What do you do when you don't go for a certain 'type' of name?

[QuintessentialQuaker]

With the last 3 DC we've just gone for names we love and didn't really care what they sounded like together (we've ended up chosing Dexter, Harry and Alf). However with this one there are literally no names we both love! So our dilemma is do we chose a name that goes well with the other 3 DC or do we search through every name in the world to find one we like?

The reason this question has surfaced though is because both DH and I quite like the name Artemis for a girl but given that our boys have such 'normal' names would it be a bit strange then going for something a bit out there for our 4th DC?

Would really appreciate your opinions on this!

Oooh watching avidly!

I have a Rebecca and a Kristina and am pregnant with DC3. This will be our last baby and I feel like I want to indulge DHs and my Irish ancestry and go for a traditional Irish name, but not sure whether this will go with our feminine, classic other names!

Will be interesting to see what others think if 'mixing' names!

I do think Artemis sounds a bit odd with your other dc's names tbh! The best name book I've ever read is called the brilliant book of baby names (pic of a baby in a feather boa on the front). I'd highly recommend having a look at that for inspiration.

Personally I don't think Artemis is any more offbeat than Dexter. Just pick a name you like and you think will suit your DD - your children will only be children and grouped together as such for such a short time really. They'll spend a lot longer time as individuals

BTW (and please don't get offended) your name is a wee bit confusing. There's a long term poster called QuintessentialShadows, and for a moment (well until I double checked she hadn't done a minor namechange) I thought you were her... Up to you what you do about it, but just thought I'd let you know.

I think there can be more than one Quintessential, they look different to me.

I think more people in the UK right now will be familiar with Artemis Fowl (male) than with Artemis the ancient Greek goddess (female).

My initial reaction was that Artemis was a boy's name.

Didn't know about the other poster, will consider that.

The Artemis Fowl thing did cross my mind as DS1 has just started reading them. Would you say that connotation was more well known than the Greek goddess?

If you have a girl, I think you can get away with Artemis. Your sons names are all broadly similar in a way:
(i) they are well-known - people have heard of them all
(ii) they are easy to spell and pronounce
(iii) the emphasis is on the first syllable in each.

I think you can break the trend with a daughter. I like the name Artemis - a lot - but I'm not sure I'd be 'brave' enough to actually use it.

With a son, I think you need to stick within those broad rules: i.e. don't pick anything too 'unique', unusually spelled or wildly difficult to pronounce or spell. Since you've got a Harry and an Alf (fairly commonplace names), aim for one a little more unusual - like Dexter.

It's hard to be definitive within such broad parameters but I'm thinking of names like:
Patrick
Rowan
Edgar
Hugo
Wilbur
Winston
Monty/Montgomery
Rupert

In terms of books, check out The Baby Name Wizard: A Magical Method for Finding the Perfect Name for Your Baby. You can peek inside on Amazon to see if it might help: www.amazon.co.uk/The-Baby-Name-Wizard-Magical/dp/0767917529

Also, have an experiment typing in names you like at www.nymbler.com/

OP, your boys' names are all very similar, they are in the league of 'old mens' names that are now back in fashion (not a criticism, I like them!). You could think about girls' names that fit this bill too. For example, Flora, Dorothy (Dolly is cute), Meg/Peggy, Agatha (Aggie), Edith, Eliza, Betty, Iris, etc etc.

If you love Artemis then go for it!

I don't think names have to match. No-one in my circle knows or cares what my sisters are called.