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Baby names

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

Original poster

Timeless, classic girls names

56 replies

MiracleBaby2022 · 14/02/2022 17:32

I'm still struggling massively with names... I think I would prefer a really timeless, classic name for our girl (and not too short as we have a short surname). A name that won't go out of fashion and doesn't have silly shortenings.

Any suggestions?

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CharlieBoo · 14/02/2022 21:32

Emily
Charlotte
Sophie/Sophia
Alice
Elizabeth
Victoria

Wineandshine · 14/02/2022 20:45

Laura
Bethany
Georgina
Josephine
Joanna
Jennifer

Latenightreader · 14/02/2022 20:24

@Laurie01

Frances, beautiful and classy and not common
I approve of this - it is my daughter’s name!
SummaLuvin · 14/02/2022 20:22

@IamnotwhouthinkIam

Timeless girls names are harder than boys in some ways. There are apparently 11 boys names that have never left the top 100 in over a hundred years - but only one girls name (Elizabeth as toastofthetown mentioned). Some that have come close (only left the top 100 for a couple of decades) include Alice, Maria, Catherine and Sarah -but obviously Sarah had that huge surge in the 70's/80's.

Names that feel fairly timeless imo sometimes tend to be ones that are were well used by royalty historically - Eleanor, Anna, Helena, Louisa, Alexandra, Charlotte, Caroline etc. Or perhaps more ancient classical names that have never been in the Top 100 (so it's hard to guess someones age with them) like Claudia, Antonia, Celia/Cecilia etc

I agree with this completely. Some names given on this thread (Hannah, Lucy, Deborah, Judith, Jessica...) while classic, are not timeless IMO
Aquamarine1029 · 14/02/2022 20:20

Stephanie
Rebecca
Vivienne
Caroline
Margaret

AngelDelightUK · 14/02/2022 20:18

Grace/Gracie

halfsiesonapotnoodle · 14/02/2022 20:03

Rosalind

alisoninwonderland · 14/02/2022 19:59

Alexandra
Leonora
Onora
Maria
Letitia
Angelique/Angelica
Marina
Miriam

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 14/02/2022 19:49

Timeless girls names are harder than boys in some ways. There are apparently 11 boys names that have never left the top 100 in over a hundred years - but only one girls name (Elizabeth as toastofthetown mentioned). Some that have come close (only left the top 100 for a couple of decades) include Alice, Maria, Catherine and Sarah -but obviously Sarah had that huge surge in the 70's/80's.

Names that feel fairly timeless imo sometimes tend to be ones that are were well used by royalty historically - Eleanor, Anna, Helena, Louisa, Alexandra, Charlotte, Caroline etc. Or perhaps more ancient classical names that have never been in the Top 100 (so it's hard to guess someones age with them) like Claudia, Antonia, Celia/Cecilia etc

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 14/02/2022 19:41

Anna
Hannah
Emma
Lucy
Olivia (Extremely popular but classic and timeless)
Elizabeth
Charlotte
Eleanor

katielou987 · 14/02/2022 19:36

Alice
Charlotte
Elizabeth
Rose
Sophie
Catherine

Peaseblossum22 · 14/02/2022 19:11

Philippa
Judith
Meredith
Beatrice
Victoria
Deborah
Marguerite/Margot

Luredbyapomegranate · 14/02/2022 19:06

Claudia
Serena
Julia
Marianne
Louisa
Caroline
Felicity

FawnDrench · 14/02/2022 18:56

Laura

blameitonthecaffeine · 14/02/2022 18:53

The problem with names that aren't short is that they nearly all have nickname potential. Though I guess it depends what you mean by silly.

Some which I think are more likely to keep the full name than others:

Aurora, Adelaide, Clarissa, Hermione, Imogen, Juliet, Miranda, Naomi, Rhiannon, Sophia, Saskia, Verity, Xanthe

Ellmau · 14/02/2022 18:52

Elizabeth
Alexandra
Anna

bitchinofhitchen · 14/02/2022 18:22

Eleanor
Charlotte
Elizabeth
Alexandra
Hannah

Dora26 · 14/02/2022 17:58

Anna

becca3210 · 14/02/2022 17:58

Rebecca
Angelina

Buddhabowl · 14/02/2022 17:56

I love Alexandra.

toastofthetown · 14/02/2022 17:53

The only girls name which has never fallen out of the top hundred in England and Wales is Elizabeth, so for me that's the only completely timeless name for girls. Every other name (however classic) has come in and out of fashion.

StopForAMinute · 14/02/2022 17:52

Anne
Mary
Eve
Violet
Rose

Viviennemary · 14/02/2022 17:50

Elizabeth
Eleanor
Isobel Isabella
Iris its short but I love it
Corrine

emmathedilemma · 14/02/2022 17:48

Emily
Emma
Anna
Alice
Charlotte
Lucy
Katie
Elizabeth

NoHunGosh · 14/02/2022 17:45

Anna, Beatrice, Emily, Elizabeth, Francesca, Hannah, Helena, Matilda, Sara, Theodora