Nana writes:
Have you ever had a Nana write to you? I am going to have a granddaughter on September 9. My daughter and son-in-law just can’t come to an agreement on a name. They have a two year old son and found a name they both loved right away. His name is Camden James. Naming a child is such an big decision, so it’s important that they find a name that they both LOVE with neither having to compromise. Jessica, my daughter likes the newer, trendier names. This is her list: Emerson, Ellery, Zoe, Elizabeth, Sophia, Sadie, and Ava. Justin likes familiar, non-“made-up” names: Abigail, Ashley, Leah, Sydney and Natalie.
Originally, they both liked Natalie but Jessica is not so keen on it anymore. Also, they don’t want the nickname of gnat, and with a 3 syllable name, it’s inevitable that the child have some sort of nickname. (I suggested Talie but it was nixed) Justin’s favorite is Abigail…but it’s off Jessica’s radar. She thought he’d like Elizabeth…more traditional…but “no” was his answer.
(I personally like Sydney, Elizabeth and Natalie but a Nana can only express that opinion once.)
Jessica was ok with Ashley (with hopes that no one would call her Ash) but her cousin just named her daughter Ashlyn two weeks ago! (we are a close family) That takes the specialness out of it. I should also mention that R names are out as their last name is Ronderger.
So, Great Swistle, Jessica and Justin hope that you and your court (faithful followers with wise suggestions) can think of the perfect name for “Little Miss No Name” so that my dear granddaughter won’t have to be raised in the hospital until she is old enough to choose her own name! (I’ve heard that mom can’t leave until baby is named)
I’m so happy you’re there for us!
Here’s how I made my list: I took the names that would have been familiar to me back when I was in high school, and then I sifted through for ones that didn’t make me groan, “Oh, not THAT name AGAIN!”
Audrey
Bethany
Bridget
Brynna
Claire
Claudia
Elise
Emily
Holly
Jillian
Jocelyn
Laurel
Lindsay
Melanie
Meredith
Molly
Noelle
Sabrina
Sarah
Victoria
The trouble is, this list is likely to please Justin and not Jessica: someone who likes newer names (I would suggest Avaleigh and Brinley) is going to find the above list PRETTY DULL. Perhaps the first name could be something familiar and older, and the middle name could be something less familiar and newer? Molly Emerson Ronderger would be cute.
Can anyone help here? Familiar names that are more FUN, perhaps?
Name update 09-10-2009! Nana writes:
Baby Girl Ronderger arrived today! She has a name….AND….I’m very excited to say that Jessica and Justin picked her name from one of YOUR suggestions….faithful Swistle followers!!!!
The Naming Winner is Tracynicole22 !!!
Addison Grace Ronderger is 6lbs, 12 oz, 17 ½ inches long is lovely (she and mommy are healthy, too) and looks quite like her big two year old brother, Camden.
So THANK YOU to ALL who gave those wonderful suggestions. This has been so much fun!
Nana
What about Sarah with a nickname Sadie?
Or Eliza as a variant to the suggested Elizabeth?
Ainsley? Seems similar to Ashley but newer.
what about Avery or Ainsley? Avery kinda sounds like Ellery but isn’t so new and Ainsley is timeless but has a different feel to it.
Nana, please write back and tell us what they decide please!
I would like to add Emelyn to that list.
It is a old family name in the family of a friend of mine. An “n” could be added, if they like the look of Emelynn.
It’s got the familiarity of Emily, Emma, etc. and everyone can pronounce it, so Justin may like it. It’s also got a classic sound, like Caroline/Carolyn/etc. and Caitlin/Katelyn/etc. And it’s NOT Emily, Emma, etc. or common at all (not in SSA top 1000 for past 50 years), so Jessica may like it. Plus cute nns like Em and Emy.
There’s my two cents. Can’t wait to hear what the new parents decide on!
I know dad already nixed Elisabeth but I really think they should put it back on the table (unless there’s an association issue with it) with newer nicknames… Eliza, Elsie, Else, Etty, Bette, Isa, etc.
Here’s what I came back to otherwise:
Helena
Hannah
Molly (could be short for Millicent or Mathilda)
Eleanor (nn Ellie?)
Lucille (Lucy)
June
Juliet
Lena
Mabel
Lorelei
Good luck to the couple!!
Exciting letters or unfamiliar sounds can make known names seem less dull. For instance, Veronica and Vanessa have a little more fun to them with the exotic V, as does Eliza (more spunk than Elizabeth) and Suzanna with the Zs in the middle.
What about Genevieve? Its so old and established but so COOL and Eva or Gena for nn a I love.
From swistles list I think Brynna, Audrey, and Sabrina have some classic but new feels. Also, in following swistles suggestions, what about Hailey, Eva, Phoebe, Tara, or Violet?
My first granddaughter was born on Sept. 9 too. Her name is Sarah — a classic name, which I see is among Swistle’s suggestions. I’ve always loved the name.
Sarah’s younger sisters are Catrina (called Catie/Cate), Emma, and Sophia (called both Sophie and Sophia). I recommend all of these too.
Another daughter and her husband had a difficult time finding a name they both loved, as with your daughter and her husband. He wanted a strong female name; she preferred something pretty and sweet. The name they finally chose is Miranda called Mira. I don’t know if they both loved the name equally when Miranda “Mira” was born 2 years ago, but they sure do now!
Alright, going to throw out my favs, and see if any stick –
Morgan
Paige
Cara
Jenna
Lauren
Kate
Namipedia lists real life sisters of boys named Camden:
Alana
Alexis
Aubrey
Avalon
Chloe
Jaelyn
Kierra
Kylie
Natalie
Natalie is written in larger letters, indicating more than one occurrence of sibs named Camden and Natalie.
Good suggestions, everyone. I looked at the name voyager for names that have been popular (like Justin’s list) but not exactly spiking (like Jessica’s list), names that are rising steadily or on the comeback, like:
Chloe
Gabriela
Claire
Amelia
Nora
Kendall
more fun/eye-catching?
Scarlet
Roxanne (oops, no R’s)
Penelope
Athena
Or try another tack – family name? maybe Justine? Jessa? Jessamon?
The name Cassidy popped into my head for this post and it seemed to me a great combo of their tastes. And how cute is Camden & Cassidy together! I’m going to second some other suggestions and add a couple too:
Ainsley
Ashby (close to Ashley but diff from Ashlyn)
Avery
Arden
Addison
Bethany
Brinley
Chloe
Claire
Cassidy
Delaney
Harper
Good Luck & keep us posted Nana!
Ooh I thought of another name. How about Shelby?
Would they prefer the nickname Nattie for Natalie? I taught a Natalie once, and she was Natalie to most everyone, but her big sis called her Nattie, and it was so very endearing.
Some other thoughts:
Nora(h)
Lydia
Alexandra – nn Lexie or Allie
Madeline – nn Maddie or Linny
Cora
What about Natalia? It’s a twist on Natalie and nickname could be Talia…
does Lucy work for either mom or dad? we have a Lucy and she is mostly called Lulu, cute I think
Trying to bridge the gap between familiar and fun:
Cora
Lila
Tess / Tessa (could be a nickname for Theresa)
Blair
Georgia
Adriana
Violet
Paige
Samara (close to Samantha, which Justin might like)
Edie / Evie
Jessamine
Fiona
Juliet
I hope a few of these appeal to both parents!
Malia with the nickname Lia (or another spelling Maleah/Leah). I love, love, love that name.
I’d echo the suggestion of Natalia, since they were both on board with Natalie at one point. Christina has a similar feel to me. Or they could go with something old-fashioned but short and spunky like Ivy.
Best of luck to them!
If they both liked Natalie before, how about Natalia? It’s along the same lines, but has a flare to it. And if they want a nickname they can start calling her Natty or Talia from the get-go, and not have it turn into “Gnat” (of course, the same thing could have been said about Natalie (Natty or Tally). :)
I second Lila!
Amelia is often shortened to Molly. Or you could shorten it to Lia. Amelia Grace sounds classic, but maybe not common.
Like some PPs, I think Natalie or Natalia with the nn Talia would be a lovely choice.
There’s also the name Zara. A classic name, a bit different, and the name of Princess Anne’s daughter.
What about Vivian nn Vivi or Viva?
How about Lorna? Seems like it could appeal to both tastes because it sounds similar to a familiar name–Laura–but is a little less traditional. Supposedly it’s also Scottish in origin, like Camden.
hehe I am going to name a lot of my cousins because I think some of their names would be pretty fitting here:)
How about:
Lynnea (I nice, old fashioned name that isn’t used very often…)
Bobbi
Paige
Alida
Lillian
Sabrina
Raisa
Claire
Robyn (Hi!)
Good luck:)
Of those I’ve seen, I love Bridget, Lila, and Juliet-both w/ Camden and Ronderger…
Vivian. Totally old-school familiar, not made-up, but fun and great nickname (Viv, Vivi).
Cecilie or Emilie?
Both sound old-fashioned, and have the -ie ending of Natalie.
Madeline? It has the same syllable sound as Natalie and is an undeniably beautiful and classic name.
Other ideas:
Lily
Isla
Cecilia
Mia
Ella
Isabel
How ’bout Eloise, or Heloise? You could call her Elle or Ellie?
What about Ella or Bella? They seem like a mix of the familiar and the trendy.
Other thoughts:
Taylor
Alyssa
Alexa, or Alexandra with a updated nickname like Lexi
Caitlin / Katelyn
Lily
Savannah (newer sounding, but very feminine and mellifluous, like some of Dad’s other picks)
How about Clea, Nevah, Brianne, Jana or Leah? Just some of my favorites…
Sophia and Zoe from the mom’s list are very respectable traditional names that I would think the dad would be okay with. Maybe revisit those?