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Baby names

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

Original poster

Historical girl's names

36 replies

youcouldbeGLAAD · 13/07/2019 15:03

Hello all

My husband and I can't agree on a name for our new baby if it's a girl. He likes Elizabeth and has stipulated he wants the name to have strong historical connotations so she has namesakes to look up to.

We both want a traditional name, but I dislike Elizabeth (and his other suggestion of Helen). We'd love any suggestions. Catherine is out as that's my name and Alexandra is out as that's my sister.

Thanks in advance...

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jojojowo · 16/07/2019 09:44

Dorothy - after Dorothy Hodgkin 1st person to photograph DNA and only British female to win a nobel prize in chemistry

GirlFliesHome · 15/07/2019 12:39

Emmeline- no identifying with a man there! And such a gorgeous name.

DandyLyon · 14/07/2019 05:36

Matilda
Eleanor
Isabella

Switsy · 14/07/2019 05:21

He likes Elizabeth and has stipulated he wants the name to have strong historical connotations so she has namesakes to look up to

Does anyone actually do this? I don't feel a connection to any historical figure who shares my name. It all sounds a bit 'father knows best'.

EileenAlanna · 14/07/2019 02:33

How about Olympe. Not exactly traditional I suppose & she may not figure in history lessons in UK schools but this woman was awesome & your DD could lead the way in spreading knowledge of someone truly remarkable www.thoughtco.com/olympe-de-gouges-rights-of-woman-3529894

PrincessLouis · 13/07/2019 23:10

I understand what he means. How about Anna / Anne / Annie

Boleyn / of Cleves / Queen Anne
Frank
St Anne - the Virgin Mary’s mother
Bronte
Pavlova

Original poster
youcouldbeGLAAD · 13/07/2019 21:32

Perhaps I've phrased it poorly. He wants her to identify with examples of women who are known as more than just their relation to a man. So when she's in school she hears about eg. Elizabeth I or Catherine the Great and the impact they had on the world, and she has something in common with them ie. her name. I like that and don't think it's bizarre at all - I do remember liking learning about Catherine the Great as a child Smile. But each to their own...

OP posts:
Frith2013 · 13/07/2019 21:28

Who actually ever looks up to people with the same name? What an absolutely bizarre idea.

lollipopguild · 13/07/2019 19:19

Eleanor
Cecily
Matilda
Isabella
Beatrice

ChaChaDeGregorio · 13/07/2019 19:17

I was going to say Constance!

I found looking up the suffragettes very helpful in choosing a girls name.

Ellmau · 13/07/2019 19:11

Cleopatra
Hatshepshut would be a step too far I should think, although you could call her a more normal Hattie for short - would certainly be unique at school though ;)
Nicola (for medieval woman sheriff Nichola de la Haye)
Christina
Isabella (but might be problematic re expulsion of Jews from Spain if you're wanting a figure to look up to)
Marie (for Marie de Guise or Marie de Medici)

Bellsandholly · 13/07/2019 19:06

Mary

FairfaxAikman · 13/07/2019 18:38

Marjorie (Robert the Bruce's mother, she held his father captive until he agreed to marry her)
Agnes (countess of Dunbar, successfully held Dunbar in a five month swine while her husband was away and tainted the enemy by dusting the broken battlements with a handkerchief)

midgeland · 13/07/2019 18:16

Eleanor of Aquitaine was a royal AND a pain in the arse strong woman so a double win. Likewise Matilda.

Margery?

rachelgrace · 13/07/2019 18:05

There are ones like Rosa (Parks) , Emmeline (pankhurst) , Marie (Curie), Emily (Dickinson, Bronte) etc...

I think names that are after strong women who have done something good in history are better namesakes than royals, although a royal name would also be lovely.

OhTheRoses · 13/07/2019 16:34

Anne
Jane
Mary
Victoria
Caroline
Sophia
Adeline
Eleanor
Henrietta
Philippa
Charlotte
Isabella

All British Queens

QueenMabby · 13/07/2019 16:26

Cecily
Marie
Jane
Anne
Matilda
Eleanor
Frances

Scandiandi · 13/07/2019 16:20

Wallis! Royal, historical and controversial...we're pretty set on it for our 1st due later this year.

RubberTreePlant · 13/07/2019 16:08

Victoria.

girlmama1990 · 13/07/2019 16:04

Florence - I love it and considering it!

holidayhappy · 13/07/2019 16:03

Marie
Emmeline
Ada
Rosalind
Amelia
Mary
Florence
Eleanor
Victoria
Catherine
Vera
Cleopatra
Joan
Isabella
Grace
Hypatia
Aphra
Artemisia
Gabriella
Clara
Anna

All first names of great women who helped to change the world.

Original poster
youcouldbeGLAAD · 13/07/2019 16:01

It's actually not Elizabeth I object to but the nicknames. I think it's such a long name that it's unlikely she'd be known as Elizabeth and I don't like the nicknames for it.

I may have him convinced on Ada Elizabeth Surname but do keep suggestions coming as they are very helpful thank you.

For reference my favourite is Constance but he hates it and we have chosen Henry for a boy.

OP posts:
QueenNetball · 13/07/2019 15:48

Harriet

Prettylittlelady · 13/07/2019 15:47

Elizabeth has a lot of nn options that you might like - Eliza, lizzy, Betty, Bessie - I know a little one who only goes by Bessie.

Love the suggestion of Emmeline - if it’s a strong woman that you want her to look up to then that’s a perfect name.

TeenTimesTwo · 13/07/2019 15:30

Well, Elizabeth is a great name.
I don't see why she can't be named Alexandra after her auntie.

Marie Curie
Rosalind Franklin
Mary Shelly
Jane Austin
Charlotte Bronte

Anne

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