OH wants to pay tribute in middle name - I don't like it!

[bethellex]

Hi all, I'm having my first baby in November - a little girl and OH wants the middle name to be Pauleen, after his Gran. As much as I like his Nan and think this is a nice thought, I really don't like the name! Also my mum's new partner is called paul and it just reminds me of him!

The two first names we've managed to both agree we like are:
Lilia (preferred)
Alba

Do Lilia Pauleen or Alba Pauleen sound that bad?
Am I being selfish and disrespectful?

Our last name starts with R and is two syllables.

I like the name Lilia Belle.

I was thinking about the idea of two middle names so for example: Lilia (name) Pauleen (lastname)

What are everyone's thoughts on all of the names!? And any suggestions!?

My last name isn't White Maras haha, but thanks for the warning! And thanks for the suggestions!

My sister is named after a great-grandmother (or some such) named Paulette, but her name is Paula. I did the same 'not quite the same name' thing when I named my daughter after my grandmother. Is there a variation of the name that you like more than Pauleen?

And I'd probably suggest Lilia Rose, given free rein with a middle name, so I'm no help at all.

You're not going crazy!! I did write a post - it's just on the previous page - one of my nans was called Dianne Lucy! But yes it is late - we should be sleeping!

I think its good to have a middle name with meaning and connection. When she is older she will probably ask your DH about her name and he can talk to her about the person she was named after. My name (both first and middle) is from some long forgotten band that my mum thought was cool at the time so I don't have the history that goes with carrying on a name.

Lena? :)

Saoirseba - I like the idea but Lilia Lena is a bit full of L's!

and Footle - no i'm not! damn!

Auch, feel bad for you, everyone shitting on Lila Belle! But it's with good reason- in 50 years time it'll seem as dated as Pauline is now.

I think Lena or Paulina are your best options if your DP insists on it. I personally don't like using filler names and prefer to have some form of a connection. Do you and DP have a special place, favourite holiday destination? Come on, gis a theme to work with!

They're so cruel aren't they! Haha.

We met in Ibiza!? not that that helps!
He quite likes greek god sounding names - for boys he liked Spartacus and Leonidus (thankfully it's a girl).

In my heart, I would say, "Hey! It's just a middle name and you can drop it if you like!" but I have probably the ugliest name known to mankind as my middle name and it's been the bane of my life. I would get teased as a teenager (people would call me by my middle name instead of my first name). I said it in my wedding vows and I heard my friends snigger fgs!

I now don't admit to having it although, weirdly, I do sign my signature as my first two initials and then my surname. I don't think Pauline is anywhere near as bad as my middle name, but I don't think you should presume that your child won't be bothered by an ugly middle name. Can you give her 3 names so she drop it altogether if she hates it?!

Greek names! Fantastic seam you've got there to explore:-

Hero
Artemis
Athena
Hera
Gaia
Electra
Helen
Persephone
Leda
Hermione
Althea
Delphine
Penelope
Pelagia
Arianna
Eleni
Petra

Lots more lovely Greek names out there, but I must sleep now

I love Genevieve...it's a great name. Pauline really pales next to it.

See I love the name Hero and I did suggest it but OH said it sounded too manly! Lilia Hero sounds lovely to me! Especially because Lilia is so light and girly so it's a nice contrast.

I also like Penelope - always have :)

Liking the other suggestions too!!

And I do think Genevieve is a pretty name too - it looks amazing - but it's just too old fashioned for me! Maybe Evie/Eve though?

I think middle names should only be there after people/for a reason. It's odd to me that people want to choose the second name too. You get one! Middle names are never used anyway. It's always flowery little baby names like Rose, May or Lily anyway that ruin perfectly good strong first names!

I don't like the name Pauline in itself, but Lilia Pauline sounds nice I think. Genevieve is lovely, eve/evie are too, but the latter is quite popular.

Prefer Lilla Pauleen to Lilla Belle but think Lilla and Alba are both not very nice anyway.

When we were expecting DC1 hubby's wind-up girls name was Pauline. So I really do not like that name one teeny little jot! However, Both my DC have either a first or middle name which honours a family member & I believe this is a beautiful thing to do IF you're both in agreement.

Paula
Pauletta
Paulina

any of those instead of Pauline? Can your dh find out if she has another name so you have another option or could you use her maiden name or surname instead?

I don't get the whole 'nobody uses the middle names anyway' argument. We use DD's all the time! Whenever we're joke telling her off we use her full name, or sometimes we make up silly rhymes and songs and add in extra silly names like 'biscuitface' or 'chubber'. All her grandparents use it too when they're messing about. It might just be because her full name scans quite well so it's pleasing to say and has a nice rhythm. But I've noticed lots of people I know using their childrens' MNs too - they must do, as most kids I know (and there are a lot!) I also know their MNs. So I really wouldn't want mine to have one I didn't like, as people would think it was my taste!

Lilia Frances is nice or Lilia Genevieve. Both lovely.

Agree with PPs about Lilia Belle - it sounds a bit cartoony for my tastes.

Frances is lovely,

Lila Frances Pauline sounds fine.

DD's middle name is a name I don't really like (not a terrible name but reminds me of a horrible girl in school) but it's DH's mum's name and she was very sick when DD was born and passed away a few months later. I think it's lovely that even though DD won't remember her she has a part of her.

middle names are completely and utterly pointless really so why not give them a purpose and use a family name? especially if it means something to your DH

I think Pauleen is lovely for a middle name. That is what a middle name is for, imo - it should have meaning. I can't stand placeholder names.

But for goodness' sake, if you go with it don't change the spelling. If it's not the same spelling then I can't even see how it is honouring the person. It just seems bizarre.