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Baby names

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

Original poster

Girls’ names - unpopular list!

110 replies

Indecision2020 · 03/06/2020 20:31

Hello
I’ve name changed because I’ve discussed these options at length IRL and would like my other posts to be anonymous!

No one likes any of my options for my baby girl due this autumn. Let me know your favourite or any other suggestions!

I’m Irish, DH is English. We live in London and DS has a classic Irish first name.

Mary
Marie (pronounced marry)
Maud
Eliza
Ailbhe
Caroline
Anne

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AteAllTheAfterEights · 04/06/2020 08:13

PP suggested Mhairi spelling but as a Scot that would be pronounced Varry

PastaBolognaise · 04/06/2020 07:19

I really like Maude. Have always loved it and it’s so rare.

I like Annie for Anne.

Eliza is sweet too.

Cyberworrier · 04/06/2020 07:13

I like your list and love Marie pronounced marry although I get the potential problems with pronunciation and spelling (although I have a tricky name and it’s never bothered me having to correct people!). I have an Irish aunt called Marietta, which English people always thought was pronounced Marie-Etta but in was actually more like Marita (. Maybe another option for you! I wouldn’t let Normal People put you off Marianne either haha!
I don’t like Eliza so much, or Anne (makes me think of the slightly weak annoying character in Gone With the wind)

EuphieKat · 04/06/2020 03:52

I wouldn’t say that Mari looks made up. I know a few people who spell it like that and and pronounce it marry (all Welsh, but not sure if the spelling is necessarily ‘Welsh’).

CoffeeBeansGalore · 03/06/2020 22:23

I used to know a lovely Marianne. Apologies, I don't have Netflix so haven't a clue about the character mentioned 😁

ladycarlotta · 03/06/2020 22:23

love Maud.

Crabbo · 03/06/2020 22:16

I really don’t like any of them, sorry. With the exception of Ailbhe and Caroline they all sound like Victorian street urchins to me.

ThighThighofthigh · 03/06/2020 22:15

I love Mairi but don't think you can name someone Mhairi, I think it changes if you are calling to them? I'm not sure.

I don't think Londoners struggle too much with Irish names, they're not that unusual.

A name I've only heard on Irish people is Jacinta! Which I think is beautiful.

Maud is not nice.

Mary lovely.

Caroline lovely.

Anne, classic. Also Jane.

MoominKitty · 03/06/2020 22:10

Love love love Ailbhe.

Not on your list but I like Ciara too.

BashandSparrow · 03/06/2020 22:09

Mary - classic but plain
Marie (pronounced marry) - I like it but everyone would pronounce it Mah-ree
Maud - cute vintage, maybe a little clunky compared to some recent revivals
Eliza - cute with a spunky vibe
Ailbhe - I have no idea how to pronounce this, sorry
Caroline - classic
Anne - classic but plain

My favourite by far is Eliza, with Maud or Caroline as potentials middles

bridgetreilly · 03/06/2020 22:03

it would blatantly look like a cringeworthy Normal People reference so I just can’t do it!

Nonsense! Tell everyone it's from Sense and Sensibility. People will still be reading Austen in 10 years, long after they've forgotten Normal People.

bridgetreilly · 03/06/2020 22:01

I LOVE Maud. Please pick that!

I also like Mary and Eliza. But Maud is way better than both.

onemorecupofcoffeefortheroad · 03/06/2020 21:57

Not Mary or Anne - just dull. Eliza or Caroline are nice with Caroline my fave.

lottiegarbanzo · 03/06/2020 21:56

I like Maud from your list.

Aclh13 · 03/06/2020 21:52

Mary❔ not sure
Marie (pronounced marry) ✔️ as long as you pronounced it MAH-REE which is the correct way
Maud - always reminded me of the word mud
Eliza - ❌as common as Elizabeth and overused now sadly
Ailbhe-✔️love
Caroline-❔indifferent don't love or hate
Anne❌ no

resm · 03/06/2020 21:51

Great names! Especially like Ailbhe, Maud, Marie (I would pronounce it ‘marry’ too) and Caroline! They are all classic yet refreshing. I think Ailbhe would maybe go best with your wee son’s name.

Wouldn’t worry too much about pronunciations as I’m assuming you would introduce the child face to face before a friend or relative saw the spelling written down.

IWouldLikeToKnow · 03/06/2020 21:51

Oh I love Maud - strong Irish connections. Also keen on Eliza and Ailbhe from your list.

Original poster
Indecision2020 · 03/06/2020 21:45

@bellinisurge that’s one of the reasons I like it! It’s my middle name and everyone in the family’s. I have an aunt Mary on each side of the family too. So whilst it’s not an Irish name it’s very much a nod to my Irish heritage, without the spelling issues!

OP posts:
TrickyKid · 03/06/2020 21:45

I love Maud

Original poster
Indecision2020 · 03/06/2020 21:43

@DamnYankee Caroline to rhyme with wine for sure!

It’s funny isn’t it given that Catherine and Josephine also have the same ending but all three pronounced differently.

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bellinisurge · 03/06/2020 21:43

My late Mum was Irish (1930s born) and everybody (including the boys) had Mary in their name - religious thing. I have it . Sister has it. Dad (not Irish; not Catholic) put his foot down with my brother. Mum even tried to convince me to add it to DD's. Funniest moment was when, at a male cousin's wedding, the Anglican priest read out his name - which included "Mary" in the list of other of his names- and I'm not sure which side of the church chuckled most.
So, as much as I love the name, I can't help thinking of it as a religious instruction.

StillSmallVoice · 03/06/2020 21:42

Marianne. People have been watching too much Netflix in lockdown. Would you really want to name your child after a character who spends twelve episodes of a tv series having sex?

Original poster
Indecision2020 · 03/06/2020 21:41

I like Marianne (combines Marie and Anne - two names on my list!) but it would blatantly look like a cringeworthy Normal People reference so I just can’t do it!

OP posts:
Whatsyourflava · 03/06/2020 21:41

Love Anne and Eliza

AnnaSW1 · 03/06/2020 21:40

Ah I really like Maud