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Baby names

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

Unusual but not wacky girls names?

203 replies

stompinthewoods · 29/03/2026 20:25

Trying to compile a list of girls’ names… I tend to like names which aren’t too common, I work in a school so unfortunately associate a lot of more popular or commonly used names with our pupils. I don’t want anything too crazy but would be interested to hear of any names which people love but don’t hear often?
For example, I really like the name Rumer, as in the children’s author Rumer Godden, but my husband hates it as associates it with “rumour” - which I get. I just liked that it’s different and I don’t know of anyone called Rumer!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
daysofpearlyspencer · 30/03/2026 09:26

Only ever met one Verily

Shatandfattered · 30/03/2026 09:26

My name is Stephanie and I was an 89 child and I've spent my entire life being called a fanny lol.

CeleriacRoot · 30/03/2026 09:24

I'm biased as it's DD's name, but I think Juno is really lovely - simple and strong, but elegant at the same time.

changedusername190 · 30/03/2026 09:21

Elodie shortened to Ellie is nice but fairly rare.

almondflake · 30/03/2026 09:16

There was a Sylvana when I was at school, never heard it since , also a Pearl a Juliet and a Nellie .

LydiaFunnyGums · 30/03/2026 09:08

Kyra
Kirin (Kiri)
Marlena (Lena)

sugarapplelane · 30/03/2026 09:05

TheDisillusionedAnarchist · 29/03/2026 23:17

My first was Rumer (she died as a baby). My other daughter is Marilla (Rilla) but we also liked Eris, the goddess of Chaos which may have been more appropriate!

Other names on our list were more boring like Maeve and Nell, we considered Cassiopeia briefly and Hilary.

Marilla after Marilla Cuthbert I presume? It’s gorgeous and named after a lovely literary character ❤️❤️.

I know an Eris - another gorgeous name

Nowheretobeseen · 30/03/2026 08:39

Honor, Avery, Stella, Marnie, Kaia, Della, Ximena, Alora, Adina, Aurelie, Celeste, Seraphina, Eira, Inez

Iocanepowder · 30/03/2026 08:28

Platypus7 · 29/03/2026 22:05

I honestly think the 70s names are due a comeback:
Sarah
Rachel
Elizabeth
Clare
Joanna
Stephanie
Louise
Hazel
Laura
Lauren
Catherine

All lovely names you don't hear anymore

Still too many Sarahs around as that name was also still popular in the 80s and possibly early 90s. Needs a longer break!

ihatecoffee · 30/03/2026 08:25

Xanthe

ihatecoffee · 30/03/2026 08:25

Seraphina

Westfacing · 30/03/2026 08:13

Blaise
Juno
Calypso
Willa
Zelda

MissyB1 · 30/03/2026 07:45

Fleur
Bonnie
Jacinta
Seren
Mary

Fishinthesink · 30/03/2026 07:44

Frida/Frieda

TooManyCupsAndMugs · 30/03/2026 07:39

Mireille - French, pronounced mih- ray. I love it.

thesnailandthewhale · 30/03/2026 07:34

Lena
Sasha
barbara
opal
francesca
Mercy
Susannah

NigellaDelia · 30/03/2026 07:14

HopefulYankee · 30/03/2026 00:32

I used to know a Mona when I was little. Her dad was Italian and used to call her Monnie. I’ve never met another Mona.

I know 2 ~ one is a very elderly neighbour who always jokes that she's a "Moaner" and the other is in her 50's

Lastofthesummerwines · 30/03/2026 00:37

jinn2025 · 29/03/2026 21:03

I have a little girl called Ginny and I get lots of compliments on the name. I get they could be lying, but I don’t care it’s still nice to hear.

My friend has a teenage Ginny. Her Mum had died, they wanted to honour her and Ginny was the closest name they could find that wasn't dated . I've never heard of another one so it's lovely to find one.

Receptionprep · 30/03/2026 00:37

I love Ida

Hello19834 · 30/03/2026 00:34

Athena is gorgeous

Hello19834 · 30/03/2026 00:33

I met a lady from Canada years back and her name was Corinthe which I thought was beautiful. She pronounced it as CoRINthay.

I also love
Angelica
Annaliese
Larissa
Laurel

(I know these aren't super unusual but I think they're pretty all the same)

HopefulYankee · 30/03/2026 00:32

I used to know a Mona when I was little. Her dad was Italian and used to call her Monnie. I’ve never met another Mona.

AlwaysRightISwear · 30/03/2026 00:19

Isn't one of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis's daughters a Rumer?

LivingTheDreamish · 30/03/2026 00:16

I like Rumer. How about:

Honor
Hebe
Juno
Carys
Cassia

user1492757084 · 30/03/2026 00:07

Elspeth
Rhona
Deirdra
Gretal
Lisa
Carla
Suzanne
Cassandra
Alexandra
Arrietta
Mietta
Tess