for a while before changing it. You may find yourself not feeling the same way once you start using her name. I certainly wouldn't let her name interfere with your bonding, your not going to get this time back and they really do grow up so fast. I love the sentiment behind her name as it's a very unusual guy who would consider changing his last name to his wife's, how sweet and thoughtful of him changing his name and of you to honor him in your daughter's name.

[sophiarose]

I really like Ryleigh but I can see sometimes it just doesn't feel right! Since your DH has given up his last name, and Ryleigh is a different version of this, so maybe you could put the original surname of his as her middle? That way hopefully he'll still feel really involved with the naming, and then just pick a first name you like. If you're sure you don't like Ryleigh, then change the name round sharpish, cause you wanna make sure she knows its her name.