Baby girl shortlist. Will she be Cecily, Livia or something else?!

[loobylu3]

Am still deliberating over baby names. I like masses of girls names but DH is really picky! Please help me to narrow it down with some opinions on my shortlist!
We are a multicultural family so have tried to choose names which are not too typically English.
DD Maia
DS Lucas

Cecily
Livia
Sylvie
Elodie
Celeste

Please let me know your likes/ dislikes, etc. Thank-u!

[loobylu3]

Livia is definitely a name in its own right (as Penthesileia has pointed out) and not just a shortening of Olivia. However, I do take the point that a lot of people may not realise this and may assume that she is called Olivia.

[nellyonthetelly]

What gorgeous names! I love Elodie (although I think it depends on your surname) Cecily is also very nice but my top marks has to go to Sylvie... one I considered for my first daughter, but in the end went for another S name so when it came to DD2 felt we couldn't have two S names in the family - - - Haven't heard any of these names around N/London, although did see there was an Elodie at a local nursery and met a beautiful little girl in a park one day called Sylvia... Go Sylvie, Go Sylvie!!

[loobylu3]

Thanks nelly. Good to hear that the names aren't too popular in London as I think that it is where most of the 'trends' start.
I prefer Sylvie to Sylvia personally- seems a bit younger to me although Sylvia is beautiful too!

[Anna8888]

Cecily - VERY English "country house"
Livia - More typically Dutch or Italian but quite passe partout I think
Sylvie - very typically French c. 1940/50
Elodie - very French
Celeste - makes me think of Babar and it's old-fashioned

[loobylu3]

any more opinions for my poll? All v helpful thx!

[Cies]

I agree with Anna re: Cecily. It always makes me think of The Importance of Being Earnest. However, objectively it is a very pretty name.

Livia - v pretty, but she might have to explain ad nauseum that it's NOT Olivia.

Sylvie - hmmm, seems old-ladyish to me.

Elodie - Pretty.

Celeste - Sorry, don't like this at all. It conjures up images of that duo ´Daphne and Celeste´ who had that one song "U-G-L-Y" about 10 years ago.

[Tobermory]

Elodie is just lovely. So lovely in fact that i will have to go and mention it to DH and put on my list.
Am not pg. or planning to be for at least 12 months but planning ahead is good. No?

[nooka]

Is there some French in your multiculturalism? I think that Elodie and Celeste fit best with your other two children's names. I wouldn't personally go with Livia as it makes me think of the terrible Empress from I, Claudius, also I think that the "a" sound makes it a bit too similar to Maia, and I wouldn't personally have the same initial for two children.

[loobylu3]

Cecily is v English but I just love it and DH hasn't totally vetoed it which has not be good!
We aren't French and I know Elodie (and Sylvie) are v French but they are so pretty too and there are plenty of non French Amelie!

[WewishyouaBUMPERLICIOUS]

I know a baby Livia and think it is a gorgeous name, though I know her mum does get a bit fed up at the "no, it's not Olivia..." all the time. But that's not a good enough reason not to use it.

[NorthernLurker]

Livia??? Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!
The half of the population who don't know their roman history will think you've got all pretentious with Olivia and the half who do know their Romans will just be shuddering!!!

Cecily is lovely though

[frazzledoldbag34]

Cecily and Livia are my favorites.
In fact have added Livia to my own list! But in fact I'd say Cecily GOES the best with your other two (very nice) names.
Best of luck.

[ihatemyjob]

I love Cecily, Elodie and Celeste but relaly dislike the other 2.

[loobylu3]

Livia definitely seems to be the most disliked on here. The others are quite even.

[frazzledoldbag34]

Why is Livia so disliked ?
I think its very pretty and nicer than Olivia!

[loobylu3]

I think it is really pretty and sounds stronger than Olivia to me if that makes any sense.
Maybe it is a bit less familiar.

[loobylu3]

Yes Penthesileia, thanks for that. I was aware that it was the name of Augustus' wife who was a very strong, powerful woman, although I'm sure I don't know anything like as much as you as I'm not a historian! Perhaps that is why I think of it is a strong name.
I do like all the names though for different reasons. Sadly, it may end up coming down to the one that DH and I can agree on as he likes really unusual/ made up names and I don't!!

[DingDongMerrilyOnEI]

i love cecily and celeste i had a baby doll when i was little called celeste
i like thee others but those two are top for me i may add cecily to my list for our next one we are TTC
xx ei xx

[sleepyhead3]

Cecily and Sylvie are my faves. All pretty though

[loobylu3]

Have asked DS wha name he likes for new sister and he has suggested Kitty (I think after a little girl at pre-school). I like Kitty actually but I don't think DH will. He has admitted that Elodie is pretty though!

[frazzledoldbag34]

ooh I have a Kitty. It's a fabulous name!

[dontcallmehon]

What about Lydia?

[loobylu3]

Do like Lydia (and Kitty) but not sure about DH!!

[sleepyhead3]

Just met a gorgeous little Cecily today at DS's nursery! Oh please call her that!