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Baby names

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

Original poster

Florence or Francesca

56 replies

AnaMRT · 16/02/2022 15:04

My husband and I couldn’t agree on two previous names and decided to start from scratch. Baby girl is three weeks old and we have narrowed down the list to two new names: Francesca or Florence. Our kids are called Olivia (nn Olive), Arthur and George. I have always loved the name Florence but it’s very popular now and my husband isn’t keen on Flo as a nickname. I quite like Flora or Florrie as nn. I like the name Francesca and that it’s not in the top 100 but not keen on Franny as a nickname and their cousin is called Frankie. Which leaves Chesca as a nickname which is ok. We can’t seem to decide between the two names and registration day is fast approaching. Which name do you prefer? All opinions and feedback are very welcome!

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RosemaryRosemary · 03/03/2022 10:50

Or Francisca (Cisca) like an aunt of mine

MimiDaisy11 · 03/03/2022 10:31

Francesca
I do agree though that the nicknames aren't the best. While there's no guarantee of whether she'll be called by a nickname it's not for certain that she will. I know a few Francescas who are just called by their full name.

jackstini · 03/03/2022 08:05

Much prefer Francesca, nn cesca

Florence I feel is v old fashioned, don't like Flo as a nn (& this bit is quite specific but am really not a fan of Florence and the machine so that puts me off!)

Flora = margarine and she might get the annoying 'do you spread 'em' comments at school

Love Felicity and it has such a lovely meaning too. Dd knows one with nn Flick and it really suits her

areyouseriousman · 03/03/2022 07:55

I have a Francesca. She's never been called Fran, it doesn't suit her at all. She's often called Cheska or Chessy. When we named her we thought she might end up being called Frankie as a nick name but she hasn't- maybe when she's a teenager she will!

Mumofgirls2017 · 03/03/2022 07:34

Florence nn Flora- prefer and goes better with your others

Zillamop · 03/03/2022 07:10

I much prefer Florence to Francesca.

I dislike Fran and Cheska as nicknames.

I do like Frances, on its own or with Frankie as nickname.

LaTangerina · 03/03/2022 01:06

Florrie is a nice nickname for Florence

PleaseDontDriveMeBlind · 03/03/2022 00:44

Whenever I hear "Francesca" it reminds me of chess, so it's possible 'Chessie" or "Chessa" could work as nickname. They sort of sound like Jessie and Jessa, which work for Jessica.

Because I do think of chess, I also think of chestnuts, so "chestnut" would probably be my pet-name for them.

You could go with Frances as a nickname.

I'm voting for Francesca.

cheesychipsfan · 03/03/2022 00:38

Francesca is lovely, I'm not keen on Florence and can't stand flo sorry just makes me think heavy flow Blush

DogsAndGin · 02/03/2022 19:33

Francesca - cheska is a lovely NN

Florence is soooooo overused

StartupRepair · 18/02/2022 20:32

Not really @daisypond. Florence is the anglicized version of Firenze.

daisypond · 18/02/2022 13:33

Tbh, Florence is as much Italian as Francesca if you think about it.

Original poster
AnaMRT · 18/02/2022 13:28

@TarcasticSwat

Unless you're Italian then Florence IMO.
My dads side of the family are Italian (unfortunately I don’t speak it though). My name is Ana-Maria so it would fit in with my name..
OP posts:
Original poster
AnaMRT · 18/02/2022 13:25

@ISmellBurnings

Francesca out of the two. I really don’t like Florence and it’s so popular.

Flora is nice.

How about Felicity?

Felicity is an lovely name! I will suggest it to DH!
OP posts:
sageandbasil · 18/02/2022 13:06

@TarcasticSwat Francesca isn't reserved for Italians only! There's loads in the Uk fgs

I love Florence and the nn Florrie

TarcasticSwat · 17/02/2022 18:39

Unless you're Italian then Florence IMO.

daisypond · 17/02/2022 18:29

I like both but prefer Francesca. I know an Italian one who is shortened to Franca.

FeebasAquarium · 17/02/2022 18:27

Love Francesca, the one i know goes by Fran

Bitterbean · 17/02/2022 17:59

I have a Francesca nn Fran and I think it's lovely and under used.

Fl0w3ry · 17/02/2022 17:55

Florence. It sounds good with your other DCs names. There’s also nicer nickname potentials with Florence, whereas Francesca would just be Fran and I really dislike the name Fran.

emmathedilemma · 17/02/2022 11:32

Florence by a mile!

Lemonweightloss · 17/02/2022 10:00

Felicity is a great suggestion.
I like Florence but don't love it.
I love Francesca. I know one who only gets called Francesca, never Frankie or Fran.

ISmellBurnings · 17/02/2022 09:31

Francesca out of the two. I really don’t like Florence and it’s so popular.

Flora is nice.

How about Felicity?

StartupRepair · 17/02/2022 03:56

Florence. Or Frances. I don't think the Italian Francesca fits with your other names.

Suzi888 · 17/02/2022 03:52

Francesca.