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Baby names

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

Original poster

Girls’ names you don’t hear every day

55 replies

WhiteHairReally · 21/04/2020 11:29

I’m doing some research about the history of a girls’ school. I’m currently in the 1920s.

Do any of the following have any current appeal?

Florabel
Rhua
Lillias
Petrusa
Mima

And, a particular trend

Andrewina
Walteria
Davidina

And my particular favourite

Colina

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rc22 · 12/05/2020 23:03

I think Andrina is quite nice although it does remind of a friend I went to primary school with who named one of her dolls Andrex!!

BabyDust13 · 12/05/2020 20:31

Kester is cute

Swingingontheswing · 11/05/2020 18:29

Florence is a man’s name in Ireland.

Original poster
WhiteHairReally · 11/05/2020 18:25

Menaimum

She was definitely a Davidina, as opposed to the really quite pretty variants you’ve suggested. I didn’t notice if she was Andrewina’s sister. Another name with any number of more attractive alternatives.

Riotlady - each to their own. I’ve always had a soft spot for Albertine. It was the name of one of my grandmother’s favourite roses ( although the one I’ve planted in my garden, in Granny’s honour, is sulking and prone to black spot.)

OP posts:
riotlady · 10/05/2020 13:26

I quite like Hubertine xD

Menaimum · 10/05/2020 13:18

Surely Davidina should be Davina or Davinia? In the 20s girls would have been named for the then Duchess of York - Elizabeth Bowes Lyon. (Because my Scottish Gran was)

Standrewsschool · 10/05/2020 13:04

Florabel is a great name.

There’s a Disney film with Thomasina in it, although Thomasina is a cat. On further investigation, just discovered the film is set in Scotland!

2000lightyearsaway123 · 10/05/2020 13:00

Also OP you said about a meta, given name Elizabeth. My other grandmother was Martha but known as Meta. Super interesting how they got these sorts of names out of the given names.

SquarePeggyLeggy · 10/05/2020 12:57

Agnes Agatha

2000lightyearsaway123 · 10/05/2020 12:54

My grandmothers name was Mima, short for Jemima and I adore it Smile

Edenember · 10/05/2020 12:50

Always thought Clarabel was nice

whatausername · 10/05/2020 12:46

Grizel is quite a name!

bananallamas · 10/05/2020 12:42

Grizel would make a fabulous cat!

Original poster
WhiteHairReally · 08/05/2020 19:34

New trawl, all names given to girls.

Bettine
Morley
Rina
Gavine
Merricks
Mina
Wilmay
Shina
Shena
Andrina
Andrena
Fairlie
Grizel
Braunda
Rannee
Elda
Lallie
Jessamy

Some of these must be shortenings of grim ‘male names feminised’

Some potential cat names here, I would suggest.

OP posts:
gingysmummy · 24/04/2020 14:52

I worked i a nursing home where a 100 year old thomasina got called tossie

Original poster
WhiteHairReally · 24/04/2020 14:51

Same here Bananas.

I’m supposed to be doing something else today, but I’m offering

Ranolina and Robina ( autocorrect is sent berserk by some of these)

OP posts:
bananallamas · 24/04/2020 12:40

Following because I find this sort of stuff really interesting!

emilybrontescorsett · 24/04/2020 12:27

I've known two Thomasinas and both changed their name!

emilybrontescorsett · 24/04/2020 12:26

Sorry I think they are all dreadful.
I've always felt sorry for Nigella Lawson. Such an ugly name. Makes me think her parents wanted a boy.

Mucklowe · 24/04/2020 11:43

Some of them are pretty, like Lilias. Andrewina, however, is not!

Original poster
WhiteHairReally · 24/04/2020 10:14

Interesting chat. Thank you.

AlecOrAlonzo that’s an extraordinary trawl of heavy duty names there.

BouncingBelle - my granny had Alkelda as her middle name, after the patron saint of the church where she was baptised. She loathed it with a venom. My cousin has it as her middle name too.

Next trawl will be next week. I know, anticipation mounts....

OP posts:
Whatthelockdown · 24/04/2020 00:07

Personally, none are my cup of tea but myDD has a very obscure name which im sure not all will like either.

Colina is my favourite though

HyggeTygge · 24/04/2020 00:05

Say must be very confusing?!
I don't think we can be surprised at Colina when we have a famous Nigella!

AlecOrAlonzo · 23/04/2020 23:47

Maimie or Mamie is not unknown in the local high school. I think that's becoming more popular nowadays.

AlecOrAlonzo · 23/04/2020 23:45

I am in my 40s and I was at school with several Dolina/Murdina/Malina. Plenty Effies around too - Euphemia. It's still pretty common here. I know a Kenina in her 20s. Nowadays girls tend to have these as middle names thank goodness. Older women that I know locally are:

Neilanna
Roderickina
Archibaldina
Donalda
Normana

Hard shift to live with that name!