Please help me find a name that my picky DH likes!

[superlambanana]

We have one boy's name that we agree on (Sam), out of all my many suggestions. DH doesn't come up with any (he can't think of any) but is very quick to shoot them down!

The only girl's name he likes is Helen (which I hate). He says that Emily is 'okay'. It had to be fairly English-sounding or it sounds silly with our surname. He won't accept any Helen variations (Helena, Elena etc).

We aren't too pushed for time but I'm very aware of how long it will take to find one he likes!! I am already ready to throttle him!!

Any ideas?

Hmm... It seems like simple, traditional ways might be the way to go... How about:

Emma
Annie
Amy
Ruth
Sarah
Sally
Hannah
Heather
Hazel

I was going to say Emma too

Anna
Rachael
Sophie
Jessica
Rebecca
Louisa/Louise
Suzannah

Unfortunately he has already vetoed practically every name on those lists

I might just make sure I'm the one who registers the birth

Could you just use Sam for a girl or boy?

My DD is Helen and it's not that common now, she really likes her name and has always been the only one in her year group at school. Would your DH consider Ellen, Bethan or Megan?

Or Seren

You could try this:
When DP and I were choosing names we bought a baby name book then gave ourselves two weeks to each come up with a long list. We did not discuss options at all during this time. We both came up with our top ten names for boys and girls. Then we compared notes and made a short list of names we both liked. We didn't finally name dd until she was 4 days old. One of the names was just right for her. It worked really well for us.

Eleanor
Laura

Emma is lovely
Anna
Erin
Olivia
Ava

Julia
Aurora
Matilda

Carolyn
Jayne
Lorna
Erin
Rachel
Louisa
Kristina
Catherine
Jessica
Elizabeth
Victoria
Jennifer
Lindsey
Sarah
Zara
Caitlin
Tamsin
Nicola / Nicole
Emma

Why can't he accept Helena, especially pronounced Helen-uh, as in Bonham Carter, rather than Hel-ayna or Hel-eena. It is almost identical to Helen, and more fashionable.