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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alice Sarah or Iona Bessie?

36 replies

slowangels1 · 16/02/2011 08:43

Getting desperate to finally decide on name now as being induced in a few days.... we think we've narrowed it to these 2 options. We have tried to pick name options that:
-we like
-first names arn't (hopefully) very/too popular so she hopefully won't have lots of others in her class at school etc with same name
-first names arn't too odd/out there
-would work for a child and an adult and be relatively obvious to spell/pronounce
-a middle name from Dh or my family
-not faddy

any comments between the 2 we've come up with would be really appreciated as we are now tearing our hair out?

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muminthemiddle · 16/02/2011 23:32

Both very different names to me. Alice sarah sounds traditional whereas I don't know any Ionas so that sounds more unusual. Both nice though.

Toomanyponies · 16/02/2011 20:06

Love Bessie :) What about Betsy? Wink

flower38 · 16/02/2011 16:28

I really like them both Think Alice is the more popular safe option. Both good

hatebeak · 16/02/2011 16:25

Iona is beautiful, but Bessie really doesn't go with it. Iona Bess would be more elegant - and it would still be a way of paying tribute.

52Girls · 16/02/2011 16:17

I really don't know what you're on about now Smother.

smother · 16/02/2011 14:26

52Girls - don't know why you've got it in for me (or the name Bessie) but I don't really care either!

Original poster
slowangels1 · 16/02/2011 12:26

no trin surname starts 'e' but has a 'ston' sound in it, so initials wouldn't be that unfortunate luckily!

OP posts:
Trinaluce · 16/02/2011 11:36

Concern about S's as the surname? Poor child would have the initials ASS or IBS...

I'm not 'concerned' about the double s between Alice and Sarah, just saying that it doesn't trip off the tongue for me. If that doesn't bother you, score! Grin

kreecherlivesupstairs · 16/02/2011 11:26

Nobody has yet convinced me that Bessie is a good name.
I don't understand the concern about S's. My DD has three forenames, she is only ever called her first name and last name.

Original poster
slowangels1 · 16/02/2011 11:10

trin surname begins with e but does have a 'ston' in it.

So maybe Iona Sarah doesn't sound as odd as I thought and might be worth considering then?

OP posts:
Trinaluce · 16/02/2011 10:58

They're all lovely names - but I think Iona Bessie is better simply because the double S in the middle of Alice Sarah makes it lose flow for me.

What's your surname (or surname initial)? If it's S I'd suggest avoiding both combinations for the initials....

52Girls · 16/02/2011 10:55

Interesting theory Smother, if a little naive.

Ephiny · 16/02/2011 10:55

I don't really like Bessie, and doesn't sound like a 'proper' name to me, isn't it short for Elizabeth? This may or may not be important to you of course.

Absolutely love Iona though (may steal this myself!), Iona Sarah or Iona Elizabeth are both nice IMO.

flopsy1974 · 16/02/2011 10:15

Alice Sarah is lovely.

smother · 16/02/2011 10:05

"Because we're individuals with our own opinions"

I know, and you are entitled to them! I'm just surprised because I think it's such a lovely name... and I thought it was the kind of name that MNers might like!

calaloo · 16/02/2011 09:49

Iona the moaner

Alice so much nicer

52Girls · 16/02/2011 09:43

''Why's everyone so harsh about Bessie?''

Because we're individuals with our own opinions, Smile

Original poster
slowangels1 · 16/02/2011 09:41

talking I wondered if 'iona sarah' was too 'aaaa' sounding so close together??

smother completely agree re: bessie - I love it myself. not picking it as first as get so many raised eyebrows and shockd faces at the idea and don;t want to put dd through that.

OP posts:
cumbria81 · 16/02/2011 09:40

Do not like Bessie or Iona. But Alice Sarah is nice.

ThisFeelsWeird · 16/02/2011 09:38

Bessie??? As in Yorkshire puddings? No, no, no. Alice Sarah is clearly the classy choice.

smother · 16/02/2011 09:38

Why's everyone so harsh about Bessie? I genuinely love it - and also really like Bess too. What about Bessie Smith? That's a far more glamorous image than yorkshire puds...

talkingnonsense · 16/02/2011 09:37

I like Iona Alice or Iona Sarah?

Rebeccaruby · 16/02/2011 09:35

Iona is lovely. You could tell her about the island, too, and maybe take her there. It is very beautiful. I like Alice, but Bessie-Nooooo! Not in a million years!

52Girls · 16/02/2011 09:33

(Aunt)Bessie is synonymous with making lovely Yorkshire Puddings. For that reason alone I could never like it.

justmilkpleasenosugar · 16/02/2011 09:30

I do like marmite slowangles..Smile If DD arrives and looks like a Iona Bessie then go for it, just IMO Iona Elizabeth flows better.

Whist I understand the nod to your great grandmother (We're doing the same but as the first name) clearly I'm just an old fashioned fart who likes full names over nn!! Wink

I'm due next week too, so best of luck...!!!