Harper or Nova?

[tuxedocat]

We have a DD due at the end of the year and struggling a little on the name.

Harper, Nova and Harlow are my favourites but I know that Harlow gets a right dragging around these parts 😂

@tuxedocat

Craziness really isn't it? :)
I like Nora but, spelt like Norah - I think it looks less harsh with the H.

Good Luck finding the perfect name.

I love Nova, so pretty and has a lovely meaning (star shining brightly).

The last Vauxhall Nova was last made in 1993 so there'll be fewer and fewer people who remember the car model and probably none of her peers will even be aware of it!

None are my usual ‘style‘ but I do really like Harper.

@PorkPieForStarters

I love Nova, so pretty and has a lovely meaning (star shining brightly).

The last Vauxhall Nova was last made in 1993 so there'll be fewer and fewer people who remember the car model and probably none of her peers will even be aware of it!

I thought the same. I was born around that time and had never heard of the car. The next generation certainly won't have that association. I think of space when I hear it, not cars.

@witchlikehazel

No to all 3 from me, sorry. Harlow is a place. Nova means 'new' to me and doesn't seem like a name. Harper only going to be a Beckham name now (plus really it's a surname). What about Holly or Harriet or Clover.

Same… definite no.

Nova I think of Vauxhall nova

Harper again the beckham’s daughter’s name and Harper Lee.

Harlow is a place ffs!

Honestly? This won't go down well, but all 3 are proper chavtastic.

@Dmsandfloatydress

If you want something out there go with a nature name like Barley, Wren, River or old lady chic like Rita or Joan. Not likely to be any others I the class.

Much better.

My name is very unusual and not even a name really so I’m always torn re parents wanting unusual names for their children.

@witchlikehazel

No to all 3 from me, sorry. Harlow is a place. Nova means 'new' to me and doesn't seem like a name. Harper only going to be a Beckham name now (plus really it's a surname). What about Holly or Harriet or Clover.

How can you dislike names based on their associations, yet suggest Clover without thinking of butter?

I don’t really see the problem with the Beckham association with Harper. I’m not a particular fan of them but they seem a nice family and she’s a sweet little girl. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I wouldn’t automatically think of the Beckhams anyway.

@aSofaNearYou @PorkPieForStarters I am an early 90’s baby so I know it’s a car but I don’t think going forward anyone (except my dad!) would have the connotation. My only worry is it could age like Luna has which I really don’t like! I do think it’s very pretty but I also am not sure it suits a grown woman?!

Thank you for the thoughts on Harper. I personally (and I know others will make their own connotations) don’t think of the beckham’s and whilst some may do, I don’t think it’s the absolute worst. I think it’s my favourite at the moment. We have a few months to go to find the right name. I had my sons name pretty much from the get go after finding he was a boy, so finding it harder to not get it so quickly!

Neither, please don't do it.

I dislike all of them. Harper Lee was actually Nelle Harper Lee. The name makes me think of harping on about something.
Nova is the least awful, but older people will only think of the car.
Harlow is just plain awful. I don't want to offend people who live there, but it's not known for its beauty. I also know lots of people with this surname.
My DD has never forgiven me for her name and harps on about it constantly. There must be more unusual names that won't embarrass your child.

Nova is much nicer

I am an early 90’s baby so I know it’s a car but I don’t think going forward anyone (except my dad!) would have the connotation. My only worry is it could age like Luna has which I really don’t like! I do think it’s very pretty but I also am not sure it suits a grown woman?!

Personally I'm of the opinion that what suits a grown woman will be very different from what people of our generation (and generally those a bit older) are adamant about on here. A huge percentage of the most popular names these days are the kind that people always say wouldn't suit adults, so logically these will be the norm once said children are actually adults.

I think Harper is gorgeous and miles better than Nova or Harlow. Go for it. I think it's really nice and I don't automatically think of Beckham.

I do like Harper - I’ve never heard it as a surname and I get the Beckham connotation. I have a very popular name (top 10) in the last 5 years and I want something a little different for her.

Harper isn't different though. They're everywhere since the Beckhams, and people will think you're being really derivative and are just a Beckham fan.

Another one who things they're all awful, sorry.

@aSofaNearYou

I am an early 90’s baby so I know it’s a car but I don’t think going forward anyone (except my dad!) would have the connotation. My only worry is it could age like Luna has which I really don’t like! I do think it’s very pretty but I also am not sure it suits a grown woman?!

Personally I'm of the opinion that what suits a grown woman will be very different from what people of our generation (and generally those a bit older) are adamant about on here. A huge percentage of the most popular names these days are the kind that people always say wouldn't suit adults, so logically these will be the norm once said children are actually adults.

A great point. I think there’s a lot of internal pressure to have a name that ‘suits’ every age. You are so right about that generation being surrounded by similar names. A bit like my age group of Sophie/Emily/Hannah being very normal.

Fully taken on board the Harlow dislike 😂 it’s a name I can (personally) appreciate though.

Harlow as well as being a place, puts me in mind of the witty person who when referring to Jean Harlow said the t is silent as in Harlow

Harper not very original now, Maybe when Dave Grohl named one of his daughters, before the Beckhams it may have been.

Nova, I'm of an age where I remember the magazine of the same name, it's ok, not great but better than the other two. You could always prefix it with Super!

I like Harper and Nova made me think of stars and space not the car.
They are better than some of the hideous suggestions you've had on this thread OP.

Love Nova, I know one and she is the most beautiful soul!

I really like Nova!

I hate Harper - sounds masculine who's playing the harp!

Sorry I really don't like any of them but if I had to pick from that list, it would be Harper.

Harlow a bit too close to harlot
Nova is a car
Harper is ok despite Beckham connection

Nova, without a doubt, from your list.

Think Harper is the best if that lot but I wouldn't go with any of these if you have a surname that could also be a first name as people could end up accidentally swapping them around especially as some workplaces have lastname.firstname email addresses. Happens to someone I know, people forever thinking her surname is her first name.