Old Fashioned or New and Edgy Baby Name?

I LOVE it. I've been deluged with hipster names and this one doesn't feel hipster. It feels Vintage and unique and edgy in a good way. Since it truly was a great grandma's name, I'd use it happily! I have a Violet (after her grandma), an Atticus and a Vivian. If I had a third daughter it was going to be Valentine (nicknamed Valentina). OR VENICE NOW!!!!! Don't worry, I'm not having anymore kids so I won't steal..:) I love the name!

I LOVE Venice May, I would stick with it! It is different while not sounding like you are trying to be different.

I would not name a child Venice - - though Venice Italy is one of my dream vacations. It makes me think of gondolas and someone singing O Sol O Mio, she would hate you if some kid followed her around the playground singing O Sol O Mio.

You could name her Violet Mae, the spelling of the name Mae is with an e. It's still old fashioned and prettty.

I love names that have back stories. =)

The reason I like the name Venice for your daughter, is because it has a story to go with it. She is named after the Great Aunt.

Other people will always associate something with almost any name you give.

The name we chose for our daughter was for a very dear friend.

At that time, I had an employee with the same name, of course some people thought I named our child after her. Give me a break.

Then in our family, I have a cousin with the same name, so some family members thought that is who we named her after..

I do not care.. I love the name. It suits our daughter perfectly..

FYI, We never once shared or asked others what they thought of the name, because we honestly, did not give a hoot about anyone elses thoughts.

I love the name Venice. I love that it has a family history.

Love Charlotte. Venice makes me think of the pigeons. Sorry just honest.

I agree with Lillym. The name Venice reminds me of Venice Beach and all that goes with it. I don't think it goes very well with Shirley. I love the name Charlotte. And of course, I am partial to the name Lucy (my name!). Both of those names would go well with the middle name May, if you decide to still use your hubby's great grandma's middle name.

Good luck with the decision! I'm sure all of your friends have been joking to name this new baby Laverne….

It is a personal choice and we can't tell you what to name your child.

Keep in mind, what sounds cute as a baby and elementary school may hurt the child in higher grade levels. Also, think of that name on a professional and an elderly person and see how it clicks in your mind.

I see a lot of non-traditional names in the school where I substitute and I feel sorry for some of the children because they have been straddled with such a quirky name that the parents thought was cute.

I have also witnessed, and stepped in to stop the behavior when children tease someone about their name.

You name last your lifetime... please choose something classic. I get why you don't want a top 10 name.. I didn't want that either when we named our daughter.

I love it. Never heard of it before but it doesn't sound new and edgy either. It sounds classic, timeless and very pretty IMO. Love naming her after a Great Grandma, very cool.

Venice sounds new and edgy. Using the names of cities is a new thing. There's London, Aberdeen, Dakota, Cheyenne. I've hearx others but can't think of them now.

My grandmother's name was Vinetta. I thought of it because it's similar in sound to Venice but it doesn't have the family connection. I think I would use the family name.

Venice is a weird name. When I read it, I thought "Seriously? Venice? I hope she doesn't do that to her child." I get that you'd be naming her after someone, but it's the name of a city, not a person. Stick with traditional and timeless.

My cousin just had a baby and named her Charlotte. I love the name. Venice is very unique. I've had students with very unique names and absolutely adore them. I think it's wonderful to not have the same name as everyone else in school. It doesn't sound old/traditional to me though because I haven't actually heard it before. Either way, I like it.

I am not a fan of Venice and it reminds me of something the stars would use, like Apple or North.

How about doing Charlotte Mae? Or Emma Mae?

Can't say I love Venice - reminds me of both Venice Beach and Venice, Italy (both kinda dirty and filled with tourists). And it rhymes with "menace". Just not a huge fan.

I LOVE Charlotte or Lucy. I love Emma, too, but SOOO many kids seem to be named Emma these days...

Lucy Mae would be my vote, followed by Charlotte Mae.

To me Venice sounds neither traditional nor edgy.

How about another Italian city? Florence. Much more traditional/timeless. You could still use May with that.

Classic names: Catherine, Caroline, Anna, Eleanor, Julia, Theresa, Rose, Mary, Margaret, Lorraine, Hannah, Cynthia, Madeline, Lillian, Claudia, Lydia, Sylvia.

Venice is a cool name, but it sounds funky, and wouldn't match classic times or just old fashioned like Shirley. Ruth or Lucy might be a better choice. Lucy May would be pretty cute. I really LOVE Charlotte, but Charlotte and Shirley sound a little matchy and I don't care for matchy names

I have never heard the name Venice before, so I would think it was new and edgy, and not in keeping with the traditional/timeless names of your other children. I think Lucy and Charlotte are better choices to go with Shirley.

I've never heard of the name Venice. It's what I would consider "unique". We chose more traditional for our girls: Elizabeth Eve and Emily May. If a name means something important or sentimental to your and your hubby, I would go with it, as it would have heart-warming meaning. Oh, and congrats!! :)

I always tend toward the traditional, but I think Venice could be a very nice name. I've never heard of it before (except as a city), so I'd think it's different - but it's not weird like "Precious Angel" or "Moon Boots" or "Breeze" or some other monikers out there.

Would you feel more comfortable using Venice as a middle name? Charlotte Venice Smith? Ruth Venice Johnson? It would certainly be a lovely idea to honor the memory of your daughter's great-great-grandmother.

Remember that all names go in and out of style, so all names are "weird" - at least slightly - at some time or other. Focus instead on what will look good on your daughter's diploma when she gets her doctoral degree.

venice beach makes me think surfer hippies

use a name which follows with your other children.

while I'm not a fan of Venice, I did want to name my last child after my great gma. My husband hated the name....& we had a boy anyway. :)

I think May still honors the family & flows better....suiting both modern & old-fashioned standards. :)

I'm with Amy J! Although it does not have an "old fashioned" feel to me, it sounds like a breath if fresh air.
Unique, yet classic.
Good chance it will be shortened to Ven, which is cool too.
Good luck!

I don't care for Venice - sounds like an edgy place name.
Charlotte or Lucy or Ruth (Ruthie) are great.
Emma is good but over done these days.
Mabel (Mothers Always Bring Extra Love)
Nancy
Deborah
Martha
Mary
Marie
Anne
Clara
Sarah
Ella
Ivy
Helen
Barbara
Betty
Alice
Wilma
Daphne
Vera
Colleen
Bethany

C.:

Venice is really close to Venus - as in Venice Williams tennis star....people might get it wrong - to be honest! :) It's kinda like the celebrities naming their kids....Apple, North, Moon Unit, Destry, Fifi....Blue Ivy....the list goes on...

How is Shirley weird? Yes, it's old-fashioned, but it's a good, strong name!

I don't like the name Neaveh - sorry - but it's wwwaaayyy over done.

My best friend had a co-worker - his Nevets, Steven spelled backwards. Never was able to get a souvenir with his name on it!!!

Emma is more popular than you think.
Lucy - only Lucy's I've personally known have been dogs.
Charlotte - LOVE it!! Char and Lottie nick names.

If you are looking for something different?
Daphne
Veronica
Sabrina

In the end, it doesn't matter what WE think, right? This is YOUR child. Name her what you want.

Congrats!!

Charlotte, Lucy, Emma, Ruth..

I have Emily Rose becasue it is timeless and grows with her. We also have a horrible last name, so I needed something nice for her.

She was almost Emma Kathleen.. but Emma May would be nice also.

I wanted something that when her futher employer is looking at names on 300 job applications, A. they would know it is a her... and be able to say it with out a challenge. I get new age and edgy, but some of these names I think.. what the heck was that parent thinking.

Good luck, and Congratulations.

My sister nixed Lilly because it's very common, but it really matters where you live. I was the only kid with my name when we lived in the midwest. I moved east and was one of three in one class. You adjust. You earn nicknames. I am all for family names and I don't think Venice is weird, but it's not "classic" the same way the other names are. I think people will like the story - a name like Venice needs a story.

I think Venice is neat. I haven't heard that name ever actually for a kid!
I do also LOVE Charlotte. If One of my boys had been a girl they would have been named Charlotte, either first name or middle name. I have an Aunt named that who I adore!

I think Venice is nice, especially with the family connection.
I would steer away from Emma Mae- as cute as it looks in writing, it sounds like her name means Mixed Martial Arts- MMA :)
You could also keep the initials, like others have suggested:
Veronica May, Vivianne Marie, Valerie May, Vera Melissa
(not that I think any of these are perfect, just some examples :) )

Why not Mae, still a tribute, and classy one. Like Mae West.

:)

I LOVE my grandma's name, Vilace (V-eye-lah-s). I was going to name my second little girl Violet (if I have one...) to be close without copying... but my cousin already stole it. Lol. Anyway, I think it is a beautiful, old-fashioned, and unique name.

Venice, to me, makes me think of Venice Beach. Maybe Vivian or Vanessa (pretty close... You could even tweak it to Venissa to link it to her G-G-Grandma...) if you are liking V names. Any of the 5 I listed would go well with May as a middle name. :)

Flora is my timeless name. My grandmother's name was Floriana and we called her grandma Flor or Flora.

Recently I used the character name Flora while playing lazar tag.

I have heard the name Venice but not in combination with May. I like Venice, but don't care for the Southern touch of Venice May.

I love Charlotte with nn Lotte (Lottie). Venice is not my style, but Victoria is. I love timeless names. I also really like Emma too. I know of several little Lucy (another cute name that was once old, but new again).

We have a little friend named Charlotte and a little friend named Lucy. I think all the names you listed are wonderful. Venice is different, but it's nice! I don't think of anything negative when I put it in context of a baby name.

Congratulations on your growing family! :)

I now hear bjork in my head singing......

I have no opinion in Venice. Just think about how you'll feel saying it 20 times a day.

I would not consider the name Venice to be traditional. I guess that is because I do not know anybody w/ that name. I hear Emma and Ella alot lately. To me, they are names that are very old-fashoined and remind me of a Grandma's name.

My favorite Aunt's name was Shirley. So, I love the name. I miss her dearly.

I think out of the names above...I like Charlotte. What about Charlotte May?

On that same note, If the name is in your family...Then, go for it. The name is extremely unique.

No more baby for me, but, if I did...I love the name Carissa.
My favorite old-fashioned name is Melissa!

May sounds old. Venice sounds "new and edgy." At least to me.

If it were me, I would go for something that fit with the other names you have used. It would be okay to combine "old" and "new" but I would use the "old" part what you call her.
In other words, if you were to name her Venice May, would you call her Venice? Or would you call her May? May fits better with Charlotte, Lucy, Emma and Ruth.
And no, I have never heard the name Venice for a girl before.

I like Venice. It sounds edgy & new. Maybe come up with a diff middle name.

May makes it sound old fashioned.

My granddaughter is named Evelyn May, and the day before she was born, another Evelyn was born. I think it's a melodic name.

My husband used to work with a woman named Venice. I like it! Of the others you mentioned I like Charlotte the best.

Updated

My husband used to work with a woman named Venice. I like it! Of the others you mentioned I like Charlotte the best.

I like Venice. You should go for it if you really like that name. I wanted to name my dd Camille but that was my supervisors name so that was completely out of the question. Good luck with your name search.

I love it! Very unique and not over-the-top.

I have a friend that named her daughter Ireland, so it's not as weird as you might think. It would appear place names are in.