Short and simple names for a girl

[weebairn]

I'm pregnant. I'm a bit of a tomboy and I like simple, punchy names. My lovely DD is called Jess (not Jessica, and no middle name) and it totally suits her, like a little cheeky superhero. Ironically even though I thought this name would be really common I've yet to meet a baby Jess! Just lots of Evas and Olivias and Annabels and Amelies and Darceys and names that I thought would be more unusual…

Boys names I find easy and I already have one picked, but I struggle with girls names. I don't like girly or flowery really. What do you think of these names for a sister for Jess, if it's a girl

Meg
Jude
Jaime
Alexa
Abby

Do you think it's ok to call kids these short names? Or should I go with the full name? I don't like the name Abigail but Abby is so pretty. Same with Megan, but Meg is so cute. I'm not sure.

I really like Jude, but DP says he won't have it because it reminds him of Jude Law! I think I could wear him down though. Though there's always the fear people would sing Hey Jude a lot. I hate that song. :)

I also really like Tess but Jess & Tess is too cartoony even for me

Any thoughts? Be kind!

[happystory]

I really like Meg and not a name I have heard for ages, lovely.

[BikeRunSki]

I like Meg too. Not Jude.

[bakingtins]

I like Meg. I'd assume Jude was a boy.

Lois? Ruth?

[SS3J]

I like Meg too. Jude is getting quite popular (for boys) these days, don't know whether that would bother you or your daughter.
Other ideas:
Juno
Frankie
Anne

[weebairn]

That's a good point, Jude is a bit unisex. I dress my kids fairly unisex already (not obsessively so, but it's more jeans and tshirts than dresses if you see what I mean) so it might be confusing.

[Bowlersarm]

I would think Jude = boy, too.

Beth
Maggie
Kate

[Greenandcabbagelooking]

Anna
Sarah

[weebairn]

I like all of those Bowlersarm! My mum is Cathryn (unusually spelt) and we're very close and I was considering Cathryn or maybe even just Cat last time. Forgot about that.

Juno is CUTE. Maybe too associated with the film though? My friend has a baby Annie which I think is adorable, she's Scottish.

[TamerB]

Abby is a name in it's own right. There were generations of them in my family going back to at least the late 1700s- they were never Abigail- just Abby.I like it and it goes well with Jess.

[TamerB]

You don't want Jess and Jude.

[ToffeeJungle]

Of those mentioned I like Beth and Kate.
Abby is ok and although I love Megan Im not a fan of Meg.

Thea
Isla
Orla
Anna
Danni
Fran
Georgie
Ella
Belle
Lou
Cora
Nicole
Cara
Rae
Carla

[BornOfFrustration]

I've got an Amy and Meg is on my list for any future girls, as is Nell and Luna.

[weebairn]

TamerB thank you - a lovely fact to know!!
Feeling lots of love towards Abby right now! Jess & Abby is lovely.

Also if they are mad at me for not giving them longer names when older at least one won't be jealous of the other

This name thing is so hard...

[aGirlDownUnder1]

I quite like Alexa and Abby is nice too.

Suggestions:
Elsa
Elle
Zoe
Zara
Esme
Lara
Mya
Erin
Tess

[TamerB]

I looked it up for you and Abby has been very popular. I was on Ancestry and it was the actual name recorded in the church baptism books.
Just a snippet:
1780 there were 425
1850 there were 1186
1900 there were 16,552
1920 there were 153,226

In 1920 there were only 153,813 Abigails-pretty equal.

I expect there were less earlier because we don't have it so well recorded.
Therefore if anyone gets sniffy about 'nicknames' you can put them right!

[Leeds2]

Nell

Anya

[weebairn]

Thanks TamerB :)

[noodlebum]

Meg is a great name! I liked from others suggestions Nell, Anna, Lara and Kate.

My suggestions:
Jade
Gwen
Libby
Paige
Ivy
Skye

[Mrswellyboot]

Meg is adorable and will be funky in older years too.

Nell is also a great name

[hmmmum]

What about Jill? Short and punchy

[Seminyak]

LOVE Alexa, would think of Jude as more of a boy's name or short for Judith.

[MimiSunshine]

How about Cate?

Kind of after your mum, still a short name that's not a nickname but looks nicer than Kate in my opinion

[alizeeod]

How can anyone hate Hey Jude?!?

[Timetoask]

It's got to be Anna, short, simple, elegant.

[thepigsmother]

Meg is ace!