Name for a Character

[how-obscure.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I woke up from a dream this morning that left me contemplating an idea for a story, which will probably be started but never completed because that's how I roll, but I'm going to try anyway, and I need a name for a character.

I want a name that is aristocratic and formal. Bonus points if it is unusual. Bonus bonus points if it has a far more pedestrian nickname that the younger of the two brothers can call his baby sister while the rest of the family cringes.

One of the names that I think would fit fairly well is Cordelia. I like the idea of Cora as a nickname, even though I would not consider it pedestrian. But here's the rub: it's on my list, the character is doomed to die, and I'm just superstitious enough that I wouldn't use a name on any potential future child of mine of a character that dies in one of my stories, even if that character ends up being the greatest character in all of fanfiction literature. So Cordelia is out because I love it way too much.

I'm considering Lavinia. It's technically on my list but has never, ever been a top name for me, so it wouldn't be disastrous to "lose" it. It fits in with the family, I think, and the pet name could be Vinnie.

The other name I came up with while pondering this is Gwendolen. I don't think it vibes right, but I am kind of in love with the brother calling his little sister Dolly.

Then, I did a quick search for aristocratic names. Here are some of the ones that caught my eye:
Octavia is the right kind of name, but it sounds too stern to me, and it doesn't nick well.

Theodora isn't eccentric enough...or something. (Same goes for Thomasina.) Plus, I would have to decide between Ted/Teddy and Dora.

Georgiana is too classic maybe. Again, the nickname George/Georgie would work though.

TL;DR: Give me names that are like Cordelia, Lavinia, and Octavia.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/___heyvanity/]

Cora doesn't feel "pedestrian" enough as a nn for me. I think Cora still sounds pretty "prim and proper." My fav from your list is Theodora nn Teddy. I would pick Teddy for your purpose any day over Dora.

My suggestions:

Dorothea > Dotty
Wilhelmina > Will or Willa
Francesca > Fanny or Fran
Evangeline > Evie
Odette > Ettie
Magnolia > Maggie
Eugenia > Genie
Ginevra > Ginny
Rosemary > Romy
Rosalind > Lin
Leonora > Leo or Lena
Emmeline > Emmie
Victoria > Tori
Johanna > Jo
Christabel > Chrissy or Chrissie
Shoshannah > Shosh, Shoshi, Shani, Shana
Magdalena > Lena

[chillinbabejodi.livejournal.com]

Corey is perhaps more "pedestrian" than Cora? That nickname could also be achieved by Courtney/Corinna/Coralie/Caroline.

Adelaide Addie/Lady/Del/Lay
Helena Lenny/Nena/Ellie
Augusta Augie/Gus/Star
Beatrice Bee (which in my experience leads to the nn bumble) Trixy/Baby
Cecilia Cec/Silly/Cici
Frederica Freddie/Rico/Ricky
Margaret Maggie/Maisie/Missy/Daisy/Peggy
Matilda Mattie/Tilly
Evangeline Evie/Angie/Angel
Clementine Clemmy/Lemon/Tiny
Primrose Prim/Rosie/Posey/Poe
Josephine Posey/Josie/Jojo/Seth
Antoinette Nettie/Annie/Tony
Dorothy Dotty/Dory/Dora
Henrietta Hal? Ettie/Honey

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I would add
Guenevere (Guen, Guenny, Wynn or Winnie)
Bethany (Beth, Bethy)
Angelina (Angie)
Seraphina

Lavinia fits your description perfectly though. I think that might be the one. Not sure the direction of your character's death, but in Season 2 of Downton Abbey, a Lavinia dies.

[sans-patrie.livejournal.com]

My daughter's name is Theodora. Her brother calls her "Baby Teddy" for now and I plan to call her Theo when she gets a little older.

I think Georgina is a great option.