Middle name from clunky family names

[lineska]

Would love to get thoughts from you creative namers on working in some family names. At this point, first names we both love are Amelie, Penelope, and Lorelei.

We'd like to use the middle name spot to honor some family members, many of whom have very old/traditional Polish names.

1. Jozefa: she went by Joza (pronounced like "Yo-zef-a"). Josephine or Josie are options so far.

2. Jadwiga. It's a version of Hedwig, which is out of the question. Pronounced "Yawd-vee-ga." She goes by the nickname Jagoda ("Pagoda" with a Y sound) which translates to "blueberry." We had considered mn Blue honoring Jagoda, but I don't exactly want people to think she was named after Beyonce's baby....but I do love how Penelope Blue sounds, too out there for a non-starbaby?

3. Wanda. pronounced with the V start. Wanda doesn't do much for me, Vanda? Can anyone think of a way to make it feel fresh?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/ideas.

[ljandrl]

Hmmm this is a tricky one! I adore your first names though, especially Penelope! I hope to have a little Penelope one day And I love Amelie too, so sweet and pretty. Lorelei is my least favourite of the 3 but I do like it too.

So here's what I have:

Penelope Josephine
Penelope Joanna
Penelope Josepha
Penelope Josette
Amelie Joanna
Amelie Josephine
Amelie Josepha
Amelie Josette
Lorelei Josie
Lorelei Joanna
Lorelei Josephine
Lorelei Josette
Lorelei Josepha

Wanda was harder, the best I could come up with is that Wanda means "wanderer" so I thought of names with the same meaning:

Penelope Gitana
Amelie Gitana
Lorelei Gitana
Lorelei Gypsy

Or maybe just any V or W name?

Penelope Vida
Penelope Vivienne
Amelie Vida
Penelope Wren
Penelope Willa
Amelie Vivienne
Amelie Wren
Amelie Willa
Lorelei Vida
Lorelei Vivienne
Lorelei Wren
Lorelei Willa

I really like Penelope Blue a lot actually, but timing is bad with little Blue Ivy's name being so publicised, many people will think that's where you got your inspiration from. If that doesn't bother you though then I say go for it! Or Amelie Blue, Lorelei Blue. Or maybe you could even spell it Bleu to detract from the Blue Ivy associations. Also, how about:

Penelope Bluebell
Penelope Cyane
Penelope Meena
Amelie Bluebell
Amelie Cyane
Lorelei Bluebell
Lorelei Cyane
Lorelei Meena
Lorelei Hedy

I hope there's something in there that helps! My faves are: Penelope Blue, Amelie Blue, Penelope Josephine, Amelie Josephine, Penelope Joanna, Amelie Joanna, Penelope Bluebell and Amelie Bluebell.

Best of luck!

[lineska]

Wow thank you so much! I know these aren't exactly easy names to deal with and getting your brainstorm really helps.

I love all your variations on the "blue" theme and will definitely share with my husband...the more I say it out loud, Penelope Blue or Amelie Blue are strong contenders despite Blue Ivy. It's funny, I didn't think of Josette and I have a Josette waaay back in my family. Amelie Josephine is also sweet, and I have an aunt who goes by AJ so it would be a two-for-one.