A good, strong Girl's name

[ThinkPinkStink]

Hi there,

We're starting to think about names for our little girl, who is due in early October.

We have a surname which starts with a 'Cl' sound (think 'Clarke', or 'Clarence') and already have a family middle name we're going to use (which starts with an S).

We have a list of names we quite like, but none are quite right:

Blossom - too soft, but works nicely with our surname
Harriet - though we prefer the shortening 'Hattie' and 'Harrie'
Aspen
Darcey - though getting too popular
Zinnia - we love how it sounds but don't love how it looks written down
Blythe
Rose
Poppy
Clara - because she'd sound like a superhero with our surname
Emmeline - nn Emmy
Cassia - but don't like the meaning ('empty')
Camille
Laurel

We are looking for a good solid name which is pretty, rolls nicely with our surname, but is appropriate for a sensible adult with a sensible job (if she wants one).

I admit I'm always drawn to pretty flower, tree and bird names - and love French names, but we don't want to be TOO pretentious

Thanks in advance,

xx

Alexa is lovely. From your list I like Harriet, Rose and Blythe.

What about Olive?

Or Francesca.

Blossom and all the fluffy names are not strong girls names so you may need to pick strong or fluffy. If the name could be applied to a pet, generally avoid it, blossom is a pony to me.
Agree elizabeth, Victoria also Matilda, Mary or variant thereof are all strong names and lots of nickname potential.

Margot

Juliette is lovely, and comes with the nickname "Jules" which is one of my favorites.

Blossom came from my love of Blossom Dearie - she's a jazz singer who appears twee and girlie, but is actually hard as nails... But you're right, it doesn't convey strength without that context... One of the reasons I like Harriet is because the full name is so strong, but the shortening of Hattie is cute.

Mind you, I always wanted a pony....

Margot is a good friend's name - DH and I were discussing this morning if we could legitimately use it without it looking like a tribute to her.

'Jules' is great as a nickname!

It sounds contradictory given how many girlie twee names I like, but I like the androgeny of 'Jules'.

Ariadne

Some more

Anya
Alizee
Leonie
Camille
Lena
Mirabelle
Lila
Gabrielle
Bronwen
Louisa
Constance
Annabel
Dorothy
Lydia
Frances
Gloria
Genevieve
Carmen
Susannah
Bryony
Joanna
Evelina
Jessamine
Kezia
Lucienne
Marielle
Philippa
Jennifer
Romilly
Rosanna
Tessa
Willow
Zara
Linnea
Annalise
Juniper
Adeline
Miriam

I like Aspen, Darcey and Poppy from your list. I wouldn't say. They were particularly strong names though .
Other suggestions.
Catherine
Helena
Rosa
Vivienne
Anna
Megan
Jennifer
Alexandra
Hannah

Estelle
Delphine

Elodie
Heloise

From your list: Harriet (loooove Harri as a nickname and you say you like androgeny), Clara, Blythe and Rose NOT Blossom though!

Like Aspen, Blythe and Laurel from your list, I suggest,
Evangeline
Mabel
Marcella
Saskia

I actually know a Harriet Clark. I've always liked her name for being "strong", ageless and timeless. You can't make any assumptions about Harriet Clark.

I like Etta as a shortening of Henrietta and Harriet.

Judith?

Celeste
Arianne
Cleo
Alyxs
Cordelia

How about Miranda? Prospero's clever & beautiful daughter in The Tempest and means 'she is to be admired' in Latin. Also Coralie if you like French names. Ottillie, Ottoline, Ellodie, Cecily, Eleri (welsh, eh-lair-ee), Arianwen?

Colette if you like French?
Ellen?

How about Anna/ Hannah or Maria. Also think Ruth and Rachel are good strong names but feminine at the same time.

Cordelia. Cordie for short.

I love Zinnia, I'd go for Zinnia Blossom (I love Blossom as a middle name and plan on using it if I have another DD).
Have you thought about Zyanya? Pronounced Zee-Anya