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Original poster

What names would you suggest if we like Matilda and Jemima?

92 replies

Fairytalebloom · 04/10/2026 07:52

Hiya,
I was wondering if you could help us name our daughter who was born yesterday. Our two favourite names are Jemima and Matilda.
However, we lived in America for 5 years before moving back to the UK and have lots of friends over there and so I worry about the racist connotations of Jemima.
I also think Matilda is really popular and so that puts me off that one slightly!
Any other ideas are very welcome please!
Thank you x

OP posts:
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Anabellie · 04/10/2026 08:40

Arabella
Clarissa
Ophelia
Seraphina
Valentina

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 04/10/2026 08:34

I like both your names and didn’t opt for Jemima for the same reason. I have a Miranda and in almost 29 years, haven’t met many others.

MagicThanks · 04/10/2026 08:33

I also love Margot

MagicThanks · 04/10/2026 08:33

I’ve got a Matilda and I’m a teacher - I think it is popular but she is the only one in her school and I have only ever taught one other Matilda in 10 years, so maybe they mostly tend to shorted to Tilly? I’ve taught a few Tillys. Matilda itself isn’t common in my experience.

Myoldbear · 04/10/2026 08:32

Mabel

Maybeitllneverhappen · 04/10/2026 08:32

Rosanna
Juliet
Viola
Flora
Betsy
Marguerite

RowsOfFlowers · 04/10/2026 08:30

Margot

Prontissimo · 04/10/2026 08:25

I had no idea about the Jemima connotations and think it’s lovely. I know a lead violinist who is called Jemima followed by a single syllable surname and have always thought how beautiful the name was. But I completely understand your reservations.

I also love Matilda and only know of one. At
my grandchildren’s school there are no Matildas to my knowledge but again, I can see why you might be worried if you know of many.

Of the suggestions you’ve had I like Marigold, Florence and Emilia the most.

LauraFaye88 · 04/10/2026 08:04

Genevieve

CremeEggsForBreakfast · 04/10/2026 08:01

Congratulations, OP! I hope you and Baby Girl are recovering well!

I suggest:
Miranda
Verity
Francesca
Freja

Aydel · 04/10/2026 07:58

Victoria
Henrietta
Josephine
Emmeline

user1492757084 · 04/10/2026 07:57

Jamima
Miranda
Philomena
Dorothea
Edwina
Marigold
Millicent
Camilla
Madeleine
Matilda

The association with Jemima Puddle Duck far out weighs anything negative.
Jemima and Jamima are feminine forms of James and James is still very popular - though I'm sure there must have been a bad James somewhere in history.

Aydel · 04/10/2026 07:57

Beatrix is also nice!

Houmousandcrisps · 04/10/2026 07:56

My first thought was also Tabitha - and I hadn’t made the Beatriz Potter connection!

IsItWickedNotToCare · 04/10/2026 07:56

Hamble

IngaMinger · 04/10/2026 07:55

Tabitha
Imogen
Harriet
Adeline
Florence (although popular in UK)
Madeleine

Aydel · 04/10/2026 07:55

Tabitha? You seem to have a bit of a Beatrix Potter theme here…