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Baby names

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

Original poster

Looking for a nice English classic that won’t date.

67 replies

Celiajosephine · 14/04/2019 19:01

Which do you prefer?
Also which is least “chavvy”? Sorry I know that’s controversial but this is first baby so don’t really know what the new chavvy names are...as I’m out of the loop.

Lily or...Lilian/Liliana (nickname lily) vs Hannah.

No other suggestions please as these are the only names my partner and I agree on!
Thanks in advance

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Jenniferyellowcat · 16/04/2019 08:26

The OP has already said she can’t use Alice - bit unhelpful for pps to tell her it’s their favourite?!

Knowing ‘dull’ Hannahs means nothing either Confused My DD has a traditional ‘dull’ name and is anything but. Hannah is a beautiful name.

stucknoue · 15/04/2019 17:00

Not Liliana, it's definitely a "chavvy" name here, people who think it's different and posh but I've met 3 recently, all under 2 and all with "that kind of mum. It's personal preference, but I would go traditional English or biblical if you want timeless and classy as they don't go in fashions

Sophronia · 15/04/2019 16:47

Hannah

BlueMerchant · 15/04/2019 13:13

Lily/ Liliana/Lillian and all it's variants are 'common'- sorry. They have become far too popular and 'cheapened' a name which would otherwise be quite pretty.
Hannah is a classic. It's lovely.
My fav girls name is Alice.

ReginaGeorgeous · 15/04/2019 13:06

Definitely Hannah.

The trouble with Lily is that it's been overused by people who hyphonate it with Mai.

Snowymint · 15/04/2019 12:55

All the Hannah’s I’ve met are dull dull dull. Sorry

florascotia2 · 15/04/2019 11:10

OP This website - based on accurate government statistics - shows trends in names over the past 20 years or so: names.darkgreener.com/#lily The graph shows how Lily rose sharply in popularity since 1996, peaking at third most popular name in 2011. It's now dropping in popularity, but is still ranked no 10: there were over 2400 babies named Lily in 2017.

Flower names became fashionable in the mid/late 19th century. But Lily/Lili was used as a nickname for Elizabeth long before then, I think. Hannah is even older; as other posters have said, it's from the Bible.

Tiramisu1 · 15/04/2019 09:49

Anna and Alice are much more timeless and classic.

Lily has been hugely popular so may we'll start to fall out of fashion and sound a little dated.

Jenniferyellowcat · 15/04/2019 09:37

They are completely different Op. go with Lily, it is lovely. Loads of Lilys since at least the 19th century meaning it’s not just a one-era name. If I had had another DD it would have been one of my choices and my other DC names are very classic. In my view it is different from Lily-May etc on its own. I would also stick with just Lily.

FWIW my boys’ name is very popular again at the moment. I personally don’t care as I like it!

Original poster
Celiajosephine · 15/04/2019 08:57

Thanks everyone.
I’ve decided I don’t care about popularity.

But just worried I’m using the next Sharon/Tracey! (Sorry to anyone called Sharon or Tracey)!

I can’t imagine Lily being that because it’s a flower. Or perhaps it is?

I don’t mind Lillian on the birth certificate but it feels severe for everyday use. I can’t imagine a baby Lillian...so I would definitely use Lily. But I’m unsure if Lily is the new Tracey..

OP posts:
Letthemysterybe · 15/04/2019 07:04

I prefer Hannah to Lily, but Alice is best.

If your dh doesn’t like Alice what about Alicia ?

MrsSchadenfreude · 15/04/2019 07:04

How about Lilia?

LesLavandes · 15/04/2019 06:58

Liliana

Tavannach · 15/04/2019 03:32

prefer Anna to Hannah. Prefer both of them to Lilian.
Wait until the baby is here and try Alice on your partner again. It's a lovely name.

MercyBodle · 15/04/2019 03:10

Hannah is the most classic and timeless of your choices. I love Lily, and like Lilian too. I think they are more timeless than Liliana. I see Liliana as very frilly and a bit over the top. It's a more European than British name - which is neither good nor bad - but you just seem to be looking for a timeless British name in your style. I think Lilian/Lillian with nn Lily would be a lovely choice for you.

Shadow1234 · 15/04/2019 02:01

Hannah is lovely
Not keen on Lily or Lilliana

Kokeshi123 · 15/04/2019 01:20

Oh sorry-- missed that you did not want any other suggestions!

Hannah is fine.

Kokeshi123 · 15/04/2019 01:20

Lily and all variants are perfectly nice names, but they are definitely associated with the last 15 years or so.

If you want a name that does not sound like it is from any particular era, definitely go for Hannah.

Or how about: Catherine, Jane, Susannah, Rosalind, Laura, Rebecca, Rachel, Louisa, Abigail...

BikeRunSki · 14/04/2019 21:52

Hannah
I know HannHs of many ages from 80s to teens.
All the Liliez I know are 12 or under.

IckyTummy · 14/04/2019 21:48

The one Lily I know is quite possibly the most horrendous person I have ever met, and it has sadly tarnished the name for me. I'm sure if you choose Lily, your daughter will be wonderful - the name is lovely. Hannah is also lovely and far less common these days. Choose the name that you prefer... She is your daughter, after all!

Tiramisu1 · 14/04/2019 21:34

Alice is the most classic.

Hannah is very 90s and Lily very 2000s.

DarlingLittleBabyName · 14/04/2019 21:12

I like Lily as a stand alone name best. Liliana is too stuffy imo and Hannah is a bit plain, Anna is much prettier. gd luck x

daisypond · 14/04/2019 20:34

I would have said Lily 20 years ago but I suspect as it’s got popular its demographic has changed. Hannah doesn’t match with Alice at all. Anna is better by far if you want a similar vibe. I’d go for Lilian.

RangerLady · 14/04/2019 20:25

I am thrilled to see my name is so well thought of Grin
Liliana is pretty, I would assume she was eastern European for some reason?!
As my DH would say Hannah and Alice are from the " same shelf" in the name shop - they are classic names. Lily arguably is too. I don't actually know any Lilys but know a couple of Alice's and even a baby Hannah

TanselleTooTall · 14/04/2019 20:23

No idea if it's traditional and classic but I like the name Dulcie. I recently read it when reading a new bedtime story book.

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