Lavender

ButterscotchCupcake

If we have a girl, we would like to honor my grandmother who has been instrumental in my life and is an inspiration to all who have met her. Unfortunately her name (both first and middle) would be totally unfortunate with our last name (big rhyming problem). For this reason we are considering honoring her by choosing her favorite flower/herb/color, Lavender. 
Our last name is 100% normal (think: Smith/Roberts/Johnson). We think it might bring some interest to an otherwise plain name. 
What do you think?

BelleBaby

I love the sentiment behind the name, but honestly, if you can use it as a MN, I would.  It just doesn't seem like the greatest FN for a little girl.  I can't imagine the CEO of a company introducing herself as "Lavender so-and-so" and being taken seriously. 

Could you maybe use her initials instead?  Or maybe a non-rhyming nickname? 

Allie30

i think lavendar is a beautiful and underutilized name. reminds me of that charming woman in the anne of green gables series. a big thumbs up!

elyshaswedding

In theory, I like it, especially because I am a nature-name lover.  However, I have a really hard time picturing this name as a first name on an actual child.  It would be a perfect middle name, in my opinion.

ButterscotchCupcake

As someone with a very "little girl's name," I don't see the big deal about being taken seriously by your name alone. Once people meet you and/or hear your reputation, it's a non-issue. I can say this because I'm a successful attorney, and as far as I know, the only one with my name in my part of the state. I actually enjoy the uniqueness of my name. 

 I appreciate the thoughts, though. 

kerribear1717

I like it.  I think people might give you crap about it but I think it's pretty.  The one girl in Harry Potter was named that too.

strangebird

Personally, I think you should use it. I understand what the PPs are saying in regards to a problem with maturity and professionalism and I've said the same thing about other names many times in the past, but your case is special. You're choosing this name because you dearly loved the woman that inspired it. If you express to your daughter the reason you chose it and all the reasons you love it, she'll grow up loving her name, too.

I speak as someone with a rather difficult-to-love name that doesn't mature very well and is more popular among porn stars than professionals--I don't love my name on its own merits, but I do love it because my mother loves it so and has expressed that to me many, many times in my life. I think your daughter will feel the same way--she'll love it because you gave it to her.

ButterscotchCupcake

strangebird:

Personally, I think you should use it. I understand what the PPs are saying in regards to a problem with maturity and professionalism and I've said the same thing about other names many times in the past, but your case is special. You're choosing this name because you dearly loved the woman that inspired it. If you express to your daughter the reason you chose it and all the reasons you love it, she'll grow up loving her name, too.

I speak as someone with a rather difficult-to-love name that doesn't mature very well and is more popular among porn stars than professionals--I don't love my name on its own merits, but I do love it because my mother loves it so and has expressed that to me many, many times in my life. I think your daughter will feel the same way--she'll love it because you gave it to her.

This is the wisest, non-judgmental post I've seen on here in a long time. I just wanted to give you props. Thanks for making me more secure in my choice! 

Allie30

fwiw, i  think lavender is cute on a litte girl and plenty professional on an adult. no different from the other flower names like rose, violet, lilly, jasmine, etc.

qtpa2t

strangebird:

Personally, I think you should use it. I understand what the PPs are saying in regards to a problem with maturity and professionalism and I've said the same thing about other names many times in the past, but your case is special. You're choosing this name because you dearly loved the woman that inspired it. If you express to your daughter the reason you chose it and all the reasons you love it, she'll grow up loving her name, too.

I understand what you are trying to say, but if my daughter has a child and wants to honor me because I love cupcakes by naming her child Cupcake, I would think she was nuts.  It would be no different if she named the child Spiderwort because it's my favorite flower.  On the other hand, if she actually used my name, rhyme-ness be damned, then it would have actual meaning.  Otherwise, to me, it's a poor imitation of flattery.

ButterscotchCupcake

Hmm, interesting. I hear where you're coming from, but I personally don't think Lavender is quite at the level of Cupcake. It's an old-fashioned name, and flower names are quite typical. Although, I do recognize that it's unusual. 

Luckily, my grandmother is still alive and I know that she would be honored. 

 Thanks for your thoughts. 

Pythia1022

Personally, I love it. Obviously. (see siggy lol)

HannahO28

I'm not sure why everyone thinks this name is too cutesy. I agree with whoever said it is similar to any other floral name. I love the name, haven't heard it in ages and I love the sentiment behind it. That thing about "cupcakes" is stupid. Cupcakes isn't a name. Lavender is. Go for it!

LMS05

I don't like it, but to each their own!

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

kbratton2king

BelleBaby:

I love the sentiment behind the name, but honestly, if you can use it as a MN, I would.  It just doesn't seem like the greatest FN for a little girl.  I can't imagine the CEO of a company introducing herself as "Lavender so-and-so" and being taken seriously. 

Could you maybe use her initials instead?  Or maybe a non-rhyming nickname? 

This. Another thing I thought of: would she have a nickname? Couldn't think of any that didn't sound ridiculous out loud.

MelleTX

It's one of the odder names that I do happen to like. I met a girl once named Lavender. And while seeing it in print, by itself it kind of odd, it's totally different when you hear it in context wiht the person stnading there.

The Lavender I met was a very beautiful girl. She used the name Lavendar professionally, but her friends and family called her Lav or Lavi.

fradal

Allie30:

i think lavendar is a beautiful and underutilized name. reminds me of that charming woman in the anne of green gables series. a big thumbs up!

Exactly! LOVE IT!