Second guessing Penelope. Keep, Toss, Add?

libby+nate

Hello baby names board!

I previously asked between Penelope and Piper. Penelope won by a landslide!

I was pretty set on the name, but people keep suggesting other names and I am now second guessing our choice. I feel like she will have to be someone special to carry such a big name. I looked around at a staff meeting today and noticed that name wouldn't look right on quite a few of the ladies there.

Our last name is Cain. 

Here are my favorites:

Penelope (nn Nellie)  does Penelope Cain sounds too much like Penelope Cruz?

Gentry - I love this name as well. My hesitation is that we both have cousins with red hair, I'm a blonde and it could be possible for us to have a child with red hair. I wouldn't want her to be Gentry the ginger. Is this irrational?

Willa (DH not convinced and I obviously want him to love the name)

Stella

Charlotte (becoming too popular, but not here in Kansas yet)

Cora

We crossed off Piper from my last post.

Keep, Toss, Add anyone? I can handle honest!

Thanks so much in advance!

ETA: I also like Gemma  

parenthood4

Penelope is a pretty name, but I always think pineapple when I see it. Maybe that's just me though.

I like Cora, Charlotte, and Gemma from the others...I really like Cora!

Toss Gentry.

Willa and Stella are just okay for me.

4N6s

I like Penelope but I don't like the nickname Nellie....

mrsfoof1

I like Penelope!  Obviously she will be someone special- she is your baby.  Nellie is a good NN, too.  Stick with Penelope!

Coconuthead

I like Penelope. I agree with pp that if you love it, use it. I don't think a name can be too special for your LO! Fwiw I love Stella, Willa, and Cora too.

ahbEsq

Love Cora, Penelope, and Charlotte in that order. Willa is nice. Gentry, Stella, and Gemma are NMS.

chapstix7

I like Penelope best of your list followed by Charlotte. I only one I really hate is gentry.

Mei&Mei

Well, I do love Penelope the most. Penny and Nell are nickname perfection.  Willa, Stella, Cora, Charlotte, all lovely. Gemma is not to my tastes but would serve a daughter well. 

 But Gentry? I think Gentry the Ginger is the least of your worries with this one....

megbmeg

I like Penelope best. I don't think of Penelope Cruz. And I think you can count on your LO being special enough for a special name.

I also get the second guessing. We were pretty sure we'd decided, but now we're wavering...

PhilsWife07

Gentry has to go. I like Cora but not with your last name. Willa either. Charlotte and Stella are probably by top choices of the ones you listed. I'm not a fan of Penelope, especially not with Nellie as a nickname.

ashiscute

I like Gemma, Charlotte, and Cora the best.  Penelope is okay for me but if you love it use it.  

I agree that Gentry is bad.  

JMU_Bride09

Keep: Penelope (beautiful and doesn't remind me of Penelope Cruz at all), Willa, Charlotte, Cora, Gemma

Toss: Gentry (100% bad for a girl), Stella

Add: Anna, Juliana, Melina, Nicola, River

Alygohome

I love Penelope, but  I like Pricilla better for a girls "P" name. My last name is a P and I don't want kid nn Peepee so I can't use any P names.

Gentry is terrible, Stella reminds me of my fav beer. Willa, Charlotte, Cora and Gemma are all nice.

libby+nate

Thank you so much for all the input! I had no idea Gentry was so bad! It's weird because I know two little girls under 5 with that name and not a single Penelope. Maybe regional? I saw somewhere KS and OK and kind of in our own world with names, so it is good I came to the board! My family and friends were the ones pushing Gentry over Penelope.

jennypolkadots

I really like Penelope with your last name. Do you like the nickname Penny? I adore it for a little girl, especially if she ends up with copper hair Precious!

I don't think your daughter will look like anyone you work with lol. Let's hope she looks like you and dh. Have you ever known a Penelope? This is likely the issue. People sort of grow to fit their name most of the time. I am sure you will find her plenty special to carry the name well. 

I hate Gentry. Sorry but it is a ridiculous name on any child, especially on a daughter. Gentrification is all that comes to mind and that is a pretty negative connotation. I was super surprised to see it listed with all of your lovely classic choices. 

Love Charlotte. Since her initials would be C.C. that could be a really sweet nickname.There is also Charlie, Char, and Lottie. All adorable if you like nicknames. 

It could be in your mind Charlotte and Penelope feel like very different people. Keep the two of them on your list and meet your daughter before you settle on a name. We have two boys and two girls names and will be happy with either of them. But we have ideas of what each name would be on a person and want to spend some time with our kiddo before saying "yes definitely a ____". But not everyone is like that. There is no rush in naming a baby after birth either, you have quite a bit of time before the birth certificate application needs to be sent off. 

HarleyKins

Our daughter is Charlotte ( we call her Charley). I had the named picked out when I received Charlotte's web 30 years ago. Charley is 16 months.

Baby girl 2 is due in Feb. We are considering Penelope (DH is so/so and stuck on Hannah)

I think Charlotte and Penelope are great names! We would #2 Poppy or Pip.

I also love Gemma but our friends just named their LO Gemma.

Cora is also an adorable name!