We can't choose Skye can we? Please help us choose...

[FetaCheeny]

Ok so DH never gets excited about names and there's only 1 name he really loves and it's Layla (I prefer Leila he prefers Layla)
We went on honeymoon to the Isle of Skye and since then we've both also fallen for that name too. But our surname is Forde. Skye Forde is only 2 syllables and sounds like Skyfall, should we rule it out? Nn would be Mary (family name on both sides)

If we went for Leila, how does Leila Skye Forde sound?? I'm not sure about it. Or Leila Skye Mary Forde? I'd like to get Mary in for family reasons.
The other name I love is Alexandra and DH likes it... Alexandra Skye [Mary] Forde sounds nicer and more classy but DH can't let go of Leila and I kind of like that he loves a name that much because no others get him excited. Help!

One other thing - DH is Irish, we are both fair, he's slightly auburn and very pale, would Leila suit a fair child? That's the only thing that puts me off.

Other names we both quite like
Cora
Thea
Francesca
Merryn
Arianna
Mirabel

Any advice much appreciated!

[LittleprincessinGOLDrocks]

I think if you are going to NN your child Mary it should feature in her name somewhere. I.E - she goes by her middle name.
I love the name Layla (DH vetoed it - boo!) but not sure it goes with Skye.
I also like Alexandra (DH vetoed that too!).
I think Alexandra Mary Forde sounds lovely.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I do prefer the Layla spelling. But Layla Skye Forde sounds fine. It's a middle name,you won't be shouting it in the street in it's entirety very often.

I think your surname can carry a polysyllabic first name well. Francesca Forde sounds great. But then I am of the non MN opinion that some alliterative names sound fabulous. The key is they in no way rhyme.

[LaRosaBella]

I think leila Skye is a lovely name but that's probably because its very similar to my daughters name which is Lilah Skye and we have a surname beginning with F too!

[Twirlyhot]

Do you mean MN Mary?

Alexandra is lovely. Alexandra Mary Forde is great.

[Writerwannabe83]

I love Layla too - I think Layla Skye Ford sounds lovely

[dementedma]

I don't understand why you would give the child one name and then call her Mary?
Why don't you just call her Mary and have done with all the Skye/laila stuff?

[LazyMonkeyButler]

I don't really understand how the nn can be Mary when there's no Mary (or anything similar) anywhere in the name?

How about Skye Leila Mary?

[FetaCheeny]

Oops sorry yes meant middle name Mary. Thanks for responses so far!

[Twirlyhot]

He isn't a Clapton fan is he?

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Totally missed Alexandra in your OP.

It's a lovely classic name. Alexandra Skye Forde also sounds great.

Your surname lends itself to so many names because it has no s at the end.

[FetaCheeny]

Haha he is a claot

[Thurlow]

Alexandra Skye Ford is gorgeous. And there's a dozen nn's you can have for Alexandra.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

OP I know two Layla's. One is Jordanian. The other is blonde and blue eyed. I think it's sufficiently crossed cultures that having a fair Layla doesn't raise eyebrows.

[FetaCheeny]

Haha he is a Clapton fan yes!

[LittleprincessinGOLDrocks]

is what made me love the name Layla

[FetaCheeny]

little princess that is a lovely version of it . Music does seem to feature heavily in DH's opinions on names.

[WafflyVersatile]

Forde is a good strong surname

Leila Skye Forde sounds good. or Layla. I'm not fussed.

[FetaCheeny]

alisvola I'm glad you said that. I do tend to agree that the name has been used enough to have crossed cultures now. DH uses the cultural argument to push for his fave (Clapton) spelling of the name though. Oh god he's going to get his way isn't he? It is a lovely name.

I love that Alexandra has more nn's, but Alex Forde does sound quite masculine, with the surname being a car manufacturer, whereas Leila/Layla adds more femininity.

[TidyDancer]

Alexandra is the nicest name you have on your list IMO.

Layla/Leila is pretty but is becoming very common now.

Skye is better as a middle name I think.

Mary is also nice and less common.

[chilipeppers]

Go with Skye. It's a beautiful name. Sounds fine with your surname!

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I think because Layla is the more commonly used form he might do. I think people would assume that was how you were spelling it. Holly v Hollie is similar.

Historically Alexandra's used Alix rather than Alex. I know an Alexandra who occasionally goes by Alex but more often Al or Lexi (very close family and friends). I know another who flat out ignores people who call her Alex, it's Al,Ally or Alexandra.

[UnrequitedSkink]

Leila Ford sounds better than Skye Ford imho. As a compromise you should go with your spelling if its his choice of name. And Skye is a lovely middle name.

[BlueStarsAtNight]

I think Layla Skye Forde or Layla Skye Mary Forde are both lovely. I don't mind Alexandra but think Layla is prettier and def more feminine.

[TidyDancer]

Ooh really? I have a close friend called Alexandra and have never heard Alix used. Looks like a brand name for something! I've known a few men and women called Alexander or Alexandra over the years and the nn has always been Alex.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Tidy

I meant really historic, Edwardian era and before . I think it is still common in Europe (not Southern) though.