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Baby names

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

Original poster

Stuck for a girls name, making me very upset now!!

89 replies

ACM88 · 20/07/2014 22:35

A few weeks ago I posted a thread about the name Jean for a girl. It was met with lots of lovely positive remarks, which made me feel good about the name, but when I sit and think about it, I'm not at all convinced.

My OH suggested the name, he loves it, and it has huge significance. My beloved nans names, and baby is due on her birthday. I get really annoyed and defensive when people critise it, but I'm not sure if I'm honest. I've not mentioned name choice to any friends or family yet, and I'm sure it will be sneered at, at least to begin with.

Don't really want to go back to drawing board, because OH and I don't agree on many girls names. He likes Michelle (?), Judith, and Greta. I like Nancy, April, and Evelyn, but these are met with grunts and snorts. Feel like crying. I don't want to chose a name I don't love, and then regret it! Any advice? Genius name suggestions?

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Original poster
ACM88 · 24/07/2014 17:53

Hahahahahaha Grin

He did very generously say, after lots of nagging the other night, that I get the final say. How true that will be in cold light of day, we will see!

OP posts:
ViviPru · 24/07/2014 17:42

Yes I can imagine. In the absence of the happy situation that you both love a name, IMO it's better to choose a name the female one of you loves and the other thinks is alright than one you both think is just ok...

Original poster
ACM88 · 24/07/2014 17:36

Vivi- that's my major concern, if I don't love it now, will I ever get over it? I don't want to regret my first child's name. I equally don't want hubby to dislike it. Girls names are harder I think because there are so many choices, boys was much more straightforward!

OP posts:
UnrelatedToElephants · 24/07/2014 17:03

Nancy Jean is lovely - pursuade him, it's worth it :P

ViviPru · 24/07/2014 16:32

FWIW, OP, with my sisters first, her and her DH who are usually very like-minded could not agree whatsoever on a girls' name, so they went for the only one they agreed on, which neither really loved. She's always regretted it, and wouldn't admit it overtly but reading between the lines i suspect she actually dislikes DD1's name now.

With DD2 she was much more headstrong and forced through the name she likes, DH got over that much quicker than my sister got over the mistake with DD1.

burgatroyd · 24/07/2014 14:35

Mallory means bad luck, Pom Pom!

PomPomPingPong · 24/07/2014 14:29

Flora Jean
Mallory Jean

Original poster
ACM88 · 24/07/2014 14:08

No don't like Janet or Jeanette...I've decided to just not think about Jean anymore, I'm burying my head in the sand a little and will see firstly whether baby is boy or a girl, and then see what name suits them. No matter what they are called, I'm sure they will grow to fit the name anyway.

OP posts:
BlueChampagne · 24/07/2014 14:02

Is Janet/Jeanette any good to you?

Original poster
ACM88 · 23/07/2014 12:21

Hey no this is baby no.1!
We have Kit James for a boy, James as mn. I absolutely love this name, I think it's one to be proud of! I don't quite feel the same way about Jean, hencey trepidation!!

We have a friend who has just had a baby Florence (even though it was inspired by us!!) it makes it tough to use for a first name, especially as I imagine we will be spending lots of time together!

I don't know if it is granny chic, it may well be, but we like strong, uncommon names, but not made up!

OP posts:
Pebbles0934 · 23/07/2014 10:18

What's wrong with Florence Jean then if he wants Jean Florence?

Florence provides lots of nn options aswell?

I think Jean could work on the right child! Jeannie is sweet. Do you have any other children?
Just considering if this is your first and you choose Jean then you may have to go down the route of granny/grandad chic names for future children if you like the names to match? If not, then not an issue......!

What is the boys name you love? May help pick a similiar girl alternative!

Nancy is gorgeous IMO... Push for that! What about Gretal as an alternative to Greta ?

myotherusernameisbetter · 23/07/2014 09:32

Elinora/Eleanora (Nora) Jean....or is that too close to Norma Jean?

Original poster
ACM88 · 23/07/2014 08:52

We both love Eleanor, but we have two friends called this and it gets very confusing! (Unfortunately)

I also look after a Martha and Matilda so they are vetoed.

Nancy is my very favourite, saw Violet on here the other day, and I think that's pretty also. I'm pretty convinced it's going to be a boy anyway, so we have decided to each write a list of our top 2 names and if it's a girl we will pick from them then.

Definitely encouraged to see such lovely comments about the name Jean though! Thank you all xx

OP posts:
bouquetofpencils · 23/07/2014 00:22

Love Nancy Jean.

I also like Jeanie. Genie? Imogen?

My DH loved the name we eventually picked for our DD. I wasn't 100 per cent but I went with it. Even her name tag in the hospital said undecided because I wasn't sure. But I am very glad we went for it because it suits her perfectly. I think these feelings are normal.

LuckyLuckyMe · 22/07/2014 23:33

It might be way off the mark but I know an Eleanor Jean and I think it's lovely.

Other suggestions:

Nora Jean
Martha Jean
Lucy Jean
Eva Jean
Matilda Jean

I don't know if I'm of any help but I know what it's like not to love a name but use it anyway.

Frikadellen · 22/07/2014 23:17

Niece is Hannah-Jean named after her grandmothers. I wasnt massively keen when sister first announced however over the years it has really grown on me and now I think its lovely.

If you like it and it has significance then absolutely go for it.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 22/07/2014 22:35

I love Jean , fab name ! Would use it as first name but some of the other variations like Nancy or Polly Jean are class too.

littlewhitebag · 22/07/2014 19:59

Nancy Jean is great. It's my mum's name (Nancy) and her best friends name (Jean).

Original poster
ACM88 · 22/07/2014 19:58

Nancy Jean is my favourite, OH is still championing Jean Florence F hmmf

OP posts:
thegreylady · 22/07/2014 19:55

I like Nancy Jean it is very pretty.

callipygian00 · 22/07/2014 19:51

How about Jane, Jayne, Janie, Janet, Janette, Jeanette?

Original poster
ACM88 · 22/07/2014 19:02

Valerie yes but massive no to Val x

OP posts:
rattyboombatty · 22/07/2014 18:48

Valerie Jean?

Original poster
ACM88 · 21/07/2014 22:38

Very true myotheruser x

OP posts:
myotherusernameisbetter · 21/07/2014 22:35

Maybe just wait until the baby is here, seems a bit silly to give yourself this grief when it could very well be a boy :)

Also, we didn't decide absolutely on a boys name but had a couple that we were going to choose from but in the end didn't use any of those and chose something else entirely!