34 weeks, and a little jaded...

[ren]

Namberries,
I need your help. I have adored picking names for my future children since I was tiny... But now I am six weeks (I hope!) away from the birth of my first daughter, and I feel pretty stumped. I feel as though I have been through every possible name but none have been true love.

Firstly, our surname is two syllables - ending in an ee-sound. We live in London, so my favourite name Matilda is ruled out as I know it is really popular at the moment. The middle name will be an old French family name, as it is our family tradition. It is also two syllables.

So I ideally want a three syllable name with a lovely nickname, or a one syllable name (but I have never found a girls' one syllable name that clicks for me.)

My husband and I have strong links to Russia and France.
So here is my list so far - i have starred my favourites. I would really appreciate ideas/input etc.... I am pregnant/bored and a little desperate!! I love Violet but my husband says it sounds like VIOLENT so that is ruled out...

Indigo*

Anoushka

Freida*

Beatrix

Anouk

Iris

Tabitha

[poptart]

I like Freida best from your list. It sounds fresh, yet not unheard of. Good luck!

[katybug]

Beatrix and Tabitha are my favs from your list...here are some suggestions (three syllables, my favorite nn in parenthesis):
Annika (Annie)
Daria (Darcy)
Anais (Annie)
Elena (Lena)
Nadia (I'm stumped on nn for this one)
Helena (Lena)
Marisa (Risa)
Eloise (Ella)
Louisa (Lola)
Miranda (Miri)
Rosalie (Rose)
Sabrina (Bree)
Coralie (Cora)
Mirabel (Miri)

[ren]

Ooo I like Mirabel and Anais. Both a bit more feminine than my choices so far. Thank you both!

[pam]

I know what you mean -- after a lifetime of name nerd-dom and the writing of several baby name books, it's a different matter of naming your own kids!

I do think a three or more syllable first name is a good idea. Love the French/Russian theme but you're not wed to that, correct? Some ideas:

Marguerite
Tatiana
Amabel or Anabel
Antonia
Appoline
Capucine
Eleonore or Leonore
Eulalie
Jessamine
Juliette
Liliana or Liliane
Magdalene or Magdalena
Olympia
Philippine
Severine
Irisa
Paloma

[ren]

Thank you Pam - I really appreciate your ideas. I love Apolline but I am not sure about a nickname - I don't click with Polly. Paloma is wonderful, but what nickname would it have? Tatiana appeals too.

I think my favourites so far are

Freida - I am just concerned it is a little hard on a young girl?
Mirabel - but perhaps spelt Mirabelle
Apolline - though I am not sure of a shortening

We are not wed to the French/Russian theme at all, and very open to ideas. I definitely want something unusual. Mirabelle is in my head now...

[pam]

Mirabelle is gorgeous, though there are an awful lot of little Belles around thanks to Isabelle. Miri is cute.

I suppose you could call Appoline Apple, which I think is cute but the world certainly likes to make fun of.

I do think Freida is a bit hard plus I'm not nuts about 3 2-syllable names in a row. Plus Freya is very popular in the UK. How do you like Federica or Frederica or Frederique?

[nani1984]

ooh i love Tabitha..how about Phoebe?

[moxielove]

The exact same thing happened to me. Spent my whole life with a head full of names, and then 2 months out felt like I could think of nothing. It was a combination of another person's opinion to consider (my husband's) as well as the realization that "Wait, an actual PERSON is going to be walking around with this name. I better rethink this!!"

I think the nickname Apple for Appoline is genius -- I love it. And Anais is gorgeous. It's always been a favorite of mine.

Other names you might like:

Bianca -- it has some of the strength and kick of Freida, but a little smoother. And Freida is very similar to Freya which I believe is top 10 UK? You could call her Bee.

Ronia -- again, similar feel to Freida. I pronounce this somewhere between 2 and 3 syllables (does that make sense?) Row-Nya, not Row-Nee-Ah

Francesca - nickname Frankie. Can't go wrong with that cuteness, and absolutely a name that will grow with her.

[ren]

Francesca and Frankie I love but my cat is Frank... so I think its a no go
I think Phoebe is pretty popular in the UK now - understandably.

Pam - Frederica is wonderful but there are already 2 little Freddies (boys) in our family.

Oh i thought I would have this nailed months ago!!!! I have been flipping Mirabelle in my head for the last day, and it is sticking... But my husband just loves Freida. Agghhh

Thank you all for your help.