Begin with three things that matter
Before opening another list, write down your priorities. You might want to honor a relative, preserve a language spoken at home, or find a name that feels natural with your surname. Choose three priorities instead of trying to satisfy every preference at once. A shortlist becomes easier to discuss when everyone knows what it is meant to do.
Separate the name from the first impression
A name can sound unfamiliar simply because you have not used it before. Say each candidate in ordinary sentences: introducing yourself, leaving a voicemail, or calling across a room. Write the full name, initials and likely nickname. Try it on different days. This gives you more useful information than deciding from a single glance at a list.
Make space for more than one language
If your family uses several languages, ask trusted speakers how they would pronounce and spell the name. A spelling that feels simple in one language may work differently in another. You do not need one universal pronunciation. You do need to decide whether you are comfortable explaining the name and whether the family agrees on a preferred form.
Check the story, then choose your own connection
Name meanings are often compressed into a single attractive word. Open the reference and check which language, spelling and name form it describes. For example, the Hebrew Naomi and the Japanese Naomi should not be treated as one origin. A family memory can matter just as much as an etymology, but the two are different kinds of meaning.
Keep a small, living shortlist
Save five to ten candidates, then compare them in pairs. Ask which you would prefer to use in everyday life, which feels right beside the surname, and which connects to your priorities. If none feels right, change one filter instead of discarding the whole process. A name is a choice for a person, so leave room for the individual they will become.