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Baby names

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

Original poster

Help me find a not too weird name

130 replies

FinallyPregnant23 · 30/01/2024 23:49

I have a REALLY common name - first, middle AND surname, and I’ve always really, really hated it.

I’m currently pregnant with my first baby girl, after TTC for 10+ years, during that time I’ve seen a lot of the more usable unusual names I like become really popular, and I’m struggling to find anything I like now. Some names I love but won’t use:

Aroha - it’s a Māori word/name and neither DH or I are Maori
Ngaio - same as above
Snow - I LOVE this but DH would never let me use it as a first name, he’s considering it as a middle
Meadow - I think this is the most reasonable but DH doesn’t like it
Moon - Luna is popular so I think it’s justified but DH says too hippy for a first name

I do like some of the popular names, I mean they’re popular for a reason, I like the sound of Sophie/a and Olivia for example but could never let myself use them because of how popular they are.

So now you know just how weird I like my names, is there any you could think of that might satisfy my need for an unusual name but that also are acceptable to use? I don’t want to give my daughter the opposite problem to me and have her hate her name because it’s so weird!

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Twazique · 31/01/2024 09:35

Delphe
Faunia
Phaedra

pinksheepbeep · 31/01/2024 09:15

I actually really like Meadow! Yes it's quirky but it's a completely recognisable word, most people will be aware of it as a name, it's easy to spell and pronounce. A few other nature suggestions: River, Pearl, Prairie, Dahlia.

FayCarew · 31/01/2024 08:39

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 31/01/2024 08:35

Nieve is a name, and means "snow" in Spanish. Could be very appropriate in the next few weeks!!

If I saw that as a name, I'd say it as naïve

MaloneMeadow · 31/01/2024 08:38

Queenmaker · 31/01/2024 07:32

They may be common now but they certainly weren't even a few decades ago. Most of these migrated from the USA where Meadow is also used. It's just a matter of what people are exposed to. They are all names from nature and Meadow may be unfamiliar to you but is no more weird or strange than Wren or Willow which were unfamiliar to Brits only 20 years ago or so.

Meadow is familiar enough in the USA that it was used in the Sopranos 20+ years ago. And there are plenty more:
https://glamourfame.com/actress-meadow-sisto-unveiling-her-remarkable-movie-career

http://meadowwilliams.com/about/

Show quote history

Considering in the entire USA there are only ~300 Meadows, sitting 16761st in the league tables it is not the same as the other names in terms of popularity whatsoever. It’s still firmly ‘out there’, not an issue of what people are/aren’t exposed to!

TedWilson · 31/01/2024 08:37

Pearl

ChocolateCinderToffee · 31/01/2024 08:37

Ondine, the name of a water nymph.
Aude, the name of a river in France that’s also a girl’s name.
Laetitia
Cecily
Sabine
Jocelyn
Tamsin

TheBirdintheCave · 31/01/2024 08:36

Our 'uncommon but not unheard of' girls names list included:

Miranda, Marcella, Morwenna, Hero, Antigone, Verity* and Hester.

*though this is getting more popular

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 31/01/2024 08:35

Nieve is a name, and means "snow" in Spanish. Could be very appropriate in the next few weeks!!

MaloneMeadow · 31/01/2024 08:33

sunflowerpinks · 31/01/2024 08:22

I wouldn't worry about using a common name. My boys have very ordinary names and have never been in a class with someone with the same name.

But it's not just about sharing a name with someone else in a class of 30. It's about having the exact same name as several others throughout life! I know several Emma Smiths or Harry Jones for example - that must not be fun, trying to differentiate yourself.

I have quite a common name and I don’t like it because of this. Even still I’d prefer it to something batshit because my mother wanted to be ‘different’. Mustn’t be fun having people tease you for being called Rainbow!

FayCarew · 31/01/2024 08:29

Doveyouknow · 31/01/2024 07:41

I wouldn't worry about using a common name. My boys have very ordinary names and have never been in a class with someone with the same name. There are such a variety of names these days that I think it's much less likely you get multiples of the same name. Interestingly the duplicate names I know in our school are Mohammad, Hunter and Storm but none are in the same class. I would just use a name you like.

A friend with a very popular first name gave her DC fairly underused names but they have a common surname. I was trying to search for them online and I just kept finding others with the same name.

ConcertaFirstTimer · 31/01/2024 08:23

allfurcoatnoknickers · 31/01/2024 03:23

I have a Serafina! It means "Fire" or "Fiery one". It came down on the right side of unusual for me, in that it's a legit name, it's just not used very often.

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It's such a beautiful name. I agree. It is rare but the right side of weird. Didn't know that meaning. I love it.

sunflowerpinks · 31/01/2024 08:22

I wouldn't worry about using a common name. My boys have very ordinary names and have never been in a class with someone with the same name.

But it's not just about sharing a name with someone else in a class of 30. It's about having the exact same name as several others throughout life! I know several Emma Smiths or Harry Jones for example - that must not be fun, trying to differentiate yourself.

FayCarew · 31/01/2024 08:20

delilabell · 31/01/2024 07:01

Emphys Welsh for rainbow

😆
If one post could sum up why not to use baby name advice, this is it.

The Welsh word for Rainbow is Enfys. It's sometimes used as a name for a girl (I wouldn't, and I certainly wouldn't now). It's pronounced EN-viss

fightingthedogforadonut · 31/01/2024 08:13

Agree with previous posters that nature names are probably your best route to something that's original without being ridiculous.

How about
Briar
Clementine
Olive
Hazel
Rowan
Posy/Posie
Aurora
Robin
Wren
Lavender
Brooke
Violet
Cecily
Rosemary
Saffron
Lemony
Pearl
April
Iris

Trez1510 · 31/01/2024 07:45

Antonia Lois
Marni Laurel
Roberta June
Genevieve October

Doveyouknow · 31/01/2024 07:41

I wouldn't worry about using a common name. My boys have very ordinary names and have never been in a class with someone with the same name. There are such a variety of names these days that I think it's much less likely you get multiples of the same name. Interestingly the duplicate names I know in our school are Mohammad, Hunter and Storm but none are in the same class. I would just use a name you like.

Queenmaker · 31/01/2024 07:32

MaloneMeadow · 31/01/2024 02:25

All of the above are well known and commonly used girls names.. the only Meadow I’ve ever known was a pony.

Edited
Show quote history

They may be common now but they certainly weren't even a few decades ago. Most of these migrated from the USA where Meadow is also used. It's just a matter of what people are exposed to. They are all names from nature and Meadow may be unfamiliar to you but is no more weird or strange than Wren or Willow which were unfamiliar to Brits only 20 years ago or so.

Meadow is familiar enough in the USA that it was used in the Sopranos 20+ years ago. And there are plenty more:
https://glamourfame.com/actress-meadow-sisto-unveiling-her-remarkable-movie-career

http://meadowwilliams.com/about/

Actress Meadow Sisto: Unveiling Her Remarkable Movie Career

Meadow Sisto is an American actress. She is best known for appearing in the Captain Ron. She is married to police officer Michael. They have two kids. As of 2023, her net worth is around $2 Million.

https://glamourfame.com/actress-meadow-sisto-unveiling-her-remarkable-movie-career

spottydinosaur · 31/01/2024 07:20

Ember

BarbaricPeach · 31/01/2024 07:17

GreenCereal · 31/01/2024 02:20

Even Jacinda Ardern used Aroha as a middle name, and neither she nor her husband are Maori - you could do that?

If you like the Ngaio sound (which to me is the name of a suburb...), what about Ngaire or Nyree (like Nyree Dawn Porter).

She was the Prime Minister of New Zealand who explicitly says she chose it to honour her relationship with the native population of the country she represented on the world stage. It's also the name of a mountain she grew up near.

Hardly comparable to two people from the UK with no connection to New Zealand or Māori culture using Māori names because they sound nice.

bumbledenbarsk · 31/01/2024 07:17

Misty?

chocolateisavegetable · 31/01/2024 07:12

Kailani
Kylo

user1492757084 · 31/01/2024 07:10

Allegra Snow
Zara Imogen
Clover Moon
Skye Catriona
Bianca Snow
Gretel Madeleine
Aoife Bridie

delilabell · 31/01/2024 07:01

Emphys Welsh for rainbow

BigDogEnergy · 31/01/2024 07:01

If you like the sound of Aroha and seem to have a nature/natural world vibe going on, what about Aurora?

Mairzydotes · 31/01/2024 06:59

Blossom, Heather, Violet, Petunia, Primrose

Wendy, Theresa, Amanda, Carol

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