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Baby names

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

Original poster

Opinions please on my baby girls name shortlist

56 replies

designerbag · 06/02/2012 17:27

My husband and I just can't reach any agreement on a name for our little girl who is due in 6 weeks. We're resticted by our surname which ends in y so anything ending in -ie or-y doesn't work. Our DS is called Daniel. Would like something strong, elegant and classic. Too much to ask?

So far on our shortlist;

  • Helena
  • Charlotte
  • Alison

Other names we had considered but just recently culled where

  • Pippa - I still like it but been informed that it has a rude meaning in both greek and polish
  • Isla -I know its an old name but worried it could become too trendy
  • Annabel - Isabel is one of my favourite girls names but too many people I know have used it and think I was just hanging on to Annabel becasue it was similar
  • Zara - doesn't work so well with our surname, there seems to be a forced pause when saying the two together iykwim!

Please help with opinions or any suggestions. Thanks so much

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Stellan · 17/02/2012 12:05

I'm a Charlotte and really like my name. I have met quite a few of them but it's not really been a problem - particularly when a few of them go by Lottie or Charlie (which I don't). I like that it's easy to spell and pronounce and is feminine without being girly.

Helena is one of my favourite names - definitely my favourite from your list!

Other names you might like are:
Adeline, Alice, Arabella, Augusta
Beatrice
Camilla, Caroline, Christabel, Colette, Cora, Clara
Edith, Eleanor, Eliza, Elizabeth
Florence, Frances
Gabrielle
Harriet, Hazel, Hope
Iris, Isadora
Juliet
Louisa, Lydia
Mabel, Mirabelle, Miriam
Pearl, Phoebe
Ruth
Seraphina
Violet

As you've got a Daniel, you might like to consider some other Biblical names. Personally, I really like Rebecca. Esther, Joanna, Leah, Lydia, Martha, Miriam, Naomi, Rachel, Rebecca/Rebekah, Ruth, Tabitha, Phoebe, Susanna, Hannah?

I don't mind Alison either, to be honest, but I prefer Alice. I don't really like the nickname Ali/Ally either.

Kaz0812 · 17/02/2012 08:43

I like Helena. My niece is called that. Her sister is called Gabriella.

What about Bronwyn or Heather. I also like Robyn although I wouldn't consider it a classic.

saffronwblue · 17/02/2012 08:04

Pippa is rude in Swedish, I believe.
I have a two syllable surname ending in "ey" and DD is Celia.
Have you considered Claire?

WetAugust · 17/02/2012 00:59

Charlotte more likely to have Charlie as a nn.

Like Charlotte and Helena.

How about Philipa instead of Pippa?

SoozyWoozy · 17/02/2012 00:19

I have a Charlotte (and no, I don't aspire to be posh...) and I still love it :) She is the only Charlotte in her year group so not as over-used here.

tildaandarchiesmummy · 16/02/2012 23:37

Charlotte is my favourite but why not just go for Lottie.
Other names:
Emily
Molly
Holly
Ella
Alice
Gemma
Hannah
Bella
Olivia
Chloe

Original poster
designerbag · 16/02/2012 23:21

Thanks everyone for all the input. After showing DH the responses Jessica is now back on the list along with Helena and Charlotte. I just wish I loved one so much I felt there could be possibly no other name for my daughter iykwim. I guess I'm going to have to wait to meet her and hope that one name really suits.

Thanks again

OP posts:
stardustn · 16/02/2012 22:53

Charlotte is lovely

Also remember the Hel-ee-na pronounciation with Helena.

SnapSnafu · 15/02/2012 00:09

Just spotted you asked for 3 syllable -ie names, and PercyFilth has provided a great list.

My dd isn't on that list, and would out me to say it as it's pretty unusual - Gaelic name.

Good luck!

Ample · 13/02/2012 01:04

Helena is lovely. I hear of too many Charlotte's sadly and the name Annabel, although very pretty, is going the way of Isabel imo.

A great pity that you say Caroline is out for personal reasons. Caroline is beautiful Smile

BoobyBrown · 13/02/2012 00:56

ooops ,the OP's name completely passed me by Blush

Elena definitely too similar. But still lovely.

VintageNancy · 13/02/2012 00:50

How about Alexandra? Was on my list but DH not keen.

CheerfulYank · 13/02/2012 00:43

I love Allison, actually! :)

Helena and Susannah are beautiful. Hmm...Rosamund, Araminta?

Fragilistic · 13/02/2012 00:29

But I love Helena
Beautiful name

Fragilistic · 13/02/2012 00:29

I think given the OP is called Eleanor, Elena is too close too home Smile

Helena is similiar enough, could potentially end up with the same shortening

BoobyBrown · 13/02/2012 00:19

I like Helena but as an alternative I also love it without the 'H', so Elena.

Can either pronounce as El-en-a or El-aiy-na. I prefer the latter.

lurkinginthebackground · 13/02/2012 00:06

I think Charlotte sounds nice with Daniel.

midlandsnightnannybabysitter · 12/02/2012 23:15

Just seen Jessica has been suggested, love that too & lots of possible nn's

midlandsnightnannybabysitter · 12/02/2012 23:14

Daniel & Megan
Daniel & Hannah
Daniel & Erin
Daniel & Francesca

Plonker · 12/02/2012 23:07

Helena (love Nell as a nn) is lovely.
Charlotte is timeless and beautiful, but very very popular in my dd's schools/sports clubs
Alison - no, although Ali/Allie is lovely.
How about Alexandra as an alternative?

Daniels that I know have sisters called:
Emma
Amy
Jessica

EllenParsons · 12/02/2012 22:46

Helena is a great name but can cause pronounciation issues as some say Helen-a and some Hel-ay-na (I definitely prefer the former).

Charlotte also very nice but more popular. I like Allison but it does seem a bit dated to those in their mid 20s and older, whereas younger ones tend to be Alice.

Someone has probably already suggested it but what about Eleanor?

helebeth · 12/02/2012 17:17

My name is Helena and I was always the only one in the class. Even now you do not hear it very often

LikeItsGolden · 07/02/2012 14:07

I like Helena a lot. Very pretty and womanly.
Charlotte is a bit bland.
Alison is meh. Dated and plain.

I like Isla a lot, but yes, it is becoming very popular.
Zara is gorgeous.
Pippa - NO. Faddy. there'll be loads of them in 5 years time, mark my words.
Annabel is twee and overused.

Matildathebrave · 07/02/2012 13:44

I like Pippa, wanted to call our daughter Pippa but DH wasn't keen.

It's a great name

Popoozle · 07/02/2012 12:52

Actually I quite like Alison Smile. Can't stand Alice though, no idea why.

Charlotte is very popular here. Almost everyone here seems to have either a Charlotte or a Megan.

Helena - I used to really like it a few years ago but, went off it before DD was born. I also really like Helaina.

Other thoughts: Sarah, Emma, Amanda, Sian, Catherine, Philippa (nn Pippa if you like it).