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Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby girl here - help, we can't decide her name!

82 replies

Stuckneedhelp · 13/12/2020 19:26

I'd really love your help! Our DD arrive a few days ago and we still can't agree on a name. My favourites are Leonora and Marina. DH likes Alice. Im worried Alice is too like one of our names (Alex) plus it just doesn't excite me. DH thinks Leonora isn't that elegant and she'll just end up being Leo. Open to other suggestions but looking for something elegant, classic, strong and feminine but not too frilly. Other names we have considered but aren't quite right include Genevieve, Clementine, Beatrice and Constance.

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Llamapolice · 13/12/2020 22:03

Adele or Adeline
Francesca
Yolanda
Caroline

MercyBodle · 13/12/2020 21:59

I think all of your names - Alice, Marina, Leonora - are quite lovely.

Nns for Marina: Mimi, Minnie, Mari, Ree, Mina, Mim, Mara, Min.

Probably already suggested, but -
Clemency (I know one with nn Clancy)
Frederica
Minerva
Georgina
Georgette
Harriet
Agatha
Rowena
Octavia
Patience
Sybil
Sybilla
Corisande
Melisande
Greta
Eugenie
Dorothea
Mathilde
Phyllida
Cressida
Marianne
Isadora
Felicity
Cosima
Beatrix

imamearcat · 13/12/2020 21:53

I Met a family on holiday and they had a Melina, also had a little boy called Leonedas so thought worth a mention!

StellaOlivetti · 13/12/2020 21:43

Congratulations on your little one. I love Marina for a baby girl. It was my nanna’s name and I don’t think anyone ever shortened it.

CaptainCallisto · 13/12/2020 21:43

I'm an Eleanor. I've been Nell since I was about 6 as Mum wanted to head off the Ellie that was starting to creep in. Just putting it out there as an alternative shortening in case that's all that's holding you back on a name you otherwise love!

We've done the same with our son; started using the shortening we preferred before the one we didn't like started appearing, so it can definitely work.

Charleyhorses · 13/12/2020 21:41

Or Kerina?

Charleyhorses · 13/12/2020 21:40

How about Lenore?
Mari (Marie?) nickname for Marina?

Whatthebloodyell · 13/12/2020 21:37

Marlena
Josephine
Leona
Marianne
Delphine

YorkshireIndie · 13/12/2020 21:36

My dad is called Alex and my name is Alice. If that is any help

Original poster
Stuckneedhelp · 13/12/2020 21:30

So many brilliant (and beautiful) suggestions, thank you! We had also considered Florence, Celeste, Olympia and Eloise. Margot and Catherine are lovely but already in use amongst family.

To add a bit more context, the name we choose needs to work in French too, as half our family is French speaking.

@IamnotwhouthinkIam DH also isn't sold on the 'nora' ending. We considered Eleonore /Eleanor but are not keen on Ellie / Elle which it would inevitably be shortened too. That is also the main reason we didn't go with Clementine as we didn't like Clemmie (we seem to have an aversion to nicknames..!)

Are there obvious nicknames for Marina? Not a fan of Rina!

OP posts:
goalpostmover · 13/12/2020 21:26

Elodie
Margot
Vivienne
Amelie

nevergoingoutagain · 13/12/2020 21:23

Helena
Clara

nevergoingoutagain · 13/12/2020 21:22

Esther
Josephine
Vivienne

imayhavelostmymarbles · 13/12/2020 21:15

Marina is lovely, unusual name. I love Meredith too. Merry is a lovely nickname.

LaraLuce · 13/12/2020 21:01

Elena
Nerissa
Catriona
Freya
Lydia
Aletheia
Erica
Alana

Dazedandconfused28 · 13/12/2020 20:59

I love Leonora and know a few older people by that name with the nickname 'Noni' - which I love

Bakeachocolatecaketoday · 13/12/2020 20:43

Just from experience don't have two similar names, we (inadvertantly) have this and we are constantly having to clarify who we are yelling talking to.

AleynEivlys · 13/12/2020 20:40

Allegra
Eloise
Elora
Limara

BusinessGoose · 13/12/2020 20:39

Leonora is beautiful, as is Elenora. I love that they can both be shortened to Honor. Alice is a little boring and very like Alex and Marina is my 1980's Barbie dollGrin pretty though.

Mavedrai · 13/12/2020 20:37

I love Leonora and Marina. Have you considered Leona, Lenora, or Lenore?

user1493494961 · 13/12/2020 20:32

Love Clementine and Alice, not keen on Leonora, Marina is OK.

Yika · 13/12/2020 20:31

Lovely names, I dont see why Leonora would be shortened to Leo. Rather Lee if anything I would think. What about Leona or Lenora? I love Leonie and Leontine as mentioned by PP.

Alternatives in the same vein could be
Catherine
Antonia
Tamara
Nadia

Newnewnewbuild · 13/12/2020 20:25

Marina is lovely!

Anastasia
Adelaide (used to be used for princesses in the english royal family)

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 13/12/2020 20:25

Damn phone. Babe- name!

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 13/12/2020 20:24

From your babe preferences, I don't think any of my suggestions would appeal to you.

But NO TO Alex & Alice together