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Baby names

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

What words would make lovely sounding baby names if they didn’t mean what they do?

212 replies

OliveLeader · 01/01/2025 17:08

In light of the rise of pretty-sounding nouns which work beautifully as names (Wren, Aurora, River etc), what are some words that you think would make beautiful sounding names if the words didn’t have the meaning they do?

For instance, I have a soft spot for Farfalle. Elegant and feminine, but slightly chic! Paella would also very much work in this vibe.

Or for a boy, isn’t Faucet quite noble and yet sensitive?

I can picture an absolutely adorable little Miasma and her brother Artery - don’t they just sound nice?

OP posts:
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Radio4head · 02/01/2025 12:34

Jezebel

Andoutcomethewolves · 02/01/2025 12:29

Cecilly · 02/01/2025 08:29

Chia

My friend actually has a six year old daughter called Chia. Always thought it was a bit of an odd choice 😅

SamanthaColemanWNTNews · 02/01/2025 12:15

Guava

Cecilly · 02/01/2025 08:29

Chia

FeelingSad2024 · 02/01/2025 07:29

OrsolaRosso · 01/01/2025 23:06

Marijuana

No joke but there was a woman from America in the news a while ago who is called Marijuana Pepsi. She's a professor now. If you google her name it will come up

FeelingSad2024 · 02/01/2025 07:23

Harmonica
Serendipity

piscofrisco · 02/01/2025 07:05

I've always thought Odessa-as in the Ukranian port-would be a nice name. Still could be I suppose, in honour of the brave Ukrainians. But it was quite industrial and not that pretty even before the war so not quite like 'Paris' or 'Sienna' and what have you.

BettyBardMacDonald · 02/01/2025 04:49

Guano

GiveUsACoffee · 02/01/2025 01:52

Silence! That was my imaginary boyfriend's name when I was about four!

Christmasrefridgerator · 02/01/2025 01:16

Apostle
Apoplectic
Septic
Analyse
Qwerty
Biro
Sertraline
Loam
Toad
Bile

GiraffesAtThePark · 02/01/2025 01:14

Cassette - she’s easily wound up.

The book I last read had a coriander in it but it was supposed to make you roll your eyes. Nickname Cori isn’t so bad.

SnowFrogJelly · 02/01/2025 01:09

Biryani
Poppadom
Chutney

Yum

Onedaynotyet · 02/01/2025 01:08

Geology would be good. Graphite (Graphy for short) for a boy. Mica and Carnelian.

Tarkan · 02/01/2025 01:03

Brightredtulips · 01/01/2025 20:20

Influenza. Porphyria (Robert Browning poem about a genetic disease . Royalty have it in their bloodline - the Madness of King George

Every year I look forward to the NRS list of baby names in Scotland from the previous year. One year there really was a little Porphyria.

I've also spotted Panda and Possum at different times. There have been other interesting names that don't begin with P but for some reason those ones have stuck in my head.

WispasAreNicerThanFlakes · 02/01/2025 01:02

For boys:
Dyson
Bannister
Reckon

for girls:
Fascia
Alimony

SnowFrogJelly · 02/01/2025 01:01

I know of a boy called cayenne

I thought better for a girl

WaitingForMojo · 02/01/2025 01:01

Vendetta
Melaena

SnowFrogJelly · 02/01/2025 00:59

Love Snowpea!

MirandaBlu · 02/01/2025 00:57

Andoutcomethewolves · 01/01/2025 18:27

I think I might actually prefer Coriander

Foodie twins Coriander and Cilantro could have excellent trans-Atlantic adventures!

See also:

Rocket and Arugula
Courgette and Zucchini
Aubergine and Eggplant
Mangetout and Snowpea
Crisp and Chip

Bigearringsbigsmile · 02/01/2025 00:56

SnowFrogJelly · 02/01/2025 00:54

Coriander
Cayenne

I know of a boy called cayenne

Bigearringsbigsmile · 02/01/2025 00:56

Patella

SnowFrogJelly · 02/01/2025 00:54

Pimple

SnowFrogJelly · 02/01/2025 00:54

Coriander
Cayenne

O6bftdff · 02/01/2025 00:43

Blencathra.

Zoomo · 02/01/2025 00:39

Faeces

Figgy

Chimichanga