Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Fatiguedwithlife · 09/03/2026 14:59

they both sound like parts of the outer ear

PevenseygirlQQ · 09/03/2026 14:57

NamingNoNames · 09/03/2026 14:55

I like the name Philippa, @PevenseygirlQQ

Brilliant, we all like different names

CheeseWisely · 09/03/2026 14:56

SuperMarioToadPrincessPeach · 09/03/2026 13:18

I don’t like Minna. I only know Fenna because that’s what comedian Katherine Ryan has called her daughter.

And Minna is (I think) Russell Kane’s Daughters name. Are you a big fan of stand up comedy OP?

As for the names, I don’t mind either!

NamingNoNames · 09/03/2026 14:55

I like the name Philippa, @PevenseygirlQQ

Riverflow6 · 09/03/2026 14:53

oooo I love Fenella!

Minna is okay ish

PevenseygirlQQ · 09/03/2026 14:52

tartyflette · 09/03/2026 14:48

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Both sound a bit try-hard.

Show quote history

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

tartyflette · 09/03/2026 14:48

PevenseygirlQQ · 09/03/2026 14:44

She can call her child whatever she wants tbh

Show quote history

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Both sound a bit try-hard.

NamingNoNames · 09/03/2026 14:45

@MiddleAgedDread , The nn makes the first vowel short. Mina would be mee-na or my-na. Minna is min-na.
Fenna is fen-na. Fena would be Feena or Fayna.

Same as how dinner is din-ner, diner is die-ner.

@lululu99 , how about Menna?

PevenseygirlQQ · 09/03/2026 14:44

wishingonastar101 · 09/03/2026 14:42

I thought they were supplements or abbreviations for weight loss drugs not a Childs name!
You can't call a child "Fenna" ffs.

She can call her child whatever she wants tbh

APatternGrammar · 09/03/2026 14:44

I've always like the name Minna and remember it as a character name in many children's books. Fenna is nice too. So I would say whichever is more meaningful to you!

wishingonastar101 · 09/03/2026 14:42

I thought they were supplements or abbreviations for weight loss drugs not a Childs name!
You can't call a child "Fenna" ffs.

PevenseygirlQQ · 09/03/2026 14:38

I prefer Fenna out of the 2

fatphalange · 09/03/2026 14:36

Not sure what the confusion over the pronunciation of Minna is.
I couldn’t use it myself for regional reasons: people might think I was saying ‘Minnie’ Grin

Stillsmellingit · 09/03/2026 14:29

Neither. One sounds like a constipation remedy and Minna like a small fish, minnow. Or like Minnie which is nicer.

Natsku · 09/03/2026 14:27

Minna is nice (pronounced Min-nah), its the name of a famous Finnish feminist and playwright so quite a meaningful name to some people, but to others it'll just sound odd.

dailyconniptions · 09/03/2026 14:26

I do like them but would go for Fenella and use Fenna as a nickname. Hebe is a lovely name as is Coco, Page, Fern, Heidi, Cara or Tansy.

INeedNewShoes · 09/03/2026 14:19

Names for intimate wash products perhaps

If you like names that end in ‘a’ perhaps look for a traditional name that can be sensibly shortened to a nice nickname with that sound or that already end in ‘a’

Rosalie - Rosa
Anna
Joanna
Philippa/Pippa
Emma
Francesca - Decca

I gave my DD a traditional name but with loads of nickname options for cutesie shorter names

loislovesstewie · 09/03/2026 14:14

Not all names travel well.

Edenmum2 · 09/03/2026 14:09

youalright · 09/03/2026 13:48

Op i know you are excited to have this cute little baby girl and you want people to think you're edgy or something coming up with an unusual name but remember this is a human being

These are both very normal European names.

Applecup · 09/03/2026 14:01

FoxtrotOscarFoxtrotOscar · 09/03/2026 13:19

They sound like names for the contraceptive Pill.

Or sanitary products.

Ruthietuthie · 09/03/2026 14:00

Fenna is a Dutch name, I think (?). What about giving a longer version and then calling her Fenna.
Josefina?
Which pronouciation of Minna were you going for?
Or something different, what about Wren?

maddiemookins16mum · 09/03/2026 13:55

Nope neither. Your child will be asked ‘pardon?’ every time she gives her name for evermore.

loislovesstewie · 09/03/2026 13:53

Neither.

DogsandFlowers · 09/03/2026 13:50

Neither!!

youalright · 09/03/2026 13:48

Op i know you are excited to have this cute little baby girl and you want people to think you're edgy or something coming up with an unusual name but remember this is a human being