Girl name to go with super-common LN???
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| Tue, 04-03-2007 - 3:07pm |
We are expecting a little girl April 19th and The Great Name Debate continues.
Factors to consider:
-We have a super common last name: As a Jennifer myself, I am commited to unique (but not weird, and not a unique spelling for a popular name), especially paired with LN Anderson!
-We are a Christian family and don't mind names that allude to it, but don't want something that comes off as Bible beaters either.
-Meanings are important to us... (example...I love Gillian but it means "down-bearded youth", and I have a hard time getting excited about that.)
-we are OK with common/family names for middle names, especially to balance a unique first name, but still want middle name to matter (either meaning of name or family connection)
-single-syllable choices are sounding boring to me (maybe because paired w/ 3 syllable very common last name?)... any ideas to jazz them up?
-would like a name that grows with her (little girl, teen, adult)
Family names (relationship to baby)
-Mom Jennifer Ann
-Dad Bradley James
-Aunt Megan Clare
-Aunt Kathryn Patricia
-Grandma Roslyn Mary
-Grandma Jeanne Marie
-Great Grandma Patricia Ann
-Great Grandma Carolyn Ann
-Great Grandma Verna Irene
-Great Grandma Mary Louise
Please give opinions on:
-Eden (delight)
-Carys (love)
we want it pronounced "care-iss", NOT "KA-reece"; maybe spelling Caris better? Would we be constantly repeating her name to be understood? What would you suggest? Which is the intuitive pronounciation?
-Laine (wave)
nn Lainey
-Lainey (bright light, torch)
-Geneveive (woman of the people)
nn Evie; is it too close to Jennifer (I go by Jen), or conceited to have a Geneveive as a Jennifer?
-Eve (life)
nn Evie
-Maren (from the sea)
-Nina (follower of Christ)
-Brie (magnificent)
-Brielle (God is my might)
nn Elly or Brie
-Elena (bright, shining one)
nn Elly or Laney?
-Gemma (jewel)
-Zoe (life)
pronounced Zo-ee
-Ashlyn (dream)
-Paige (page)
wish it had a better meaning
-Gillian (down-bearded youth)
hate this meaning :(
Thanks so much... we are keeping name (or name ideas, for now) a secret from everyone so I don't have any feedback on these yet!
Jen

From your list, I love Brielle (a favorite of mine anyway). With your last name, I'd avoid the -on or -en endings, as in Eden or Maren.
I think Brielle Louise or Brielle Irene are great combos from your family names.
I love Laine as well, but not with your LN.
As an alternate first name, I think Louisa (loo-ee-ca, with soft "s") would be cute.
AJ, enjoying life with C.
I think you have some really great options already. My favorites from your list are:
Gemma Paige Anderson
Carys Eden Anderson (I like Carys/Caris spelling. I naturally pronounce this Care-iss)
Brielle Genevieve Anderson
Zoe Ashlyn
Any of your names are not popular, and have good meanings. The ones ending in "a" and "n" do not flow as well with Anderson, but they are not awful. Totally workable, if you love them.
I love Gillian, but the actress Gillian Anderson immediately comes to mind.
Some other names you might like (I did not look up meanings):
Alaina (a different version of Elena, but gives you the Laine/Lainey nn)
Camille
Brenna
Maris (combines Maren and Caris from your list - also honors Grandmas Mary/Marie)
And I noticed Ann is a popular family name. You could use Roseanne as a middle name - and honor yourself, both GG Anns, Jeanne and Rose at once. Unfortunately, it doesn't flow as well with Anderson, but as a middle name it would be fine)
-Eden (delight) - very nice; doesn't scream religious to me unless it's paired with other biblical names
-Carys (love) - also very nice; the pro. you want seems the most obvious to me but there will always be people who try to make it harder than it is
-Laine (wave) - I like this better as a nn for Elaine (light) or Delaney (descendant of the challenger) or Alaina (attractive; peaceful)
-Lainey (bright light, torch) - ditto
-Geneveive (woman of the people)
nn Evie; not too close to Jennifer if you plan to use nn & not the least bit conceited IMO
-Eve (life) - nice; can also be a nn for Evangeline (bearer of good news) or Evelyn (hazelnut)
-Maren (from the sea) - nice
-Nina (follower of Christ) - nice
-Brie (magnificent) - ok as a nn but as a given name, it makes me think of cheese
-Brielle (God is my might) - nice
nn Elly or Brie
-Elena (bright, shining one) - much better than Laine IMO & you can use Laine or Lainey as nn; also can be spelled Elaina
nn Elly or Laney?
-Gemma (jewel) - nice
-Zoe (life) - nice but becoming very common
pronounced Zo-ee
-Ashlyn (dream) - the Ash names feel dated to me; I don't like it combo'd with Anderson
-Paige (page) - nms
wish it had a better meaning
-Gillian (down-bearded youth) - my name books all give the meaning as "youthful" - check more sources because I've never seen the meaning you're quoting
hate this meaning :(
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