Names

We've tentatively decided on two names for the girls: Leiah and Alysa. The requirements were that the names sounded appealing in both Japanese and English as well as having no negative connotations for either Hirono or me. Both these names fit the requirements. We'll keep them unless a better name strikes us in the next couple of months, though we'll not be actively searching for a different name.

Now we have to find the right Kanji spelling for the Japanese citizenship papers.

For the Japanese speakers in the audience, the Katakana spelling would be レイア and アリサ, or Reia and Arisa in Romaji.

Although the names were chosen without reference to their meaning, according to baby-names.adoption.com the meanings are:

Alysa - Greek origin meaning "princess".
Leiah - various meanings in different cultures. I like the one meaning "glad tidings".

Names

Now for something fun. We're trying to come up with good names for the upcoming twins. We had previously picked out one girls name and one boys name; but, with twins it looks like we'll have to think a bit more about extra names for each gender. The names already settled upon are accessible for both English and Japanese speakers. Note: I now pronounce my last name "wild", like Oscar Wilde.

Lin Taro Wilde (male)
Leah Wilde (female, no middle name)

For the Japanese equivalent the family name would change to Hirono's family name, Mogi. Kana versions of the names would be:

mogi rintarou
mogi reia

Additional names are a bit hard. Got any fun names or names that would work in both Japanese and English. Names nobody in their right mind would be fun, too; such as "Saxon Wilde", the future hair metal guitarist.