I’ve been really into Allegra lately. Its bouncy sound, open look, and effortless femininity have been appealing to me big time. Of course, there’s the allergy medication problem. I don’t seem to see the commercials too much anymore, though, do you?
I think the primary appeal to Allegra is the sound. It’s open yet strong, feminine yet grounded. It’s unabashedly joyous but down to earth. Honestly, it’s quite perfect, going completely on sound. To my mind’s eye, Allegra is pink/red/green/yellow, god knows why. Very colorful, like its sound. I also love the general look of the name. It’s balanced, but the hanging tail of the g lends it a little quirk. That’s why I sometimes find names like Hannah boring; they’re so regular looking in writing. Sometimes I like balance, but a little quirk is likely to intrigue me more. Another possible plus, depending on your point of view, is the possible nickname Allie. If Allegra would rather blend in, she’s got that.
The problem with Allegra is obviously the allergy medication. that’s the first thing most people think of. In my traditional weirdness vein, though, that’s not my first association. I think of Allegra’s Window, the mid-90s children’s show. I don’t know if I ever watched it, but that’s my first association. It’s not unpleasant, and a lot better than medicine!
Some Allegra combos, for the halibut:
- Allegra Corinne
- Allegra Beatrix
- Allegra Daphne
- Allegra Frances
- Allegra June
I’m in a two name combo mood today. I’m also lazy and don’t feel like thinking about second middles too much.
So what are your thoughts on Allegra? Would you consider it usable? Would you use it yourself? What would you pair it with?
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I adore Allegra! It’s my username at BtN, actually because I’d use Allegra in the middle, not up front. Beatrix Allegra Maud was my combo, so I have to admit I like her flipped too. Allegra Beatrix is charming beyond belief. My problem with Allegra is simply, “I dislike Allie” reminds me of alley cat. blech.
Allegra Daphne further enhances Allegra’s lightness, and is perfectly charming to my ears. And Allegra Frances is gorgeous! I may swipe her!
Your unabashed enthusiasm is making me like Allegra up front again. She’s been a favorite for a long time, I joined Btn for good in 2005, so what 4 years now? She’s awesome to my ears and if you want to hear it a fair amount in a movie, go rent “Hitch”. It has delicious Will Smith and pretty Amber Valletta as Allegra. Andit’s a nice romantic flick, good for a late Valentine’s date night!
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I love Allegra! Everyone I suggest it to shouts it down with “allergy medication.” I don’t get it – I think she is perfectly usable and really quite lovely!
Maybe we should form some sort of society to rehabilitate great names that drug companies have tarnished for profit. π
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Thanks guys!
Lola: Feel free to have Allegra Frances! Frances is family for you, is it not? I’d love to see Allegra used up front!
Verity: I’d be in that society in a minute, but how about we can just rehabilitate names “ruined” by pop culture associations? Daphne, Adolph (although I doubt it’s redeemable), Rufus (a “dog” name), Bruno (same)… and on and on!
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Indeed, Frances is/was family: Mom. I just might use Frances up front; my only probelm is that it repeats family. Josephine was her oldest sister, she was the youngest. It strikes me as a bit cheesy which is why I put Frances in the middle. If Francesca (her origianl name) didn’t sound so awful with my Mac surname I’d consider her but alas!
I’m all up with that society too, Rufus, Bruno… they’re on my lists and not likely to come off any time soon. π
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I like Allegra quite a bit. Stupid allergy medicine, ruining a pretty name. *grumble*
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I love Allegra. I was actually thinking about it the other day and realizing the allergy medicine association isn’t as bad as people make it out to be.
My first association with Allegra is the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem “The Children’s Hour.” I haven’t thought of Allegra’s Window in years — my little brother used to watch it!
Allegra Daphne is my favorite of your combos.
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Thanks Melian and Emmy Jo!
Thursday, February 19th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Allegra sure is a spunky and happy name! I’ve been a fan of it for many years. It’s never made my very top list, but it always floats around somewhere! I love the musical feel I get from it.
I could care less about the medicine, but I think I would get so sick of people always bringing it up! Stupid allergy medicine. Erik says it actually reminds him of the word allergy, I think he’s nuts. I really dislike Allie though, enough to make me pause in using it. I used to watch Allegra’s Window with my younger siblings, so that is always my first association actually when I hear Allegra.
I love Lola’s idea of Beatrix Allegra, that might make a few appearances in my possible combo lists! I really love most of the combos you came up with.
Allegra Corinne-seems very elegant!
Allegra Beatrix-seems the most spunky
Allegra Daphne-just lovely, light and bouncy!
Allegra Frances-this gives me a lovely, vintage vibe, cool!
Thursday, February 19th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I dislike Allie as well. I knew way too many in high school, and they were all spray tanned and fake blonde, it seemed. I think Allegra Daphne is the winner, here.