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Baby names

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

Original poster

Three week old DD with no name!

133 replies

TheDeckchairGardener · 01/10/2020 13:21

I’m so indecisive that I still haven’t been able to decide on a name for my nearly 4 week old daughter. Her big brother is called Percy which I know is hated on here and I think that’s why I’m being extra cautious this time.

We didn’t find out the sex and I convinced myself it was going to be another boy. I found it a lot easier to find boys names I liked than girls.

My favourite name is Winifred but I am worried about name calling, mispronunciations and I am not 100% sure about the nickname Winnie. Other names we like are:

Phoebe
Heidi
Erica (this is because I wanted Eric if it was a boy)
Amber
Dorothy (although DH isn’t as keen)

However I would prefer a name that isn’t ultra popular and I know that most of the above are in the top 100. Her middle name will be Jennifer.

Any thoughts/suggestions? Thanks.

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yummymushypeas · 01/10/2020 19:58

Like a couple of previous posters I love Winifred - shortened to Freddie. It was my granny's name and brings back beautiful memories. It was on my shortlist but I ended up with 3 boys (and used Wilfred instead!)
Have you considered Norma? There was a Norma at my school son's nursery and she was a really sparky personality.

iano · 01/10/2020 19:50

I like amber but not sure it goes with Jennifer.
Just call her Jennifer. Nothing wrong with that!

Mashingthecompost · 01/10/2020 19:30

Trudi is so cute. Props to your friend for going with it @Enko - wonder how many of her friends will have positive associations with that name now. Times change.

Enko · 01/10/2020 19:23

OP if you love Winifred and the only thing stopping you is the nm then go for it and just use Winifred or a NM you like.

Of your list, I really love Erica it's lovely underused and classic IMO.

My children (bar 1_) has marmite names and yes it takes a bit of getting used to but people do. After a while, that's just their name. I have a friend who called her dd for Gertrude loads were up in arms but FFW 16 years and she is just Gertrude or Trudi to friends.

bunnyontheshelf · 01/10/2020 19:02

Phoebe is such a lovely friendly name and a bit quirky I always think

bluemoon2468 · 01/10/2020 18:30

Winifred with the nn Freddie? I've always thought that would be quite cute for a girl!

Love Heidi and Dorothy (I would use the nn Dottie) but not too keen on your other choices.

Nonamesavail · 01/10/2020 18:18

violet
Betsy
Ruby
Rose

Lucile3555 · 01/10/2020 18:14

With the middle name Jessica, I think Phoebe is lovely.

However without the middle name, I would choose Heidi. Love the name.

They all sound really different, which one(s) are going the best with your last name?

I have to put a no-no on Dorothy (a bit frumpy), and Amber (a bit precious and "princess" like, not a fan of Jade either in the same style).

TwigTheWonderKid · 01/10/2020 17:58

I personally don't like two names with the same "ee" ending sound, but that's just me.

I do like a bit of alliteration though, so what about Prudence, Pamela, or Pearl?

If not, what about Dorothea? The you can shorten it to Thea or Dot.

Never0000 · 01/10/2020 17:57

I agree these sound best:

Heidi Jennifer
Phoebe Jennifer

Really lovely names x

SecretNutellaFix · 01/10/2020 17:36

Winifred is lovely- if you don't like Winnie as a nickname, how about Freda?

perfumeistooexpensive · 01/10/2020 17:28

I have a friend with a very cute Winnie. Winifred goes with Percy the best. Heidi is meh. I didn't like it when it was fashionable in the 70s.

StrawberryMice · 01/10/2020 17:22

Margot would be amazing! I think it goes so well with Percy too. The same sort of traditional yet quirky/unusual. Margot Jennifer. I think it has a ring. It's very strong.

I would prefer Phoebe over Heidi but that's just my personal opinion.

22WR · 01/10/2020 17:10

I love Winifred! And Percy actually!

mamaoffourdc · 01/10/2020 16:54

I actually love winifred,
Edith would also go lovely with Percy and Edith Jennifer sounds great x

BigusBumus · 01/10/2020 16:47

Margot for definite!

Zezet · 01/10/2020 16:46

No inspiration, just wanted to say it took me forever to decide on our daughter's name (yes, after she was born) and I still 100% LOVE her name, whereas the brother's one - that we knew months ahead - I love but don't LOVE.

You're not the only one to have been in this situation! Xx

bridgetreilly · 01/10/2020 16:27

Winifred nn Freddy!!!!!

I LOVE IT. I really think it's a great name and of the same 'style' as Percy, so if you like it DO IT.

I don't much like Heidi and it's much more popular these days. Pick Winifred!

MJMG2015 · 01/10/2020 16:26

@TheDeckchairGardener

Definitely not Peggy.

Percy & Peggy far too piggy!

Caitlin Jennifer
Holly Jennifer

FizzyGreenWater · 01/10/2020 16:26

Don't go with Winifred. You're not sure enough. And it's very marmite!

I really dislike Amber - seems quite naff somehow - it really jars with Percy.

I'd go for Heidi - it's lovely, and is unusual enough to 'fit' with Percy without being another very marmite name, which might balance things nicely. Everyone seems to like Heidi, although it's not often used. And it's also quite 'grown-up' in the same way Percy is, and doesn't lend itself to a nickname, which also matches.

Phoebe is nice, but too popular, also two P names is a bit twee.

Erica is a bit harsh - in other respects it's quite similar to Heidi in terms of being slightly unusual and quite grown up... but it's just not very nice (Eric is lovely though!)

Percy and Heidi is just lovely.

MJMG2015 · 01/10/2020 16:24

@CatSmith

I hate all your name choices, but that doesn’t matter because it’s not me naming your child.

I really do not understand the mentality of someone asking strangers to help name their child.

You must know what girls names you like! If you have had ten months and still can’t name your child, maybe parenting isn’t for you!

Sorry, I know I come across as harsh and bitchy, but it’s your child, you find her a name, not me and not anyone else. Name her after your granny, or your husbands great gran, but you seriously can’t expect Mumsnet to name her! Honestly, you’re letting your daughter down at literally the first hurdle.

Why do you think there's a baby names section?
Mol1628 · 01/10/2020 16:19

I really love Percy! And Heidi is my favourite from the list.

TenShortStories · 01/10/2020 16:08

I quite like all your names, Amber probably being my least favourite.

Other suggestions:
Josephine
Susannah
Caroline
Louisa
Theodora

Mashingthecompost · 01/10/2020 16:06

Nina is super cute.

NameChange30 · 01/10/2020 16:03

Congratulations! My DD must have been born within a day or two of yours, she will be 4 weeks old on Sunday.

My favourite name from your list is Phoebe. It is quite popular so that might put you off it but I think if you love it you should use it anyway. Otherwise Amber is lovely, it doesn't really "go" with Percy but that doesn't matter.

Out of the other suggestions I like Daphne and Florence best.

Good luck deciding and please don't beat yourself up about not having chosen yet (and ignore the mean PP), naming a child can be tricky!