What do you think of the name Lenora?

[Reluctantcavedweller]

Just this...Mulling girl's name choices and interested in other views. What do you think of the name Lenora? Anything similar which you would suggest?

Thanks all for your very useful input! So the verdict is:

Lenora - Some outliers like it, but most say it's a no! It's actually an old English name dating back to the 16th century at least, but perhaps the Lenor fabric softener connotations are too strong. Here's hoping they go out of business soon and then we can use the name 😉!

Elenya - I think this is Greek (?), but it also pops up in Tolkien. One or two people liked, but others thought it sounded a bit made up!

Matilda - some like, some think 'blaah'.

The wider shortlist now includes:

Eleora
Adrianna
Marissa
Jean
Alera
Arabel
Christabel
Evelyn
Jocelyn
Maud
Alianore
Margaret

Apologies for trespassing on your time, but any thoughts/strong likes or dislikes would be appreciated! Also, any further suggestions...

Eleora - nope, too complicated and easy to mess up
Adrianna - love it
Marissa - it’s ok and better than most of your other choices
Jean - Horrid. Reminds me of a grumpy elderly church organist - “mean Jean” we were all terrified of.
Alera - don’t like, looks made up
Arabel - sounds like something agricultural
Christabel - Love it, especially the Pankhurst connection
Evelyn - so common these days and not even a nice name.
Jocelyn - fine, again better than most of your other choices
Maud - poor child saddled with such an old lady name
Alianore - is this made up? Don’t like it
Margaret - Boring

Honestly, Elinor, Arabella, Elena, Alicia, Laura etc are far far better choices than these fussier made up looking ones.

And Leonora is still my favourite of the lot!

Used to know a Lorena. Not fond of the name but it’s kind of an anagram and may be of I retest to you ?

Maud - poor child saddled with such an old lady name
Jean - Horrid. Reminds me of a grumpy elderly church organist - “mean Jean” we were all terrified of.

DH's suggestions... I made the same point as you, but he pointed out that Ethel, Agatha and Florence are all making a comeback. He suggested Beryl and Minerva, but I wouldn't even put those ones on the list .

Arabel - sounds like something agricultural

I think you're thinking of 'arable', as in arable farming. I think we'll cross this one off the list .

@reluctantcavedweller I ♥️Jean, I have it on my list spelled Jeane just because I think that looks more complete. From the others I like Arabel (although think Amabel or Arabella would be better because of forementioned farming association), Christabel, Evelyn (v. Popular atm) and Jocelyn. I’m not usually a fan of very frilly names but it’s just a personal taste thing. That said the few frilly ones I have on my list really go all out 😂 Ottilia, Arrietty, Eloisa, Aurora, Romilly. I also like Harrietta and variations of the Mari- names such as Mariett(a/e) , Mariann(a/e). Evelina is pretty too.

@Edenember. Thank you for your feedback! I like Aurora and love Romilly off your list.

Ottilie fine, Ottilia maybe just a step too far? But you never know, it could start a trend!

Definitely Jean, not Jeane, and to hell with completeness! Think 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie'. Jeane doesn't have the same classic 'Scottish spinster' panache. Perhaps Jeanie as a compromise/nickname?

I really like jean

P.S. Also love Marianne. Putting that on my list!

I might be in the minority, but I like Eleora! It does sound a bit Lord-of-the-Rings-ish, though, which may or may not be your thing!

Leonor and Leonore are the names of a Spanish and a Swedish princess respectively, they're both lovely names. Elena, Eleanor, Eleanora etc are all pretty too. There's an England rugby player whose daughter's called Nori as a variation on Nora, so that's a possibility for a nickname?

@reluctantcavedweller lolz 😂 Ottilia is definitely a step too far... I’m all or nothing 😂 . I love the name Jean(e) however it’s spelled. Jeannie is a sweet nn. I also knew someone called Janie and always thought that was lovely (not a fan of Jane though). Marianne’s gorgeous, timeless but underused. I also have Cecily on my list which I find quite frilly but like it despite that.

@Reluctantcavedweller what about Annaliese? Also other variants of Rose... Rosina, Rosabelle etc . Gracelyn?

@Edenember. Cecilia?

Friends' children include Cecilia, Agnes, Beatrice, Clementine, Poppy. I find all of these a bit 'floral' but Cecilia's probably the best of that bunch for me.

I'd really like Alexandrina, but DH thinks that's too much.

@Reluctantcavedweller Cecilia is a name with a special family meaning for me, but I prefer Cecily. My favourite by far from your friends children’s names is Beatrice. Love it