traditional vs modern names

[TheLoyalWriter]

I am a fan of modern unisex names but DH likes more conventional names. We are expecting a baby girl. He wants to call her Charlotte Felicity as it sounds cute and means "free and happy" together. I love the meaning but seems a bit too traditional to me and too girly. His other options are Annette, Grace, and Jasmine, all of which are not my taste. Names I like would be like Riley or Lulu and I love the idea of a middle name like Hope and Peace but we have a one syllable surname so might not flow well.

I'd stick to Charlotte and Felicity, both are v pretty and see if you can add Hope as a second middle name if you're both inclined, it goes best. Your Dd will belong to both of you so I think that's fair. You've also got time to pick something else entirely. By the time your Dd arrives in February she could be a Grace Elizabeth.

Lulu as a nick name for Charlotte isn't too out there imo as brits tend to say the "lot" with a "lut" sound but it is a more natural fit for Louise, Louisa or Eloise. Would you consider using these or are you ok if people assume they're her full name? Nicknames also often develop organically. Different Charlottes I know go by Lottie, Char, Cha Cha, Charlie and one goes by her surname - Jonesy for Jones.

You can experiment with the order to find something. I think my name tastes run more towards that of your husband and that's all I will say about that although I like Hope. I think Charlotte Felicity Hope could be a nice option.

I'd really avoid Pearlie. Use Pearl if you must and call her Pearlie yourself if it suits her when she's here. I don't think you'll be kindly judged for Pearlie and it would be the easiest to grow out of or not suit, out of all the names you've picked. "Pearlie Hope" sounds like an east end charity appeal.

I will save Riley is we have a boy later. Maybe Charlotte Hope Felicity.

There was a similar thread recently asking about Pearly as a name. My feeling is that because it’s an adjective, it sort of invites additions designed to tease (and which could then become the nickname- eg ‘pearlie whites’ and she becomes known as Whites or Teeth or something. Or Queen!

I also suggest thinking about the person you’re making here- some names are diminutive which create more intimacy, whereas in some contexts gravitas is preferable. Archie is a good example- call him Archibald and he could be Archie to family and as a little boy, but Archibald at work. But give the name Archie and he has nowhere else to go.

Isn't the little Prince Archie as well though?

Riley is a boys name..

Compromise with Charlotte Lulu

I am thinking of making Charlotte Charlutte

Noooooooooo

As a teacher I would also add that some names do invite preconceptions, unfortunately. When I started in the classroom, Liam, Tyler, and Connor were popular names and they had very negative connotations because of how many kids named that were poorly behaved. Courtney and Casey also (for boys and girls). While that is an example of prejudice, it is a thing and may be unconscious bias. May also mean the child gets lumbered with expectations. ‘Karen’ for example. Or on Twitter there is a poster called Crimegirl (who’s a barrister) whose stories feature characters all called Liam.

I actually love the name Casey!

Yes, OP, Harry and Meghan’s DS is Archie and their DD is Lilibet or Lillibet. But I daresay these DGC of the monarch have certain advantages in life that you, like most of us, cannot offer. Also they live in America, which is less judgmental.

I don’t think I’m hugely judgy but having lived in America for a while myself, I must confess that Pearlie sounds like a hillbilly name to me. Pearl is okay.

Yeah, lots of people do give diminutives, I was explaining why I personally wouldn’t.

Trendy names are often the ones which pick up connotations, I think. The names themselves aren’t the issue.

That’s really pretty. And I don’t think Lulu is too out there as a NN. I know two- one started out as Lottie-Lou! Then Lulu grew from that!

Good for you hun.

What about Sylvie?
Olivia also could shorten to Lulu

Perhaps go with a more traditional name with a standard spelling for the first name followed by the less traditional name(s). That’s what many of the parents I know have chosen to do. However, I do think that people get used to babies names quickly. What might seem like an unusual name when you first hear it soon becomes accepted as that child’s name.

This is awful. I strongly advise against this spelling.

If you like Felicity and Fliss, and your DH is set on Felicity, isn’t the obvious and best compromise using Felicity as a first name?

Riley?

You might as well go the full distance, call her Jayden, Levi or Chardonnay or something.

Sylvie is lovely.

My daughter is Charlotte Louise and often gets Lottie-Lou and LuLu as nicknames.

Lottie-Lou is adorable, @MilkshakeMania and Charlotte Louise is a beautiful, classic name for when she grows up.

Mimi and Gigi are also cute diminutives, if you like Lulu, OP. Do you and your DH like any of the classic names they are short for as a compromise that suits both your tastes eg Georgina, Georgette, Miriam, Emilia, Amelia, Naomi, Amelie, Miranda, Mireille etc?

Felicity Hope
Charlotte Hope with Charlie as a nickname

Please not Pearlie, she's going to be stuck with it for a lifetime and may not appreciate it.

Your child will be an adult for most of their life. Would you like to be a 40year old woman called Pearlie?

Pearlie just sounds like Purley in Croydon. I hope the OP doesn’t live near there!

Pearl Is fine
Pearlie, just no as a pp said it sounds like Pearlie/y King and Queens