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Baby names

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

A classic girls name that can be shortened

91 replies

ohfook · 19/09/2021 11:13

Our daughter is called Penelope but now she's older prefers to be called Penny.

I'm pregnant with another girl and would like to do the same again. Give her a classic name with an option of shortening it if they'd prefer (pretty sure dd has shortened hers because it's less hassle to write on the back of worksheets in school.)

My favourite it Elizabeth/Lizzie but dh absolutely hates that name so it's off the table.

Does anyone have any ideas for other similar names?

I do also really like Esther but I'm not sure what that shortens to and also have a sneaking suspicion I might be pronouncing it wrong.

OP posts:
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Kneller92 · 22/09/2021 15:18

@RickOShay

Constance. I think Penelope and Constance are lovely. Penny and Connie.
I was going to suggest this one, I know a lovely little girl called Constance who is known as Connie.

Other options are
Harriet - Hattie
Henrietta - Hettie
Veronica - Ronnie
Scarlet/Violet - Lettie

Some other nn for Elizabeth could be Elsa, Eliza, Liza, Betty, Betsy

saywhatwhatnow · 19/09/2021 17:58

Penelope was top of our list for DC2 but he was a DS. The other name I liked was Edith (Edie).

ZeusandClio · 19/09/2021 17:56

I'm Penelope - Penny and my sister is Elizabeth - Beth. Penny and Beth work great together!

lemoncrisp · 19/09/2021 17:36

Felicity
Philippa
Susannah
Josephine

Lotsalotsagiggles · 19/09/2021 17:36

If you like Elizabeth, how about Libby?

snowspider · 19/09/2021 17:33

Nicola
Lucinda
Margaret
Florence
Leonora
Judith

SlidDownTheElephantsTrunk · 19/09/2021 17:27

Katherine = Kat
Felicity = Flick

poptartsRUs · 19/09/2021 16:54

Clementine to Clemmie

Alexandra to Alex

Rosemary to Rose

Marguerite to Margie

sauvignonblack · 19/09/2021 16:40

Elouise / Eleanor - Ellie
Helena - Lena
Beatrice - Bea

Warmduscher · 19/09/2021 16:37

@KaycePollard

Katherine is the obvious name if Margaret is out of the question.

Kate
Katy
Kitty

(you could also have Kathy or Kath, but they're horrible).

You may not like Kathy or Kath, but that doesn’t make them horrible names.
nbee84 · 19/09/2021 16:36

I know an Esther who is shortened to Tessy.

GorgonzolaSouffle · 19/09/2021 16:36

Joanna - Jo

Annabel- Anna

Harriet - Hattie

Felicity - Fliss

lolliespalooza · 19/09/2021 16:35

Frances - shortened to Fran or Franny

seasidemafia · 19/09/2021 16:33

Charlotte / Lottie
Harriet / Hettie
Imogen / Immy
Vivienne / Viv
Camille / Millie
Beatrix / Trixie

Maskedpotato · 19/09/2021 16:31

Elizabeth (Lizzie) was my no 1 girls name
The others I like are
Katherine
Jennifer
Eleanor
Felicity
Josephine

girlmom21 · 19/09/2021 16:26

Winifred is the one that comes to mind. I don't like it but I love Winnie.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 19/09/2021 16:24

Penelope (Penny) and
Suzannah (Suzie)
Cassandra (Cassie)
Alexandra (Allie)
Rosanna (Rosie)
Charlotte (Lottie)
Matilda (Tilly)
Katherine (Katie)
Beatrix (Bea, Beatie, Trixie.
Winifred (Winnie Freda)
Harriet (Hattie)

KaycePollard · 19/09/2021 12:53

Katherine is the obvious name if Margaret is out of the question.

Kate
Katy
Kitty

(you could also have Kathy or Kath, but they're horrible).

Trumanshow · 19/09/2021 12:34

I Love Annabelle. So many different ways to shorten it too!

Olivia

Rebecca

Pineapples9087 · 19/09/2021 12:19

Matilda/tilly.
I think that sounds lovely with penelope/penny.

leavesthataregreen · 19/09/2021 12:15

Esther could be Essie which is cute.

Victoria: Vic, Vicky, Tori, Ria
Katherine: Kat, Katie, Kate, Kathy, Kitty
Charlotte: Charlie, Lottie, Shar
Madeleine: Maddie, Lennie, Lena
Susannah: Susie, Sue, Suze
Annabelle: Anna, Bella, Annie
Georgina: George, Georgie, Georgia, Gina

Winnona · 19/09/2021 11:57

Joanna Jo

RickOShay · 19/09/2021 11:52

Or Cecilia or Cecily. Cece as nn.

RickOShay · 19/09/2021 11:51

Constance. I think Penelope and Constance are lovely.
Penny and Connie.

wishing3 · 19/09/2021 11:50

Esty! Esther I would pronounce Ess-ter. I like it!
Rosalind -Rosy
Madeline-Maddy
Meredith-Merry