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Baby names

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

Original poster

DD due 2 weeks and DH has changed his mind..

111 replies

Whyisitsosohard · 04/05/2023 06:28

I won't say what the name we'd agreed on was as I'm still hoping to use it but I need some back up options in case he refuses.

I like:

Betty
Penny
Birdy
Bonnie
Connie
Saffy
Daphne

The issue is I don't always like the longer formal versions (Bridget, Saffron, Elizabeth, Penelope, Constance). I want something easy to spell and that works on an adult as well as a baby/toddler.

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willWillSmithsmith · 04/05/2023 12:05

Another name I think fits with your style is Marnie.

willWillSmithsmith · 04/05/2023 12:04

Out of that list I’d choose Penny but I think one that’s already been suggested would be a good name is Sadie. I think it’s a really cool name.

Crikeyalmighty · 04/05/2023 11:56

Other ones that are short or have a shortened version that might be your style

Dora
Matilda (Tilly)
Charlotte (Lottie)
Alexandra (Lexie)
Polly
Eloise (Ella or LuLu )

UrsulaBelle · 04/05/2023 11:27

In fact, my aunt Margaret (95) is always Marnie.

Womencanlift · 04/05/2023 11:26

Whyisitsosohard · 04/05/2023 09:07

I like Pea too for Penelope. Nina and Lara are slightly more 'grown up' options people have mentioned that are less cutesy. I do like the more old fashioned ones though..

But she is going to be a grown up one day and having a ‘cutesy’ name may be nice when they are a toddler but may not be suitable when they are an adult. I would hate having to introduce myself in a professional setting with some of the names you have noted

I would formally give her the full name and call her the cutest name and your child can then make her own choice when she is older what she wants to be known as

UrsulaBelle · 04/05/2023 11:24

Margaret gives lots of nickname potential.
Maggie, Meg, Peggy, Margot, Daisy, Pearl.
Same with Elizabeth.
Lizzie, Eliza, Libby, Beth, Betty, Bess, Bessie.

JuneOsborne · 04/05/2023 11:21

I think Daphne is just lovely!

ItsNotWhatItsNot · 04/05/2023 11:18

Birdy Pee.

I would hate to be called birdy, catty, horsey etc. Surely it’s a typo of Bridie?

Neverquitehappy · 04/05/2023 11:14

Pippa

user1492757084 · 04/05/2023 11:13

Bridget is a beautiful name.
Bridie is lovely for a woman and Birdie for a girl.

I also like Bonnie, and Daphne only as a second name as I don't like Daffy.

Do you like..
Heidi
Dulcie
Eliza
Rosemary - Rosie
Mary - Maisie
Finella - Fifi
Maggie

Spcd · 04/05/2023 11:11

Lucy
Sophie
Zoe
Chloe
Brontë
Cally (Calista)
Emi
Georgia/Georgina (nn Georgie)
Abigail (nn Abby)
Madeline (nn Maddie)
Matilda (nn Matty/ Tilly)
Any of the Ros... names (Rosalind, Rosamund, Rosalie, Rosemary) with nn Rosie

Goldbar · 04/05/2023 11:06

Leonie/Leonora (Leo)
Eleanor (Nell)
Adeline (Addy/Deli)
Delphine (Fe)
Harriet (Hatty)
Cordelia (Deli)
Elowyn (Winnie)
Francesca/Frances (Fran/Frankie)
Margaret (Meg/Molly)
Meredith (Merry)
Althea/Alethea (Thea)

SheilaFentiman · 04/05/2023 11:00

Elodie

Tamara would also give you Tammy

GalaApples · 04/05/2023 11:00

What about Leila? It is a full name but still short.

Henbags · 04/05/2023 10:57

My 96 year old grandma is called Daphne so it’s a definite no-no to me! Also makes me think of the cartoon character from Scooby Doo, and Daphnia which is a crustacean..

JenniferBarkley · 04/05/2023 10:51

I usually hate cutesie names, but I actually love Birdy as a nickname. Not on the roll at school, but within the family.

I don't have the same taste, so I'm trying to think of my DCs' friends' names...

Poppy
Cora
Ada
Lottie
Harper
Lily/Lillie
Betsy
Audrey
Julie

LAMPS1 · 04/05/2023 10:46

Elinor …Ellie, Elle, Nora, Leni.

Confusion101 · 04/05/2023 10:43

silentpool · 04/05/2023 09:49

Please consider giving her a business card worthy name. I have a longer name, which is always shortened but I can bring out the full version when I need gravitas.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Any name is business card worthy.... You just type it on the business card and fucking print it off!

Mseddy · 04/05/2023 10:42

If you like old names my DD is Alma. Although it can only really be shortened to Ali or Al. It's definitely a marmite name, but we love it obviously.
My husband was on the fence and then decided he liked it when she was born, so you may get your original name choice anyway

MindIfISlytherin · 04/05/2023 10:33

I love Daphne but would be worried it's a bit 'of its time' with Bridgerton still being popular.
How about a flower name? They can be cute for toddlers but still a 'proper name' for adulthood.

Also going to suggest:
Harriet (nn Hatty)
Thaddea (I adore this name)
Deirdre (nn DeeDee)
Fiona (nn Fi or FiFi)
Florence (nn Flo)

Also if you're not a fan of Constance, I went to uni with someone with the Portuguese or Spanish version of the name (Contancia) which sounds a bit prettier.

cordelia16 · 04/05/2023 10:32

If you like Nina except for the fire engine sound, what about Mina?

Puffalicious · 04/05/2023 10:32

Throwing my tuppenceworth in.

I love Fi/ Fie

I have two gorgeous friends who are both Fiona, but are nn Fi/ Fie. Also works , as mentioned, for Phoebe.

I know a teen Penelope who goes by Pen- love that.

Catriona nn Cat or Cate/ Kate. But I know it's v Scottish. (All my favourite names are, because I live here 😆).

I also have a lovely friend Tash (Natasha) which I've always liked.

Brisland · 04/05/2023 10:20

Please don’t call your daughter by the nickname P (or Pea or Pee). Kids and parents can be cruel.

CoolCalmCollected · 04/05/2023 10:16

I'm obviously in the minority but I love Birdy 🤗
I also like Connie and Betty from your list.

How about Dorothy / Dotty?

FernGully43 · 04/05/2023 10:14

I love Penny and Bonnie.

Please for the love of all things holy, don't call your child Birdy...