For those who like classic, traditional but not overly common names...

[Amygdala]

Can you help me decide between our top 4 choices?

We have a LOT of criteria. We're looking for a name that
- is classic, preferably Greek in origin, or possibly Latin
- is not overused these days
- is recognisable, nothing that sounds weird or made up
- is easily pronounceable in English and German, so no Rs, Gs or THs (I'm sure there's more)
- if possible has a nice meaning. This isn't an absolute essential but would be nice

With that in mind, we currently like four names:
Marlene (Mar-LEH-nuh, as in the actress Marlene Dietrich)
Leonora
Antonia
Philippa

What do you think? Do any of them sound very odd/exotic/foreign to you? Can you think of others that might fit our criteria?

 

[AlaskaWife]

Oh I love the sound of Leonora!

 

[LoolaBear]

Marlene i would personally say Mar-lane
Marlena on the other hand i would say Mar-len-nuh

I also like Isadora

Marlene - would be my favourite from your list with Leonora a close second.

I used to work with an Antonia and she was a cow so put me off the name and Phillipa doesn't sound exotic at all as its quite a common name from the 80's and 90's in the UK.

 

[+tivethoughts]

Love Leonora.

 

[Sapphire83]

Marlene! It's very classy, feminine and timeless in my opinion. We pronounce it Mar-leen which is also easy to pronounce for Germans (trust me, I know!).

 

[MUMOF5]

There are quite a few names here : https://www.babynames.org.uk/greek-girl-baby-names.htm

Some suggestions:

Phoebe
Alexandra
Alyssa
Delphine
Dora
Evangeline
Isadora
Karissa
Lydia
Melissa
Sapphira
Tabitha

 

[JJKCB]

Im pretty sure over here Marlene is pronounced MAR-LEAN, if pronunciation is going to be a problem i would avoid it

I like Lenora and Antonia

not a fan of philipa sorry

 

[fairy_gem]

Hey!

The first thing that I thought was, isn't Marlene pronounced Mar-lean. I think this is something you are going to get a lot, the baby being called Mar-lean rather than Mar-leh-nuh, therefore going against your criteria of being easily pronounceable, but would be easily solved by using the spelling Marlena. I think Marlene pronounced as you would like is a very pretty name and would be my fave from your list, but I def think you should change the spelling. I'm not keen on any of the others to be honest.

In answer to your question, "Do any of them sound very odd/exotic/foreign to you?", I would say Marlene sounds the most exotic, Leonora and Antonia also sound slighty foreign.

Some suggestions which meet your criteria:
(I'm assuming the letters in your criteria are for the first letter of the name only as a couple of yours included an R)

Agatha - Greek origin. Meaning "Good".
Calista - Greek origin. Meaning "The most beautiful".
Cora - Greek origin. Meaning "Maiden".
Elisa - Greek origin. Meaning "My God is a vow".
Elsa - Greek origin. Meaning "My God is a vow".
Elsbeth - Greek origin. Meaning "My God is a vow".
Ophelia - Greek origin. Meaning "Help; aid". (This is the second girls name on our list...stunning!)
Penelope - Greek origin. Meaning "Weaver; duck".
Philomena - Greek origin. Meaning "To love strength".
Angelica - Latin origin. Meaning "Of the angels".
Beatrix - Latin origin. Meaning "Voyager through life".
Florence - Latin origin. Meaning "Blossoming; charming". (Our chosen girls name...stunning!)

 

[MrsPeacock13]

Of your top 4, my favourite is Philippa with Antonia coming second.