Hi-
We are expecting a baby girl late May/early June and are having so much trouble deciding on a name. She has two brothers, Carter Justin and Holden Everett. Our last name rhymes with cow but starts with the S sound. As you can tell by our sons’ names, we like uncommon names that are somewhat familiar as surnames with simple spelling. We may or may not have a fourth child.
For our baby, I prefer a three syllable name with a single syllable middle name but hubby likes a two-syllable first name. It can’t end with an S sound because then the first-last name will not flow well. We would like something feminine and preferably not unisex. Names we’ve considered so far are Alaina (because I love the nn Lainie), Cassidy and Delia. Hubby doesn’t like Alaina because it sounds too Eastern European and there are too many different ways to spell this name. The other two names don’t quite feel right. I also like Sydney but will probably rule it out because it’s unisex. Other names I like but are too unconventional for the hubby are Everly, Avalon, Aria.
Any suggestions you have would be very much appreciated!
Thank you!
A&A
Because you like Alaina/Lainie and Delia, I suggest Delaney. Three syllables, doesn’t end with S. Currently used almost exclusively for girls in the United States: the Social Security Administration reports 1,220 new baby girls and 8 new baby boys given the name in 2014. It’s a surname name like Carter and Holden. You’d still have the nickname Lainie, or Del if you prefer.
Name update!
Thank you so much for your input. Hubby and I decided we wanted her nn to be Ellie so it was down to Eleanor versus Elena. I feel like Eleanor is very classy so we ended up with Eleanor Rose.
I think Delaney’s a great solution. But other names that remind me of Delia are Adelia, Adele, and Cordelia. Or how about Cassandra instead of Cassidy?
Lucinda and Clarissa have similar sounds (d,l,s,c) to your listed names.
However, as a sibset, I think Delaney is perfect!
best wishes
I love the idea of Lainie….in addition to Delaney, there’s also Helena. I also think Laney works on its own.
I agree Helena is a great choice.
I also thought of Celia. It may be a lot of S
– sound with Your last name, but If you don’t mind the alliteration, and it seems like a good balance between Cassidy and Delia.
I was thinking of Delaney too. My daughter has a name in the Alaina family and it is hard to spell. Beautiful name with great nicknames though.
Alaina sounds beautiful and you’ll be surprise with how many times you’ll have to spell a well known name. If you still not convince Delaney is a great suggestion and I really like Alana.
Carter Justin and Holden Everett
two/three syllable name with a single syllable middle name
Amelia (Ames, Emmie, Mia, Lia, Melly) Wren
Bronwen Tate
Delia Shea
Eloise (Ellie, Lolo) Ruth
Fallon Rose
Ginevra ( Ginny, Evie, Nev) Maeve
Guinevere Fay
Ilana Pearl
Juniper Mae
Layla Eve
Malinda Greer
Naomi Hope
Oriana Grace
Phoebe Jade
Priscilla Jane
Rowena Claire
Roberta Bay
Tabitha Bliss
Tierney Dawn
Vanessa Joy
Valerie Skey
I think Delaney is perfect, and I personally know a Delaney who goes by Daney (rhymes with Lainie).
Hhhhhm, I think I might be missing something – rhymes with cow and starts with s as in s.o.w? As in a female pig? If so I would steer away from the initial A. Or maybe I have it wrong since no-one else has mentioned??
I love Cassidy.
There may be more letters between the S and the “ow” sounding ending. ;)
How about Lorraine or Marlene/a to get to Lainie? You get extra nicknames into the bargain (Raine, Marly/ow). Or for (quite) a bit more of a stretch, Luella Jane, Elowen Ada, Evelyn May or Lorelei Nina- most of the sounds are there somewhere!
I agree that Delaney is a great option. If your husband wants a 2-syllable name, how about Elaine?
If two-syllable names are in play, how about straight-up Elaine? It is a beautiful name. There were actually about three Delaneys for each Elaine born in 2014!
I really like the suggestion of Delaney. It sounds great with Carter Justin and Holden Everett and you can still use Laney as a nickname. One syllable middle names options for Delaney: Claire, June, Rose
Based on your list, here are some other suggestions:
3-Syllables–
Adelaide (nickname Addy, Della, Lala)
Aurora (nickname Rory)
Beatrix (nickname Bea or Trixie)
Juliet
Matilda (nickname Tilly)
Eleanor (nickname Ellie)
2-Syllables–
Lola
Elyse
Lily
Phoebe
Sadie
Violet
I love seeing my name recommended in the comments! I pronounce it “ha-LAY-na” and could have been Lainie but another kid in grammar school beat me to it. I was Lena (“LAY-na”) for a little while.
I like my name now, but if your husband is against names that are frequently mispronounced or misspelled, it may not be the name for you. I have to listen for “ha-LEE-na” and “HELEN-a” when I’m waiting for my name to be called in a waiting room (a skill easily learned, though) and correct a lot of Halena and other things.
Alaina and Laney remind me of Ainsley.
Carter, Holden and Ainsley. Nice!
All the best!
Hello
I have a 2 month old called alaina, nn lainey
We are Irish /French couple and the name reflects this
So far so good with spelling and pronunciation- I live in France where they are normally very bad with Misspelling and pronunciation. but it seems the Alaina just works for most people.
Funnily my husband was all for lainey before she was born but now prefers alaina as we have had so many nice comments on the full name.
Awww, congrats! That is a great name :)