Princess Leia

Sarah’s due in 12 days and she needs our assistance quick.

I’m expecting my first, a little girl, July 18th. Naming her is proving to be the most difficult part of this pregnancy. I keep waiting to hear “the one”, to fall in love, but so far no luck.

He’s a Star Wars fan, and adores the name Leia. My first reaction was “absolutely not, she’ll get teased forever.” But over time the name really grew on me. I also want him to feel involved in choosing a name for his daughter. So now my biggest concern is that people will always mispronounce it as Leah (lee-a vs. lay-a). He also likes the names Jade and Ivy. I much prefer Ivy to Jade.

No relatives I would like to use as a namesake. Name meaning isn’t essential. Popularity isn’t a deal breaker, but we both prefer a more unique name (our names were top 5 in 80-81, we’re hoping she’ll avoid being one of many in her classes). However, I don’t want a creeatyve name either. I’d love to find something that can be shortened into a nickname, but that’s not essential.

I was wondering if I gave you a list of names I’m currently considering if you could give me some guidance, or a kick in the butt?

Alice (still in the running, I like the nickname Allie, but he says no to Allison)

Avery (I still love  despite the rise in popularity and unisex-ness… is that a word??)

Claire (seems too simple as a first name)

Cassidy (vetoed off list)

Colette

Elise (prefer as a middle name)

Indigo

Jacinda

Juliet (only like it as a middle name, seems plain as a first name)

Maya (still fantasizing about using this name, even if it sounds silly with my last name)

Naomi (vetoed, he said it spells “I Moan” backwards)

Natalie (vetoed off list)

Olivia (I still like this name, I told him he can use Ivy as a nick name…it’s a stretch)

Scarlett

Sienna

Stella (prefer to Sienna)

Sydney

Teagan (concerned about being teased)

Vera

Zoe (I love that it means “life” but I’m still concerned that it won’t age well. I go back and forth a lot but as of today I prefer Zoe to Chloe)

Congratulations Sarah!  We’re so excited for you.

I admire your quest to come to a consensus and sympathize with how hard that is.

Any names that Dad has “vetoed” should be out.  There’s little point in twisting his arm since you are not in love with any one name.

Conversely, has he sat down with your list and tried to embrace any of the ones you love?  He may have some more preferences there.

Even if he isn’t giving you many options, Dad has some great names on his list.  Ivy in particular would suit anybody well.  It has a sassy quality of some of the names on your list like Colette, Indigo, Stella and Zoe, but it’s a name you both like and you might have a winner there.  Maya seems much too close to Myers.  Leia is really beautiful, BUT– and this is a big but– she will never be able to get away from the Star Wars connection.  I know.  I was hearing “Luc, I am your father” through both of my pregnancies.  We have two girls, so it did not become an issue.  :-)

The reason he likes Leia is probably only due to Star Wars, but perhaps he could be persuaded by a similar name whose connotations don’t loom so large?  Have you tried Leila, Lila, or Lilia?

It does seem “fair” that you would choose one name from his list and one from yours for this baby’s name.  Here is a list of combinations that really work.  Stella is a great name but it’s not on here because paired with Jade or Ivy it becomes too “nouny”, and with Leia it’s much too star filled and isn’t the best flow. Rhythm, style, and popularity were reasons for ousting the others.  Jade is particularly difficult to pair.  I love it with Vera and possibly Alice because their images balance one another. Favorites are starred.

1.) Ivy Claire*

2.) Ivy Elise*

3.) Ivy Juliet*

4.) Colette Leia*

5.) Colette Ivy*

6.) Scarlett Leia

7.) Indigo Leia

8.) Vera Jade*

9.) Alice Leia*

10.) Indigo Ivy*

11.) Alice Ivy*

12.) Jacinda Ivy*

13.) Ivy Leia

14.) Alice Jade

15.) Avery Leia

16.) Teagan Leia (Does anyone think this will get teased?  I don’t, but maybe I’m naive.)

Of course I would love to see you find a name that you both fall in love with.  Anything here?  I’m sure our readers have other ideas too!

Ada, Anya, Delia, Elodie, Esme, Eve, Fiona, Genevieve, Isla, Jane, Leila, Lila, Lilia, Maeve, Phoebe Sasha, Talia, Thora, Willa, Willow

I hope this has been helpful Sarah and we look forward to hearing both your thoughts.