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Baby names

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

Original poster

Emma, Holly, or Sophie?

61 replies

Shesellsseashellsh · 03/01/2025 15:48

Baby girl #2 is due imminently and I’m having a name wobble. My partner and I had agreed that we will likely call her Holly (middle name TBC once she’s born, but possibly Kate or Emma), but I’m now revisiting our original shortlist and warming towards Emma. Which would you use from Emma, Holly, or Sophie? Her older sister is Phoebe.

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theduchessofspork · 04/01/2025 00:20

Phoebe and Emma - they are both nicely literary

Sophie is nice too, but I think the double ee end doesn’t work as well as a pair

I don’t like Holly it’s a bit undistinguished

stayathomer · 03/01/2025 23:15

All fab names!

BoleynMemories13 · 03/01/2025 23:14

I really like all 3 individually, but I don't like Sophie with Phoebe. I find them quite a rhymey pairing, a bit twee together. Holly is also a bit rhymey in sound with Phoebe. If using another 2 syllable name, it's better to pick one which doesn't end in ee this time.

Emma is definitely the best match.

ChillysWaterBottle · 03/01/2025 20:11

Holly

NoGwenItsABoxingDayTrifle · 03/01/2025 20:07

All nice I'd rate them
Sophie
Emma
Holly but prefer Kate over all three.

Original poster
Shesellsseashellsh · 03/01/2025 19:03

Thank you all!! It’s reassuring to know that the general consensus is that they’re all solid names. I think you’re right about Sophie being a bit close to Sophia which is super popular around us. Maybe the best thing to do is to wait until she’s born and see what she looks like. I like the idea of Holly Emma Surname - thanks to whoever suggested that. If we go with Emma, I like Emma Robin Surname. And I can confirm that our surname is not Bush! Or Wreath!

OP posts:
stopringingme · 03/01/2025 18:43

Emma is my favourite

I'm not keen on Holly

Sophie is also nice.

Lulu1919 · 03/01/2025 18:42

Emma

hellsbells99 · 03/01/2025 18:37

Emma is my favourite of the 3

JMSA · 03/01/2025 18:34

Ooh, I like them all BUT is there any chance Sophie could be changed to Sophia? 😬

TangoEskimo · 03/01/2025 18:33

Holly sounds lovely with Phoebe

wehumans · 03/01/2025 18:19

Sophie

jessicasandler · 03/01/2025 18:19

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RenaissanceBaby · 03/01/2025 18:17

Holly. Sophie is too popular by far, and Emma is just a bit boring. Holly is lovely.

Northtosouth · 03/01/2025 18:15

Love Holly and I think Holly goes best with Phoebe too.
Emma and Sophie are both nice names but seem to have a different feel to Phoebe imo.

Normallynumb · 03/01/2025 17:26

Emma is my favourite and goes best with Phoebe I think

LlynTegid · 03/01/2025 17:25

I'd choose Emma.

ImthatBoleyngirl · 03/01/2025 17:23

I love the name Holly! Sophie's nice but I find Emma a little plain. I went to school with about 20 Emma's so maybe that's why.

Mandarinaduck · 03/01/2025 17:03

Pretty names, I particularly love Sophie, but would go for Emma which is another lovely classic as I think it sounds better with Phoebe (because I think it's best to avoid another -ee- sound).

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 03/01/2025 16:57

Gorgeous names all of them. Such a treat compared to some of the ghastly offerings people put on here! 😱

My favourite of the 3 is Emma. Very classy name, but also very pretty... Followed by Holly, then Sophie... But they are all nice. 😄

ginasevern · 03/01/2025 16:50

Out of the three Holly is the least common and is very pretty.

MumonabikeE5 · 03/01/2025 16:45

Not Holly.

Moreteaandchocolate · 03/01/2025 16:43

Holly is my favourite - gorgeous name and goes so well with Phoebe too. I feel like it’s got that bit of spark like Phoebe does! Emma and Sophie are timeless classics and very solid choices too, but they don’t quite have the spark of Phoebe and Holly imo.

Comedycook · 03/01/2025 16:39

I think Sophie with Phoebe sounds like a bit of a mouthful.

I like Emma although Emma and Phoebe gives definite Friends (as in the TV show) vibes...or maybe that's just me who made the connection.

I like Holly.

They're all nice really...

JessyCarr · 03/01/2025 16:36

I like Sophie with Phoebe. Shared Greek origins, same number of letters, and both include a “ph”! But then I do like a bit of symmetry. The Sophies we know are aged from 17-50ish so I don’t think it’s faddy. (The Sophias we know are a bit younger).

Emma is a great choice too - a lovely name. It’s simple, classic and international (and has been hugely popular in Scandinavia and continental Europe for some years now). Can’t really go wrong with Emma.

Holly is my least favourite of the three, but only because it’s such a good list. Nothing wrong with any of these names.