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Baby names

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

Original poster

Name dilemma - Iris, Ebba, Lula, Ines

44 replies

rosamundos · 26/03/2020 11:32

We're having a girl soon and her older brother is called Otto. I can't decide!

First name options:
Iris - more normal / traditional in UK
Ebba - not common in UK, in Sweden it's top 10

Middle name options:
Lula (a diminutive of Louise, her granny)
Ines (after a Scottish great granny)

I've got Scandi heritage/last name, and I'd like something that sounds a little more unusual... where we live Iris is top 20 which puts me off. On mumsnet all posts seem to be negative about Ebba Hmm

Thoughts?

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myfav · 30/03/2020 00:16

I love Ines, DH didn't want to use it though. It makes me smile when I hear the name (not often).

jackstini · 29/03/2020 23:29

Love Ines as a first name and goes fabulously with Otto

Iris is beautiful too

Really not keen on Ebba, she will forever be asked if it's 'Emma'
Lula, not great, not awful

shreddednips · 29/03/2020 23:11

I didn't like Ebba when I first heard it but now it's growing on me. It goes beautifully with Otto, I'd go for it!

Also love Ines. Iris is fine but not as special as Ebba and Ines in my opinion. Not a fan of Lula especially except as a shortening of Louise

SavoyCabbage · 29/03/2020 23:08

I also like Ebba.

And I like Lo, like the baby from Bonus Family.

Crabbo · 29/03/2020 23:03

I know an Ebba, didn’t strike me as weird at all when I heard it, I think it’s nice.

CormoranStrike · 29/03/2020 23:00

Ebba for me

jmh740 · 29/03/2020 22:58

I like iris, I wouldnt know how to say ebba

s3tut0y3r · 29/03/2020 22:42

What about Astrid?

filka · 28/03/2020 04:00

Lula is a minced lamb kebab where I live Grin

My mother was called Iris so I'm biased on that one.

Rachelhaydenberk1 · 28/03/2020 03:48

But if these names have meaning to you, I would follow your heart. Clearly not everyone on here is familiar with Scandinavian names so I dont think you will get the best point of view necessarily! I actually think all the names are nice on the list!

Rachelhaydenberk1 · 28/03/2020 03:44

I adore Ines as a first name if that's a thought at all?

Ines Tallulah would be really pretty!

FizzyGreenWater · 27/03/2020 13:54

Be brave and go with Ebba, as you did with Otto, it will pay off.

Basically it may be v unusual here BUT it's obvious how you say it and easy to spell so no problems there. Also, it's lovely - very strong, but a lovely sound.

Lula and Iris, ok but just not interesting really.

Ines, I like this - but not as much as Ebba.

Enko · 27/03/2020 13:40

Oh use Ebba its fantastic. I am also of Scandinavian descent and this reminds me of my grandmothers' sister who was fabulous :) A fantastic name that here will be unusual but if you go to Sweden she will be able to get the mugs with her name on. Best of both worlds really,

I don't mind Iris but compared to Ebba I find it a lesser choice.

FeedMeSantiago · 27/03/2020 11:25

I quite like Lula, but only with Louise or Louisa on the BC. That way she, and you, have options. I can see Lula being misheard as Lola and Luna.

Louise is lovely, well known and underused. Louisa is even lovelier and also well known and underused.

I like a previous poster's suggestion of Elva.

Adelais · 27/03/2020 07:39

*Ines!

VenusClapTrap · 27/03/2020 07:39

I love Ines. Elegant name.

Adelais · 27/03/2020 07:38

I like Iris or zines. What about Elva?

insertcaffeine · 26/03/2020 20:48

Iris is incredible and classic.

MikeUniformMike · 26/03/2020 20:38

Oh, thanks. I was just guessing. I like Åse but as it's someone I know's older sister it might be a bit middle aged.

Original poster
rosamundos · 26/03/2020 20:17

Thanks all Smile

@CatteStreet Good point on the politician - turns out it's a Brazilian president sent to prison!

We will face 'Ee-ris' issues with Iris, I'm not too fussed on that actually. We had considered Ida but 'Ee-da' pronunciation ruled this name out for me as I disliked it much more here.

@MikeUniformMike no Eve is Eve! Ebba is from an old English name which the Swedes seem to have jumped on.

OP posts:
Helen4790 · 26/03/2020 19:38

Embla is a similar sounding Scandi name you may like

Helen4790 · 26/03/2020 19:36

I do know Swedish siblings Ebba and Otto, the names go together nicely. But Ebba can get mistaken for Emma fairly often.

DramaAlpaca · 26/03/2020 18:26

Not Lula, it's a bit twee.

I like all the others though, especially Ebba. Ebba would be just perfect with Otto.

CatteStreet · 26/03/2020 16:21

On balance, Ebba.

I adore Iris but couldn't use it because of international issues - the English pronunciation and the German are too different and I dislike the latter. I wonder if you'd have the same issue. Ebba is simple and classy and also linked to your heritage (I find the 'Emma with a cold' comments a bit silly tbh).

Wasn't Lula the nickname of some South American politician or other? Have to say I'm not keen - it is rather nicknamey. And I don't like Ines much and think there are too many potential variations in pronunication.

user1493494961 · 26/03/2020 16:16

Iris is lovely, dislike Ebba, Ines is OK, Lula is awful, every other little girl seems to be Lila, Lola or Luna and now you're adding Lula to the mix. Just have Louise, far more classy.