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Baby names

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

Original poster

Anna or Beatrice?

39 replies

ProfessorPlumInTheLibrary · 26/05/2020 14:54

Torn between these names for our baby girl! Which do you prefer? Surname is two syllables and starts with B.

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RottieLover95 · 27/05/2020 10:46

Beatrice!!!!!

herecomesgeralt · 27/05/2020 10:43

Anna, it's completely timeless. Beatrice would be nice as a middle name.

SageRosemary · 27/05/2020 10:40

Anna is lovely. She could be Anna Beatrice affectionately known as Anna-Bea.

tartanbow · 26/05/2020 20:34

I know it wasnt the name you put forward as a first name but after PP has written it I think "Penelope Beatrice" is lovely

Flappingflamingo · 26/05/2020 19:56

Beatrice penelope.
Anna beatrice
Beatrice Anna
Penelope beatrice

Roseburn · 26/05/2020 19:51

Anna Penelope is beautiful.

Pemba · 26/05/2020 19:50

I think Anna Beatrice works better than Anna Penelope - the repeated 'n' sounds in that means it doesn't flow so well IMO. Whereas Beatrice has completely different sounds so more of a contrast, which works better.

Singingatmidnight · 26/05/2020 19:07

Two of my favourites - you can't go wrong!

peperethecat · 26/05/2020 18:31

Either would work but Anna Penelope is fab. Very elegant.

Original poster
ProfessorPlumInTheLibrary · 26/05/2020 18:06

Thanks so much everyone, this is really helpful!

If we were to go with Anna, would Beatrice work as a middle name? Another middle name we're considering is Penelope.

OP posts:
Scruffyoak · 26/05/2020 17:23

Anna. Dislike nn Bea and I dont like the way the name looks.

FairfaxAikman · 26/05/2020 17:21

Anna is classy and underused. It's also simple, easy to spell and translates will only other languages.

Beatrice is relatively common round my way.

Edenember · 26/05/2020 16:51

I would also consider the sound of the b surname with Beatrice though... in my opinion there’s a fine line with alliterative names between quite starry and glam I.e Marilyn Monroe, and low rent local radio Dj or similar downmarket feel ie Bruno Brookes, David Dickinson. I’m speaking as someone with a child who has an alliterative name and it was something to weigh up, which side it came down on. Depends on the surname To inform your choice I guess.

pilates · 26/05/2020 16:46

Anna

Jj2431 · 26/05/2020 16:45

Anna

CourtneyLurve · 26/05/2020 16:40

Anna 100%.

Edenember · 26/05/2020 16:37

Defs Beatrice from me, I think it’s a beautiful name. Simultaneously delicate and strong. Bea is so gorgeous also. Anna is lovely too though and not overused now.

peperethecat · 26/05/2020 16:29

Love Anna.

emmathedilemma · 26/05/2020 16:23

I really like both but fear Beatrice with a surname beginning with B might be too much.

Pemba · 26/05/2020 16:23

Anna by miles. Simple, classic, timeless, well known in most countries etc. Easy for a child to learn to write and spell. Just has a nice sound and feel.

Beatrice is OK I guess, but I don't really like the sound it makes in English (beer - triss) and I have the feeling it will turn out to be a bit of a flash in the pan thing as regards to popularity, will fade away again and always be dated to the current period of time.

SneakersandSocks · 26/05/2020 16:14

Both cute but prefer Anna.

Poppydog18 · 26/05/2020 16:11

Anna, classic and timeless. I met a little Anna not too long ago and thought how lovely, when I met a little Beatrice I thought what one earth. It's personal choice though, I just prefer classic names x

Flappingflamingo · 26/05/2020 16:11

I love beatrice

DramaAlpaca · 26/05/2020 15:57

I prefer Anna.

Rio5555 · 26/05/2020 15:55

Love Beatrice. Anna is a bit frumpy to my ears.