We are having our second child this August, and decided not to find out the sex. We love our boy names, but we're having trouble coming up with girl names that we just love. We really want a name that is unique (and we live in Southern CA, so unique is well tolerated!), but not too weird. Here are the top choices and the problems associated with them. Comment on whichever you want, or all if you have the patience!!
Camelia--I think it's beautiful and unique, and the nickname Cami is cute, but is it too similar to Camille or Camila, both of which ARE popular right now? Our 2-year-old daughter's name ends with "a" as well--will this sound too similar?
Maisie, prounounced "Mazy"--we think this is cute and unique, but Macy is popular right now and we're not sure if it's too similar to that or will be pronounced like Macy. And what do you think of the name overall?
Fiore--it means flower in Italian, and she will be part Italian, but will people pronounce it "Fior" instead of "Fior-A"?
Mirabella, Mirabelle, Marabelle, Marabella--too fancy and frivolous? If not, which one?
Laney, Lainie, Lanie--I prefer the last spelling (Lanie), but people have said it will be pronounced Lonnie instead of Laney. I think this name is cute, but is it boring? My name is Melanie--is it too similar to that?
Calamia--a family name, and the nickname could be Callie or Mia. Does it sound too much like a last name, which it is? My mom said it would sometimes be pronounced "Cal-AM-ia" instead of "Cala-MEE-a"
Ravelle--the name of a famous composer (spelled Ravel, but would be mispronounced), and my mom's good friend from college who was smart, beautiful and talented. Do you like the name?
Calliope, pronounced "Call-I-opee"--nickname Callie. The transgender character in Middlesex, the book, was named this--do you think people will associate the name with this character? (we didn't get it from the book.)
Emory--too similar to Avery or Emerson or does it sound too trendy? Also, someone just pointed out that this sounds like an emery board you file your nails with...
Kalea or Kalaya--the "a" at the end is mainly the issue b/c our daughter's name ends in "a"
Camelia-- Very pretty, but very similar to Camila. I don't think it matters that both daughters' names end with the "a" sound as long as they don't rhyme or begin with the same sound.
Maisie, prounounced "Mazy"-- Yes, people will pronounce it "Macy." And if you correct them, they may not even notice the difference or think you're nitpicking.
Fiore-- I think people will pronounce it "Fior," but perhaps you could put an accent over the "e," exchange it with an "a," or just get used to correcting people.
Mirabella, Mirabelle, Marabelle, Marabella-- This would be up to you, a matter of preference.
Laney, Lainie, Lanie-- I don't think people would frequently mispronounce the the last spelling.
Calamia-- You'll probably have to correct people's pronunciation, but I think this is pretty and unique. Certainly you won't find many others who share the name. It doesn't sound like a last name to me.
Ravelle-- Not a fan. It strikes me as "ravel," like the verb. To ravel and to unravel.
Calliope, pronounced "Call-I-opee"-- I think this is a pretty name, but be careful. What if the book is read in high school, or a book club? How will your daughter feel? How will you handle this? Just be prepared, because kids can be cruel.
Emory-- Really pretty. I love this name.
Kalea or Kalaya-- Once again, I don't think it's a problem as long as your first daughter's name does not rhyme or begin with a K or C sound.
All your names are very interesting. Good luck! I hope you'll let us know what you pick!
I like Laney, Maisie, and Camelia. None of these I think are all that popular. A lot of the names you chose could easily be mis-pronounced, but in the end if you dont care your child will learn to correct their name (i always had to correct my last name in school and I just got used to it). I also wouldn't worry because your other daughters name ends in an "a". It will probably be viewed as cute if both your daughters names are like that. Congrats and good luck!
Camelia- Like. Camellia is how the flower is spelled, however.
Maisie, LOVE. Knew a little british girl named Maisy, and always loved her name.
Fiore- eh.... I think of the Compo de Fiori in Rome when I hear this, it's as famous as the spanish steps. It a big compo with shops, a market, bars, restaurants, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_de'_Fiori
Mirabella, Mirabelle, Marabelle, Marabella--
Laney, Lainie, Lanie-- This is one of my sister's nicknames. Elaine is her full name.
Calamia-
Ravelle--
Calliope, pronounced "Call-I-opee"--nickname Callie. Personally I think of the cartoon sheepdog and the oldest Muse (of epic poetry).
Emory-- This is the only one I really worry about. Since an Emery Board is the sandpaper board one uses to file fingernails down with. And the pronunciation is the same
Whoaaa...so many choices....well, since she'll be partly Italian (how great! -sorry, i little bit of patriotism here ;-) I can certainly help you with Italian names, here are my favourite:
Sofia
Giulia (Julia) - this is actually a Roman name
Silvia (my name) - also a Roman name
Flavia - you guessed it, Roman name!
Allegra - which actually means "happy" or "merry"
Martina - pron. "mar-teena", very cute
Here you have it...keep having fun and choose one that sounds well with her last name!
Go with Fiore, but spell it so it gets pronounced right. I did that with my daughter's first and middle names. Selana,with the first A being long, and Andraya,so that would get pronounced right,for Andrea. Since there are two ways of pronouncing Andrea. Andrea is also a boys name in Italian.So Andrea would be a good choice either way .
I love Maisey. As long as you spell phonetically and not visually, people will prounounce the names just fine, with the exception of Fiore. Unless someone knows to pronounce the "e" at the end (and how would most Americans) she'll be called Fiore for a split second until she corrects them. Then they'll get her name right. There's nothing wrong with that, either.
Both my sister and I have unusual first and middle names. Lots of explanations and corrections and mispronunciations, sure, but don't worry about it...lots of compliments too.
Go with your instincts.
please don't take anything I say to heart. just my opinion. it is no way meant to be rude even though I come out that way sometimes.
camellia sounds like a lizard but I love cami.
masie sounds old fashioned to me
fiore i think of the girl on shrek
mirabella to long
laney i dont like but I would like lansey. not common and more unique.
camilla don't paticualary like.but I like that spelling better than camellia.
ravelle what about changing this to the spelling and I don't know how to spell it the tune they play to get the troops up in the morning. revelee I think.
calliope sounds to me like a calidoscope. them things that make cool pictures when you turn them.
emory undecided on if i like that or not. what about emarld I like that.
kalea I can't decide on that one either. is this pronounced kaylee or kayleaha
I hope I didn't offend you with my answer. congratulations and you will pick the perfect name. ps I have always loved tiffany.
Hi,
Emory, Laney and Calamia are my favorites, love the 2 nicknames too for Calamia. People for sure will call Maisey, Macy so be prepared for her having to correct people when she is older, unless they know the children's book. Friend named her baby girl last year Ayva. pronounced like Ava Gardner with the long 1st A and I liked it a lot too if that works w/ your last name. Calliope is a steam powered old fashioned instrument if you didn't know, it was my least favorite on your list and Ravelle sounds like boys name I think. You have some good choices though. Happy Baby.