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Baby names

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

Original poster

First name to go with middle name Bettina?

45 replies

emmy239 · 10/02/2021 09:42

We are expecting a baby girl soon and I'm pretty set on using the middle name Bettina, as it's a family name. Unfortunately we can't use it as a first name as it would be too similar to one of her cousin's names.

Any ideas for what would work well as a first name with Bettina?

Our current favourite for a first name is Cecilia, so Cecilia Bettina, but I'm not sure if that's too difficult to say.

I also like Sylvia. We both love Ada (Ada Bettina) which sounds lovely, but I have been out off because Ada is so popular at the moment. I'd prefer a name outside the top 100 to match our first child's name (which makes it really difficult!).

Any suggestions appreciated!

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mathanxiety · 14/02/2021 08:17

I love Cecelia, and also Theodora. Both go very well with Bettina, and also with Juliet.

I think the name Bettina needs a commanding name ahead of it. Names ending with the EE sound are a bit lacking in that necessary gravitas, imo. I wouldn't be afraid of two names ending in the A sound.

Suggestions:
Alexandra
Victoria
Aurelia
Clara
Zara
Leonora
Antonia
Saskia
Stella

Seafog · 14/02/2021 06:04

Bettina Louise

PlainJane1000 · 14/02/2021 05:56

I also want to agree with pps that you shouldn't compromise on a first name for the sake of flow with the middle name. You will use the first name hundreds of times a day and us the two together maybe a couple of times a year at most.
Picking a first name you love is the most important thing. Good luck!

Lalliella · 14/02/2021 00:16

I would say choose a name with one or two syllables and not ending with an “a”

Elise
Caitlin
Charlotte
Callie
Rosie
Lucy
Louise
Georgie
Phoebe

KirstenBlest · 13/02/2021 12:46

Don't worry too much about the middle name, as it will hardly ever be used. Pick a first name you love that goes well with the surname.

If you love Bettina, use it as a first name.

Mavedrai · 13/02/2021 05:44

Cecilia Bettina is absolutely beautiful.

RosesforMama · 12/02/2021 23:07

My childhood friend Adeline was AD-er-leen.

IsThePopeCatholic · 12/02/2021 22:14

My middle name is Bettina, but I never liked it!

Edenember · 12/02/2021 13:36

I second Cecily / Cicely or Sylvie

Sprig1 · 12/02/2021 11:08

Maria
Heidi

Original poster
emmy239 · 12/02/2021 11:05

@ElliFAntspoo I really like Pearl! Never thought of that before. I'm hoping my husband doesn't dismiss it straight away!

OP posts:
VienneseWhirligig · 11/02/2021 14:43

Eloise
Frances
Genevieve
Lucy

Cecilia is really pretty.

LiveintheNow · 11/02/2021 14:13

Marianne Bettina

Everybodysaycheese · 11/02/2021 14:06

Honor
Hazel
Xanthe

Everybodysaycheese · 11/02/2021 14:04

Laurel
Lilith
Anais
Sadie (although gaining in popularity in some places)

BeBraveAndBeKind · 11/02/2021 13:46

Ottilie would go well with your DDs name and the repeating T is a nice sound.

ElliFAntspoo · 11/02/2021 12:42

Pearl

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 11/02/2021 11:11

@PainterInPeril Thank you! I really love Madeleine too.

@emmy239 Juliet is gorgeous btw - an elegant, underused name. I think Adeline is generally pronounced Ad - eh - line (like Caroline), particularly since the film came out and made the name better known.

Smallonesaremorejuicy · 11/02/2021 00:43

Edith Bettina

wizzler · 10/02/2021 23:43

I'm think the name should work well with Dd1s name, Juliet which is classic
I think Madeleine, Alice , Catherine, Eleanor would all work well

ladygindiva · 10/02/2021 23:18

I agree with pp sylvie and cecily work. Also names ending el - isabel, annabel, mirabel, etc?

PainterInPeril · 10/02/2021 23:12

@IamnotwhouthinkIam Nearly all of the names on your list are favourites of mine. Madeleine is my absolute favourite though. You obviously have very good taste in names!Grin

TheVanguardSix · 10/02/2021 23:07

Anais
Sidonie
Cosima
Claudia
Cordelia
Madeleine
Martha
Alexandra
Manon
Eleanor
Augusta
Justina
Audrey
Arden
Guinevere
Genevieve
Vanessa
Veronica
Tallulah
Tabitha

Twisique · 10/02/2021 22:56

I always thought it rhymes with Caroline, like in the film.

Original poster
emmy239 · 10/02/2021 22:51

Thanks everyone for feedback and suggestions!

@IamnotwhouthinkIam @Otherplans I am very tempted just to go with Cecilia! If the baby was born tomorrow I think she would be that.

@Twisique @CrochetOrBust I do really like Adeline! Then she could be Ada. But the pronunciation - whether it should be Adeline like Caroline or Ade-leen kind of puts me off :( I like the the former but not the latter

@Firebird83 I really like both Daphne and Vivienne!

Interesting how three people suggested Juliet, which is our first daughters name :)

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