Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Can anyone find a middle ground between me and DH’s name lists?

213 replies

namepains · 25/05/2025 21:57

Have NC’d for this Blush

DH and I have very, very different tastes when it comes to names. I’ll give you our lists below, but we’re nowhere close in terms of taste. What sounds nice to me DH hates and vice versa. I apologise profusely if anyone’s name comes up, I am really not meaning to offend anyone but names are very personal and tastes are very different. Please don’t take any offence and fwiw, my name always comes up on outdated/names people don’t like threads Grin for context, we live in Scotland and DH is Scottish, I’m English. If there’s a specific reason for DH not liking mine, I’ve put it next to the name.

My list:

Lily- too twee apparently
Rosie- he’s said he likes it but not enough to say it every day henceforth. He doesn’t like variations such as Rosaline/d, Rosa or Rose.
Daisy- brief period of time a girl wasn’t nice to DS with this name
Jasmine - Aladdin (who honestly thinks that!)
Ophelia- apparently pretentious, although I love Hamlet!
Scarlett
Tara- his first dog was called that so apparently he can’t name DD ‘after’ his dog Hmm
Emily
Ruby

DH’s list:

Michelle
Siobhan
Lisa
Louise
Mhairi
Bernadette

I particularly don’t like Bernadette and Siobhan. But honestly, I don’t like any of them. No connotations or personal issues with people with these names but I just don’t like them. Does anyone have any suggestions for a middle ground? I’m not sure there is one! We had a boy name agreed immediately but we’re worlds apart on a girls one Sad

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Mymanyellow · 29/05/2025 10:51

MoominMai · 26/05/2025 12:57

@namepains How is Mhairi pronounced? I quite like the idea of that. Obviously you don’t as it’s on the rejected list lol but as a middle ground name, how about Marnie?

Im 52, never met anyone called that. Fell in love with the name from an old kids book, a bit otherworldly tale called ‘When Marnie was there’.

Just a thought especially as it has its origins in Scotland meaning ‘from the sea’. Also the last syllable has a similar sound to the endings of a lot of the names on your pro list 🙂.

I two Marnie babies. Both under a year old. Coming back in you heard it here first. 😀

Calliopespa · 29/05/2025 10:27

ColinCaterpillarsNo1Fan · 29/05/2025 10:25

@Calliopespa I agree Diamond is a bit off the wall but my former colleague really suited her name. She certainly did have a sparkling personality!

She sounds lovely but it’s a big name to carry!

Sounds like a Panto villain to me! Diamond La Heist!

ColinCaterpillarsNo1Fan · 29/05/2025 10:25

Calliopespa · 29/05/2025 09:12

I think sometimes it easy to approach these things academically and lose sight of the instinctive reaction. I see where you are coming from going through alternative gems and I quite like Emerald, but in all honesty, a baby called Diamond …?! 😳😳 I’d far rather just go with Michelle.

@Calliopespa I agree Diamond is a bit off the wall but my former colleague really suited her name. She certainly did have a sparkling personality!

Viviennemary · 29/05/2025 09:16

Your list is a lot better than his. Except Tara. That's pretty dire. Iris or Violet?

Calliopespa · 29/05/2025 09:12

ColinCaterpillarsNo1Fan · 29/05/2025 07:27

list:
Lily - v, v common
Rosie - childish but Rosamund or Rosa more classier
Daisy - done to death
Jasmine - done to death
Ophelia - grim ending for her
Scarlett - fever
Tara - fine
Emily = Emilia
Ruby = Ok

DH’s list:
Michelle - no
Siobhan - no
Lisa - no
Louise = Louisa or Eloise
Mhairi - ok
Bernadette - no

You like floral names so alternative choices:
Camellia, Veronica, Iris, Azalea, Zinnia, Aater, Dahlia, Calla, Fleur, Heather, Cassia, Alyssa, Violet

Alternatives to the colour & gem stone names, Scarlet & Ruby
Pearl - I love this, v classy & underused
Emerald
Diamond - I used to work with a lady by this name
Violet
Jade
Amber
Opal
Coral

Edited

I think sometimes it easy to approach these things academically and lose sight of the instinctive reaction. I see where you are coming from going through alternative gems and I quite like Emerald, but in all honesty, a baby called Diamond …?! 😳😳 I’d far rather just go with Michelle.

ColinCaterpillarsNo1Fan · 29/05/2025 07:27

namepains · 25/05/2025 21:57

Have NC’d for this Blush

DH and I have very, very different tastes when it comes to names. I’ll give you our lists below, but we’re nowhere close in terms of taste. What sounds nice to me DH hates and vice versa. I apologise profusely if anyone’s name comes up, I am really not meaning to offend anyone but names are very personal and tastes are very different. Please don’t take any offence and fwiw, my name always comes up on outdated/names people don’t like threads Grin for context, we live in Scotland and DH is Scottish, I’m English. If there’s a specific reason for DH not liking mine, I’ve put it next to the name.

My list:

Lily- too twee apparently
Rosie- he’s said he likes it but not enough to say it every day henceforth. He doesn’t like variations such as Rosaline/d, Rosa or Rose.
Daisy- brief period of time a girl wasn’t nice to DS with this name
Jasmine - Aladdin (who honestly thinks that!)
Ophelia- apparently pretentious, although I love Hamlet!
Scarlett
Tara- his first dog was called that so apparently he can’t name DD ‘after’ his dog Hmm
Emily
Ruby

DH’s list:

Michelle
Siobhan
Lisa
Louise
Mhairi
Bernadette

I particularly don’t like Bernadette and Siobhan. But honestly, I don’t like any of them. No connotations or personal issues with people with these names but I just don’t like them. Does anyone have any suggestions for a middle ground? I’m not sure there is one! We had a boy name agreed immediately but we’re worlds apart on a girls one Sad

list:
Lily - v, v common
Rosie - childish but Rosamund or Rosa more classier
Daisy - done to death
Jasmine - done to death
Ophelia - grim ending for her
Scarlett - fever
Tara - fine
Emily = Emilia
Ruby = Ok

DH’s list:
Michelle - no
Siobhan - no
Lisa - no
Louise = Louisa or Eloise
Mhairi - ok
Bernadette - no

You like floral names so alternative choices:
Camellia, Veronica, Iris, Azalea, Zinnia, Aater, Dahlia, Calla, Fleur, Heather, Cassia, Alyssa, Violet

Alternatives to the colour & gem stone names, Scarlet & Ruby
Pearl - I love this, v classy & underused
Emerald
Diamond - I used to work with a lady by this name
Violet
Jade
Amber
Opal
Coral

MarioLink · 26/05/2025 21:53

Michaela (Kayla)
Leah
Alice
Eloise
Alyssa (Ally)
Cassandra (Cassie)
Catherine (Cathy/Katie)
Caitlin (Caity)
Charlotte (Charlie/Lottie)
Roberta (Bertie/Bobbi)
Marianne

paulhollywoodshairgel · 26/05/2025 19:19

His list sounds like an Irish catholic girls school

jeezaluiza · 26/05/2025 17:19

Eliza was on our list.

We also liked Louisa, Anna, Georgia (nn Georgie), Cora, Zara, Stella and Nina - if any of those help!

Firsttimebabymummy · 26/05/2025 16:54

Lydia? Lucinda?

Aria999 · 26/05/2025 16:39

Elsbeth?

BeMintFatball · 26/05/2025 14:04

I have a lot of Scottish friends. Most of them are covered by your DH list.

how about Murran?

IsthatyouKateAdie · 26/05/2025 13:58

I agree Marnie is a good compromise.
I remember loving that book too!

Calliopespa · 26/05/2025 13:35

MoominMai · 26/05/2025 12:57

@namepains How is Mhairi pronounced? I quite like the idea of that. Obviously you don’t as it’s on the rejected list lol but as a middle ground name, how about Marnie?

Im 52, never met anyone called that. Fell in love with the name from an old kids book, a bit otherworldly tale called ‘When Marnie was there’.

Just a thought especially as it has its origins in Scotland meaning ‘from the sea’. Also the last syllable has a similar sound to the endings of a lot of the names on your pro list 🙂.

That’s quite a good thought.

LoudPlumDog · 26/05/2025 13:27

Rhiannon
Kate
Lucy
Nardia
Tessa

MoominMai · 26/05/2025 12:57

@namepains How is Mhairi pronounced? I quite like the idea of that. Obviously you don’t as it’s on the rejected list lol but as a middle ground name, how about Marnie?

Im 52, never met anyone called that. Fell in love with the name from an old kids book, a bit otherworldly tale called ‘When Marnie was there’.

Just a thought especially as it has its origins in Scotland meaning ‘from the sea’. Also the last syllable has a similar sound to the endings of a lot of the names on your pro list 🙂.

IsthatyouKateAdie · 26/05/2025 12:39

I would avoid names that need a pronunciation guide- I have a married surname that requires explanation and that's bad enough- for a first name you have to expect people will say what they see.

Londonmummy66 · 26/05/2025 12:30

Sidonie (pronounced Sidney)

Calliopespa · 26/05/2025 12:27

abnerbrownsdressinggown · 26/05/2025 12:08

I had the same issue with DH - shot down all my perfectly normal suggestions and the only name he could come up with was Anita. Really?

Out of suggestions on this thread as a middle ground I like Louisa. I also like Abigail.

Louisa could work op?

abnerbrownsdressinggown · 26/05/2025 12:08

I had the same issue with DH - shot down all my perfectly normal suggestions and the only name he could come up with was Anita. Really?

Out of suggestions on this thread as a middle ground I like Louisa. I also like Abigail.

Calliopespa · 26/05/2025 11:58

If you like Emily and he likes Louise and Lisa, would he also like Emma, as there were many of these in the 80’s with sisters Louise and Lisa? Emma seems to be heading back into favour a bit sooner.

Michelle I’m not sure will return in the same way. Was it not a borrowing from the French?

Mhairi I think is one of those love it or hate it names that is never really in but never really out of fashion.

And Bernadette, I’m sorry, will forever be a nun with a hairy top lip for me.

thepurcellsisters · 26/05/2025 11:52

Ishbel
Beka
Liza
Lizzie
Betsy
Margot
Maisy
Elinor
Elin
Fiona
Josie
Emilie
Milly - Millicent or Mildred - I like both, great witch names
Alexis
Lexie
Terry
Pomona
Nicola
Elnora
Frances
Julia
Gwen
Sarah

Cathandkin · 26/05/2025 10:59

I was up in Orkney and met a woman called Ishbell. I thought that was lovely.

Delphigirl · 26/05/2025 10:33

I know a great Scottish girl called Lisabel which I think is pretty and unusual and starts with an “l” which you seem to like…

bluedelphinium · 26/05/2025 09:51

Going back to your updates, I would ask him to please take the heat out of his comments. Doesn't sound like he's been mean but he is shutting things down because they're not his first choices. You have different tastes, that's fine. But you're going to have to probably compromise and 'thats terrible' again and again for a variety of reasons isn't helpful or fair. He needs to help you come up with an idea of what you are both looking for, not just telling you what he doesn't want. Otherwise you pick. You're the one giving birth.