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Baby names

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

Original poster

Do these work in the UK? Are they ok? Top 4

107 replies

ClaryBeanHorshAndMe · 28/03/2017 13:00

Louisa (it's my least favourite. But I think it would work pretty much everywhere?)
Isadora (2nd favourite)
Virginia (absolute favourite. But it it too virginal?)
Isolda

Arik
Emmett
Yaron
Yonatan (that's not a creative spelling, btw)

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Epipgab · 29/03/2017 09:10

I like Arik from the boys names.

Original poster
ClaryBeanHorshAndMe · 29/03/2017 08:58

if you're UK based (which I'm not sure you are?)

Kind of. DH and DD are in the UK. I kind if travel between Switzerland and the UK... We're probably staying in the UK, but we're not sure if we're going to stay in London longterm...

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greatbigwho · 29/03/2017 08:53

I know three Virginias under 18 and none get teased any more than any other kid tbh.

I'd go for Isolda and Virginia from your girls list, and Arik from the boy's list - although, from experience (with a different name!), if you're UK based (which I'm not sure you are?) you'll spend a lot of time going "no A-rik, not Eric…"

TileTileTile · 29/03/2017 08:49

Isadora reminds me of a UK kids show that used to be on when I was a kid (I'm 30 now). The show was called Wizzadora and was about a female wizard. It had a REALLY annoying theme tune "whizzadora, we adore her...."

Original poster
ClaryBeanHorshAndMe · 29/03/2017 08:45

What about Emeraude? Or is it "too"...?

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Original poster
ClaryBeanHorshAndMe · 29/03/2017 08:09

Frazzled2207

Friendly witch? That's actually rather cool, isn't it? ;)

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Original poster
ClaryBeanHorshAndMe · 29/03/2017 08:08

frums
Love Isadora and Isolde Virginia is so dated and ripe for teasing.

Tbh, I don't care about the "dated" part. There are so many "dated" names currently used... The teasing is more concerning.

FreezerBird

Isadora is nice but the Isadora Duncan connection does come to mind.

True, but except for her death... she doesn't seem like a bad namesake. And, tbh, care related accidental deaths are unfortunately really common. I mean, we still use the name Grace, right?

And thank you to everybody that took the time to read this and comment :)!!

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Original poster
ClaryBeanHorshAndMe · 29/03/2017 08:04

PaperdollCartoon

I know a couple of adult Virginia's - nickname Ginny. Which is perfectly fine and no one would bat an eyelid to that post-Harry Potter

Ginny is such a lovely nickname. Thanks :) But in Harry Potter she's Ginevra, right? I don't think adults would dislike the name, especially considering current name trends. But children...? But then again, there are so many names from other cultures and these children manage as well?

Lulabell1979
I have a Louisa - she has become "lulu" so think if that would bother you. I like it (obviously) its classic without being boring and I have only come across one other.
Aww, lulu is an adorable nickname, that wouldn't bother me at all :)
Yes, I know it's a... small administrative unit in Tenerife (I currently can't think of the English word. It isn't village....)

AlrightBabby

I'm not sure about the name, or any of the boys names really, they seem a little forced if you know what I mean. No, sorry, I don't know what you mean. What do you mean?
I do like your list of traditional girls names, Isadora is my favourite.. Thanks :)

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Frazzled2207 · 29/03/2017 08:03

I do think Isadora sounds like a (friendly) witch. Louisa is by far the safest choice from your girl list and goes nicely with Clarissa.

I think all of your boys names are unusual, but that's not a bad thing. Emmet is a bit old fashioned but old fashioned it generally good in terms of names these days.

Original poster
ClaryBeanHorshAndMe · 29/03/2017 07:55

Goforit2017

Thanks :) Don't you think it's somewhat off that they kind of rhyme? I mean, isa - issa....?

GinSwigmore I'm not sure why, but it looks ufninished to me. But thank you :)

upthewolves Yona is a really great nickname. I am currently wondering whether using Jonathan and simply accepting that there will be 2 very different versions would be ok or an issue for the LO...?

crapfatbanana

I'm in Cornwall and although Emmett wouldn't go down brilliantly as a name here, I wouldn't be that concerned, especially if you may never come here. It's really not that bad.

Thanks. Seeing as we're not in Cornwall... And I mean, there's the "lego-character", the fact that it's a name that would work in Ireland, then there's as somebody said the neighbour of the Hyacinth woman and there are also some other literary character... Like one of the "good guys" in twilight (no idea if children still know what twilight is. Hopefully not Grin )

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Goforit2017 · 29/03/2017 07:35

Louisa and Clarissa together sound lovely.

Not keen on any of your boys' names.

GinSwigmore · 29/03/2017 03:17

I like Luisa (prefer that spelling) and Emmett.

User24689 · 29/03/2017 03:14

I know a lovely Yonatan, called Yona for short. His name was originally spelled Jonathan but he changed it because he got so sick of explaining it's pronunciation.

crapfatbanana · 29/03/2017 00:48

Hmm, the 'especially' vanished from that last sentence!

crapfatbanana · 29/03/2017 00:47

I'm in Cornwall and although Emmett wouldn't go down brilliantly as a name here, I wouldn't be that concerned, especially if you may never come here. It's really not that bad.

Virginia on the other hand is an awful name.

I like all the other names on your list, Louisa and Yonatan.

PaperdollCartoon · 29/03/2017 00:17

I know a couple of adult Virginia's - nickname Ginny. Which is perfectly fine and no one would bat an eyelid to that post-Harry Potter

AlrightBabby · 29/03/2017 00:13

I knew about the Cornish use of emmet to refer to tourists, but my first thought was the neighbour in Keeping up Appearances. I'm not sure about the name, or any of the boys names really, they seem a little forced if you know what I mean. I do like your list of traditional girls names, Isadora is my favourite

MrsMulder · 28/03/2017 23:59

I love Louisa, isadora also reminds me of wizadora but I don't think that would be too much of a problem.

Never heard of the Cornish emmet thing and that would be my favourite boys name on your list

MrsMoastyToasty · 28/03/2017 23:52

Emmett instantly reminded me of Dr Emmett Brown in Back to the Future. So that'll be a "no" from me.

Lulabell1979 · 28/03/2017 23:47

I have a Louisa - she has become "lulu" so think if that would bother you. I like it (obviously) its classic without being boring and I have only come across one other.

Love Virginia but share your concerns!
Love Isadora very pretty you know it's an area of Tenerife though right? (A nice area!)

Emmet reminds me of the neighbour in Keeping Up Appearances! Sounds the most British to me though.

frums · 28/03/2017 23:43

Love Isadora and Isolde

Virginia is so dated and ripe for teasing.

I like Arik bestfor a boy living in the UK.

ErrolTheDragon · 28/03/2017 23:35

' it sounds like "I solder" like soldering iron. ' - so that's what I should have called my DD (she's a dab hand at it)Grin

PseudoThief · 28/03/2017 23:22

Emmet's a very normal and common name in Ireland (north and south). No poor connotations with it here.

Louisa whilst not common here wouldn't be deemed unusual either.

The other three boys names I think will be years of having to spell them out, if that's not an issue though then they're grand.
Isadora = wizard (sorry!)
Virginia's lovely but not sure of teasing potential.
Isolda I don't like, but only because with my accent it sounds like "I solder" like soldering iron. Blush

ChampagneSocialist1 · 28/03/2017 23:05

If you're going to be living in London all those names should be fine

FreezerBird · 28/03/2017 23:02

I have the same reaction to Emmet as others - I'm from the west country but not Cornwall. Doesn't it mean ant?

Isadora is nice but the Isadora Duncan connection does come to mind.