We can't choose Skye can we? Please help us choose...

[FetaCheeny]

Ok so DH never gets excited about names and there's only 1 name he really loves and it's Layla (I prefer Leila he prefers Layla)
We went on honeymoon to the Isle of Skye and since then we've both also fallen for that name too. But our surname is Forde. Skye Forde is only 2 syllables and sounds like Skyfall, should we rule it out? Nn would be Mary (family name on both sides)

If we went for Leila, how does Leila Skye Forde sound?? I'm not sure about it. Or Leila Skye Mary Forde? I'd like to get Mary in for family reasons.
The other name I love is Alexandra and DH likes it... Alexandra Skye [Mary] Forde sounds nicer and more classy but DH can't let go of Leila and I kind of like that he loves a name that much because no others get him excited. Help!

One other thing - DH is Irish, we are both fair, he's slightly auburn and very pale, would Leila suit a fair child? That's the only thing that puts me off.

Other names we both quite like
Cora
Thea
Francesca
Merryn
Arianna
Mirabel

Any advice much appreciated!

Never heard of the Alix thing either.

I think Skye Forde sounds beautiful. A striking and elegant name.

I'm not wild about Leila/Layla.

Thanks for all the responses so far. It looks like quite an even split between Alexandra and Layla, with most preferring Skye as a mn.

I just looked up the baby names list for 2012 and Layla was much higher than I expected, at 29! way higher than Alexandra and some other names I assumed would be high like Bella.
I don't have any other dc so don't know many children, are there lots of Laylas running about? We're in greater London.
It wouldn't put me off entirely, but I would prefer it didn't get up towards top ten.

Also, anyone with a little Layla/Alexandra? do they like their name?

Waffly

It's an old nickname in the UK as I said. Definitely still happened though!

Lots of Laylas/Leilas/Lilas/Lolas/Lyras around at the moment.

Are there lots of Lyras squoosh? That's interesting, I've yet to meet one but I suppose name popularity depends on where you live!

I'm in the UK! and I'm old! Well I'm not young any longer. hmph.

When I say 'lots' I mean I've met two and Sophie Dahl has one! Not exactly a scientific survey.

my favourite nn for alexander is sasha, which I think is very pretty.

If you want to call her Mary though, then put it in somewhere

Squoosh - interesting to hear you think Skye Forde is striking. That's a good point, I think the 2 syllables can make it sound quite strong.

Ah I see squoosh. I wasn't saying you were wrong, it is interesting how a name can be significantly more popular in some areas than others. The thread I started about Noah was indicative of that.

Fetacheeny - I don't know ant Laylas and i know only two small Alexandras.

any

Personally I far prefer Skye Forde to your other suggestions Feta, the other names you're thinking of are fine but don't thrill me particularly.

Skye Forde sounds like a modern day literary heroine.

Oh I know you weren't Alis and I am very prone to exaggeration. Have definitely met a fair few Leilas/Lilas though. I think they're names that celebs picked for their kids and seem to have trickled down.

I know two Laylas - both in their 30s. Don't know any young Laylas though.

Layla Skye Mary Forde is lovely! I think I might have even taught a Layla-Skye at some point.

Alexandra is also lovely.

My favourite combination of your names is Francesca Leila Mary Forde. PP is right, Francesca Forde is great!

I actually think all the names are lovely - which is surprising as I confess am very picky!

Layla is quite popular now, 2 in my Ds nursery (London), but it's still a nice name. Skye I actually love, im wondering why you went off it a bit? Mary also lovely... Skye Mary Forde?

Also liking alot Francesa and Alexandra, but for me (& names are sooo personal!), more classic than individual... Which is a good quality but your others are more individual?

I love the name Alexandra but can't use it as DH and DF are both Alexander. I went to school with an Alexandra who chose to shorten to Lexi/Lexy as she felt Alex was too masculine.

Lexi Skye Mary Forde or Lexy Skye Mary Forde looks feminine to me

I like Skye Layla forde

Or

Skye Mary forde

Skye Forde sounds great! I don't know what Skyfall is so wouldn't have thought of it.

Not a Bond fan then....

doublelife I think you've hit the nail on the head with your comment that Alexandra etc are more classic and therefore less original. I love the name Alexandra but find it hard to get AS excited about as Skye or Leila which I find more quirky.
Francesca was my old favourite before I thought of any of the others but what put me off was the nn Fran, I love Frankie, Cesca, Chessie but dislike Fran.

The only reason I've gone off Skye is purely the movie and song Skyfall, as whenever I hear the name I hear Adelle's dramatic voice. This is Dh's fault as he's mentioned it so often. But so many of you have thought it sounds lovely I'm starting to be swayed.

I was considering going for Leila Skye Mary and using Skye as a nn if it suits her? I had lots of nn's growing up, and quite liked it. I definitely want to use Skye day to do IYSWIM!

Mary Skye sounds better than Skye Mary for some reason. So Alexandra Mary Skye, Leila Mary Skye...

However, if you want to use Skye day-to-day then use that as the first name. Skye Leila Mary? I don't see a problem with "Sky Fall" TBH.