Jodie is expecting her second child -- gender a surprise -- a sibling for her son, Caspar.
Jodie writes: "I would say our requirement is 'unusual but not made up'. Nothing too girly or flowery for a girl and none of the common traditional names for boys. We do like a Scottish influence but not Gaelic.
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First off, I'll say you have a very strong list. Romilly is a great fit with Caspar. It's uncommon, but easily accessible: not hard to spell or difficult to pronounce.
Is Anais terrible if pronounced Annay? In short, no, not terrible -- just expect to keep trotting out a brief explanatory line. The perfume Anais Anais came to Britain in 1976. Though only separated by the Channel, we weren't especially au fait with French pronunciation back then, so the perfume became pronounced Anay Anay in many parts of Britain, from the reasonable presumption that -ais is pronounced 'ay' in France. This of course was ignoring the diacritic dots of the 'i' in Anaïs making it properly An-eye-ees. This presents an issue with the name Anaïs in Britain. Some will automatically say Anay and think of the perfume (I know a little girl named Star-Anais which is pronounced Anay). Others -- now more knowledgeable of French names, especially as the world becomes more multicultural -- will automatically use the French pronunciation. However, lots of names sometimes require explanation (you honestly wouldn't believe how many Brits struggle with the 'traditional' British name Eleanor) so it doesn't need to be a barrier. Just be prepared for both pronunciations.
Elias – Just like Caspar is a variant of the Biblical Gaspar (Jasper) -- one of the three wise men of the Nativity -- Elias is the sleek Greek form of Biblical Elijah. Also like Caspar, Elias is fashionable and stylish, but sits outside of the top 100.
Fraser – Tailored Fraser is a perfect example of a name that is "Scottish but not Gaelic." Hailing from the notable Scottish clan, accessible Fraser ranks fashionably at #73 in native Scotland but is only #246 in England and Wales.
Jonah – Both Biblical Jonah and Latin Jonas have plenty of style and substance. They are the type of names that everyone knows, but few answer to it (#159 and #469 respectively).
Lachlan – A traditional Scottish name meaning "a loch-lander" i.e. "a Scandinavian." It has been used from an early date in Scotland and many medieval clan chiefs had Lachlan as a given name. Today this Viking-inspired name has plenty of modern appeal and is much like Roman and Stellan on your list.
Levi – A cool and stylish name which is well-known but remarkably underused at #148.
Magnus – A strong and stately Roman names -- literally meaning "great" which has been used for a millennia in Scandinavia, and from there migrated to Scotland. At #397 in England and Wales (#136 in Scotland), it is uncommon but very familiar; historic and with ample Scottish heritage.
Maxwell – Another gentlemanly name that boasts Scottish heritage is affable Maxwell. It's universally know, but has surprisingly never cracked the top 100.
Murray – Derived from Moray in Scotland, friendly Murray is seeing a revival in native Scotland (ranking #75 in 2017) yet remains rare elsewhere.
Rafe – With Rufus and Rafferty on your list, Rafe seems worth a look. The phonetic spelling of the once southern pronunciation of historic Ralph, Rafe has plenty of charm and style. Rafe could also be used as a nickname for Rafferty.
Rex – Sporting the same stylish -x as Felix and Xander, Rex is a Latin name meaning "king," but is also a Saxon surname meaning "dweller by the rushes." In the 19th century, Rex was commonly used as a nickname for Reginald such as British Hollywood actor, Sir Reginald "Rex" Harrison.I
Sullivan – A cool Gaelic surname-turned-first name which brings to mind the Suilven mountains in Scotland. It ranks at #498 so is not too hot, or too cold.
Tristan – A heroic and ancient name which dates right back to the Picts of Scotland. Like Caspar, Tristan is handsome and familiar but underused at #173.
Athena – Feminine without being frilly, Athena is the striking name of the Greek goddess of both wisdom, courage, good advice, war and heroism. This woman had it all: brains, beauty, courage and a determined will not to be messed with. A stronger female namesake is hard to come-by! Athena currently ranks at #245 and is steadily rising, making it a hip, up-and-coming choice.
Bellamy – Between Romilly and Everly on your list is sweet Bellamy, derived from the French phrase belle amie "good friend."
In a similar vein is Waverley which has plenty of Scottish heritage thanks to Sir Walter Scott's novel Waverley (1814). The novel was such a success, especially for Scotland which got a major image overhaul (it literally revived the use of tartan and kilts), that there are several landmarks in Scotland named Waverley.
Lara – From ancient Roman mythology (who boasts a nymph named Lara) to the Russian heroine of Boris Pasternak's novel Doctor Zhivago (1957), Lara is a stylish name that always feels effortlessly elegant. In a similar vein is punchy Zara, royally endorsed, and based on the Arabic zahrah "blooming flower."
Lyra – Taken straight from the heavens, musical Lyra is a striking and fashion-forward name at #183.
Marsaili – Scottish-but-not-Gaelic, Marsaili is a sweet Scottish heritage choice which isn't too much for English natives to get their heads around.
Mirren – Both Mirren and Merren are Scottish forms of Miriam which feel fresh and modern. Mirren has spent many years in the Scottish top 100 in recent years, but it is rare elsewhere in Britain.
Honouring Anne:
Anae – Many French parenting sites list the name Anaé or Anae. The meaning given is that, like Anne, Anaé derives from Hannah. According to this French song, Anae is pronounced Annay -- just the way you prefer Anais! This for me would make a perfect solution: a genuine (if rare) French name derived from Anne, pronounced Annay, which would easily be pronounced as such in Britain. It has, after all, the same spelling as Mae, Maeve, Shae and Rae etc.
[On a side note: current etymological theory maintains that Anais is not derived from Anne (the -s ending is very irregular) and that it is in fact derived from the Greek Anaitis. This does not means that Anais does not work as a way of honouring Anne -- far from it! -- but it is worth being aware of.]
Annabel – Scottish in origin, Annabel was created as a variant of Amabel (from the Latin amabilis "loveable"). Although not etymologically related to Anne, it has long been connected thanks to its being considered a blend of Anna and Belle.
Anneliese – In Germany, Anne was combined with Liese (Elisabeth) to create the lyrical Anneliese. In Britain, it is more commonly found in the simplified Anglicised spelling Annalise (#560).
Anya – Also spelled Ania, Anya is a stylish diminutive of Anne/Anna, traditional in Eastern Europe. At #223, it is familiar and fashionable without being overused.
Anne is the English form of Hannah, a Biblical name meaning "grace." Another way to honour your mother Anne would be to use a name with the same meaning of "grace":
Amara – An Igbo (Western African) name which means "grace". It also an Arabic name which means "sweetheart". Amara ranks at #212 and is on a fashionable rise.
Charis – Pronounced the same as the Welsh Carys, classical Charis means "grace" in Greek and has been used as a name in Britain since the 16th century. The plural form Charites was the Greek name for "the Graces" -- ancient goddesses of grace, beauty, joy, festivity, dance and song.
Thalia – The three Graces (Charites) were named Aglaia ("beauty"), Euphrosyne ("joy") and Thalia ("festivity"). Of these, it is Thalia that remains a sleek and stylish. Thalia ranks #701, though spelling Talia (which is both the Italian/Spanish spelling of Thalia and a Hebrew name meaning "dew of God") ranks at #281.
I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.
