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Baby names

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

Help us out of our girl name rut!

68 replies

Lem0ni · 31/08/2026 10:56

Please help us get out of our rut! I feel like I see the same 50 or so girls names absolutely everywhere and struggling for inspiration.

We're due number 2 in a few weeks - we think we've got a boy name, or at least a few options we both really love. But we're completely stuck on girls and seem to keep going back and forth on the same handful of names that one of us might love but the other just thinks is ok, and not something we both love (had this same girl issue with No. 1 so was fortunate he was a boy as we were sorted for his name!).

We tend to agree best on classic but underused names, I am a bit more nature inspired than him. Prefer natural/botanical, don't really like flowery names in either the floral or multi-syllable sense, no judgement at all on these names but Daphne, Aurelia, Ottilie etc just not for us).

Girls names we really like but can't seem to settle on:

Gwen - his fave, I like but don't love
Annie - a top contender as standalone, but neither of us really like any of the 'full name' options, can't decide if that matters to us
Rowan - both really like, but seems very popular, can't work out if bothered about this
Sorrel - I love, he doesn't
Briar - both like, me probably a bit more
Ivy - have always loved this but it seemed to shoot up in popularity the last 5 years
Laurel - I love, he doesn't
Lara - both like but not sold
Amber - both like but don't love

Please inspire us!

OP posts:
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IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 31/08/2026 22:22

Ember as an alternative to Amber
Calliope
Ashleigh
Hebe
Astrid
Luna

hardliquormixedwithabitofintellect · 31/08/2026 22:32

I think Annie is lovely.

Hoe about Seren or Selen?

AatoZz · 31/08/2026 22:51

I like Ivy and Amber.

Suggestions:
Hazel
Olive
Rue
Heather
Pearl
Willow

I'm not keen on
Laurel - Laurel and Hardy.
Rowan - Rowan Atkinson.

Italiangreyhound · 31/08/2026 23:07

Gwen - not keen
Annie - not keen
Rowan - not keen and I think it is more a boy's name
Sorrel - I love it but it sounds like sorrow
Briar - Very good name, love it.
Ivy - love it and there is nothing wrong with others having the same name
Laurel - not keen
Lara - not keen - think of Lara Croft!
Amber - not keen

My fav girl's names are
Lois
Harper
Cassidy
Cadence - generally means a rhythmic flow, a regular beat, or a measured pattern in sound, movement, or events

Italiangreyhound · 31/08/2026 23:08

oh and Iris, like the flower...

Chamallo · 31/08/2026 23:27

As an alternative to Gwen, how about Ginevra?

LewishamTeacher · 01/09/2026 00:08

I like Laurel and Sorrel from your list along with Annie. As others have suggested, Anna could be used as the official name if you feel Annie needs one.

Hebe and Olive were going to be my two suggestions.

Italiangreyhound · 01/09/2026 00:10

Like Pearl too.

Hollyhobbi · 01/09/2026 00:17

I’m amazed at the amount of ye liking the name Briar! Doesn’t it mean a thorny bush? Have never heard it used as a name either.

Lem0ni · 01/09/2026 07:00

Hollyhobbi · 01/09/2026 00:17

I’m amazed at the amount of ye liking the name Briar! Doesn’t it mean a thorny bush? Have never heard it used as a name either.

Life would be boring if we all liked the same things wouldn’t it! 😂 Dolores means pain, Claudia means lame, Cecilia means blind. Names have to come from somewhere! I like the wildness of Briar, makes me think of the sharpness and sweetness of blackberries. I know it’s very marmite for some, to me it’s still an obvious ‘name’ if that makes sense.

Thanks to everyone, I know I opened myself up to this by posting our list so knew some names would get a battering. We’re really looking for additional inspo to add/evaluate against as know everyone’s opinion is different. Good news is we’ve seen a couple names suggested that have made it onto the list!

Agree with PP who said some more nature/botanical ‘word names’ like Lark, Sage etc feel like saddling a kid with something to go through life with - also appreciate my taste veers near here and that everyone’s line is in a slightly different place.

Believe me when I say we have tried EVERY full variation of Annie we can think of and either can’t use or aren’t keen on any, even Anna 😂.

But the thread has been very useful, thank you!

OP posts:
NamingNoNames · 01/09/2026 10:44

Parkrunday · 31/08/2026 21:49

I know a Gwenllian in her 30s. She goes by Gwen.

It's not unpopular with the Welsh-speakers, but was very popular in the early 20th century then was hardly used. More recently, past 30 years or so, it's become more popular. I can think of 3 middle aged ones (politician/education leader, cousin's cousin, friend's sister known as Llio) but more younger ones or younger ones with it as a middle name.

NamingNoNames · 01/09/2026 10:51

@Lem0ni , Believe me when I say we have tried EVERY full variation of Annie we can think of and either can’t use or aren’t keen on any, even Anna 😂.
I believe you. Annie is lovely as it is.

Be aware though that it will be 'lengthened' to all sorts of names like Annabel. I read somewhere that Fearne Cotton got called 'Furniture' !Smile

LoudPlumDog · 01/09/2026 14:26

Antonia
Lois
Annissa
Ingrid
Valda
Electra
Fern
Pearl
Tahlia
Indigo
Bree
Jana
Neroli
Narelle
Macey
Heather
Portia
Verity
Felicity
Violet
April
Layla
Melia
Amali
Amity

Nursemumma92 · 01/09/2026 20:38

I love Briar and it was on my short list for my girls but didn't like the thorny bush association and I'm cornish so we put Bryher on our short list as it is one of the Isles of Scilly and pronounced the same.

user1492757084 · 02/09/2026 09:48

Annina
Alanna
Edwina
Marigold
Rosalind
Gwen
Linley
Dorothea
Cicely
Cressida
Briellen
Ellen
Victoria
Xanthe
Millicent

Brunchbean · 02/09/2026 11:43

Holly? We have one and rarely meet any others around her age (2). Obviously I'm biased but I think it's a classic name that ages well, and it fits your botanical theme. Good luck with whatever you choose!

NamingNoNames · 02/09/2026 14:02

@Brunchbean , I like Holly. It's a nice sound and doesn't sound too 'nature' or twee. I know one and it suits her, not too popular in her age group but she was born near Christmas, if that makes a difference.

Brownbear8 · 02/09/2026 22:57

Lem0ni · 01/09/2026 07:00

Life would be boring if we all liked the same things wouldn’t it! 😂 Dolores means pain, Claudia means lame, Cecilia means blind. Names have to come from somewhere! I like the wildness of Briar, makes me think of the sharpness and sweetness of blackberries. I know it’s very marmite for some, to me it’s still an obvious ‘name’ if that makes sense.

Thanks to everyone, I know I opened myself up to this by posting our list so knew some names would get a battering. We’re really looking for additional inspo to add/evaluate against as know everyone’s opinion is different. Good news is we’ve seen a couple names suggested that have made it onto the list!

Agree with PP who said some more nature/botanical ‘word names’ like Lark, Sage etc feel like saddling a kid with something to go through life with - also appreciate my taste veers near here and that everyone’s line is in a slightly different place.

Believe me when I say we have tried EVERY full variation of Annie we can think of and either can’t use or aren’t keen on any, even Anna 😂.

But the thread has been very useful, thank you!

Edited

Really intrigued as to what additional names have made their way to your list/which suggestions you liked OP. I think you have a really interesting list and as others said I think using Annie or Briar off your list seems the most obvious choice.

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