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Girls name..just starting out..two polar opposite sets of criteria

54 replies

jaykay987 · 09/11/2013 08:51

Hi (apologies for rather long post - Id appreciate it if you manage to read to the end!)

We're still fairly newly pregnant - so have a very long time to decide. But DH and I are currently sitting at polar opposites of the "names we like" sphere, so would appreciate any ideas anyone has to bridge the gap.

So focussing on girls names.

I love unisex style /surnamey names (I appreciate not to everyone's taste). I also like modern and vintage names. I would prefer to avoid super popular names (though appreciate you can't predict the names of others in school). I grew up with a unisex name, and have only ever met three or four others with the same name.
So my favourites include:
Charlie
Harrie
Eddie
Denver
Ryan
Reyna

DH on the other hand is boring traditional. He had a popular name (top ten for our generation) and wasn't phased that there were many in his year at school. He hates the old people name trend. And all the names he likes (limited in number as he prefers to say no to names than to actually generate new ones!Smile) are the girls we went to school with:
Rebecca
Samantha
Grace
Lindsey
Katherine
Emily (meets my old lady criteria but is top 5)
Amy

So far the types of compromise that might be on the shortest are:
Charlotte (Charlie could be used if its suits her, but I still worry this is a little too girly)
Georgina (I love George - but worry about the prince and whether this will become super popular. We'll have to decide before next ons lists are published so won't be able to gauge impact).
Jamie (possibly)

So does anyone have any great ideas that'll help us both find a name we love?

FYI - Im not of the opinion woman pushes so gets to pick names! Im also aware of the issues some people have with unisex names.

Thanks very much!

OP posts:
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TeaAndCakeOrDeath · 09/11/2013 09:08

Antonia - Toni
Beatrice - Bea
Constance - Connie
Dora
Etta
Frances - Frankie
Harriet - Harry
Mabel
Olive
Opal
Pearl
Viola

Any of those for a starting point?

jaykay987 · 09/11/2013 09:21

I love Harriet - but DH has an irrational dislike.

The others a probably still a little oldie worldly for him. But I'll run them past him.

OP posts:
ZingWantsGin · 09/11/2013 09:24

sorry, I'm with your DH! I like traditional names.

still I have friends who are Charlie (Charlotte), Phil (Philippa), Chris (Christine) and Sam (Samantha) and that's what it is.Smile

good luck, it's not easy but both of you might change your minds anyway - happened with us, even after baby was born!

badtime · 09/11/2013 09:45

There are some unisex names which your husband might consider (e.g. Robin/Robyn, Rowan, Dorian, Darrell, Leigh?), but I think your best compromise would be to have a 'girly' name with a unisex nickname. TBH, although I like unisex names I dislike 'nickname' names so I am not keen on Charlie, Harrie etc.

Alexa/Alexis/Alexandra (Alex, Lex)
Davina (Davie)
Stephanie (Stevie) - a good 70s/80s name your husband should like!
Laura/Lauren/Laurel (Laurie)
Danielle/Daniel(l)a (Dani, Dannie)
Frances/Francesca/Francisca (Frankie)
Joanna/Josephine (Jo)
Judith (Jude)

harryhausen · 09/11/2013 11:01

Do you like Eryn/Erin ?

I used to think this was a girls name but there's a boy in my dd's class called Eryn so I guess it's unisex. It suits him.

Rosalind/Rozamund - Roz.

Edith - Eddie or Edie.

CordeliaRose · 09/11/2013 11:26

I suppose at a push Lindsey could be classed as a unisex-type name, given that it's so close to the male version
Similarly Lesley there must have been one at your DH's school?
Brodie
Ellis
Linden
Congratulations Thanks

lljkk · 09/11/2013 11:38

Rachel, Sarah, Emma, Victoria (Tor or Vic as nn!), Nicola (Nic or Nicky as nn), Joanna (Jo as nn), Geraldine (Jerry as nn), Teresa (Terry or Tree as nn), Andrea (Andy), Martha/Martina (Marty), Louisa (Lou). There are loads more, probably can google for "girl names with boy sounding nicknames".

Scout who was really Louise in TKaMB?

KateF · 09/11/2013 11:45

I have a Philippa known as Pip. I really like Rowan and have known girls and boys called it, likewise Eden although that might be a bit modern for your DH. How about Roberta with Bobbie for a nickname?

specialmagiclady · 09/11/2013 11:48

Ooh! Roberta/bobbie then they could watch the railway children together... sobs

Onesleeptillwembley · 09/11/2013 11:51

Your names are awful. And why are you so set on a unisex name? Open your choices.

lljkk · 09/11/2013 11:52

lol, say what you really think, Onesleep.

QuietNinjaTardis · 09/11/2013 12:00

I wouldn't say any of yours are girls names, they are all boys names to me, but then I'm not overly fond of your dhschoices another. think a traditional name with a unisex nickname is the way to go as others have suggested.

MortifiedAnyFuckerAdams · 09/11/2013 12:01

Robyn

MortifiedAnyFuckerAdams · 09/11/2013 12:02

Alex

jaykay987 · 09/11/2013 12:20

Alexis is on the joint list.

I like Robyn and Erin but DH has vetoed.

OP posts:
Bowlersarm · 09/11/2013 12:24

Frederica/Freddie

Katherine/Kit or Kitty

jaykay987 · 09/11/2013 12:26

Sorry...just reading though everyone's suggestions.

I like Elodie or Edith (both could be Eddie if they want) but DH isn't keen.

My step mum has been listed....so can't use that!

OP posts:
CordeliaRose · 09/11/2013 12:26

Alexis is fab - love Alex as a nn.
Sorted Grin

MortifiedAnyFuckerAdams · 09/11/2013 12:28

Josephine - Joey

Georgia - George

Francesca - Frankie

Stephanie - Stevie

Bowlersarm · 09/11/2013 12:30

Theodora/Teddy

Roberta/Bobby

Wineandchoccy · 09/11/2013 12:34

I love traditional names so I am with your Husband but my Mum is Christina but gets called Chrissy or Kitty.

I went to school with a Darryl, Billie and Sydney all were girls.

jaykay987 · 09/11/2013 12:39

What do people think about Georgina. Do you think the prince will mean george names will be more popular? Or will people avoid them?

OP posts:
lchats · 09/11/2013 12:46

Hi jaykay - I'm on your side as have similar tastes - we've had similar debates about Georgina and the royal connection, so await eagerly to hear others' thoughts. Alexis or Alexa are really nice...

lljkk · 09/11/2013 14:57

I wouldn't even know name of the new prince if it weren't for MN!!
Might forget the name yet hopefully.
Don't think the Cambridge's choice will make any difference to frequency of that choice.

coldwater1 · 09/11/2013 18:14

Most of my girls have unisex names... Ashlea, Georgie, Jaime and Logan. :)

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