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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Fauna usable?

37 replies

AliciaJohns89 · 30/09/2020 19:51

Roman goddess of forests and wildlife. I've always thought this name was pretty. Does it sound too much like a scientific term? Is the Disney connection (fairy from Sleeping Beauty) too strong? Is it just too weird for a baby name?

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IwishIwasyoda · 01/10/2020 16:45

NO

YukoandHiro · 01/10/2020 16:41

Fawn or Faun would be better - no scientific double meaning

Champy87 · 01/10/2020 16:30

I've definitely heard stranger names. Loads of accepted names started out as just words from nature (Flora, Luna, Fern, Wren, Autumn, Summer)

I think it has a nice sound too it, a little hippy for my taste but perfectly nice

VenusClapTrap · 01/10/2020 12:48

It’s ok. Heard worse.

MimsyPorpington · 01/10/2020 11:01

Sorry, but it's a no from me.

If I met a little Fauna then I would think her parents didn't know the zoological meaning and had just made up a name based on Fawn or Faun.

I may be biased because in our family it's the euphemism we use when the kids get nits or worms.

lottiegarbanzo · 01/10/2020 10:56

What do you mean 'should'? You can't control how other people perceive words.

SionnachRua · 01/10/2020 10:55

Honestly if Flora is acceptable then Fauna should be too...

I think it's a tad too much OP unfortunately which is a shame. Nicer name than Flora!

lottiegarbanzo · 01/10/2020 10:53

Flora makes me think of flowering plants, flowers.

Whereas fauna makes me think 'Kingdom Animalia', including insects, lots of them.

Reddog1 · 30/09/2020 23:07

I prefer Shauna but Fauna is pretty.

My colleague had a schoolmate whose nickname was Flora because she “spread easily”. Really put me off the name (and the colleague tbh).

Tillygetsit · 30/09/2020 22:55

I prefer Faun Fern or Fiona but it's not my baby!

micc · 30/09/2020 22:04

I love it!
Its really pretty sounding, it sounds really whimsical. I love Fawn too I'd never heard of it as a name but I think it sounds so pretty.
I agree with PP mumsnet can be extremely harsh on names that can be considered more unusual.
Dont be put off from using a more out there name, we cant all be Olivia! I think it's a beautiful name.

Turtleturtle81 · 30/09/2020 21:46

I think it’s lovely

millymae · 30/09/2020 21:41

I don’t like Fauna yet I really like Lorna - they sound almost the same so I don’t really know why I dislike it, other than for me Lorna is a recognised girls name and Fauna is something I associate with nature.

Sportsnight · 30/09/2020 21:26

It’s a very cute deer on Animal Crossing.

Auto · 30/09/2020 21:25

Another no here I'm afraid. Fornication nickname too likely.

Fern
Fiona
Faye
Frances

lekkerkroketje · 30/09/2020 21:07

Fauna and Flora are the conjoined twins in the Addams family. Need I say more?

GarlicSoup · 30/09/2020 21:04

Bloody hell it’ll get changed to ‘fornication‘ by some wag.

Oneandabean · 30/09/2020 21:01

I like it, I don’t think it’s too out there. If you like it use it, I’ve seen far worse on here that has been accepted by a majority

aureliacecilia · 30/09/2020 21:00

Shauna, maybe?

MagpieSong · 30/09/2020 20:09

Never post asking for opinions on really unusual names on Mumsnet Grin I’d never ask for opinions on my dc names! I’d be gagged and possibly run through with a sword or two.

I actually like Fauna, but the meaning might be a bit weird if that side of things matters to you. Similar sound to Lorna, so doesn’t sound hugely unusual. Flora is also really pretty and the meaning ‘flowers’ is possibly a nicer meaning than ‘Animals from a certain region or area’. As I say, if you’re not someone who minds about meanings or wants to pair names to have a meaning together then it’s irrelevant (I mean, Georgia means farmer and that was pretty popular at one point).

Coffeeandaride · 30/09/2020 20:01

Sorry I think it is too associated with zoology for a first name.

IWantT0BreakFree · 30/09/2020 20:01

I really like it. I think it's beautiful, and unusual without being daft.
If you do go for it, my advice would be not to tell anyone until the baby arrives. Relatives and friends seem to be very comfortable expressing negative opinions about names before the baby is born, but if presented with a cute little newborn Fauna they are unlikely to say anything less than complimentary. Even if they do think it's strange, everyone will get used to it and before long they won't be able to imagine her with any other name. You just don't want some rude comment to stick in your mind and spoil the name for you.

peachypetite · 30/09/2020 20:01

No.

Janaih · 30/09/2020 20:00

No it sounds like a posh lispy person saying sauna.

MissBattleaxe · 30/09/2020 20:00

I met a woman called Fawn once and it was such a pretty name.