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Baby names

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

Is Frances Leonora too posh?

57 replies

fakeit2makeit · 23/07/2023 16:38

I think we would almost always call her Frankie, rather than Frances. I wouldn’t want Frankie on her BC because I have a thing about shortened names not being their given names… mostly because they often end with the same syllable as our last name (ee) and it sounds clunky when you say it all together.

But…does Frances Leonora give off privileged vibes that we don’t have? We’re a very average family. I might be overthinking it but I don’t want her to be judged inappropriately, or have people judge us because of a “wannabe” name choice.

I just think it’s very pretty. We already have a daughter and two nieces with L names so Leonora as a first name is a no go. Also my name begins with L!

Thanks! Be harsh if you need , I just want honest opinions

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RuthW · 25/07/2023 17:34

It's lovely

Brk · 25/07/2023 13:54

It’s lovely. I’d make her first name Leonora though, it’s just cooler than Frankie.

I also love Leona.

PossiblyNotOne · 25/07/2023 13:50

Can’t stand Frances, it’s so drab and dreary. Leonora is nice though.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 25/07/2023 13:18

I’m not too keen on Frances (but definitely prefer it to Francine). But there’s certainly nothing wrong for it.

Solid name combo, especially if you won’t be upset if she does end up with Fran/Frannie.

fakeit2makeit · 25/07/2023 11:32

@theresnolimits I do hate “Fran” but I feel like there are enough alternatives and if we never call her Fran then she won’t introduce herself as Fran. If it evolves and she likes it though then who am I to stop it

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theresnolimits · 25/07/2023 09:29

Get ready for Fran. Shortened version of Frances and Frankie. You can’t stop it from her friends …

fakeit2makeit · 25/07/2023 09:23

Thanks for all the responses! Seems like it’s not got posh vibes after all :)

Quite surprised by how polarising Frankie is though! But we like it so I’m not bothered when opinions just come down to personal preference. She can always go by Frances or France or even Leo if she doesn’t like it.

We aren’t keen on Francesca or Francine so sticking with Frances.

Francis used to be our choice for a boy so I’m a little surprised at people suggesting it for a girl as I always thought it was the masculine form.

Thanks again everyone x

OP posts:
ShoesoftheWorld · 25/07/2023 09:07

CrazyArmadilloLady · 24/07/2023 21:17

Francine Pascal - Sweet Valley High?

Yes! <nostalgia>

user1492757084 · 25/07/2023 08:53

Frances Leonora is a lovely name.
I don't think it sounds posh.

Frances Leonor and other variations are also not posh...
Francesca Leonie
Francine Leonora
Frances Ellinor

JetStreamComeBack · 24/07/2023 22:44

If you prefer Lenora jsut use that, doesn’t matter if you have another L name in the family, some parents do this deliberately! I know a few families with the kids have the same initial, it’s fine!
Also Frankie to me isn’t a shortened version as it’s the same syllables?
Just call her Frankie if you prefer that if you don’t call her Lenora. But Frances Lenora is still nice. No one ever says their middle names together and I couldn’t tell you my friends middle names.

fairycupcakes · 24/07/2023 22:41
  • would be nice also
fairycupcakes · 24/07/2023 22:41

I think it’s really elegant! Frances is lovely, much nicer than Frankie imo. Leonora - I do like but I think Francis Eleanor would also be nice also.

PickledScrump · 24/07/2023 22:22

to me Frances is the opposite of posh. Really not a nice name.

sparklelikeadiamond · 24/07/2023 21:19

Really dislike Frances. Leonora is beautiful. How about Francesca Leonora?

CrazyArmadilloLady · 24/07/2023 21:17

ShoesoftheWorld · 24/07/2023 21:14

Francine is ringing bells as a teen/YA novel author much read in my youth.

Francine Pascal - Sweet Valley High?

CrazyArmadilloLady · 24/07/2023 21:16

BungleandGeorge · 24/07/2023 21:07

And?
all the Frankie’s I know are Francesca. Most people use a nickname that is shorter than their actual name 🤷‍♀️

Regardless. It’s a nickname for Frances/Francis.

i’

ShoesoftheWorld · 24/07/2023 21:14

Francine is ringing bells as a teen/YA novel author much read in my youth.

ShoesoftheWorld · 24/07/2023 21:13

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 23/07/2023 19:17

Frances is lovely. Please call her Frances and not Frankie, which is not lovely at all.

Very much this. I love Leonora too, and it goes beautifully with Frances. A gorgeous, elegant, unusual combination.

BungleandGeorge · 24/07/2023 21:07

continentallentil · 23/07/2023 18:08

It isn’t. Francesca and Frances are versions of the same name.

And?
all the Frankie’s I know are Francesca. Most people use a nickname that is shorter than their actual name 🤷‍♀️

TurnerP · 23/07/2023 23:15

Rainbowfruitpunch · 23/07/2023 21:03

I think Francine is a bit fresher sounding than Frances, along the lines of Celine, Emmeline etc. I don’t think there’s such a thing as too posh a name, but I rarely see Frances in the telegraph birth announcements section, which is usually associated with “posh” people

Francine will make younger people automatically think of the American Dad animation? It does for me

Mammyloveswine · 23/07/2023 23:13

I think it's lovely!

Rainbowfruitpunch · 23/07/2023 21:03

I think Francine is a bit fresher sounding than Frances, along the lines of Celine, Emmeline etc. I don’t think there’s such a thing as too posh a name, but I rarely see Frances in the telegraph birth announcements section, which is usually associated with “posh” people

FayCarew · 23/07/2023 19:58

Frank is popular for boys, so she might end up being one of several Frankies

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 23/07/2023 19:17

Frances is lovely. Please call her Frances and not Frankie, which is not lovely at all.

BonjourCrisette · 23/07/2023 19:15

I don't like Frankie much but love Frances. Leonora also lovely. I don't think Frances is madly posh.