Natalie writes:<\/p>\n
Please help me! We are expecting our first baby, a little girl, October 1st, 2010. Naming her has been a major part of my life for the past 36 weeks. I am a self proclaimed name nerd. I have known just about every name under the sun, as well as their meanings and origins, since I was 10. Names are a giant passion of mine. This makes naming my first child a great excitement, as well as a HUGE burden. I have a very defined name style, which in my opinion is pretty much summed up by three words (although others may not completely agree): Edgy, Sophisticated, and Glamorous.<\/p>\n
Our first choice for a name for our baby has been Sophia Natalia Olson. Sophia after my great-grandmother (and the gorgeous Sophia Loren), and Natalia is my favorite version of my name, Natalie (I don’t want to use Natalie, though). DH and I really like this name, but I’m starting to have second thoughts. While Sophia is sophisticated and glamorous, it is not edgy… in fact it is losing it’s luster a little considering how common it has become. Or am I imagining this? I also think it’s important to have back up names in case she doesn’t look like Sophia when she is born. Don’t get me wrong, I still really like this name….<\/p>\n
Other names we like are (we would use either Natalia or Sophia for a middle name):<\/p>\n
Eva – pronounced EY-va, we really don’t like EE-va. This is also sophisticated but very common, and not very edgy.<\/p>\n
Eve – a little more edgy, but not very glamorous. I adore the nickname Evie. Unfortunately, when Eve is said with Olson it sounds like “evil son”<\/p>\n
Zoa – I think I like this a lot, but I’m not sold on it. I normally really dislike Zoe because it seems too “out there” for my taste, but Zoa seems a little classier and cooler.<\/p>\n
Elle – I really like this, but it sounds odd with Olson. Due to a family feud, I can’t use Ella, and I can’t stand the thought of people calling her Ellie, but I love Elle.<\/p>\n
Shiloh – I think this is adorable for a girl. Unfortunately, I got ahead of myself and named our male dog this two years ago. Plus, my sister-in-law claimed it for her daughter someday despite it being our dogs name.<\/p>\n
Noa – I love how fresh this name is. It has been the Number 1 girl name in Israel for a long time. Don’t confuse it with the boy name Noah, they are two completely different names with different origins and meanings. Too bad she would be confused for a boy her whole life in America :(<\/p>\n
Arabella – I was set on naming her this a few months ago, but I quickly grew tired of how frilly it sounds. Plus Bella is super common again.<\/p>\n
I really appreciate your expertise and advice. I need all the help I can get, plus I’m running out of time!!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n