BTW, the ten most common names for girls from 1986 to 1990 were Jessica, Ashley, Amanda, Jennifer, Sarah, Brittany, Stephanie, Samantha, Elizabeth, and Nicole. Megan, Melissa, Michelle, and Morgan (in that order) were the most popular female M-names in the '80s and '90s (Megan in particular).

Quote from: Silvermist on August 12, 2013, 01:14:48 AM
BTW, the ten most common names for girls from 1986 to 1990 were Jessica, Ashley, Amanda, Jennifer, Sarah, Brittany, Stephanie, Samantha, Elizabeth, and Nicole. Megan, Melissa, Michelle, and Morgan (in that order) were the most popular female M-names in the '80s and '90s (Megan in particular).

This is a huge lol moment because most of those names are on my list!  I suppose I am a product of my age and environment because these are some of my favorite names.  That's something to think about. 

LTL what about your new middle name?  Is it important to you that it sounds right when your 1st and middle name are said aloud?  Something distinctive or with the flow?  I have decided to turn my old 1st name into my middle name.  It is not likely popular with those who want a clean and clear break from the past but at my senior age it feels OK to acknowledge my whole life and the person who helped me get here.

A tip for not worrying about it too much. I chose my name, and then I began to doubt. What if it doesn't really feel like me? What if it's too common? What if it doesn't sound mature enough? What if XYZ doesn't like it? What if...?

And then I had a revelation. People don't (normally) choose their name. They're given by their parents, and they don't have a say in it. They get used to it, and in nearly every case, they won't dislike it overly. That's just how it is. The name is decided, it's given, and then the dice are thrown and there's no going back.

Once I decided to do as if the name had been given to me by my parents and deal with the good and the bad of it, my hesitation was gone. So you

Tessa James: Are middle names really necessary? Dunno about the US but here, apparently, nowadays, a good half of people don't give one to their children, or they only have one unofficially and it's never registered anywhere. If it's that way in the US too... then I'd see that as an opportunity to have one fewer thing to worry about.

No middle name is required and maybe you are on to something with down sizing and simplification?

Some of the "M" names listed seem to work for you, given what we know.  I think Jenny works for you as well. I don't know that Jennifer works..  I'm curious about how they work with your last name....You should check that out.
I chose Jennifer because a. that was my name and b. it works with my last name very well.  Popularity of the name at the birth time is important as well.  The SS administration has the 100 most popular names by decade on the internet.  Interesting reading, suggest to check it out..
Sarah or Sara??  I've know a couple and thoughtful, caring and regal comes to mind for me. 
Natalie?  Sydney? Jenna?
I keep thinking Jenna but, then agan, I'm a Jennifer so there is some bias.....

Hi LTL,
Sorry but I'm only picking up this thread now.
We have all come to know you well on this forum over the past months. Your kind words and loving support have helped many of us through some dark times and also added sunshine upon happy times.

When I think of you I think of "freedom" - freedom to be the girls that we are, freedom to accept and love who we are. There is a lovely Irish name Saoirse (pronounced Seeorsha) that means freedom.

I hope you choose a name you will love, and you will always be Saoirse to me.

Love,
Ciara.

Quote from: learningtolive on August 12, 2013, 01:10:54 AM
Perhaps it's just my age.  It may be a younger girls name, so that's why it doesn't register for me.

My sister tried pushing Madison on me, but I had the same reaction you did. My archetypal Madison is about ten years old.

I'd suggest Madeleine, but it's taken

If you like Molly, go for it. Along the same lines, though, you might consider Millicent, Mallory, or Maia.

Best of luck in you quest.

Maddy

Jennifer
Nicoline
Aisha
Patricia

was the names I could think of, but again it up to you.

I think insteed of alot of random names it may be more easy for you to find your name if you think of something you like or what you want your name to be part of?

should it be a forregian name or a casual name? long or short?
-
I found my name because I used to writte alot and then I started using myself as kind of a inspiration for my main characters.
My name is one of those main characters I got, I know other people who ex picked a name from a good friend/loved one, from what there parrents originally would had called them, or something ells. like my friend got her name from the little mermaid.

you could also try seach the names meaning and find a name who mean something.