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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:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Zoomo · 01/01/2025 19:23

Hebrides

Gammon

Chicory

Gateaux

Remedy

Vaseline

Whippy

Gurgles and strudel - cats

DorianMeile · 01/01/2025 19:21

Italiangreyhound · 01/01/2025 18:47

DorianMeile I once told a friend I wanted to name my child this!

Please tell me they were a good friend and told you? 😅

OublietteBravo · 01/01/2025 19:18

I’ve always thought that Gethsemane would be a great name for a girl.

MrsSethGecko · 01/01/2025 19:15

Dipsomania
Asphyxia

Whar · 01/01/2025 18:51

Thrush
Cornea
Verruca
Urticaria
Urethra
Fundus
Volley
Gauze
Sambuca
Tequila
Jamaica
Marijuana
Xerox
Zero
Hero

Italiangreyhound · 01/01/2025 18:47

DorianMeile I once told a friend I wanted to name my child this!

OddBoots · 01/01/2025 18:47

Paranoia always sounded good for a girl.

Sticklebricks · 01/01/2025 18:43

Pudenda and areola. Beautiful twin girls

MarigoldExpress · 01/01/2025 18:42

As a child my imaginary friend was called Diarrhoea, I swore blind it was not a word I had heard before but just a beautiful name I'd invented 🤣

Whar · 01/01/2025 18:40

ILoveAnnaQuay · 01/01/2025 17:50

What a great thread!

I think Semen would make a great boys name. Like Stephen but with a stronger vibe.

There's a Dutch name Siemen, pronounced semen - see Siemens electronics.

quantumbutterfly · 01/01/2025 18:39

Germolene
Windowlene
Vaseline

PollyOrange · 01/01/2025 18:36

Labia chlamydia

MrsSethGecko · 01/01/2025 18:36

Gladioli
Melanoma
Avenue
Deciduous
Voyage
Entourage
Capybara

amoreoamicizia · 01/01/2025 18:35

Shigella

DorianMeile · 01/01/2025 18:33

Italiangreyhound · 01/01/2025 18:29

Izal.

(It's medicated hard toilet paper.)

Just googled Izal and the heading on the first result is 'Izal toilet paper and the cubicle of pain'

Italiangreyhound · 01/01/2025 18:29

Izal.

(It's medicated hard toilet paper.)

DorianMeile · 01/01/2025 18:29

I also know someone called Melena which is, unfortunate.

Andoutcomethewolves · 01/01/2025 18:27

Jojobees · 01/01/2025 18:22

Slightly American but Cilantro has a nice ring to it.

I think I might actually prefer Coriander

FKAT · 01/01/2025 18:26

FWR and Relationships would be great sources of baby names.

Terf
Patriarchy
Limerence
Dysphoria
Narc
Phenotype

Twazique · 01/01/2025 18:24

Labia

Jojobees · 01/01/2025 18:22

Slightly American but Cilantro has a nice ring to it.

Andoutcomethewolves · 01/01/2025 18:21

I'd actually forgotten about this but i once worked with a very lovely woman called Toast. Weirdly, it actually suited her. Not sure I'd inflict that on a child of mine though 😅

Trallers · 01/01/2025 18:17

Enema

ThisMellowOtter · 01/01/2025 18:15

MerrySynthmas · 01/01/2025 17:16

Chrysalis

Love this one. Adding Elegy, Armoury, and Ferry

abracadabra1980 · 01/01/2025 18:10

Onthefence87 · 01/01/2025 17:19

looks around home for inspiration Ottoman for a boy, or perhaps Router.

Was going to say Alexa for a girl then remembered that actually is one 😂

But maybe Lenor.....or going down the health route, Mirena (asin the coil)

Edited

This one wins the Mumsnet giggle of the day for me!