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Baby names

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

Original poster

Help us narrow down our long list!

67 replies

pixieloux · 25/07/2018 15:18

We're really struggling (me especially) to narrow down our list. This is definitely my last pregnancy so maybe it's knowing that I'll never have the chance to use them again but we definitely need some help! Here's the list...

Boys: Dominic, Elijah, Jasper & Zachary | Girls: Beatrix, Cecily, Elodie, Felicity, Imogen, Margot & Penelope

& ones we're still undecided on but discussing...
Boys: Alexander, Arthur, Benjamin, Elwood, George, Julian, Oliver, Oscar, Reuben, Sebastian & Samuel

Girls: Calliope, Cecilia, Eloise, Emilia, Emmeline, Esmée, Evangeline, Evelyn, Florence, Francesca, Genevieve, Hazel, Hermione, Josephine, Lucia, Matilda, Ophelia, Persephone, Primrose, Seren, Sienna, Willow & Winter

Our children's names' are ranked #241, #156 & #365 (according to cso.ie) - probably more on the traditional side/well known names but not overly popular here (more so in the UK except maybe DD1 but it has risen in popularity since we named her, 6 years ago) I understand some names on the list are more 'out there' than others. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it (especially with how long the list is lol)

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LeeMiller · 26/07/2018 13:50

Benjamin and Elijah are especially nice from your boys list. Domenic, Arthur, Alexander, Samuel, Oliver, Zarchary, Sebastian are all classic and timeless. I'd think about whether you like the diminutives as they're probably inevitable with all of those.

Cecilia, Felicity, Lucia (unless Italian/Spanish heritage), Elodie and Primrose are all quite girly and frilly.

Evelyn, Evangeline and Emilia are nice but will be lost in a sea of Evies/Evas and Amelias (relevant since your other kids have uncommon names).

Winter and Sienna are a lot less classic and elegant than your other choices, for me.

I'd avoid Hermione and Ophelia as they are so strongly associated with one character (one annoying imo, the other tragic).

Persephone is pretty but would probably end up as Percy which is less so. Your other long names have much nicer diminutives. Beatrix, Calliope, Emmeline, Esmée, Florence, Francesca, Imogen, Genevieve, Josephine, Margot and Matilda are all really lovely. Quite varied in terms of popularity though - anecdotally I know of lots of little girls called Matilda, Florence, Esmée and Francesca, the others less so.

KiplingAngelCake · 26/07/2018 12:40

My favourites from your list:

Arthur
George
Oscar
Samuel
Zachary

Imogen
Emmeline
Florence
Hazel

Quangot · 26/07/2018 10:08

Elijah and Felicity from your first list.

From the second:

Alexander
George
Julian

Cecilia
Emilia
Florence
Hermione
Josephine
Primrose
Willow

Original poster
pixieloux · 26/07/2018 09:00

I was already a little put off by Dom as I used to look after a Dominic that went by it and let's just say, he was a bit of a handful lol. Dominic is great but I know Dom in inevitable even if we shortened it to something else.

I struggle to connect with boy's names for some reason... I feel like I could find fault with most of them where as we veto a girl's name and it somehow finds it's way back on the list lol. All I brought to the table with suggestions were our vetos from DS lol. I love Arthur but we decided against it because of initial sharing with DD1 - it seemed too matchy when it was just the two of them and Oliver was a top contender with DS too but we scrapped it because of popularity. Elwood, I love too but I understand not many people share that love lol.

Elijah, Sebastian and Zachary have grown on me a lot though and I know a lot of our boy's list are traditional and safe choices so we can't really go wrong with them (Alexander, Benjamin, George etc)

OP posts:
6DinnerSid · 26/07/2018 08:01

You've got some lovely names!
I'd go with Reuben or Zachary from your boys lists, and Imogen, Genevieve or Margot on your girls

Calliope I have a strong dislike for - I think it makes me think of Callipers which isn't a nice association

moredoll · 26/07/2018 01:41

Zachary
Cecily

MikeUniformMike · 25/07/2018 22:32

Dom just makes me think of "Big Bad Dom".
Dominic is fine but it won't be Dominic it will be Dom.
Julian is a creepy name.

RedDwarves · 25/07/2018 22:28

I like the following:
Eloise
Emilia
Emmeline
Florence
Genevieve
Josephine
Lucia
Matilda
Ophelia
Seren

Jasper
Benjamin
Julian
Oliver
Oscar
Reuben
Sebastian
Samuel

Don't like the following:
Dominic - "Dom", ugh.
Elijah - too religious
Zachary - outdated
Elwood - just no

Cecily/Cecilia
Margot - too close to maggot
Calliope - awful
Evelyn - outdated
Francesca - "Fran"
Hermione - awful
Persephone - awful

Neutral on the others.

MikeUniformMike · 25/07/2018 21:11

Elwood could be Woody which is quite sweet. I just thought Ellie.
Elijah too.

Original poster
pixieloux · 25/07/2018 20:46

@MikeUniformMike - Sorry read that as "is very popular"... It could well rise as Elle names seem to be quite popular. It happened with DD1's name too if I go by UK/US sites and chartings.

@sugarpiehoneyeye, I think it's just you and me with Elwood... Don't know what it is about the name but I've always loved it!

OP posts:
itbemay · 25/07/2018 20:44

Evangeline is beautiful x

MikeUniformMike · 25/07/2018 20:40

If you love it, it's up to you.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 25/07/2018 20:39

Imogen
Emmeline
Josephine
Primrose
Sienna
Willow

Zachary, love Elwood, and Sebastian.

Original poster
pixieloux · 25/07/2018 19:20

Thanks, @KatnissK

Elodie is only ranked #365 here apparently (cso.ie), @MikeUniformMike

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 25/07/2018 19:13

Cecily - Cicely is so much nicer
Elodie - one of those names that seems quite unusual but will be very popular, that's why it gets a no.
The boys' names I say no about I just don't like them.

Original poster
pixieloux · 25/07/2018 19:08

Not particularly looking for something unusual, @shaggedthruahedgebackwards (fab username by the way lol) We have passed on them before, for that reason, but knowing this is my last pregnancy? A small part of me is saying to go for something a little more daring lol.

I'm sure I've seen it but I'd have been much, much younger lol.

OP posts:
userabcname · 25/07/2018 19:04

I love your names! We must have similar tastes! My absolute favourite from the boys list is Zachary. Second would be George (I know it's popular but I love it) and then Sebastian.
My favourite from your girls is Persephone or Penelope (as very similar sounding). Next would be Hermione and then Felicity.
Fab choices in general though, OP, don't think you can go wrong!

shaggedthruahedgebackwards · 25/07/2018 19:00

If you are looking for something a bit unusual then I would avoid Alexander, Arthur, Benjamin, George, Oscar & Samuel as they are all pretty commonplace

Beatrix, Cecily, Cecelia, Hazel, Emmeline or Josephine would be my choice for a girl (sorry that doesn't narrow it down much!)

Zachary or Elijah for a boy

I have an irrational dislike of the name Jasper

Were you a fan of the Good Life by any chance? If you add Barbara you've got the full set Wink

TroubledLichen · 25/07/2018 18:59

Top 5 for girls:
Margot
Elodie
Beatrix
Eloise
Genevieve

Top 5 for boys:
Alexander
Arthur
Sebastian
Zachary
Reuben

Original poster
pixieloux · 25/07/2018 18:56

@MikeUniformMike It's the reason why it's on our maybes list along with Calliope, Esmée. Emmeline & Persephone... We wondered if they would lead to too many spelling/pronunciation issues.

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 25/07/2018 18:53

Oh gosh. I hadn't thought of Loo-see-ah.
I'd scrub it out and think of something else. I like Lucy.

Srilli · 25/07/2018 18:53

Love
Girls- Persephone Penelope Beatrix and Cecily
Boys- Alexander Reuben and Dominic

Original poster
pixieloux · 25/07/2018 18:53

I've never understood how a name could be 'try hard' lol. We simply just like the sound of them Confused but thanks for the feedback, @AdaColeman Smile

OP posts:
Sunnybeachbabe · 25/07/2018 18:53

Benjamin, Reuben or Elodie, Imogen.

AdaColeman · 25/07/2018 18:50

My favourites are Jasper and Cecily.

Least favourites are Elwood and Oscar, Calliope and Evangeline.

Much of your long girl's list is just a bit "trying too hard", Ophelia & Persephone for instance.