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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ffion, Zoe, Alexandra or Isabella?

60 replies

SpaceHopperHayls · 18/02/2008 13:27

Ffion is currently the frontrunner, especially as I am due to give birth the day after St David's Day. We are Welsh but currently living in Oxfordshire, which is why we'd like a Welsh name.

I'm still being drawn by the other three though. Bloke doesn't like Isabella - our surname starts with a B, and he thinks it sounds a bit clunky.

Any opinions welcomed, please!

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indignatio · 19/02/2008 08:51

Listen to Anna - Ffion really doesn't travel well - especially to France

GooseyLoosey · 19/02/2008 08:45

I like Isabella. I'm afraid Ffion brings to mind William Hague's wife, Irish dh also says he would pronounce it "Finn".

However, you go with what best suits you. My dcs have very Irish names and I am sure that there are many English people who think that they are God awful.

SSSandy2 · 19/02/2008 08:38

From the names you've given here, I only really like Alexandra

Original poster
SpaceHopperHayls · 19/02/2008 08:25

Thanks everyone.

We did the kick test last night, and baby seems to prefer Ffion

OP posts:
MsCD · 18/02/2008 19:24

Having been one of 5 Catherine's in my class I allways wanted a name that was different. Chose Ava for DD then Mylene followed suit - oh well.
Having said that maybe you should wait until she arrives and see which name suits her best. Good luck!

bookwormmum · 18/02/2008 19:20

Ah, that is pretty. I'd bet that a few people might struggle to spell or pronounce it outside of Wales though.

collision · 18/02/2008 19:16

bookworm.....it is Fee-yon.

harpsichordcarrier · 18/02/2008 19:16

Alexandra is my favourite. classic and she can shorten it to Alex or Lexie or Sandy or anything else she likes
Isabella is very close to lots of other popular names at the moment. Zoe I don't mind but it isn't as lovely as Alexandra
Ffion doesn't translate too well to Oxon imo

collision · 18/02/2008 19:15

none of them!

Not keen on Ffion or Zoe at all.

Alexandra and Isabelle are quite common and will be shortened...Alex and Belle.....

bookwormmum · 18/02/2008 19:14

And I don't know how to pronounce Ffion either .

bookwormmum · 18/02/2008 19:13

Zoe is my DN's name. I prefer Alexandra to Isabella.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 18/02/2008 19:10

Alexandra, Isabella or Zoe (in this order). Not keen on Ffion, perhaps because I don't know how to pronounce it. Is it Fi-on?

msappropriate · 18/02/2008 19:07

I only like Alexandra.

newgirl · 18/02/2008 19:07

i like all of them

ffion not that unusual although people may spell it wrong - mind you they may spell isabella and zoe(y) wrong too

ladette · 18/02/2008 18:58

Zoe is my fave. Wanted to call DD Zoe but DH didn't like it and we settled on something else we both liked. I like all your other choices too.

Original poster
SpaceHopperHayls · 18/02/2008 18:12

Squiffy

OP posts:
noddyholder · 18/02/2008 17:08

isabella and zoe

Squiffy · 18/02/2008 17:04

You could always call her 'Falex', with the first 'F' silent?

Califrau · 18/02/2008 17:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NorthernLurker · 18/02/2008 16:51

Ffion or Zoe

cushioncover · 18/02/2008 16:50

Ffion is a perfectly pretty acceptable name to use as you're Welsh.
Alexandra is my favourite, though I prefer Lexie for short rather than Alex.
Isabella is a pretty name but I do know 2 toddlers called Isabella. Also know a toddler called Isobel.
Zoe is my least favourite by far.

themildmanneredjanitor · 18/02/2008 14:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

vInTaGeVioLeT · 18/02/2008 14:09

ffion is lovely

DRAGON30 · 18/02/2008 13:54

Go for Ffion, its lovely. I may be biased, as I am Welsh too, and all our family have Welsh names. Don't be put off by people struggling a bit with the spelling, as DD1 (Eleri age 5)says, 'it only shows their ignorance!'I think the other choices are too common now, particularly Isabella. There are 4 Isobels/Isabelles/Isabellas at DD2 Nursery, and there are only 11 girls enroled!

StealthPolarBear · 18/02/2008 13:51

I like all of them, can see that Isabella might not go well with a surname beginning with B.