Mumsnet Talk

Saskia is my favourite from your list, with Francesca a very close second. Delilah is my least favourite.

I knows Francesca shortened to cesca. Lovely.

I know a toddler Frankie, I think it's very cute.

I know a few Francescas -- beautiful, creative women. If they get celled Chessie it's only very cute in light of how glamorous and Francesca-ey they usually seem!

Don't know any Delilahs at all, but I liked it too for DD. DH however thought it ridiculous, and after being persuaded I can see that it might seem a bit drag queen / prostitutey.

Francesca is awesome.

Yes Wishful that was my concern about Darcy too. Has put me off..

Snow Leopard - thats interesting. I wouldnt have thought of Delly, and dont like it at all actually. My worry was Del actually! Nearly called DC1 Delilah and changed my mind once she was handed to me!

Think it will be way easier if we just have a boy!!!!

Haha Delilah88 - well the drag queen/prostitute angle is another twist!!
Its looking like Francesca is coming out in top!
Thanks all for your input - much appreciated x

I've known two Francesca's whose nn's were Flick.

Fwiw I think it's a lovely name (the full version)

Francesca is lovely as is Cesca..... Never known of the shortening Chez. I think one is more the sort of nn you'd come up with yourself as a teen maybe. Not an obvious nn IMO.
Not so keen on others on your list tbh, except Darcy.

I have known 2 Francesca's. Known as Chess and Cheska.

I love Sadie on your list. Its simple but classy I think and rather unusual. Dont know any Sadies at all, adults or children, not have I ever met one in RL.

Delilah - I worked with a lady who had a daughter Delilah (she must now be in her twentys). Before this I always used to think of Tom Jones but now when I hear the name my first reaction is my friends DD. Its pretty and unusual.

I like Erin as a name that would be hard to shorten, it is bold and elegant

Oh an dI know two Cheskas and one chessie

Francesca is a seriously beautiful name, I absolutely love it. In my experience people's names don't get shortened if they don't allow it.

Francesca is a beautiful name!

Ok, I'm biased as it's my name but I do love it. I am always Cesca (pronounced Chess-ka) to friends and family, which I really like, but also get Frankie/Frank/Cesc/Cescy/Ces - which I like too. Never Fran. My mum disliked Fran and called me Cesca from when I was a baby so I think you can definitely dictate what it gets shortened to.

I only know one other Francesca, who is also a Cesca.

I love how many people think Francesca is a beautiful name. It has really confirmed it for me. I have just read all these messages to DH and he likes Francesca too but Sadie is probably his favourite.

So our final shortlist is (probably!!!!):

Francesca Sophia
or
Sadie Alexandra

Have 4 weeks to think about it and sure i'll get the final choice as DH is happy with either!

I was just coming on to suggest Alexandra but I see you mat use it as a middle name.

I love your final shortlist.

may use it

Thanks Yama. I love Alexandra but too close to D1's name!!

Francesca is beautiful, though the three I know all get nicknamed. One is called Chess and one Chesca, though - which I think are really pretty nicknames, much nicer than Fran or Chessie .
Otherwise, Siena and Saskia from your list are also gorgeous and with only 2 syllables are maybe more likely to be kept as full names.

I have a Francis (boy) he gets called Francie, Franks and Frankie.

Francesca is gorgeous, I know quite a few people whose names are never shortened (Rebecca x 3 are all Rebecca, not becky) and a Joseph who is never called anything but Joe.

Obv I mean 'never called Joe' or 'never called anything but joseph'

I adore Francesca ( know a gorgeous one who gets Fran which I think is awful ) and if she were mine I'd not shorten it.

Our Gabriel is never Gabe.

Yes its "Fran" that im concerned about. really dislike it. So i either dont shorten it and thats how it stays or shorten it myself and hope that one sticks....

My next door neighbour has a Francesca and calls her Chicha for short (that's what it sounds like, I'm not sure if it has a proper spelling). I think it's lovely.

I know five Francescas, two just called Francesca, one Fran, one Cesca and one Chessy.