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Baby names

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

Original poster

Josephine, Frances, Harriet or Lydia?

39 replies

AlexanderS · 23/11/2012 16:13

Which do you like best and why? And if you have a serious dislike of any of these names why?

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joolsandfrances · 23/11/2012 17:06

Hi, my dd1 is called Frances. I decided on the name when I was 14 and I still loved it when she was born when I was 31. I've never come across another Frances since.

ChestnutsRoastingonaWitchesTit · 23/11/2012 17:04

None really. Josephine, at a push. But I can't imagine a baby girl with any of these names. Sorry.

Original poster
AlexanderS · 23/11/2012 17:02

Being a provincial sort, it hadn't even occurred to me Frances might be pronounced 'Frarnces' Grin

OP posts:
GoldPlatedNineDoors · 23/11/2012 16:52

Harriet

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 23/11/2012 16:52

I like them all, but something to bear in mind with Frances, as the parent of an alexandra.... Will you mind if it's pronounced regionally as FRANces rather than 'Frarnces', or vice versa?

Alisvolatpropiis · 23/11/2012 16:49

Lydia.

I don't like the others,especially not Harriet.

Original poster
AlexanderS · 23/11/2012 16:47

My preferred shortening of Josephine would be Joey (like in the Chalet School books!). I think TOWIE has led to the feeling that Lydia is of the moment but its popularity has been quite consistent since 1996 (it was ranked #61 in 1996, fell to #107 in 2010, but went back up to #100 last year). Frances, however, was #552 last year, down from #161 in 1996.

OP posts:
IHeartKingThistle · 23/11/2012 16:36

Josephine and Frances are my favourites, but I like them all. Helpful, aren't I?

InTheBoonies · 23/11/2012 16:33

Frances I like a lot, it was nearly DD name but I have mentally stored it away for a future DS instead as I do like it even more for a boy.

I like Harriet also, very grown up name but cute on a small child.

Not keen on Lydia it feels a bit 'of the moment' and Josephine is ok but I don't like Josie at all.

fourbears · 23/11/2012 16:31

I like Harriet the best.

AppleOgies · 23/11/2012 16:29

See I even spelt it the male way?! Sorry. Don't like Frances at all.

AppleOgies · 23/11/2012 16:28

Lydia is the nicest...

I personally hate Francis. Even with the female spelling it still sounds very manly to me.

Original poster
AlexanderS · 23/11/2012 16:27

Lydia Grace is very nice. I've always liked Lydia and Josephine (nn Joey/Josie), Frances and Harriet have only grown on me recently.

OP posts:
cappucinogirl4 · 23/11/2012 16:16

My dd is Lydia Grace and is the only one in her school so not very common.I have an auntie Josie so love Josephine.