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Baby names

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

Original poster

Are 5 syllable baby names pretentious?

132 replies

hendaw · 23/07/2026 20:59

Ones that I am considering

Cassiopeia
Anastasia
Alexandria
Theodosia

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TheBrunswick · 24/07/2026 14:05

PancakeCloud · 23/07/2026 21:17

I would say Theodosia and Anastasia with four syllables

How?

momtoboys · 24/07/2026 14:04

My favorite is Onomatopoeias

Tryagain26 · 24/07/2026 14:02

It depends on the name . I
think Anastasia is fine the others on your list sound contrived to be longer
Why Alexandria and not Alexandra?
Why Theodosia and not Theodora
And Cassiopeia sounds pretentious

LightningTree · 24/07/2026 13:57

I like Alexandria and Anastasia, not keen on the other two.

Runsaway · 24/07/2026 13:56

canklesmctacotits · 24/07/2026 04:42

that really is pretentious! Also makes it sound like Canestan cream oddly.

Show quote history

No, that’s the correct pronunciation. I know a few, and they’re pronounced like that. It’s Russian. The short form is often Nastya.

fromgothtoboss · 24/07/2026 13:47

Can’t imagine a Cassiopeia at a normal school. I do kind of like it though!

Weeellokthen · 24/07/2026 13:43

I'm unsure whether this is a joke post 😂
But then, this is mumsnetland 😂

Gemilo · 24/07/2026 13:30

AlbieJiggered · 23/07/2026 21:27

DD is Leopoldina and DD2 is Maximiliana. We wanted simple, easy-to-spell names that work internationally. They never have the name shortened.

Simple? Blimey

Helenbelena · 24/07/2026 13:15

And I know several Anastasias.

Helenbelena · 24/07/2026 13:15

I actually know a Leopoldina.

Rocknrollstar · 24/07/2026 09:27

hendaw · 23/07/2026 20:59

Ones that I am considering

Cassiopeia
Anastasia
Alexandria
Theodosia

But you couldn’t call them by these names - you would have to shorten them.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 24/07/2026 08:46

My kids have 4 syllables names which seems long enough.

squirrelchops2 · 24/07/2026 08:44

AlbieJiggered · 23/07/2026 21:27

DD is Leopoldina and DD2 is Maximiliana. We wanted simple, easy-to-spell names that work internationally. They never have the name shortened.

Brilliant!

beencaughttrollin · 24/07/2026 08:42

I have an Apollonia and an Altagracia. No one minds except the mumsnutters, who insist that I should "just name them Polly and Gracie if you're ever going to shorten the names; I don't understand why people use a longer name on the birth certificate - it's mad!!"

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 24/07/2026 08:42

If you like the name go for it but they are definitely all pretentious! 🤣

SweatySpider321 · 24/07/2026 08:33

Sherararara · 23/07/2026 21:21

Anaphylaxis is my favourite.

Same. I tried to get my husband to call our eldest that but he didn’t like it!

panfrydish · 24/07/2026 07:35

AlbieJiggered · 23/07/2026 21:27

DD is Leopoldina and DD2 is Maximiliana. We wanted simple, easy-to-spell names that work internationally. They never have the name shortened.

I can’t tell if this is a joke or not! 😆

Morelovelyandtemperate · 24/07/2026 07:24

It isn't a baby name, it's the name of a human being who will be going out into the world.
Firstly to the shops, sitting in a trolley, where you will be telling old ladies that the tiny baby's name is (takes deep breath) Titusandronica, or whatever the choices were.
Just prepare yourself to hear, "gosh, that's a bit of a mouthful" or "gosh, that's a big name for such a wee girl" umpteen times a day.

Lobsterteapot · 24/07/2026 07:09

How do you feel about the shortened versions op? That is what they are going to be called in reality

AgnesMcDoo · 24/07/2026 07:06

I would cut back to Alexandra and go with that.

The rest are far too frilly.

IronEverything · 24/07/2026 06:33

CurlewKate · 24/07/2026 06:27

But that’s not how it’s pronounced!

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Says who? I've known a few Anastasias and they've all pronounced it "an-ah-stay-shah" .

MonsterSister · 24/07/2026 06:28

canklesmctacotits · 24/07/2026 04:42

that really is pretentious! Also makes it sound like Canestan cream oddly.

Show quote history

Could be more of an emphasis on the SEE-ya now I've said it a few times in my head (but certainly it has three short 'a' sounds first). I think parent is of Russian origin rather than being pretentious.

CurlewKate · 24/07/2026 06:27

IronEverything · 24/07/2026 06:22

I'm assuming you're pronouncing "sia" on the end as see-yah? I would pronounce it as shah so your 5 syllables would be 4 to me.

But that’s not how it’s pronounced!

IronEverything · 24/07/2026 06:22

I'm assuming you're pronouncing "sia" on the end as see-yah? I would pronounce it as shah so your 5 syllables would be 4 to me.

FlyingToniBoxes · 24/07/2026 06:20

Anastasia and Theodosia both have tragic associations with the most famous women who bore the names dying young and violently.

If you have greek heritage Alexandria isn't pretentious but if you don't Alexandra is less forced in an Anglo context. Cassiopeia is probably the best - Cassie.

They'll all be shortened by friends absolutely inevitably, that's the main thing with very long names. You cannot expect to control that beyond nursery - it'll be up to your child.