As my pregnancy progresses and my tummy juts out further each day, I get more and more inquiries as to what we’re planning on naming our baby. Seems that most people think we ought to have the figured out by now.
Well. We don’t.
I always thought that naming a baby would be an exciting excursion, but thus far it’s been pretty lame. I have scoured through endless websites and books to no avail. There are only a few names that I even remotely like and of those, none of them really feel like they truly belong to my baby. And whenever I suggest something to Steve, he comes up with the most random reasons to puh-poo the name.
The other night I pulled out my copy of Beyond Jennifer and Jason, Madison and Montana and actually looked at some (heaven forbid) boys’ names. I lasted about four pages then tossed the book down in exasperation. It’s just too much of a shift for me to start thinking of boys’ names after months of dreaming of our girl.
I have narrowed down the elements of the names I like: I want something unique, in that my child would potentially be the only one in her class with that name. But I don’t want it to be freaky, like Shaquandaleesa. I like names that make you stop and say, "Gee. What a great name!" I tend to veer towards the more old-fashioned names that haven’t been heard much in the past century. But we’re not talking Gertrude or Beulah, mind you. And I really like names that start with the letter A for some reason.
Based on those qualities, are there any further suggestions for Kicky Boots?
We are stumped beyond repair and need some tender help.
40 Comments
How about Anneliese? ;) kidding.
I like the old fashioned names too. I don’t think I’m much help because the only name that’s popping to my mind is Abigail.
Andalucia, Amelia, Astor?
I’ve been thinking alot about your suggestion Aveline and I really really like it. Even more then Anneliese. It’s very pretty and unique. And doesn’t Steve like it too? I know you will come up with a name that she will blossom into and before long no ohter name would ever do her justice. Don’t stress about it Amanda.
I love the name Anna. That’s what we’re saving for our daughter – if and when we get one! Amelia is cute, too!
Sorry, that comment wasn’t anonymous it was me.
One other thing to consider: You can always keep a few names in mind and decide after she is born. It might just click when you see her face for the first time!
I really like Avelyn too Amanda. I say go with that!!
Amelia or Ava. Good luck!
You may already know about this website – http://www.babynamewizard.com. If you click on NameVoyager you can see names throughout the years and what was popular compared to now. Pretty cool and fun to look at. Looking there might help. Good luck!
It’s me. That Name Voyager thing is so cool. Definitely check it out.
Yes, this was my 3rd comment on your one post.
We have a new baby in the family names Ava. I can’t use it, but I think it’s beautiful (although I think it’s popularity may be growing). For some reason I have been drawn to A names as well. Actually, names starting with a vowel. Wierd. Picking names is awful. I feel your pain.
How about Heather… Just joking… I’ve always liked Amy, I really like Marlise maybe Steve would go for that? It is kinda like Annalise… but not!
Hey! Beulah was my Grandma’s name! But I wouldn’t use it either. Her middle name was Isabella though – that’s pretty.
I think Aveline is pretty too.
And can I borrow that book when you’re done? We need a boy’s name, because odds are that’s what we’re having :)
Oh man, that is not fun that you guys are having such a hard time with names, but at the same time you want it to be perfect right?
I don’t have any suggestions, it’s so personal, but good luck…
How about Addison or Allie? Those were the only two that were even remotely interesting on that baby name wizard website!!
What about the name Annameika (pron. annameeka) close to the one you like,not too outrageous and sweet…
Uhhh…Adrienne, Elise (not an A but pronounced like it has one), April, Aster, Aurora, Amelia
Names are hard. We aren’t convinced what we’ve chosen is best either.
Uhhh…Adrienne, Elise (not an A but pronounced like it has one), April, Aster, Aurora, Amelia
Names are hard. We aren’t convinced what we’ve chosen is best either.
such fun to decide what your child will record as their identity for the rest of their life! No pressure to make it great, right? It’ll come to you. One day, it will just pop into your head (perhaps when you first meet your little one) and it will be right for you and for Steve.
Good luck!
hey amanda
one of my roommates name was keterah. it’s really pretty and she’s the only person in the world who has it!
Me again! My friend’s friend named her daughter Adelaia and they call her Addie sometimes. I think it’s pretty and original, and it starts with A!
I hear it’s really cool to name your child after a type of fruit. Since apple is taken, you could always go with Avecado, and call her Avo for short.
Watermelon also has a lovely ring to it.
Girl’s name starting with “A”: Analise
I like Ella a lot, also Olivia
Boy’s names: Miles, Jack(son), Oliver, Elliott
Adelah (a-day-lah)
I just found you through Leah at agirlandaboy, and I thought I’d mention that I recently met a girl named Alaine (like Elaine but with an ‘A’) and I thought it was unique and lovely. Good luck!
OK. I have another website – http://www.thinkbabynames.com. Today must be baby name day ’cause I just came across it from another site. You can go alphabetically through all sorts of names.
I also thought of a friend of mine who has a niece and her name is Annalee. Everyone has given such great suggestions!
Obviously we like topics like this!!
Hi there — found you via Be The Boy. Congratulations on the impending addition to your family! I checked out some ‘A’ girls’ names, and found soooo many pretty ones! In addition to finding a name which strikes a chord within you, name selection depends so much on how it sounds with your last name…and on what the babe looks like! Here are a few I thought were sweet: Addison (Addie); Adia; Aislin; Anya; Avery.
As a person with an unusual name, I agree with you that it can be helpful to be the only one in your class, or group, or work, with that name. But ya — a freaky name is not good. Or a ‘common’ name with a wacky spelling. That’s just annoying.
Aleah…Averi…Ainsley
Ella, Eliza, Elisabeth (Libby)
so many nice names!! Here are some that start with A: Aislinn (“Aylinn”), Ayden, Adara, Adora, Averly, Avery, Ashlynn, Asia, Aja (“Asia”), Aubrey, Audra, Aubyn (“au-ben”)… have fun!
Alina
I really like Aislyn too (although I thought it was pronounced Ashlyn!), Ashley, Alecia, Andrea, Aileen? Other names I think are pretty are Emma, Isabelle, Gemma, Iris, Gabrielle, Natasha, Karen, Kara. Good luck! I hate finding names :)
Ooops sorry that last anonymous comment was me.
Hi Amanda, I’m Karen’s cousin, and have been too shy to comment on your blog until now – but I thought I would share a name with you that I love (and our children’s pastor named her baby girl): Adia (pr. Ay-dee-ah) – and if I remember correctly means gift from God! Best wishes.
I think that if you and Steve find a name you like it will be perfect for your child. I don’t think anyone hates their name if they remember it always being said full of love. I’m one who says just wait until you see the baby. You don’t need a name until you’re introducing her to people. Baby will work just fine until her grand entrance. I can’t wait to hear what you end up picking!
Hi Amanda, my great grandmother’s name was Ada. She was like the queen mother of the church I grew up in downtown Ottawa, she was so loved that everyone started calling her “Nana Sweetheart” which was the name that I called her as a 2 year old when she lived with us and rocked me on her knee. She was one of those popular gals, classy, strong, a woman of God, gave all she had to others, ie. organizations like Billy Graham, even though she had little herself, was a prayer warrior and a legend, really! Great heritage for me, I like her name now that I think of it, she was born in 1897, it’s a classic. It’s strong, but cute too… if you don’t like it, I won’t be offended! Ada is cute. Jim’s granddaughter is Ava and I LOVE that name too – classic, but strong. :)
A few “A” names I have heard recently are: Ayla, Ainsley, Anaya. Easy to spell, easy to say but yet unique.
Hi, de-lurking here to put my 2 cents worth in. Here are a few… Aulbrey(yes with an “L”) Amelia, Adelaide, Addison, Aliah, Alita. Ginger or Violet are older names that are pretty, too.
If Nolan was a girl we were going to name him Autumn Faith.
(What?)
But you know what I mean.
I say reserve Anneliese for the middle name and pick something completely different for the first name. Simon went by his first name until he was about seven years old and then, when he switched to a new school in a new state, he decided to go by his middle name forever after. Everyone agrees his middle name fits him SOOO much better than his first name and I can’t imagine if he went by Stephen, as his parents had intended.
My grandma is Annabelle — I think it’s a nice, old “A” name, and she has done pretty darn well with it. :)
Kendra
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