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Baby names

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

Original poster

Avalon, Astrid, Astor/er

33 replies

ImogenBow · 30/10/2012 12:24

Hi everyone...

The bub is due just before Christmas my original list was as long as my arm but have narrowed it down to one or a combination of the following...

Astrid
Aster or Astor
Avalon
Ivy
Odessa
Winter
Sylvia
Sylvie

With potentially Rose, Rosetta (my middle name) or Carolyn (my mum/OH's mum is a Lyn) as middle name.

I really like Ivy but reluctant to use as it sounds a bit too foliage themed coupled with surname Bowers!

OH particularly likes Astrid (after Kirchherr as is a big Beatles fan) and Avalon (we both like the Arthurian connection as he is Gavin > Gawain)

Anyway, all words of wisdom/opinions appreciated! Thanks :D

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Original poster
ImogenBow · 06/11/2012 11:05

Thanks for your thoughts everyone! And there I was thinking Bowers was an easy surname (maiden name was Excell though so anything is easier than that!)

OH is pushing for Avalon on the basis that "you can't abbreviate Astrid or Aster to anything other than Ass", I'm still torn between Avalon and Astrid though.

We're going to end up waiting till she's out so we can see what suits her - and it will probably be none of the shortlist in the end!

OP posts:
Kelerina · 03/11/2012 09:19

I LOVE Astor/Aster, it was on my list but i'm having a boy! I couldn't decide which spelling I preferred, really like both. I also really like Astrid.

wigglesrock · 03/11/2012 06:47

I have a sneaky love for the name Winter, Avalon is a bit Roxy Music for me (not that I remember them, my babysitter used to love them Grin). I like Sylvie too, Astrid is nice (but if it matters to you, I know 3 born within the past six months, wouldn't bother me but I know it would some people)

mathanxiety · 03/11/2012 03:32

When I read Avril Bowers I somehow came up with Bovril.
Blush

MrClaypole · 02/11/2012 21:18

Love Astrid

Rhubarbgarden · 02/11/2012 21:07

I love Astrid and Aster. Winter - just no. Avalon is indeed cheesy.

How about Audrey?

TenthMuse · 02/11/2012 17:19

Some really interesting choices here - though not all of them are my cup or tea! I quite like Winter as a mn, especially for a Christmas baby. Agree with other posters that it sounds wrong as a fn with Bowers though.

Like Aster/Asta but not Astor, which looks too much like a stuffy plutocrat! Astrid is also quite cute - I know a lovely one whose parents are very arty/trendy. And Sylvie is growing on me - love the meaning. I have a secret liking for Avalon because of the Arthurian link, but it's probably a bit OTT for real life.

sparkle12mar08 · 02/11/2012 12:29

Although I've just thought, Avril Bowers, April Showers. So scrap that, sorry.

sparkle12mar08 · 02/11/2012 12:28

Astrid is lovely, and may I throw Avril into the mix as well?

B1ueberryP1e · 02/11/2012 12:04

It does. I agree.

manicinsomniac · 02/11/2012 09:42

Avery Bowers sounds like Ivory Towers ...

HaggisMcNeeps · 31/10/2012 15:04

Have you considered Avery? Fits in with your list IMO

LizLem0n · 31/10/2012 13:45

as a mn I mean.

Sylvie Rosalyn Bowers

LizLem0n · 31/10/2012 13:44

ps, rosalyn would honour both you and your MIL?

LizLem0n · 31/10/2012 13:43

Avalon - no, makes me think of the Gallaghers at the height of their squabbling and excess. Did one of them name their house Avalon?

Astrid - ok, but very harsh. Certainly not girly. I like the style of it but it's ugly.
Aster or Astor - ok, much prefer Esther though.
Ivy - not keen
Odessa - oh no oh no. I like Edel though? vaguely your style perhaps?
Winter - kind of like it. NOt sure.

Sylvia - ok, I had this on my list til my brother said it reminded him of saliva.
Sylvie - I really like this one.

tbh if it's not too blunt, Bowers is a tough sur name. I would put something pretty with it. Sylvie Bowers is nice. Winter Bowers doesn't work. It doesn't sound like a name in the same way that Winter Smith instantly would. I would think, what's that? a make of bathroom suite? a Belfast sink? an intestinal complication of a gastric band?

Nellabutterfly · 31/10/2012 13:23

Sylvia/Sylvie means "of the woods" and is the name of an ancient Roman nature goddess - so also linked with your surname, but in quite a nice, subtle way imo - Sylvie Carolyn would be my pick!

Snowflakepie · 31/10/2012 10:41

What Messtins said. Any nature name is likely to sound a bit weird. Sylvie is my favourite.

messtins · 31/10/2012 08:06

I'd avoid Ivy, Winter and Rose with Bowers.
I like Sylvie and Astrid, the others not so much.

mathanxiety · 31/10/2012 02:18

They are all nice but no, I think you are right about Ivy. It wouldn't be good with the surname Bowers. I don't think Winter Bowers or Odessa Bowers would really go -- both sound like tourist attractions in Ukraine.

Aster (the flower) is nicer than the hotel or the Viscountess or a cinema I seem to remember from the mists of time (Astor).

I like Astrid, Sylvie and Sylvia best.

AreYouAbleMabel · 30/10/2012 22:02

Astrid or Winter would be my pick.....beautiful and uncommon!

baskingseals · 30/10/2012 17:39

really like Astrid and Sylvie. like both your middle name choices as well, especially Rosetta - very pretty.

manicinsomniac · 30/10/2012 17:35

Astrid - love it. One of my favourites
Aster or Astor - It's ok
Avalon - don't like it as a name. I didn't know it even was a name
Ivy - lovely but yeah, not with Bowers
Odessa - Quite like it
Winter - like it but again, not with Bowers
Sylvia - not keen
Sylvie - not keen

sillymillyb · 30/10/2012 16:04

I know an asta. Love the a names you have!

Leeds2 · 30/10/2012 16:01

Would choose Astrid from your list.

Love Ivy, but not with your surname!

Dogsmom · 30/10/2012 15:48

Aster is my favourite from your list, our local car dealership is Avalon and I didn't realise it was a name, although unless you live round here nobody would have that connection.

It would probably get shortened to Ava too and she'd be one of many.