Names that DP might like

[KnobwithaK]

So DP is proving to be pretty fussy when it comes to names, and it also faiibg to come up with many suggestions

So far he actively likes:
Sophie
Maia/Mia

He is also open to:
Zoe
Cora
Rachel
Laura

So, 2 syllables. Fairly "classless" (definitely not pretentious/posh).

Any ideas?

Mary
Lorna
Eve/Eva
Grace
Charlotte/Lottie
Faith
Ciara
Katy
Sara
Louise
Mara
Nicole
Pippa
Rhea

I would avoid Sophie personally if your best friend has one.

Not sure how Alice is too posh!

Lucy
Amy
Katie/Kate (maybe you could argue for Katharine on the BC)
Eliza
Marie/Maria
Louisa
Louise
Sarah
Leah
Ruth
Emily
Emma
Rose
Rosa
Erin
Ella
Isabel

@FeedMeSantiago she's not my best friend any more.. I hardly see her and only speak to her rarely.. Still not sure about using the name though.

And yy to Alice not being posh - it was my great grandmother's name and she was dirt poor!

Sophie is lovely, Lauren is a bit downmarket.

@MikeUniformMike it would be Laura rather than Lauren (I see Lauren as quite 90s for some reason, whereas Laura, to my ears at least, seems classic).

Leah
Isabel
Molly
Freya

Good! Laura is lovely and classic but Lauren is just Lorrun.

Lorna is nice, but I think it's one you either like or don't like. Lona is used in wales, and I know a few.

The ones I don't like on your list are Maia (dislike), Mia (Mere, overused) and Cora (Downton Abbey)

The others are all nice, and I'd pick Sophie.

@KnobwithaK I don’t really think it’s cool or fair to maintain strict power of veto while also not bringing much to the discussion himself- maybe sit down and brainstorm- say he has to come up with a list of 10 and you do 10 and cross reference . That way the input is equal rather than you constantly contributing to be met with no after no, it should be one of the fun things about having a baby to do together xxx

How about Maria, OP?

@Edenember yeah, I agree. We do try to brainstorm but it always descends into him making ridiculous suggestions for a laugh (Fennella, Euclidia, Listeria..). Tbf he did say that if I really like something that he's ruled out I should tell him and he will re-think but I'd rather use a name that we both immediately feel drawn to.

@MikeUniformMike Mia/Maia is out (it's the name of one of his exes!!) but Cora is definitely a maybe - never seen Downton/EastEnders but we both love The Legend of Korra

I will suggest Maria.. it's a nice name although it does make me think of my ex boyfriend's mum, and a crazy Greek flatmate I once had..

What about:
Helena
Caroline
Alicia
Claire
Elizabeth
Ria

Helen?

Erin
Helen
Ava
Astrid
Cara

Not Ava or Erin, both way too popular and neither very nice.
Astrid and Cara are nice. Ingrid is pretty, but none of these seem to be in the OP and her DP's taste.

Ciara is nice- as an alternative to Cora.

We've decided that we both kind of like Megan and Heather, but not enough to persuade the other to use it.

Did the "named together" thing and got the same list for both E&W and Scotland. Will try the USA one after tea..

Even if we end up with the same 3 name shortlist it's still good to know we've considered everything though, so thank you for all the input

Oh goodness I couldn't go with Heather. Now there's a dreary and yet at the same time fussy-sounding name.

Don't let him get away with deflecting with silly comments etc - tell him we're done with the Fenellas now, I want a proper conversation.

And no, he's completely wrong about the 'instantly drawn to' thing. IME (and from hanging round on baby names!) you're more likely to find something you'll still love ten years down the line if you really try and pick apart why you like a name and allow yourself to be introduced to new ones. When I was pregnant the names I 'instantly' loved - lots of them I quickly went off and was glad I didn't use! It's easy to see a new name and think 'Oooh lovely' just because it hits a spot at that moment. But it's sitting down and thinking about associations you have, the kind of names you have always liked and why, and really trawling through lists that is more likely to get you a name that will actually suit for the long term. It's likely to be one of the stalwarts that you like but have always thought 'But there must be a better more exciting name!' - there won't be, you'll end up regretting that you didn't just use that classic name you both thought was a good solid choice.

FWIW this is where I think you are now. You have Sophie, which ticks every box, but it's not very 'out there' and you're casting round for something a bit more 'wow'. But say you went for your Hazel, which you like now - in 20 years, Sophie would have been the better, more classic and lovely choice.

Jane
Emma
Amy
Bethany
Fiona
Helen
Louise
Tess Tessa

Sasha?