My list v His list… help!

[Changedname81]

Our lists are very dissimilar and I’d love us both to agree on something. A couple of his names I’d use as middle names… but not first. Any middle ground ideas?

His list
Helen
Lisa
Claire
Emma
Maria
Christina
Sophie

My list
Penelope
Phoebe
Lucy
Florence
Violet
Alice

At a push I would use Sophia, but a girl called Sophie systematically made my life Hell from age 11-17 so I’d prefer not to.

From my list he says he “could live with” Lucy but does a face when he says it.

Back to the drawing board?

I was looking for common ground between the two lists. You both picked two Greek names. Greek names (of goddesses) that neither of you chose include Athena; Artemis; Iris; Chloe; Xanthe and Gaia. The only initial letter common to both lists is "L" . Laurel or Leonie.

I've seen Clara put out a few times. What about Corina (several ways to sp it)

Natalie
Zoe
Chloe
Beth
Lara
Laura
Catherine
Victoria
Ellie/ Eleanor

Madeleine
Matilda
Martha
Rosamund
Diana
Celeste
Celine
Georgia
Leah
Ruth
Fiona

Just keep going. It was quite frustrating having so many what I thought were perfectly good names rejected by dh but we got there in the end.

Or else, with your DH’s taste, go through too names from 60s and 70s and see if there are any more timeless ones that jump out at you.

Hmm Lisa and Alice.. Alicia? Alisa?

Like pps, I came on to suggest Helena as an obvious crossover name. Anneliese?

I actually think his list sounds fresher than yours. Preschools are full of little Violets, Florences and the other names you suggest, but I doubt you’ll come across many Lisas, Christinas or Helens!

Lots of crossover, definitely.

Emmeline
Alyssa
Alessia
Elise
Eliza

I agree that your DH's list is just ahead of the curve and yours is possibly just behind it but both lists are full of lovely names. I think you will find something that you both like. Have a break and start again.

Tell him to bin his list because it’s 40 years out of date.

Of your list I like Phoebe and Violet, so I’d gun for one of those.

Both lists are names that are kind of old school and/or classic. Yours are more “current” but you should be able to find something you both like as neither of you have picked anything very modern/alternative. His list looks the school register when I was going to school (I’m 45) or the names of my work colleagues. Your list looks like the register of kids at my current school. I think you both have slightly older classic names tastes so keep looking at those types of names:

Charlotte
Emily
Louisa
Rebecca
Verity
Grace
Elizabeth
Georgina
Alexandra
Melissa
Lydia
Sarah/Sara
Jennifer
Hannah
Joanna
Leah
Natalie
Olivia
Rachel
Samantha
Scarlett
Susannah
Belinda
Anna
Eleanor
Zoe
Julia

FWIW, I work with 700 kids from baby up to age 11 and every name on your list features multiple times on our register. There are only two names from your husbands list that appear on our register at all

@Paddingtonthebear

FWIW, I work with 700 kids from baby up to age 11 and every name on your list features multiple times on our register. There are only two names from your husbands list that appear on our register at all

If that indicated they were unusual I’d be all for it, but his list is just dull names that were overused at the time so everyone got bored of them.

My guess is they’re girls he was at primary school with.

Your list is a bit flowery.
How about something that has a traditional vibe (him) but is a bit long/flowery (you)? Eg: Eleanor, Elinor, Charlotte, Caroline?

Has he been living under a rock since 1977?

Personally, I prefer your list. It’s much more traditional-and-due-a-comeback in comparison to the 70s/80s names your husband seems to like. But even so, Maria, Sophie and Emma aren’t too bad.

Suggestions to kind of meet in the middle:
Isabelle
Victoria
Harriet
Phoebe
Francesca
Layla
Martha
Miranda
Alana/Alannah
Ruby
Ivy

What about the name Hazel? I can see it fitting with both of your selections

Helena
Elena
Cassie
Clara
Emily
Emmeline
Gemma
Eliza
Poppy
Lucia
Lydia
Adele
Genevieve
Ivy
Beatrice
Nina
Celia
Georgia
Adeline
Estelle
Camille
Elise
Evie
Maren
Blanche
Ada
Eloise
Lillian
Norah
Juliet

Stand strong. Keep reinforcing your favourite. You can have Sophia as the middle name

when baby appears, he will feel emotional and overwhelmed and go with your name

Could you try and find a name similar to one on each list eg if you combine Violet and Christina you (nearly) get Valentina...

It does sound as if he's wandered in from the early 80s, but tbf several of your names are very trendy atm and IMO will date (Violet is a case in point).

Laura would be brilliant middle ground IMO.

Have you asked if that's a list of his old girlfriends?!
Only needs three Gemmas, two Sarahs and four Jennifers and a Joanne it's my primary class.

Totally agree though - some of those names are due a comeback, while the old lady names & everything ending in 'a' will be as dated as his list feels now.

Going back in time for inspo...
Emily or Emilie
Charlotte
Eve
Laura
Rebecca
Anna

Laura?

Is he naming a baby in 1992?! Though I do really like Emma, and it is a classic. Could you be swayed by it?

Other things you might both like:

Juliet / Julia
Louisa
Diana (I feel like this is due a come back)
Catherine
Elizabeth
Rebecca
Holly
Chloe
Georgina

Tell him he's missed out Samantha and Debbie.