Bit of a weird one - I need middle names... for my 6yo DD!

[TierAufTier]

Namechanged as this could out me!

So when DD was born we gave her a very safe some would say boring middle name. Then two years later had DS and couldn't choose between two middle names, so just thought what the heck and gave him both.

Never really thought about this until the last year or so, and then felt quite bad about making them different and 'uneven' IYSWIM. And then by complete coincidence DD recently commented about the difference.

So, DH and I have agreed that if she wants to she can choose another middle name and if we can, we will change it by deed poll. I don't know, maybe it's crazy and I haven't mentioned it to her yet, but if we could go ahead, I know she would be giddy with excitement.

We've said we would come up with a list of names for her to choose from.

Something a little 'out there' perhaps (DS' first middle name is unusual), and I know she would want/choose something quite pretty. I was thinking something musical or art related would really suit her but most of the associations I have are male (eg Vincent for her favourite artist ... or Banksy :o)

So far:
Melody (my middle name, she likes it)
Clara (nutcracker - although she would probably most associate it with the barbie version :o)
Dorothy (favourite book character)
Elise (one of her favourite pieces is Für Elise)
Rowan (just because I like it!)
Alison (my Nan's name)

I can't really think of many girls names generally, all the names I've fallen for recently have been for boys (Tristan, Elias, Benedict to name a few)

Thanks if you got to the end of that waffle - any suggestions please? :)

I think this is a nice idea, if I was her I would pick Elise from the list! lovely! :)

Melody would be lovely as it's in your name and it's unusual too.

Thanks for the replies. I do really like Melody and would probably go with that if I was choosing myself. I actually felt embarrassed by it in childhood and only really appreciated it as an adult (despite being very musical since I was very young) but DD does like it. I do want to have a range of options for her though so it's her final decision not mine. :)

Ooh yes, Melody, or if not, then Elise.

I love Melody, was on my short list for DD.

I have one middle name, then my brother came along a few years later & was given two middle names. I was old enough when he arrived to understand that he had an extra name, and throughout my childhood I always felt that it wasn't quite fair.

So I think what you are proposing is a lovely idea. It would be nice to let her choose her favourite.

That sounds lovely.
I like melody and Clara.

Suggestions:
Aurora
Juliette
Persephone
Seraphina
Elia
Elsie
Arabella
Harriet
Beau
Freya
Natalia
Nicodema
Wendy

What a lovely idea, Tier!

If she likes Melody too, then it's a fabulous idea for her to take your mn as well. Other than that, I love the idea of choosing a favourite literary character. Perhaps explore that more with her?

Argh wrote a long reply and then iPod died.

Thanks for all the feedback and ideas! Particularly like Persephone, I'm sure there are other similar names I like so I'll have a google.

DramaAlpaca (love the name :o) thanks so much for sharing your own experience, it has helped as I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. It wasn't intentional at all to make them different, it was just that I fell in love (blame pregnancy hormones! :o) with too many names for DS and they had a lot of meaning. I don't think DD is really upset, but I think it's something that might bug her more when she's older perhaps. In any case she will love the chance to have a say in putting it 'right'.

Something literary would be good - she hasn't read that many big books yet as we only really share longer books at bedtime for the last year or so, if she went with her private reading she would probably currently choose Coco the Cupcake Fairy :o - funnily enough I had considered Wendy too as we read Peter Pan last year. I really love Lyra (His Dark Materials) but obviously that's not something she will be reading for a few years yet!

Aw let us know what she picks!! Love your list, all with thoughtful reasons :)

Thanks :) I'll make sure I update when she chooses (not sure when that'll be)

I would welcome any other suggestions too :o I think maybe about 10 names would be good. I feel like there's some lovely names I've forgotten that I'd want to include IYSWIM? I had loads of possibilities when we first started talking about having DCs (but decided on Jessica very early as DSDs chose it :)) but I've forgotten.

Allegra? A bit musical.
Violet? Just because it's pretty.
Kyrie - musical term, pronounced a bit like Kerry-ay. Bit out there but I want someone to use it because I love it :)
Hmmm I can't think of any others.

Have you thought of letting her come up with her own list of names? It might be interesting!

I particularly love Kyrie - did you suggest that on the musical names thread recently (I lurked)? It makes me think of Karl Jenkins music for some reason :)

I did I did! :)

It's a really lovely idea to give your daughter an extra name, and to let her choose it.

Obviously, your selection of names for her to choose from is entirely up to you, but Kyrie means 'lord', 'master', or even 'Lord God'.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrie

It does seem a rather strange name for a little girl.

Ah right that's not really a meaning I'd want. Shame as it is very pretty (but that's why starting a thread is useful, as it's good to check meanings etc!) maybe I can find some similar names though.

I had wondered about getting DD to choose some names herself but knowing DD, if she came up with some too-ridiculous names and we said no, it would upset her and kind of sour the whole thing IYSWIM? That's just how DD is when she gets ideas in her head. Whereas if she is given a list at the start it will be fine I think. I will start subtly finding out what names she likes though.

Oops namechange fail :o

I thought that your original list of possibilities was great, and that Melody (after you and because she was musical) was such a nice idea.

I quite agree with you that it's much better to offer her pre-approved list. From very young, I was allowed to choose names for my pets, and came up with some that would not, I think, have pleased my adult self ....

How about Syrie if you like Kyrie?
Kyra?
Sylvie?
Lydia?
Penelope, if you like Persephone?

I think it's an absolutely lovely idea and I like the way you've selected the names (family connections etc).

How about Harmony? I loved how in the book The Queen's Nose the sisters were called Melody and Harmony :-)

Aaah thanks moggle I've been wondering what book to read DD next, that's one decision made at least :o

Harmony?

Nice idea about evening up your dd and DS's names. DM is in her 70s and still godson about how her DBs have more names than her.

Godson - goes on!

X post moggle!