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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ethereal/fairy names

139 replies

Ginnywoofly · 07/03/2021 16:59

Dd1 has nickname Pixie (not related to actual name but she is very pixie like) and dd2 is likely to be very fair. We are looking for an ethereal/fairy type name (not too “out there” but unusual/maybe vintage style) that conjures up images of nature, Celtic folklore (Irish surname so open to Irish or possibly welsh suggestions) magical forests, nymphs, or maybe an underused flower name. We have Scandinavian heritage so a Scandinavian/Nordic folklore name could be good. We want it to be like a Disney princess/lord of the rings style name, but an actual name not made up/obviously named after a character. This is what we have so far:
Althea
Dorothea
Gwyneth, Gwendolyn
Arwen, Ariel (similar sound to these but real name suggestions?)
Fae, Faith, Effie
Tatiana/Titania/Tiana
Flora or Frida
Lilith/Lilian
Felicity
Sylvie
Elif (we have no Turkish background)
Elinor or Elin
Elodie, Melodie, Eilidh, Elsa, Elspeth/Elsbeth
Laurel (suggestions for similar real name?)
Morwen, Marion, Miriam, Merida, Mara, Mabel
Katja

Any other suggestions/feedback?

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Stoakey · 09/03/2021 16:21

Persephone?

florascotia2 · 09/03/2021 16:08

According to 'Behind the Name' (which usually pretty good) Alida is a version of Adelheid, which means 'noble':
www.behindthename.com/name/alida

Wikipedia agrees en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alida

Nothing to do with wings. However:

'Alata' means 'with wings' in Latin.

'Alada' means 'with wings' in Spanish.

Alouette means 'skylark' in French.

Perhaps there has been some confusion?

wizzler · 09/03/2021 15:44

I used to know a Mariella .. she was very dainty and graceful and I wanted to be her

OverTheRubicon · 09/03/2021 11:42

My friend's sister is the most fairy-like person I know, we all idolised her a bit growing up as she was so beautiful and kind and an amazing ballet dancer - her name was Aerin, it always suited her so well.

GreenSlide · 09/03/2021 11:40

Not Althea, it reminds me of Ross and Monica's grandmother in Friends 'you're shooting with Althea? Althea is correct!' Grin

What about Eileadh?

grapewine · 09/03/2021 11:40

@Serin

Alida (small winged one)
That's so cute!
VenusClapTrap · 09/03/2021 11:38

My suggestions to add to your list:
Artemis
Anemone
Nerine

VenusClapTrap · 09/03/2021 11:37

@Eteri

Aubrey means leader of the elves which is quite fae.
Actually it means king of the fairies/elves. It’s a derivative of Oberon. A male name.
Eteri · 09/03/2021 00:20

Aubrey means leader of the elves which is quite fae.

Slackarse · 08/03/2021 15:56

Linnea

orangenasturtium · 08/03/2021 15:20

I like the sound of Meribel (but wouldn’t name dc after the ski resort!)- any similar sounding suggestions (not Isobel or Annabelle)

Meriel? Apparently it means sea nymph.

Laurel and Ariel are both real names. Although with Ariel you do have the association with Ariel Sharon as well has the mermaid.

FeistySheep · 08/03/2021 15:08

Have a look at the hobbit family trees in the back of LOTR - lots of good names in there which people wouldn't realise are lifted from the books. Esmeralda, Peony, Dora, Estella...

VienneseWhirligig · 08/03/2021 14:35

Isolda
Yseult
Faye
Merryn
Demelza

Blinkyblonkyblimey · 08/03/2021 13:53

We have a Sylvie! Her name suits her perfectly. I was doing a crossword puzzle recently and one of the clues was name of a Persian fairy. Had to look it up and the answer was Peri.
The name means exquisite, winged spirits renowned for their beauty.

YukoandHiro · 08/03/2021 12:54

This thread is making me broody and I already have a 3yo and a 4mo 😯

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 08/03/2021 00:14

Blossom

Sparrowtree · 07/03/2021 23:49

Ivy

DontFuckItUp · 07/03/2021 23:32

Juno

AfterEightsBeforeEight · 07/03/2021 23:22

Puck. Obviously. Grin

Calmyertits · 07/03/2021 23:19

A dragon in a series of books i love is called Saphira

Twobirdsinatree · 07/03/2021 23:15

Isolde
Iolanthe
Ianthe
Xanthe
Celeste
Seraphina
Collette
Ondine
Phaedra
Circe
Athena
Luna

Cindie943811A · 07/03/2021 23:07

Anitra
Grieg’s music conjures up magical fairy images

wilmawebb · 07/03/2021 22:47

Peri

Sssloou · 07/03/2021 22:41

Or wild - or maybe wild deer!?

Sssloou · 07/03/2021 22:38

Fiadh - pronounced ”fea-ah” is Irish for deer.....