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Baby names

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

What do we think of Iris? Or can you suggest something similar I may like?

31 replies

Needaname1234 · 09/06/2011 21:44

Trying to choose a name for DC2 due later this year. This week I really like Iris for a girl (don't know the gender). I've seen a few comments on here that it is getting very popular.

I don't mind a name that is heard around and about but I'd prefer to avoid a name that's going to be in the top 20 in the next few years. I have a very unusual name myself so I'm swayed a bit by that - but I know you can never guarantee unusualness - I've only ever met 2 other people who share with my name (and know of a handful of others) but 1 of the 2 I've met was in my class at school!

So, like it? Don't like it? And how many do you know? I'm in London so if you know a bucketload there please do tell me!

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proudfoot · 14/06/2011 22:26

I love it.

I know quite a few but I live in a German speaking country where it is said slightly differently and is very popular. I have only heard of one in the UK (child of someone parents know - they were saying ohhh what a lovely name that you don't hear these days!)

Other suggestions you might like:

Annelise
Elise
Elsa
Susannah
Helena
Eloise
Beatrice
Caroline
Harriet
Imogen
Rosalie
Cora
Violet
Tamsin

Lonnie · 14/06/2011 22:20

what about Tansy?

eandemum · 14/06/2011 21:06

My (imaginary) DD 2 is
Iris
or
Isla
Iona
maybe Tess
maybe Thea

my (real) DD is Esme (middle name Violet)

everlong · 14/06/2011 20:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Islandgirllk · 14/06/2011 20:49

My DD's middle name is Iris. We chose it as we wanted a short middle name (her first name is Elisabeth - we call her Bess) and liked the idea of a flower. The only Iris we knew was the Mum of a friend of ours who was a lovely lovely lady. Everyone comments on how beautiful her names are, well we think so anyway! We don't live in London by the way!

FlibbertyJibbett · 11/06/2011 06:10

I have an Isabel (named before the name became really popular) and tbh it does irk me a bit. Luckily none of her peers are Isabel, just younger children.

I don't like Iris - I agree, too harsh.

I love Mabel, Beatrice, Alice and Betty

VirginiasMonologue - Nell is fab too.

CheerfulYank · 11/06/2011 05:33

I really like Iris! Judd Apatow's daughters are Iris and Maude, which I think are nice names for sisters. :)

JenniferClarissa · 11/06/2011 04:30

I like it. I know of one 10 year old Iris - contemporary of DC2 in SE London.

kiteflying · 11/06/2011 02:51

Re what a acatcalledbob said - As mum to an Isabel, I can tell you that it will only bother you for a little while that the name is popular. I am over it now and don't even flinch when I hear other little girls called Isabel or Isabella.
The popularity thing is only an issue when you are choosing a name I think, so maybe discount it if you really like the name. None of us are really able to predict the future. You could end up living miles from any other Irises, even if it is popular where you are now.

acatcalledbob · 11/06/2011 01:02

I'm overseas but the Irises I know are from London.

telsa · 10/06/2011 21:45

I'm central to North.

Needaname1234 · 10/06/2011 21:04

Oh and acatcalledbob where are you?

OP posts:
Needaname1234 · 10/06/2011 21:03

Thanks all! Not going to share DC1s name as am paranoid about outing myself (and it is rather unusual too). But there are some great names on this thread - thanks everyone! Quite a few that we've thoughts about - which shows that people who have similar tastes in names really do come up with similar lists I think.

Telsa where in London are you (on the compass) if you don't mind me asking?

OP posts:
JanMorrow · 10/06/2011 15:58

I love it and don't know any. It's on my list!

acatcalledbob · 10/06/2011 15:07

I love it but know a couple - it could be the next Isabel by the time your DC is crawling.....

HelloOutThere · 10/06/2011 15:06

Elsa
Evie
Inga

virginiasmonalogue · 10/06/2011 15:05

I loved Iris and we ummed and ahh'd about it as it was dh's granny's name and he associated it too much with her. So we chose Nell. I also liked Francis (Frankie, fran), Robyn, ....I can't remember much else now

Woodifer · 10/06/2011 14:52

Isla?

figgygal · 10/06/2011 12:45

I have always loved that name - Iris by the goo goo dolls is one of my fave tunes. I wont use it now as have other ideas and i think i am having a boy but i think you should go for it.

telsa · 10/06/2011 12:35

I am in London and know quite a few Irises. don't like it myself - sounds harsh to me and I can't get the eyeball association out of my head. What about it backwards - much nicer: Siri - or what about Ilsa, Ilmi, or Impi - which means virgin in Finnish!

stayfree · 10/06/2011 12:29

Like this name, dp wouldn't have tho. I also like Ivy, Eliza, Tess, Clara and Esme (my dd's name).

tummytickler · 10/06/2011 11:36

I only know one Iris - my 10 year old dd. I don't think it is going to be top 20 anytime soon.
How about - Ivy, Doris, Dahlia, Elspeth, Isadora, Ailsa, Alma, Miranda, Nell, Fleur, Willow?

randomimposter · 10/06/2011 08:57

LOVE Iris.
Also Clara, Eliza, Tess, Esme are similar names I think?
What's DC1 called? (asks the saddo who needs to have names that sound right together Hmm)

lordsugarslovechild · 10/06/2011 08:03

I know a french one - ih - ris.

I do think its nice. I like Marigold.

SloganLogan · 09/06/2011 22:15

I know one Iris.

How about Iona, Ianthe, Estella, Corinna, Elise, Xanthe, Talia, Pearl, Phoebe?