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Baby names

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

Original poster

Anna, Miranda, Charlotte or Cordelia?

60 replies

Swollenankles83 · 17/02/2016 15:24

Hi all

I'm hoping you can yank me out my brain fog - I'm 39 wks and need a name for impending DD. I thought I'd made a decision but I'm not sure what I like anymore!

I had previously settled on Anna - classic, simple, beautiful. But I have a niggling feeling it's a little bit dull and I could do better for my DD.

Other options are Miranda (DH very keen), Charlotte (I don't like the nicknames hugely) or Cordelia (ditto re nicknames). I also (think!) I like Catherine (Kitty), Henrietta and Antonia.

Should I stick with Anna or do you like any of my others better? Help!

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Gummibearchen · 24/02/2016 14:36

Love all your suggestions, but my favourites are Antonia and Charlotte.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 22/02/2016 22:07

Anna

SoThatHappened · 21/02/2016 23:24

I like Miranda.

Or if not that have you considered Miriam?

Pretty and lots of NN potential. Miri, Mimi.

cecilelliott · 21/02/2016 10:14

Another one for Miranda here. There are loads of little Annas where I live-South East, whereas I have only met one little Miranda. She will be the only one in her class- the same might not be said for Anna.

Also the nickname Mira is lovely (Meera)

Good luck!

cheekstime · 19/02/2016 10:50

Anna - strong, feminine, great sounding x

usual · 18/02/2016 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 18/02/2016 22:14

Anna is great. Sweet and pretty.

But if you aren't convinced, what about Joanna, rhianna, annabelle ?

CityFox · 18/02/2016 20:54

Miranda, rarely hear it!

Otherwise Anna.

longestlurkerever · 18/02/2016 19:24

Thanks for your post AnAnna.This is kind of what I was aiming for when naming my girls - names that don't immediately pigeonhole them and that wouldn't alienate them from any crowd. A name that will last them for life without being a burden
I don't really see it as a creativity competition, though how the names sound is important to me.

applecatchers36 · 18/02/2016 19:01

Anna is a lovley simple, elegant, international classic name that agree would transcend class/ many cultures/ communities, in contrast think that Cordelia is a tad on the pretentious side...

AnAnna · 18/02/2016 18:43

Using a highly original namechange to avoid outing myself.

I'm an Anna. I really love my name. It has served me well - I've had a few careers in wildly different sectors, have lived all over the world, and have, in the course of my various jobs, worked with deprived sectors of society, artistic communities and the landed gentry. I've always felt grateful to my parents for giving me a name that will "fit in" anywhere, and that is widely recognised, phonetically obvious and easy to pronounce (even for people who don't speak English). My sister has a far "posher" name (although I think we've moved on a long way over the last 40 years, and there is no longer such a class naming divide, but still). She also works in a public sector job with very disadvantaged families, and has often said that she feels awkward introducing herself as "Cordelia" (not her name, but equivalent in posh-ness, to my mind!).

Go for Anna, you won't regret it. I struggled to find names that I liked as much as my own for my DDs!

Original poster
Swollenankles83 · 18/02/2016 18:11

You lot are fab!

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jezzathebezza · 18/02/2016 17:06

Much prefer Anna to Miranda, Miranda isn't that feminine IMO, think of the 2 famous Miranda's cast in TV series -SATC and erm Miranda, both are pretty tom boyish which is fine, but think the name conjures up this impression before even seeing the girl/woman.

TheCatsMeow · 18/02/2016 16:26

Miri I'd say for Miranda

Original poster
Swollenankles83 · 18/02/2016 16:20

I hadn't thought of Randy...! Confused

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magpie17 · 18/02/2016 15:47

I really like Anna! It's classic, no fuss and quite underused now. Miranda is pretty but a name like that will probably get shortened and I can't think of I nice nn.. Mirry? Randy? Confused

Doingmyheadin2016 · 18/02/2016 15:38

I like them all although Cordelia is a bit posh for my liking, I like Anna but Miranda is more unusual.

ABitAsleep · 18/02/2016 15:35

If you are going to use one for first and one for middle names - I think Anna Miranda flows well, whereas Miranda Anna not so much.

Although i really like both names :)

Paddletonio · 18/02/2016 14:27

Charlotte is my favourite then Anna

TillyTolly · 18/02/2016 14:24

Miranda and Antonia both more interesting than Anna and you could certainly use Anna as a nn for either of them. Fwiw, I don't associate Miranda with the TV personality but with Shakespeare and that Belloc poemSmile

If I had free choice from your list though it would be Cordelia all the way. Great character, great nicknames, rarely heard IRL. Good luck!

KatieT12 · 18/02/2016 14:14

Charlotte, the next best is Anna Smile

Olbersparadox · 18/02/2016 14:09

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

wonderpants · 18/02/2016 08:05

I love Anna, not keen on Miranda. How about Meredith?

ashesandfire · 18/02/2016 08:00

I love Miranda! It's so beautiful. I think of Shakespeare rather than the TV show.
I like Anna too.
Charlotte is nice but I wouldn't choose it if you didn't like the nicknames.

Original poster
Swollenankles83 · 17/02/2016 21:52

I think you're all convincing me to stick with my initial decision!

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