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HelpArletta or Gwendolen?
I have a dilemma: Gwendolen Eve or Arletta anotherfamilyname?
I really want to use Arletta (nickname Letty), as blatantly unfashionable as it is. Arletta is the name of my great grandmother, whom my mother Arla was named after. My first two children have family names, and I want to continue that connection to the past. Problem is, I only love the name because of the connections and for the nickname, so I'll most likely use Letty exclusively in addressing her. Not only that, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't raise all sorts of eyebrows and questions and comments.
For the longest time my DH and I also really, really want to use Gwendolen Eve. It's such a perfect name: it flows, it has multiple nicknames that she could choose from, and her initials would be G.E.M. It won't require any explanations, other people will appreciate it right away, ... and it has absolutely no connections to her heritage whatsoever. She'd have one Eva 10 generations back, and that's about it. Heritage-wise, the name just doesn't compete with the names of my first two children, which may make her feel left out.
Tell me what you all think.
I really want to use Arletta (nickname Letty), as blatantly unfashionable as it is. Arletta is the name of my great grandmother, whom my mother Arla was named after. My first two children have family names, and I want to continue that connection to the past. Problem is, I only love the name because of the connections and for the nickname, so I'll most likely use Letty exclusively in addressing her. Not only that, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't raise all sorts of eyebrows and questions and comments.
For the longest time my DH and I also really, really want to use Gwendolen Eve. It's such a perfect name: it flows, it has multiple nicknames that she could choose from, and her initials would be G.E.M. It won't require any explanations, other people will appreciate it right away, ... and it has absolutely no connections to her heritage whatsoever. She'd have one Eva 10 generations back, and that's about it. Heritage-wise, the name just doesn't compete with the names of my first two children, which may make her feel left out.
Tell me what you all think.
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Replies
Gwendolen Eve is stunning. In fact, it's just about perfect, imo. Sorry, Arletta doesn't appeal to me at all. Then again, its similarity to the name of a really whiny, unclassy chick I once knew (Arlene) has probably put me off. BTW, Arlene had a twin brother named Arley. Overkill, anyone? ;-)
I like G.E.M. too.
I like G.E.M. too.
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Why not combine everthing into Arletta Gwendolen Eve. That is beautiful and flawless.
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I like this suggestion.
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Arletta
I have never cared for Gwendolen or Gwen. Just don't like the GW sound, I suppose. So, I'll vote for Arletta. I don't care much for Arletta but Letty is cute.
I don't think your child would mind if her name isn't a heritage name, unless you discuss the other children's heritage names a lot.
I have never cared for Gwendolen or Gwen. Just don't like the GW sound, I suppose. So, I'll vote for Arletta. I don't care much for Arletta but Letty is cute.
I don't think your child would mind if her name isn't a heritage name, unless you discuss the other children's heritage names a lot.
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Gwendolen Eve is the longest standing combo on my list and has consistently stayed one of my top combos over the many, many years. I cannot express enough how much I love it. :)
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Gwendolen Eve is glorious!
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Arletta
It's honoring, and it's unusual, and I think it's charming. Why not Arletta Gwendolen? That's what I would do.
It's honoring, and it's unusual, and I think it's charming. Why not Arletta Gwendolen? That's what I would do.
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I don't think heritage is as important as a good name, and Gwendolen is a really good name. However, heritage seems really important to you, and for that reason I lean towards Arletta.
But why not Gwendolen Arletta? It flows, and it incorporates both the family connection and a name you love.
But why not Gwendolen Arletta? It flows, and it incorporates both the family connection and a name you love.
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It seems like a mouthful to me, otherwise I would agree that it encompasses both values that you want in a name.
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Personally, I don't think it matters if the name has anything to do with her heritage. If you like the name, that's all that matters; that should make it important and special enough.
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Oddly enough, one of my best friends in high school was named Arletta, but she went by the nickname Kim from her MN. I'd say use Arletta. I don't think it's so unusual or horrific sounding that people would raise eyebrows. If they do, so what? It does have a lot of NN possibilities-Ari, Etta, Ettie, Arly.
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If you use Arletta, and you only like Letty, be prepared for her friends and even her to call her something you hate. I can't think of what: Use your imagination.
Gwendolen Eve may make her feel not left out, but unique and special to not be named for a family member. I myself am named for a family member and I hate it. It's a much prettier name and having your initials spell a word is rumored to give good luck. If you and your DH both love it, I say go for it.
Gwendolen Eve may make her feel not left out, but unique and special to not be named for a family member. I myself am named for a family member and I hate it. It's a much prettier name and having your initials spell a word is rumored to give good luck. If you and your DH both love it, I say go for it.
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