Struggling to find a name for a baby girl

31 replies

ghosteditor · 17/01/2012 10:22

I'm 40+5 with DC1 and struggling to find a name that DH and I both love. We are happy with our shortlist if it's a boy (Henry, Theo, Oliver, Jacob, or Max, with a family middle name) but we don't have any firm contenders for a little girl. I'd love your opinions on some possible combinations?

Surname is a three syllable fairly common surname starting with W. My wishlist is for a longer name that can be shortened, something that's not too popular, and nothing that looks odd when shown as initials (a risk with W for a surname). Still with me?

Calliope Isobel (nn Callie)
Juliet Roslyn (nn Jules)
Philippa Clio (nn Pippa)
Alexandra Kathryn (nn Lex or Lexie I think)

Other names I like but can't quite fit in are Edith, Hester, and Zoe. I have a classics background and love names with classical connections, and my name is a long name with an obvious nn which I go by, so I really like that idea. Would love suggestions for new combinations or likely candidates!

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Original poster

ghosteditor · 17/01/2012 10:43

caffers - congratulations! yes, sometimes I feel like we made a mistake not finding out as it makes the endless name discussions even longer. Here's hoping you find something that works for you before your baby arrives. I think we may have Nameless Baby if we don't get sorted soon!

I love Maggie but not so much Margaret and we'd want to give the full name on the birth certificate. I also really like Harriet and Hattie but it's not quite for us - I do like 'Hettie' from Hester (Greek for 'star') but we're not 100% sold.

Unfortunately DH likes what I consider to be very 80s/90s names (all from girls he liked at school I suspect ) - Emma, Sarah, Lauren, Rebecca - all lovely but I know so many of them from my cohort that I don't want to use them.

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JestersHat · 17/01/2012 10:41

I like Phliippa, Alexandra and Juliet. I'd change them round a bit - Philippa Kathryn would be nice, or Juliet Isobel.

Littlecherublegs · 17/01/2012 10:38

I like Alexandra and Juliet out of those you've listed.
I also know an Alexandria.

Other longer girls name with short nn :
Abigail (Abby)
Francesca (Fran, Franny)
Tabitha (Tabby)
Catherine (Cat, Cate, Cath)
Penelope (Pen, Penny)
Suzanna (Suz, Susie)
Angeline (Ang, Angie)
Georgina / Georgiana (George, Georgie)
Josephine (Jo, Josie)
Natasha (Nat, Tasha)

Original poster

ghosteditor · 17/01/2012 10:38

Thanks Montsti - they're all lovely names but you've managed to stumble on four names which are the names of close family and friends, so they're all unavailable to us. Kathryn is under consideration as a middle name as it's my best friend's name (and spelling) and we love it!

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Caffers21 · 17/01/2012 10:36

Hi,

I'm 28 +1 and have the same problem. We're having a girl which makes it a lot easier but am very stuck for names!

Our short list so far is: Eleanor, Martha, Amelia, Elizabeth, Maggie, Harriet, Hattie, Georgeina

Even looking at the list now I feel as if the are our 2nd choices and can't put my finger on 'the one'!.. Also like long traditional names that can be shortened and would love suggestions too!

Montsti · 17/01/2012 10:33

Elizabeth - so many nns..
Charlotte - Lottie
Catherine - Kitty/Kate/Katie etc...
Victoria - various some better than others!

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