Second time around - girl names

[Mamami]

Thoughts

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

My OH and I lost a baby last year and had spent ages picking out her name (Alice). It was just perfect from the start and second time around we’re really struggling. We’re now 27 weeks with our second baby – another girl – and can’t even decide on a shortlist of names. Everything seems wrong. OH says we’ll decide when we get here – did anyone else do this?

I’d really like to have a shortlist to put to him when she’s here (as I imagine my brain won’t be at optimal operation). So – can I have honest thoughts on:

Daphne
Delilah
Clover
Violet
Elodie
Brandy
Elouise

Surname is Strickland and we’re thinking of Ruby (I know it’s everywhere but family name) as a middle name.

I know it’s the age old complaint but I’d like her to be the only person with her name in her class – but also don’t want her to have to spell it out to everyone she meets.

Thanks x

Hmm, none would be my choice but probably like Elouise or Violet the best. How about Lucy or Eleanor. I love both those names but sadly will not be having a DD as we have decided that DS will be our only.

I'm very sorry for you loss and can understand why no other name seems quite right. This might be completely inappropriate for you and your husband but could you perhaps use Alice as a middle name to honour your first little girl? Either in addition to or instead of Ruby.

Daphne - this is a little too far into old lady territory for my taste but a good solid name.
Delilah - not keen on the repeated l sounds
Clover - love this. Sweet, pretty and unusual
Violet - elegant and pretty
Elodie - sweet, I like it. Much more popular than your others I think.
Brandy - very American and not current American either - I think of middle aged ladies. Sorry.
Elouise - like it.

Other names that seem to fit your style and criteria could be:
Agnes, Aurora, Aurelia, Bryony, Briar, Bianca, Claire, Carys, Clarissa, Cordelia, Dorothy, Dana, Elianne, Esther, Erica, Ebony, Fleur, Fern, Giselle, Harmony, Juliet, Jonquil, Lucinda, Leona, Larissa, Marissa, Marnie, Nadia, Ramona, Roxanne, Rowena, Rowan, Saskia, Sylvie, Tamara, Verity, Zia.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your first daughter. Alice is such a sweet name. I think you have a really lovely shortlist there for your baby, my favourite on your list is Violet, but not sure about Violet Ruby as that's two colours? Elodie is very pretty too, but does end in the same 'ee' sound as Ruby. Elodie and Violet are also getting quite popular, I think.

I like manicinsomniac's suggestions of Aurelia, Esther, Juliet, Saskia and Zia, too.

Some more suggestions; Tessa, Ivy (lovely with your surname but not sure it goes with Ruby), Hazel, Lydia, Vivienne.

Thanks for taking the time to give me your feedback - funny the things you don't think about. 'Violet Ruby' does sound odd!

Sorry for the loss of your DD - can understand why this must be a very difficult choice, but you have a beautiful shortlist here. Can also understand you wanting to avoid overly popular names - I'm exactly the same!

Daphne - like this. It's quite 'vintage' but also fresh (in a similar way to Phoebe, Chloe etc). Like the nature/mythological links.
Delilah - a bit sing-songy for my taste
Clover - love this - it's one of my favourites, although I suspect lots of people will say 'cow's name' or 'butter'! I think of the character from 'What Katy Did'.

Violet - pretty, but I'd probably use it as a mn.
Elodie - nice, but becoming popular (I've met quite a few lately, and think it might be the new Amelie)
Brandy - very different from your other choices! Not at all keen - makes me think of a slightly brash middle-aged lady from the American Midwest. Sorry!
Elouise - like, but spelled Eloise. Looks clunky for some reason with the extra u.

IMO some of these don't really go with the mn Ruby - e.g. Elodie Ruby and Brandy Ruby sound quite rhymey, so you might want to try saying them out loud. Good luck with the decision!

So sorry for your loss. I love Clover and also really like Violet

Sorry for your loss

I really like your choices actually. Pretty without being too cutesy.

I think Daphne may be a step too far for some!

Although i love Audrey.

Sorry for your loss OP.

From your list my favourite is definitely Elodie, it's a really beautiful name.

Sorry for your loss.

Violet ruby sounds fine and you almost never say the names together.

Sorry for your loss.

I like Daphne, Delilah and Elouise the best, but I prefer the latter spelled Eloise.

Agree with pp. Eloise is my favourite but only when spelled without the u.

I know siblings Alice and Heidi which I think are stunning and remind me of classic children's stories! Heidi is the only one in her class/school. It does have the same ending as Ruby though but what about honoring your precious Alice in the middle too Heidi Alice Ruby?

My DD is Violet too so I love the name and we get a lot of compliments on it, she's Letty for short x

So sorry for your loss.
Daphne - OK, a bit dated to my ears
Delilah - don't really get the love for this to be honest
Clover - cow's name
Violet - pretty, I like it but agree Violet Ruby isn't great
Elodie - LOVE it. So beautiful. My favourite
Brandy - no, really dislike it. Too American and sounds a bit stripper-ish, sorry :/
Elouise - love it, but spelled Eloise - Elouise seems misspelled to me.

How about Anna, Anya, Alexa, Cora, Clara, Esme, Elena, Juliet, Louisa, Madeleine, Nina, Rosa, Sylvie?

So sorry for your loss.

Alice is a beautiful name and is dds MN. Other names on our list for her were

Matilda
Juliet
Olive
Kate

Eloise and Elodie are beautiful. Delilah is nice. Dislike Brandy, which doesn't seem to fit with your other choices.

Alice is lovely too. So sorry about your first baby.

My niece is called Daphne, I have to admit it took a wee while to like it but now I think its lovely!

I like Elodie and Violet from your list too. How about Isla or Iona?