Strong girls' names

[Rainatnight]

I'd love to ask for your thoughts on strong girls' names. I'm not madly keen on the Poppy/Millie/Esme girly names that are popular at the moment, and would like something strong and elegant.

(Not much to ask!)

We are adopting and never thought that we'd have the chance to name a child ourselves, but it's looking like we're about to be matched with a young baby whose name the social workers will advise us to change for security reasons (if we are lucky enough for the match to go ahead )

Many thanks!

I would suggest you pick something from the top 100 if the name change is for security reasons. I love Dinah and think it is very strong, but only 12 of them were born last year making them more traceable in the future. If the birth family ever got wind of this LOs new name, she would be easier to find if there weren't many. My favourite top 100 strong names are (in order of preference):

Alexandra
Matilda
Zoë
Martha
Lydia
Harriet

and from outside the top 100 but not too out there imo and still strong:

Esther
Claudia

Hope the match goes ahead OP

Good point Miri. So maybe something classic like Anna, Emma, Amy, Emily, Rose, Jane, Elizabeth.
They're all quite popular which would be best for security reasons.

'strong' seems a bit subjective when relating it to a name op perhaps you could give us more of an example.

when I think of strong female characters I think of older style names like Dorothy, Patricia, Susan, Liz, Jane, Margaret, or Christine.

I don't like those names much though

Are you looking for a name that sounds strong or a name that is associated with a strong women, Boudicca for example?

People keep suggesting Harriet and honestly that was the first name that I thought of too!

Harriet
Victoria
Alexandra
Rebecca
Rachel

Oh and OP, congratulations and also I actually agree with Lydia, I wanted that on my shortlist but was vetoed .. I think it's a great name.

Hazel is a nice strong name too.

Beatrix

Can I mention Victoria again, all the Victoria's I've known have lived up to their name.

It looks like the match is going ahead Thanks again for all your good wishes.

I love Beatrix and Harriet.

Ms Definitely strong sounding rather than specifically after a strong woman. (Though now that you've mentioned it, I wouldn't rule it out).

getting Victoria is lovely but wouldn't work with our surname sadly.

How about Meredith? When my Meredith was born my Dad said it was a strong name ... she is certainly strong willed

a young baby whose name the social workers will advise us to change for security reasons

Every adoptee faces adversity in life. That is the nature of adoption. As an adopted parent, you have a duty to do everything within your power to minimise that adversity.

Many adoptees are profoundly unsettled by loss of Identity. Change the baby's name, and you are not only compounding the problem; you are quite possibly creating it.

Forego your own desires, and do what's best for your child.

Be honest with her about where she came from and who she is.

Don't change her name.

Love learning: the op has stated the social workers have advised changing the name. You even quoted it! Advice on the name was asked for nothing else.

Oh also, Beatrix is wonderful!
Alexandra
Cleopatra
Ramona

lovelearning We had never planned to change our adopted child's name and I'm fully aware of the importance of supporting our adopted child's identity and making sure that we support them to make sense of their life story. We have done considerable training on this and it will be a priority for us throughout our child's life.

At the same time, social services have asked us, for security reasons, to change the child's name, so that's what we'll be doing.

Rain, how wonderful, all the very best.
Ellen
Rosanna
Maude
Frieda
Ida
Harriet
Susan

I know a Meredith and think its a really nice name, I also like Bonnie but thats an 'ie' so out obviously

My friend recently had a Bronwyn which is a good strong name.

Clara
Hannah
Lydia
Matilda
Harriet is nice

Good luck op

Wonderful Christmas news for you all to hear the match is going ahead.

Wish you and your daughter a very happy life together!

Cara
Natasha
Bethan
Olivia
Lois
Carla
Pearl
Gemma
Thea
Jessica
Kirsten
Rhona
Tabitha
Darcy
Tara
Kathleen
Catriona

Hero. I have a friend called Hero and she is one of the best people I know

I love Hero, Boudicca, Hera, Hedda, Frida

I'd go with 'in top 100' though as suggested upthread. Even something like Anna or Sara are quite strong-sounding and not so unusual.

Very best of luck with it all

Seren
Scarlett
Eve
Alix

Names that don't end in vowel sounds tend to sound stronger eg

Helen
Astrid
Cerys
Anne
Beth
Alex
Hazel
Charlotte
Miriam
Enid
Eve
Ruth
Lauren
Morgan
Kate
Lynn
Harper
Piper
Taylor
Tyler
Shannon
Carol
Jean
Quinn
Louise
Bridget
Vivian
Yvonne

Very excited to hear your match is going ahead. I hope it goes as smoothly as possible.

I'm going to try and suggest some I don't think have been mentioned yet, or not been mentioned much. Sorry if any are repeats!

Cleo
Zara
Laura
Claire
Xanthe
Margot
Evelyn
Theodora
Sophia
Ruby - lots would class it as cutesy but I actually think it's quite strong sounding
Julia
Alice
Caroline
Tabitha
Georgia
Claudia
Beatrice
Eleanor/Nell
Florence

Stella and Bella seem strong names.
Georgia, Anna (not Annie!)
Also I think Georgie. X