Help me name my baby

[Thisistheway]

My little girl is here and I've gone of the name we had for her as it doesn't suit her (Fern).

We really want to get on and name her. Thoughts are:

Xanthe (too try hard? What would we shorten too?)
Lucia (too popular outside if the UK? Would be shortened to
Lucy which I'm not as keen on)

Any other ideas very welcome!

Congratulations on your new arrival!

Can you put your finger on what's wrong with Fern? I know a lovely Fern so it's a name I have a warm feeling about.

I don't think Xanthe is too try-hard. There are plenty of Greek names about. Calliope might be a step too far!

Other names that I think are similar in feel: Willow, Ianthe (eye-ann-th-ee), Martha, Chloe, Calla, Imogen.

I don't think Xanthe is too try hard. You like the name,you're not trying to be perceived a certain way via the name of your child. That is try hard.

How are you intending to pronounce Lucia? If the Italian way,it's unlikely Lucy would be a nickname for it.

Suggestions?

Hermione
Clara
Gisele
Elise
Aurelia

Oops! Forgot to say congratulations!

I love Xanthe, not sure what you'd shorten it to though.

Lillian
Amarys
Kerenza

randomly the first name that came in my head was Hazel. Names that were on our shortlist are Elena, Annabelle, Leila, Zara. Congratulations and let us know what you decide!

Do you have to have a name you can shorten?

My eldests name has a million potential nicknames but we call her the full name.

My advice would be to choose a name you like in full. If a nickname comes later then ok.

Holly?

Oh and Congratulations :)

Why would you even need to shorten Xanthe? It's a lovely name as it is.

I don't understand why people feel they need to have a nn for their child.

Congratulations, btw!

I think it depends on the surname

Congrats and those are both lovely. Is it Loo-chee-a?

Xanthe is short enough not to be shortened. Lucia could be Lu, wouldn't be Lucy.

Clara, cecilia, Ines, Isolde, rosalind, Imogen, Miriam, Ursula, Callista.

Fleur?

Heather
Sorrel
Robyn
Lily
Rose
Thea

Jessamyn
Rosanna