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Baby names

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

Original poster

Final three

55 replies

Elephxnt · 10/12/2024 14:28

Due in the new year with a baby girl and I think we’re down to the final 3 names. Middle name will be Heidi to honour family

However, we now can’t pick, there seems to be pros and cons for each and it feels like the biggest decision in the world

  • Willow
  • Alba
  • Ruby

Willow I’m not sure I can get past how popular it is
Alba I love but wonder if too out there
Ruby maybe too plain or dated?

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Boxfreshrussell · 13/12/2024 08:04

Lots of Alba’s about now. Not at all out there.
I like both Willow and Ruby, although less likely to come across another Ruby in school if that’s a consideration. I don’t like Alba, but that’s just personal choice.
Dont worry about the flow of names; no one will refer to your child by first and second name.

Fabulouslyunfabulous · 13/12/2024 08:03

If Willow is your favourite go for that.

Popularity wise it’s likely to have died down slightly so she wouldn’t be one of five in her class.
You can never tell though. My dc have very common names and were the only ones in their class.

GoldenLegend · 13/12/2024 07:55

I love Alba. Beautiful and unusual.

AmiablePedant · 13/12/2024 01:12

Ruby conjures up buxom barmaids from the 1950's. Nothing remotely "classic" about the name. Alba is originally Spanish for dawn and rather pretty. Willow is good if she's redheaded, a computer nerd and (eventually) gay.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 12/12/2024 21:35

Willow is popular- but it’s just so pretty sounding/looking imo that I can understand why. And for some reason, Willow has an elegant image to me too, more than a “hippy”/nature one, like other tree names like Juniper or even Hazel have.

However while I hate to say it, “willowy” is such a descriptive word that only you know based on your family genetics whether she will likely live up to it. I personally think it might be a bit odd/unfair being a short, dumpy Willow 🤣 If that could be the case then I’d go for Alba, as although it’s not a particular fave, I don’t dislike it. Ruby, I’d personally discount as too trendy/2000’s (similar Amber feels less dated imo).

VenusClapTrap · 12/12/2024 11:31

Popularity is a funny one. You can pick the most unusual name and then the following year it explodes in popularity. Or find your dd has another in her class by pure fluke - there were two Jets in ds’s class at primary school; both mothers disgruntled to find their ‘unique’ name wasn’t so unique.

Conversely, you can easily end up with a top ten name and be the only one in the class. There is a greater variety of names used nowadays than there used to be.

If Willow is your favourite, choose Willow.

mintich · 11/12/2024 14:37

Alba, although I am Scottish ( it's Scots Gaelic for Scotland)

SwankyPants · 11/12/2024 14:35

Why not wait until you see her. She might suit one more than the others.

TabloidFootprints · 11/12/2024 14:32

LlynTegid · 10/12/2024 19:57

Ruby.

Willow is a tree, Alba a political party.

"Willow is a tree" - well, yes. Ruby is a gemstone. Doesn't stop them both being names.
Daisy is a flower. Jade is a gemstone. Rosemary is a herb. Etc.

Original poster
Elephxnt · 11/12/2024 14:28

Thanks all! Deffo lots to think about

I think Willow suits us most, it’s just getting past the popularity, especially as one of 5 in my class at school with my name at one point, don’t want to inflict that on the child. I think that’s why Alba appeals so much, as well as (both) meanings having significance to us
need to practice shouting them in the house!

OP posts:
Christmaspudd1ng · 11/12/2024 09:40

I vote Alba! Ruby is a bit overdone

FayCarew · 11/12/2024 08:56

Babies called Ruby in England & Wales since 1996
Babies called Alba in England & Wales since 1996
Babies called Rosalba in England & Wales since 1996

I don't like Rosalba - it looks and sounds like a made-up name for a house.

FayCarew · 11/12/2024 08:46

@VenusClapTrap , Babies called Willow in England & Wales since 1996
#9 in 2023.

VenusClapTrap · 11/12/2024 08:10

Willow is beautiful. I don’t think it’s all that popular, is it? I’ve never met one and my kids are at secondary now. Maybe it’s regional.

RandomWordsThrownTogether · 11/12/2024 01:10

Is Alba not an old name for Scotland? If you are Scottish maybe but I personally am not a big fan of naming kids after countries.

Willow is the nicest in my opinion and then Ruby, I don't like Alba simply because I always took it to mean Scotland.

theduchessofspork · 10/12/2024 23:28

user1492757084 · 10/12/2024 22:34

My favourite from your ideas ..

Rosalba Heidi - meaning white rose and noble one.
Heidi Willow
Willow Heidi
Rosalba Willow
Alba Heidi - lovely but reminds me of formaldehyde.

Ruby and Heidi don't sound great together.

Where the f did Rosalba come from? It sounds like a skin condition

theduchessofspork · 10/12/2024 23:23

Alba - it's sparky but grown up

I like Ruby but it's less distinguished and a little dated now. You'd have to stick something in between it and Heidi or it's weird and twee.

Willow I just think is wet (weeping willow) and a bit unfortunate if she turns out more chunky than willowy

okydokethen · 10/12/2024 23:23

Ruby is classic and yet not overused here, it's lovely

RuthW · 10/12/2024 23:05

Willow is lovely

Alba is clunky

Ruby is too popular

Workingthroughit · 10/12/2024 22:47

Alba means ‘dawn’ in Spanish. She will be the dawn of a new life as parents for you.

user1492757084 · 10/12/2024 22:34

My favourite from your ideas ..

Rosalba Heidi - meaning white rose and noble one.
Heidi Willow
Willow Heidi
Rosalba Willow
Alba Heidi - lovely but reminds me of formaldehyde.

Ruby and Heidi don't sound great together.

Mumofgirls2017 · 10/12/2024 21:48

Alba is nice and I don’t think too out there.

I like willow the best but it is popular! Ruby too, but also think it will become dated soon.

Firsttimebabymummy · 10/12/2024 21:31

I'd go with Ruby. 2nd choice would be Willow

mrspresents · 10/12/2024 20:52

Willow is my fav, but does not flow with Heidi.

Alba Heidi- make me want to sing 🎶Albuquerque🎶

Ruby is pretty but again Ruby Heidi doesn't flow

I'm not keen on the name Heidi but Heidi Willow flows nicely

FayCarew · 10/12/2024 20:20

Ruby Name Heidi Surname still doesn't flow.

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