Saturday, February 20, 2010

Minnette

MINNIE!!!

A variant of Mina the meaning of this name is LOVE. And I'm loving this name or rather Minnie as a nickname, of course (what is my obsession suddenly with nicknames!!)

I heard the name Minnie a few years ago when reading shopaholic (what a laugh!!). Becky Bloomwood calls her child this and to be honest then it was a bit of a let down (I wanted her to call the child something shopping related or some name out of this world to suit her personality!). I guess really I heard this name back when I was little, Minnie Mouse, who hasn't heard of her?

This name I think girly, pink, cute, wonderful!

As the name means I'm in love possibly,
but with most loves, for names I'm sure it will fade and their will be another one next week!
In my defence I'm still in love with the name Hester! :)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Saskia & Friends: A Dutch/Afrikaans Name for Merica


Dear Laura & Sarah,
I am 20 weeks pregnant I am having a girl. I really need some inspiration on unique and unusual names. I am from South Africa and my first language is Afrikaans. Afrikaans is a Germanic language originating from the Dutch spoken by settlers in the seventeenth century. I really want to stick to an Afrikaans name even though I live in the UK. I like simple names but also biblical names or maybe longer unique names.
A few names I like of some of my family members and friends:
Klara
Fleur
Lou
Ava
Mischa
Beatah
Nel
Hildegard
Rosa
Friedel
I hope you can help me. Looking forward to hear from you.
Merica
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Hi Merica,

Congratulations on your pregnancy. It is such a special time in your life (especially if it is your first) so just enjoy it now whilst you can and I think it is admirable that you want to honour your heritage with an Afrikaans name for your little girl (when she comes). The only advice I have for that is to make sure that you are choosing a name because you love it. If there is a name you really, really love don't discount it just because it isn't Afrikaans. Likewise, don't choose an Afrikaans name that you aren't absolutely in love with.

From your list I am loving Fleur. She is so pretty and delicate - however french she might be. Perhaps you might consider choosing a name you love as the first name regardless of origin, and bestowing a middle name upon your little girl with origins in Afrikaans?

I have complied what I think is a pretty solid list of Dutch/Afrikaans names for your little girl. In fact, I might have to pinch a few of them for myself (Wilhelmina for example).

I hope you like them. Remember to tell us how you go - we love hearing how our posts influence naming decisions!!

Good Luck!


Saskia - Simply meaning "Saxon Woman". There is some flexibility in pronunciation. SAS-kee-ah allows you to fit into your English surroundings (ala Sarah, Sophia, Sascha) where as ZAS-kee-ah gives you that international edge. LOVE it!

Marieke - A biblical name with great nickname flexibility meaning "Bitter".

Petra /Petronella - Technically the Dutch feminine form of Peter is Peta, but Petra or Petronella adds that bit of femininity that come through all of the names you said you liked with a splash of international charm. Plus, Petronella is a really sweet way to get Nel.

Nelleke - Another sweet way to get Nel meaning "a Horn".

Geneva - Meaning "Juniper Tree" who in old Dutch/Afrikaans was "genever". Could easily shorten to Gen, Eva, Eve, Gene, Evie, Genny, Neve or Neva.

Evelein - I love the look of Evelein. She looks so bubbly and suave. This is the darling Dutch form of Evelyn meaning "Life".

Jan - Short, sweet and understated.

Minuit - A little Minnie would be just delightful. This french name means "midnight" but is also the surname of the 17th century Dutch explorer famous for buying Manhattan Island from the Indians. Would make a really cute middle name too. Think: Fleur Minuit.

Lieve - I really like this delicate little name. She would fit right into a crowd of Lily's, Lila's, Leah's and Layla's. She is the short form of Godelieve and a possible feminisation of Levi.

Lorelei - The German Mermaids known as Loreley were legendarily known for luring sailors into the rocks to ultimately meet their death. Whilst this connection may seem dark the Loreley were renowned for their beauty, as I'm sure so will your little girl.

Anja - a variant of Anne meaning "Full of grace"

Skylar - A Dutch name meaning "Fugitive" with a touch of hippie flair.

Adelheid - The Dutch form of Adelaide. Adelke is the diminutive form. However, Ada, Elke, Elka, or the cutesy Addie all vaild nicknames. For you, its seems like Ada combines the simpleness you like with the heritage to boot.

Aia - "Eternal Mother". Aia could be used as the diminutive form of many other names.

Betje - A biblical name meaning "Devoted to God". I think we are to see the return of Bet- names in the near future. You could be setting a real trend with this one.

Ottoline - I thought I might try and suggest this one and see whether or not she is the type of longer unique name you are after. I personally think Ottoline or Ottilie is an adorable name. She is, of course, the feminine form of Otto or Otis, meaning "Wealth, Fortune". Whilst Otto may conjure up images of the stoner bus driver from 'The Simpson's', Ottoline is prim and sophisticated.

Sybella - We have talked about Sybella here before. Since then, a friend of the family bestowed this appellation on her brand new baby. It means "oracle" or "prophetess".

Elspeth/Elsbeth - Both valid Dutch variations of Elizabeth

Wilhelmina - I LOVE this name. She was a front runner for Rosemary for a while. She perfectly fits into your category of longer, more unique names and is ever so regally girly. A little Wilhelmina would certainly stand out from the crowd and offers an abundance of the most perfect nicknames; Willow, Willa, Mina, Minnie or Billie. In my opinion, you would be CrAZy not to love this girly version of the German name Wilhelm, meaning "Helmet, Protection".

Arabella - Although popular, this flighty, happy-go-lucky appellation would add a bright and "Prayerful" aura to any girls day.

Rosalie - This could be a neat way to get Rosa. Needless to say, I love the name Rose. Be warned though, this has the potential to start riding its 'Twilight' fame and start rising on the charts.

Anika - Last but not least, Anika. A very "Sweet-faced"' name indeed.

Hope this helps. Get Back to us soon!

Pictured: Saskia in Pompous Dress

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Elizabeth


Sorry for the very extended break in posting on my part. I'm now setting my self a-post-per-week goal regardless of family vacations, children starting pre-primary or dealing with my precious 5-month old.

Speaking of which, They say at around 5 months little girls and boys start to recognise the sound of their own names and will respond when you call them. Well if this is the case, and it certainly was with Edward, my little Rosemary must be so confused.

She is Rose to her Mom and sometimes Flora, Remy to her Dad and brother, Rosa to her Nonna and Nonno, Romy to her Nanna, Rosemary to her Pop, Rosie to her Aunties and sometimes even Rory. She could also be Mary, Maria, Molly or Polly.

However confused she might be now, I do believe that the flexibility we have given her in her name will work to her advantage. Rosemary is a name that will take her places. It has enough formality and history to be taken seriously and lends itself to nicknames for appropriate for any situation. When she grows out of Remy she has plenty of choice.

Rosemary though, is not the Queen of versatility in nicknames. Oh, not even close. If you want choice for your daughter look no further than our most elegant Elizabeth.

Don't be put off by her popularity. Their is almost more choices in diminutives than there is Elizabeth's in the world. My favourite is Betsy. I just adore Betsy. Isobel and Isabeau are tied for second place.

Here they are in no particular order. What's your favourite?

Eliza
Elle
Liz
Ellie
Ella
Liza
Lisa
Beth
Bette
Betty
Betsy
Bess
Elsavetta
Elikapeka
Bessie
Lizbeth
Buffy
Elisabetta
Elsa
Isobel
Ilse
Else
Elka
Eilish
Ealish
Elsie
Elise
Elspeth
Isabella
Zabel
Bella
Izzy
Iz
Lisette
Isabel
Belle
Elisheba
Elisheva
Libby
Ilsa
Effie
Lizzie
Bettina
Lise
Lissy
Alyssa
Betta
Lib
Lil
Lilly
Lila
Lillibet
Lizbet
Isabeau
Beau
Bee
Bettine
Ailsa
Alzira
Liesel
Elsbeth
Lizina
Liseta
Liselot
Liselotte
Yzabela
Ysabel
Lisaveta
Isbal
Ysa
Lisen
Lilike
Liesa