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Baby names

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

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One week till the registry office appointment: our girl's name shortlist

61 replies

RakeABedOfTyneFilth · 22/09/2013 10:40

Baby girl is two weeks old, and we have booked our slot at the registry office a week tomorrow... Need a name!

The brief is 1. to go with DS (George) but not in too matchy a way. 2. To be "euro-royal" or otherwise vaguely aristocratic. 3. Not too popular but not unspellable/have to be explained all the time. 4. Surnames for last two initials are C P, the P is one-syllable so given name has to be 2 or more beats. 5. Nothing ending in -ia, -ie, -y, much prefer strong consonant endings.

We started with a long list of more like 20 and are now down to these, just looking for last votes really, or if there are unfortunate nicknames.

Beatrix
Edith
Helena
Marguerite
Matilda
Rosalind

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Hulababy · 23/09/2013 17:47

I like Matilda best, followed by Edith.

I am not so keen on Helena, Marguerite and Rosalind. Beatrix is ok.

jobwoes · 23/09/2013 17:46

Yes, Beatrix is no. 272, Frances is no. 493.

jobwoes · 23/09/2013 17:41

I'm pretty sure Beatrix is above Frances in the name charts...

Artandco · 23/09/2013 10:53

Leonora - lee-oh-noar-ra pronounciation is all I have heard. Nn Nora, Nellie, Leo, lea, Leni, ellie, Elle

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RakeABedOfTyneFilth · 23/09/2013 10:18

Considered both Anastasia and Mary... The latter I just find a bit dull, and the former I gather was a character in 50 shades? Wouldn't want to be explaining that there's no connection for the first few years of baby's life!

Yes, Elizabeth is grannie's name. My grandmother keeps pushing Jane, I've no idea what the significance is, and my mother also thinks I should use my grandmother's name (Lillian) which is lovely, but versions of it are very popular among the Eastern European community where we are.

Margaret yes but I just like the Dutch/French spelling better, Marguerite. Oh god that could just be random pretentiousness couldn't it.

Leonora is a nice one... Is it pronounced Lee-oh-noar-ah? Or more like Leonard with an a ending, Len-oar-ah?

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looki · 23/09/2013 09:29

Ps I forgot one. Is Mary too short? It's classic, simple, understated and not too popular these days?

looki · 23/09/2013 09:27

Another vote for Matilda although cant bear the nn Tilly which is the reason I discounted it from my own short list.

I'm not a fan of Edith and the inevitable nn Edie is one of those 'cutesy' names I can't abide and certainly takes away from any vaguely aristocratic feel IMO.

What about Margaret? But please don't shorten it to Peggy or Daisy or similar names suited only to old spinsters. (My own opinion only of course). Maggie is a lovely shortening as is Margot or even Meg.

I'm presuming Elizabeth is either your or your mothers name? If not, it would certainly fit your criteria and has endless possibilities for nicknames.

wiltingfast · 23/09/2013 09:14

I like Edith best.

Don't think people will stop to consider the name pairing v often so I wouldn't worry about that too much though I see what people mean with the sitcom comments.

I like rosalind next I think.

Enjoy the choosing!

elcranko · 23/09/2013 08:02

Matilda is my favourite from your list

sleepingbeautiful · 22/09/2013 18:23

I like your list (aside from prefer Beatrice to trix), but I don't think Marguerite or Edith go well with George if that really matters to you.
I agree with pp who made the sitcom comment. George and Edith are nice alone, but together they "frumpify" the other.

Helena or Rosalind are great.
How about Anastasia?

InfiniteJest · 22/09/2013 14:17

I like Helena, Rosalind and Matilda the best, but agree that Matilda is getting quite popular. I'd probably go with Helena from your list.

Artandco · 22/09/2013 14:03

Leonora?

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RakeABedOfTyneFilth · 22/09/2013 14:00

Forgot to finish the sentence about princesses. Beatrix, Marguerite and Helena (also previously on the list but now binned were Claudine, Augusta, and lots of other similarly obscure Danes, Greeks and Romanovs!)

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RakeABedOfTyneFilth · 22/09/2013 13:56

Thanks for all these lovely comments!

Some that we have discounted are because of being too popular (Alice, Charlotte, Eleanor, Alexandra, Frances, Louise) and also one if those is my name... To be honest even Matilda is quite popular for me. We have a close friend Eleanor but I would use Helena even though it has the same root but goes via the Greek (I think) rather than the French. We'd probably use Margot as a nn for Marguerite, or Peggy or Daisy of course!

I knew 'euro-royal/aristo' would get a smile on MN!! The original #2 rule was English Queens because both me and my mum are those (A and E) but Caroline, Catherine and Charlotte don't go with the C middle name, I just don't like Victoria, like Anne and Jane but they are too short... So then you go back to the Wessex and Norman queens which is how Edith and Matilda are on the shortlist. Then I went for princesses which brings in Someone on my antenatal fb group has pointed out that Beatrix Edith is very 'House of Eliot'...!

Glad there seem to be no howlers in the esteemed MN opinion... Yes we are trying them out for a day each, we're on Edith today... Just wondering if Edie will get mistaken for Evie when hollered across the playground.

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lottiegarbanzo · 22/09/2013 13:47

There are a lot of Matildas around.

I'd go for rosalind or maybe Beatrix.

charleslingus · 22/09/2013 13:16

Marguerite if you want the name to be a bit more unusual and surprising

Beatrix is lovely, bear in mind there are lots of little Beatrices popping up, but great nonetheless and the euro version is nice so is the Spanish Beatriz

Same with Matilda, great name, getting v popular. What about Mathilde to get in the eurocrat feel.

Also Margot is a fabulous name with a similar feel?

Tea1Sugar · 22/09/2013 12:17

Matilda definitely nn Tilly

hettienne · 22/09/2013 12:13

Beatrix, Edith and Matilda are my favourites from your list. I would say Matilda is becoming quite popular though if you want to avoid that.

squoosh · 22/09/2013 12:10

Grin Grin at '2. To be "euro-royal" or otherwise vaguely aristocratic.'

Littlecherublegs · 22/09/2013 11:59

I like Matilda best.
Beatrix is ok though prefer Beatrice.
Not overly keen on the others.

Ruprekt · 22/09/2013 11:58

George and Matilda

strawberrypenguin · 22/09/2013 11:53

My favourite from your list is Matilda. Great list though, have you tried them all out on her for a day / half a day to see if one just 'fits'

CarriMarie · 22/09/2013 11:48

Matilda is my favourite, goes best with George. Also like Helena and Beatrix and Eleanor would match your criteria.

mummratheevertired · 22/09/2013 11:45

I just had a baby on Friday and have decided on Beatrix! So that one of course. Loads of nicknames too, Bee, bea, Bixie, Betty, Beaty, trixy! She is Bee for now as my 2 year old can say that! Congratulations !

FingersCrossedLegsNot · 22/09/2013 11:24

Love Beatrix and Matilda