Freya, Clara, Harriet or Libby?

[NotMeekNotObedient]

Please rate these names, so torn and DH and I can't seem to agree. Surname like say Poppleton-Smythe.

Girls:
Freya
Clara
Harriet (not sure I like nn Hattie or Harri)
Libby (too much like a nickname? But can't use Elizabeth & don't like Liberty)

(Thinking Marilla or June for middle name)

Boys:
Ethan (has this become too common?)
Oscar

(No idea for boys middle names - suggestions would be most welcome).

Opinions please 🙏 which do you like best?

Freya June
Oscar Ethan

I am a primary teacher. Freya is really popular at the moment. One of our year 5 classes has 3 Freyas in it! Harriet is more uncommon. I have only ever taught one Clara but she was delightful so I quite like the name! We have a Libby at school who is lovely.

Please not Ethan. All the Ethans I come across seem to be behavioural nightmares! As you can tell, all names for me have associations with Pupils I Have Known! That's why it's so difficult for teachers to name their own children.

I love Clara. Not so keen on the boy’s names. How about Elliot?

@Botanica no siblings to consider.

@TheMadGardener I have a few teacher friends and they have said Ethans are either lovely or a complete nightmare! I'm glad neither DH or I are teachers, its hard enough as it is!

@AdaColeman & @NordicNell, I really like Marillia, it has some lovely connotations for me but DH thinks it's a bit harsh. It also maybe screams Anne of Green Gables. So we've ruled it out for a first name. I'm happy with it as a middle name. June is a family name but DH feels it's a bit unfair to include something from one side of the family and not the other. It would also mean the full name of the family member is sort of in the name of the child June Poppleton so not sure it's ideal .

Freya is actually a suggestion from my MIL but it does have a lovely meaning which I like. DH not so keen. I dont know anyone called Freya but I think it is gaining popularity right now.

I do quite like Clara but DH is worried it doesn't sound so nice with his accent. It was actully his suggestion originally. I think it sounds fine so going to get him to record himself saying it and hopefully he'll come round.

Lots of mixed views from you all but it is really helpful. Dont want to discuss too much in the 'real world' in case someone close to us really hates a name we decide we love.

We don't know the sex so we don't have to be firm on one name. We will definitely wait to see what baby looks more like when they come out, but at the same time do need to narrow it down a bit!

I think I'm leaning towards:
Clara Marillia Poppleton-Smithe
Freya Marilla Poppleton-Smithe

Boys names I'm still not sure. I kind of want the middle name to have some meaning to us but no idea what that would be! Will keep my thinking hat on. Maybe something nature inspired.

Clara, definitely

Definitely NOT Libby. Not even in the same category as the others. Probably Freya by a smidge.

Freya June.

Oscar over Ethan anyday.

Oscar Reuben
Oscar Jeremy

Freya - overused. I don't like Frey
Clara - don't like
Harriet (not sure I like nn Hattie or Harri) - Hattie is nice but I don't like Harri. Harriet is nice
Libby (too much like a nickname? But can't use Elizabeth & don't like Liberty)- Libby short for Elizabeth is fine, but Liberty is not.

I'd go for Harriet.

I think you and your DH should be able to pronounce the name properly, so if Clara does sound weird when he says it and/or you both say it differently, that's unfortunately a no go.

What's the issue with his accent? Would something similar to Clara sound any better when he says it? For example... Lara or Zara?

If it's the stress on the middle a that sounds odd, what about something like Lyra? Or Evie? (Short for Evelyn.)

I do like Libby, but only if there's a longer name and that's the NM. It's a shame you've ruled out Elizabeth....

If Marillia is too harsh, what about Marissa?

Clara, Freya and Harriet are all lovely but I love Hattie as a nickname.
I much prefer Oscar to Ethan. Oscar Ethan sounds good though with Ethan as the middle name.