Mumsnet Talk

My husband and I just can't reach any agreement on a name for our little girl who is due in 6 weeks. We're resticted by our surname which ends in y so anything ending in -ie or-y doesn't work. Our DS is called Daniel. Would like something strong, elegant and classic. Too much to ask?

So far on our shortlist;
- Helena
- Charlotte
- Alison

Other names we had considered but just recently culled where
- Pippa - I still like it but been informed that it has a rude meaning in both greek and polish
- Isla -I know its an old name but worried it could become too trendy
- Annabel - Isabel is one of my favourite girls names but too many people I know have used it and think I was just hanging on to Annabel becasue it was similar
- Zara - doesn't work so well with our surname, there seems to be a forced pause when saying the two together iykwim!

Please help with opinions or any suggestions. Thanks so much

Love Helena from your list strong, classic and no too many of them. Charlotte is nice too but I know quite alot of them

Helana is beautiful.
Alison is a no, sorry

Helena is nice.

How about Anna?

Helena

Florence
Martha
Matilda
Anna
Clementine
Sophie
Grace

Helena is lovely

Do you have any Greek or Polish connections? If not Pippa then I don't see Pippa a problem.

I'm not a fan of Helena <bucks trend on the thread> but I think thats more personal associations.

Charlotte of your top 3 and if you include the recently culled, then Isla or Pippa.

What about Jane?

Julia

Louisa

Helena is gorgeous. Charlotte is fine. Dislike Alison and Zara.

Helena - lovely and haven't heard of any recently.

Thanks for all the responses. Of the suggestions I have always liked Anna and Jane but two close friends have both used these names in the last year. Ok Alison doesn't seem to be popular, we just added it to our list at the weekend but I wasn't overly convinced so think that'll be scratched off again!!

Helena is ok
Charlotte is a bit dull imo
Alison I don't like, but Alice is sweet

I would suggest;

Elizabeth
Katherine
Anna
Julia
Evangeline
Eleanor

Love all three. Also like Lisa.

We have a 2 syllable surname ending in -y, so I get what you're saying about that. However, we felt that a 3 syllable forename ending with -y/ie was ok with that and dd1's does just that. Does that open up any names for you?

Of your names - Charlotte is very very popular hereabouts. A few Isla-s and lots of Isabels too, as you say.

Don't understand why you're bothered about other people not being keen on Alison - if you want a name that not everyone uses you've got to expect some people not to be too keen on it.

What about Ruth, Edith, Florence, Natalie, Louisa, Morag.
Would you consider Isabel to be known as Bel? Or Isabella?

Chucked some odd ones in there, but think they go well with our name, if yours is similar!

Ooh cece yes, Lisa is due a comeback <biased>

Helena and Charlotte are lovely
Alison is awful

How about Eleanor, Victoria or Beatrice?

I agree, Helena or Charlotte-not Alison. Why not Alice?

Louisa, Hannah, Elizabeth, Rosalind, Eleanor, Caroline, Susannah, Sarah, Jessica.

- Helena - nice
- Charlotte - nice
- Alison - hmmm a no but not a strong one
- Pippa - no too pet-namey
- Isla noooooo
- Annabel - yes like a lot!
- Zara - nope

Yep, I'm not keen on Alison either, but love Helena.

I always though Pippa was short for Phillippa, could that be an option?

I also love Isabel / Isabella or Eleanor

Isabel is lovely. Helena is nice, what about Abigail?

Snapsnafu can you give me some suggestions of 3 syllable names ending in y? I've hit a brick wall and my brain isn't working anymore!!
I like Caroline, Susannah, and Jessica, Caroline is out for personal reasons. DH vetoed Jessica and Susannah without any proper reasoning so may bring them up for discussion again!! My name is Eleanor so can't have that.
I really like Beatrice also but just doesn't work well with our surname unfortunately.

I like Jane, Kate, Julia, Claudia, Rose and Elizabeth as strong classics.

Elizabeth and Kate are lovely as they have lots of variations.

What is the first letter of the surname?