Wild card - Emerald

[jemimafuddleduck]

I've posted what feels like 100 times so far about our baby name for DD due in 2 weeks.

Middle name will be Jean - that's pretty much a certainty.

We had almost decided on the first name Darcy - surname begins with a D and I like the alliteration.

But, we have a bit of a wild card alternative for the first name - Emerald, nn Emmy.

Can I have honest thoughts? Is it too "out there"?

So -

Darcy Jean

Or

Emerald Jean?

I don't really think it sounds enough like Emerald Green to be an issue, and, it isn't as if it says something potentially embarrassing, like Isaac Hunt or something.

I don't think it would put me off.

I love Emerald (nn Emma) but it doesn't go with Jean (sorry).

I do like an unusual name with an option for a normal nickname. Sheila Wexford's daughter was called Amulet (nn Amy).

I do like Darcy Jean if Jean is a definite.

How about Imelda? Similar sounding and Imelda Jean has a nice ring to it.

Emerald Darcy?

I really like Emerald not a name I really considered until just now

I live the name emerald! So striking.

FYI the actress in call the midwife who plays patsy is also an Emerald. I was reading something ages ago and found out her name and it instantly caught my attention! X

I think emerald is beautiful

I like it quite a bit more than Darcy which sounds ever so slightly chavvy to me.

I love Emerald! Darcy sounds like the name of a little madam.

Emerald is beautiful, either in full or as Emmie. Emerald Jean is nice, but sounded properly you have to end the d with a pause before you say J, iyswim. What about a third link name? We had a family name we wanted to use as a middle name, but it was awkward to say with the Christian name we chose, so we used a link name (which happened to be another family name) to tie in the two.

I like it, unusual but adapts itself to familiar nicknames

Emerald is a fabulous name! I'd go the full RF Delderfield with Diana as her middle name.

I love Emerald and reminds me of the actress from Call the midwife. Why do you need a nickname? If you must have Jean as a middle name, the initialls will be EJ.

I only know one Darcy and its a male named D'Arcy. I never knew it could be a female name and always associate it as masculine. I would avoid a DD initals! Darcy D.... surname. WHY????

Emerald is stunning. It's much more elegant and, dare I say classy, than Darcy.

I agree with a pp that Emerald Jean isn't quite right, so how about Emerald Darcy Jean?

It’s too fancy for me but interesting. I’m surprised there are so many likes for it as it does seem a little out there and people can be quite conservative on here.

There’s also Esmerelda which means Emerald.

I think Emerald Darcy together would come out as Emerald Arsey!

I'd use another family name maybe? Or something else in between. But I can't think what.

But, tbh, if Jean is a family name and you want to use it, Emerald Jean is fine. It doesn't flow that well, but when you use a family name as a middle name, I think that's less important.

Emerald is much nicer

Emerald is a fantastic name, very elegant, unusual but not 'out there', I really like it. I think Emerald Jean sounds fine.

Odd point to consider, but... Is she likely to inherit big boobs from either side of the family? Big boobs + the DD initials = double d as obvious and unpleasant nickname.

Don't really in like Emerald but I think that's because I once taught a really, really difficult girl of that name (not all her fault, not the best home life) and as it's an unusual name the association is very strong!

I am surprised at how much I and others love Emerald. I'm trying to understand if I would not like to introduce myself as it but think I would and I definitely would like to be an Emmy too.

Great name.
Darcy on the other hand is dull and dreary

Sorry I don't like Emerald. I think it sounds common, trying to be posh.

@jemimafuddleduck

Ooh - someone has pointed out Emerald Jean might sounds like Emerald Green I hadn't thought of this!!

Do people think that would be an issue? I mean, obviously day to day her middle name wouldn't be used, but even so....

I actually like it because of that

Emerald is much nicer than Darcy, which is a bit downmarket.

I much prefer Emerald to Darcy.

Wow, thank you all. I'm really pleasantly surprised by the love for this name!

I love Emerald and Jean but I’d struggle to unhear Emerald Green tbh.

I do much prefer Emerald to Darcey.