Reply #23: The least dorky name on your list is Iris. [View All]

[Gormy Cuss]

I have uncommon first and middle names --neither are unique, just a bit unusual-- and it can be a pain in the neck. Not only are there two equally acceptable ways to spell my first name but there several other variants. I've known women with 3 other spellings and have seen 2 more. That's 7 ways to spell the same name before counting the phonetic and inventive misspellings by people who try to guess at it.

The other experience that I've had is that people have a tendency to remember it as a more common and similar sounding name. On your list, I predict Nerissa will become Marisa, Liora will become Lora.

Having said all that, I'm a fan of names off the Top 100 most common list but I think that either the first or the middle name should be something that doesn't require explanation. I think all your names are great as single names but I don't like any of the combos for this reason.