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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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LattePatty · 24/07/2026 06:10

As someone with a 4 syllable first name and 3 syllable last name I would advise against a 5 syllable first name. 4 is plenty

canklesmctacotits · 24/07/2026 04:42

MonsterSister · 24/07/2026 00:42

Oddly, we know two youngish Anastasias. One pronounces it An-AST-a-see-yah. The other just uses Nan.

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

NuffSaidSam · 24/07/2026 00:59

Not pretentious, but such a mouthful to shout across the playground.

Such a mouthful that you will inevitably end up with Cassie or Ana or Alex or Theo. If you like the shorter versions too then go for it.

Oftenaddled · 24/07/2026 00:55

I like them. Nice, stately names. Would certainly say them all with five syllables.

Why call them Ana, Alex etc if they can choose to use those names anyway? Give them options.

SnowFrogJelly · 24/07/2026 00:52

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.

Wind up?

SnowFrogJelly · 24/07/2026 00:50

Yes

RanniTheWitch · 24/07/2026 00:46

They’re not pretentious IMO, but the only one I’m familiar with is Anastasia and that’s just because of the Romanovs.

MonsterSister · 24/07/2026 00:42

Oddly, we know two youngish Anastasias. One pronounces it An-AST-a-see-yah. The other just uses Nan.

vladimirVsvolodymr · 24/07/2026 00:31

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.

Love this 😂

arlequin · 24/07/2026 00:12

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 wouldn’t say these are simple names

HelenaWilson · 24/07/2026 00:09

why give them such complicated names to learn to spell?

Alexandr(i)a is quite easy once you know the sounds. All the letters do what they're supposed to do. Al-ex-and-ra/ri-a. Names like Courtneigh are more difficult.

Purplesproutingbroccoli23 · 23/07/2026 23:05

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.

Grin
SeriouslyAreYouSure · 23/07/2026 22:34

Cass, Ana, Alex & Theo

will sort that out for you!

BabblingBiddy · 23/07/2026 22:31

JackandVictor · 23/07/2026 21:20

Me too

Show quote history

Same
And now I have the Hamilton song stuck in my head.

Giraffehaver · 23/07/2026 22:28

They'll end up being called Cassie Alex Anna and Thea anyway so why give them such complicated names to learn to spell?

HelenaWilson · 23/07/2026 22:20

I like Alexandra better than Alexandria. Alexandra was a queen. Alexandria is a seaport in Egypt.

It will only be a baby name for a year or so. Then it will be the name of a child, an adolescent and a grown up person.

Butterflybluebell · 23/07/2026 22:10

I voted no, not because I think they're pretentious, I just don't like names that are more than 3 syllables. Just feel a bit clunky to say imo

Ilovemsrachel · 23/07/2026 21:33

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 23/07/2026 21:25

I like Cassiopeia.

Me too. Though she was famously vain, so it’s not the nicest name in terms of its mythological baggage.

Watchoutfortheslowaraf · 23/07/2026 21:29

As a Hamilton fan, I do quite like Theodosia. Love the song dear Theodosia

muminherts · 23/07/2026 21:28

I like Anastasia but I think in practice many people elide some of the syllables. It then becomes a bit like Ann-ah-stay-sha

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.

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 23/07/2026 21:25

I like Cassiopeia.

Original poster
hendaw · 23/07/2026 21:25

@PancakeCloud THE-OH-DOH-SEE-AH

ANN-AH-STAY-SEE-AH

OP posts:
BeingATwatItsABingThing · 23/07/2026 21:23

Anastasia is fine but not 5 syllables when I say it. The others are a bit pretentious in my mind so not really my taste.

I preferred names that couldn’t be shortened.

Sherararara · 23/07/2026 21:21

Anaphylaxis is my favourite.