View Message

[Opinions] Novalee
I've liked Novalee ever since I read "Where the Heart Is" by Billie Letts and I love the movie. I usually don't like -lee/-leigh names, but I adore Novalee. So, wdyt? Does it sound too made-up?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

I don't usually like -lee/-leigh names, either, but there are some that have an old-fashioned, down-home charm to them that I just can't resist. Novalee is adorable. It sounds very 1910s/1920s and quite quaint. Sidalee is another one that I kind of like, from the 'Ya-Ya' series.It does sound made-up, but for some reason, and I can't put my finger on it, it seems to have more substance than something like Harleigh or Kaeleigh.Novalee is charming. I've seen the movie and it is very heart-warming.
vote up1
Exactly.It's 1910-1920s home-made, so it's already established. It's very Southern, very charming. Not sure how it would age, but it's cool.Why not name her Nova Lee, though, and call her by both? Nova is a bit more namey to me.
vote up1
I agree, I'd rather see Nova Lee.
vote up1
I suspect that the feeling that Novalee has more "substance" is mostly from its association with the particular character in the book and film, but also perhaps a bit from its being three syllables instead of two.
vote up1
That could be it. However, I can picture Novalee on a person an not cringe, and then picture someone with the name Haeleigh and think it's trite and contrived. *shrugs* I know a lot of sweet, lovely old ladies with '-lee' names and I'm so interested in their charming monikers. Maybe it's an age and/or time thing. I wonder if Kaeleigh will sound as endearing to me when I'm 70 as Novalee/Siddalee does now?It will be interesting to see!
vote up1
Sidalee doesn't rub the the wrong way like Novalee does. I don't know, I just don't care for the NOVA part.
vote up1
I really don't like it, something about the Nova- part just doesn't agree with me.
vote up1
Yes, it does sound made-up to me. Plus it looks like a brand of, say, cosmetics or soap.
ETA: however, I might feel differently if I knew the book/film reference everyone's mentioning.

This message was edited 11/26/2007, 4:46 AM

vote up1
I dislike the sound of this name. Nova sounds nice but not Novalee, imo. It does sound slightly made up but nowadays that isn't a very big deal.
vote up1
I really like the movie and the book as well and also like the name Novalee because of it. I thought that Americus was cute too, but Novalee is sweet. Siddalee from the Ya-Ya series is also nice : )
vote up1
I too love the movie and have never read the book, but I don't like the name at all. To me, it does sound really made-up.
vote up1
Alright, I admit that I watched the movie last night. I even liked it a little.
but Novalee is tacky. and Americus..no.
vote up1
Yeah, I kinda think it sounds and looks made up. Nova is nice, though.
vote up1