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Baby names

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

Original poster

Fenna or Minna?

167 replies

lululu99 · 09/03/2026 13:00

What are your thoughts on these 2 names for a girl please? Any other similar ideas? I like that they are short and simple, but not too common and feel like they would work for all ages.

OP posts:
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midlifeattheoasis · 09/03/2026 17:35

mushypetits · 09/03/2026 13:16

They don't sound like names for a child. A horse maybe.

This

Dee51121 · 09/03/2026 17:26

I really like Fenna too. The only thing that puts me off is that it's a Dutch name I have no Dutch connections, but not sure that really matters?

I know of a Minna and, although I did assume it was pronounced Min-ah, I wasn't totally sure so you may find the pronunciations of it varies. I can't see you having that problem with Fenna so I would go with that. Despite what others on here say, I think it's a really cool sounding name!

Wednesdaysotherchild · 09/03/2026 17:03

My dutch neice is called Fenna, sweet name. I like Minna too.

Ducksbehindthesofa · 09/03/2026 17:01

Minna, Minna chicken dinner!

thetroubleistheytastesogood · 09/03/2026 16:57

I’ve only come across one Minna and she was lovely.

Enko · 09/03/2026 16:57

I like both. But I am woth the poster that prefers Fennela. So I guess for me Minna just wins. Fenna is pretty though..

NamingNoNames · 09/03/2026 16:55

@BallerinaFall , I suggested it too.

@RaraRachael , they're not made up.

BallerinaFall · 09/03/2026 16:31

My Welsh niece is Menna (a crossover of your two choices)

RaraRachael · 09/03/2026 16:23

Haven't heard of either as a name. Are they made up?

There are lots of nice names to choose from.

JustGiveMeReason · 09/03/2026 16:21

Which country do you / will you be living in @lululu99 , and what country are you and your dp from ?
As choosing names for (and from) different cultures when wanting to acknowledge that culture, is different from if you are both English and she will grow up in England.

If I met someone with a name I didn't know / hadn't heard, then the conversations would probably carry on with me asking where the name was from. That can probably get old if there isn't a connection to (for example) Mum's place of birth.

HardyEustace · 09/03/2026 16:18

They sound like contraceptive brands.

Glitterbiscuits · 09/03/2026 16:16

What else do you like? These names sound like acronyms
Medical Institute for Night Nursing Association or
Foundation for Empowering New Naturists Association

Original poster
lululu99 · 09/03/2026 16:06

I said “not too common” was a bonus, not that I’ve gone out of my way to find something as wacky as possible. Both felt pretty tame to me based on the range of names I come across but clearly I’m mistaken!

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/03/2026 16:03

lululu99 · 09/03/2026 16:00

Why so rude? I don’t think these names make me look “edgy” nor are they particularly out there! Both short, simple and (I thought) straightforward to pronounce. With both you just say what you see.

I do like a few of the suggestions, especially Greta and Nella (but not Fenella strangely). I will be adding those to the list!

They do look very much like you’re trying hard to use uncommon names as you said in your OP. It’s the trend to find less and less common names to be ‘unusual’. And as you’ve seen on here not as obvious as you thought with regards to how you pronounce them.

Original poster
lululu99 · 09/03/2026 16:00

Why so rude? I don’t think these names make me look “edgy” nor are they particularly out there! Both short, simple and (I thought) straightforward to pronounce. With both you just say what you see.

I do like a few of the suggestions, especially Greta and Nella (but not Fenella strangely). I will be adding those to the list!

OP posts:
RosesAndHellebores · 09/03/2026 15:54

Honestly. I'm sorry but they sound like euphemisms for lady parts. Fanny and minge spring to mind. Absolutely awful.

fatphalange · 09/03/2026 15:51

Nella is a similar vibe

Dollymylove · 09/03/2026 15:24

Not keen on either
Fiona is nice

FryingPam · 09/03/2026 15:15

Fenna reminds me of Senna, the laxative. In fact I googled it just now because I thought the laxative is called Fenna.

miniaturepixieonacid · 09/03/2026 15:13

I've never heard of either name but like them both a lot actually. I think I prefer Fenna but Minna is pretty too.

MrsMoastyToasty · 09/03/2026 15:08

My relative (born circa 1910) pronounced her name as Min-ah.
She was an amazing lady-very intelligent and a brilliant sense of humour.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 09/03/2026 15:05

reallyalurker · 09/03/2026 15:00

Both pretty names, I think. I prefer Fenna as Minna sounds more nickname-y. Fenna also makes me think of Fenchurch in the Hitchhiker's Guide books.

Years ago I had a little tortie cat who we called Fenchurch (huge H2G2 fan). She was always called Fenny, or Fenn for short. I actually like the name Fenna, but it does sound as though it's a shortening for something.

youalright · 09/03/2026 15:02

Edenmum2 · 09/03/2026 14:09

These are both very normal European names.

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That's fine but in this country they are not it has already been shown by multiple posters on this thread nobody knows how to pronounce. Would you want to grow up constantly having to correct people on your name

reallyalurker · 09/03/2026 15:00

Both pretty names, I think. I prefer Fenna as Minna sounds more nickname-y. Fenna also makes me think of Fenchurch in the Hitchhiker's Guide books.

tartyflette · 09/03/2026 14:59

PevenseygirlQQ · 09/03/2026 14:52

Names are personal choices though, so she should and she can if she likes those names.

I’d rather call my daughter Fenna or Minna than Philippa as one poster suggested, which is one of the ugliest names in the world… imo

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They are indeed but the OP did ask for opinions.…

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