Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Do you like the name Romilly?

108 replies

BurntCrumpet · 12/02/2023 18:23

I'm stuck for a name for our little girl. I want something pretty but a bit unusual and I think I like the name Romilly but can't decide if it's a bit too uncommon. What do you think? I'm also not sure of a middle name but thinking it needs to be a one-syllable name so that it's not too much of a mouthful?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
mathanxiety · 20/06/2026 06:04

I have a little relative named Romilly. I can't say it out loud, but I dislike the name.

Romy doesn't really work as a nickname or diminutive, imo, because it has a long O sound, whereas Romilly has a short O sound.

Romy is a German language nickname or diminutive of Rosemarie.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 20/06/2026 00:46

Hate it. It’s a surname.

Giraffehaver · 19/06/2026 22:26

It was my favourite until DH pointed out the Romel connection

Calliopespa · 19/06/2026 09:12

Oh this is another zombie name thread. How do these keep popping up?

Calliopespa · 19/06/2026 09:10

TheYearOfSmallThings · 12/02/2023 18:44

I don't like it - it makes me think of Rommel

Yes, I came to say the same. It is quite a pretty name but immediately for me conjures up the Erwin Rommel association - a bit like Adolfa or Hitleria would be inseparable in my mind from Hitler.

Romillyringstrom · 18/06/2026 23:46

It's the best name in the world. Can't buy badges or mugs with your name on in gift shops but it's a small price to pay.

Sexypyjamas · 13/02/2023 16:40

@Newpuppymummy yes Romilly Rose is nice.
I like Rom too, Romy even.

KirstenBlest · 13/02/2023 16:34

@teezletangler , St Hilary was a pope in the 5th century

Ontopofthesunset · 13/02/2023 16:33

It just sounds like a surname to me and also seems to have military overtones - not sure if it is just the Rommel association, which I make too (since the 'i' in the middle of Romilly is unstressed and the 'e' at the end of Rommel is unstressed they sound the same when pronounced) but Captain Romilly sounds like someone from a BBC historic drama. At the same time it's kind of frilly and a bit fussy. I do know one person called this.

Thinkbiglittleone · 13/02/2023 16:26

Sophwoo · 13/02/2023 00:15

I lived in a placed called romiley and I would say it’s not for me but I have a girl called hattie which most people would hate so u go with your gut

I love the name Hattie. It's lovely.

Not so keen on Romiley though.

17caterpillars1mouse · 13/02/2023 16:17

I don't think it's that uncommon but I don't like it sorry

TheaBrandt · 13/02/2023 16:05

Biased as the only one I know is a great girl. She’s universally known as “Rom” tho

HoldtheCake · 13/02/2023 16:01

I have a 4 year old Romilly. Felt familiar but nothing that there'd be 2 in class (hopefully)

Nothing but compliments (to my face) but based in the South West

  • distant relatives from the Midlands had to be subtlety shown it wasn't Rom-Lee but rather three syllables...
fruitandfibreg · 13/02/2023 11:04

I really like it. I used to live near a place called Romilly park tho so I could never use it. Very pretty name though

goldenfoliage · 13/02/2023 09:33

Love Romilly

Enko · 13/02/2023 07:26

I'm not keen but it's a pretty normal name I doubt anyone will struggle to pronounce or spell it.

teezletangler · 13/02/2023 01:50

Hilary is not a place name. It's an ancient Greek and/or Roman word meaning 'cheerful'.

I meant "surname becoming a first name", in the sense that Hilary really wasn't used between the Middle Ages and the 20th century. It was a surname though, and was then revived as a first name.

Sophwoo · 13/02/2023 00:15

I lived in a placed called romiley and I would say it’s not for me but I have a girl called hattie which most people would hate so u go with your gut

SunonmyFace · 13/02/2023 00:14

Love it

Been hunting for the actress Romilly, but now know I was thinking of Romola Garai🤔

lovely name, and familiar in an Emily, Cecily kind of way

Orders76 · 13/02/2023 00:13

Also reminds me of the German Rommel.
Romy is so much nicer, or rosemary.

CosyFanTucci · 13/02/2023 00:11

Love it.

whatausername · 13/02/2023 00:09

BurntCrumpet · 12/02/2023 19:21

It's Romilly not Rommel-ly though. Thanks for your input anyway

Show quote history

If anything this thread has established you really do love the name! But you have piqued my curiosity, how are you pronouncing Rommel? I saw below how you are pronouncing Romilly and the Rommel/Romill portions really are the same!

Congrats on baby Romilly anyway, have you a middle name in mind?

whytesnow · 12/02/2023 23:24

Not really sounds like a nickname something different though

fellrunner85 · 12/02/2023 22:29

This one is going to have a geographical divide as everyone in the North West will automatically think "oh yes, between Bredbury and Hyde."

I think I'd quite like the name otherwise. But it's quite limiting as if she ever moved anywhere near Manchester it would be a total pain for her.

It's not really like other place-name names (India, Lewis, Chelsea, etc) as it's more rare and very specific.

GoodSister · 12/02/2023 22:20

Romilly Is a lovely name