Terri is expecting her first girl imminently and searching for the perfect name.
Terri writes: "I’ve noticed I like names that end in vowels but it’s not a main stipulation. I do love names with bohemian/artsy flair. My husband would love a stronger sounding or a name with a strong meaning (you can see we're probably different in names we like). If it’s a long name, I would want a nickname.
Names we like:
Sage (one-syllable first names ok with one-syllable last names?)
Margot
Emerald or Emerie (husbands first name is similar sounding)
Roma (potential negative reaction due to gypsy people?)
Marina (is it too Spanish with last name? Though my daughter will be half Spanish)
Adelaide (I like, husband is skeptical. I love a name we can nickname “Della” or “Ada”)
Lana (love but friends daughters name can’t use)
Trendy names we like but the fact it’s super popular makes me concerned:
Eva, Elena (cousins name can’t use ), Zoe, Emilia
Names we don’t like:
Super popular (top 50 US)
Ariella and Arianna sounding (a lot of names the end in -Anna or -Ella are a no go for me- it feels too girly)
Brooklyn, Harper, Piper
Consonant heavy names
Juniper
Indigo"
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I think you have a fantastic list to go on -- so many great choices. In answer to your questions, I think a one-syllable first is just fine with a one-syllable last name. It totally works for Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks. Marina is beautiful -- I don't see it as too Spanish, in fact, I mostly think of Princess Marina of Greece. It's sweetly pan-European. Roma is a great name and I don't think of Romany when I hear it -- not that that is a slur anyhow -- but of Rome.
Aderyn – With the potential nickname of Ada, Aderyn is a sweet Welsh name meaning "bird".
Alma – With several meanings in different languages, Alma means "nourishing" in Latin, "young woman" in Hebrew and "soul" in Spanish. It ranks in the top 20 across Europe including Spain, Germany, Sweden and Denmark.
April – With a great Bohemian feel, April is the month of new life and regeneration.
Briar – A nature-inspired, strong but feminine name used to refer to wild rose bushes.
Cleo – Striking but familiar, Cleo is a daring darling with a 1920s vibe and is a great alternative to Zoe.
Delta / Delphi – As Della was a potential nickname you like, nature-inspired Delta was originally the fourth letter in the Greek alphabet (appropriate for a baby born in the fourth month of the year!) but is also associated with rivers. Delphi, alternatively, meaning "dolphin" is taken from the mystical Ancient Greek site which was considered by the ancient to be the centre of the world.
Eden – Eden, meaning "paradise" in Hebrew, is feminine but not frilly, familiar but not too popular.
Ember – A fiery name which is similar to Emerald and Emerie on your list, yet retains a Boho style.
Esme – Meaning essentially "beloved", Esme is a sweet gem with plenty of sass.
Fia – An alternative to trendy Mia, Fia is an Irish gem meaning both "deer" and "wild" -- gentle and bold in one.
Freya – The Norse goddess of love is super popular over here but ranks at #200 in the US. It's profile is rising, however, making it a perfect "fashionable but not too common" choice.
Gemma – An Italian name meaning "gem stone" (a great alternative to Emerald) and linked to James. Like Freya its a familiar staple over here but is starting to rise in America and is currently #198.
Haven – A bohemianesque name with a pleasing modern sound.
Maeva – A great alternative to Irish Maeve, Maeva means "welcome" in Tahitian and is currently popular in France.
Olive – A great nature name very much like Sage on your list.
Romilly / Romola – If Roma doesn't sit right, how about the longer forms Romilly or Romola?
Selah – A Hebrew musical term giving this sleek name an ethereal vibe.
Willa – A chic little name with plenty of punch. It only ranks at #354 in the US but is super stylish.
Zara - An ancient Persian name meaning "bright, shining," which is royal and classy.
Good luck with settling on the perfect name for your new family addition.
