Katie writes:
My husband and I are due with our first October 13 – a girl.
– We want something unique, but not weird, or strange spellings.
– Nothing too common or trendy either.
– My husband’s deceased mother’s name was Ellen, so that is a big contender for a middle name.
– I am concerned that the “N” sounds in Ellen and Aronoff is too much “N” sound. Last name pronounced “Aaron – Off.”
– We definitely want something that gives us cute nickname options as well.Some names we are considering but can’t exactly agree on are:
Karenna Ellen
Elka Wynn
Lucia (Lucy) Ellen
Amelia or Amelie EllenNames we considered but rejected are:
Hazel
Ginger
Georgia
Danica
Mila
Marion
Corinne
Colleen
India
Maya
Faye
Imala
Viola (I love this name but a very close neighbor has a daughter with this name)Any help, suggestions on first (and middle if Ellen isn’t suitable) are greatly appreciated. We just can’t seem to get a name that we both love and adore.
Thank you!!
I love the name Karenna, but I think the sounds in it are too similar to the sounds in Aronoff.
I would suggest the name Elsa (because of Elke), but it seems like a lot of EL with Ellen.
Maybe Isla? Isla Aronoff, Isla Ellen Aronoff.
Or Anya: Anya Aronoff, Anya Ellen Aronoff. That adds even more N, though.
I love the name Liesl: Liesl Aronoff, Liesl Ellen Aronoff.
Bianca: Bianca Aronoff, Bianca Ellen Aronoff. The nickname Bee is so cute.
The name Amelia is getting more and more common, and I like the variation Amalia better anyway—but I worry that Amalia could look like Amelia with a typo. Still, it’s so pretty: Amalia Aronoff, Amalia Ellen Aronoff.
Camilla: Camilla Aronoff, Camilla Ellen Aronoff. Cammie, Milla, Milly.
I so wish someone would use Magnolia! Magnolia Aronoff, Magnolia Ellen Aronoff. Maggie, Nola, Lia.
Melina: Melina Aronoff, Melina Ellen Aronoff. Mel, Lee, Lina. Her initials would give you the nickname Mea.
I like Melina. It’s such a sweet name with some cute nick name potential. How about Mellie? For a little girl, it can’t be beat.
Or Melodie?
Of course, I like Ellen as a first name. It’s gentle, strong, undeniably feminine. It was on my list for my third baby, who proved too much a boy for it to be an option. :)
I think Amalia or Lucia would both be lovely with Ellen as a mn and your last name!
From your list I really like Elka and Lucia. And i love Melina, nn Lina!
How about:
Alegra
Aurelia
Naomi
Ruby
Valeria
Good luck!
My granddaughter and I share the middle name Ellen. She plans to name her daughter Elena Catherine. I think Elena would go well with your surname too, and Elena would give you nickname options of Lena (‘lay-na’)and Ellie.
Eleanor would be another option for you: Nora or Ellie.
Or why not Ellen as her first name. With the successful young actress Ellen Page, I’m thinking we may see more of Ellen as a first name.
I also think Lucinda Ellen would be darling and unusual, with Lucy as her nn. (Lucia is a bit of a problem as it is often pronounced as ‘loo-sha’ but sometimes ‘loo-CHEE-ah’ or “loo-SEE-ah’). I like just Lucy — Lucy Ellen — best of all.
Best wishes!
I vote for Lucy Ellen.Beautiful! I think I would shy away from names ending in ‘a’, as they seem to blend into the ‘a’ of Aronoff. My name has a similar construction (lots of prominent vowels,including middle name!) and it is sometimes a mouthful/misunderstood. But I do like the repeating ‘n’-sound of Ellen in middle position. Good luck!
How about Veronica? Veronica Ellen Aranoff. You could call her Vivi, Ronnie, or use Ellen for the nickname and call her Ellie.
Do you like:
Vivienne? (Vivi, Vien, Enna)
Cecily? (Cici)
Giselle? (Gigi, Elle)… But probably not with Ellen as a middle name.
Beatrice? (Bea, Trix)
Penelope? (Penny, Nell, Lola)
Best wishes as you pick your daughter’s perfect name!
From your list I like Lucia/Lucy best with your last name and with Ellen.
I like Isla from Swistle’s list, though maybe it is too trendy for you.
Good luck.
I also really like Ellen as a 1st name, but maybe you already thought of that and decided against it? It’s funny, I also like the repetion of N’s, but less so the A abutting A when you pronounce only the first & last names. Anyway, a few more suggestions:
Vivian
Jillian
Lucille
Scarlett
Thanks to everyone for some great suggestions! Oddly enough Swistle, we were also considering Isla and Liesl, so those might pop up as well in the delivery room.
Thanks again!
Katie