Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Final three girls names

131 replies

ClaraBean · 14/10/2021 07:43

These are our final three girls names (I think!)
Shirley (my favourite)
Doris (dp fav) Dorrie for nn
Eileen

DP doesn't like 'frilly' names so can't get things l love like Cordelia, Sally or Ramona past him at all!!

I never used to see Shirley on a child, but when did was 4 (she's now 16) she demanded to be called Shirley for ages and I've adored it ever since!!

Opinion?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Hopeisallineed · 18/10/2021 16:27

Be careful with Eileen, my friends child is name Layla and she constantly gets the song shouted at her at school. She hates her name now.

resm · 18/10/2021 15:45

I’m going to go against the grain and say Eileen here, but only because I could picture a child, teenager and adult called Eily. It reminds me of one of my favourite books as a child - Under the Hawthorn Tree and the Eily in it was 12 or so.

reallyalurker · 16/10/2021 23:41

Prunella is lovely! Makes me think of the book "Princess Prunella" by Katherine Oldmeadow, 1920s. I also like Shirley, which makes me think of Charlotte Brontë's novel. Not keen on Eileen and unsure about Valerie.

If you're wanting others -

Primula
Doreen
Stella
Verity
Bridget
Edith (may be too popular for you?)
Tabitha
Clemency
Audrey
Marian
Hilary
Phyllis
Prisca
Anthea
Agnes
Constance
Ruth
Petra
Barbara
Annis

TrueGrit54 · 16/10/2021 17:08

I’m not terribly keen on any of them either, but as long as you and your DH like the name that’s all that matters. I never asked anyone for their opinion other than DH, if I had I am positive they would have screamed noooo very loudly!

Do you like Belinda? Sort of fits with your other names in my head at least. I knew a Belinda and she was fab.

Namechangedforthethousandthtim · 16/10/2021 16:42

I think prunella is the worst yet! Sorry

AliceMcK · 16/10/2021 16:38

@TuftyMarmoset

Re kids knowing Come on Eileen - the song came out 13 years before I was born and I know it. It's a classic, famous song which is not infrequently on the radio.
Totally agree, my 4 & 7 yo DDs were rocking to it in the car this afternoon. My 4yo favourite song at the moment is What’s love got to do with it by Tina Turner which came out 33 years before she was born while my 7yos is Britney Spears opps I did it again which came out 14 years before she was born. So many songs are timeless and never die out, Cmon Eileen will always be played at parties.
garlictwist · 16/10/2021 12:01

Erm..,well, you're really embracing "old lady chic", aren't you?

I am not that keen on any of them but Doris at an (absolute) push.

AliceMcK · 16/10/2021 11:36

Another non frilly name I love Imelda. My DH vetoed it but I love it.

Banani · 16/10/2021 07:03

Love Shirley!bi think it’s really pretty but cool too.
Doris is pretty cool too.
Not so keen on Eileen or Prunella though.

crabette · 15/10/2021 22:22

@FedUpAtHomeTroels I know a Reenie who's actually Irene? Never crossed my mind for Doreen! (Makes sense though.)

crabette · 15/10/2021 22:20

I think of the three Shirley would be my favourite, though it's not totally my taste either OP! Doris would be bottom of the list.

I do love Ramona though, and Valerie!! (And Pearl!!)

What about Enid? I have to say I was quite tempted to use that myself, and seems to fit your vibe of vintage names which haven't quite reached "comeback" stage yet. 'E' names (and other names beginning with vowels?!) are pretty on trend at the moment, so maybe a happy medium for your little one.

AliceMcK · 15/10/2021 22:10

I know a 4yo with a middle name Eileen. Not sure about first name as all I can think about is Eileen from Corry and C’min Eileen.

I like Dorris or Dotty. The only off put for me is I know a few people who use Doris as an insult, such as if you make a mistake they will call you a Dorris, not sure where it’s from.

I couldn’t do Shirley because of a personal name association and Airplane the movie.

What about Geraldine?

Mymapuddlington · 15/10/2021 22:01

Google 1950s girls names, other than Doris that’s the era you seem to be looking for.

Soggychip · 15/10/2021 21:42

I like Pandora. Not keen on your original 3 or Prunella (pru and prune aren’t great for short though Nella not bad.ä

Would any of these be worth considering

Clara
Cora
Isadora
Tabitha
Erica
Antonia/Antonie
Esther
Naomi
Cordelia
Thalia
Florence
Henrietta
Dorothea
Miriam
Margaret (Maggie)

Claricestarling1 · 15/10/2021 21:40

Prunella sounds like a laxative and the others are just..no. There are so many lovely names to choose from why these

Lightswitch123 · 15/10/2021 21:32

Confused sorry OP. none for me too.

alpinerain · 15/10/2021 21:29

Doris or Shirley. Definitely not Eileen.

Mymapuddlington · 15/10/2021 21:27

What about Dorothy? Elizabeth? Audrey?

Onlinedilema · 15/10/2021 19:24

Sorry op but the names your dp likes are all awful.

I wouldn't lumber a child with any of those names.

None of them are classic names. The names you suggested are far, far nicer.

MrsSchadenfreude · 15/10/2021 19:11

Shirley is fine. Doris and Eileen are awful.

BlueFlavour · 15/10/2021 19:09

Liking the sound of your Nan’s mates @MrsCremuel Grin

MrsCremuel · 15/10/2021 18:34

I’m sorry but none of them. They all sound like the names of my Nans friends who smoke 20 a day down the social club getting pissed to Sinatra.

FlamingoDust · 15/10/2021 18:30

I like Shirley!

Helpimfalling · 14/10/2021 23:45

Sorry drawing the line at prunella no no no!

Pandora and pearl tho could work

Tsubasa1 · 14/10/2021 19:04

Eileen is lovely. It won't be everyone's cup of tea but there you go.