Names similar in style to...

[ashthedreamer]

Annabel
Eleanor
Lillian
Hannah?

I thought I had put my renaming days long behind me, and truly embraced my real name, but due to several events that have come up recently, I am back to feverishly wanting to change my name again. There's a lot of backstory to it all, but I figured I would spare you all that.

I want something 100% feminine, soft, girly, but not too girly or frilly. I can easily see me being any one of these four names, as can the few friends I've talked about this with, so hopefully I'm on the right track. Any ideas that give off the same image of these?

I know most Berries like a little bit of background before making suggestions for changing names, so here it is: I'm recently graduated from college, with a degree in writing. I hope one day to be a novelist, but I want just as badly to live my life helping others--building people up, helping out pastors, soldiers, orphans, missionaries, and single moms, encouraging teenagers, baking cookies for others just because, passing out sandwiches to the homeless, going on mission trips, praying with others, etc. That's just the kind of life I want to live, and I imagine my family (when I have one) will be a part of that with me. I'm a hopeless romantic and an unrepentant dreamer, but I'm also quite shy in real life, and quite bookish. I do play the piano, when I have time, and help out at my church in many different programs. Most of the people I know describe me as kind, shy, selfless. I try to be humble, helpful, have a good heart... I'm very much a devout Christian (as I'm sure is obvious already, haha!), and one day I very much hope to be an adoptive mother. I'm not a tomboy in the slightest (which is why I've always been against Ashley... that, and I share my name with my uncle!)--I do love to wear dresses and skirts and such, but I'm not overly girly.

If I do change my name, my MNs will likely be Ashley Grace, as both have a ton of significance to me.

Sorry this is so long, but thanks in advance for your help!
Ashley

[sheflieswithherownwings]

Firstly, I'll just say that what you have written in wonderful and to want to do so much for others is just fabulous and it sounds like any future children you have will have a fantastic upbringing, and know that life isn't just about the having the best of everything.

Lillian Ashley Grace sounds gorgeous and I think with the girly nicknames Ll or Lily would be perfect.

Could you imagine being something like Rachel? I know it's on your list for a future little girl but I do think it would fit your age better than a child being called Rachel these days. Rachel Ashley Grace would be sweet.

What about Grace as a first name? I know how much it means to you, Grace Ashley?

Josephine Ashley Grace
Charlotte Ashley Grace
Erin Ashley Grace
Erica Ashley Grace
Bethan Ashley Grace
Susannah Ashley Grace
Evelyn Ashley Grace
Stella Ashley Grace
Lucy Grace Ashley
Hazel Ashley Grace
Victoria Ashley Grace
Molly Ashley Grace
Sophie Ashley Grace
Emma Ashley Grace
Lydia Ashley Grace
Julia Ashley Grace
Margaret Ashley Grace
Catherine Ashley Grace
Juliet Ashley Grace
Imogen Ashley Grace
Gwendolyn Ashley Grace

Hmmm, I'm really not sure if those will appeal to you and I know some of those you are considering for future daughters. Hope this helps, even just a little bit.

[ashthedreamer]

Thanks, Liz!

I had considered Rachel, actually, since I love it so much, but I'm not sure I'm really a Rachel... Although I'm not sure I would want to use it anyway... it does feel fairly classic but a bit dated to my generation, and if I do go for this, I'd like to use something that fits in well with the names of the 1980s, without really being dated, and maybe even something that's a bit less common. I like that about Eleanor, Annabel, and Lillian--they all ranked in the top 1000 for the SSA list the year I was born, but are much less trendy than something like Ashley or Rachel. But then again, my other concern is that I would pick a name that would stand out as being very in-style now, but not so much when I was born. I don't really want to stick out like a sore thumb... But since these four all ranked the year I was born I would think it would be believable.

Another reason I'm not sure about Rachel is that I'll likely keep my surname as it is now. While I like other surnames more, I want to keep that connection to my family. I've heard several people say that Rachel Richards just doesn't sound the best, haha.

I was also a bit worried about Annabel... if I use that, I'm not sure I could use Isabelle (or Arianne, I suppose!) for a future daughter... One friend said it was fine, and the other said it wasn't do-able, and I'm not sure where I stand. :/

Thank you for your long suggestion list, too! I was thinking about Julia and Sophie (possibly Sophia) today, and I'm trying to decide if they would work or not. I think they might... I'm just not sure. I think Charlotte is along the style I'm looking for, but I'm not sure it really fits me...

Anyone else?

[boyandgirl]

I have to say I am not a fan of adults changing their names. You are Ashley. I mean this in the kindest way possible, but it would be just weird to start going by a new name. Embrace the name your parents lovingly chose for you. Ashley is a great name!

[east93]

The way I see it: You only live once, why not have the name you want?

If you've gone this long as Ashley, and you're still not satisfied, then by all means change it!
I love that you want Ashley Grace as your middle.

Charlotte Ashley Grace is beautiful! I'm already a fan of Lillian Ashley Grace, and Eleanor Ashley Grace.
Sophia Ashley Grace is nice as well, it's just very common in the upcoming generation. I can totally see you as a Juliet!
Juliet Ashley Grace is nice!

Other ideas I like:
Audrey
Caroline / Carolina
Lynn(e)
Anya (which means Grace)
Briana / Brianne
Claire
Colleen
Dawn
Elaine
Karen
Laurel
Valerie
Elisabeth
Elise
Elsa
Darlene