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Baby names

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

Classic/not too popular names for a girl

64 replies

ab03 · 14/09/2022 17:19

We're expecting a baby girl in November but are really struggling to decide on a name. We like well-known but not overly trendy names but can't find one that stands out, and we thought we would have some picked out by now (8 weeks until due date)!

Do you have any thoughts on our current list, and would you suggest any others?

Elizabeth (was always our favourite, now a bit worried about using it and also can't agree which nn we would use!)
Beatrice (both love Bea but not sure if the full name is a bit awkward to say)
Eleanor (dh loves but I know loads of Ellies so don't really want the nn)
Rosanna (dh would prefer just Rosie but I'd like a formal option for her)
Imogen
Felicity
Hazel
Florence (I know it's my sister's favourite name but she's not planning kids imminently so would you consider anyway?)
Daisy (all our parents & grandparents suggest this and dh is starting to like it - I'm thinking maybe middle name though? I'm worried it will always sound like a little girl's name)

I also love the name Harriet but our surname sounds a bit like Apricot, so I don't think that works, and likewise a lot of names ending in 'a' don't seem to flow very well.

Hoping some fresh eyes and thoughts will help!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Fatballs · 14/09/2022 21:52

Hermione

caitlinrose · 14/09/2022 21:48

Elizabeth - it's fine to use. I think it's nice and I personally think that Liz is a really classic and pretty nickname.
Beatrice - it's fine, but not really a favourite of mine.
Eleanor - this is a name I only like the American pronunciation of. I love it but she'll probably get called Ellie as you said.
Rosanna - not a fan of this or Rosie but I do like Rose, Rosalia, Rosalind.
Imogen - fine but not a huge fan of this.
Felicity - cute.
Hazel - not bad.
Florence - no, I wouldn't consider it unless it is your absolute favourite. Your sister will have children at some point and if she has loved it for a long time and it's only one of many names you like I would leave it to her. I also personally dislike it.
Daisy - it's cute and I like it but sometimes wonder if it will age well.

Eleanor or Daisy out of these.

Suggestions:

Cassandra
Isabelle
Violet
Emmeline
Catherine
Josephine
Annabelle
Anastasia
Louisa
Rosalia
Rosalind
Rose
Maria
Christina
Evelyn
Phoebe
Penelope
Willa
Olive
Susannah

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 14/09/2022 21:44

Evelyn

Mumofgirls2017 · 14/09/2022 21:42

I like Daisy, Hazel and Elizabeth nn Eliza best. Other suggestions

clara
annabelle
rosalie
eloise
violet
dorothy
sadie
francesca
eva
alice
josephine
juliet

CatSeany · 14/09/2022 21:30

I know a Rosanna. I think it's a lovely name... she doesn't shorten it and it suits her really well. I also love Beatrice and think we would use that if we ever had another girl.

CaffiSaliMali · 14/09/2022 20:58

Inspired by another thread:

Helen/Helena
Henrietta
Josephine
Louisa
Caroline
Verity

Kassalah · 14/09/2022 20:51

Not Florence, since your sister likes it. Rosie or Daisy are names in their own right - go for one of those since you like them. (Plenty of adults are called Daisy btw).

CaffiSaliMali · 14/09/2022 20:48

Was going to say Juliet but maybe not if Harriet doesn't work with your surname.

Cassandra
Rose/Rosa/Rosalind/Rosaline/Rosemary for Rosie nickname
Susannah
Rachel
Maria
Marianne
Katharine
Miranda
Lydia
Alicia
Mary

I think Rosanna is my favourite from your list or Eleanor.

Margaret and Marguerite would work with Daisy as a nickname.

I would avoid Florence if your sister loves it and you don't love it as much.

ThatshallotBaby · 14/09/2022 20:44

I love Rosanna, Elizabeth, Frances and Felicity.
What about
Marianne

Honor

Marina

Emma

Marguerite possibly nn Daisy?

Alexandra

Constance

Clementine

Amanda

Ilikecheeseontoast · 14/09/2022 20:37

Sarah? Classic and so rare these days

JamSandle · 14/09/2022 20:33

Estella

bumpertobumper · 14/09/2022 20:31

Alice
Stella
Caroline/Carolyn
Jane
Penelope nn Penny

NinetyNineRedBalloonsGoBy · 14/09/2022 20:30

Nancy
Jessica
Rebekah

CallMeLinda · 14/09/2022 20:10

Laurel
Naomi
Helen / Helena
Tabitha
Lucy / Lucia
Isobel (not Isabelle!)
Phoebe
Esther

ExecutiveStrategyCoordinator · 14/09/2022 19:52

Don't take Florence if you're sister absolutely loves it and you're not totally smitten with it.

I like Elizabeth but wouldn't use it re monarchy connections.

Felicity

Verity

Eloise

Abigail

Francesca

Tiddlywinkly · 14/09/2022 19:51

The Florence I know is 'Flo' which I don't like. 'Daisy' to me is little girl name personally.

Tiddlywinkly · 14/09/2022 19:46

Lilian, Ada, Iris, Eliza, Constance, Adelaide, Genevieve

midsomermurderess · 14/09/2022 19:44

Frances.

Takingturnstogether · 14/09/2022 19:43

Marguerite with Daisy as nickname?

Bigoldmachine · 14/09/2022 19:41

I know two Eleanors - one shortens to Nell the other to Nellie.

caringcarer · 14/09/2022 19:36

Catherine
Charlotte
Lillianna
Izzabella
Claudia
Victoria

Vinylloving · 14/09/2022 19:21

Elizabeth
Beatrice
Eleanor - but not keen on Ellie
Felicity
Florence
Imogen
All lovely

Not keen on Rosanna, Hazel or Daisy

What about Jemima, Clara, Allegra, Isobel, Iris, Francesca, Celeste, Cecily

DotDotDotDotDot · 14/09/2022 19:17

I love Felicity and Imogen from your list. Least favourite is Beatrice, although I do like Beatrix somehow.
I’d leave Florence for your sister as it’s her favourite name. It’s massively popular anyway so I’d avoid personally.

Thighdentitycrisis · 14/09/2022 17:58

Helen
Juliet
Sarah
Emma
Jane
Christina
Alexandra
Suzannah
Wendy (not classic but rarely used)

SunshineLollipopsAndRainbows · 14/09/2022 17:40

I also love Briony & Briar