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Baby names

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

Original poster

Flora as a shortening of Florence

38 replies

MonkeyToucher · 22/11/2018 09:18

We really like the name Flora for dd, but I’m now considering whether it would be better to have Florence on the birth certificate to give her the option in future of having something a bit more “grown up” to use? As a child we would literally always refer to her as Flora, Florence would just be on official documents.

Am I mental? Is this necessary? Does Flora work as a stand alone name?

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badtime · 22/11/2018 10:12

I hate nickname names and shortened names.

Flora is neither of these - it is a perfectly good name in its own right. I also don't think it is childish.

BigusBumus · 22/11/2018 10:11

Flora Elizabeth is lovely.

There you go, that's her name!

Original poster
MonkeyToucher · 22/11/2018 10:05

Thanks so much everyone - I had a feeling I was being ridiculous! I blame the hormones!

I think I will stick with Flora on it’s own!

Thoughts on Flora Elizabeth as a middle name combo?

OP posts:
hamzilla · 22/11/2018 09:50

This obsession with a 'full name for when they're older' is a little bit ridiculous. Flora is an absolutely gorgeous name that is completely acceptable as a stand alone name! Nothing to do with Florence at all.

BigusBumus · 22/11/2018 09:49

Just call her Flora. No need to complicate things by giving a different name. For example I have a Harry, he's not Harold on his BC, he's Harry. Similarly my friend has a Tom and he's not Thomas on his BC, just Tom.

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 22/11/2018 09:44

But Flo has a different 'O' to Florence too?

Yes but the shortening of Florence to Flo works because it is just using the first past of the name.

wineymummy · 22/11/2018 09:36

But Flo has a different 'O' to Florence too?
If you call her Florence and refer to her as Flora, she will introduce herself as Flora. And be known as Flora.

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 22/11/2018 09:34

Shortening Florence to Flora doesn't work because they have different 'o' sounds.

If you like Flora then use it, it works fine as a stand alone name. Be aware that if you call her Florence it will most likely be shortened to Flo not Flora.

wineymummy · 22/11/2018 09:26

I like the idea. There was a thread on here yesterday about Poppy being a little girl's name. I think the same could be said of Flora (though I don't particularly care either way, I think the person defines the name not the other way.) But Florence could easily be Flora and it is a nice idea to have a more formal name as a back up.

HumpHumpWhale · 22/11/2018 09:22

Flora is a great stand alone name. It's not like Florrie, I don't think it needs a "grown up" version

ExplodedPeach · 22/11/2018 09:21

Yes, Flora is definitely a stand alone name. It's not a natural shortening of Florence really because Florence has a short O and Flora has a longer one.

LipstickTraces · 22/11/2018 09:20

I think Flora is a name on its own? No need to shorten it.

DramaAlpaca · 22/11/2018 09:20

Flora is most definitely a stand alone name. No need for Florence at all.

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