Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Timeless girls' names

38 replies

victoria0132 · 07/07/2020 11:01

Hi,

Would really appreciate some feedback on our list so far. Our surname is one syllable.

Josephine (nn Josie)
Marianne
Clara
Elizabeth
Eliza
Lyra (not timeless but we like it so including it!)

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
zingally · 10/07/2020 12:22

Josephine (nn Josie) - Don't like it at all. Hairy-chinned old lady name.
Marianne - Ehhh... It's okay. I'm neutral.
Clara - Quite like it. Prefer Claire though.
Elizabeth - That was in my top 20 list for my DD. Decided it was too long with our 3-syllable surname though.
Eliza - I like it.
Lyra (not timeless but we like it so including it!) - I like it. A bit unique, but not totally out there.

SociallyDistanced2020 · 09/07/2020 22:40

Florence
Elizabeth
Rebecca
Beatrice
Emma
Eleanor
Alexandra
Anna
Kate

I know a few Elizabeths who go by Bessie.

IHaveBrilloHair · 09/07/2020 22:33

My daughter has Elizabeth as a middle name and now goes by it.
It's a timeless classic with plenty of great diminutives.
She generally gets called Liz which she's happy with.

BurtonHouse · 09/07/2020 22:29

Elizabeth has so many nicknames you could use - at least 5.
I also love Jocelyn/Joss/Jossie and Susanna.

Whatsyourflava · 08/07/2020 20:23

Yeah agree excellent choice @victoria0132
Elizabeth is a perfect name with so many nickname options, and I definitely would avoid Josephine if you don't like Jo.

Jessabean · 08/07/2020 19:58

Beautiful! Good choice OP 👍 I would go Lizzie as a more natural nn

& you could always use Josephine as a middle name if you still want to use it

Original poster
victoria0132 · 08/07/2020 19:38

Thank you everyone. Very helpful.

My only concern with Josephine is that I don't like Jo that much as a shortening. Probably second choice though from all the feedback.

Think Elizabeth is top choice for the birth certificate, with Lizzie or Eliza as possible shortenings. Smile

OP posts:
weegiemum · 08/07/2020 18:13

I have a Katherine and a Rachel, which we chose because we were hoping they wouldn't date, and we don't think they have.

I like Elizabeth best from your list, but I'd be a bit wary as I think when the queen finally dies there will be a lot of Elizabeths about. But clearly might not be for several years!

17caterpillars1mouse · 08/07/2020 17:56

Josephine (nn Josie) - I'm not a huge fan of Josie, prefer Joey, but I do love Josephine (and the similar Jocelyn). There is a lovely book called the girl, the bear and the magic shoes where the main character is called Josephine and when I read it to dd I always think what a lovely, underused name it is

Marianne - another, lovely but underused name and another nice character is a book I regularly read to dd lol (the girl and the dinosaur - I highly recommend it)

Clara - lovely, but more popular than the previous too if that bothers you

Elizabeth - I like it, though prefer Elisabeth as I think it looks softer, but prefer your other names

Eliza - "it's OK, a bit meh

Lyra (not timeless but we like it so including it!) - I like it, even though its not really my style. I know a lovely little Lyra

eddiemairswife · 08/07/2020 11:33

I'm a Josephine (my father was reading a book about Napoleon at the time of my birth). Always called Josie by family and at school. Became Jo at university and ever since.

MikeUniformMike · 08/07/2020 11:29

I much prefer Cara and Lara too. Clara has that Cl sound, which makes me think of words like Clown, Clumsy, Clod, Claw etc.

Tootletum · 08/07/2020 11:26

I like Elizabeth or Josephine. And cracking up at the pterodactyl suggestion!

Ellmau · 08/07/2020 11:23

I like Marianne the best of your list.

What about Laura? More timeless than Lyra but a similar sound.

Etinox · 08/07/2020 10:34

@supermom303

Have you considered Pterodactyl? It's a classic for sure, but old is gold!
it's so old fashioned though
supermom303 · 08/07/2020 07:44

Have you considered Pterodactyl? It's a classic for sure, but old is gold!

EuphieKat · 08/07/2020 02:01

I prefer Lara to Clara or Lyra(I’m a bit biased!). I love Elizabeth and agree it’s timeless.

DramaAlpaca · 07/07/2020 22:52

That's a lovely list.

My favourites are Josephine and Marianne.

Tillygetsit · 07/07/2020 22:39

Marianne is my favourite. So pretty but strong.

MikeUniformMike · 07/07/2020 19:15

Josephine (nn Josie) - or Joss or Jo
Marianne - timeless but I'm not keen
Clara - don't like it
Elizabeth - yes
Eliza - prefer Elizabeth
Lyra (not timeless but we like it so including it!) - No

Depends on the surname.

Kaiisaclay · 07/07/2020 18:58

I adore Josephine

Kust · 07/07/2020 18:48

I know a 25 Yr old Josephine (Josie). It certainly hasn't dated.

ChanklyBore · 07/07/2020 18:43

I like a longer name with a one syllable surname.

I like the way Josephine sounds but I don’t like female versions of male names as a rule. Same with names like Stephanie, Alexandra, Cecily, Cecile and Cecilia which are lovely but I wouldn’t choose them because I like a stand alone strong female name.

Elizabeth is lovely, I have to say. But Marianne is cooler!

Eleanor is another timeless name, IMO. Also, Angelica, Rosamund, Diana.

Annierose293 · 07/07/2020 18:31

I love Clara.
I also really like Rosanna, Clarissa and Caroline.

Jessabean · 07/07/2020 18:12

Love your taste 👌 I have daughter who is a Josephine nn Josie (which people have been using no probs as nn so far though I also like Jo) and am considering Eliza or Elizabeth for this one if it's a girl!

I would personally suggest a longer name if you have a one syllable surname as flow is much better. All your options are lovely though obviously Josephine and Elizabeth would be my top choices! 😋

Ewanthescreamsheep · 07/07/2020 17:56

Clara isn't rising up the charts quickly - it had a surge into top 100 in 2015 (dr who effect) and has stayed pretty steady since.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.