I've got 7 weeks left until my due date, and am having a girl! This is my 3rd baby. Big brother is Alexander Grant and sister is Vivienne Renée. Both have middle names that honour family members. Grant is my husband's and father-in-law's middle name, and Renée is my sister-in-law's middle name (she lives far away from us and doesn't get to see us more than twice a year, so we decided to use her middle name). With this one, we're honouring my Grandpa, who died of cancer when I was really little. I was 2, but have memories of taking naps on his lap, and that he was eating orange jello the last time I saw him alive. I've always felt a strong connection to him. But, finding a name that honours him isn't that easy. His name was Bernhard, but I don't like Bernadette. Bernhard means "mighty as a bear" so we're leaning most towards Eden because it means "bear cub" in Old English. We can't decide if it should be first or middle though, and what name should go with it! I like names that aren't super common, but aren't made up or crazy either, and the meaning matters! Please vote, or make suggestions!
Need Opinions on Girl Names 80 votes
Eden Sylvia
6%5 votes
Eden Devorah (rhymes with Deborah and is Biblical)
12%10 votes
Eden Pearl (was his birthstone, and my dad's middle name is Earl)
If I am being honest none of these names really give an easy feeling of honoring. Most people are going to think Eden means "place of pleasure" and think of Garden of Eden. Not that it could mean Little Bear in Old English. If you want to honor him I would use Bernadette in the mn spot and pick a first name you both like. I also feel like Eden doesn't even come close to the greatness of Alexander and Vivienne which are both fantastic. I don't hate Eden but I feel like it almost seems "cheap" in comparison to be honest.
What about... Beryl Bera (a German diminutive of Bernadette) Bernice Bridget/Brigid/Brigitte
If you really like Eden and the connection is meaningful to you, go for it. The only middle name I wouldn't use of your choices is Geneva, too many "ee" sounds in there.
Kind of echoing others here with it doesn't seem like an honouring, but if it's meaningful to you then by all means. Fwiw I love Bernadette, and it makes sense as the middle name since that's where all the others have their honouring name. I viewed for Eden Pearl, though, just in terms of what sound best together. Eden will only make me think of the garden, though, not a bear
I can't stand the name Bernadette, even as a middle name. I like both meanings of Eden, but I do agree that it isn't as strong as my other kids names. I'm thinking Pearl might be the best middle name option with Sylvia or Devrah as the first name
Re: Need Opinions on Girl Names
I don't love Eden anyway. It's okay but it's nowhere near as great as your other children's names. Sylvia Bernadette would be lovely.
Beryl
Bera (a German diminutive of Bernadette)
Bernice
Bridget/Brigid/Brigitte
If you really like Eden and the connection is meaningful to you, go for it. The only middle name I wouldn't use of your choices is Geneva, too many "ee" sounds in there.
I also agree with pp opinions of Bernadette as a middle name.