DH has vetoed my girls names because they’re “too middle class”

[MonicaFaloolaGeller]

I’m gutted!

We have a son called Edward, I’m currently pregnant with no. 2. Pretty much got a boy’s name locked in but still shortlisting girls.

Two girls names I said I loved are Ophelia and Arabella. Both go fine with our surname.

He said no to both on account of them being too posh/middle class. Nothing wrong with the names themselves, just the association (in his mind).

He has a thing about anything he thinks is too middle class (even though he is, by definition, middle class himself.)

Can anyone think of names in the same vein that I would like that won’t offend DH’s ridiculous class sensibilities?

Other names I like are

Alexandra
Evelyn (with a short “ev” like in never)

DH so far has said he likes Orla and Georgia. I’m not into Orla, and don’t like Georgia.

Middle names Mary, Rose.

I like Avelyn. Have you considered Annie?

Avelyn...Avery? Alina? Adaline? Emmeline...

I like Arabella lots too, largely because of the awesome Arctic Monkeys song (in which said Arabella is BADASS). It was on our list for DC2, who turned out to be a boy.

If it's definitely off the table, though, how about Ada (apologies if this has already been suggested... Haven't RTFT). It's a great name, and has connotations of Orla.

How about:
Annette
Anthea
Aphra
Belinda
Cicely
Elaine
Emily
Genevieve
Ginevra
Hera
Jennifer
Jessamine
Mariella
Marina
Mina
Natasha
Nina
Rosemarie
Rowan
Thalia
Zelda

I love Ada!

Evelyn is nice, providing you don't mind correcting the pronunciation (3 different ones seem equally used).

But Alexandra works well with Edward to me - it's a similar style (very classic so avoids most "class" pitfalls imo?).

Other "classic" ideas in the same vein - Alice, Elizabeth, Isabel, Anna, Maria, Julia/Juliet, Laura/Lara, Sarah/Sara, Emma, Eve/Eva, Emily/Emilia, Rose/Rosa, Charlotte, Caroline, Hannah, Harriet.

Avelyn is going to be mispronounced (to rhyme with javelin) and sounds made up, even if it isn't. There are sooo many Avas, Evies etc around, that is sounds like a 'unique' way of sneaking in another Ava.

Adela and Adeline on the other hand, are fab.

You could torment him with:
Anastasia, Eglantine, Hepzibah, Oleander, Persephone, Xylophonia, Wilhelmina
till he gives in to one you really like...

I know an Avelyn and I really don’t like it. Trying so hard to be unique but still incredibly similar to all the other popular names.

He has a thing about anything he thinks is too middle class (even though he is, by definition, middle class himself.)

God, that sounds tiresome!
Tell HIM to come up with a list of names (a long list, not two names), and then pick the one you like best out of those.

@IamnotwhouthinkIam

Evelyn is nice, providing you don't mind correcting the pronunciation (3 different ones seem equally used).

But Alexandra works well with Edward to me - it's a similar style (very classic so avoids most "class" pitfalls imo?).

Other "classic" ideas in the same vein - Alice, Elizabeth, Isabel, Anna, Maria, Julia/Juliet, Laura/Lara, Sarah/Sara, Emma, Eve/Eva, Emily/Emilia, Rose/Rosa, Charlotte, Caroline, Hannah, Harriet.

I have four daughters and each of their names is on that list, and so is mine! Also two of their middle names are on there too :o

I used the theory that you should always choose a name that can have a title in front of it. So Lady Alice/Sir Samuel for example.

Matilda

Lilibet🤣

I'd be wary of a name where your daughter has to keep correcting people's pronunciation or spelling (Avelyn) as she won't thank you for it. If your surname is one syllable then a three-syllable first name balances it well but run possible nicknames with the surname as well - there have been some good suggestions on here..

@Billandben444

I'd be wary of a name where your daughter has to keep correcting people's pronunciation or spelling (Avelyn) as she won't thank you for it. If your surname is one syllable then a three-syllable first name balances it well but run possible nicknames with the surname as well - there have been some good suggestions on here..

This

Correcting people & spelling names is not fun

As I said DHs suggestions were Orla and Georgia- I’m “meh” on Orla, I don’t dislike it but I don’t love it - and I’d want to spell it the proper way which he’d say is just saddling the kid with a name they have to spell for people.

The proper modern Irish spelling is Órla, so not that different. Lots of people leave out the fada on the letter o, even in Ireland. Pronunciation of the name can be an issue though.

Is Avelyn pronounced like Av uh lin or Av-lin or Av-uh-leen?

If the latter I think the Aveline spelling would work better.

There was a character in the sitcom "Bread" called Aveline. Played by the actress who's now Cathy in Coronation Street!

Well when DH suggested it he said Ave to rhyme with Dave. Or Rave. Short lin.

I'd pronounce it Av-uh-line rather than Av-uh-lin.

Avelyn

Sorry I missed the bit about Orla and Georgia being his suggestions.

How about Georgina or Georgiana? Bit longer and more fancy than just Georgia.

Genevieve could be an alternative, or Virginia known as Ginny?

@Clawdy

There was a character in the sitcom "Bread" called Aveline. Played by the actress who's now Cathy in Coronation Street!

There were two actresses if I remember well. I'll have to look this up.

@Dilligaf81

I have an Orla so ya u their 😂 but what about; Constance (Connie) Chloe Grace Poppy Clemantine (clemmie).

I have an Orla too! It's my daughter's middle name. I wanted an Irish name as a nod to my roots but nothing too obvious (or unpronounceable over here!)

Alexa
Alexis