My girls shortlist - need opinions on more unusual names?

[eepie]

Our baby girl is due in 3 weeks and quite set on our short list & then will decide when we see her...but suddenly I am going back to a few of the more unusual names we considered as don't want to be calling out her name in the playground in 5 years and realising that I've chosen a really popular and overused name...obviously you can't predict what names will become popular in 5 years and I know by that time I'll love it as 'her name' but just wanted to consider some more unusual names in case none of the more 'normal' short list of names feel right when she is born.

So, shortlist :

Ivy - after my great grandmother (it is also my middle name & the first name that came into my head when I found out I was pregnant....quite attached to this one and probably my favourite)
Etta - after Etta James
Alma - as in 'soul' in Spanish

(middle name will probably be Wren, as in the bird)

Unusual names we considered:

Echo - like the way it sounds but has a sad greek myth surrounding it & too much making fun potential?
Bibi - as in the farsi word for 'lady of the house'
Calypso - as in calypso singing...but too similar to Calypo ice lollies±!?
Beatrix
Eden
Sky
Phoenix

I know everyone will have knee-jerk reactions to these names as abstract words on their own but would be helpful if you could also consider imagining a person who is actually named these names and see what feelings you get about the name then...ie what kind of person do you imagine when you think of each name.

Any other suggestions based on my list are welcome !

Thanks !

I love ivy and etta.

Personally I would use ivy or etta and pick and unusual option as a middle name

Ivy Phoenix
Ivy Beatrix
Etta Calypso

Etc. actually I prefer ivy with the other names I think

Please anything but calypso it's awful I know a few sky's and phoenix. The rest are nice though.

Your shortlist is perfect. These are last minute doubts, ignore and carry on!

My 27 year old friend is called alma and I love it. She has never met another alma and is always complemented on having a beautiful name. I think most people, myself included, imagine an old woman when they hear it so are always pleasantly surprised when they see a stunning young lady with the name.

Ivy is also lovely, where I live though it is very popular. I know of at least 3 under 5, and I don't know a lot of kids

I have an Ivy and its definitely becoming a LOT more popular I know of at least 3 others born recently, obviously I still love it but think it is surging massively in popularity at the moment. I really like Beatrix from the rest of your list.

Etta Wren??? Will no one think of the birds?!!!

I like all of your shortlist, especially Etta. I think you've got enough 'unusual' with your choice of mn (which I also really like) - choosing an unusual first name as well would be too much, imo.

Thanks a lot for all responses so far....interesting...I did have a feeling Ivy was getting more popular... and I know Calypso is pretty crazy ! Just last minute doubts as wiltingfast said...and maybe 3rd trimester hormones going a bit crazy....ha.

yellowstripe - is 'Etta' a type of bird? I didn't think so...Wren I like particularly because it is a type of bird ! But double-bird would be too much I agree. I am someone who actually considered Bluebird as a name - bit of a hippy and trying to reign in my 'creative' name choices a bit for the sake of my unborn daughter haha....You should have heard some of my DP suggestions though he is even more 'off the wall'. One of his boys names suggestions was Zero..and another was.. Elmo !!!!!!! SO glad we're now having a girl instead....

Thanks Guin

I bizarrely like Echo. Not sure why and I can't imagine a 15 or 30 year old introducing themselves as "Hi, I'm Echo". It is a nice word though.

Go with Ivy or Etta.

Calypso makes me think of callipers.
Alma reminds me of Princess Diana's fatal car crash.
Ivy makes me think of Beyoncé.

I like Eden, Sky and Phoenix but I think only Phoenix fits well with Wren.

What about Indigo? Has a cute nn of Indi if you like to be able to shorten.

bonsoir Thanks for input Can I ask how come it makes you think of Princess Diana's car crash ? I am slightly below the age of remembering many details about Princess Diana's death although I do remember hearing about it as a child. I also was worried about people thinking of 'Blue Ivy/Beyonce and Jay Z' - bit too trrendy!

caulkhead - I know I can't shake Echo either...I agree it's a slightly unfeasible name for an adult ! But I just can't get rid of the feeling that I like it & think it's cool & unusual but not too completely ridiculous or crazy...and it does sound unique I have never heard of another child called Echo around here..... Not giving her much choice of a professional sounding name if she wanted to be a lawyer though !

canisay - yes I quite like Indigo too...but again maybe slightly 'rainbow child' esque for me ! I come from Glastonbury so lots of children around there called Indigo. And I agree Phoenix Wren is quite nice...Would people shorten Phoenix to Fee?

Please don't called your baby Echo or Alma - they both would sound awful on a baby and 5-10 years from now.

Ivy sounds lovely; stick with your first instinct.

Although I've just realised Phoenix Wren would be two bird names ! OOPS. Overkill. It'd either have to be a middle name or first name with different middle name other than Wren.

I think Ivy Eden is lovely.

Princess Diana's car crashed in the Alma tunnel by the Seine in Paris. Alma was a battle in the Crimean war (hence the bridge and tunnel named after that battle).

I love the 3 on your shortlist. Might not go for Ivy though as seems popular. What about continuing the tradition as a middle name?

Alma my favourite.

Alma Wren Ivy

Etta Wren - eat a wren? Depending on pronounciation....

Etta Wren.... as in 'ate a wren'... that is why you can't use that name combination!

Eden lovely name, as is Sky, or alternate spelling Skye with e on the end.

Beatrix lovely, also option of spelling Beatrice.

I think Wren is a lovely middle name, but you will have to choose first name carefully to avoid overkill.

If Ivy was the first name that popped in your head when you found out you were pregnant, you will regret picking a different name. That's her name, don't feel you need to give her an 'unusual' or 'special' name - give her one that your heart told you too.

It's hard if you're surrounded by other pregnant woman trying really hard to find an unusual name or something with an interesting historical meaning, but your name choice means something to you and your family.

If it ends up being popular or overused, that's because lots of people think it's gorgeous too.

I love Alma, it is one of my favourite names.

What about Alba? I think it's another gorgeous name.

Ivy has to be my favorite from your list though

PS I agree with Mary - go with what your heart tells you, or you will end up regretting it. Our 4 month old dd is called Lily. I tried to convince myself that we should call her something different due to how popular the name is, but even before we fell pg with her we had decided really… I am so glad we stuck with it despite my reservations. It is perfect for her
Enjoy your little girl when she arrives!!

I like wren as a first choice tbh.