Dakota for a girl? Plus other choices

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-24-2003
Dakota for a girl? Plus other choices
8
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 9:04am

My husband mentioned the name Dakota last night. Typically I'm not a fan of unisex names but this one I sort of liked. If you heard Dakota would you automatically think girl or boy or would you be unsure? Also, with siblings Garrett & Sierra what do you honestly think. We've finally narrowed our list to 5, let me know what you think of the others as well.

Callie
Ellie Grace (maybe as a double name but maybe just Ellie, or maybe Ellison as given full name but called Ellie or Ellie Grace)
Brenna
Shayla
Delaney - is this unisex I think all girl?

Avatar for haarlasr
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 10:49am

I actually think of Dakota as a girl's name -- probably b/c of the A at the end. And I think it sounds great with Garrett and Sierra. I think either Dakota or Delaney goes best with your family. And FWIW, the only Delaney I know is a girl (2 years old).

As for your other names...

Callie -- cute as a nn, but I think it needs a more formal given name. Maybe Calista?

Ellie Grace -- again very cute as a nn, but I'd prefer Ella Grace as a given name

Brenna -- great choice, but I almost think it sounds too similar to Sierra

Shayla -- another good choice -- only reason I didn't pick it was b/c it starts with S like Sierra

Good luck making a final decision!
Stephanie

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2005
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 11:30am

Unless you are a member of the Dakota (Sioux) tribe, I think using the name Dakota is not just strange but actually offensive. I am continuously stunned by the number of Americans who somehow think it's fine to appropriate the name of Native American tribes to use for their children with no regard to where they came from. It's not just a cute baby name, it's the name of a marginalized, oppressed, displaced people.

As for your other names...

Callie -- I think this is a really cute nickname, but I'd give her a full name. Calista perhaps.

Ellie Grace -- I like this as a double name (even though both names on their own are painfully popular). I'd give her a full name that is not as common -- Ellison Grace, Elodie Grace, Eloise Grace, etc -- and then call her Ellie Grace.

Brenna -- I like this

Shayla -- this is just okay to me. I really like Shae as a middle name.

Delaney - I think this is all girl. I've always liked this.




Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2006
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 11:31am

Dakota - I first think girl because of the little actress Dakota Fanning. I do know a few boys named this, so it could go either way for me. It not my favorite in your list.

Callie - this is my number one name for you. I think Calla, nn Callie is best.
Ellie Grace - I would pick Ella over Ellison.
Brenna - very similar to Sierra
Shayla - nmsaa
Delaney - I only know girls with this name, this would be my second choice

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2006
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 11:53am

Where I am, Dakota is equally split. I don't necessarily think boy or girl. I do prefer it for a girl.


I'm still stuck on the double letters in Garrett and Sierra's names, though. For that reason, I still prefer Brenna. I am usually very picky about siblings names not being too cutesy together. I've read the other posts and I disagree. I do not think Brenna is similar to Sierra. I think they compliment each other...


Dakota would also slide into your family nicely. It would be my second choice.


I also LOVE Cassidy or Cassie as opposed to Callie, in your case.


In general, I prefer strong, distinctive first names. Therefore, Ellie or Ellison nn Ellie doesn't really do it for me, esp. with Garrett and Sierra.


I'd eliminate Shayla for the use of S's on two siblings.


Delaney has fully made the crossover to girl name. I like the name. It is a good fit in your family. But, I'm stuck on the double letters...


Keep us posted,

Ginger

Ginger

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2003
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 12:10pm

I tend to think boy first on Dakota, but realize there are some girls

of your list, I like Delaney the best, think it fits really well with Garrett & Sierra (of course I'm a little biased because I have a granddaughter named Delaney

I do think Dakota would fit with those sibling names, though, too - either boy or girl

I also like Brenna and Shayla and both would fit style wise - I kind of like Shayna better than Shayla.

Callie and Ellie don't seem to fit as well

I have never known any boy named Delaney - I come across it as a surname occasionally.

good luck

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 1:00pm

I have to agree with Annie. Unless you are a member of the Dakota tribe, it's an odd, pointless choice (pointless meaning you have no actual reason to choose it other than it's trendy -- think Cheyenne -- and sounds "cute" to you).

Thoughts on the others on your list:

Callie -- adorable as a nn, but I'd give her a formal name option as well. Calla, Callista, etc.

Ellie Grace -- If you use Ellison, Ella, Eliana or one of the dozens of other names people are using to get the ultra-popular nn Ellie, it's fine (assuming you're comfortable with the popularity, of course). Keep in mind that Grace is also an extremely common filler mn, so she will meet many others with the same ENTIRE name

Brenna -- this works well with your other kids' names. I like the double letters

Shayla -- I agree with Annie. I like Shea, possibly as a mn, but Shayla is a bit "cutesy" for an adult

Delaney - it technically is a unisex name, but I've only ever heard this one on girls. You seem to like nns, so Delaney, nn Laney, would be a great option for you

HTH

~Kelli


Powered by CGISpy.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2001
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 1:07pm
I might be unsure, but only b/c I've heard it used for both sexes. I'm not a fan of boys' names that end in "a" or the "a- sound". I honestly don't really like it for either sex...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket 
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2006
Thu, 10-12-2006 - 1:09pm

I love Ellie!!! It's currently in my top 2!

But also love Dakota for a girl & I would always think female version when I hear it

edd 11/30/06
xo