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Baby names

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

Original poster

Anne

95 replies

17caterpillars1mouse · 01/06/2021 19:23

What are your thoughts on Anne? Not Anna, Annabel, Anneliese etc just Anne, possibly nn Annie.

Also any suggestion for other similar type of 'plain names' like Anne, Jane etc

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ILoveShula · 02/06/2021 15:35

I'd say that Kate, Beth and Eloise are not classics.
Catherine/Katharine and Elizabeth are. Louise is too - I know it's not the same as Eloise.

I like Ann and Jane because they are short . I really don't like Jayne. I like Jill but not Gillian.

Lemur12 · 02/06/2021 15:01

Not keen on Anne or Jane, I find them both extremely dull. Classic names I do like-

Alice
Lucy
Kate
Beth
Eloise

Theoldwoman · 02/06/2021 14:58

Not a fan, BUT if I had to use it, I would spell it Ann.

ILoveShula · 02/06/2021 14:53

I have had relatives called Ann. They were either Annie or Nancy. I know Anns and Annes roughly my age and they are Ann/Anne.

MirandaBlu · 02/06/2021 14:36

Was recently watching Gentleman Jack (takes place in the 1840s and the two main characters are Anne and Ann) and wondering why the name is so (relatively) rare now. Jane and Mary/Maria, too.

I disagree that people won't accept Annie as a natural nickname/diminutive for Anne. A nickname or diminutive doesn't have to be an "abbreviation" - in many cultures a diminutive is longer than the original name. I think Annie is a very obvious and in fact default diminutive of Ann(e). If you have an Ann(e) that you do NOT want to be called Annie, you might have more trouble with that than with an Ann(e) happily nickname Annie. And I'd rather be an Ann(e) called Annie all my life than an Annie who has to explain that I'd rather be called Ann(e).

Serpenta · 02/06/2021 12:02

You wanted to name a child after Mary Bennet! Doesn't happen often. Good old (annoying) Mary Grin

KateF · 02/06/2021 11:56

I love it, with an 'e'! I planned to have four girls called Jane, Anne, Mary and Elizabeth when I was in my teenage Austen phase. I had three girls and those are not their first names but include their middle names.

A little Anne would be a refreshing change at nursery and unlikely to be duplicated.

Panicmode1 · 02/06/2021 11:51

It's my name and I hate it. If you are shy (as I was) no-one hears you say it, so I deliberately chose two syllable names for my children. It's boring, dull and it may be a classic but I wish my parents had chosen a nicer classic name!!

NotImpossible · 02/06/2021 11:48

@Serpenta

'Unromantic fiddlesticks' said the unsympathetic Marilla. 'Anne is a real good plain sensible name. You've no need to be ashamed of it'.

I love Anne Shirley and anytime I see the name Ann written down I mentally add the E. As she would.

I don't think I love the name (neither did Anne) but it's a classis that's for sure. Other names in a similar vein not already mentioned might be Barbara, Judy, Joan, Ruth and Jill.

I do that too! Anne with an e - it's a lovely name :)
Serpenta · 02/06/2021 11:48

I'm distressed* at people expressing a preference for the Ann spelling. I wouldn't be able to trust their judgement on any matter.

*slight exaggeration

yikesanotherbooboo · 02/06/2021 11:45

I love it , it feels bang on trend . It is a family name for us so I am a bit biased. I might be tempted to go the whole hog and spell it Ann.
Nns to consider , if you are people who don't leave that to natural development are Nan and Nancy .

Torvean · 02/06/2021 11:43

My Granny's name was Anne. I love it.
She lucked out as her sister was called Hectorena

Flymetothestars · 02/06/2021 11:38

I love it

toto23 · 02/06/2021 11:35

If I ever had a girl it would be used, just as a middle name (family tradition).

It's too plain for me as a first name.

Moonshine11 · 02/06/2021 11:26

Prefer Annie

Arrowheart · 02/06/2021 11:24

It is beautiful, classic, elegant. And unusual these days. It's so beautiful. Prefer Anne to Annie.

Fiftysix · 02/06/2021 11:21

lovely name, prefer Ann though

ElizabethTudor · 02/06/2021 11:16

It’s a tad bland

BlueDucky · 02/06/2021 11:09

Nice

LewishamMum · 02/06/2021 11:09

@Serpenta
plain and sensible......exactly....dull. And very unfair to say to someone called Anne when your name is Marilla! I'm sure she'd have been quite happy with that!

Montalbanosono · 02/06/2021 11:08

I like it. Unusual these days without being quirky.

LewishamMum · 02/06/2021 11:06

I just find it boring personally. Why not name her Annie if it goes with your surname? It's just that bit more interesting and still unusual. Annie isn't an obvious abbreviation (well, it's not an abbreviation for a start!), for Anne, so you and in life she would have to make a massive effort to make sure she's known as Annie.
It's probably just me but I think all one syllable names are boring! Sorry x

Keepitcleanplease · 02/06/2021 11:00

It's absolutely beautiful.

I also love Catherine, Mary and Helen.

wishing3 · 02/06/2021 10:58

Nice! Also like Sarah and Claire but think too soon for them on a toddler for me.

CaffiSaliMali · 02/06/2021 10:55

I like it although I do prefer Anna and Annie.

Other names of a similar feel to Anne and Jane:

Tess
Beth
Kate
Emma
Amy
Ruth
Leah
Sarah
Mary
Erin
Meg/Megan