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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which one would you pick?

36 replies

JessieIsabelle · 04/01/2024 12:49

Out of these and why?

  • Maria
  • Ella
  • Ruby
  • Holly
  • Grace

Thanks for your help.

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AyeRightYeAre · 08/01/2024 17:34

They are all lovely.

Ella has the edge for me.

Pinkyhere · 08/01/2024 17:31

We have a teenage Ella. She still gets compliments on her name and always has.
I know a handful of others. But no so much that it seems too common.
I like all of the other suggestions including Grace. But I do think it's a bit of burden if the child grows up to be not esp graceful

Sleepnplay · 05/01/2024 13:14

Holly, its the only one I really like. The other are just fine to me, but Holly is lovely.

HarraKiri · 04/01/2024 20:51

Holly.

Maria seems to be the next most popular option on this thread, but I hate when people pronounce it like "muh-rear" rather than "mah-Ria", and it seems the first option is more commonly used when people say it.

username268 · 04/01/2024 20:39

Holly in first place! I love this name, it's on my list too. I think it works well for all ages. It is a classic name but not boring and not overdone.

Ruby in second place. Lovely name, again a great balance of classic but not overdone.

Maria third. There aren't many Marias around at the moment, maybe there will be a revival soon? Also loads of nickname potential, My grandma was a Maria and went by 'May'

I like Ella a lot, but unfortunately, it is so overdone. (That said, if you love the name, don't let the fact it's popular stop you!)

Grace in last place. Every other girl has Grace as their middle name. Of the Graces I've known (with Grace as their first name), all have been posh and a little bit spoilt so I have a bad association. But that is just personal bias.

Overall, all very pretty names. We have similar taste!

MrsB2019x · 04/01/2024 20:37

Ella and Holly get my vote. I have an Ella so may be biased

… she also would have been Holly if DH didn’t vetoe it 😂

Maria is beautiful and definitely due a revival. Ruby is super common around here so I don’t love it. Grace is okay but it needs the right surname I think because it’s so short and to the point

RuthW · 04/01/2024 17:35

Maria

Pretty and not many about

TheYearOfSmallThings · 04/01/2024 17:22

Maria - the rest are perfectly fine but I know so many of them.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 04/01/2024 17:17

I have a Grace (19 now) and although I accept it is fairly common I would still choose it again as it’s a classic, simple, name that suits women and girls. I prefer short names.

Mumofgirls2017 · 04/01/2024 16:26

Holly

less common now but all the Holly’s I’ve met have been awesome

verylongday · 04/01/2024 15:17

I have a 2 year old granddaughter called Holly. I wasn't sure about it at first but now I love it. Shes a strong, feisty little girl and it suits her.

FayCarew · 04/01/2024 15:14

Under my umbrella, ella ella

Theoldwoman · 04/01/2024 15:13

Ella.

Elegant, classic, just beautiful.

Absolutely love it.

Leni987 · 04/01/2024 14:28

Ella

Doublebiscuit77 · 04/01/2024 14:27

Maria. It's the least common on your list and such a beautiful name.

Babla · 04/01/2024 14:20

Ruby

makeminealargeoneagain · 04/01/2024 14:01

Grace. A beautiful and classic name. Stands the test of time.

HuntingoftheSnark · 04/01/2024 13:54

Grace. Overused as a middle name but, like Rose, still a lovely standalone name.

apronbellybarbie · 04/01/2024 13:49

Holly

ReadtheReviews · 04/01/2024 13:49

Holly
Or Maria.

Both not over used at this point in time, both a nice collection of letters visually and aurally.

Grace I downright hate for being the opposite of the above.

Onelife2024 · 04/01/2024 13:48

All lovely names!

I would choose Ella because it’s pretty, suits all ages, it’s been consistently popular for a while (not faddy) and it’s not as overused as Ellie. I would like to be called Ella!

Ruby and Holly are my second favourites from your list - both are also names that have been popular for a while and suit all ages. I like them both.

Grace - is lovely but it would worry me that the child might not be “graceful” looking!

Maria - is nice but sounds a little more old fashioned to me than the others - maybe due a revival though!

FayCarew · 04/01/2024 13:48

Maria - easy to say. spell, works in most countries
Ella - overused and a bit insipid
Ruby - ok, a bit edwardian parlourmaid
Holly - ok, a bit christmassy. prefer Polly or Molly
Grace - ok but overused as a middle name

Maria

shearwater2 · 04/01/2024 13:30

Maria, the others are too popular.

NachosAndCheese · 04/01/2024 13:24

Holly.

Grace and Ella are so overused they’ve become dull.

Grace is one of those filler middle names along with Rose and May.

Ruby was hugely popular about 10 years ago, I don’t love it.

LilyLemonade · 04/01/2024 13:17

Maria because it’s a classic.