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Baby names

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

Original poster

Girls names

40 replies

Purplepalmer · 20/11/2021 08:09

Which would you choose and why?

Delilah
Phoebe
Jessica
Marnie
Alannah

I think these are all quite different in style but seem to be the only names me and dh can kind of agree on. I have reservations about most though, any other suggestions welcome. Thanks!

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JammyRedRooo · 23/11/2021 11:05

Love Marnie, was on one of my earliest name lists but was struck of due to a very Bristolian DH..

Edenember · 23/11/2021 11:03

Phoebe, followed by Delilah.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 22/11/2021 21:05

Delilah and Marnie are fairly trendy now so not my taste (I'm not sure if they might date - I do love Marnie as a nn for classical Marina, Mariana or Marianne though).

Nothing wrong with Phoebe, it's just not my taste (I find the double "ee" sounds a bit whiny).

I really love the sound of Alannah but I'm not keen on that more frilly/fancy spelling - I think sleeker Alana is much more commonly used (at least in England and Wales) but you will still possibly have spelling issues.

Jessica is the "safe option" for me - a popular Shakespearean classic that's now gradually falling in use. Make sure you don't mind the the nn Jess/Jessie though (although there is also quite cool "Jecca" too).

DramaAlpaca · 22/11/2021 20:21

Jessica is my favourite

katem22 · 22/11/2021 20:19

Marnie, with Phoebe as a close second. Love them both!

Buddhabowl · 20/11/2021 17:39

*roots

Buddhabowl · 20/11/2021 17:37

Alannah is top of our list, or Alana. We want a name with Gaelic routes, it means darling/loved child.

Catnipples · 20/11/2021 17:26

Delilah - not keen
Phoebe - my favourite from the list. Unusual enough to be unique but not so unusual that people won't know how to pronounce it.
Jessica - meh
Marnie - like this one too, but wonder if she would always get asked what it's short for?
Alannah - meh

All the names have an 'ee' or 'ah' ending sound. So other names that come to mind are Sophia or Lydia. Personal faves of my own are Ivy and Zoe.

SummerLew · 20/11/2021 17:19

I like Delilah best, followed by Phoebe.

17caterpillars1mouse · 20/11/2021 17:17

I'd go with either Phoebe (because I love it) or Jessica - beautiful classic name and I love Jess.

I like Marnie and Delilah too just not as much

Not a fan of Alannah

sageandbasil · 20/11/2021 17:14

Phoebe. Love this name so much

Narnianoon · 20/11/2021 15:30

Delilah - sweet
Phoebe - love, I have one
Jessica - feels a bit 90s
Marnie - nope
Alannah - also a bit 90s / bratz doll

How about -

Lyra
Leila
Daphne
Fern
Madeleine
Tess
Imogen
Theodora
Serena
Julliet

Original poster
Purplepalmer · 20/11/2021 15:26

Thank you for all your response, really helpful. We are both leaning towards Phoebe, my only slight reservation was whether it was a bit too popular. Otherwise I do love it.

@MrsFin I know what you mean, I’ve noticed Delilah on lots of list recently too. I think it’s having a moment so maybe one to avoid. I do love the sound of it though.

@PurpleIndigoViolet we must have similar taste as I do really like Naomi! But one in our close family born recently.

@shawnaander thank you for those suggestions, a lot of those were on my original list which Dh vetoed :( I particularly like Dalia, Athena and Daphne. But not sure I could get him on board sadly

OP posts:
Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 20/11/2021 14:55

I know a Phoebe who doesn't ever get called feeble and only a couple of people had made the friends connection.
That would be my fave on your list op

HuntingoftheSnark · 20/11/2021 14:04

I like Delilah and Phoebe. Both have a nice sound and feel to them, are known well enough but not too popular. And spelling shouldn't be an issue.

amylou8 · 20/11/2021 13:54

Like them all, except Delilah. Love Alannah or Lana.

RavenclawsRoar · 20/11/2021 13:41

Phoebe. It's a lovely name and not over-used.
I don't mind any of the others- I think Jessica in particular is really nice. The only one I dislike is Marnie.

PurpleIndigoViolet · 20/11/2021 13:39

What about Naomi? I really like most of the names in your list, and Naomi is the name I’d have gone for if I’d had a girl.

DuneFan · 20/11/2021 13:36

Love Marnie and Jessica. Both strong names that would sit well on an adult and child. Lots of Jessicas around but you have a couple of good nn options, Jess, Jessie.

Delilah is too frilly for me and Alannah too on trend. Phoebe is lovely but lots around and it doesn't really lend itself to good shortenings.

35andThriving · 20/11/2021 13:29

I like Phoebe. If i had to rename myself using your list, that's the one I'd pick. It's a nice name that suits all ages.

user1493494961 · 20/11/2021 13:17

Phoebe or Jessica, dislike the others.

shawnaander · 20/11/2021 13:09

I like Phoebe, Jessica and Alannah and Marnie is cute too. You have nice taste in names.

Athena
Maeve
Hannah
Daphne
Lyla
Dalia
Fiona
Luna
Lorelei
Dahlia
Juliette
Serena
Camilla
Zara
Giselle
Avianna
Simone

Olga03 · 20/11/2021 13:01

Delilah - okay
Phoebe - lovely
Jessica - nice, but comes along with some 90ies vibes
Marnie - unusual, but beautiful - meaning is 'of the sea' is there a connection op?
Alannah - not awful, but boring

MerryChristmasToYou · 20/11/2021 12:41

Delilah - awful
Phoebe - fine, but will be Phoebs
Jessica - nice
Marnie -Hitchcock film, not a good associatiib
Alannah - will get misspelt and mispronounced

ilovemykids5 · 20/11/2021 12:20

I love Phoebe, Jessica and Marnie.
They were on my list but hubby vetoed them all.

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