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Baby names

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

Is Florence a popular name?

34 replies

Elisabeth3468 · 01/11/2024 20:29

We love the name Florence but wondering if it's really popular? I do know a couple of babies/toddlers with the name but no children/adults.
We like Florence Emilia.
Our son is Henry so thought Florence fits well.

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Gulbekian · 02/11/2024 12:49

Florence is lovely.

As alternatives, how about:

Constance (Emilia)
Florentina (Emily/Amelie)

MinPinSins · 02/11/2024 12:45

As previous posters have said, it is popular, but so is Henry.

In fact, in recent years, Henry has been used more times than Florence - if you are ok with Henry's popularity, you'll be fine with Florence!

FayCarew · 02/11/2024 10:22

It is very pretty, and a lot more interesting than Florence Grace/Rose/May/other filler middle name.

Moreteaandchocolate · 02/11/2024 10:17

FayCarew · 02/11/2024 10:05

It depends on the surname, @Elisabeth3468 but i wouldn't use Valentina as a first name unless you are OK with it being shortened, probably to Val.

Agreed - but Florence Valentina is nice.

FayCarew · 02/11/2024 10:05

It depends on the surname, @Elisabeth3468 but i wouldn't use Valentina as a first name unless you are OK with it being shortened, probably to Val.

Elisabeth3468 · 02/11/2024 09:33

Thank you all! Just confirmed how much we love it as no other names compare.
We also like Valentina, or Florence Valentina,
But not sure if it's a bit long (very long surname).

OP posts:
FayCarew · 02/11/2024 09:11

Names with a similar vibe: Beatrice, Flora, Harriet (not with a brother Henry), Martha.

Eenameenadeeka · 02/11/2024 07:51

It's such a pretty name! I'd say pick the name you love the most even if it's a bit more popular. I only know of one Florence

BoleynMemories13 · 02/11/2024 07:48

Florence goes beautifully with Henry.

Popularity varies so much from area to area. According to the stats, it's in the top 10 nationally and has been top 20 popular for quite a few years now, yet I don't know a single child with this name (and, working in a school, I meet an awful lot of children).

The 'old lady/man chic' trend doesn't tend to be big around me. Names like Florence, Elsie, Arthur, Mabel, Stanley, Albert etc, which are all popular according to the national stats, are really not that common around me. Yet, by the nature of the stats, that must mean there are pockets around the country where they are exceedingly popular for them to reach that high in the national stats. Around me, it's all Isla, Harper, Sienna, Mila, Aria, Maya, Luna, Arlo, Archie, Teddy, Finley, Leo, Oscar, Jude,Jaxon, Hudson... definitely seems to be a trend for more modern names or diminutives of classics here.

I wouldn't worry about the stats. If you both love Florence, that alone is reason to use it. Nationally it seems to be on a par with Henry and that didn't stop you using that. Coincidentally, Henry isn't one I hear a lot around me either. I only know of one, who will be 2 soon. Your taste for classic names hasn't caught on much around me yet (which is why my own children's statistically popular names, which are often dismissed by others on here for being "too popular", are also hardly heard around me). Yet if I'd have gone with, say, Lila or Eden for dd2 (both of which i liked and considered) she'd gave been one of many at her school as they're both much trendier than the classic we went for, despite her name being higher in the national charts. Dd2 has a top 5 name. She's still the only one in her school and I'm still yet to teach one at mine!

favledesire · 02/11/2024 01:46

Florence Emilia beautiful name but yes very popular

Is emilia not a first name option?

Love Alice also

Suggestions
Eloise
Ottilie
Beatrice
Eleanor

NeverHadHaveHas · 02/11/2024 01:46

I know of a Florence Penelope which I love.

DrizzleMySwizzle · 02/11/2024 01:37

I know a few little Florences so knew it was trendy but didn't realise it was the 8th most popular girls' name.

Jijk · 02/11/2024 01:34

Genuinely of those I went to university with who've had daughters every other one has been a Florence.

Monsterstep · 02/11/2024 01:09

Florence is lovely, I only know 1 who is in reception class.

Along the same lines is Beatrice

Gymmum82 · 01/11/2024 21:43

Really popular. 3 in my daughters class alone and probably another 5 in the school (single intake primary)

SemperIdem · 01/11/2024 21:31

It’s a lovely name, currently no.8 in the UK so it is very popular, yes. Henry is 13th for boys.

Laughingmole · 01/11/2024 21:21

I work in a primary school with 600 children. There’s a Florence in my class but she is the only one in the school.

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 01/11/2024 21:18

I think Florence is lovely and goes well with Henry in a "same sort of vibe" way, without being weirdly matchy. I don't know many babies at all these days, but I haven't heard of one called Florence in a while.

YorkshireIndie · 01/11/2024 21:14

You could give her the nickname Flossy!

Christwosheds · 01/11/2024 21:11

I only know one, she is 16. It’s a beautiful name.

CarolNewYear · 01/11/2024 21:09

My daughter is called Florence. She is 5. She is the only Florence in her school (about 100 children)). I'm biased but I obviously love the name. She is Florence Orla x

GiraffeTree · 01/11/2024 21:07

I only know one Florence, I wouldn't say it's too popular OP.

Moreteaandchocolate · 01/11/2024 21:04

Florence is lovely and goes so well with Henry. From the link @FayCarew posted, only about 1 in 300 girls are called Florence, even though it’s in the top 10, so she’d be unlucky to be in the same class as another one 😊

Firsttimebabymummy · 01/11/2024 20:43

Florence Emilia is beautiful.
I only know of one, she'll be just over a year old.

I know an Amelia Florence recently born.

Needmorelego · 01/11/2024 20:42

I know 2.
One aged 16 and one aged 13 ish.
Plus however old Dave Cameron's girl is now.
I think it's a beautiful name.
Go for it.