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Baby names

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

Original poster

Girls baby names that are "cool, but not Americanised"

131 replies

tax19 · 04/06/2023 08:01

Hello

So we are having a surprise born august.
We have decided a boys name but cannot decide a girls name.
I like Nina but DH has vetoed
He likes Marnie I have vetoed on the ground it's a bit American.
We are looking for something shortish, just a bit hip and cool but not to out there. Even something a bit "surfery".
Any suggestions welcome!

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user1492757084 · 05/06/2023 08:03

A little bit surfie and not Americanised, but not too long...

Shelley
Sandra
Betsy
Bridie
Belinda - Bells
Azure
Eliza
Skye
Marina
Josie
Alanna
Layne - after Layne Beachley

mathanxiety · 05/06/2023 05:04

Nyah
Lara
Shea
Carrie
Keeley
Kaia
Laine
Summer
Sydney
Hayley

beccahamlet · 05/06/2023 05:03

August

mathanxiety · 05/06/2023 05:00

There are loads of Nias in my neck of the woods - it's especially popular among African Americans.

mathanxiety · 05/06/2023 04:58

I'm in America, and I have never met a single Marnie here. Just as well - it's not a great name imo.

Suggestions-
Eden
Laurie
June
Aria
Sarai
Romy
Eily

octoberfarm · 05/06/2023 03:47

Ada
Noa
Seren
Wren
Aspen
Asha
Keira

MirandaBlu · 05/06/2023 01:13

Marnie is one of the main characters in "Girls" (the Lena Dunham series). At one point she has a rant at her (neglectful but oblivious) mother saying, "Marnie is a nothing name". The mother, obviously hurt, explains that she chose it specially for her daughter, taking her own name (Marie) and making it "even more special". Marnie's response? "MY MIDDLE NAME IS MARIE!!" 😅

I like Marina and Nina a lot.

How about:
Alannah
Annika
Blake
Carly
Dagny
Fern
Greer
Hope
Ione
Ivy
Noa
Oona
Romy
Sage
Sela
Tess(a)
Zoia

Ivyiris · 05/06/2023 01:11

Molly

FindingTheFox · 05/06/2023 00:59

Rowan
Brody
Robyn
Seren
Selene
Romilly
Zara

Sugarfree23 · 05/06/2023 00:41

Not sure why but the first name that came to me was Martina.

Ellie450 · 05/06/2023 00:34

lemonyellows · 04/06/2023 18:04

Most surfer type names are American aren't they??

Yes. Modern surfing was developed and popularized mostly in Hawaii and California, so any classic surfer names are going to be somewhat American.

I’ve lived in the UK and the US and never met a Marnie in the latter, so no it is not “Americanized.”

Pearfacebananapoopanickle · 05/06/2023 00:09

Dina (!)

Jodie

Bobbie

Jamie

Assssssssssss · 05/06/2023 00:06

Assssssssssss · 05/06/2023 00:05

Dorethy

Opps I mean Dorathy

Assssssssssss · 05/06/2023 00:05

Dorethy

OhMerseyMe · 05/06/2023 00:05

I am American and have never known, nor heard of, anyone named Marnie. I would not name my child Marnie, just because I personally do not like it, but it is not an American name.

Congratulations on your new little one!

Ellmau · 04/06/2023 23:57

Rowan
Lara
Sasha
Zara
Zita
Mara
Aster
Astra
Vere

Ilovedthe70s · 04/06/2023 20:49

Tyler.

Point Break, great film.

RosaSkye · 04/06/2023 20:17

Mari
Elvie
Leni
Jessie
Cora
Rae
Iris

Jeannie88 · 04/06/2023 18:55

Maisie
Isabelle (Izzy)
Ava
Mia
Liesl
Lottie
Molly
Marion
Amber
These were my favourites for a girl. X

Shopper727 · 04/06/2023 18:46

Marnie is a nice name, my friend (who is in her 50’s & English) is a Marnie can’t say I thought it was American. So many pretty welsh names Alys is lovely I like alba for a girl though / not welsh though I know

Loopyloo159 · 04/06/2023 18:41

Suki
Dora
Olive

Wellnowlookhere · 04/06/2023 18:41

I once had a hairstylist called Ocea. Like ocean but missing the ‘n’. It’s always stuck with me as it seemed a super cool name - she was one of those super cool girls but also nice. If you’re after a beachy cool name, that’s a good one. I guess you could spell it differently too if you wanted.

Newnamenewname109870 · 04/06/2023 18:39

Rhea
Gaia
Juno

Newnamenewname109870 · 04/06/2023 18:39

Clarissa
Dido
Bethan

OverCCCs · 04/06/2023 18:38

MissConductUS · 04/06/2023 18:26

I'm an American and have never met anyone named Marnie. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone with that name either.

Why do you think it's particularly American?

Agreed. Maybe there are a dozen or so elderly Marnies floating around among the millions of Americans, but I’d be stunned to meet one under 40. It’s a frumpy name to American ears.

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