Finally!

[blueorange94.livejournal.com]

I'm due with son #2 any day now (I'm 39 weeks tomorrow), and we finally have figured out what to name him.

With our first son, Henry, we really wanted to ensure his middle name honored one of his grandparents. We went with Leonard, the anglicized version of my maternal grandfather's name, Léandre.

Well, once we found out this one was another boy, our options became limited. No Florilda or Euphemia (my side, thank god), but no Grace or Marion either (I'm still a little disappointed, TBH). My husband's brother's middle name is that of their paternal grandfather (Roger), and since my other grandfather's name rhymes with our last name, that was no-go too.

The problem left to us was that there was some confusion about my husband's maternal grandfather's name. My MIL thought it was Melbourne, but my genealogical research only gave one result, from a 1921 census, that matched other family information, indicating the name was Melville. Well, who am I to argue with my MIL about what her father's name was? So I enlisted the help of a friend of mine who has begun a genealogical research business, and within a few days she found said grandfather's birth record.

So, our little boy, whenever he arrives, will be named George Melville [old farmer from a kids' song]. We've been calling him George for months now, and though we feel a little bad jumping on the Will/Kate bandwagon, at least everyone will know how to spell his name. And I can still pronounce it in French if I want to. :D

Hypothetical Girl List should I need it.

[ladydreamfire.livejournal.com]

I'm not pregnant. We were certain we were done, now we're seriously considering having another child. My husband said I have sole decision in the naming, which sent my heart a flutter with the revival of a couple of much beloved boys names he had previously vetoed in the past. However, I can't hem and haw with him either, but hey, that's what these name groups are for right? To recap I have one teenaged boy (just turned 13 :-0 ) named Aidan from a previous relationship, and 3 girls with my husband: Ava, Mia & Gemma.

I am sure I would name a son: Tristan Ambrose Galahad. Galahad was the purest, most honest and true of all the knights but I didn't want it as a first name. Tristan I've loved the longest and was sad when my husband said it was "Too King Arthur" and Ambrose was a fairly new but equally passionate name love of mine. When I say new I mean in the last couple of years. If Gemma was a boy I wanted Ambrose but my husband vetoed.



Girls however are much harder. I've stuck to Italian/Latin names for all 3 girls. I also love some French and Greek. Should I stick with Italian names? Should I break free of the mold? I don't know.



For Italian/Latin options:

Roma Aubrielle (incogneato I still remember your username simply over this one name combo!)

Lucia Celeste-I love how this means "Light of the Heavens" more or less.

Stella Anneliese - I'd venture to say that I like Anneliese as a name more but I also love how Stella feels a bit like a posh/vintage mix.

Dulcibella (no set middle name as of yet)-Nameberry found this and placed it on a list of underused international names. I do love it, it's a mouthful of romantic Italian-y goodness. The biggest pro AND con is that it's a mix of two of the middle names used on my daughters. Dulcea and Isobel. I would have happily used both of these as first names when they were born, but only so many children for so many names, you know? I would love the opportunity to have a little Dulcie or Bella! I would have to train myself not to call the others by their full names so much though and that's tall order for me.

Others in this line but more suited towards middles: Illeana Illaria Adrina



French:

Genevieve-One of my top contenders. I've loved this name since my teenage years. I have so many middle name options, both single and double middles that it's ridiculous.

Esme Adora-One who is esteemed and beloved

Aubrey Josephine- This is another name I've really liked since my teenage years (the song by Bread is one of my favorites ever in existence!) and it's always felt romantic and elusive. I had a friend who used this on her daughter (she called dibs while we were young) but we're not as close anymore and we don't associate outside of facebook.

Fleur-I still love Fleur. I think it's biggest offense (if you can call it that) is that it's one syllable. It's so short. I love over the top romantic, long syllables and if it fails in the first I would probably use two middle names to make up for it.


Greek:

Effie-Love this. I knew someone who went by Effie (after a comic strip character Effie Broadfoot) although her actual name was Edna. I also know the pop culture references of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Hunger Games. I love it anyway. I just struggle with the idea of using it on it's own without a proper name. Persephone, Euphemia, Stephanie are not even a remote consideration. Maybe Josephine, but I don't love the name even half as much without the nickname you know? Josephine is gorgeous but I've never really considered it beyond the middle position. I'm In any case I would like ideas for middles for both Josephine as a proper and Effie in case I decide to use it in it's short form.

Sophia/Sophie: I like Sophie better than Sophia. It's cute but even though it's the French version it sounds like a little girls name. I know how popular it is (how could I not?!) but I don't mind that. I just don't know if it's my best option. It's popularity actually works in it's favor since Sophia has such a cross over in countries that it would still sound right at home with my other girls names. I'm not sure if I'm looking to be sold, or if somebody has a new combination that makes me fall head over heels.

Illyria-Apparently this is like a location name in Greek, or used to be? Not sure, but I love it. It's almost musical to me. It's really a middle name option.


My other list:

Anneliese as a first name
Rosamund (I love a lot of similar variations such as Rosalind, Rosalie, Rosamel) not sure if I want one of these variations as a first name or as a middle but am open to possibilities.
Elsa-I really like this name but it fades in and out of favor a lot.
Suntine-As a middle name option. I saw it in her husband's obituary. I can't find anything on this name, but they both had Italian last names and were in their 70's or 80's. I've always wanted to use it!

It's a work in progress as you can see. Just trying to bounce ideas around, get feedback,suggestions and maybe new inspiration.