How do you like these baby names? No hate, please

[Woollymammothz]

Expecting a baby girl due early November. I'm a writer so unfortunately picking baby names isn't as wonderful as it used to be. I've gone through almost every name in my years of writing so they've all become bland and I've taken an interest to unusual and sort of "fantasy" names. Older siblings are called:

DD, aged 9: Callisto - no teasing has happened yet and while I've received raised eyebrows from other parents, I've also received compliments. Sometimes goes by Callie, though and she has a lovely modern middle name if she wishes to go by that in the future.

DD, aged 6: Posy - no teasing happened, mostly goes by Po at home and by family members. Also has a modern middle name if she wishes to choose a more "mature" route.

DS, aged 2: Benaiah - more "normal" than his sister's names but he mostly goes by his full name rather than Ben or Benny. Has a classic middle name from a family member but also Ben is suitable if he dislikes his full name in the future.

All names were made up once - Wendy was made up by J.M. Barrie! I'm sure Olivia was also created by Shakespeare. I'm not asking for made up names but all names were made up at some point and they've gradually become accepted so I'm not looking for any backlash.

I went to school with a Jack, Eve, Peter and Ellie. They all got teased relentlessly.

The names I've taken a like to are:

Emerald - not too unusual and I love it. Could definitely go by Em or even Emma by friends (I'll stick to the full name )

Canary - believe it or not my great aunt's name was Canary. I'm sure I'll definitely receive quite some hate for this but I realise I am naming an adult so it'll either be middle name or a name for a story character.

Arrietta - just love it. I love the nn Etta too but Ari is also a popular option.

Mary - surprisingly in the midst of those unusual names I like Mary. Inspired by The Secret Garden. When I hear it it doesn't sound dated to me but I realise it may to you all. Love it nonetheless.

Which ones do you like best and why? Also open to suggestions for similar names.

No outright rudeness, please!

I really like Emerald
Arietta would be by second favourite on your list
Canary, is my least favourite

Also like Sapphire as a girls name

Good luck!

Wow you seem stressed, you have three comments in your OP that are really defensive. You're so worried about the teasing, why? I don't get it? If a kid gets bullied it could be about their name, but it could equally be about a whole load of other things. Unless you give your overweight kid the initials F.A.T. there isn't a great deal you can do in advance.

Forget the bullying/not bullying, which names do you actually like? Personally I think Canary is ugly as a name, the others are ok, I know an Arrietty. I find it very odd that you would think that Mary sounds dated, I think it's quite fashionable at the moment, and goes well with Posy, which is another traditional name, always makes me think of the character in Ballet Shoes. Emerald is ok, I think there's a popular Jaqueline Wilson character called Emerald, and it could be shortened to Emie which is quite cute if you like shortened names. But don't worry, none of these names are really "out there" type of names, with the possible exception of Canary.
How about Merle?

Always difficult as you're asking for opinions (which many of which exist!). I personally don't think any of them are great...

I like Arrietta the best with your other kids' names. I like Mary, but it's a bit too plain in comparison. Not a fan of Emerald or Canary.

Other suggestions: Ariadne, Astrid, Betony, Isabeau, Ismene, Marguerite, Margot, Marietta, Marigold, Miriam, Opal, Sidonie, Sybilla, Thessaly, Venetia, Wren, Xanthe

I like Emerald and it goes with your other kids’ names I think.

Maybe use Mary as middle name in case she wants it for professional reasons as an adult ?

Love Arrietta, although I would think it's spelled Arietta. Also Ariel/Ariana are similar and I love those too.

Mary and Canary. Both not nice. Mary is dull and Canary is hilarious.

The other names are nice though. I think Emerald is the nicest.

Difficult one- you seem very worried by what people think going by your OP so if you’ll find it upsetting and difficult to support your kids if they’re teased about their name in secondary school I’d go for one of the more traditional options.

I do like some unusual names but they are a bigger risk- your child may hate it, teasing at school, going off it in time, people being judgy. As long as you don’t mind any of these things happening then just go for the one you like best.

Thank you all for your opinions! Rest assured, I will not be calling my baby Canary. I think it was the hormones; I'll stick that name on a fictional character.

I did replace the Y in Arrietty for an A because I really like the name and sound of Etta but I feel it needs a more stable name and Etta as a nn.

tatim I do like Emrys but it sounds a bit like Iris which is the name of my niece.

cholka I really love Alouette! Rolls of the tongue beautifully. Unfortunately my partner disagrees; says it sounds a bit like silhouette. Will definitely use for a storybook, though. On to the short list it goes!

Boglin Marietta sounds so sweet on the ears. I think it's the etta/ette sound I like, really. I don't think I'll be using it though as both me and DP like how Arietta is a bit more us.

Reaa I've never been too fond of Alyssa just due to popularity around where we live and Ameria reminds me of Almeria, a city in Spain we visited just this summer.

We think we've decided on Arietta "Etta" Mary, taking one R from the name as two makes it sound quite aggressive (like a pirate!) Thanks for all the advice.

I like Mary. It's pretty, classic and won't entail lots of explanations. This would be important to me personally as I have an unusual name which has caused me much awkwardness as a shy child. Times have probably changed in that regard though.

Emerald I also like. A bit different, but not as "out there" as Canary for instance.

So for me, it's Mary definitely okay. Emerald for something a bit different.

Mary Emerald or Emerald Mary even?

I like the name Lettice, but if I have a child I'd never actually use that name. I do like it though.

Love Mary.

Oooh. Arietta Mary is lovely.

Best wishes for your new arrival

Mary is lovely. I rather like Canary but perhaps it's a bit too 'out there'.

They’re all nice names- but would rule out Mary Canary. Sounds like a nursery rhyme! Either alone is ok though. Quite like canary, actually. Met a few wrens and loads of Robyn/ robins recently!

I love Mary. Everyone knows it but it is the youngest one I can think of is nearly 60. It is well known but unusual nowadays so it gets my vote.

Arietta is pretty and has a lovely meaning so I like that too.

I can see the charm of Canary but I really don't like Emerald.

Canary is horrible. My phone predicated wharf when I typed canary which is also the association I make. I like Mary and emerald best.

Arietta Mary is lovely, OP!

Callisto is great. It's up to you to decide whether Posy/Po or the others would invite teasing. At any rate there's safety in numbers, and a lot of people are using made up names now. I guess the question is what the takeup rate needs to be for things which have been regarded as bad taste to become good taste.

Reading through your post and your other children's names I must say the most beautiful and one that actually stands out the most to me is Mary. I actually really really like it.

Out of your list I also like Arietta, Etta is lovely. Could Etta be an option?

Mary
or
Emerald

Oh sorry OP I got excited about Mary and hadn't realised you've chosen. Arietta Mary sounds lovely x

Arietta is quite nice actually, and doesn't sound too made up. I like the nn's associated

i just hear 'Arry ate her'
i keep wanting to add 'and then he ate the other one'