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Baby names

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

Original poster

4th baby name help

84 replies

4thbabynamehelp · 01/12/2025 16:34

We've got three boys and not finding out the sex. So I might be back asking for boy name advice!
But for now here's our girl list
Primrose
Pearl
Keira
Emerald (maybe too unusual?) although we like Emmy
Maeve
Esme
Scarlet

Any views welcome!

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Original poster
4thbabynamehelp · 03/12/2025 11:04

I do worry a bit about the potential datedness of Keira. I've got a name that was popular in the 80s but even more popular in the 70s. So on hearing my name people just naturally assume I'm either my age or older. Id rather a name didn't age my child ideally but I realise with name trends its hard to avoid.

OP posts:
PuffleHuffledon · 03/12/2025 11:04

4thbabynamehelp · 03/12/2025 09:09

Still nothing that jumps out as 'the one'.
Irish girls names I like are
Ciara
Orla
Maeve
Fiadh (Fia)

But Orla sounds odd with our surname. Our surname rhymes with board. So it sounds like Orla board ('all aboard'). I just can't help thinking it every time I say the name!

I think Ciara will be mispronounced 90% of the time. Maeve is ok but it's just not jumping out at me. I still consider Fiadh sometimes.

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If you like Ciara but worry about pronunciation what about Cara?

I think it’s Italian more than Irish, but it often seems to be listed as an Irish baby name too.
(Cara means friend in Irish, but the word in Irish is pronounced corra, not Cah-rah like the name).

Wrongsaidfredd · 03/12/2025 10:55

Still wouldn’t let it put me off, plenty of young Keira’s out there in my experience

Wrongsaidfredd · 03/12/2025 10:54

Wrongsaidfredd · 03/12/2025 10:53

I’m seeing 359 to 415 on the link you posted

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My bad I didn’t scroll down and see the chart

Wrongsaidfredd · 03/12/2025 10:53

DuchessOfNarcissex · 03/12/2025 10:51

It was more of a sharp peak, @Wrongsaidfredd , and celebrity-related. Dropping from #33 to #415 isn't a slight dip.

I’m seeing 359 to 415 on the link you posted

DuchessOfNarcissex · 03/12/2025 10:51

It was more of a sharp peak, @Wrongsaidfredd , and celebrity-related. Dropping from #33 to #415 isn't a slight dip.

Wowsersbrowsers · 03/12/2025 10:48

Would you consider Siobhan? Its Irish but unlikely to be mispronounced as it's so popular these days.

Wrongsaidfredd · 03/12/2025 10:35

DuchessOfNarcissex · 03/12/2025 10:32

@Wrongsaidfredd , Keira is dated, and Ciara is dated in Ireland.

Theres quite a few at my dcs school, I love the name and would consider it if I was having a girl but a close friend already has a Keira so it would seem like copying. I wouldn’t let a slight slip in the rankings over thirty years put me off.

DuchessOfNarcissex · 03/12/2025 10:32

@Wrongsaidfredd , Keira is dated, and Ciara is dated in Ireland.

Wrongsaidfredd · 03/12/2025 10:29

I love all these names except maeve and pearl makes me think of the bratty whale thing from SpongeBob.
I don’t think Keira is dated I know quite a few little Keira’s. Love esme, Scarlett, primrose, Keira. I love emerald too but might be a bit too extravagant

SnowFrogJelly · 03/12/2025 10:25

Pearl Maeve or Esme
Not Emerald..

DuchessOfNarcissex · 03/12/2025 10:11

@HappyBlackSnowberry , Daphne Clarke - Wikipedia, Phoebe Dynevor - Wikipedia, Sylvia Kay - Wikipedia

HappyBlackSnowberry · 03/12/2025 09:42

When a friend called her daughter Daphne 25 years ago it seemed so old fashioned and fuddy duddy. Looks like it's now an up and coming popular choice!
The trick is clearly to pick a name that was popular 2 or more generations ago! Or stick to classic 'Royal sounding" names that will not date.
My favourites are Emerald and Esme from your list.

dailyconniptions · 03/12/2025 09:26

Pearl is really frumpy. I love Emerald and Keira.

Original poster
4thbabynamehelp · 03/12/2025 09:09

LeftFooter · 02/12/2025 22:04

I agree. It might be a bit unbalanced if your other children have an Irish name and not this one.

How about
Honor or Honora
Oonagh
Niamh
Finola
Fedelma
Siafra?

All really pretty names.

Still nothing that jumps out as 'the one'.
Irish girls names I like are
Ciara
Orla
Maeve
Fiadh (Fia)

But Orla sounds odd with our surname. Our surname rhymes with board. So it sounds like Orla board ('all aboard'). I just can't help thinking it every time I say the name!

I think Ciara will be mispronounced 90% of the time. Maeve is ok but it's just not jumping out at me. I still consider Fiadh sometimes.

OP posts:
Original poster
4thbabynamehelp · 03/12/2025 09:03

Calliopespa · 02/12/2025 23:31

I don; think the Emerald Isle thing is cheesy: tbh I don't think anyone will really make the connection anyway.

I like the name Emerald and if it has a "neatness" in terms of fit for you, then that's all to the good.

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I think the 'neatness of fit' hits the nail on the head. Also if she gets older and asks why her name isn't Irish like ber brothers I can explain the link which she might really like.
I still think it might be a little 'out there' for us. I wish it was a tad more popular.

OP posts:
Pryceosh1987 · 03/12/2025 02:05

Daniel.

Calliopespa · 02/12/2025 23:33

I know an Emerald. She is very chic and rather beautiful. Certainly not a stripper!

Twoshoesnewshoes · 02/12/2025 23:32

Love Emerald, especially with the connection for you.
Esme also lovely.

Calliopespa · 02/12/2025 23:31

4thbabynamehelp · 01/12/2025 16:56

Daphne is meant to be on my list. Woops! Love Daphne too.
I also like Meadow but we have a Meadow in the family so it's out.
One of the reasons we like Emerald is because our boys have Irish names (DH is irish) and with Ireland being the Emerald Isle and us liking gemstone names, we thought it was quite nice, but I realise some might find that cheesy! Not so keen on Emmeline.
I've tried really hard to like Irish girls names but Maeve is the only one I like and I'm not totally sold on it.

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I don; think the Emerald Isle thing is cheesy: tbh I don't think anyone will really make the connection anyway.

I like the name Emerald and if it has a "neatness" in terms of fit for you, then that's all to the good.

DietQueen2023 · 02/12/2025 23:28

Emerald is my favourite from your list

AwfullyGood · 02/12/2025 22:23

What about Emer or Erin?

Emerald sounds a little like an Irish American stripper's stage name.

Switcher · 02/12/2025 22:07

For a fourth I think Jessica is nice. Means gift from God.

LeftFooter · 02/12/2025 22:04

I agree. It might be a bit unbalanced if your other children have an Irish name and not this one.

How about
Honor or Honora
Oonagh
Niamh
Finola
Fedelma
Siafra?

All really pretty names.

LoudPlumDog · 02/12/2025 13:22

Pearl , Maeve and Emmy ( not Emerald) are lovely.

What about Sylvie?