Tribute to my grandma with a name-- suggestions? (husband)

[kayanne]

Originally Posted by confusedasusual

My grandma's last name was Podorewski (not a great one to try and manipulate). Her married name was not any better. My cousin's last name is De La Hoya.

Yeah, Podorewski isn't much to work with! LOL!

[confusedasusual]

This is her list so far that she has shared for first names:

Eve
Clementine
Estella/Estelle
Sofie
Phillipa
Veronica
Vivian
Penelope
Helena
Violet


I (personally) like Marian as a first name with some of these. But she seems set on a second name. I also like Marina, but she said its too much like a harbor than a name.

[kayanne]

Originally Posted by confusedasusual

This is her list so far that she has shared for first names:

Eve
Clementine
Estella/Estelle
Sofie
Phillipa
Veronica
Vivian
Penelope
Helena
Violet


I (personally) like Marian as a first name with some of these. But she seems set on a second name. I also like Marina, but she said its too much like a harbor than a name.

Hmmm, I don't think any of those first names sound great with Marian as a middle name. But maybe I'm pronouncing "Marian" wrong. Is it MARE-ee-un or Mare-ee-ANN?

[confusedasusual]

Originally Posted by kayanne

Hmmm, I don't think any of those first names sound great with Marian as a middle name. But maybe I'm pronouncing "Marian" wrong. Is it MARE-ee-un or Mare-ee-ANN?

I think MARE-ee-un.

[StarryEyedSurprise]

Originally Posted by confusedasusual

I think MARE-ee-un.

That's how I pronounce it. I'd prefer it as a first name, myself.

[confusedasusual]

I kind of like Maja too, but don't know if its close enough for her. I agree that Marian works better as a first name. I can't really figure out a good combination as a middle name.

[whatisthedealwith]

Marisol, Marquita, Marin, Manon, Mariah, Marita, Marilla are all interesting forms of Mary.

Annika, Nan, Anita, Anais, Annoushka, Ana are all interesting forms of Ann/Anne.

I kind of like Marilla Anita De La Hoya but it may sound too Spanish if you are trying to honor someone of Eastern European descent (which it would seem from your Grandma's last name).

[CraigCreek]

Maria is both Eastern European and Spanish. Masha is the EE nickname, but will lead to teasing about mashed potatoes, although it's pronounced "Mah-sha", not "Maa-sha".

Annamaria is both old-fashioned and pretty, though combined with the surname and perhaps a second given name, it results in a lot of syllables.

Molly and Polly are old-fashioned English/American nicknames for Mary. A formal given name doesn't necessarily have to be what the child is called most of the time...

[confusedasusual]

Now she likes Marian Margot, Marian Grace or Marian Estelle but her husband doesn't...

Her niece's middle name is Maria, so that is out, lest it cause family name quarrels.

Personally, I like Magdalene or even the trendy Madeline as a nice alternative to Mary. But its not my baby!

[springfieldva]

How about Christina Maryann? Sabrina Maryann? Isabella Maryann?

I think it would be nice to stick as close to Grandma's name as possible and I think many of the names ending in "a" sound nice with Maryann.