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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which girls name would YOU choose?

66 replies

EasyCompadre · 03/01/2014 09:54

Our DD1 is due soon, and it feels like we've been thinking of names forever! The only names we have agreed that we both like so far are:
Zara
Emmeline
Harriet
Sadie
We would like to use Emmeline as a middle name (as there is a little Emily already in the family and it sounds a bit same-y). I've liked all of those names for a long time, but now it comes down to choosing one to give to my child, one which I will undoubtedly say thousands of times over the coming years I just can't choose one, I'm stricken with doubt that I don't actually love any of them and there's a much better name out there somewhere. So which would you choose? Why? Do you know any babies/children/teenagers/adults with those names? What do they remind you of?

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Summerfever · 03/01/2014 12:40

I have just re-read you post and realise that you intend to use Emmeline as a middle name anyway, so my vote would be for Harriet as a first name and Emmeline for the middle. Harriet Emmeline - what a great combo!

Summerfever · 03/01/2014 12:32

As a mother of an Emmeline, I have to warn you that EVERYONE will hear it as Emily, it is an daily event and I must say that whilst I love the name, if I had been aware of how annoying I would find it, I would have probably have chosen differently and used it as a middle name instead. It does cause pronunciation issues as well - we use the "leen" pronunciation, but many say "line" ( to rhyme with "fine") - which I also find very frustrating! Don't get me started on the spelling variations, but I guess that can happen with any name! Definitely only choose it if you absolutely LOVE it.
FWIW, given my experience with the name Emmeline, I would probably choose Harriet from your list.

PerksOfBeingNorthern · 03/01/2014 12:29

Not keen on Harriet.
Zara reminds me of Zara Phillips (not a bad thing!) and I like it.
Also like Sadie, name of very good friend so reminds me of her.
Love Emmeline and have one in my class at the minute who is completely lovely. Don't think she is called Emily, at least not in school.
Have only ever met one of each name so wouldn't say overly popular near me.
Would go for Sadie/Zara Emmeline unless you came round to Emmeline as first name Grin

GwendolineMaryLacey · 03/01/2014 12:26

I am sometimes known as Sadie and have a Harriet and an Alice so utterly biased :)

MrsJohnDeere · 03/01/2014 12:25

Sadie. Reminds me of a lovely smiley horsey lady I knew when growing up.

Quite like Harriet too.

squoosh · 03/01/2014 12:10

Zara - lovely, definitely the best on your list
Emmeline - too frilly for me
Harriet - my least favourite name EVER
Sadie - quite nice

secretsofsanta · 03/01/2014 12:09

Sadie

Bowlersarm · 03/01/2014 12:08

I really like Sadie.

curiousgeorgie · 03/01/2014 12:06

I really like Sadie Smile

CarryOnDancing · 03/01/2014 12:05

I love Zara, it's simple but beautiful. I know one who is 4 and I've always thought what a well rounded, lovely name it is.

I don't get excited by the others, especially Harriet which I really dislike.

Original poster
EasyCompadre · 03/01/2014 11:26

Thanks RaRa - I think ultimately we're going to have to hold off the final decision until we meet this little girl, and hopefully she will decide for us when we meet her!
Also, it's just occurred to me that Rara could be a very sweet nickname for a little Zara!! Smile

OP posts:
RaRa1988 · 03/01/2014 11:17

I love Zara. Sadie not far behind. I agree with you on Emmeline - think it makes a better middle name than first name. Don't like Harriet at all though.

onetiredmummy · 03/01/2014 10:56

With the family issue, can you call dd Emmeline but use a nickname that doesn't sound too similar. So instead of Emmy call her Linny or something of that nature?

When you're introducing Emmeline instead of EMMEline put the stress on the second syllable as say EmmeLINE.

Original poster
EasyCompadre · 03/01/2014 10:48

Now I do like Alice too, though I'm pretty sure DP has already said no to it (for no good reason!) so I'll keep it in mind and try again when the time is right.
Is Emmeline too similar to Emily?? I love Emmeline, so does DP, but the family thing plus potentially having to correct everyone who hears Emily when you introduce baby as Emmeline are the only things putting us off the name.

OP posts:
hoppinghare · 03/01/2014 10:41

Emmeline. Lovely

onetiredmummy · 03/01/2014 10:39

Zara is an 80's name to me, possibly because there were 2 in my class at school.

Emmeline was the name of my French penfriend, I love it.

Harriet I don't like

Sadie I like but not sure I'd use it

I'd use any of them as a middle name with Lucia or Alice as a first name.