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Baby names

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

Original poster

Pick me a new name!

86 replies

NewNames23 · 10/05/2023 22:36

Makes a change from baby names I guess Grin

I am wanting to change my first name and need ideas. Criteria is that it has to be obviously female and not mistaken for any other name or be able to be spelled or pronounced a different way. Can't use my middle name as nobody can spell that

I've NC so I can give you my name now if anyone wants to know
Nothing is jumping out at me so turning to MN for names I might not have thought of

And I'm 41 Smile

OP posts:
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cptartapp · 16/05/2023 19:49

Natalie

PickledScrump · 16/05/2023 19:29

I’m surprised people have such trouble with such a well known name as Danielle. Who are those idiots?

Id avoid Iona as there is different pronounciations.

Something like Dana is great. Not too wildly different but an established name

Madcats · 16/05/2023 18:56

Oh this is fun.

Can you just go up the family tree a couple of generations to pick a name?

-What is your stance on abbreviations?
-Will you get cross if people can't spell the thing? "Phoebe" is not great for that

  • Would you like a name that can be abbreviated 1+ times for different friendship/work groups (Elizabeth = Liz+ Beth+Betty or Eliza)?

How many syllables in your surname and does it start with a vowel?

Names (sort of) date a person so it might be worth googling the "Times top girls names DoB"

pineapple360 · 16/05/2023 18:39

Eleanor
Catherine
Naomi
Rachel

Giselletheunicorn · 16/05/2023 18:33

OP, you must let us know what you eventually decide...

Giselletheunicorn · 16/05/2023 18:33

Anya
Alice
Hazel
Phoebe
Chloe
Lucy
Grace
Emma
Fiona
Elizabeth
Rachel
Caroline
Freya

Lessstressedhemum · 12/05/2023 09:52

Grainne
Alathea
Aoife

Whichnumbers · 11/05/2023 17:50

Ivy
Ruby

I like Dana, I only ever met one lady with this name and she was/is lovely

Its easy to spell and surely can only be spelt one way, which is just how it sounds

RuthTopp · 11/05/2023 16:45

In your words of wanting a name that people don't ' fuck up ' , I think you will have to go for something fairly plain & simple - Mary , Rose , Julie , Susan , Claire , Jane , one syllable type of name.

CurlewKate · 11/05/2023 16:39

Clare
Grace
Sarah
Emma
Mary
Kate
Maud
Rose

cunningartificer · 11/05/2023 15:47

I agree that using something that's a version of your own name would be good, especially if you don't yourself dislike it! Good names to avoid confusion would be Nell (love this), Elle, Dee Dee, Ellie or Della.

Coronationstation · 11/05/2023 11:13

I know quite a few alternative spellings of some of these suggestions.....Lucy / Lucie, Rachel / Rachael, Sophie / Sofie, Emily / Emilie, Holly / Hollie, Jasmine / Jazmin / Jasmin.....

You're a couple of years younger than me but typical names among my peers that I don't think you'd spell any other way are:
Mary
Helen
Emma
Sarah
Ruth
Victoria (but then I know a Vicky and a Vikki!)
Jennifer
Charlotte
Joanne (could be confused with Joanna?)
Alison
Susan
Elaine
Wendy
Fiona
Laura
Lisa
Natalie
Caroline
Lorna
Anna
Margaret
Hazel
Heather

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 11/05/2023 10:44

NewNames23 · 11/05/2023 09:49

I'm with you, I don't mind my name! It's only been an issue the past few years but I work in a job where I introduce myself by name every day and it's getting tiring

I did correct someone yesterday and they blamed autocorrect
The day before I corrected them and they said "yes, Daniel"

Just want a name that people can't fuck up and my manager is happy to let me live with a name for a week to try it out (he said as long as I tell him on a Monday what name I'm using)

If you imagine your own name and then imagine every single time you get an email/letter, introduce yourself, go to the doctors/hospital they call you the opposite sex...

Show quote history

In that case I agree with pp, I would also suggest trying a version of Danielle.

Dana is lovely imo.

Sugarfree23 · 11/05/2023 10:01

Or even Dani as in Dani Minogue

Sugarfree23 · 11/05/2023 10:00

Op I'd go for a dimutive of Danielle, that way you don't need to change absolutely everything.
Passports, driving licence, banks, pensions, mortgages, house deeds, utility companies and loads more you haven't thought about.

Dana
Ellie
Annie

Original poster
NewNames23 · 11/05/2023 09:49

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 11/05/2023 08:44

I just wanted to come back and express my agreement with a previous poster.

Danielle is a great name imo. I actually really like it.

But it is (obviously) your choice and it does sound like you have considered this carefully.

I'm with you, I don't mind my name! It's only been an issue the past few years but I work in a job where I introduce myself by name every day and it's getting tiring

I did correct someone yesterday and they blamed autocorrect
The day before I corrected them and they said "yes, Daniel"

Just want a name that people can't fuck up and my manager is happy to let me live with a name for a week to try it out (he said as long as I tell him on a Monday what name I'm using)

If you imagine your own name and then imagine every single time you get an email/letter, introduce yourself, go to the doctors/hospital they call you the opposite sex...

OP posts:
BatFaceOwl · 11/05/2023 09:44

Julia?

Original poster
NewNames23 · 11/05/2023 09:43

goldenlocks · 11/05/2023 08:32

Changing a name is a big deal. I am surprised you are doing this. Obviously your choice and I wish you well, but are you aure about this?

It's just a name for me, I don't really have much attachment to it apart from wanting people to get it right!

OP posts:
Original poster
NewNames23 · 11/05/2023 09:42

Nousernamesleftatall · 11/05/2023 08:40

Who cares if some strangers call you Daniel by email or letter? Your name is lovely.

It's constant and it upsets me

It's effectively calling me a man when I'm stood in front of them and I'm sick of correcting people

OP posts:
Champsandbubbles · 11/05/2023 09:39

I think Elle, as shortened version of your current , so easy for everyone to adapt too

SneezyEvie · 11/05/2023 09:35

I’d suggest going by Elle or Ellie

Teawithnosugarplease · 11/05/2023 09:30

I'd go for something that fits with the decade you were born in.
If I was going to change my name (which I'd be tempted to do for my PTSD), I wouldn't go with anything like Isla, Ava or Ruby as there are not any of those in my age range/ era. It would just stand out as not fitting with the year I was born in.

If I was going to change my name I would probably go for Emma or Anna. Maybe Kate or Laura.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 11/05/2023 08:44

I just wanted to come back and express my agreement with a previous poster.

Danielle is a great name imo. I actually really like it.

But it is (obviously) your choice and it does sound like you have considered this carefully.

Nousernamesleftatall · 11/05/2023 08:40

Who cares if some strangers call you Daniel by email or letter? Your name is lovely.

goldenlocks · 11/05/2023 08:32

Changing a name is a big deal. I am surprised you are doing this. Obviously your choice and I wish you well, but are you aure about this?