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Baby names

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

Original poster

Our final (I think...) list

80 replies

Sexnotgender · 03/02/2021 18:07

We’ve finally got a top 5.

Joy
Julia
Penelope
Helen
Vivienne

Thoughts welcome, or ideas. Naming a human is HARD.

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IamnotwhouthinkIam · 03/02/2021 22:16

My choice would be Julia (but then I'm biased - I've always liked my name (and got a few compliments on it over the years), it's rarely shortened and everyone knows how to say and spell it, yet I don't meet many others).

My second choice would be Vivienne - although this spelling seems very French to me, I prefer Vivien if you are in the UK.

Not keen on the others sorry, (although I like Helena rather than Helen).

HenriettaHeffalump · 03/02/2021 21:32

Penelope - “Pene” means penis in Spanish. Also, just don’t like the name unfortunately as it’s nasally

I did not know that! Wonder why Penelope Cruz's parents chose that then? No worse than Richard, William or Willa I suppose!

CocoPark · 03/02/2021 21:14

I absolutely LOVE the name Julia! Classy, feminine, timeless, uncommon.

I dislike the rest.

Onlinedilema · 03/02/2021 21:10

I like Julia and Vivienne.

danascully96 · 03/02/2021 20:59

Julia! I’ll probably name a daughter Julia someday. It’s so uncommon and classic and melodic. I’ve known Julias my age (I’m 24) and it’s never seen old on them. They just seem nice and their name’s fun to say. Also, it’s universal! As for Juliet, I’m not a fan because of its famous links to a teenage suicide and I don’t like the “ette” ending. It’s not as mellifluous as Julia and not as classic. Plus, there’s a spelling discrepancy (Juliet vs. Juliette).

Joy - no. What if she throws a temper tantrum, as kids are known to do? It’s be quite comical.

Penelope - “Pene” means penis in Spanish. Also, just don’t like the name unfortunately as it’s nasally.

Vivienne - bit much, but nice

Helen - Hell is not something I’d want in a name, so no

JayAlfredPrufrock · 03/02/2021 20:25

I suppose your dog’s racing name is not a good choice.

HenriettaHeffalump · 03/02/2021 20:04

I like Penelope and Helen a lot. My favourites on your list.

Vivienne and Joy aren't to my taste.

Julia is nice.

DollyParton2 · 03/02/2021 20:03

I love Joy ❤️

KirstenBlest · 03/02/2021 19:50

Helen is my favourite.

Spied · 03/02/2021 19:16

Vivienne Joy

lalalalands · 03/02/2021 19:14

Joy - love it!
Julia - very nice and underused these days
Penelope - so overused - don't like it at all
Helen - a bit old fashioned
Vivienne - really lovely

IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 03/02/2021 19:01

Julia is miles lovelier than Penelope Smile

Original poster
Sexnotgender · 03/02/2021 18:59

Our surname works with all of them thankfully.
Helen is probably bottom of my list.

I LOVE Julia and next is probably Penelope, that’s DH’s favourite.

OP posts:
PattyPan · 03/02/2021 18:57

I love Julia and Penelope. I like the idea of Joy but I think it might depend on your surname as it's so short. If your surname is short I'd choose a longer name.
I don't like Helen, have always thought it's a very ugly name, and not very keen on Vivienne either.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 03/02/2021 18:46

I love Julia. Such a beautiful name. It stands out a mile from the rest on your list.

Original poster
Sexnotgender · 03/02/2021 18:46

See we know a Joy who is 91 and absolutely amazing. She’s who I aspire to be when I’m 90!

OP posts:
solicitoring · 03/02/2021 18:45

I know 2 tween Julia's. Both called juju by everyone.

emmathedilemma · 03/02/2021 18:45

They're all quite old names but not in a "trendy making a come back" sort of way.
I think Penelope / Penny is the nicest and most modern.
I agree with @Chilldonaldchill that Joy is hard to live with. I went to school with one and she was anything but a joy!!

Original poster
Sexnotgender · 03/02/2021 18:44

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Helena.
I do prefer Helena but (a) people pronounce it differently and (b) it was our dogs racing name.
OP posts:
JayAlfredPrufrock · 03/02/2021 18:43

Helena.

MondeoFan · 03/02/2021 18:40

Penelope

Dislike all the others especially Helen

Original poster
Sexnotgender · 03/02/2021 18:37

I much prefer Juliet too but DH isn’t keen.

I had no idea Penelope had a Kardashian connection, I don’t follow them 🙁 how off putting is that?

OP posts:
Firebird83 · 03/02/2021 18:35

Joy, Julia or Helen!

Penelope is too Kardashian for me now.

Bluesername · 03/02/2021 18:35

Joy - like
Julia - like although is it a tiny bit stuffy?
Penelope - great, and Nell is a nice nickname option as well as Penny
Helen - lovely name, simple and classic. Nearly all Helens seem to be really nice people too
Vivienne - I knew a horrible one so not keen

DramaAlpaca · 03/02/2021 18:33

And what a lovely top five it is!

I love them all, hard to choose a favourite so I'm going to sit firmly on the fence and not pick one.

Actually I'm going to pick two - Julia and Penelope.