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Baby names

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

Original poster

Help me choose!

63 replies

Amazinggrace89 · 30/01/2024 17:46

Please help me choose between these for our DD.
Ruth
Winifred
Fern
opinions on all welcome!
Thank you!

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RedDoughnut · 31/01/2024 12:28

Ruth

Gorgeous! Classic, underrated, underused.

miniaturepixieonacid · 31/01/2024 12:15

My favourite is Fern. Then Ruth.

Winifred is one of very few names I really don't like, sorry.

jackstini · 31/01/2024 11:50

Fern is my favourite. I know 2 Fearnes, one is 42, one is 16

Ruth next, I know 4, but all between 50-80

Not keen on Winifred, quite like Winona or Winema if you like Winnie as a nn

FayCarew · 31/01/2024 11:36

Ruth - know a few Ruths, all of them pleasant, attractive and intelligent
Winifred - love Winifred Robinson and have an Auntie Winnie. Win sounds positive.
Fern - I like it but it seems a bit too current and naturey. Much nicer spelling than Ferne or Fearne.

user1492757084 · 31/01/2024 09:46

I would choose Fern.
Fern Winsome.
Ruth is okay for a play about scientists.
Winifred is not a favourite name, sorry.

lightelmqueen · 31/01/2024 09:38

Fern. It's a lovely name for a child and an adult

I've never liked the sound of Ruth and not keen on Winifred although Winnie for a little girl is lovely. My lovely elderly next door neighbour when I was a child was called Win so I guess it does suit adults as well

bobby81 · 31/01/2024 09:37

Fern is my favourite from your list, then Ruth. Not keen on Winifred. Congratulations x

MaloneMeadow · 31/01/2024 09:35

determinedtomakethiswork · 31/01/2024 09:25

I don't think Fern will make a come back. it sounds very Farrah Fawcett Majors compared to Winnifred!

What on earth are you on about

determinedtomakethiswork · 31/01/2024 09:25

I don't think Fern will make a come back. it sounds very Farrah Fawcett Majors compared to Winnifred!

Original poster
Amazinggrace89 · 31/01/2024 09:23

Elfrid is actually cute! @bravotango

does everyone think fern is dated in an 80s way or in one of those names that’s not sue a comeback?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Amazinggrace89 · 31/01/2024 09:21

Wow some strong views!! 🤣Thanks everyone appreciate all comments x

OP posts:
OldBeyondMyYears · 30/01/2024 23:07

Dislike Winifred.

Ruth is a bit dull.

Fern ok I guess 🤷‍♀️

huggyhoo · 30/01/2024 23:04

Ruth

Daisybuttercup12345 · 30/01/2024 23:02

Not Ruth.
Winifred OK.
Fern a bit meh.

newname67 · 30/01/2024 22:58

Fern is my favourite.

I don't like Winifred at all, what about Winona?

ODFOx · 30/01/2024 22:51

Winnifred and Ruth are both equally lovely.
Fern is ok but the third of the three I think.

lioneggs · 30/01/2024 22:51

Fern first then Winifred but really dislike Ruth

Starrysky812 · 30/01/2024 22:49

Lovely and unusual choices. I think Winnie is super cute (Winne Cooper, the wonder years 😊). My sister is Ruth and she's always been Ruthie to family which is also very cute for a little one! Less keen on Fern (although it's a nice name) just because it's a bit more popular and I prefer more unique names xx

salamithumbs · 30/01/2024 22:48

@BewareTheBlob ah ok, I've wondered about it myself. For me Ruth is very much raw carrot

Pumpkindoodles · 30/01/2024 22:41

Not fern, it’s boring and not the same vibe as the other two
love Ruth and Winifred

bravotango · 30/01/2024 22:38

Ruth! I prefer Elfrid to Winifred if it's Freddie you're after (fab NN)

SushiSushi · 30/01/2024 22:38

I think Fern is pretty.

BewareTheBlob · 30/01/2024 22:34

Or smells like pain.

TempleOfBloom · 30/01/2024 22:34

I worked with a very cool young woman called Winnie recently. I like Winifred. Win, Winnie, Freddie, Fred, Freda..

BewareTheBlob · 30/01/2024 22:33

@salamithumbs Idk, i have wondered but i don't think so as I've read about it and my own experiences don't align with the definition. I have a few odd things like synthetic coconut smells painful.