Should I go with head or heart?

[purestcocoa]

I am struggling whether to choose a sensible normal more traditional(not popular) name for my DD or a name that I love which is more quirky.

I have a professional career and worry, that if she wants to be a professional, she won't be taken seriously. Although my name isn't common it's not unusual.

Even though I love it, I think I should consider other people's views so she doesn't berate me when she's older.

So I guess I am asking: what is in a name?

Name I love: Imani

Names I like: Geneiveve, Vivienne, Gabriella

Go with heart. Imani is unusual but it is not difficult to spell or pronounce. Giver her a conservative middle name.
Imani Juliet
Imani Catherine
Imani Victoria

I really like Imani - it's not pretentious at all and could easily imagine lawyer or dr called that. I struggle with cutesy names for the 'professions', but nought wrong with your name!

I like imani and dont see it as too quirky at all. It's easy to say and spell and very pretty. Go for it.

Definitely go with your heart. Imani is nice and it?s a name that will travel well in that I?d imagine all nationalities would pronounce it in much the same way.

It?s not like you?re yearning to call her Pussy Galore Fizzy Wup. These days names are so varied, in 25 years time when she?s starting out in her career her peers will have all sorts of weird and wonderful names. And Imani isn?t weird at all, just wonderful!

:o at Pussy Galore Fizzy Wup!

at Pussy Galore Fizzy Wup too!

Thank you all so much! I definitely will be compromising if I choose any of the other names.

Never quite sure about using names that are so very much from another culture (assuming you aren't a Swahili speaker!) but it does sound lovely. And it's easy to spell and say and doesn't sound really whacky.

She will be Imi, though- which is also lovely, so that's OK.

Heart! I like Imani, it's pretty. LOVE the nn. Immie.

Love love love Imani, I wanted it soo bad for dd2 but dp said no

Sounds a bit chavvy like Armani. sorry geneiveve for me!

HEART!

Heart, I'd say. Imani sounds perfectly respectable - from another culture, rather than 'made-up' or gimmicky.

Heart definately.

Imani is lovely!

Give her the name you love.

I've never heard of Imani before, but it doesn't seem too outlandish. Seems easy to spell and pronounce.

I like it :)

Go with your heart. Imani is a beautiful name and not unprofessional sounding at all.

Heart! Imani sounds lovely.

I quite like Gabriella (not Gabi though), but dislike Vivienne and Genevieve.

I suspect that there are very few surnames in popular use in the UK that could really cope with Imani. If yours is one that could then go for it.

Personally prefer your 'like' choices - they are pretty

Thanks again! I will go with my heart. I love Imani and nn imi. I think it will suit her more than the others. Read into that whatever you like .

I expected and will expect people to dislike it- hence why my question was head or heart.

However, I'm happy the majority like it so far. I just need to find a good middle name.

Imani Gabriella :)

It's a lovely name - what does it mean? Might be easier to find a middle name if you look for something with a complementary meaning?

I quite like it and don't think it's too weird to use.

imani is nice name

MoonlightandRoses -It means faith.

So far I like:

Imani Christine
Imani Isobel
Imani Catherine - as suggested by saffronwblue
Imani Grace

Our surname is simple and quite common. Hint: a lotion brand. Although this will not put me off. :)

Sorry, I think you (and later Imani) will forever be saying No... Not Amarni...It's Imani...

in which case, how about either Charis or Christabel?