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Baby names

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

Send help - I HATE every girls’ name I hear!

87 replies

Sls668 · 24/08/2020 09:23

I need inspiration, I’m 30 weeks pregnant with a baby girl and we just can’t find a name either of us like. My baby’s dad is African (Congolese to be precise) so she is mixed race and will have an African surname. I’d quite like the idea of something African but easy to pronounce (nobody can ever spell or pronounce my surname and it drives me insane) like Nala or Zuri.
It certainly doesn’t have to be African, I’m open to anything but I work with children so the standard Amelia, Evie, Lily etc are all out. I’m also not a fan of traditional names e.g. Charlotte or Emily and don’t like old names, such as Edie etc.
The only name is really love to use is Marley but he doesn’t like that. Please someone help! Boys names are so easy but I find girl names really difficult!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LarkDescending · 24/08/2020 13:12

@ThighthighOfthigh

I love Zélie
I love Zélie too (and you’re right, I should have included its accent) Smile
ThighthighOfthigh · 24/08/2020 12:53

I love Zélie

Flutterpieandpinkieshy · 24/08/2020 12:49

Azariah

LarkDescending · 24/08/2020 12:22

Zadie or Zelie?

Trevorina · 24/08/2020 12:10

Ellelta (el-lel-ta)

Pinkglower · 24/08/2020 12:08

Aiza

grey12 · 24/08/2020 11:58

Mixed family here. Our daughters' names are from a language neither of us speak nor know A LOT of people (we know a few but not multiples or wtv, know what I mean?)

So we have an app (you can use a website as well) and just go through the list of names for that language. We've reduced to about 8 now! Grin (help!! I think she'll have 8 names judging by our indecision)

ekidmxcl · 24/08/2020 11:57

Ruth or Rosa

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 24/08/2020 11:53

Nyla
Nia
Nevaeh
Angel
Amber
Savannah

LandedInMyLap · 24/08/2020 11:49

Zuri is gorgeous!

FizzyGreenWater · 24/08/2020 11:47

Are you married? If not, really consider giving your child YOUR surname - that is traditional, and sensible.

A non-African surname might open up new names to you that fit better. Or then if you did go for an African first name, you'd still have a bit of both.

Double barrel also an option!

sashh · 24/08/2020 11:46

Go with a boy's name? Jamie and Billy have become as much female as men.

I've just googled, 'inspirational Congolese women', most had French names, would that be an option?

What is your background OP? When she is older will she want names from both her parents cultures?

Could you sort of sneak Marley in? Something like 'Marie' (French pronunciation) Leigh and call her Marley as a nick name?

alwaysinpyjamas · 24/08/2020 11:20

Zoya
Hebe
Nada
Dana
Elida
Elara
Salwa
Jana
Tamara
Maren
Munira
Deema
Safa
Jumana
Soremi
Deva
Sika
Rania
Negin
Tasneem
Sacha
Nora
Leena
Amina
Mona
Zaina/Zeina

Hope this helps OP! Flowers

testingtesting101 · 24/08/2020 11:18

Nala and Zuri are both lovely, I actually can't think of anything better.

AHippoNamedBooBooButt · 24/08/2020 10:58

I lot of african people i know have virtue names like Grace, Faith, Peace, Hope, Mercy, Patience etc. Could that be an idea?

TeenPlusTwenties · 24/08/2020 10:46

Zian?

CaffiSaliMali · 24/08/2020 10:41

Has your DP suggested names from his culture which he likes which you could suggest on here?

Otherwise some random names outside the England and Wales Top 100:

Mara
Mali (Mally, Welsh for Molly)
Marisa
Morven
Rosa
Lydia
Nina
Skylar
Piper
Paige
Nia
Harley
Sydney
Meadow
Macy
Sally
Eilidh

Perhaps you could go through the top 1000 names and highlight every name you could consider and ask DP to do the same separately and then see if you have anything in common?

Benjispruce2 · 24/08/2020 10:33

Nala and Zuri sound lovely.

FluffyEggsontoast · 24/08/2020 10:33

I love Marley too.
If you like Marley but can't use, how about Marnie or Martha or Mabel or Maggie

foreverhungry2409 · 24/08/2020 10:31

Anayah is a pretty name

pinkhousesarebest · 24/08/2020 10:26

Amicie - dérivation of Aimée / Amy. I know a few (France)

AsanteSana · 24/08/2020 10:22

Like a poster above I love Swahili names and words - my partner is from Tanzania and her name - Batilda - is from old German and means 'woman warrior'.

Or Asante, meaning 'thank you' - Asante Sana, 'thank you very much'

Have you considered the 'virtue' names like Mercy, Clemency, Comfort etc, very popular in African cultures?

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 24/08/2020 10:09

Marcella. Zoe. Serenity. Alina. Zia. Elena.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 24/08/2020 10:07

Alyssa. Gabrielle. Dominique. Gia. Tiana.
Jada. Pria. Tiffany. Natalia. Cleo. Aaliyah.
Monet. Luna.

babynamelover · 24/08/2020 10:01

Ramona or Athena 💞

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