Saturday, March 28, 2009

What's in a name?


Thinking of names for our future daughter, my husband and I came up with the following:

Paloma \p(a)-lo-ma\ is pronounced pa-LOH-mah. It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "dove". This is my favorite by far but I still have others floating around my head.

Like..

Esmé is also worth considering. First heard as a male name in Scotland in the sixteenth century, Esmé stems from the Old French word for esteemed or loved. While Esmé was never common, a handful of British notables wore the name into the early 20th century, including several holders of the title Duke of Lennox.

Fast forward to 1950, when JD Salinger’s short story For Esmé With Love and Squalor appeared in The New Yorker. His Esmé was an aristocratic young woman. The story instantly became - and remains among - the most popular of Salinger’s works.

I am also in love with the name Jordana, it is Tara's daughter's name and ever since hearing it, I keep going back to it. Origin of the name Jordana: Derived from the Hebrew yarden (to flow down, descend). The name was originally used in the Middle Ages for a child baptized in holy water said to be from the river Jordan.

Then there is the name Cairo: Cairo \ca(i)-ro\ is of Arabic origin, and its meaning is "victorious" and finally Nanette of French origin meaning grace.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Paloma is beautiful

They all are, but that one is just lovely.

Anonymous said...

I like these names. They all would blend well with your other kids' names. I thought you were going with Paloma?
I am liking Cairo as well.

Natalie said...

Thank you for stopping by, Yoli. The song is very lovely indeed, the singer - even lovelier! The entire country was in love with Gilbert Becaud!
I recorded last night the No. 29 - for you.
For your future daughter, please consider name "Thais" - one of the most beautiful woman in ancient Athens, the mother of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt...

pink dogwood said...

love the name Paloma

A Cuban In London said...

Paloma, Esmee and Nannette. Those were the three names that appealed to me the most. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

Unknown said...

I vote for Paloma! It lends itself to the cutest nicknames when she's little, yet is sophisticated and lovely for a grown woman.

I also like Esme, but Twilight and the actress who plays her immediately came to mind. Not that this matters.

kerri said...

Paloma has my vote, beautiful...

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I love all these choices. So much.
I also love the name India.

Annie Coe said...

I vote for Paloma :-). My favorite girl's name in all the world is Isabella. You have picked some lovely names.

Relyn Lawson said...

Paloma. Definitely. Such a lovely, evocative word.

onesilentwinter said...

They are so lovely! How wonderful to be awaiting the arrival of a little girl.

Kylee said...

I adore the name Esme..so pretty!

crazylady said...

I want you to name her something other than Paloma, so you can adopt for a fourth time, and then name her Paloma. I am waiting for a Yoli reality show. But you have to out adopt some other families.

Yoli said...

No, three is the limit my beautful crazy friend.

Yoli said...

Natalie Thais is a beautiful name.

Lilly said...

My daughter is a Jordana but gets called Jordan more often. I am liking Paloma. Jsut do not let people shorten it to Pal. They are all lovely.

Maia said...

Oooh.. so many good choices!
I still love Paloma also.
Our friend's daughter is named Esmé, but everyone calls her "Edgy" or "the Edge"...and she's more of an Edgy than an Esmé at this age, in any case. Maybe she'll grow into an Esmé. Just like QQ will grow into her Flynn.

rosemary said...

I love Nanette! I really liked that one for our family if we have a daughter but I think my husband has others he prefers.

robin laws said...

i simply had to jump in and say that whatever name you select (they each have beautiful ideas or words associated to them) this child will be blessed to have you as a momma. i am excited for you all!
xoxoxoxo

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the name Paloma! And Esme is incredibly charming as well. All are wonderful options...

Loz said...

I like all of them too. It is important to bestow a name with care knowing that it can help shape a personality.

FishermansDaughter said...

All lovely and worthy. I wore Paloma Picasso's fragrance for years and adore it still. Gorgeous.

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

I just discovered your blog and I find it, like a breath of fresh air! I like the name Cairo -- I am actually contemplating this if I had baby no. 2. My baby no.1's name is Giada.

Hajar Alwi said...

Each name is a personification of its own beauty. It's great that you're choosing a name base on the meanings @ significance. Whichever name you choose, I'm sure the baby shall adore it. :)

Susie of Arabia said...

The names on your list are all lovely. I like Paloma and Cairo the best. Maybe you will know for sure once you see her lovely face. My brother and his wife had a name all picked out for their baby and referred to him by that name all through the pregnancy. But when he was born, Hunter didn't fit him and they went with Benjamin.

paris parfait said...

I really like these names Yoli, especially Paloma and Esme. Thank you for mentioning my Jordana Noelle! Whatever name you choose, she will be a lucky little girl to have such a wonderful family! xo

Tess Kincaid said...

Paloma is gorgeous. That's my fave.

tangobaby said...

Oh, they are so lovely... perhaps you can use them all!

donna said...

All your friends call you Lily Paloma... but that's not the way that you are...it's too much of a gentle misnomer for a shooting star! -- Al Stewart