A reader named Debra wrote to me a few days ago about her situation:
I’ve loved the names Sophia and Olivia for about 10 years, but now as I am about to have my own baby girl, these names are very popular. I’m looking for girl names that are old fashioned, a tad unusual, and don’t clash with our names, Nathan and Debra. So far Silvia/Silvie is my front runner but my husband is not in love with it. I’d love suggestions.
Many expectant parents seem to be in the same boat regarding names like Sophia and Olivia (…and Isabella, and Hannah, and so on).
Luckily, there are plenty of other old-fashioned names out there. For instance, none of the following are super-popular on a national level right now (though a few, like Valeria and Lydia, do have the potential to become popular in the next few years):
Aurelia Augusta Camilla Celia Cora Coralie Cordelia | Dorothy Elodie Eloisa Evelina Flora Georgia Harriet | Helena Josephine Lelia Lydia Matilda Melisande Octavia | Phoebe Ramona Rosa Rosella Rosina Rowena Sabina | Sibylla Stella Theresia Valeria Viola Violet Willa |
I’d intended to exclude all D- and N-names (for a distinct first initial)…but Dorothy I kept. I like how it both begins with a D (as Debra does) and includes a Th (as Nathan does). A cute way to pay tribute to Mom and Dad, maybe?
Let me know what other names you would suggest!
Update: The baby is here! Scroll down to the last comment to find out which name Debra chose.