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Baby names

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

Original poster

Name preference - Ffion or Felicity

113 replies

JazzyPa · 15/01/2021 22:17

Hello,
My second baby is due this summer and I need help with names. We are having a surprise and already have our boys names selected (and keeping to ourselves) but girls names we need help with deciding.

We already have a little girl, Beatrice, who we call Bea, and if we were to have a second daughter we are thinking of either Ffion or Felicity. We like unusual, uncommon but not too 'out there' names.

We aren't Welsh and have no Welsh heritage but always loved the name Ffion (Fee-on), since we holidayed there years ago and heard it said for the first time. Since then it's stuck. We really like how unusual it is. However, I was wondering if it would be seen as out there or weird to name a non-Welsh girl that? The Ff clearly shows it's Welsh but this is the spelling we would go for. And secondly, l've just read somewhere that the slang term for ass in French is 'Fion'. The two words sound different but this has upset me slightly, not because it's put me off the name as such but because if we were ever go to France or French speakers, would her name be laugable? Would this put you off the name? Anyone French, or French-speakers, would you have associated the two? Are there any Ffion's out there who have experienced negativity in regards to this? I'm sure there's many slang terms/meanings from other languages I don't know about for lots of names but I now know about this one, which is unnerving. I do know some French people but would rather not ask for their input, incase it puts me off their name completely. Plus I never share names with anyone I know due to bad experiences previously.

On to our other choice, Felicity. Again I think a really pretty name and I haven't heard of many. The issue I have here is we love to shorten names. Beatrice, is knows as Bea and Felicity would likely be knows as "Flick" (as I've loved it since Neighbours heyday) & I'm not really a fan of "Liss" or "Lissy" as a nickname. So if we put the names together... Bea and Flick... someone said (years ago) oh like "Flick your bean" ... and it's this reason why I no longer share name choices with anyone I know (but equally glad in a way we're thinking about this now and not when it's too late). My question is, did combining Bea and Flick make you think this? Would this be enough to put you off a name? Or am I just being oversensitive?

I can't believe that the two names I love so much, I've almost over researched and it's causing such concern (as I'm convinced this little one is a girl too).

What are your thoughts on the above? Any help would be much appreciated. And any other name suggestions would be greatly received.

Many thanks,
Jaz

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WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo · 16/01/2021 18:32

The only Ffion I've met wasn't of Welsh heritage. I didn't even know it was a Welsh name!

I love both names, but would personally choose Felicity.

SionnachRua · 16/01/2021 18:29

Fionn and Ffion are totally different names.

FunnyInjury · 16/01/2021 18:24

All those saying Ffion is a girls name, I'm shocked Shock

Tbf I just used OP's spelling but I know a few (boy) Ffions/Fionn/Fyon.... all in Ireland except one Welsh (Anglesey) and he is a big badass rugby playing manly man Grin

Learn something new every day!!

ParisJeTAime · 16/01/2021 17:30

How about Theodora? Could shorten to Thea, Dora or Teddy

NeonSparkle · 16/01/2021 17:18

I like both, I think maybe felicity goes with your other DD’s name more though!

Original poster
JazzyPa · 16/01/2021 17:10

Thank you all SO much for your input so far, I really do appreciate it. Please keep it coming.

I'm not particularly a fan of Fiona or Lucy as some of you have suggested, purely because I have some friends with these names and that's one of our stipulations - ideally choose names we don't know anyone called by, but with hubby being a teacher, the name pool is definitely getting smaller. Currently we don't know any Ffion's or Felicity's.

We also liked the name Thea (although definitely not unpopular) but coming from SE London, you can imagine how that would sound sometimes... "Fear", which I would have an issue with. We thought with Ffion starting with an F it would eradicate this issue. And to my ear Ffion (Fee-on) or nn FiFi, sounds soft and pretty in all accents but maybe I'm biased ;)

Ffion being properly Welsh doesn't bother me so much if I'm honest. I think it makes it more exotic. It's more the connection with the French slang term that concerns me. I'd hate for my French friends to laugh about it behind my back! But equally, as some have said, there are many French Fanny's (I know one) and we have no plans to move to France. Just holidays (when we can again).

Regarding 'Flick my bean', I couldn't believe it when it was said to me. Not once did I make that connection but once heard, I couldn't unhear it :( I don't mind Fliss as nn, so thanks for that suggestion. And as much as I love the names in their full length, I do love a shortened name. I've always been Jazz or Jazzy, so I quite like the familiarity aspect to a shortened name.

Any other traditional, unusual or unpopular name suggestions welcome. I'm probably just being hormonal but I'm gutted by 2 shortlisted names no longer seem perfect 😢

OP posts:
Allmyfavouritepeople · 16/01/2021 17:08

I definitely got confused between Ffion and Fionn thinking that Ffion was a boy's name.

Felicity is lovely.

Dauphinois · 16/01/2021 17:00

I agree, you'll end up with Bea and Fee if you go for Ffion.

PolarnOPirate · 16/01/2021 16:56

Think Bea and Fi is inevitable and too much. Love felicity!

SionnachRua · 16/01/2021 16:55

Love Felicity but if you don't like the common nicknames I'd avoid it. Ffion is nice.

Felicia just makes me think of the "Bye, Felicia" dismissal.

singsingbluesilver · 16/01/2021 16:52

I have always liked the name Felicia.

partyatthepalace · 16/01/2021 15:55

Both lovely.

I do notice Felicity getting more popular. I knew two - one known by full name and the other Issy.

Ffion is more unusual. I think it is slightly odd when people use names that aren’t part of their heritage - but it’s an illogical position really as it’s only odd until they become popular. Actually I suspect Ffion may get more popular as can see another wave of Celtic names coming into vogue (Rory, Seren, Elowen) - so I don’t even think the spelling is that difficult now, and think in future it will get better known.

So either! But if you worry c popularity then Ffion, if you worry c spelling then Felicity.

DacwMamYnDwad · 16/01/2021 14:41

Heron, Ffyon looks and sounds strange in Welsh. yo is not a vowel combination that you see normally.

I'd guess that the parents had misspelt the name, or maybe they wanted a unique name, and someone else copied?

SE13Mummy · 16/01/2021 14:25

For a family without any connection to Wales, I would go for Felicity. It's a name we nearly used for DD1 who is now 16 but DH thought she looked more like her current name than either of the other two choices. I like Fliss, Lissy and Fizzy as shortenings of Felicity but wouldn't think anything negative of sisters named Bea and Flick. Beatrice and Felicity go well together.

HeronLanyon · 16/01/2021 14:18

dacw I am definitely discovering that !! Really odd I’ve only ever known two and both spell it Ffyon. Both women. They don’t know each other. In U.K. Curiouser and curiouser !

GwendolineWindowlene · 16/01/2021 12:56

For me Felicity is very lispy and horsey. I would also definitely hear ‘flick the bean’ if you shouted Flick and Bea across a park.

Ffion is ok, but I think a shortening of Fi would make people presume her name is Fiona.

I like the names Iamnot suggested up thread.

DacwMamYnDwad · 16/01/2021 12:47

@HeronLanyon, it's not spelt Ffyon.

@FunnyInjury, it's definitely a girl's name. It's a flower - foxglove, and as a pp said, it's quite a popular name in Wales.

There's no connection with the name Fiona. Fiona is scottish and means white. They just happen to sound similar.

Felicity is ok, but I much prefer Fliss to Flick.I don't like Flick or Flix.

florascotia2 · 16/01/2021 12:32

Felicity.
As pp has said, it doesn't have to be shortened. Many nicknames evolve gradually and have no connection with a person's actual name.

But Fi or Fe (Fay) are possibilities, if you don't like Lissy. To me, Flick sounds rather harsh, but there was famous children's book and I think film about a special horse called 'Flicka' (which, I think, is also an affectionate way of saying 'little girl' in Swedish).

Ffion for a middle name, perhaps?

ParisJeTAime · 16/01/2021 11:54

Thank you Grin! I miss Paris a lot! I will go back when it's allowed / safe.

Just noticed it is in the op as well! Fion...wonder why that didn't ring any bells? I didn't hear a lot of slang when I lived there. The odd bit of verlan sometimes.

salcombebabe · 16/01/2021 11:48

My 24 year old daughter is Felicity. From word go I wanted her nn to be Fliss and I find Flick too ‘hard’ a name plus all the teasing that would come of having a nn like Flick. Beatrice and Felicity (Bea and Fliss) sound lovely names for sisters.

Chilldonaldchill · 16/01/2021 11:47

I know a Ffion who is now 13. She's not Welsh and I haven't heard anyone comment on that. I also don't know anyone who can't pronounce her name since it's very easy?! Was Ffion Hague Welsh? I can't remember but it's a perfectly normal name.
Having said that, Felicity is one of my all time favourite names and I think it goes better with Beatrice if I'm honest.

Odile13 · 16/01/2021 11:00

I prefer Felicity

Liana2021 · 16/01/2021 10:57

@ParisJeTAime love your name I’m from Paris as well :) The word is “fion”, old fashioned slang but still very recognisable. Cul is much more commonly used though you’re right 🤐

BusinessGoose · 16/01/2021 10:34

Ffion (Fee on) is a Welsh girls name.
Fionn (pronounced Fyon all one syllable) is a completely different Irish boy's name.
The OP is not talking about calling her child Fionn.

As for Flick and Bea.. I heard the expression once and thought it was awful but it must have stuck in my brain because that is what I thought of immediately when I saw the two names written together. I would definitely be embarrassed on my part for thinking of it rather than laughing at two little sisters with cute names.
As for the French meaning.. I wouldn't worry about it. I have met so many French Fannys. The French aren't bothered that it means something funny in English so you shouldn't be too worried about a French holiday you may or may not go on.

june2007 · 16/01/2021 10:15

Like both but prefer ffion and not as popular at mo as Felicity