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Baby names

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

Original poster

Emma or Eve for baby girl?

57 replies

Star1995xxx · 05/07/2026 13:35

Me and my husband are trying to decide between two names for our baby girl. We like both but his favourite is Emma and my favourite is Eve.

Middle names Catherine and Anne so either:

  • Emma Catherine Anne
  • Eve Catherine Anne

We already have two boys: Alexander (Alex) and James (Jamie).

I'd love to hear which name you prefer and why. Baby is due at Christmas time. Thank you!

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Firebird83 · 05/07/2026 19:07

My DD goes to nursery with an Emma.

BoleynMemories13 · 05/07/2026 19:06

VIII · 05/07/2026 13:52

Where on earth do you live that there are 5 nursery aged Emma's 😯.

I've genuinely only ever taught one in the last decade and I've taught in a lot of schools.

Show quote history

It will be area dependent. I know 3 primary aged girls called Emma, but all 3 are Eastern European. The old British classics, such as Emma, Anna, Hannah and Rebecca, are very popular choices among Eastern European families whose children are growing up in England. So maybe they are talking about an area with high rates of EAL children?

Emma is nowhere near as popular here as it was in the 80s (and early-mid 00s, where it had a big resurgence for a few years after Rachel and Ross used it on Friends). It's been incredibly popular ever since then in America though, and it is still hovering around the top 50 over here, so it's not exactly unusual to hear it on young children.

JackieFancy · 05/07/2026 19:06

Emma is lovely. Eve is a time of day.

Zippidydoodah · 05/07/2026 19:04

I don’t know any little Emmas, and I also work with many children!

I would definitely choose Emma, as Eve/evie/eva is EVERYWHERE.

luckylavender · 05/07/2026 19:01

I love Eve. Emma is bland.

PurpleReindeer2 · 05/07/2026 18:53

Emma or Eva

StationJack · 05/07/2026 18:37

Both are really nice but Evie being so popular would put me off.

Allonthesametrain · 05/07/2026 18:33

I love Eve

mathanxiety · 05/07/2026 18:26

Emma Catherine Anne is a perfect name.

Allswellthatendswelll · 05/07/2026 18:23

Emma is more classic (although I know many in their mid to late 30s!). Would you consider Eleanor, Edith, Emilia, Emmeline etc?

StationJack · 05/07/2026 18:12

Emma. There aren't that many Eves registered, but there are a lot of Evelyns and Evies registered.
In England & Wales, Evelyn is #20, Evie #29 and Eva #54.

ItalianChineseIndianMexican · 05/07/2026 17:59

Emma

Excellentsausages · 05/07/2026 17:41

Emma is a lot more popular than Eve in England and Wales. Emma is 69th and Eve 242nd.

I think what makes it feel less popular is that Emma used to be lot more popular for children when most parents were younger so now seems relatively rare, and that the Eve variations are so popular (Evelyn 20th, Eva 54th, Evie 29th, Ava 9th).

I think Emma is of a similar Jane Austen type vibe to the middle names and goes well with them.

Rothburypixie · 05/07/2026 16:01

I like Emma, but personally would go for Eve.

I think both are quite popular, I only know one Eve and many Emma’s (some children) so just go with what you like best! X

AgnesMcDoo · 05/07/2026 15:57

Both are lovely

BoleynMemories13 · 05/07/2026 15:46

I think Emma is a better all round match with her brothers' names, and the middle names. It's a very classic choice, lovely.

Myswweetchild · 05/07/2026 14:08

I love Eve, but yes, too many about.
I'd go for Emma.

SharkEatsDonkeyTails · 05/07/2026 13:53

I always thought Emma was much more common than Eve! I don’t really like Emma, I like Evie but I love Eve even more!

ToadRage · 05/07/2026 13:53

Emma. Eve, while nice is too close to Evie which is very common right now. Emma is less common and classic.

VIII · 05/07/2026 13:52

Star1995xxx · 05/07/2026 13:50

Really interesting that people think Emma is less common these days. I’d asked my friend who worked in a nursery and she said she knew 5 little Emma’s, 3 little Evie’s but no Eve’s. I guess it probably depends on where you live and maybe Eve just blends in with the Evie’s.

Where on earth do you live that there are 5 nursery aged Emma's 😯.

I've genuinely only ever taught one in the last decade and I've taught in a lot of schools.

EnidVance · 05/07/2026 13:50

No more Eve/Evie/Evelyn and Eva’s please for the love of God!

Original poster
Star1995xxx · 05/07/2026 13:50

Really interesting that people think Emma is less common these days. I’d asked my friend who worked in a nursery and she said she knew 5 little Emma’s, 3 little Evie’s but no Eve’s. I guess it probably depends on where you live and maybe Eve just blends in with the Evie’s.

OP posts:
hyggetyggedotorg · 05/07/2026 13:46

I’m an Emma & there are zillions of us in our 40s & 50s but I’ve not heard of a little Emma for years.

I do love Eve though. I’d go with that.

user1492757084 · 05/07/2026 13:46

Emma.
I love the 2020 film Emma. It is so funny and sweet.
I also would go ..
Emma Anne Catherine. It sounds more vibrant.

Eve is nice but there are swamps of them.

Daffodilsinthespring · 05/07/2026 13:46

Emma. Goes better with your boys.

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