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Baby names

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

Original poster

Names for baby girl (nature / traditional)

31 replies

Nopetree · 28/08/2022 20:18

We’re due any time and still haven’t decided on a name.

We like a strange mix of nature and traditional names with our favourites being:

Elwen
Francesca (Frankie)
Freya
Lyra
Matilda
Theodora (Theo)
Willow

Keen to hear your thoughts on these names and any other suggestions. We both feel like we’re waiting for a new name to be ‘the one’ but haven’t found it after months of looking.

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FayCarew · 29/08/2022 13:08

@zingally , but it's pronounced or spelt differently by scandinavians

zingally · 29/08/2022 12:28

We very nearly had a Freya! Both DH and I have Scandinavian heritage, and Freya was a Norse goddess. :)

I like Matilda as well. People will always associate the name with the book character, but she's cool, so it's fine!

I don't love Willow, but only because it's really popular at the moment and will date really quickly.

OldTinHat · 29/08/2022 09:02

Rowan

reesewithoutaspoon · 29/08/2022 08:51

Ultimate earth name
Gaia ( guy yah)
Greek goddess, mother earth.

legalseagull · 29/08/2022 08:43

Hazel
Heather
Iris
Wren
Brook

KirstenBlest · 29/08/2022 08:23

I have heard of Elwen used as a Welsh girl's name, but I think it is of Cornish or Breton origin. It runs less risk of mispronunciation than Elowen (it's El-OW-en nor EL-ow-en. Alwen is the name of a river and is a pretty welsh name. Olwen is a very old name with a pretty meaning

Elwyn and Alwyn are used as boy's names in Wales but neither are of welsh origin.

Mummytobe333 · 29/08/2022 08:01

Freya is probably my favourite but so popular just now. Was 4th most popular last year where I live.
What about Thea? (is similar to both Freya and Theodora)
I love the name Thea 💕

KirstenBlest · 29/08/2022 07:49

Elwen - ok but might end up being yet another Ellie
Francesca (Frankie) - ok
Freya - overused, don't like Frey
Lyra - don't like
Matilda - overused
Theodora (Theo) - don't like. Theo too popular for a boy
Willow - best of the bunch

MarmiteCoriander · 28/08/2022 22:44

Elwen- never heard of it. Is is Welsh? Is it pronounced Elle-Wen?
Francesca (Frankie)- Best friend at school has this name and I love it (Half Scottish, half Hungarian). I personally I don't like Frankie, Franny or Fran as nn's though
Freya- love it
Lyra- I always read it as Lycra, then think it sounds like liar
Matilda- like it
Theodora (Theo)- 3 syllables is a mouthful and depends on the surname. Hate Theo for a girl
Willow- love it and considered it when pregnant

Some others Wren, Brooke, Ferne/Fern, Skye/Skylar, Coralie, Verda, Teal, Jade.

IStandWithMaya · 28/08/2022 22:35

Elwen - quite like this
Francesca - yes Francesca, no to Frankie
Freya - love it
Lyra - nice
Matilda - nice
Theodora (Theo) - ok
Willow - ok

Also:

Helena
Ferne
Aurora
Serena
Bryony

Luredbyapomegranate · 28/08/2022 22:19

Elwen is great - strong but ethereal
Francesca - elegant and Frankie is fun, getting popular
Freya - I love it, very overused at one point, less so now, but it’s a bit tired TBH
Lyra - lovely but so many Lyra-Lara-Lola-Leah-Lena-Leila-Luna-Lila names - they all blur
Matilda - nice but lots of them
Theodora (Theo) - nice but quite a lot of them - and Theo/dore insanely popular for boys at the moment
Willow - nah, wet and weeping

Other thoughts

Olwen
Arwen
Ffion
Catrin
Elowen
Annis
Lois
Ines
Linos
Thora
Oona
Astra
Aster
Hera
Flora
Briar
Stella
Elva
Selena / Selene (Sell-ee-nee
Iona / Ione (3 syllables again)
Cassia
Cliona
Serena
Estella
Allegra
Sabrina
Adela
Rosanagh
Lowenna
Astrid
Annest
Jocelyn
Jasmine
Laurel
Sorrel
Igraine
Vivienne
Meredith
Marianne
Genevieve
Verity
Leonie
Cecily
Jessamy

ellenpartridge · 28/08/2022 21:57

Freya, Francesca and Matilda are the nicest

Redsquirrel5 · 28/08/2022 21:29

If you love Ellen you might like Lynwen.

Otherwise I would chose Freya it is a really pretty name and you don’t hear it often. Wait till she is born and then see what suits her best.
Congratulations.

Raindancer411 · 28/08/2022 21:28

I have a Wren and Robin as I loved nature and bird names. Happened by accident with the first as it was the way the hubby proposed by saying we could use that name when we were on a carriage ride in a wood and heard one.

BloodyCamping · 28/08/2022 21:28

Fern

fleur

Onaj · 28/08/2022 21:25

If I had had a daughter she was going to be called Holly Rowena.

I also like the name Rowan.

BCBird · 28/08/2022 21:19

Oops-sausage fingers-sorry.

BCBird · 28/08/2022 21:17

Hi
Why not wait till your daughter is born and then decide? You may feel.one of the names suits her.
My advice would be nit to chose a name the will be mispronouned asctgis will be a real pain for her.

ellieboolou · 28/08/2022 21:17

Elwen is nice, not keen on all the others you've listed, Ellen is nice too

factfile · 28/08/2022 21:15

Elwen - lovely. Also Arwen?
Francesca (Frankie) - Nice, classic
Freya - fine
Lyra - massively popular and of the moment, would defo avoid
Matilda - dull and overused
Theodora (Theo) - nice
Willow - bit dated now

Searchingforsunshine · 28/08/2022 21:14

Francesca is my favourite from the list.

lydiangel83 · 28/08/2022 21:12

I have a Francesca so love that :) like Elwen as it’s pretty and unusual

Whataboutitthen · 28/08/2022 21:11

Hazel

Sunshinegirl82 · 28/08/2022 21:09

Flora
Violet
Poppy
Luna
Lavender
Iris
Clementine
Ottilie
Wren
Ayla
Maren
Miranda
Posy

Thisdoesnotendwell · 28/08/2022 20:49

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