Name opinions, please!

[wholewheatchick]

I would really appreciate your unbridled, uncensored opinions on these names. We are so lost with boy names, and stuck with girl names, that it is really starting to annoy me! I like some of these more than others, but won't say which ones. I don't think middle names matter too much, but possible contenders are Amelia, Diane, and Michelle; and William, Joseph, Daniel. I think. We haven't even begun to discuss middle names.

Oh, we have a one syllable last name that starts with G.

Girls:
Catherine (could Caddie possibly be a nickname for Catherine? You know, like Caddie Woodlawn? So pronounced with a short a sound and long e sound?)
Anne
Rachel
Cora
Virginia (Ginny)
Claire
Ellen
Mary

Boys:
Adam
Nathan
Colin
Brian
Carson
Nicholas
Benjamin
Corbin

[annablue]

We have similar tastes in names! I love Catherine, it's one of my favorites, and Anne is beautiful (I love it spelled with an e.)

[caseykn]

In general, I think that 2 or 3 syllable names go better with a short, 1 syllable last name. I love Catherine and think Caddie would be a cute and unique nickname. I really love Cora. I had that name on my list but DH doesn't love it like I do.

Out of your boy names, I like Nicholas and Benjamin the best.

[EllisH]

[QUOTE=caseykn;15927392]In general, I think that 2 or 3 syllable names go better with a short, 1 syllable last name. /QUOTE]

Agree with that. Our baby (boy) will have a one-syllable surname that's in addition fairly common. So first name should be multi-syllable and not very common. So my favourites are Catherine and Virginia and Nicholas and Benjamin. Corbin and Colin would be my least favourite.

Will you reveal your favourites?

[Adaline'sMama]

I think Virginia is a great first name. On your boys list, I like Corbin Daniel.

[Beverly]

Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with any of those names (and I think this may be the very first time I've ever felt this way on a name thread! ).

After giving it some thought, though, I think my favorites are Virginia and Nicholas.

[philomom]

Virginia or Carson are the winners to me!

[lovemyryguy]

Claire and Benjamin are my faves! Congrats!

[Lauren82]

Originally Posted by Beverly

Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with any of those names (and I think this may be the very first time I've ever felt this way on a name thread! ).

This!!!

I love Catherine but not too fond of any of the nicknames. I think Catherine as it is sounds so regal (Katherine of Aragon comes to mind). Claire would be my 2nd choice.

For boys, I like Adam and Nicholas the best.

[Aliy]

i like catherine but really don't think caddie would really be a match for a nickname.

i think they are all great choices. i like them
i really like cora and corbin

[clutterbug]

I also agree that any name on either list would be lovely...they are all just super solid names

And I think Caddie is a really sweet and unique nickname for Catherine. If Margaret can be Peggy or Meg or Maggie, I don't think Catherine to Caddie is a stretch.

[Adaline'sMama]

As for Carson, I instantly think of Carson Daly on MTV from when I was a teenager.

[sewingsparklz]

Claire

or

Benjamin for me!

[philomom]

Originally Posted by sewingsparklz

Claire

or

Benjamin for me!

Claire is way too popular just now. Number 53 for girls!

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

[wholewheatchick]

Thank you so much for all your thoughts and opinions! Good to know that all of the options seem pretty well-liked.

My favorites are Catherine for a girl, and Adam or Benjamin for a boy. DH finally agreed to Catherine, as long as she NEVER gets called "Cat." Ok, I think we can manage that. So the debate continues here, but thanks for your positive feedback!

[beanbean]

Originally Posted by Beverly

Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with any of those names (and I think this may be the very first time I've ever felt this way on a name thread! )

Ditto! And not a single "y-replacing-the-vowels" in the bunch! hooray!

[beanbean]

Originally Posted by philomom

Claire is way too popular just now. Number 53 for girls!

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

You have to take it with a grain of salt, though. The top names are far more spread out, numbers wise, than they used to be.

My DD has a top-10 name, and I don't know a single other child with her name out of about 200 in our circle of activities.

What I think is amusing is all the Cre8tive parents giving their children "unique" names, like Braden/Brayden/Braiden/Bradyn/Braeden. Those names don't show up at the top of the list because of the spelling variations, however, when you add up the names with the same sound, they're much, much more popular.

[dizzysmom]

I *adore* Catherine, and think that Caddie as a nickname is very cute. I'm also partial to Virginia/Ginny, but DH had a grandmother called Ginny who he did not along with too well, so he crossed it off the list of our possibilities.

Out of your boy's list, I like Adam and Nathan.

[pollyanna123]

I really like all of your name choices (which is rare for me on a name thread on MDC)!

My favorites are Claire and Benjamin.

As for popularity, you can check for your state as well. Claire is less popular in my state than it is nationally.

[Purple Sage]

I like Mary for a girl and Benjamin or Nicholas (two of my brothers' names ) for a boy.

Mary is becoming less popular, but it is such a classic name.