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Baby names

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

Original poster

Suggestion of whimsical names

111 replies

GoldenRosebee · 10/12/2025 15:32

Looking for acceptable and established, but unusual whimsical names. Unusual, as in outside top 100, not unique. Would prefer if origin is of mythology or literature or history, but they also should be magical. Looking at European names mostly.

Names that I consider whimsical, but looking for more suggestions, especially according to first paragraph criteria
Aurora
Thisbe
Nimue
Juliet
Eluned
Amoret
Olwen
Freya
Cecily
Twyla
etc...

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IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 13/12/2025 23:12

Indigo
Harryo

fairycupcakes · 13/12/2025 23:10

Eulalia/Eulalie

ByeByeDrinker · 13/12/2025 20:58

KimHwn · 10/12/2025 23:07

I feel really weird about the labelling names of certain cultures/languages as whimsical. It's patronising and minimises the very real meanings and cultural context behind these names. So many Cornish and Welsh names on here, and there's a certain tone of "they sound whimsical in those funny little languages!"

I agree with this!

Handrearedmagpie · 13/12/2025 20:29

Sylvie
Pixie
Rowan

everdine · 13/12/2025 20:11

mismomary · 11/12/2025 22:11

Ohhhhh Thisbe from your list is wonderful.

Pyramus and Thisbe from Greek Mythology. I’ve always liked the story!

JennyForeigner · 12/12/2025 17:50

HoppityBun · 10/12/2025 22:58

What did Dorothy Parker say? All I know is “what fresh hell is this?” But that’s about a telephone call. I’ve been Googling but nothing relevant comes up

Show quote history

I was thinking of her view on whimsicality in general, expressed in her review of Winnie-the-Pooh under her reviewing name of Constant Reader. It's in baby-talk and concluded 'tonstant weader fwowed up'

)Grin

mismomary · 11/12/2025 22:11

Ohhhhh Thisbe from your list is wonderful.

abracadabra1980 · 11/12/2025 21:34

CurlewKate · 10/12/2025 16:07

Think about whether the child will like it. You’re naming a baby, a teenager, a professional woman and an old lady.

This, and this repeated on every post in this sector.

Gagamama2 · 11/12/2025 21:23

Avalon - the mythical "island of apples" in Arthurian legend where King Arthur is said to have recovered from battle

bigboykitty · 11/12/2025 21:12

Gardenia
Effluvia
Gardnerella

User1876056 · 11/12/2025 21:06

Elin (pronounced Eh-lin, similar to Ellen)

HoppityBun · 11/12/2025 20:48

Honoria
Torquil
Fettucine
Pashmina
Winceyette
Hugh
Framboise

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 11/12/2025 20:32

Quiddity

bigboykitty · 11/12/2025 19:46

Chimichanga
Fluffy

WellOrganisedWoman · 11/12/2025 19:41

I once met a woman called Winsome.

Patience.
Guinevere
Morgaine
Ygraine
Elaine
Niniane (yes I like Arthurian books)
Ishbel

Myoldbear · 11/12/2025 17:03

HoppityBun · 11/12/2025 16:53

Not so much Sinjin as Sinj’n as in fish ‘n chips. Older MN-ers will remember Norman St John-Stevas, and there’s St John Rivers in Jane Eyre.

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Well yes, that's what I thought and then looked it up and was given that spelling to illustrate the pronunciation.
Naturally this was courtesy of AI.

That's a lesson to have the courage of my convictions; thanks!

I remember the politician too!

HoppityBun · 11/12/2025 16:53

Myoldbear · 11/12/2025 15:58

Apparently St John is a known old English first name as well as being a surname.
It seems to be pronounced Sinjin.

A dot after the t is another option!

Not so much Sinjin as Sinj’n as in fish ‘n chips. Older MN-ers will remember Norman St John-Stevas, and there’s St John Rivers in Jane Eyre.

Mollydoggerson · 11/12/2025 16:51

Aisling (dream)
Sadhb /Sive (fairy)
Blath - flower
Realtin - little star.
Suin
Violet
Indigo
Lila

surprisebaby12 · 11/12/2025 16:36

Ariadne
Arietti
Seraphina
Cecilie
Elula

blondlygo · 11/12/2025 16:18

Wisty

Myoldbear · 11/12/2025 15:58

Apparently St John is a known old English first name as well as being a surname.
It seems to be pronounced Sinjin.

A dot after the t is another option!

everdine · 11/12/2025 13:56

SE13Mummy · 11/12/2025 00:12

Echo
Misty
Nimue

All are the names of teenagers I know.

I know siblings named Echo and Storm!

user1492757084 · 11/12/2025 13:28

Cymbeline
Topsy
Myrtle
Bloom
Fairlie
Fritha
Cristobel

DisplayPurposesOnly · 11/12/2025 07:42

Aelfwyn

DriedHydrangea · 11/12/2025 06:50

Yaffly · 11/12/2025 00:04

Well I'm Irish and I'll give you Gobnait. That'll sort any whimsical nonsense 😁

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It will be back, along with Attracta and Carmel!