Mumsnet Talk

How about Janina? Think it's a lovely name and it kind of mixes Jemima and Nina (it's a 'real' name though).

I love Nina, it was on my shortlist too but DP said no
I don't like Heidi.

I LOVE Shona - uncommon but not weird, doesn't rhyme with anything silly, easy to spell, easy to say, and doesn't sound like an ambulance! (Much as I think Nina is beautiful....I can't get past the nee na sound!)

I love Nina!

Oh thank you mathanxiety and ShesAStar .

I love the name Heidi and almost called DD it, but I think Jemima goes better with Ruth and Alice. Ruth, Alice and Jemima - that sounds lovely to me.

I love Ruth and Alice. I think Jemima would 'go' very nicely with those names.

Hi Merry, yes I do think of Jemima Khan, she is pretty fab. Allalonenow, I do agree that Heidi does sit well with my girls names.

Naming babies is hard work!

For me Heidi is streets ahead of your other names, it is pretty for a little girl and lovely for a woman, also sits well with the names of your other girls.

I love Ruth. Would go for Jemima with them. Think Khan not puddleduck!

Jemima is lovely. Really, really dislike Heidi, sorry.

Hi and thanks for the replies. You have all given me some food for thought. Sorry if the title sounded a bit misleading. I had a small person jumping around me when I typed it (does nothing for the brain power). I do know a real life Mahala who is 15. Our children are of Scottish and Germanic ancestry. We have a German sur name. My girls are Ruth Lornamarie and Alice Eloise.

Prefer Gabrielle. I also thought you were suggesting Delema as a name. Nina is an international name and although not my taste it sounds strong.
Like a previous poster said I do think of Jemima Puddleduck and it does sound a bit wet. I knew a girl at school who was called Daisy Jemima and she got teased a lot

Jemima is the best on your list imo. Gabrielle is nicer than Abrielle I think.
Heidi I really dont like and Kerry Katona has a Heidi so that would put me right off even if I loved the name!!

Nina and Heidi are both nice. Yes, there might be a phase where class mates replace with nee-naa or hidey-hole but most names can be made into something else if you try hard enough e.g.. Jemima = Jemima Puddkeduck to me!

Sorry, Eastern European.

Ok, well I looked it up myself and wikipedia says 'Mahala is a name used in many languages and countries referring to Neighbourhood or Locality' (Turkish, Arabic, Easter Euorpean). 'In Bengali Mahalla pr Moholla also means an urban neighbourhood'.

i like nina and heidi the best. if you like jemima and always have done then id try and convince your husband or you migt regret not using it.

I like Nina and Jemimah. I love the name Jemimah and wish I'd been allowed to call my dd that. I also like Heidi. I like your list! (except Mahala unless you have some obviously exotic roots).

I agree that your list is quite eclectic! It makes it hard to suggest names you might want to consider.

But, as you like Mahala, what about Malala (as in, Malala Yousafzai)?

I think Obama's dd is Malia.

Yes, Greensleeves!

Id be proud to be named after her!

Isn't Obama's gal called Mahala?

how about Malalah after the brave, beautiful Pakistani girl who is campaigning for girls' education?

Mahalia is also a name, there's a singer called Mahalia Jackson

Nina is great. Recognised all over the world!

Heidi is great too. You both like it!

I know a Mahala, pronounced Moholla. Unusual name.

I like Jemima a lot, not so keen on Heidi or any of the others. I like Gabrielle but not Abrielle.