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Baby names

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

Not 'girly' girls names. Might as well call her Geoff...

182 replies

OkayHazel · 12/01/2013 03:25

Help! I can think of loads of boys names, and could name about 12 sons given the chance, but I'm really struggling with girls names and am hoping for suggestions to add to my list.

I really like girls names with harder sounds. Lots of consonants rather than vowels and nothing too long - probably two syllables tops. This means nothing girly, cutesy, flowery, overly pretty (Aurelias, Olivias, Florences), ending in I, IE, Y, IA (you get the gist).

The general trend is one or two syllables, ending in En or El (or other 'finite') sounds. Nothing too popular would be fab, but I insist on using a 'real' name and not an improper noun as a baby name. Any nationality is fine by me - open to ideas. (Though Greek mythology probably won't suit me either).

Names I do like include:

Hazel
Bronwyn
Jude
Merle
Morgan
Olive
Violet (Probably bucks the trend, but I like the hard 'let' sound at the end)

I've also noticed that I really I like unisex names, but only for girls. The more masculine/androgynous the name for my baby girl the better. Any suggestions would be very welcome as I've not come across many yet.

At this point in time I'm so frustrated, Geoff is really seeming like a good idea - maybe choose something a little more appropriate with your help :)

Thanks and good luck naming your babies too!

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ThinkAboutItOnBoxingDay · 12/01/2013 08:59

Welsh names then,
Arwen
Anwen
Ceris

Catsu · 12/01/2013 08:10

Oh this is so similar to my taste! I had a girl after 2 boys and could only think of boy like names.
I liked Francesca, frankie
Charlotte, Charlie
Alex
Violet
Harriet, Harry, hattie

Ended up choosing philippa and call her pippa

aimingtobeaperfectionist · 12/01/2013 08:08

What about James? I've heard a few girls called that and I quite like it.

Iwillorderthefood · 12/01/2013 08:08

Rowan is gorgeous, like Iris. I am afraid Blaise makes me think of the X-men and makes me giggle.

Allinonebucket · 12/01/2013 08:07

Noor
Annick

Bearandcub · 12/01/2013 08:03

Maud
Enid
Erica
Roberta (Bobbie)
Gert
Regina (reggie)
Rae
Alberta (Bertie)

niceupthedance · 12/01/2013 07:55

Marion
Dylan

Allinonebucket · 12/01/2013 07:52

Morven?

Lamazeroo · 12/01/2013 06:05

Hadley
Hollis
Anwen
Pip
Rowan
Grace
Henrietta
Kim

googietheegg · 12/01/2013 05:58

Alex
Jodie
Demelza
Tara
Astrid

sashh · 12/01/2013 05:38

Helen
Maud
James - has occasionally been used for a girl
Peta (pronounce Peter - Australian name)
Karen
Ethel

George - you could put Georgina on the birth certificate if you want 'propper'.

Evelyn - is that too girly?

Bethan
Meryl
Carol
Lauren

MidnightMasquerader · 12/01/2013 05:09

Just for the record, I would assume Haydn was pronounce Hi-din, as in the composer.

I love the name Merryn, but suspect it might be too feminine for your tastes.

GeordieCherry · 12/01/2013 04:50

Norah
Scarlett

FellatioNels0n · 12/01/2013 04:48

Oh, and of course who could forget the beeeoootiful Downton names, Sybil and Edith?

FellatioNels0n · 12/01/2013 04:46

Marianne
Esther

FellatioNels0n · 12/01/2013 04:42

Delyth and Lilith are nice too.

Lorna
Morwenna
Sage
Rose
Sapphire
Isis
Delphine
Della
Cleo
Carmen
Imogen
Juliet
Raine

FellatioNels0n · 12/01/2013 04:32

Lois

OkayHazel · 12/01/2013 04:31

BoxingDay I do like Welsh names!

Ones so far that are either already on my extended list, or have just been added to it include:

Vivienne
Morag
Blaise
Pearl
Iris

Loving that Linden and Regan have been suggested - I specialised in the American presidency during my degree - pretty sure those will get vetoed though!

OP posts:
DessieLou · 12/01/2013 04:18

I've always loved Blythe but doesn't sound right with out surname so I'll be very pleased of you use it! I LOVE stellan for a boy.

FellatioNels0n · 12/01/2013 04:17

Bronwen and Hazel are both beautiful. What about Heather?

Ellen
Erica
Erin
Elsa
Elspeth
Iona

are all names which I think do not sound cutesy or girly.

Rowan
Robyn
Rae
Linden
Elizabeth
Kristen
Blaise
Pearl
Iris
Simone
Justine
Ruth

ThinkAboutItOnBoxingDay · 12/01/2013 04:16

Eleanor?

Megan?

Morag? (not sure on spelling but you seem to quite like welsh names)

Rosalind?
Regan?
Hero?
beatrice?

Getting into a Shakesperean swing here...

Emandlu · 12/01/2013 04:12

Petra
Sara
Peta

GeeinItLaldy · 12/01/2013 04:10

Alex
Juno
Megan
Zara / Cara
Vivienne
Cora
Frances
Fiona
Judith

You're right. This is difficult. And Geoff does have quite a nice ring to it...

TobyLerone · 12/01/2013 04:09

Jane
Bethan
Jesse
Erin
Meg

OkayHazel · 12/01/2013 04:00

Dessie Blythe is brilliant!

Stellan is very near the top of my boys list, but can't warm to Stella for some reason. I blame How I Met Your Mother.

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