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I really want to like T(h)eresa because Tessa is adorable, but I just don’t. Lillian is great. I’m generally a fan of Lil- names.

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Vivian is also great. I could take or leave Vera as VEH-ra and hate it as VEE-ra.

Vivian has to be my favorite, since that was my grandmother’s name. However, Theresa (despite preferring the Teresa spelling) is a name that I’d probably name a daughter; it’s so classy and underrated nowadays! I do like the name Lillian, but I much prefer its rhyming sister, Jillian; the name Jillian is far more unique, and I prefer Jill (maybe since my name is Will) or Jilly to Lily! Vera is an interesting naming choice, and I’m surprised that it’s not common anymore; however, I always trip up on pronouncing it (for some odd reason)! I get confused about saying it as “Veeyair-uh,” “Vair-uh,” and “Veer-uh” (I prefer the last one the most!). Also, I could easily make combos out of these names: Theresa Vivian, Theresa Lillian, and Lillian Vera.

Theresa, Lillian, Vera, and Vivian are all good names. I wouldn't even categorize them as "old lady" - certainly not "frumpy."

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Lillian is the most popular, but actually my least favorite due to how liquid the sound is ("liquid" meaning you don't need to move your mouth much to say it, and it's easy to slur the sound together). I prefer both Liliana and Lily to Lillian for this reason, and the vowel endings make the names just a little bit more dynamic. (Of these three, I would only consider Liliana as a first name.)

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Theresa is perhaps the most dated, but I wouldn't call it old at all. I've always thought Theresa / Teresa (never certain which spelling I prefer, though Theresa is the one in my family tree) sounded elegant. I'd more likely use it as an honoring middle name, though.

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Vera is gorgeous. It's the height of elegance, while also being simple and easy to spell. I can't use it, however, for two reasons: 1. It's the surname of a family I was friends with growing up (who still live on the block), and 2. It's the name of a daughter of one of my HS classmates who I'm still FB friends with (though I'm barely on there anymore) so I see updates.

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Vivian, at one time, was a name I considered for a future daughter (if I ever have one). I'd go back and forth between the Vivian and Vivienne spellings. But then another HS classmate had a daughter named Vivienne. I could still see myself using Vivian as a middle name.

Theresa and Lillian are both lovely. Their understated charm really appeals to me.

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Vivian is one of my favorite boy's names, but I don't care for it on a girl.

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Vera is snappy and enduring.

Theresa - I absolutely gorgeous that sounds classic and timeless in my opinion.

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Lillian - I think it's very pretty and elegant but I would prefer Liliana or Lilith too.

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Vera - It's gorgeous but sounds old for me. I like to pronounce Vair-uh rather than Veer-uh.

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Vivian - I think it's timeless and very lovely name but I like Viviana and Vivienne tho.

This message was edited 8/23/2023, 4:55 AM

I much prefer Tessa to Theresa, which seems very Catholic-saint. Lily names don't appeal at all, and although there are lots of little Lily people running around, Lillian still seems like an elderly aunt.

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My son has a Greek friend named Vera; she pronounces it VERa, not VEERa. Because of her, I'm starting to like it, but only with that sound. I've always seen Vivian as a male name, and Vivianne as pretty darn horrendous. I've always liked Vivien as a girl name, and I don't think it was ever so popular that it became dated; not where I live anyway, though I'd be surprised to meet a young one.

I like Lillian and Vivienne

Theresa -Very classical, but it just sounds very religious to me, probably becauseof mother theresa.

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Lilian: I've actuall always liked the name. It feels strong and fierce.

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Vera: It's a nice name, though i feel like it just shouldnt be on the babylist.

Vivian: sams with Vera, it's nice, but it doesnt feel modern.

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Bonus name: Clarice. I don't know how popular it is at the moment but i just love the name clarice. I don't think it's as popular as it used to be though. But Clarice is such a pretty name, like a better alternative to Clara.

Lillian: Classic and beautiful. I prefer the shortened and simple Lily more, but Lillian is certainly good too.

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Theresa: Completely neutral. Have no strong feelings either way. Nothing special and nothing horrible. Just a middle aged era name that just exists. I'm sure I've known a few teachers/school workers who had this as their first name, Teresa including. I think I prefer that spelling.

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Vera: Uncommon and underused, but isn't too out there. I wouldn't use it, but its nice. I like the 'vair-uh' pronunciation, rather than 'veer-uh'

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Vivian: This is the only one that I can see as being labeled as "old lady" like. It's not terrible in the least though, and I do enjoy the adorable Vivi/Vivie as a nickname. (Have always preferred it over 'Valerie' which I don't like at all. The names make me think of each other for some reason. Kind of like a Victoria & Veronica situation. But anyway, yeah, it's pretty decent overall. Same with the rest of the names.

I've never liked Theresa very much but when I really think about it, the impression it makes on me ... hmm. That's a really good name, I think.
It has a little bit of "perennial frump" much like Margaret does, but I think that kinda evaporates, on meeting a Theresa (or a Margaret, for that matter) who isn't frumpy.

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Lillian already feels "done" to me as a trend, alongside Lily and Willow, and I don't care for its singsongy sound. It also has some "perennial frumpishness" imo.

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Vera is nice, but I'm chagrined by the ambiguous pronunciation (where I live, it's ambiguous). I like them both, but still.
Vivian is cool. A little bit brassy, but very lively, and smarter than most names I think are brassy. I prefer Vivien because Vivian looks masculine to me.

Theresa- I like it. I don't think of it as particularly old. My mom's name is Terri, short for Theresa. I think Theresa is softer and a little older than Teresa, but not old enough to be an old lady name.

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I also think Lillian sounds young enough. I could see it on an old lady but also on a middle aged adult, young adult, or kid. It sounds a bit stuffy and formal compared to Lily but I like it well enough. I also like Lilith.

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Vera is more of an old lady name to me. I like it (with 'vair' and not 'veer') but I can't see it on anyone below 50.

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Vivian is another more timeless one to me. I think of it as mature but not old; I know a teenage Vivian and it doesn't seem weird to me. I like it. I associate Vivian with Lydia for some reason.