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Baby names

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Original poster

Which name as first and which as middle? So torn!

60 replies

moonriver32 · 01/09/2020 15:51

Due my first and have narrowed girls names down to two, but can't decide which order to use them in?

Alice Fern (Surname) or
Fern Alice (Surname)

Have always loved Alice, classic and simple but is in the top 25 girls names and I don't see it going anywhere so wondering if she might be one of a few in her class at school.

Fern was always going to be a middle name no matter what first name we chose but I'm now wondering if it would be a shame not to use it as a first! Just doesn't give any room for nicknames being one syllable so she would always just be Fern.

Any opinions gratefully received! We've been backwards and forwards over many alternatives but always come back to these two so we're pretty set on the names themselves just not the order 😂

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Sk1nnyB1tch · 03/09/2020 12:56

Alice Fern and when she is starting school tell her if there is another Alice in the class she can be called Fern in school if she wants.
I grew up with a friend who had a home name and a school name for this reason.

whatausername · 03/09/2020 12:48

Fern Alice. Fern is refreshing in a sea of very vowel heavy, somewhat frilly names. Alice is lovely too so use it as a middle name, even if it runs together a little first+middle names are rarely said aloud except in formal settings where you speak in a slower way. If you think about speaking your vows you didn't speak your full name with the same tempo as you give your first+surname day to day.

badg3r · 03/09/2020 08:23

Oh gosh I would be torn too, they are both lovely! I think Alice Fern sounds better together though. Agree with PP, wait till you see here!

Astronica · 03/09/2020 08:09

I prefer Alice, so Alice Fern.

Fromthebirdsnest · 02/09/2020 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pixie1988 · 02/09/2020 22:15

I have a Fern (who also has an A middle name), so I'm definitely voting Fern Alice.

DipSwimSwoosh · 02/09/2020 19:31

Funalice

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 02/09/2020 18:58

Alice Fern is lovely!

Flymetothestars · 02/09/2020 14:09

I have 3 family members that go by their middle names. If your daughter prefers Fern when older she can always use it instead. I doubt she will though (Alice is amazing and Fern is alright but lots of different spellings and not as elegant).

wishfull888 · 02/09/2020 14:03

I would go Fern. But you'll know when you see her. We had a top 2 then decided on something completely different when baby arrived.
Middle names are an obsession which only ever get mentioned on the day of birth & then only in passing going forward!

Firebird83 · 02/09/2020 14:03

Alice Fern, definitely.

Original poster
moonriver32 · 02/09/2020 13:50

Thank you everyone! I think my gut says Alice Fern but there's the temptation of Fern being so much more unusual. Husband not helping as he likes both! Keep the opinions coming, I'm keeping a poll 😂

OP posts:
Brighterthansunflowers · 02/09/2020 10:11

Alice Fern flows better and I prefer the name Alice

IslandLulu · 02/09/2020 09:48

Alice Fern

SpaceSharkTea · 02/09/2020 09:42

Alice Fern 100%

GirlCalledJames · 02/09/2020 09:00

@BikeRunSki Given the relative importance of middle names (i.e. almost completely irrelevant) I would have thought that once source of regret would be much bigger than the other, but OP probably knows instinctively what she would regret more.
It’s easy to forget future children when naming the first but it’s a real gift to have a name you love equally to give the second.

user1477391263 · 02/09/2020 03:06

names.darkgreener.com/#fern (sorry, forgot link)

user1477391263 · 02/09/2020 03:05

Fern is not trending---it's one of those names which has always been very unusual. Though of course it's possible that it could suddenly shoot up due to all the nature names being used recently.

user1477391263 · 02/09/2020 03:03

Both lovely names but Fern is so much more unusual. However, "Fern Alice" does not sound quite right.
Fern Alicia?

Oncemorewithfeelin · 02/09/2020 01:35

We had 2 names we loved for dd2. We were undecided and when she was born we looked at her and felt she suited one over the other.

dinostars · 02/09/2020 00:26

I agree that Alice Fern flows better. I think both names are gorgeous! Smile

BikeRunSki · 01/09/2020 23:15

@GirlCalledJames

Alice with a different middle name if there’s any chance you’ll have a second child. If you have another daughter you’ll regret not being able to use Fern.
And if the OP does not have another daughter, she’ll regret not using Fern as part of her baby’s name now!

OP, I’m an Alice - the “who the f is Alice” gags are very few and far between.
Also, despite having 2 primary school aged children, I only know of 1 child Alice.

Liddell · 01/09/2020 23:06

Alice Fern, I think Alice is a really lovely name.

SionnachRua · 01/09/2020 22:54

Alice Fern sounds nicer but I prefer Fern as a first name.

Flymetothestars · 01/09/2020 22:50

Alice Fern definitely.

I really love the name Alice and its numbers have actually been falling the past few years anyway

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