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Baby names

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

Original poster

Florence, Violet, Iris

36 replies

Charlotte350 · 28/01/2026 13:48

I'm stuck between these three names middle name will be Shirley after DH grandma

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Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 30/01/2026 16:13

People say middle names aren’t used or known but I’ve known a Harriet Olivia prefer to use Olivia or Liv, her mum still calls her Harriet and a Kelly Natasha who goes by Natasha as apparently there were too many Kelly’s in her primary school.

I like Shirley as a first name too.

Calliopespa · 30/01/2026 16:08

CreepingCrone · 29/01/2026 22:36

My girls are Violet Grace and Iris Ruby, now 23 and 21 years old. Sometimes if I'm overtired, I accidentally call them Virus 😉

😆My mum does something similar!

CreepingCrone · 29/01/2026 22:36

My girls are Violet Grace and Iris Ruby, now 23 and 21 years old. Sometimes if I'm overtired, I accidentally call them Virus 😉

JuliettaCaeser · 29/01/2026 22:15

All lovely there was a very rough girl at dds school called violet who was literally violent violet which put me off the name!

NewShoes · 29/01/2026 22:10

I love Violet, it is such a strong yet beautiful name. But all three are lovely.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 29/01/2026 21:30

I like Florence and Iris. As has been mentioned upthread, hardly anyone ever uses their middle names. It is usually the cause of much surprise at people's weddings, as even close friends didn't know that they weren't called X, or had a mad middle name.

midlifeattheoasis · 29/01/2026 21:10

Definitely Florence

user2848502016 · 29/01/2026 18:41

I like Iris best but they’re all nice

MrsPositivity1 · 29/01/2026 18:18

Florence or Violet

Calliopespa · 29/01/2026 07:48

I like Violet or Florence best, but I think Florence goes best with Henry.

Like a pp, I'd go Florence Violet!

Turnups · 29/01/2026 02:54

I dislike Violet.
It's a colour, it makes me think of the spoilt brat in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it looks like the word "violent".

HelsinkiLights · 29/01/2026 02:37

Iris is my favourite have met plenty of baby Violets & Florences but not yet met a baby Iris.
I also like the name Viola as an alternative to Violet.

LivingTheDreamish · 29/01/2026 02:32

Violet.

stellarfox · 28/01/2026 22:42

All lovely options! Iris is my favourite

Evaporateandlisten · 28/01/2026 22:42

Henry and Florence sounds lovely.

No one uses their middle names.

Pettenell · 28/01/2026 22:39

I like all names. All 3 names also work well for Henry's sister. I wouldn't choose the first name based on how it goes with Shirley as none of them are great, but all are okay. I would choose the first name based on how it goes with the surname though - that is the main thing. I'm finding it hard to choose a favourite of those - maybe Florence.

TrudgingTowards2026 · 28/01/2026 22:28

I have a Violet and if DS had been a girl he'd have been Iris so I'm absolutely aligned on your name choices OP. Going against the grain though, to my ear Florence Shirley has the nicest flow to it. Shirley is well due a comeback, I imagine a little Shirley to be really full of spirit and energy.

Moreteaandchocolate · 28/01/2026 22:13

I like all 3! Iris is my absolute favourite though.

Rgf · 28/01/2026 21:59

They are all lovely, though for me to say my fav I would need to know where in the world you were to take into account accent, e.g. for me (Scottish from Glasgow) Florence or Flo probably sounds a lot harsher/sharper when said than Iris, however in other areas that wouldn’t be the case if that makes sense 😂 x

stickydough · 28/01/2026 21:52

All really lovely!

notagainyoufool · 28/01/2026 21:09

Florence

Sparklinggreen · 28/01/2026 21:06

Lean to Florence
not keen on Iris feel is v old fashioned

Chloujo · 28/01/2026 20:26

Violet

amy480 · 28/01/2026 20:21

All lovely names. Violet Shirley sounds the best but my order would be Iris, Florence, Violet if not taking into account middle name. I wonder if the name Shirley will make a comeback soon!

BoleynMemories13 · 28/01/2026 19:42

I wouldn't worry too much about the 's' clash with Iris and Florence with your chosen middle name. Middle names are so rarely used. If you didn't have a middle name with meaning, it would make sense to pick a name that 'goes' but, as you have a middle name already chosen for a sentimental reason I wouldn't worry about flow too much. She'll be known as Iris Surname or Florence Surname far more than Iris Shirley or Florence Shirley.

I prefer Iris, followed by Florence and then Violet. I want to like Violet, but the fact it is only one letter away from violence (and therefore can autocorrect to it), bothers me.

Iris is definitely my favourite 👍🏼