Name help. Settle a small debate..what do you think?

Question

My husband and I are kind of debating about baby names. We like 2 of the same names, Lily Jane and Lily Catherine (or Katherine), but we each have names we like more than those two. He likes Lily Camille and I like Lily Sarai (pronounced Sar-EYE). Camille means perfect and Sarai means my princess. He likes Camille because it's feminine and unique, and I like Sarai because it's similar to my name, Sarah, I like the meaning and origins (all of us have Hebrew or traditionally Biblical names). I know most people like Katherine or Catherine, but what do you think of Camille or Sarai? Our last name begins with L.

Answer 1

I certainly think a compromise is in order, but I'd actually lean toward Lily Jane in this case. Catherine just seems more a concession to HIS preference of Camille, the two being obviously similar. ;)

Both Camille and Sarai are lovely names, but I'd have to side with you, in general. Lily Camille "L lastname" just seems a bit L-heavy, especially since the L-sound ending of Camille would run smack into the L beginning of your surname. It seems a middle name void of Ls -- such as Sarai -- would be your best bet. ;)

Also, if it helps the deliberations any, each meaning mentioned is actually incorrect (I'm sorry to point it out, but since they seem to play a role in your preference, certainly seems worth considering).

Camille actually stems from Camillus, of indefinite meaning, but often taken to refer to "attendant at a religious service." I believe the book or site you're referencing has confused it with the masculine Arabic name Kamil, which does mean perfect (but Camille does not share it's root, I'm afraid). The confusion comes from the fact that the Kamil spelling is ALSO used as the Czech, Slovak and Polish form of Camillus ... but in those instances, it still carries the same meaning of Camillus, rather than being equated with the separate Arabic name. Hopefully that makes sense. :) Here's a more detailed link: http://www.behindthename.com/php/search.php?nmd=n&terms=camille+camilla+camillus+kamil

Likewise, while Sarai is often assumed simply another form of Sarah -- being the Biblical Sarah's original name -- the two actually have independant meanings and origins. While Sarah CAN mean "princess," Sarai is generally taken to mean "contentious." So if the simple similarity to -- and possibly Biblical connection with -- your own name is enough, still a great choice. But it does not, in fact, mean "princess" as yours does. http://www.behindthename.com/php/search.php?nmd=n&terms=sarai+sarah

Some names that do carry "princess" meanings, if you're interested, would include Elmira, Amirah, Talulla and Orla. And if it's just the similar sound you liked, you might also consider Lily Serafina as a compromise that might appeal to you both. ;)

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

I like both Lily Camille and Lily Sarai. Sarai is a different, unique, name. I've never heard of it before, but I think it's pretty. Lily Camille is feminine and unique, too. This is hard one... Um, Lily Sarai.

Answer 3

If only you could combine them, cause the name would be a complete sentence along with being very pretty.
Here let me show you what I mean.
Lily Camille Sarai L. What she would be is a symbol of purity, feminine/unique princess. You can even go as far as using your name in the mix.
Lily Camille Sarah L
See, my problem is this I'm having a hard time choosing between those two.
Now back to the Lily Jane or Lily Katherine I like the Lily Kathryn version.
Oh I"d better quit while I'm not going anywhere..

Answer 4

Camille Sarai or Sarai Camille would be lovely. It would be very unique, but not odd. I think Lily Katherine sounds the best if I have to choose from the first two, but I prefer Camille and Sarai. I would call her Camille, since Sarai may be mis-pronounced a lot.

Answer 5

I like Lily Sarai. It is pretty and unique, and Sarai sounds better with Lily than Camille does. Plus, it has a beautiful meaning and is similar to your name, so I think it would mean more than Camille.

Answer 6

i love Lily Catherine. I think it looks best spelled Lily Katherine But as for the other two;
Lily Camille is repetative. Too many I and Y sounds.
Lily Sarai is is pretty. Very unique.

Answer 7

Sarai, definately. I've always disliked the name Camille, and it always brought to mind a smelly, dirty camel, or an old snooty spinster.

The name Katherine is nice, but it's just so... common, I guess. I prefer the nickname Katie than the whole name.

And Lily is just beautiful!

Answer 8

I dont love any of them. I like the first name Lily though. I definitely do not like Camille or Sarai with it. It doesnt flow, and those names are too trendy with an elegant name like Lily. Lilly Jane is ok and Lily Catherine I would have to say is the best out of the options because Lily is a short name and Catherine is a long name so they balance eachother out and Catherine has a soft/feminine sound to it as does Lily. Other suggestions would be....
Lily Grace
Lily Evangeline
Lily Anna
Lily Ann
Lily Isabel
Lily Annabel

Answer 9

I think Lily Camille L(last name) might be too many L's. Sarai is kinda weird and hard to pronounce, but if you both like it, go for it. My husband and I gave our son an unusual middle name because it really be known my anyone else. Or, why not just Lily Sarah after you? Lily Jane and Lily Katherine are both pretty. I am actually considering Lily Ann for my daughter, but Lily keeps getting more and more common.

Answer 10

Well, I'm already on record as loving Sarai. :)

Now that you mention that it is related to your name, I think it really is the right choice. There are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of Lily Katherines out there. But Lily Sarai is probably unique. And if the middle name honors you, well, then ... Camille might be pretty, but Sarai gives your daughter history.

Answer 11

I think Lily Sarai is the best=)
It means "my princess!"
Who DOESN'T see their baby girl as a princess?
That would be perfect for a little girl!

Although, I like Katherine and Jane too..Camille is cute, but I like the others better=)