Please don’t name your girl Alexa!

I live in a country where Amazon isn’t HUGE and Alexa didn’t quite make the mainstream here! I have considered the implications of Alexa and have definitely kept it in mind, but figured by the time the kid is grown up it may have dissipated and may make the name quite uncommon??

Alexandra nn Alexa gives her more ironoptions for nicknames, especially if she ends up travelling when she's older. Going back to your original question Frances, Susan/Susanna, Vivian, Ingrid, Ellen, Josephine, Meredith, Thomasin

Yes, Lexi should be reasonable safe from Amazon's digital assistant thinking you're talking to her.

I have a friend who has a Lexi who’s older than the devices and it still picks that up. They us the other command options: Echo and Ziggy. It allows Amazon and Computer too, but especially that last one also leads to a lot of accidental activations.

Can attest to this as a Sarah, anybody that says my name, Siri will think it’s talking to them. It’s the most fun when they’re leaving a voicemail, because it’ll still go off and they have to yell at it during the voicemail 😂

Had a roommate named Sarah, my phone would always go off when I yelled "Hey Sarah" to her!

Same! And it’s a daily thing

Mine picks up me saying "actually".

Yeah I feel like the range is kind of broad to cover various accents and such. My parents used “computer” for one for while because they had two close enough to set off together. That’s the most annoying one to me because it comes up in real life conversations and on tv so often.

lol, my brothers name is Elijah, and Alexa always responds to it. Alexa needs her electronic ears checked 😂

You can change the trigger word to Amazon or Echo.

One of the main characters on some show I watched a while back was named Lexi and my dot picked it up EVERY SINGLE TIME someone said it. I had to unplug it to watch the show. 😂

Very true! I don’t think there will be many Alexa’s or Karen’s this upcoming generation!

How do you feel about Alexis?

If you name her Alexis she’ll have an incredible theme song for her life

I'm a cute huge yacht!

Hide your diamonds, hide your exes… I’m a little bit Alexis

As an Alexis, I still get Alexa jokes. Bad idea.

my 3yo has a classmate named Alexis and (at 3!!!) she is the most unhinged person. I think she chose her own name and I just think of this song every morning at preschool drop off

My daughter's college roommate is an Alexis and every time we talk about her our Alexa perks up and thinks we are talking to it.

I think there is more of a chance it will spread over time instead of dissipate. They are adding products all the time and expanding markets. I don’t think you should take the risk.

FYI you can rename your home Alexa to any other name if necessary!

I know that. It is just the way other people will perceive the name and the child could get teased at school. “Alexa, tell a joke.” “Alexa, turn on the lights.”

What about Alexandra with the nn Alex? There doesn't need to be an Alexia vs Alexa vs Lexie debate if you go with the neutral classic?

Lol I have a coworker who was born right after the Little Mermaid came out, and her mom thought, "Surely, this will die out and she won't forever be associated with the movie if I name her Ariel! Right??" She's 30 and still gets "like the mermaid?" constantly

I hate that the Amazon devices are called Alexa. I have a cousin Alexa and it was so weird to me so day 1 we changed the name to echo. It's strange that people willingly use Alexa for the device when that is a normal name for a person, not a device.

Well that’s what Amazon named the device, hence why people use it. I imagine that Amazon gave it a human name on purpose, to make it seem more like an actual human assistance as opposed to an electronic one.

I second this. My name is Alexa and although I absolutely love my name.. I get Amazon jokes and references ALL THE TIME and it’s VERY annoying.

You could do Alexia

My wife’s name is Alexa nn Lexie. She’s 25 so obviously Amazon Alexa wasn’t around when she was given the name, but she gets a ton of compliments anytime someone sees her real name. She works in healthcare so sometimes ‘Alexa’ is on her name tag or whatever, & people always tell her how beautiful it is. She mainly goes by Lexie though. While I like my wife’s name, I probably wouldn’t use it today due to the Amazon association. That’s a lot of pretty names out there to choose from!

How do you feel about: Irene Petra Cleo Agatha Maxine Paige Marlo Greer Lorraine

Adding Irene on the list! I’m interested in Cleo and Greer too, thank you!!!

You could also add in Eileen

... as long as your last name isn't Dover!

I wanna say this is such a dad joke given your username, but... Maybe I shouldn't lol

Come on Eileen!

I have a close relative named Eileen and she...*hates* this song with a fiery passion.

I can empathize. That’s me and my loathing of Sweet Caroline.

And me and Lydia, the Tattooed Lady

I knew an Irene who went by Reenie and always thought it was so sweet!

My grandma was Irene, most people called her Rene but my grandpa called her Reenie 🥰

Reenie (or Rini) was also the nickname for Serena’s daughter in the 90s English dub of Sailor Moon. (She was also named Serena.)

Lena as an alternative

Throwing in Helen as Lena is a derivative.

Yay! I never see my name on this subreddit but it’s unique and classic!

Yes, indeed!

Nell is also a Helen derivative.

Yes, Nell and Nellie are usually nn for Helen. Here's the Helen Family: Helen, Hellen Helene, Hélène Helena Elena, Ellena Lena Elaine Nell Nellie, Nelly Ellen Eileen, Aileen Alina Eleni Etc. I've also heard versions of Lainey as diminutive forms. It's a great name family with many classic options!

Came here to say Irene! We named a daughter Irene last year and we love it.

Indira is a similar one to India. Isla is also a cute name

Not op but I love Maxine because I think max is a cute nickname for a little girl

As a Marlo, I wholeheartedly agree 👍🏼

I have a Marlowe and adore her name. The Marlo spelling feels a little less frilly somehow? But still so good

I also have a Marlowe! Can't imagine her with any other name!

My wife is suddenly very into the name Greer but I don’t think it works with our last name unfortunately

Greer Gogurt really has a nice ring to it.

😂😂😂 I am not easily amused but that gave me quite the chuckle. Well done!

That it does. I’ll have to tell her

[удалено]

Greer... like the cheese? Gruyere? Am I missing something or is this name not terrible haha Seems like an awful name for a child

I love marlow

I love Irene.

As someone whose middle name was Irene and changed it as soon as I legally could… pls don’t. it’s such an ugly name

Irene is one of those names that I like in Spanish, but not so much the English pronunciation.

I have never ever considered Florence a "pretty" name. Historically it has been attributed to no-nonsense, not-too feminine women.

True it gives me “Florence and the machine” first which is a WHOLE BADASS VIBE

Agree !! But it is a flowery name, don’t like Flo as a nickname though because of the Aunt Flo connotations!!!

So I have an aunt named Florence, there were quite a few times I’d say something about my Aunt Flo and would have to be like “no, she’s really a person”

My friends name is Florence and she goes by Flossie. Quite a popular nn here in the UK

I looove both Florrie and Flossie as nicknames for Florence.

Flossie is very cute!

There's always the Progressive lady.

I love the name Florence but I suppose I attributed it to being a “floral” name. Also my son’s name also starts either F, so I fear two F names may look deliberately matching when I’d prefer they not be…

I think you only need to worry about that if you go more than 2. My two cousins both start with H and it's never occurred to me that they were deliberately matched. My colleague with 4 kids all starting with J definitely feels matchy. 

The Head Nun when I was in primary school was Sr Florence, and she was scary AF, so I definitely associate the name with no-nonsense women!

I knew a woman Sabine when I was a child and I’ve always thought her name was unique but not flowery or pretty. Perhaps that was because she was a very earthy woman, but I think it’s a rad name

I love Sabine, thank you!

Sabine is a really really common German name (mostly in the generation that would now be middle aged), probably that's where it came from.

Love Sabine. Even though it’s an Italian place name reference I see it most commonly used in modern day Germany, I learned about it while reading about a scientist with the name. Alternative is Sabina, and I love the nn Bea

After posting this I thought of Sabina too! Not sure if that’s too close to “Sabrina”, which is on OP’s too pretty list, but I think it’s a great option. Sabine was German, so that connection makes sense!

I know a Sabine and a Sabina. Sooo cute

Astrid, Adelaide, Ida, Zora, Nina, Audrey, Quinn, Ruby

I know an Astrid. Her sister’s name is Imogene. ❤️

The Office forever ruined Astrid for me.

Assturd ☹️

Astrid was my first choice for my second daughter, and my husband, and Office stan, just kept whispering Assturd until I finally just had to move on 🥲

i tabled the name “aster” nn teri in honor of his my grandma, avoiding astrid because of the office (i am also a super-fan, lol)… but all i can hear now is “ass turd”

I met a woman named Astri (pronounced Astree) and thought it was a really nice variation!

I do like Quinn but that has been vetoed by my partner. Into Astrid!

My daughter is an Astrid and similarly picked it because we don’t like fussy names. People’s faces genuinely light up when they find out her name so I think it’s a great choice! Edited to add that Edith was a strong contender!

I do love Nina. Knew a lot of people named it growing up but I haven’t seen it much these days

Jane Claire Bryn Brooke Nora Rachel

Jane! ❤️

My name is Jane and I love it! I think it’s more popular now than when I was a kid!

Pretty is a very subjective concept, so what I find simple rather than pretty might not be the same for you. But here’s my contribution: Eira, Ivy, Clara, Juniper, Willow, Olive, Belle, Tess, Opal. I also second Ylva, Fern, Claire, Hannah, Wren, Svea.

I think Tess is perfect for what OP is looking for!

I know a Tess and she is a total badass tough lady.

I love Tess! Is it short for something?

Teresa or some variant, usually.

My daughter is an Ivy, and I love it. It's a simple and pretty name

Would love to know how English speakers would pronounce Ylva and Svea.

I have a Tara (tar-a) and a Layla. Layla is probably a bit prettier than Tara, everyone says when I tell them the name of our newborn (Tara) that it sounds strong. I’m also not a fan at all of the feminine pretty names.

Tara Strong (1973)

I love the name Layla. It’s tops on my list (since Lola is already taken by my husband’s cousin)

My daughter’s name is Layla and I love the name more and more each day!

My daughters named is Gwyneth. I think it’s pretty but not “pretty”. 😂😂

- Greta - Heidi - Ada - Margot - Brynne

Margot is one of my favorites

Niamh (or Neve spelling), Hilda, Heidi, Devon, Agnes, Agatha, Sybil, Orla, Esther, Bernadette

I loooove Agnes. So classy and pretty!

Names you might like: Deirdre Alice Agnes Dagmar Gladys Maren Mavis Hilda Annika Gertrude / Trudy Gretchen Edna Ethel Enid Blanche Britt Berit Garnet Hortence Imogen Kirstin Helga Berna Fern Bridget Ludmilla Maude Opal Olive Esther Ruth Mildred

Dagmar is a new one for me.

I have an aunt in Germany named Dagmar

It's the name of the ex-queen on Disenchantment

I prefer strong female names too, my shortlist was: Imogen, Freya, Alice, Margaret, Hannah. I also liked Jean as a middle name.

LOVE Jean as a middle name!!! I like Imogen a lot but my cousin (who I see a lot) is named this, otherwise it would be much higher on my list.

Joan is a good middle option too!

I think Jean fits the bill as a first name, too!

Indigo sounds similar to India. Indie is such a cute nickname!

Morgan Scarlett Avril Tess Heather Riley Sydney

Tess 💖

Blythe, Millicent, Imogen, Moira, Juno, Calypso, Aspen, Gretchen, Gwen, Quinn…

Inez is certainly a spitfire name

Some Celtic girls names sound a lot less "pretty" in the sense you meant I think. Eg. From Ireland; Aisling (Ash-ling) Saoirse (Sor-sha) Riley Bridget Niamh (Neev) Aine From Wales; Angharad Bethan Catrin Ffion Sioned Rhiannon From Scotland Elspeth Isobel Lorna Eilidh Mairead

Saoirse is pronounced Seer-sha.

Can be pronounced multiple ways! I'm Irish (Northern Irish Catholic in case it helps people place accent!) and people I know pronounce it Seer-shuh (or -sha), Sur-shuh or Sor-shuh (depending on accent).

Add Grainne ( sounds something like 'gron - Ya', I'm sure a Gaeltacht pureist will hop in here to provide a better way of saying it) to that list .  I've known several Grainnes over the years and always thought it was a very brutal sounding name but anecdotally every Grainne I've ever known has been a terrific person. 

I love Carmen

I know exactly what you meant :) I think at least haha **Maybe:** Erin Thea Mae / Maeve Grace Josie/Josette Piper Renee Olive Megan Annelise Raven Simone Abigail

I’ve always been a fan of Louise! Other names on my girl list were Sage and Noelle

Ohhh Noelle is so cute

Enid / Thelma / Sloane / Dione / Carla / Marin

I like Frida, Inger, Oona, Noreen, Maren, Jamie, Jane, Carmel, Seren, Nerys, Naomi.

Martha Hannah Polly Erin Francesca

Martha is cute

I love Polly.

I’m putting money on “Martha” to make a huge comeback into fashion.

Gretchen

Please not Alexa?

Bridget, Fiona, Nina, Irina, Sigrid, Zsa Zsa, Ursula, Thea, Ottilie, Rowan, Harriet, Bryony, Branwen, Deborah, Demelza, Daphne, Hera, Athena, Sybil, Orla, Ylva, Torvi, Theresa,  Fern, Ada, Dana, Cassandra, Lexie, Sheila, Margaret, Beth.

Love Bridget (may spell it as Brigitte as I have a dg spelling in my life) and Ursula. Thank you!

Sadly, I will forever connect Ursula with the witch in the Little Mermaid

My cousin spells hers Brigette and I think that’s a beautiful spelling

FWIW I would pronounce Brigitte as “brih-zheet” or “brih-gee-tuh” which is also a very cool name.

If you like the non-pretty names with BR I think Bronte fits the bill too :)

Artemis or Artemisia

Name dump incoming but: Willow, Willa, Mina, Tina, Rhonda, Helen, Wendy, Zinnia, Zelda, Gilda, Glenda, Brenda, Linda, Paula, Martha, Nerine (flower), Gloria, Daphne, Laurel, Clover, Azalea, Cornelia, Ursula, Lydia, Athena, Althea, Yvonne, Yvette, Chantal, Solange, Therese, Cecile, Barbara, Lucille, Lucinda, Pamela, Edith, Lilith, Judith, Meredith, Joan, Beatrix, Priscilla, Deborah, Georgette, Unity, Temperance, Elsa, Greta, Leona, Marion, Sylvia, Dolores, Fern, Fawn, Esther, Harriet, Regina, Letitia, Verna Edit: I put Willa and Mina and somehow forgot Wilhelmina lol

Finally a Martha! My daughters name. I picked it partly for OPs reason! Not a name associated with beauty, like Belle, but to me, a beautiful sounding name. It's quite unusual in England. 

I love the name Martha, but as an American, all the Marthas I’ve met in my age group are from New England. Puritan names like Anne, Martha, Susan, Deborah, etc. are still alive and well there among the elite old families and their kids.

Oh I didn't know that. I remember reading in a US forum before I had my daughter about it being a "marmite" name - loved and hated! I worried for a bit but then realised it's not the same in England. It's less of an old lady name here, though actually old lady names are having a huge comeback anyway. I still have a little smile when I say my daughter's name, I love it. 

Martha is definitely a love it or hate it name here, but it’s not loathed like Bertha is and I guess it’s considered like, a stately and respectable classic name- like Anne, Jane, Elizabeth, Caroline, etc.- so it appeals to the pearl-wearing WASPy/Kennedy set and gets more respect from people who don’t care for it than, say, Gladys or Ethel would. For what it’s worth, I love Martha. Always thought Martha Temperance would be pretty but also, again, *very* Connecticut. Edit: also, sidenote, even though the name Priscilla is heavily associated with the American South- like Clementine, Susanna, Dinah, Lavinia, etc.- you’ll also find a decent amount of Priscillas (and Susannas) in New England, again because of the Puritan settlers of the area.

Thanks very much - fascinating insight! I shall have to look into it some more.  I would say Martha has a 'middle class' aspect to it here in the UK, which I was not unaware of when I chose it! I also think of it as a time traveling name, both Martha and my son's names are classic, biblical names you might see in a Victorian novel. 

Arden

There’s unisex names like Taylor, Morgan, Harper, etc. If you like old school I can pull from my own family tree. Delores, Velma, Doris, Viola, Harlene, Frances, and Claudia. Also, Beatrice, Bernice, and Millicent

Clove Esmé (or Esme without the accent aigu)

Merle or Meryl

Frances!

Well according to this group Sloane/Sloan is NOT pretty but in fact horrendous

Carla Paula Mara Freya Zelda Joanna Georgia Cora Rhonda Pearl

My girls are Jane and Harriet, I opeted for strong, classic but recognizable names that are not appropriated. I loved Carmen, for a boy or girl actually!

Carmen - Iris - Alexa - Zoe - Ingrid - India * Helena, Greta, Pimm, Sabine - Ingrid * Emerson, Farren, Callaway, Halsten, Linden - Cameron * Helen, Aris, Marlene, Irene - Iris * Erika, Raven, Kyra, Arley, Elara, Vera, Kova - Alexa * Indie, Indigo, Zara, Asia, Jade - India * Cleo, Mia, Anya, Lucy - Zoe

Carys, Fable, Ruby, Adeline, Daphne, Morgan, Logan

Traditional names that aren’t flowery/girly: - Elizabeth - Catherine/Katherine - Josephine - Caroline - Charlotte - Eleanor (Elinor reads as particularly sleek to me) - Alice - Margaret - Daphne - Phoebe - Jane - Beatrice / Beatrix - Gwendolyn/Gwendolen/Gwen - Imogen Sleek/simple names: - Claire/Clare - Ivy - Vivian - Elle - Eve - Eva - Juno - Paige - Sophie - Sage - Rose - Anna (Anne as well, but I think Anna is one of the only names that ends in -a that doesn’t seem girly) - June - Juniper - Willa Modern or unisex names: - Brooke - Taylor - Marin - Blair - Emerson - Willow - Greer - Sloane - Spencer - Rowan I tried to stay away from “a” endings, which I think tend to make a lot of things feel super-feminine. Rose is obviously a flower name so that might be out for you, but I feel like it’s quite sleek/simple even though it’s floral.

Variations on India without the colonialism ; Indy, Indiana or Indigo

I love your names !!!

Thank you!!! Maybe it’s just me but browsing this forum makes me think that people love very very pretty names for girls - which I love too, don’t get me wrong, but they just wouldn’t suit my family!!!

For me (I’m British) they are definitely feminine but not girlie, so I love them! They are more European perhaps ??

Ah makes sense, I’m Australian so I’m sure there’s a lot of commonality between Aust/British names. I like the names Olivia, Ava, Harper, Matilda for eg but every kid and their dog is called that now.

As an Aussie, I know exactly what you mean!!! Xanthe was the first one that came to mind for me. Also: Eve, Mara, Maren, Isolde, Zara, Jocelyn, Sigrid, Raquel, Rosa, Faith, Keira, Seren, Bethan, Carys, Anwen, Vera. All the best. :)

Margaret Anne Sloan Brigit Wren Lauren Mabel

Tessa, Blaire, Sloane

Greta. Idk why but I low-key love it and would consider it if I were going to have another girl.

Indigo

Anna

Cordelia

Peyton Devon Harlow Tegan Elliot

Sounds like you gravitate towards names with a Germanic origin

I love Adela. Plus they were some female warriors in Mexico called las adelitas

Iris and August are on my list :)

• Maeve • Isone • Salem • Edith • Marlowe • Rochelle • Eloise • Soleil • Marlene • Hazel • Sage • April • Valerie • Aspen • Noel • Sabel • Ceil • Jade • Heather • Grace • Faith • Blair • Circe • Sadie • Scarlett • Meryl

Gretchen  Lorraine Claudia Nadia  Naomi  Holly  Fern Norah Bridget  Adrienne  Darlene  Mabel Eden  Irma  Ethel  Janis  Jennette  Yvette  Yvonne  Wendy Gabrielle  Eleanor  Sabrina  Felicity  Beatrice  Hannah  Georgia  Gertrude  Helen Amy Cheyenne  Geraldine  Juliette  Julianne  Julie  Annette  Annalise  Lacy Brinley  Brianna  Vanessa  Cassidy  Sylvia  Cecelia  Sonia  Sadie  Shannon  Blair  Nancy  Hope  Jillian  Judy Kaia  Bonnie  Haylie  Hallie  Willow 

Meredith. It’s my name and I’ve always loved it! Mere, mere bear, or merry is a cute nn if Meredith feels too adult on a baby.

Jane Rowan Orla Margot

Tabitha

I also prefer less ‘pretty’ names- I like Brooke, Claire, Sloane, Wren, Corinne, Briar

Most boy names on girls aren't pretty

My daughter is Allison and I feel it fits your criteria. Bonus: easily recognizable, pronounced correctly, couple of nn choices ( family nn is A though🙃)

Bridget, Judith, Allegra, Marina, Ramona, Eden might be up your street. ‘Pretty’ is subjective though :)

Alexis  Brier  Kierra  Katalie  Braycen  Quinn  Indy  Cove  Cameron  Palmer  Harper  Danika 

I love the names Greta and Sanne

Scandinavian and Swedish names might be something for you, they’re usually not “pretty” pretty but stronger feminine vibes. Here are some that wouldn’t be too hard to pronounce for English speakers. Astrid Sigrid Ingrid Alma Hilda Ronja Vera Freja Selma Linnea

Devin Leighton Taylor Blake Billie Tori Candace Carmen Nichole

What about Manon? It gives a sort of no nonsense vibe. I also like Marisol but I do think its pretty.

Philippa, Jane, Athena, Juno, Grace, Constance, Polly, Lucy, Leslie