Inspiration needed for classic, elegant, timeless names...

[Poppins2016]

We're aiming for a list of 3 favourites each for girl or boy (we didn't find out the sex), but just can't settle.

I keep changing my mind and feel that none of the options we like so far are 'the' name I can see myself calling my unborn child. We're aiming for classic, elegant, timeless names.

So far, we have:

Girls

Gwendoline
Meredith
Clementine
Carina
Madeline
Daisy
Genevieve
Evie
Luna
Hazel
Rosalie
Esme
Freya
Amelie
Amelia

Boys

Rowan
Archer (Archie)
Oliver
Leo
Theo
Fynn
Harry
Ralph

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Felicity
Rosalind
Penelope

I wouldn't call any of your girl's name list classic apart from maybe Madeline, and I'd spell it and pronounce it as Madeleine. I like it a lot and it's the only one I'd consider from your list. Clementine is nice, but it has an Edwardian vibe that will probably be out of fashion soon. Names like Luna aren't the least bit classic, though that's the only one I actively dislike. Not keen on Freya or Evie either. I don't think Fynn is classic either, or Archer (but I actually like that). I like your other boy's names, though I'd go for Henry rather than Harry.

I would say names like Elizabeth, Emma, Helena, Sarah.

John or Jonathan, Christopher, Nicholas, Michael.

Apart from maybe Madeleine (spelt this way), you're girls names are certainly not classic/elegant/timeless. They're all rather in the 'trends' category and would date badly. Some other suggestions for girls: Charlotte, Grace, Juliet, Sophie, Elise, Isabelle, Elena, Caroline, Gabrielle, Lily, Alexandra and Katarina/Katharine.

I don't think your boys names are very classic/timeless either apart from maybe Oliver, Leo (short for Leonardo) and Harry. I do like Rowan, Archer (Archie) and Theo though, they're nice names just not of the style you are talking about. I dislike Fynn from your list though as it just seems as though either Finn or Flynn has been misspelt.
Some other suggestions of classic/timeless boys names: Nicholas, Christian/Cristian, William, George, Charles, Josef, James and Matthew (Matteo would be nice too as an alternative to Matthew).

Gwendolin, Daisy, Meredith, Carina and Clementine are somewhat classic and timeless imo.

Madeleine and Genevieve are quite classic as well.

Evie isn't classic at all.

Luna, Hazel, Rosalie, Esme, Freya, Amelie, Amelia: some of these are really nice but they will date (imo).

Suggestions:
Hannah, Sarah, Charlotte, Emily, Esther, Emma, Lydia, Victoria, Claudia, Isabel, Elizabeth, Alexandra, Susanna, Louisa, Helena, Catherine, Jane.

Boys

Rowan is sort of classic.

Ralph and Harry are quite classic and timeless imo.

Suggestions: Henry, Frederick, George, James, Alexander, William, Charles, Patrick, Andrew, Michael, Louis, Thomas, Anthony, David.

Alexander and Catherine.
Timeless and beautiful.

I'm a fan of the underused Annalise.

Evelyn and Evangeline are similar to Evie, but are more classic and elegant.

What about-

Edith
Vivienne
Charlotte
Margot

Albert/albie
Archie

A lot of the names on your list aren't what I would call "classic" or "timeless". Evie's are also everywhere, there are three in my DD's small preschool class. Amelia and Amelie are just as ubiquitous and I think are becoming a bit dated already as a result. Luna is becoming very popular and seems to be something of a "hipster" choice so again will probably date quickly.
Rosalie is my favourite on your list. Pretty and elegant without being too "cutesy". Not too popular but not "out there" and she has the option of shortening to Rose or Rosie which are both nice. Esme is also a lovely name and one I would call "timeless".

From your boys list I like Rowan, Ralph and Archer (although not keen on Archie) but wouldn't use Oliver, Leo or Theo as there are so many of them although they're lovely names.

Thanks all - do keep the suggestions/comments coming - we're finding it really helpful!

Freya, Evie and Esme are very right now and will date horribly.

What about - Venetia, Cecilia, Cosima, Aurora/Aurelia, Viola/et.

Oliver and Harry are classics, so is Leo but there are a lot of them around right now. Finn would be ok if it were spelt properly.

Sebastian would go with the Roman theme of Aurelia

Charlotte , rose, Elenor, Jessica, alice all lovely for a girl
For a boy Henry, Matthew, James, Jacob and my absolute favourite is Joseph
Love classic names really not keen on a lot of very modern ones but each to there own.

Thinking of names that won't date and are 'classic' My list whittles down to

Girls
Elizabeth
Victoria
Harriet
Annabelle
Marguerite
Deborah
or Caroline

Boys
Frederick
Robert
Charles
Edward
James
Thomas
or Adam

Jessica has been in top 100 for over a hundred years so I would say that it was pretty timeless.

James and Jonathan are also quietly popular, solid and masculine timeless names.

Thanks all - you're cementing our thoughts on favourites.

We have a little while to go before the birth (16 weeks before we're officially due), but I hate the thought of not being prepared with some options. I'm scared that baby is going to end up nameless for a while after birth (but fingers crossed that seeing his or her face will aid a decision).

preens I always find my DC names on these lists... all 4 so far!

@Poppins2016 my best advice is not to feel pressured or panicked, there are far worse things than not knowing the name that fits best until you've got to know your newborn.

When I was pregnant and we were doing this, DH and I used to play a game of saying a name and picturing who it is who is called that.

E.g. If you say Harry or Lily or Jack or Evie, I picture a toddler. If you say Ethel, Mildred, Mavis, Phyllis, I picture an old lady. We wanted a name where you either couldn't picture it, or we pictured different things.

For example, if you said Elizabeth - I know a baby Elizabeth, a toddler Elizabeth, several in their 30s, 40s, 50s etc right up to old ladies. To me, that shows it's a timeless name.

Interestingly, my DD1 has an uncommon (but known) name, and my DD2 has a VERY common one. I knew it was common but I loved it so used it anyway. We've just moved countries and everyone knows DD1's name, but look at me very oddly when I introduce DD2 & have no idea how to pronounce it! (Apart from one person who said "my grandmother would love this" which I'm not sure is a compliment...)

Love Meredith, my oh has said no, thinks it’s just because of greys anatomy

Helen
Marianne
Elspeth
Elizabeth
Sophia

Arthur
Felix
Conrad
Rupert