help a writer out - female protagonist's name

[laminy.livejournal.com]

I'm starting a new piece of writing, and I'm stuck on figuring out my main character's name. Her name is fairly important to the story; she likes it, and it works well for her when she's younger, but when she gets to around 30, and begins a new position, she has to start going by her middle name, Gloria, in all professional settings.

The requirements are that it is young-sounding, doesn't age well, and is perhaps unprofessional, but it's not 'weird' or unique. It's just an average name that a Canadian girl born in the late '80s/early '90s would have. If it matters, she has an older sister named Jordan, and a brother that goes by Chuck.

I can't decide, so which of these names do you think works best and meets those requirements?

+ Cassidy
+ Kirby
+ Carly
+ Kirsten

EDIT: I think that, for the moment at least, I've decided to start writing with her as a Carly. I know a Carly I don't like, but I think it's suits what I want to do with her. Thanks for all the help/suggestions!

Comments

[dustthouart.livejournal.com]

I don't think Kirsten sounds unprofessional, so I'd rule that one out. Kirby is the fluffy Nintendo character to me. So that leaves Carly and Cassidy.

Canada (as a whole) doesn't collect/release statistics on baby names, but individual provinces sometimes do, to varying degrees (some release all names, even those only given to one baby, like Alberta, and I think Quebec only releases the top 100, etc).

On Baby Name Wizard, their stats for the US show both Cassidy and Carly peaking in the 90s. Canada is usually not that different from the US so I'd expect similar stats there. I think either one would work.

Cassidy doesn't sound so much "young" to me as unconventional. Depending on the line of work, that could still be a flaw. Gloria Smith still probably sounds like a more respectable person to have as your lawyer or accountant than Cassidy Smith.

Here are some suggestions for other names that might fit your criteria:
Tiffany
Brandy/Brandi
Mikayla (or any of the dozens of spellings of same)
Destiny

[laminy.livejournal.com]

I definitely looked at Michaela (man, I had a tough time spelling that, lol). It's really trendy, but I think that that original spelling isn't bad enough that my character would want to change it.

Your use of Gloria Smith just made me remember I still need to come up with a last name for her, even though I won't be using it much.

[being-lola-star.livejournal.com]

I have to laugh at this because I actually have a cousin named Cassidy Smith. She's a sweet heart but I would want a 13 year old managing my money...

If the OP was looking for a unisex name to match with Jordan, Cassidy works for that as well, at least in my opinion. And I agree on it being a reasonable name but Gloria being a more professional option. Carly works for that as well but I think Cassidy flows better.