The Trouble with Lucy & why Lucretia!

Beloved little Lucy. It was my Mother’s nickname for me from birth to her death. I can count on two hands the times I answered to my own name or my standard nickname. My problem with Lucy is multiple: Lucy ends the same as my surname and is a bit short next to Josephine. With Josephine & Lucy, I feel one of them is going to end up hating me for the length of her name!

So I turned to my favorite longer Luc- name, Lucretia. I am a big fan of Lucrezia Borgia, misunderstood woman that she was. Of course, Lucrezia doesn’t go over well, spelling-wise. That ‘z’ is cool, but clunky. Hence Lucretia. Yes, I know it reminds folks of ‘secretion’ and in general doesn’t appeal to many but I adore the name.

I had Lucretia Ruby Iris on my list until I realised her initials would be LRIM… so I went looking for a more fortuitous pairing. I came up with a good double handful that please me in various ways. Without further ado, Lucretia!

Lucretia Iris Valentine
Lucretia Ruby Elinor
Lucretia Elinor Maud
Lucretia Elinor Valentine
Lucretia Elinor Jane
Lucretia Iris Jane
Lucretia Romilly Jane
Lucretia Maud Viola
Lucretia Sylvie Violet
Lucretia Violet Elspeth

I have two up there that really make my heart race, can you tell me which ones do anything for you?Keep in mind Lucretia, like Josephine, would go by a nickname 98% of the time (Lucy or Lulu for sure).

As always, I massively appreciate you stopping by and any thoughts you care to share ! And Thank You! 😀

My “style”?

I am apparently all over the map, style wise. I really looked at my top lists the other day and was struck by the fact that I seem to have at least 2 separate styles. Weird and funky.  here, I’ve grouped them in similar piles:

Group 1
Maud India Scarlett
Ottilie Alice Ghislaine
Zelda Lucy Violet
Edith Zenobia Violet
Lilias Mehetabel June
Sylvie Mimosa Jane
Xanthe Iris Dorothea
Cleo Portia Rupinder
Cecily Pandora Jane

 

 

Group 2
Clementine India Jane
Jemima Lucy Maud
Lucretia Ruby Iris
Winifred Elinor Plum
Matilda Frances Ruby
Imogen Violet Jane
Beatrix Violet Jane
Euphemia Elinor Glory
Philippa Saskia Violet
Cecilia Violet Petronel

and those are just the girls!  I can do that to the boys too, to a lesser extent. See:

 

Group1
Rufus Wilder John
Remy Edward Xavier
Cosmo Henry George
Bruno Edward Rafael
Barnaby Edward Rex
Ignatius Edward George
Clarence Arthur Finlay
Caspar James Porfirio
Alasdair Barnaby George

 

Group 2
Arthur Henry Llewellyn
Oscar Valentin George
Linus Willem Bleys
Harvey Edward Augustin
Francis Henry Porfirio
Edward Balthazar George
Rafael August Anselm

 

So, do you agree, I’m mildly crazy? or do you see these in different groups?  Which group appeals more to you? Which ones? Anything really jump out at you up there? Let me know! 

 

And, as always, thanks for stopping by!  😀  

The Girly Wildcards

I have far too many wildcards, those combos I love but not as much as the top ones. Or in some cases, more, but I find them a tiny bit unwieldy for day to day use.

 

Ideally, I’d have a top 10 and 10 wildcards. Recently I’ve added three names to the wildcard list, bringing the total up to 16 Wildcards. There’s already 11 girls in the top 10 (I know, I know…) so I need to cull these down to three or four at best and am having the hardest time getting rid of any of them!

 

Ottilie Alice Ghislaine – Tillie, Ottilie, Leeloo, Lina
Susanna Ottilie Pearl – Sukie, Zuzu, Zanna   
Pomeline Frances Elinor – Poppy, Polly, Millie, Molly, Lina
Laetitia Amabel Violet – Lettie, Etta, Lettice
Araminta Lucy Violet – Minna, Mina
Euphemia Elinor Glory – Effie, Mia, Fifi
Elspeth Margery Violet – Elsa, Elsie
Aurelia Romilly Jane – Goldie, Rellie
Mathilda Lucy Elanor – Tillie, Maud, Maudie
Henrietta Ruby Lilias – Hattie, Hettie,  Etta, Harriet
Lucretia Ruby Iris – Lucy, Lulu, Lux
Jemima Frances Ruby – Mimi, Jemma
Zuleika Esme Violet – Zuzu, Zooey
Zenaida Ruby Frances – Zen, Zeni,  Aida, Zinnia, Flower
Florence Lila Ghislaine – Flora, Flory, Fleur, Ren
Romilly Alice Kathleen – Romy, Millie

 

If pushed, I’d say probably the bolded 4 are the biggest loves but I’m already mourning the loss of 6 others not bolded. If you had to pick 4 from this list to use on a girl, which 4 would you pick and why? See why I’m having problems?   Any help at all would be completely appreciated!  Thanks!

Alright, now what?

Tallulah Poppy Frances is clearly the winner for me, but now where do I add her? What should I take away to add her?

Help me out, in decending order, the girls:

Maud India Scarlett – Maudie
Ottilie Alice Mehitabel – Tillie
Clementine India Maud – Cleo
Winifred Elinor Plum – Winnie
Lucretia Ruby Iris – Lucy
Zelda Coralie Blithe – Zella
Pomeline Frances Elinor – Millie

Where does Tallulah – Lulu, fit in? I’m clearly not gong to write off any of the top 3, but Winifred to Pomeline, which one should I knock off to add Tallulah? Or should I not bother at all? I’m curious as to what you’d do in my shoes. Tell me!

Help!

I want to narrow my top 10 to a top 5, at least for now. I’m going to either/or them and pick one? Thanks!

 

Ottilie or Jemima?
Winifred or Clementine?
Maud or Zelda?
Beatrix or Cecily?
Lucretia or Pomeline?

 

Cassius or Clarence?
Remy or Cosmo?
Rufus or Barnaby?
Alasdair or August?
Arthur or Francis?

 

I couldn’t choose if my life depended on it.  One minute it’s one way, the next it’s the other. I love them all and just cannot decide which 5 are best! Can you help? I’d really appreciate it!  

As always, Thanks! 😀

My latest Top 10 Boys & Girls

Yep, here to bore you again is my most recent top 10.  I’m less than imaginative today, Ken is 43 today and I’m concentrating on the Birthday party for later. Bear with me!

 

 Boys:

Cosmo Valentin George/Cosmo Lucien George
Barnaby Edward Rex
Cassius Barnaby Rex
Remus Edward Xavier
Clarence Arthur Finlay
Alasdair Barnaby George
August Edward Valentine
Lucius Edward Porfirio
Arthur Henry Llewellyn
Linus Edward Anselm

Wildcard: Edward Balthazar George

Girls:

Cecily Pandora Jane
Ottoline Alice Marigold
Beatrix Poppy Elinor
Lucretia Ruby Iris
Pomeline Frances Elinor
Maud India Scarlett
Jemima Frances Ruby
Zelda Rosalie Violet
Winifred Elinor Plum
Edith Malu Violet

Wildcard: Eulalie Frances Madelief/Eulalie Frances Aricie

What do you think? How would you rank them? Which would you love to see used? My goodness, I have to go bake a cake for tonight! 

Lucretia Redux

Much to my surprise, Lucretia has been up for discussion all of today. Lucretia as been one of my loves for a number of years thanks to her luscious color and soft, silky texture. Lucretia Ruby Elinor has been our top combo for at least the past four months, which is rather long for me. (only Ottoline’s combo has stood longer than any before bestowing upon a child)

So we flipped through the lists to see what appealed this time. Here’s what did:

Lucretia Elinor Maud
Lucretia Elinor Valentine
Lucretia Elinor Minu (I’m so in love with Minu, she’s Persian and means ‘heaven’ awesome!)
Lucretia Ruby Iris
and Lucretia Alice Calliope has crept back on.

Of course, I can’t shake Lucretia Ruby Elinor either!

I ran a poll earlier today, and I know what won over there. I also know which one we prefer. What I’d love to know is ‘What do YOU think of them” and “which one do you like best”?   Would you mind telling me?  Thanks!

Now for the Girls

Figured I’d post the top 10 girls, singly and see what folks think.

Cecily – Celie, Cece, Celia
Ottoline  – Tillie, Ottilie
Beatrix – Bea, Bebe, Trixie
Pomeline – Millie, Polly, Poppy, Molly
Maud – Maudie
Mathilda – Tillie, Maudie, Millie
Lucretia – Lucy, Lulu
Jemima – Mimi, Jemma
Henrietta – Hettie, Hattie, Etta, Harriet
Zuleika – Zuzu, Zooey

 

And if you want to see the rest of the girls (and these in combos), check them out, here .

Lucretia

Yes, you read that right, Lucretia. What a strong, unfussy Lucy!  She’s the only longer form of Lucy that I do like and she’s managed to stay on my working list for almost a year. that’s an amazing feat for a namefreak like me.

I’m sure 99% of the folks who see Lucretia expect Borgia to follow. But my first thought is Lucretia  Coffin Mott, abolitionist & feminist in the 19th century. next thought is former First Lady, Lucretia Rudolph Garfield. Then and only then does my brain go “oh yeah, and Lucretia Borgia”. Whom I think got a bum rap in a History written mainly by men.  There’s a book : “Lucretia Borgia”  by Ferdinand Gregorovius which has an extensive collection of her correspondence and she comes across as a gracious, charming and modest lady there. Interesting reading and if she interests you at all, I suggest reading it. It’s fascinating.

She’s, as I said, been on my working list for almost a year. She’s been on my lists, i general, for far longer. I find her strength completely appealing and totally undeniable. I love her frill, say her :Loo-CREE-sha.  She’s the loveliest shade of blue and this print hangs in my hallway:

 

It’s by Rembrandt, so I’ll never own anything but a print but even the print is luscious; so rich & vivid. this picture really does no justice to  the actual picture. I think the original is in Minneapolis but am not sure, so if anyone’s inclined to further search on Rembrandt’s second attempt at Lucretia in 1666, and does find where she’s at these days, please let me know. If I’m able to see it in person before I’m an old lady, I would love to!

 

Anyhow, back to Lucretia as a name for a child of mine…  😀

I’ve had Lucretia Ruby Elinor on my list almost as long as she’s been on the working list. I like the flashy spunk of Ruby and the polished silken Elinor next to the elegant frill that is Lucretia. I think she shines, sapphire, ruby and white and feels nothing patriotic despite the color scheme. She’s all royal, regal and rich. No democrat, Lucretia. Not her. She’s a royal. Elegant, rich, ladylike, completely feminine and above all, steel strong. I think she’s just aces!

Nymbler Assocations from Ottilie (Ottoline), Florence, Lucretia (Lucy) & Edith

       Boys:

Mose, Clark, Florian, Porfirio, Urban, Gray, Evander, Tiberius, Fritz, Gustave, Vincent, Clement, Clarence, Lou, Franz, Thelonius, Julian, Chauncey, Octavius, Octavian, Rupert, Francis, Edmund, Amadeo, Algernon,  Willem, Horace, Claus, Amadeus, Tilden, Atticus, Jasper, Caspar,  Claud, Magnus,  Ignatius, Antony, Anastasios,  Leonidas, Benedict,  Sheppard,  Cato,  Rafe,  Silas,  Simeon,  Llewellyn,  Erastus,  Edwin,  Hugo,  Percy, Quincy, Bayard,  Edmond,  Phineas, Maximilian,  Cyrus, August, Zed,  Sylvester, Gus, Constantin,  Julius,  Cicero,  Lazarus,  Casper, Felix, Cassius, Horatio, Lucius, Erasmus, Ephraim, Augustus,   Ambrose, Leander, Theophilus, Marius, Linus.

 

 

Girls:

 

Myrtle, Frida, Wilhelmine, Millicent, Elinor, Leonore,  Luna,   Wilhelmina, Ophelia, Clarice, Dorothea, Cora,  Louvenia, Rowena,  Louisa, Leontine, Maud, Lenore, Esther, Henrietta, Martha, Zelda, Eulalia, Lucrece, Araminta, Ariadne, Alice, Leonora, Apollonia, Seraphina, Hermione, Leocadia, Ottie, Euphemia, Clotilde,  Violetta, Clarissa, Eugenie, Mathilda, Josephine, Clementine, Frances, Mathilde, Amalia, Antonina, Sylvie, Georgiana, Rosabel, Valentina, Valentine, Cecily, Marguerite, Camilla, Cecilia, Winifred, Filomena, Eugenie, Florence, Edith, Ottilie, Ottoline, Lucretia, Philomena,  Viola, Matilde, Aurelia, Flora, Lavinia, Beatrix, Cornelia.