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Spanish name (but easy in English) for a girl

69 replies

otchayaniye · 14/07/2011 21:34

About to pop, have had real wobbles picking a name, it was so easy for my first. We call her Carmen (after her great-grandmother) Lois (after my mother). No spelling, no pronunciation issues and a strong name.

We're both grandchildren of Spaniards and would like another Spanish name, but one that isn't too dour (Dolores, Soledad are out), isn't wildly frilly (I used to have a thing about names ending in 'a' but I've come round now), and isn't too ostentatiously Spanish.

Have/am considering Lela (but worry about the spelling issue and how people would pronounce it), Frida, and Catalina (shortened to Cat, Cati or Kitty) - but would that be weird with Carmen as a sibling's name?

I do like Ines but husband thinks too modish and it also has pronunciation issues.

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washngo · 14/07/2011 22:01

I know a lovely little Alba whose mum is Spanish. Also a Lucia.

bibbitybobbityhat · 14/07/2011 22:00

Mercedes. Come on, you know you want to.

HomemadeCommunistRussia · 14/07/2011 21:59

I have a Spanish friend called Miriam, does that fit the bill?

suzikettles · 14/07/2011 21:58

Eva/Ava? I love Ines though.

aStarInStrangeways · 14/07/2011 21:58

Susana

Catalina is gorgeous and goes fine with Carmen.

otchayaniye · 14/07/2011 21:54

Hahahah, that's HER name (MILs, that is!) so will be a middle name maybe. Either that, or Rita, which was her mother's.

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Mollydoggerson · 14/07/2011 21:53

Patricia

otchayaniye · 14/07/2011 21:52

Ah, Isabel is the name my MIL wants ..... so it ain't never going to happen! Ironically I feel I ought to give my daughter MIL's name as a middle name, partly because she must've felt royally dissed after I called our first after her (hated) MIL and then my mother!

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otchayaniye · 14/07/2011 21:50

Yes, I think I mentioned Paloma and husband looked askance. But he was sleep deprived! Just wonder if it's too overtly Spanish (I say that as a mum of a Carmen Wink and a bit modish? I've lost my compass a bit, must say! The reason I say Catalina is that it has so many variants, but I doubt I'd use the full name in real life

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MWestie · 14/07/2011 21:50

Isabel?

Climbthewall · 14/07/2011 21:47

How about Paloma?

stressheaderic · 14/07/2011 21:45

I love Adela (I like her character in Bernada Alba too...Lorca fans, anyone?)

otchayaniye · 14/07/2011 21:43

I'm also avoiding overtly religious names (purificacion, etc....)

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razors · 14/07/2011 21:42

Lourdes?

otchayaniye · 14/07/2011 21:42

Ramona I can't as it's a friend's daughter's name. Like it, though.

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pinguwings · 14/07/2011 21:41

Catalina is lovely.

What about Magdalena?

otchayaniye · 14/07/2011 21:41

Thanks, the way I'm feeling she'll end up a Miranda (Carmen and Miranda....)

I used to have a thing about 'a' names but have realised that's silly and rules out so many names. Plus my husband is trying to curb my dour, stolid naming tendencies. Surprised that I really like Catalina now.

I like Clara too.

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BibiBelle · 14/07/2011 21:41

Ramona or Romilly?

BibiBelle · 14/07/2011 21:39

My Spanish neices are Alexia and Clara Smile

I love Marina or what about Marta or Maria - although I realise that these end in 'a'

Inez/Ines is lovely thoughand not too difficult for pn purposes.