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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Middle Name For Harlow

186 replies

Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 14:33

Please help me decide!!

Harlow Olivia
Harlow Livea
Harlow Livienne
Harlow Ameline
Harlow Amelie
Harlow Amelia
Harlow Avianna

I love Olivia with Harlow but it's so popular and trendy that I'm kinda like blah on it.

Livea is a legit name that has been around even before Olivia. I like this spelling because Livia looks like you're butchering Olivia but Livea kind of looks unique.

I love Livienne but some people say it looks made up. I dont know the history. I just heard it and liked it. But I worry it's too rhymey with other middle names I may want to use for future children. Is that crazy? Does it matter if middle names rhyme or sound similar?

Other considerations are honor names like Ameline. I dont like Amelia as a first name but as a middle name with Harlow it sounds kinda good. So does Amelie.

I love Avianna but does it sound good in the middle spot?

I clearly need help deciding!! Thank you for the help!

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MollyHuaCha · 16/03/2019 17:37

I hear Harlow and immediately think of harlot.

How about one of these instead - Heather, Helena, Harriet, Willow, Ilona, Winona?

Notonthestairs · 16/03/2019 17:35

Funny thread. Bishop Stortford made me laugh.
Op you've been very gracious. Harlow Liliana?

SandunesAndRainclouds · 16/03/2019 17:31

How about Harlow Lavinia? It’s a beautiful plant (but you may want to ignore the Greek history...)

FaFoutis · 16/03/2019 17:29

Avianna sounds like a bird disease. Sorry.

FaFoutis · 16/03/2019 17:28

Yes, I thought of Harlow Carr. Much better than Essex.

Ellenborough · 16/03/2019 17:27

I love Olivia with Harlow but it's so popular and trendy that I'm kinda like blah on it.

Livea is a legit name that has been around even before Olivia. I like this spelling because Livia looks like you're butchering Olivia but Livea kind of looks unique.

It's a middle name. There is really no need to overthink it to this degree. Most people won't ever even hear it or need to know what it is. If you love Olivia just have Olivia.

I love Livienne but some people say it looks made up.

It does. It probably is.

I love Avianna but does it sound good in the middle spot?

No, not really.

EcclesThePeacock · 16/03/2019 17:22

It's a pity Carr isn't a girl's name, Harlow Carr is a lovely place.

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 17:21

I like Liviana. I was contemplating Aviana and they kinda sound similar but I'm not sure the ana parts flow well.

Livian would work nicely, but I prefer Livienne.

I still like Livea - i like this spelling! Does it look dumb or too out there?

And thanks for those coming to my defense about Harlow! I just like it so much. I'm not someone who loves surnames as first names either typically. Our last name starts with H and it really flows so nicely and I love the Lo sound. I also liked the names Lola and Lolette but couldn't pull them off!! If this is any context...

OP posts:
florascotia2 · 16/03/2019 17:16

You really, really can't believe a lot of baby name websites.
Shakespeare's character was OLIVIA - he invented the name.

Liviana is an ancient Roman name.

According to Google, Livian is the name of a character in (to me) rather strange-sounding fantasy novels:
www.amazon.co.uk/Livian-Fairys-Tale-Book-ebook/dp/B00MVDFQTO?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

wowfudge · 16/03/2019 17:14

What about Vivienne if you like Livienne?

Hanab · 16/03/2019 17:13

Harlow - perfect!

If I had to choose a second name it would be 1 of 3 ..

Harlow Grace
Harlow Rose
Harlow Eve

But tbh Harlow is 1 of those names like Hunter & Harley that are stand alone, strong names 🌷

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 17:11

I'm not trying to go for city/place names!! I dont even live in the UK.

Harlow means meadow or army btw. It is a legitimate name but I do think it is derived from a surname. It's been used by celebrities Nicole Richie and Patricia Arquette for their daughters. I really like it for some reason. I totally understand why you wouldn't though.

OP posts:
daisypond · 16/03/2019 17:10

Livian is definitely not a character in Twelfth Night. There is Olivia and Viola in that play. How about Lydia?

Sophronia · 16/03/2019 17:10

Harlow Olivia flows better than Harlow Livia.

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 16/03/2019 17:09

I would think again re Harlow. I don't like surname-based first names anyway, especially for girls. OP is American though and it's quite common for girls to have surname based first names.

EstrellaDamn · 16/03/2019 17:05

I think the Harlow hating is probably quite a geographical thing! I'm British and would never have given it a second thought because I don't live anywhere near it.

I like Harlow. None of your middle names do it for me though. Livea and Livienne are a bit odd. I quite like Harlow Olivia actually. It's flows.

dreichuplands · 16/03/2019 17:03

All of your middle names seem pleasant.
I get that as an American the rough, rather downmarket association of Harlow won't mean anything to you.

Waterfred · 16/03/2019 16:57

What about a Northern Alternative?

Crumpsall?

Gorton?

Pemba · 16/03/2019 16:55

I would think again re Harlow. I don't like surname-based first names anyway, especially for girls, and this is not even a great one of those. Because of dodgy towns and areas, plus the harlot association etc.

Something like Harper would be nicer even.

RayaJambalaya · 16/03/2019 16:49

For what it's worth, I'm from the UK and didn't know the town of Harlow existed until it got brought up in a similar thread. I don't think it can be related to Pittsburgh for that reason. (which I had heard of before I'd heard of Harlow!!!)

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 16:44

Thank you guys so much! I love Lyvia! The y also distinguishes from Olivia.

Also what about Livian? It's a Shakespeare character in Twelvth Night so its an established name. It means Olive Tree which I dont love as much as life but is this more acceptable than Livienne?

OP posts:
PETRONELLAS · 16/03/2019 16:35

Essex

Disfordarkchocolate · 16/03/2019 16:31

Harlow Lyvia I like, Lyvia means life.

florascotia2 · 16/03/2019 16:27

Very gracious, OP.

Livia is a name from ancient Rome. Similar Roman names include Liviana and Lydia (also acceptable to spell Lidia)

Other 'L' names from Ancient Rome include Lucilla, Lucia, Luciana, Lucretia, Lavinia...

There is also the modern Greek ' Lia ' and the modern Scandinavian 'Liv' and 'Liva' (say 'Leev' and Leeva). 'Vivi' is sometimes used as a short form of Olivia. www.behindthename.com/name/liv-1

RomaineCalm · 16/03/2019 15:57

Harlow Witham
Harlow Rayleigh
Harlow Gray
Harlow Aveley

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