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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sister for Barnaby…shortlist of 10

54 replies

Indecisivenamer · 19/10/2022 15:35

Got some useful feedback on here earlier in the summer on what was then a ridiculously long list of girls names. A name for a sister for Barnaby due any week now!

Narrowed it down to the below 10:
Stella
Sydney
Etta/Odette
Una
Alva
Primrose
Marnie
Remi
Meadow
Romilly/Romy

Any comments/favourites amongst these?

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DeeDeeDaisy · 21/10/2022 18:59

Stella - never been a fan of this name. There's nothing really wrong with it though
Sydney - not keen on place names, agree with pp very different vibe to Barnaby
Etta/Odette - I like both of these
Una - I have a great aunt with this name. I have never imagined it on a little girl until now. Think it might be quite cute
Alva - I just think of Alvin (and the chipmunks) sorry!
Primrose - I like it, can always shorten to Prim or Rose too
Marnie - nice, unusual
Remi - is this a rat on Ratatouille?
Meadow - don't think I could take an adult woman seriously with this name
Romilly/Romy - I like Romilly. Prefer Milly as a nn

Original poster
Indecisivenamer · 21/10/2022 10:00

Laughing at the Remi old French bloke comments. I discovered that name from Otis's dad in Sex Education now I come to think of it 😆

OP posts:
Original poster
Indecisivenamer · 21/10/2022 09:57

Thanks everyone, some really helpful feedback here. Lots of different favourites amongst the comments but guess that's always the way with names opinions!

Barnaby is only ever known as Barnaby or Barnes but a v good point about Marnie...wouldn't be surprised if his friends end up calling him Barney later down the line so guess we should probably rule that one out.

Estella was on our original list - will consider that one again as it's the whole lager link thing that slightly puts me off Stella. Estelle has unfortunately been ruined for me by Joey's manager in Friends despite it being a lovely name!

OP posts:
ChocFrog · 20/10/2022 23:24

Stella - Nice
Sydney - Nope.
Etta/Odette - Love them
Una - Nope. Too many jokes at school.
Alva - Love it
Primrose - Cute on a child, bit weird on adult
Marnie - Not a good fit for Barny’s sister
Remi - Nice
Meadow - No no no!! It’s a field not a name
Romilly/Romy - Nice

AlwaysLatte · 20/10/2022 23:11

(Of your list I like Stella and Sydney)

AlwaysLatte · 20/10/2022 23:10

One of my friends has a lovely name - Euphemia (Effie for short). I love that but we had all boys!

DramaAlpaca · 20/10/2022 23:07

I like Stella and Marnie.

I strongly dislike the rest, sorry.

Northbynorthbreast · 20/10/2022 23:04

Or maybe Roma?

Northbynorthbreast · 20/10/2022 23:03

I have a Barnaby/ Barney. I’d go with Celia if I ever had a girl.

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 20/10/2022 23:00

I would choose Alva, how pretty!

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 20/10/2022 23:00

Dunno.
When I read thread titles like this I always instinctively think of a name
"Barnaby and Alice" sprung to mind.

EstellaRijnveld · 20/10/2022 22:57

How about Estella? ; )

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/10/2022 22:26

Yes:
Stella - sparky and goes nicely
Una - as long as you spell it Oona then it’s a great name and goes well

OK:
Romilly - Barnaby and Romilly is bit matchy matchy tho
Etta is OK, but Odette just makes me think of a bad smell, so Etta short for Juliet, Violet or Henrietta instead

No
Sydney - I like it, but because it’s mostly a boys name, and has a similar feel to Barnaby, people will absolutely think ‘Barney and Sydney’ are your two boys, and that really isn’t fair on her
Alva - barmaid
Primrose - wet
Marnie - You cannot have Marnie and Barney, come on
Remi - an old French bloke
Meadow - increasingly low rent like River, Skye and Ocean. Also a bizarre combo with Barnaby

Algor1thm · 20/10/2022 22:14

Estella MUCH prettier than Stella with nicer connotations

Algor1thm · 20/10/2022 22:13

Like:
Etta
Alva - prefer Alba though
Primrose - don't think I'd use it but do like it

Dislike:
Stella - always 'wife beater' lager to me
Sydney - boy's name to me
Odette
Una
Marnie
Remi - really like for a boy
Meadow - pretty but maybe a bit much day to day
Romilly/Romy - I'm actually indifferent about these, prefer Romy

sunflowerdaisyrose · 20/10/2022 07:53

Sydney is ok. The others aren't to my taste.

AnnapurnaSanctuary · 20/10/2022 07:09

Etta is my favourite

KirstenBlest · 20/10/2022 07:09

How about Estella?

KirstenBlest · 20/10/2022 07:08

Stella - like
Sydney - not sure. Sidonie is better
Etta/Odette - No
Una - like
Alva - no
Primrose - not sure
Marnie - Barny and Marnie?
Remi - no
Meadow - no
Romilly/Romy - no

bloominglovelyorange · 20/10/2022 06:42

i like marnie

Romy I'd avoid as Roman is THE fastest rising boy name (currently number 23 but still rising) and the shortening of that is often Rome or Romy so her name will blend in with that hugely popular name Roman

Mummysharkdoodoodoodoodoodoo · 20/10/2022 05:57

Hang on, you can’t have Barney and Marnie. Although I love Marnie I’d knock it off the list for that reason. I’d choose Stella.

Mummysharkdoodoodoodoodoodoo · 20/10/2022 05:55

Stella - nice
Sydney - it’s okay but I think it would sound odd with Barnaby (although if it was a boy would go okay)
Etta/Odette - nice
Una - a bit boring
Alva - vulva
Primrose - nice
Marnie - nice
Remi - it’s a boys name
Meadow - nice but a bit cheesy at the same time
Romilly/Romy - Romy is nice but Romilly reminds me of Rommel.

BasiliskStare · 20/10/2022 04:30

Stella by a country mile for me for what it is worth.

All best to you

MrsEricBana · 20/10/2022 04:22

Stella for me, really jumps out.

mathanxiety · 20/10/2022 03:36

I love:

Barnaby and Stella
Barnaby and Sydney
Barnaby and Primrose
Barnaby and Romy

Not too keen on Romilly with Barnaby. Too rhymey.

Romy is a diminutive of Rosemary, not Romilly.