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Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby nearly 3 weeks old. No name yet!

61 replies

ToBeNamed · 03/12/2023 15:24

Keen to finalise asap. Please help.

Shortlist:
Etta (possibly Arietta)
Phoebe
Islia (anglicised take on Eilir)

Older sibling has a flower name, with Welsh middle name (one of my parents has Welsh background).

Wanting fresh sounding and somewhat different name that’s likely to suit across ages.

Most shortlisted names have an issue of some kind e.g. someone very recently used same name or used similar name in past; or concerns about spelling.

Please be kind. My first time posting.

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wherethewildtbingsgo · 05/12/2023 16:42

I'm sure you've already decided but Phoebe is my favourite from your list.

Weirdly there are a couple of grown up Etta's at my DC nursery (teachers) and I always think it's such an insubstantial name and sounds sort of gimmicky. So I would avoid that.

How about Eliza if you like Elsa?

KirstenBlest · 05/12/2023 14:26

Einir is definitely a girl's name, which is said to be a form of the name 'Honor'. Nothing to do with Eilir (boy's name).

I would like to suggest Greta.

There are lots of lovely welsh names.

Nineteendays · 04/12/2023 22:03

Phoebe. I think Arietta is too frilly and I don’t like islia because it looks made up. It doesn’t sound like Einir which is a male name as far as I’m aware anyway.

other ideas
Cleo
Nansi/Nancy
Henrietta/Hettie
Catrin
Cadi (pronounced like caddy)

theduchessofspork · 04/12/2023 22:02

I think I’d go with Phoebe

Also quite like Elsa

other thoughts

Ffion (Welsh - Foxglove)
Zoe
Stella (Star)
Ida
Philippa nn Pippa
Clara
Ines / Inez
Esther
Cleo
Verity
Felicity
Ismene (Iz-mee-nee)
Ianthe

LittleGreenDuck · 04/12/2023 21:55

I actually really like Etta. Can't stand Phoebe and I think Islia would get mangled.

resm · 04/12/2023 21:26

Another vote for Etta! Phoebe is nice too.

PickledScrump · 04/12/2023 19:26

Etta is lovely, we had it on our shortlist. I love Elsie too. Not such a fan of the others, they feel very different to lily. I think Lily and Elsie work best together.

We also had Esther on our list which is similar to Etta, might be one to consider

KirstenBlest · 04/12/2023 11:30

like one name when said together with Lily - Lillianetta. it does.
Elsie is a better suggestion.

SoapySnowflake · 04/12/2023 11:13

I like Etta but it sounds a bit like one name when said together with Lily - Lillianetta.

I think Phoebe is a good match. Classic and pretty with the same vintage feel as Lily.

Whataretheodds · 04/12/2023 11:03

Mabli?
Eleri?
Zara?

user1492757084 · 04/12/2023 10:55

Arrietta is beautiful.
Look at all other Etta names.
Phoebe is grand.
Mietta
Clodagh
Julietta
Fotini
Clotilde
Claudette
Cosette

Blinkityblonk · 04/12/2023 09:35

Etta is pretty and easy to say! Phoebe also nice.

KirstenBlest · 04/12/2023 09:31

Thanks, @mathanxiety . I'd avoid using a name I didn't know how to pronounce.
I'm guessing OP thinks Eilir is 'Eye-lee-uh'. If that was the pronunciation, it would be written as Ailîa.

Iwant2beJessicaFletcher · 04/12/2023 00:05

I love Etta. Definitely think that should be her name

MaloneMeadow · 04/12/2023 00:01

Devilsmommy · 03/12/2023 22:54

I'm sure Etta James didn't think so🤔

Show quote history

@Devilsmommy Fairly sure she did as even in her case Etta is actually short for Jamesetta…

Point proven that it’s a nickname!

mathanxiety · 03/12/2023 23:40

I like the sound of Lily and Phoebe.

I'd definitely avoid Islia and Etta, and also Eilir (for the reasons KirstenBlest explained).

Lily and Elsa / Elsie are both versions/ nicknames of Elizabeth. I think I'd avoid that combination for that reason.

Lily and Isla would be nice though.

Other suggestions:
Ruby
Ada
Zoe
Tessa
Anna
Chloe
Faye
Ivy
Sadie
Grace
Evelyn
Emma
Nina
Iris
Lara
Noelle
Vera

Gloschick · 03/12/2023 23:09

If you went with Etta, I would use it as a shortening, with a longer name on the BC eg Violet, Harriet, Colette, Scarlet, Alyette, Aletta, Giulietta etc.
Lily & Elsie also good though. Not massively keen on Phoebe.

HollyJollyRobin · 03/12/2023 23:07

Etta is fab!!!

Devilsmommy · 03/12/2023 22:54

MaloneMeadow · 03/12/2023 15:32

Phoebe 100%. Etta isn’t a real name, very much just a nickname and Islia will lead to a life of pronunciation/spelling issues

I'm sure Etta James didn't think so🤔

Schum · 03/12/2023 22:53

Etta is lovely.

WaltzingWaters · 03/12/2023 22:46

Arietta

Tessiebeare · 03/12/2023 22:09

Phoebe

NoTango · 03/12/2023 22:07

I love Etta!! And Arietta is lovely 🥰

Notts90 · 03/12/2023 22:05

At work we have an Ettie. I wasn't sure at first but now I love that name!

makeminealargeoneagain · 03/12/2023 22:05

Phoebe