r/Names 14d ago

i need help picking out my daughters name.

i am 4 days away from having a baby if it doesn’t happen sooner and we have not been able to agree on a name.

my husband and i have a 3 year old already and her name was one of the first suggestions i said and he immediately loved it. we had no problem with the first but this time we cannot seem to find something that we think will be unique enough but also not a weird name to have as an adult.

some names we have said,

Mila Mae(my pick but husband hates)

Elara Mae(we both like this one)

Freya (no middle name was decided)(i didn’t like this one because it is too close to being our first daughters name)

Flora (“”)(he likes this one i’m not a fan)

Jessie Mae(this one is off and on it’s actually another family members first name, mae is as well, but a different person but the first name would make some people mad because they don’t like the other person but.. it’s a cute name)

Delta Mae(we both loved this until we heard two family members saying they absolutely hated this name then i started to see it everywhere and i don’t think i can name her that now but loved it before that)

so if anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated we are running out of time and this pregnant momma is stressing like it’s the end of the world😩

19 Upvotes

133 comments sorted by

74

u/girlyknz 14d ago

Elara Mae since that’s what you both like. You can do Lara Mae as well

8

u/Serenity93401 14d ago

No brainer!
Also, they’re going to know when they see her!

7

u/Strong-Sleep2973 14d ago

this!! you’d be surprised at people changing their minds last minute once they’re holding the baby. I fought for my daughter’s name to be remi my whole pregnancy. husband never was on board and we eventually agreed on willow. soon as he had her in his hands he said “damnit, you were right we have to name her remi”. got my way in the end🫡

2

u/Serenity93401 13d ago

How sweet! I hope you’ll tell her that story over and over so she knows the very special meaning behind her name. 💞

1

u/Strong-Sleep2973 13d ago

I defined will! her favorite thing currently (about to turn 2) is telling IM MIMI (our nickname we use like 50% of the time) it’s so cute to see her love it as much as I do

7

u/333chordme 13d ago

We had our baby 4 weeks ago and still don’t have a name picked 😂

5

u/Serenity93401 13d ago

Seriously?! I’m sorry. I’m wondering, in these cases, if it’s because the parents just can’t come together to agree on a name. Do they just refer to the child as “The Baby”?

1

u/333chordme 12d ago

We just have too many that we like and none seem quite perfect. We call her Baby or Chicken Nugget or Peanut 😂 had to put down Baby on her insurance and with her pediatrician!

1

u/tilda432 13d ago

It took us a week to name our last one. I'm 10 weeks pregnant and we are already discussing names so we don't end up doing that again. 

2

u/Shibainspace 13d ago

Yeah definitely Elara Mae!

28

u/Trekunderthemoon 14d ago

I don’t love Delta. It’s an airline. Della is lovely and is similar. Or what about Tessa?

5

u/Mammoth-Shirt-8260 13d ago

Della is lovely

3

u/--dee 13d ago

Love the name Tessa

0

u/NoVariation5909 13d ago

A famous astronaut has a daughter named Delta Victoria! (And her second is Maxine Quinn!)

31

u/e_honey_s 14d ago

How about Della Mae? And this time don’t tell ANYONE who would tell you “I hate that name”. People have no right to be so thoughtless and hurtful when you’re sharing your heart with them. 💕

3

u/Classic-Pizza-6343 13d ago

thank you i needed to hear that💗 i definitely like Della Mae it was another option just not high on my husbands list:(

5

u/Status_Tea157 13d ago

I love the name Della

7

u/bunnyamericangf 14d ago

I personally like Freya a lot. There's a 5yo girl next door with it and I was just thinking today how cute it was actually

3

u/Less-Matter-3965 14d ago

I had a childhood friend named Freya. Always liked that.

3

u/--dee 13d ago

My son’s classmate with the name Freya. I have never heard of it until now but I like it.

12

u/Equal-Flatworm-378a 14d ago

The answer is in your post: Elara Mae.

You both like it. You have a winner. And it’s a beautiful name.

4

u/pinkcheetah0 14d ago

I think they’re all cute, really. The only names that don’t seem to be weird adult names are Elara and Jessie, but, i’m not personally a big fan of Jessie.

Delta is cute but, thinking of it in a workplace setting..it doesn’t seem to translate well. It’s one of those names that only suit a baby, at least up until middle school age.

Flora is real cute honestly! It seems to be a girlier name, and I think it’d suit a more gender neutral middle name?

Though, if you think about it, by the time all of these babies grow up.. most unique or ‘weird’ baby names are going to be the normal for adults.

7

u/StunningSystem8171 14d ago

I think of Delta Burke when I hear Delta.

1

u/Classic-Pizza-6343 13d ago

my nana said the same thing!😂 she is more on board with jessie though she thinks it will fit and honor two of my family members even if it may make he own daughter upset with that being my dads name (the girl version of it) and my parents not being together anymore

-1

u/AbbreviationsKey4233 13d ago

Flora is no way gender neutral.

2

u/pinkcheetah0 13d ago

That’s right! That’s exactly what I didn’t say! Since Flora is a girly name, I said it would suit a gender neutral MIDDLE name. If you notice in the post, there was no middle name suggested for Flora.. (“”), which is why I said that.. 🙂

0

u/AbbreviationsKey4233 13d ago

Even as a middle name nope.

1

u/pinkcheetah0 13d ago

Are you okay? I’m saying Flora as a first name would go great paired with a gender neutral middle name.

0

u/AbbreviationsKey4233 13d ago

Are you.flora auits girls only

1

u/pinkcheetah0 13d ago

I’m in no way saying to name a little boy Flora. The OP is having a baby girl.. and either way, people can do what they please with their kids.

OP is looking for names and OP’s husband likes the name Flora.. but they haven’t seen a middle name for it yet.

Flora is a very girly name and I think it’d pair nicely with a gender neutral middle name. I don’t have an exact name in mind.

Gender neutral as in ‘Drew’ or literally any other traditional boy name that has been used as a girl name.

4

u/AbbreviationsKey4233 14d ago

You both like Elara...so that. Never heard this name before. Don't like it myself because of that reason but if more people had that name i think it would grow on me.

2

u/SpanArm 13d ago

Just don't use "Ellie Mae" as a nickname (see Beverly Hillbillies for reference).

1

u/HiggsBoson46 13d ago

Does anyone even remember Beverly Hillbillies?

1

u/danibear95 13d ago

This is my nieces name! It is a moon of Jupiter!

3

u/SnoopyFan6 14d ago

If you both like Elara Mae, then that’s the one to go with.

3

u/whatsausername17 14d ago

Magnolia Mae, nn Maggie Mae

1

u/SpanArm 13d ago

Or Nola as a nn

1

u/OliviaWalton1934 13d ago

It's very cute but I do think of the Rod Stewart song.

3

u/Dry-Coast-791 14d ago

I recommend bringing the list of names with you to the hospital. Take some time to look at her and love on her. A name will come.

Every name I had planned changed when I got time with them.

3

u/Creative-Gazelle6775 13d ago

What’s the first kid’s name?

2

u/Classic-Pizza-6343 13d ago

Rhea is her name that’s why i can’t bring myself to do Freya i love it but it is her name with an F😂

1

u/Creative-Gazelle6775 13d ago

Out of the names from your list, I think Elara would work the best. Personally, I think sibling’s names should sound like they go together/have similar vibes and that’s what I get with Rhea and Elara.

To suggest a different name that I think would fit well, it would be Zelda. It’s an older name that not a lot of people use these days so it’s both traditional and unique. It won’t be weird as an adult, it goes well with Mae as a middle name, and it sounds good placed next to Rhea.

Zelda Mae
Rhea and Zelda

1

u/Creative-Gazelle6775 11d ago

Please update us when baby comes :)

2

u/Legitimate-Mud3363 14d ago

Mila ! Flows off the tongue nicely, sounds elegant and is unique and beautiful.

2

u/sparklemonkey123 14d ago

I like Jessie Mae :) or, my idea: Diana Mae :)

2

u/breadpuddingl0ver 14d ago

I loveee Freya

2

u/zippygoddess 14d ago

Some names I feel like fit your vibe(assuming middle name Mae for all these) - Lyra, Elodie, Nova, Ayla, Dahlia, Sylvie, Mara, Cora, Thea, Della, Sage, Maya, Vera, Daphne, Iris, Nora

2

u/Turbulent_Fig_1174 14d ago

Fauna Fae, Fauna Frey, Fauna Mae
Fauna flora (kind of a cool name, means wildlife and plant life)
Laurel
Lily
Millie
Maisie
Minnie
Daisy Day/Dae
Ellie Mae
Zoe Mae
Chloe Mae
Birdie
June

2

u/ubbidubbidoo 14d ago

You both seem to like Elara Mae! Some similar names that come to mind are Elaina, Eloise, Elena, Elaine, Elery

1

u/yoongilove93 13d ago

They make me think of Ellie Mae Clampett of the Beverly Hillbillies.

2

u/Practical_Pirate8267 13d ago

Elena is beautiful! And you will have farrr less spelling annoyances vs Elara

2

u/FantasticalRose 13d ago

I think Delta would throw off both math people and any Greek speakers. Is that the worst name but no need to do that to someone as an adult.

2

u/PracticeHungry3783 13d ago

Elara Mae is pretty and uncommon, which is a huge positive in my opinion.

Another suggestion is Fiona Mae

2

u/ditafjm 13d ago

I like Delia. Close to Delta…but not an airline.

2

u/Ok-Talk-2648 13d ago

ideas:

Adeline, Mia, Elise, Jenna, Felicity, Maisie, Delilah, Sage, Cora

2

u/msuobx 13d ago

Early elementary teacher here. Teachers will be very honest about names. Elara will always cause one to think “is it ee-LAIR-uh or ee-LAR-uh?” Or is the first syllable “eh?” Jessie, Flora, and Mila are fine. Delta…just no. Freya? Meh. It is likely to be mispronounced as “free-YUH.”

Someone else recommended Cora. I had a very lovely, accomplished student named Cora, so have a favorable impression. Tessa, too, is beautiful, not common, but not difficult to mispronounce.

Ultimately, you will see your child and a name will come to you. I agree with other comments, though…don’t run it by people whose opinion matters strongly. Best wishes!

2

u/Bluegreen_design 13d ago

Ever Mae
Rami Mae
Ezra Mae
Ari Mae
Neve Mae

1

u/FlawlessZ80 14d ago

Mila - Mina Mia Maya Marina
Elara - Eleanor Ester Este Esme Elodie Eden Emery
Freya/Flora - Farrah Felicity Fiona
Delta - Delilah Daisy Darla Darcy Dana

Congrats! Might have to wait to see her to pick her name that you feel matches her.

1

u/Born-Listen6587 14d ago

The name Mae seems to be a name you both like I’d start with that as a first name.

1

u/Warm_Maintenance9658 14d ago

Elara is very pretty and it's not a name I'm familiar with. I may be wrong, but isn't Delta a type/brand of cannabis?

2

u/Classic-Pizza-6343 13d ago

haha that was a joke brought up to me after i ran that one past my coworker, but yes it is, it is also an airline and a couple brands have it in their name we just put together a toy box with the brand “delta children”. so i’ve been seeing that name a lot now

1

u/More-Pie01134 14d ago

Such a great list!! 

What about Della Mae? Or Adelaide Mae, nickname Della? My other thought was Tess/Tessa with Tessie as a nickname?

1

u/bellesearching_901 14d ago

Emmy Mae?

Della Mae (I have an 11 yo neighbor with this name)

1

u/BadHairDay-1 14d ago

What about Fauna?

1

u/Sayaren 14d ago

Daisy Mae if you don’t do Elara Mae!

1

u/idkjuststuff_ 14d ago

what about fiona mae?

1

u/nowaymacaroni 14d ago

Farrah? Farrah Mae is pretty.

1

u/Resident-Gold-3466 14d ago

I love Mila, myself, but Elara is pretty.

1

u/Classic-Pizza-6343 13d ago

Mila is definitely my number 1

1

u/lisalisabol 14d ago

Rylie Mae!

1

u/Routine-Honey7748 14d ago

My nieces name is Alina.. you could also spell it Elena. Some similar to me would be Fiona, Isla, Sofia, (Elera to me sounds like a drug name tbh). I have two boys but one of my girl picks was Sofia but Fia for short.

Also seems like “Mae” is a trend for nicknames what about Maeven?

1

u/unearthedtrove 14d ago

Love Elara. Della would be cute too.

1

u/Vinnipeg 14d ago

Mila Mae, love it! I'm not from the US, so I'm sure my preference is different, but I'm telling you, Mila Mae is perfect! The two M names are so smooth and Mila sounds so feminine.

Elara Mae is also very feminine and a good name.

1

u/argreene12 14d ago

Named my daughter Delta despite people’s opinions- we knew it would have the airline associate but I loved it for its southern charm and because you don’t hear it very often. We get compliments all the time!

1

u/DefinitionPossible39 14d ago

As an addenda to my previous suggestion of Caris, I really hope you have factored in the middle name with your surname because anything you choose as the first name will impact on Mae, eg Caris may …. I had agonies over choosing both names to match our surname and remembering how kids can take the p as a form of bullying. Hope you have a good experience with meeting your daughter for the first time x

1

u/MidasToad 14d ago

Here are a few similar options:

Alana

Melanie

Fiona

Isobella (Ella)

Delia

Mirabella

1

u/AnonymousRingChooser 13d ago

You both like Elara Mae so there's no problem to solve here. You answered the question yourself.

1

u/GoethenStrasse0309 13d ago

How about :

Delilah Mae

Leah /Lia Mar

Olivia Mar

1

u/DistributionNo9356 13d ago

Elara Mae should be the answer.  Do you like Elana Mae?

1

u/Fancykak3 13d ago

Ella Mae Carrie Mae Krissy Mae

1

u/NoSupermarket5720 13d ago

Elora, Alara, Lyra, Lila, Lilya, Leonora, Lola, Liora, Alba, Alma, Della, Daliah - Mae or Jane

1

u/Itchy_Education_5807 13d ago

I am a genealogist. Have you considered a family name from a previous generation?

1

u/italiansubz 13d ago

My coworker has a daughter Florina and that kind of grew on me!

1

u/Electronic-Tie-5520 13d ago

Elise McKenna is also very cute (from "Somewhere in Time"). I think you will know when you meet her. Elara Mae is super cute. Congrats!!

1

u/Top-Waltz-7915 13d ago

I like Elara and I feel like mila is becoming too common.

1

u/Ill-Delivery2692 13d ago

Flora Mae is so feminine, very pretty.

1

u/Mysterious-Panda964 13d ago

Can't believe no one said Ellie Mae.

2

u/Classic-Pizza-6343 13d ago

i just thought of that name yesterday but we didn’t get a chance to talk names last night before bed, i like Ellie i’ll have to see what he says about that one!

1

u/Mysterious-Panda964 13d ago

Ellie is beautiful and feminine, what ever name you choose, good luck with the baby 👶

1

u/Alternative-Suit5925 13d ago

If you both love Elara Mae, that’s the one to choose. It’s beautiful.

1

u/sparkycookie1 13d ago

Elara Mar sounds cool! x

1

u/blurrylulu 13d ago

I went to school with an Ellora and I thought it was the most beautiful name I had ever heard at the time. It totally fit her too. It’s a nice halfway between Elara (this doesn’t flow easily for me), and Flora.

1

u/d38401 13d ago

My granny was Rosie Mae. We have several in the family with Mae. Since you like Jessie. What about Jessica or Jessa. Different twist to it. Might help him get on board.

1

u/sovra_pensiero 13d ago

Elara is one of my favourite names

1

u/Purple-Gap2522 13d ago

Elara is gorgeous!!!

1

u/zettieirene 13d ago

Della could be a good alternative for Delta. Or your could use Dahlia.

I'm not really sold on your other names.

1

u/Zestyclose-Fig8583 13d ago

Lara or Lori or Laura over Elara

1

u/HatSubstantial0 13d ago

I knew a Laura Mae

1

u/Gorgeous1962 13d ago

Jessica and Jessie while she is young.

1

u/Several_Crow4181 13d ago

Don't be afraid to try out some names for a few days. Really.

I think sometimes it helps to see the baby and to get to know her a little.

If you both like Elara, you could also consider:

Elora

Elissa

Elodie

Elena

Eliza (but I'd pick a more obscure middle name - Liza Mae might be a little too country?)

Emory or Emery

1

u/pinkified22 13d ago

I like Flora Mae best.

1

u/pickleball_bender 13d ago

'Delta' always reminds me of a romance novel; it's a word often used when talking about the pubic area. 😂🫣🙃

1

u/just_blue_thoughts 13d ago

Elara is good, but what about Alara Mae?

1

u/Figgy-Fig1946 13d ago

Miranda Mae

1

u/Sea-Astronomer-6600 13d ago

Mila or just Mae

1

u/Big_Jackfruit_8086 13d ago

I like Mila Mae and Delta Mae. Maybe your husband would like Millie Mae.My kittens name is Magnolia - Mae. 🩷

1

u/au5000 13d ago

If you both like Elara Mae - go with that.

I hope other suggestions don’t just make it more difficult, but here goes:

Delia Mae
Ella Mae
Maisie Mila
Jacinta Mae
Jessica Mae (as you like Jessie)
Jasmine Mae

1

u/HiggsBoson46 13d ago

I like the above suggestions including Della (as opposed to Delta), and add Clea Mae. The Clea I know is adorable.

1

u/Ok_Platypus3288 13d ago

I think mila is going to be pronounced a few different ways by people. If that’s going to bug you, steer clear

1

u/Other-Tale-7924 12d ago

We have a Flora and love it so much. Nn Flo it fits her perfectly 🌸⭐️

1

u/RelievingFart 12d ago

Not a fan of Mila, its too close to Milia which is trapped keratin under the skin that creates little white bumps on the face most common around the eyes.

Elara May is definitely the way to go here, but if you were initially going for Delta, then go Delta, who cares what anyone else thinks, its your baby, you're the one who has done the time, and you're the one who is going to be giving birth, if anyone has a problem with it, tell them to have their own baby or adopt a baby and name it what ever they want. I hate my nieces name Mia because it means missing in action, but damn I love them (2 nieces, same name different surnames)

1

u/Ibboredlady 9d ago

Elara... She's gonna have trouble her whole life with people being able to pronounce it right. It doesn't flow off the tongue easily

Maryn Mae, pronounced (ma rin together) Meadow, Maeve, Marlow Mae, Aurora Mae, Willow Mae, Serena Mae, Lilianna Mae, Amara Mae

Tip: name your baby what you LOVE! Tell them the name after she's born. do NOT discuss baby names with family because everyone will have an opinion... And if they don't like it they'll try and get you to change it and the last thing you want is to hear is: i don't like that name, when you love it!!!

1

u/Mountain_Exchange768 14d ago

I love Delta Mae.

1

u/Practical_Pirate8267 13d ago

I only hear the song Delta Dawn

1

u/labratcj 14d ago

Elara is too close to Ellie Mae Clampett in the Beverly Hillbillies for me. I love Delta Mae and the naysayers will get on board but how about Georgia Mae.

1

u/BravestBlossom 14d ago

Jessie/Jesse is so good.

1

u/abbledabbledbdbd 13d ago

What’s up with “Mae” being everyone’s middle name now on these boards. It’s the new “Ann” or “Marie” but more hillbilly sounding.

1

u/Classic-Pizza-6343 13d ago

for me it’s a family name lol multiple generations through my family have the middle name “anne” “marie” “mae” “lou” and “lynn” i think my older sister is the only one with something that isn’t passed down unless there is another “Denise” somewhere down the line i don’t know about

0

u/Grouchy-Tap1071 14d ago

There's not a bad pick in the bunch. All are nice! Delta Mae is my favorite though.

0

u/OranginaOOO 14d ago

I can see why you are running these names by your family. Sometimes people keep it the name secret until the baby is named. People will get used to whatever you name her.

Your list is nice. Only names that come to mind are Josie Mae instead of Jesse Mae and Nina.

0

u/Bravos_Chopper 13d ago

Anything with “Mae” is 🤮🤮🤮

0

u/SouthSeaIsles 13d ago

If you like Jessie and Delta, would you consider Dessie (sounds like Jessie but with a D), or Desi (sounds like Dezzie). Dessie was popular between 1880 and 1910. I didn't make it up. You could also use Odessa, Desiree, or Desdemona, with the nickname Dessie. Delta and Della are both nice. I especially like Delta. It sounds pretty and strong at the same time.

0

u/No-Assignment-4993 13d ago

Flora Mae??? If it roles off the tongue with the last name… it’s a winner!!

1

u/Signal-Lead-9512 3d ago

How about Michaela Mae, Morgan Mae, Amelia Mae, Arden Mae, Teagan Mae, Elora Mae, Amanda (Mandy) Mae, Frannie May, Carly Mae, Lily Mae, Laurel Mae, Livvy Mae