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Baby names

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

Please rip my girls name list to shreds!

85 replies

fluffypenguinbelly · 16/02/2016 20:02

We have a boys name all sorted and ready to go. Girls names are proving difficult to say the least. I'm a bit meh about all of them. Going round in circles is not helping.

Flora
Florence
Martha
Isla
Orla
Beatrice

Feel free to suggest more. It's giving me a headache. Tia.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
CPtart · 17/02/2016 16:38

I don't like any of them.
How about Zoe, Louisa, Catherine, Meredith, Erica, Natalie?

rumbleinthrjungle · 17/02/2016 15:39

Love Flora. Real history to that name. Freya is similar, also a lovely name. (Or take a step sideways and try Fauna)

Love Orla and Isla too, although if you're looking for something in that region Iona is similar.

Beatrice, (Bea for short?) also nice. I can't handle Martha, it makes me think of that drippy wench in the British Bake Off. Which goes to show everyone's associations with a name are so individual that whatever you call your daughter people will just come to see that name as her and associate it with her qualities.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 17/02/2016 15:36

Amen. Beauty Grin

BeautyIsTruth · 17/02/2016 15:30

Rip apart you say?

Flora - I actually really like this. Makes me think of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora Macdonald, she was a tough lady. Also, the goddess of flowers, sounds all spring like and happy. Downside - vaginal flora. Thrush. Bit of a posh girl association.

Florence - Can't stand this. So Victorian and not in a good way. Florrie and Flo are awful nicknames. Aunt Flo means period. Very of the moment and will end up being very dated again I think. I'm always shocked when I see people mention it as being pretty. In fact, I'm still completely baffled that's it's so popular.

Martha - I used to think this was awful. I knew a girl at school called this and I felt sorry for her for having such an ugly name. Lots of associations with frumpiness, housework and cooking due to the biblical Martha and Martha Stewart. Think it might have traditionally been a servants name as well. Getting more popular. But Martha Wainwright is a very cool namesake and I appreciate its not frilly like lots of other girls names currently popular and therefore sounds stronger.

Isla - Pretty but VERY of the moment. Zoomed to the top of the charts out of nowhere (it's no. 3 in England and Wales). Doesn't seem to have much history behind it. I know it's Scottish and has been used a lot there but the only well known one I can think of is Isla Fisher. Who is great but it just strikes me as flimsy and faddy. It's a very pretty sound but I don't know if there's much strength behind it, if you see what I mean.

Orla - I love this but it is getting more popular. Sounds similar to Isla so could end up sounding dated and being confused with it. Golden princess meaning is nice but might be too cutesy for you. I like the mythology behind it.

Beatrice - I mentioned this being popular to my nearly 90 year old grandmother the other day and she looked absolutely horrified - to her it's an old granny's name. I can kind of see its appeal as it sounds happy and no-nonsense (I can imagine a strong businesswoman called Beatrice) but it's still stodgy to me. I class it with Florence in that it will be very dated one day as there only seem to be babies or old ladies called it and not many inbetween. I do really like it as a middle name though. Again, along with Florence and to a lesser extent Martha, seems to be the go to hip middle class, yummy mummy NCT type name.

I hope that's been enough ripping apart for you. Grin I don't actually dislike them as much as it would seem (apart from Florence, which IMO should be consigned to the dustbin of names so awful they should never be used again). You've just selected a list of names that are very predictable. Nothing wrong with that, they're mostly nice names but Beatrice, Florence and Isla seem to be everyone's favourite name at the moment, especially on here. None of them will do your daughter a disservice.

I think the best one you've got is Flora, you should definitely use that. Although I hope my thrush comments didn't put you off but you did say to rip apart Grin. I shall try and think up some more suggestions for you in a bit.

PunkAssMoFo · 17/02/2016 13:19

Flora- margarine
Florence- really popular atm
Martha- frumpy
Isla- very current
orla- meh
Beatrice - nice

tkndnv · 17/02/2016 12:14

I like them all, apart from Beatrice.

Orla is probably my fave.

sugarplumfairy28 · 17/02/2016 12:08

I think everything is lovely apart from Beatrice and Martha. I think they all have an elegance to them, while being sweet for a toddler and solid enough for a teenager and young lady.

megganonion · 17/02/2016 10:03

Love love love isla.. and Diana has snook up on me this pregnancy! All them names are lovely though.

lanbro · 17/02/2016 10:02

You did say rip to shreds right?! All awful, boring and unimaginative...sorry! All those names make me think of old ladies, I know they are currently fashionable but it's a no from me I'm afraid!

There are many beautiful names out there, please don't use an old lady name!

ABitAsleep · 17/02/2016 09:55

I love Flora, i think it's pretty and feminine and would suit a child or adult. The only problem is, i think is is 'girly' which your child may not like as much if they are a tomboy.

I think Isla and Florence are too popular at the moment, so i would personally stay away from them.

I quite like Martha, but think it suits adults better than children. Whenever i hear it i think of a Catherine Cookson film.

Orla is nice, but not a personal favourite, i don't think it is anything special.

I like Beatrice (I prefer Beatrix) there are good opportunities for nn and i think it is pretty cute, but also grown up.

RufusTheReindeer · 16/02/2016 22:43

My friends child is Beatrice so thats nice...bea for short

I like Flora, but thats cos of disney sleeping beauty...and itjust sounds like marge

Not Martha, most irritating Dr Who assistant ever

Orla is good

Not florence or isla

AtSea1979 · 16/02/2016 22:37

Like them all.
Would add Matilda.

Lalaloopsyscaresme · 16/02/2016 22:33

How about Florrie?
I like them all although I love Beatrice with Bea for short

temporaryusername · 16/02/2016 22:27

Isadora

NoncommittalToSparkleMotion · 16/02/2016 22:05

Ooh I like your list.

I like Beatrix slightly more than Beatrice.

Orla is beautiful.

I like Flora, love Florence.

Martha's quite refreshing.

Hmm, I'd also suggest

Iris
Imogen
Ada
Alice
Moira?

strawberryblondebint · 16/02/2016 22:04

Flora - yuck
Florence- magic roundabout
Martha - like it
Isla - every second child in Scotland now called this
Orla - love it if you are Irish
Beatrice - double yuck

HackerFucker22 · 16/02/2016 22:00

Hate Beatrice. Don't mind the rest.

Hassled · 16/02/2016 21:59

I can't rip the list to shreds - I love them all. Flora doesn't equal butter to me - it's more of a Bonny Prince Charlie thing.

calzone · 16/02/2016 21:59

Eliza

Oriele

Alicia

Robertaquimby · 16/02/2016 21:57

Like Flora, Martha and Beatrice. Isla and Orla are very popular if that bothers you. How about

Merryn
Marin
Jessica
Rosamund
Sylvia
Dora
Esther

SpotOn · 16/02/2016 21:54

Flora - margarine
Florence - ok if you've been and love the place
Martha - perfect
Isla - so many around atm and a little insipid IMO. The silent a annoys me.
Orla - I like it. Short, pretty and not too popular
Beatrice - ok not awful unless split in two Beat Rice. Bea is a nice nn.

Penguito · 16/02/2016 21:48

The only one I like is Isla...sorry . I don't like flora but do like Florrie

BettyBooboid · 16/02/2016 21:48

I like Orla (very Irish, though - are you?) and Beatrice (classic yet quirky).

Martha - meh.
Isla - every other little girl born in the last 5 years is called it
Florence and Flora are awful, sorry.

ClarenceTheLion · 16/02/2016 21:47

If you like Isla and Orla, what about Ilona?

turdfairynomore · 16/02/2016 21:45

Im in NI so a lot if tgese are very "posh english" to my ears?? And I teach 4 her olds so know a lot of small children!!
Flora-nope. I just donty like it
Florence-i like this, its not very common in these parts but I do know a lovely 18 her old one who is usually Flo. (I quite like Flossie too??)
Martha-on the rise. I like it
Beatrice-the ilkder generation would say "beet-ris"
Orla-10 a penny. Not keen. There are nicer Irish names
Isla-v v v common even here!! But given by people who think they are being a bit "out there" with their name choice!!!

I'll add..... Cora, Cecelia (with nn CeCe), Caoimhe & Delphine???