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Baby names

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

Original poster

Are these names too similar?!

28 replies

avaj · 11/03/2008 12:51

Help, due date tommorrow and having a name panic! Dont know what we are having, but have got really stuck on girls names (as hubby has no taste and keeps disagreing with me!)

Our wee girl is called Ava, and I have just thought of Mara as a possibility for no.2, but is it too similer in sound to Ava?????? Does anyone have any other suggestions? I also like Lily, Jenna and Jessica.

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Original poster
avaj · 11/03/2008 19:15

Cheers Paula fan!

The hindu and buddhist meanings don't put me off, I will stick with the gaelic meaning of 'the sea' - a bit less traumatising!

I guess you just have to stick with what you like (and hope she doesn't become a buddhist)

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PaulaYatesBiggestFan · 11/03/2008 18:03

stick with Mara

they sound beautiful not at all similar and both sophisticated and a wee bit different

dont be swayed they are lovely good luck

Ellbell · 11/03/2008 17:57

Aha, Cote... so it wasn't just me!

Kimi · 11/03/2008 16:31

Mara is nice but lily is better

CoteDAzur · 11/03/2008 16:28

Apparently, Mara is a demon in Buddhism and Goddess of Death in Hinduism.

Sorry, not to rain on your parade, but I am assuming your would like to know.

CoteDAzur · 11/03/2008 16:25

I hope you like Ave Maria.

Ellbell · 11/03/2008 16:19

Or Chiara

Sidge · 11/03/2008 14:50

I'm not keen on Mara.

I love Clara though.

DeeRiguer · 11/03/2008 14:48

mara is lovely name
ava too

go with your gut feelings..

CantSleepWontSleep · 11/03/2008 14:48

Is Mara actually a name?! I know it as an animal that roams freely at Whipsnade Zoo. Not keen at all sorry.

Jessica is lovely but very popular.

bluenosesaint · 11/03/2008 14:44

I don't like Mara but think all your other choices are lovely.

Lily is very popular in these parts (not sure if that bothers you or not?)
Jessica is a beautiful, timeless name
Jenna is gorgeous! I love this and it was on my list for dd3, but don't like the shortened version of 'Jen' (which my dad would definitely have called her!)

Good luck

Original poster
avaj · 11/03/2008 14:29

Tee Hee, never thought of Masai Mara, will not point this out to dh though!

Did think of Lara, but couldn't get Lara Croft out my head.

Oh the trials! Feedbacks not been as bad as I feared though!

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MyMummiesAScummyMummy · 11/03/2008 14:24

Good luck! I do like Mara, and Ava's my fave, its my dd2's name. Good taste!

girlfrommars · 11/03/2008 14:15

Do you know about this Jenna? I do like the name though.

cece · 11/03/2008 13:52

I really like the name Jenna - used ot know one a few years ago and a really nice girl

mrsruffallo · 11/03/2008 13:50

I don't like Jenna at all

Ellbell · 11/03/2008 13:34

Ava and Mara remind me a bit of the 'Ave Maria', but I do tend to make links like this. (Didn't call DD1 Emily Charlotte lest someone think I had a Bronte obsession, can't quite get head around friend whose ds's are called George and Elliot; but I think I'm the only one who makes these connections!).

Do you pronounce Ava as 'ah-vah' or 'ay-vah' (iyswim). It's less like Mara if you pronounce it the 2nd way.

FWIW I like Mara. I also like Jenna a lot.

Good luck!

peasholme · 11/03/2008 13:27

Um, this might not put you off, but did you know that Mara is the Buddhist equivalent of the devil?

nickytwotimes · 11/03/2008 13:26

Sound good to me. Mara's gealic for sea, btw, but yo uprobably know this...

hanaflower · 11/03/2008 13:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Twinkie1 · 11/03/2008 13:17

Mara a bit Myra (like child killer!) Yuck!

leifmum · 11/03/2008 13:15

mara is also the name of a large deer like rodent. very cute imo but not everyone would agree!

soph28 · 11/03/2008 13:08

Georgia was def my favourite when we were choosing for dc1 but dh hates it so it won't be that!

Aren't dh's a pain! I think mum's should have the majority vote bearing in mind what we have to go through to have a baby

mrsruffallo · 11/03/2008 13:05

Sorry don't like Mara. I like Martha tho'

Original poster
avaj · 11/03/2008 13:02

Thanks, its good to get some feedback, as I haven't tried out Mara on anyone yet!

I like all the above names, but Georgia is my fave, goes nice with your others too.

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