Top Two have bad associations/the rest are just O.K

[erose]

I've been crushing on Clementine and Jemima for a while now, because they both yield the familiar nickname of Em, and in Jemima's case, Jem which relates to another nickname I have, Emmygem. I love the look, sound, meaning...but Clementine sometimes feels "too cute" and Jemima reminds people of syrup. Which isn't necessarily bad, it's the baggage that comes with it. Although Jemima Kirke seems to have not been harmed by it...? Thoughts on these?

The third runner up was Cordelia, I love the history, meaning and everything about Cordelia except for the sound of the name and the nicknames. Which makes the history etc. a moot point.

In general I'm drawn to older, somewhat British (to an American, at least), vintage type names. I've looked for hours and hours and can't seem to find one that I love, then when I DO (Jemima) it is hindered by an association that it shouldn't have had in the first place .

(I will be perusing British Baby Names and Nymbler while I await your responses!)

Others I've thought of, but have found something amiss; Harriet, Mirabelle, Rowena, Cordelia. Ones I like but cannot use; Alice, Charlotte, Flora, Tabitha, Camilla, Genevieve and Penelope.

Requirements;
-3 syllables
-a vintage feel, similar to Jemima/Clementine/Cordelia


I promise if I get lots of suggestions on this thread, it will be my last.

[amberdaydream]

I like Jemima; it's pretty. I'm only just starting to crush on it. I used to hate the name.

There are several nicknames for Cordelia if you don't like the sound: Cory, Cora, Delia, Deely, Cordy, Dia, Lia.

How about:
Emmeline / Emeline / Ameline
Lydia
Florence
Imogen
Lillian
Arabella

That's all I can think of for now; I'll post later if I can think of any more.

[amberdaydream]

OK, I thought of more!

Dolores / Dolora
Isolde / Isolda
Victoria
Eulalie / Eulalia
Celestine
Leontine
Drusilla
Winifred
Lucinda / Lucinde
Vivienne / Vivian
Dorothy / Dorothea
Theodora
Leona
Sabina
Adelaide
Verity
Adelina
Lucilla / Lucia
Josephine
Antonia
Irina
Violet / Viola / Violette
Caroline
Estella
Marjorie
Cecelia
Veronica
Lavinia
Evangeline
Magdalene / Magdalena
Claudia
Antoinette
Ophelia
Angeline
Aurelia
Marcella
Ernestine
Eloise
Priscilla
Wilhelmina
Adela
Rosalie / Rosella / Rosalia (roh-ZAH-lee-a or roh-za-LEE-a)
Rosemary
Louisa
Beatrice
Theresa nn Tess
Matilda / Mathilde
Araminta
Althea
Clemency

[rhiatayler]

What about:
Coralie
Coraline
Cornelia
Eleanor/ Eleanora
Sylvie/Sylvia
Evelyn
Josephine
Susannah
Margaret/ Marguerite
Viola
Vivienne
Vivica
Dorothy
Lucille
Marjorie
Millicent
Opaline
Louisa
Carolyn
Constance
Eugenia
Phyllida
Philippa
Pomeline
Adelaide
Rebecca
Ramona
Rubina
Robin
Helena
Agatha
Marilyn
Clarinda
Tallulah
Titania
Johanna
Magdalene
Zipporah
Donna
Sandra
Bernadette
Virginia
Irina

[rhiatayler]

Also, take a look at this site if you haven't already :

http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/births

[jaycn]

Here are a few names that come to my mind after reading your post:

Coraline-Similar to Cordelia but much more lyrical sounding I think
Carolina-Same as Coraline, more lyrical than Cordelia
India
Savannah
Susanna
Delilah
Irene
Beatrix
Beatrice
Adelaide
Emmeline
Viola
Dinah
Maude
Olive
Myra
Margorie
Maureen
Augusta
Eliza
Florence
Clara
Constance
Prudence
Priscilla

Hope that helps.

[lineska]

I think I listed some in your other thread, but lets try to come up with some more. I still like Clementine, but I can see how you could find it too cute for a permanent decision. Jemima, sorry to say, as pretty as the name is, that awful maple syrup association looms pretty large imo.

Edwina. I've been crushing on this lately, pretty obscure, but I think its lovely.
Marigold
Jacqueline
Cecily
Rosemary
Miriam
Gabrielle

Em names...
Emerson
Emmaline
Pemalyn
Emerald (It's different, but it does give you Em and, kind of literally, Emmygem!)

Good luck! I honestly cant wait to find out what you choose.

[l in boston]

Instead of Jemima, could you go for Jerusha? (I know it doesn't have the "em" sound but it has a similar Old Testament/colonial/quirky vibe. Rue might be a seriously cute nickname.)

Kezia/Keziah might also work for you -- same vibe as above, and much more common in the UK than here, is my impression. And it has the long I sound of Jemima and Clementine which may appeal. (I pronounce it kez-EYE-ah.)

Both of those are unusual enough that I can't think of any bad associations.

Also, I would seriously consider a Cordelia nicknamed Coco.

[lori johnson]

Clementine, Jemima, Jessamine, Paloma and Salome are three-syllable names with a similar look and feel.

Additionally, Emeraude -- meaning "precious gemstone; emerald" -- is an "Em" name you might consider.

[erose]

I don't have much time to reply (need to write a paper!) but here it is short and sweet;

The suggestion of Emerald is lovely, but my best friend's sister is named Emerald, strangely enough. I like Jemima not because of its Biblical origins but because of its quirky vintage/British feel (even if it is only because of the syrup). Clementine also fits into that quirky vintage/British vibe, because of Clementine Churchill, even though most people think of the song.

Some of the older names you ladies have suggested are nice, but are a bit fusty. The list "Antique Names Ready for Restoration" captures what I like the most, in terms of antiqueness.

I'm also going for a name that won't be seen as dated! Which makes my search more difficult, alas. I don't know if this would help, but I'm pretty sure I'd name myself Jasper Peregrine if I were a boy. Adelaide and Lydia appealed, off the top of my head!

I will go through the lists of suggestions (thanks everyone!) and update later. Thank you!