Desperately seeking name for DD1

[PaintedSelfInCorner]

Am starting to think we will never ever find a name for DD...

Really want a strong, un-frilly name, so nothing ending in "ie" or "y".

Our last name begins "Mel..." so that rules out any first name ending in "...bel" such as Isobel. DH thinks it also rules out any first name ending in S or an S sound e.g. Iris, Alix, Grace, as he's worried about teasing / nickname "Smelly".

DH is half portuguese, so something that works in both languages, possibly even a portuguese first name, but don't want to condemn DD to lifetime of having to spell her name or mispronunciations.

My previous favourite, Eleanor, has just been used by a close family member, so that's out too.

Middle name will definitely be Margaret for family reasons, so that means no first names starting "Mar..." (e.g. Marianne) or probably anything starting with M as three initials the same seems too much.

Hasn't been the easiest pregnancy (high risk for Downs, full on SPD, waiting for test results for suspected pre-eclampsia) so now getting stupidly superstitious about lack of a names shortlist and desperate to have at least some contenders to make me believe DD will be real IYSWIM.

I do like all the examples mentioned here as ruled out - please do your work!

[changer22]

Sophia/Sofia
Lucia

do they work in Portuguese too? They always sound strong to me.

[BikeRunSki]

Anna

[EdithWeston]

How about: Carla, Madelena, Joanna, Luisa/Louisa, Susanna, Theresa, Vittoria, Maria, Katerina, Agnes?

[culturemulcher]

Laura?
Imogen?
Georgia?

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Suzanne/Suzannah

Eloise/Elodie

Evelyn

Beatrice/Beatriz

Elana/Elena

Jessica

Lara

Natalia

Natasha

Rafaela

Tania/Thalia

[InstantAtom]

Catarina
Anna
Carla
Alicea
Andreia
Filipa
Francisca
Ester
Aitana
Vidonia
Valeria
Ceira
Raquel
Catalina
Cristina
Fernanda

[LisMcA]

I thought Susan, when I saw your thread title :o!

Helena is similar to Eleanor
Avaline
Christina

[ellangirl]

Joana
Carla/Clara
Estela/Estella
Gabriella
Camila

[Scarletbanner]

Catherine

[PaintedSelfInCorner]

Thanks for quick replies!

Lucia and Luisa/Louisa are both lovely, and have been considering, but think Lucia would have pronunciation issues (in portuguese is Loo-see-a, not Loo-chee-a) and Luisa has spelling issues. Also not keen on Lulu or Lou as nn.

Also like Carla and Sofia but are the names of friends' DDs.

Anna is fab but something wrong I think with Anna Margaret - was there not an actress Ann Margaret??

This is why we have zilch...

[Asparaguses]

There are so many lovely names that work in Portugal and England. I am almost jealous as I would love a reason to use them.
Ana/Ariana
Matilde
Marta
Rosa/Rosana
Lucia
Camila
Paloma
Clara
Isadora
Francisca
Beatriz
Alexandra

[festi]

theressa

helena

Ellen

sophia

Lucia

portuguese names

[PaintedSelfInCorner]

Eloise and Beatriz also lovely but fail "Smelly" test - or do you think that's even an issue?

Also like Clara, Lara and Marta but too rhymey with Margaret I think?

Matilde also ruled out on 3 M initials grounds - or are we being too picky??

[Asparaguses]

I really would not rule out great first names because you think they rhyme/clash with a middle name. Your daughter will hardly ever use her middle name (I remember mine only hen filling out forms) but she will hear her first name 100 times a day. Prioritise finding a great first name and then either relax about it matching Margaret or change Margaret!

[PaintedSelfInCorner]

Thanks, wise words.

Top contenders then are:

Ellen Margaret Mel... (Love, but Ell Mel?? also portuguese spelling is Elin, not sure how pronounced?)
Lucia Margaret (how would you pronounce?)
Luisa Margaret (spelling issues??)
Clara Margaret (DH loves but name of friend's DD)
Lara Margaret

Thoughts please?

[ivykaty44]

lara

[MayDayChild]

Eliza !

Eleanor was my top name but hate Ellie so decided not to go there

[Asparaguses]

I really love Clara Margaret
Lucia Margaret is also nice (Loo-cee-a)

I also think Anna Margaret or Ariana Margaret is really worth thinking about again.

[rainbowtoenails]

What about Lucianna?

[festi]

my dd is lucia margaret I pronounce loo-see-a but can be lu-ch-ia, loo-ch-ia loo-sh-a, loos-th-ia I think loo-see-a works better with margaret.

[whostolemyname]

Lauren
Daniela
Marianna
Oriana

[PaintedSelfInCorner]

Festi - does your Lucia have a nn?

Aspara - have never heard of Ariana before, but it is lovely. Do you know the meaning?

Margaret as a middle name is a non-negotiable. Have always liked Cara, but too close to MIL's name, which would dilute the point of giving Margaret as mn to honour my mum. Clara a definite contender though, in fact was DH's first choice had ds been a girl. (Mine was Imogen, but for some reason have gone off it this time round.)

[festi]

no nn, im not a fan of shortening names Tbh and no one else seems to shorten it.