What do you think of the name Linnea (Li-NAY-ah)?
Is that how you would pronounce it? Love it? Hate it?
Do you like it with Louise as the middle? ... Linnea Louise? I don't usually like alliteration, but the middle has to be Dana or Louise to honor my husband's mother.
Do you like Linnea Louise with sister, Julia Catherine?
I haven't asked my DH about this one yet. I was set on Clara Louise and then he said he was over it!
grapefruit / 4089 posts
It makes me think "linea nigra" when I see it in writing, so I'm personally not a huge fan. I've never come across it in real life so I'm not sure how it's actually pronounced! I love love Clara, though! 
grapefruit / 4120 posts
I like Linnea! I would probably say Lynn-A. Linnea Louise is OK but it doesn't knock me out.
watermelon / 14467 posts
I love it! I have a friend named Linnea and I've always loved her name.
nectarine / 2641 posts
I know a girl named Linnea and I always loved it. I think it's beautiful and that the linea negra thing would only be noticed by very very few (I didn't think of it). I think it works with Louise okay.
grapefruit / 4089 posts
@78h2o: Sorry 
I'm sure most people would never make that connection!
eggplant / 11824 posts
I know 2 women named Linnea, and both pronounce their names Lynn-E-uh, so you might run into spelling/pronunciation issues. I do think it's a beautiful name though!
honeydew / 7916 posts
I love it! Ages ago when I first had baby fever this was my girl name because I liked the sciencey aspect and a botanical meaning without being as obvious as Rose or Violet.
pomegranate / 3231 posts
I like it, though I don't loooooove it with Louise. I did not think of linea negra. Honestly, the word linea just means 'line' in Spanish anyway, so that connection wouldn't bother me. It *does* make me think of Carl Linnaeus though.
grapefruit / 4441 posts
@yoursilverlining: I like that pronunciation too... not sure which one I like better. I'll have to look and see which is more common.
apple seed / 3 posts
I love the name Linnea! And yes that is how I would pronounce it. I know a beautiful young lady with that name so I think it is beautiful and very feminine. This name is secretly on my list for girls; haven't told DH yet, haha.
pomegranate / 3272 posts
Maybe it's b/c I"m pregnant and I'm on a pregnancy website but I totally first thought of linea negra. I'm sure "normal" people won't think that.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
I thought of linea negra as well, sorry. I also pronounced it Lynn-e-ah when I saw it.
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
My husband has a relative named Linnea. She pronounces it Luh-nay-uh.
I actually don't really like it but that may be because the relative is a tiny bit odd and that's my only memory of the name.
grapefruit / 4441 posts
@mamimami: @Jess1483: @ElbieKay: I agree, Linnea Louise is not my favorite combo. Not sure how to get around that though because Linnea Dana is much worse. I do like Linnea and Julia as sisters though.
grapefruit / 4441 posts
@LuLu Mom: I think that pronunciation definitely lends itself to linea negra. Pronounced Li-NAY-ah, I think we'd be less likely to have that problem. However, in writing, there might be an issue.
pear / 1580 posts
As someone who has a name whose pronunciation is not always clear for everyone, I prefer a name whose pronunciation is unambiguous. But this is just because of my own experience. Otherwise, it's beautiful (though it does remind me of linea negra also! But still beautiful!).
bananas / 9227 posts
Linnea, the flower, is meaningful for us. I imagined it to be our daughter's name a very long time ago. But because of how they pronounce it where we live (and a few other reasons), we won't be using it. Here in Sweden, it's a very common name and it's pronounced Lah-knee-ah, accent on the last syllable (which I don't particularly like). We intend to live here, so I can't really get around it.
But if I knew we'd be be back in the States, I probably would have named DD that. In fact, I'd probably name another daughter that if we were so lucky ...
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
also thought of linea negra! maybe with a different spelling? i love the phonetic sound of the name.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
Not a real fan, but its nice. I love the name Dana though!
bananas / 9227 posts
@78h2o: Here's the flower. It's like little bells 
I seriously love Lin-NAY-ah
Nerdy little tidbit: it was the favorite flower of Carl Linnaeus, the father of Taxonomy.
grapefruit / 4441 posts
@ineebee: Yeah, an ambiguous pronunciation is a definite drawback in my book... not sure yet if it is a deal breaker. Thanks for your input. My name... Robin... is pretty unambiguous, so I don't have any personal experience!
grapefruit / 4441 posts
@SugarplumsMom: I knew it was a flower, but had never seen it. Very pretty! Thank you!
I think I am going to go ahead and see what DH thinks about it.
cantaloupe / 6869 posts
I think it's beautiful. Makes me think of the book Linnea in Monet's Garden, which I love.
pomegranate / 3706 posts
What about Dana Louise? Linnea is ok, not nuts about it, but *I* don't have to be! I'm sure if I knew a Linnea that I adored, I'd think her name was perfect for her. I think it's too matchy matchy with Julia though. Seeing it written, I would pronounce it: Lin-nay-uh.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@spaniellove: I agree with spaniel on the scientific meaning. I like it for that reason. But I also don't dig the alliteration.
I feel like you've got tough middles to work with!
pomelo / 5000 posts
@78h2o: yep, I'm with the others for linea nigra. It is a beautiful little flower. I love the name Louise and so wanted to use it as a middle--I like alliteration, too, as long as it's not too cutesy-wootsey. I'm jealous!
bananas / 9628 posts
i know a couple people named linnea, both pronounce it as you have, i like it the middle name sounds like it has great importance to your family and sounds fine with the first.
eggplant / 11716 posts
I associate it with linea negra from pregnancy. Big dark line on huge pregnant belly, haha.
grapefruit / 4441 posts
@erinpye: My MIL's name is Dana Louise N. Love her, but enough for my LO to be her exact namesake!
I'd sort of prefer to use Louise, because otherwise LO is firstname Dana N......., which just sounds to me like, firstname-MIL's whole name. While our first daughter, Julia, has my mom's first name as her middle, it doesn't strike me as first name-MOM! since my mom goes by Cathy, not Catherine, and the last name is different. Does that make any sense?! (Probably not - lol!)
@Mrs. Jacks: I know!!!
grapefruit / 4441 posts
Sigh, I really think it's a pretty name, but the pronunciation issues, linea negra association, and alliteration with Louise are all significant drawbacks.
Thanks for the feedback everyone! Much appreciated!
pomelo / 5524 posts
@Synchronicity: That was exactly my first thought and is how I would pronounce it if I saw it written.
nectarine / 2148 posts
My best friends name is Linnea! She pronounces it like how you have it spelt. I personally like it a lot! I think it's unique without being too complicated. I would personally use the name if it wasn't already my best friends name. The linea negra association I don't think it is a big deal at all if you like it! My friend says that she gets compliments all the time about how beautiful her name is.
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