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Baby names

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

Original poster

If I like Iona...

44 replies

BananaCustard85 · 07/02/2021 12:23

Hi there!

Currently pregnant with my first. We've agreed a name for a boy, but haven't agreed a girl's name yet.

I like Iona. It's strong-sounding. I can imagine it as an adult's name. It's not too cutesy or frilly. I like that Iona sounds relatively modern as well - l quite like Diana, but worry that it's old fashioned in a bad way! I am slightly put off by Iona sounding like 'I own a'.

'na' endings not obligatory!

Can anyone suggest similar, strong-sounding names? 🙂 Our surname begins with F and is 3 syllables.

Thank you for your help!

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Original poster
BananaCustard85 · 07/02/2021 13:02

@inthelibrary he likes also likes Anna/Hannah, Matilda, Lara/Zara

@FelicityPike we're not Scottish. Surname is Irish, but I'm from England and partner is from Channel Isles. I did wonder if Iona would be an odd choice given we don't have a Scottish background, but thought there must be lots of Islas who aren't Scottish? I did live in Scotland for 5 years so might have been influenced by this 🙂

Thank you everyone this is brilliant. Will show partner all the suggestions as well.

OP posts:
MIAUUU · 07/02/2021 12:49

Ilona is lovely too

TheVanguardSix · 07/02/2021 12:42

Catriona
Cassandra
Aurelia
Saskia
Hannah
Isadora/Isa
Zelda
Helena

Isolde
Tala
Noura/Nora
Cordelia
Sidonie
Samantha
Vivienne
Guinevere
Vanessa

Dollywilde · 07/02/2021 12:39

I liked Iona but DH was put off by the ‘I own her’ connection. DD is Bryony - I preferred the Briony spelling but I’ve totally adjusted to it now!

Other names I liked:

Genevieve
Imogen
Juliet
Emmeline
Josephine
Serena
Madeline
Celeste
Marina

FelicityPike · 07/02/2021 12:39

Is it a Scottish name that you’re looking for?
Morag.
Murrin.
Eilidh.
Adair.
Aileen.
Cait.
Evanna.

Si1ver · 07/02/2021 12:39

Robin
Alba
Sula

TinyCake · 07/02/2021 12:38

Melanie

TinyCake · 07/02/2021 12:37

Robyn
Megan
Rachel
Esther

kimlo · 07/02/2021 12:37

Ida

InTheLibrary · 07/02/2021 12:36

Must have cross posted, just saw he likes Eleanor.

Adeline
Isla
Josephine
Amelia

Seriously79 · 07/02/2021 12:36

Erin
Brooke
Freya
Paige
Isla

Original poster
BananaCustard85 · 07/02/2021 12:34

Ooh Arden is interesting 🙂

I like Beth, but there are two in the family already.

I think shorter is better really with the surname.

Thanks everyone who has commented so far 🙂

OP posts:
Aria999 · 07/02/2021 12:33

Cara
Carmen
Gemma

InTheLibrary · 07/02/2021 12:31

Una
Orla

What names does your partner like?

Original poster
BananaCustard85 · 07/02/2021 12:31

Miranda is nice 🙂

DP likes Eleanor, but I think it has something mournful about it! (Apologies to any Eleanors out there). It's one of those names that look nicer written down than they sound, if that makes sense?

OP posts:
Crumpydump · 07/02/2021 12:28

Ailsa

TheWitchCirce · 07/02/2021 12:27

Names that don't end in a vowel may sound stronger
Megan
Arden
Juliet
Beth

But I also have a soft spot for Eliza

marmitecake · 07/02/2021 12:26

Honor
Estella
Erica or Erika
Isla
Not sure if too many syllables but these immediately came to mind!

Ellmau · 07/02/2021 12:26

Miranda
Alexandra