Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Feminine, unusual, ethereal girl's names- any ideas?

89 replies

sleepyhead3 · 15/08/2010 10:12

I would like some ideas for girl's names that are not too commonly used, feminine but not feminissima if that makes sense!

Am looking for something light and slightly exotic sounding.

I have a few ideas so far:

Adela
Jessamine
Marguerite
Juniper
Vivienne
Marina
Camilla

Any opinions or other ideas??

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
mavornia · 15/08/2010 17:20

Jessamine is very pretty

I also like:

Amadea
Marianna
Emmeline
Alessa
Ambra
Celandine

EdgarAllenPop · 15/08/2010 17:08

Titania
Iolanthe
Xanthe
Morgana
Persephone

DinahRod · 15/08/2010 16:46

My suggestions:

Blythe
Genevieve
Hebe

I really like Vivienne & Juniper from your list.

misspollysdolly · 15/08/2010 16:40

Cordelia

lulabellamozerella · 15/08/2010 14:30

Favourites there are Marguerite and Camilla

Similar names:
Adriana
Anastasia
Annalise
Aria
Ariel
Athena
Aurelia
Cassandra
Cecilia
Ciara
Cora
Corinne
Deandra
Elisabeth
Emmeline
Francesca
Genevieve
Georgette
Harper
Helene
India
Indigo
Josephine
Juliet
Letitia
Liliana
Lucille
Magdalene
Marissa
Melody
Miranda
Mischa
Natalia
Regina
Sasha
Selena
Sienna
Sylvia
Thalia
Thora
Viola
Violet
Winona

Original poster
sleepyhead3 · 15/08/2010 13:15

I had forgotten about Adela Quested cortina!!

I have always loved EM Forster!

I guess Sunday afternoon is a quiet time. Maybe I will get some more responses later :)

OP posts:
onimolap · 15/08/2010 11:32

Adele is also the child for whom Jane Eyre was the governess in Mr Rochester's house.

My first thoughts on ethereal were Arielle, Faye and Feyleigh.

Also Elodie, Cleodie, Eloise, Anais, Meriel, Veronique, Imogen, Elspeth and Miranda

Cortina · 15/08/2010 11:31

I would say it like this: 'Add - ella'.

meadowlarks · 15/08/2010 11:27

Which syllable do you stress in Adela?

Cortina · 15/08/2010 11:23

Yes, here you go:

Adela Quested

A young British schoolmistress who is visiting India with the vague intention of marrying Ronny Heaslop. Intelligent, brave, honest, but slightly prudish, she is what Fielding calls a "prig." She arrives with the intention of seeing the real India. But after a frightening trip to the Marabar Caves, she falsely accuses Aziz of sexually assaulting her.

Ok, a little flawed but we will forgive her for her excellent name!

Cortina · 15/08/2010 11:19

Aurora sounds currently to me like a Disney princess (unfortunately). Adela, has a Forster like Edwardian charm. Passage to India, darn it is that where I've heard it in literature? Off to google. :).

Pinkflipflop · 15/08/2010 11:13

Adela is gorgeous!! Such a beautiful name - I love it!! May have to steal it at some stage!! Wink

AnnVeronica · 15/08/2010 11:11

I love Adela!

Aurora is the name that comes to mind when I'm thinking ethereal.

Cortina · 15/08/2010 11:03

Adela is a beautiful and strangely underused name in my opinion. I only know one adult with this name and she is beautiful and accomplished in a way I'd like to be, so maybe that influences my judgement a little :).

I am sure that there is an Adela in Austen, or is there one in Jane Eyre? (Actually that's Adele isn't it)? I am sure there are Adelas in literature going back some way, I recall one or two but can't place?

Anyway, it's stunning and there will not be two! Go for it..