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Baby names

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

Original poster

Iona, Lydia, Matilda, Anna or Olivia - Which girl's name?

61 replies

rebeccahill · 21/09/2008 08:17

Help! We've got under 2 weeks to register our daughter's name, and don't know which of the above to choose. Any suggestions would be most welcome. Thank you.

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BabyBaby123 · 21/09/2008 19:21

Matilda is the only one I'm really not keen on, at a push I'd probably say Olivia - shortened to Livvy

lotsoflovelychocolate · 21/09/2008 19:19

Anna or Matilda - I love Tilly as a short.

Anchovy · 21/09/2008 15:22

Round here, Olivia is very popular - DD has 2 in her reception class and has always had swathes of them in nursery etc. I think at one stage virtually every child in her ballet class was called Olivia, Alice or Milly.

notsoteenagemum · 21/09/2008 15:12

Anna definately is lovely for all age groups.

Pannacotta · 21/09/2008 15:07

Anna again - another biased voter here

lolianja · 21/09/2008 15:03

I'd go with Anna. That's top of our list for a girl.

Olivia is just a bitchy name. I know that sounds awful but I've known in excess of two dozen Olivias and the ones that haven't been outright bitchy have been swept into bitchy behaviour or have a mean streak. Lydia gives off a similar vibe to me.

Matilda is pretty, and Iona is pretty but you have to be careful with Iona if your surname is any kind of noun ("I own a"). I once knew an Iona Cock. Cruelty.

So I'd go with Anna.

Tommy · 21/09/2008 14:29

Lydia

DS3 was going to be Lydia but we didcided it wouldn't suit him when he came out

Iona is lovely and a bit more unusual

Anna is timeless

Matilda is nice

Olivias are ten a penny round here too

Bumbleybee · 21/09/2008 14:20

Anna definitely, it is my sister's name and I love it.

Weegiemum · 21/09/2008 14:06

Iona or Anna

Don't really like the others, sorry.

giraffescantdancethetango · 21/09/2008 11:43

My fave is Iona

wheresthehamster · 21/09/2008 11:40

Biased as well - Anna.

A few months ago there was a long name thread where Anna was the only name that EVERYONE liked. So - much loved but not common. Go for it!

Cies · 21/09/2008 11:35

Anna or Lydia

AnathemaDevice · 21/09/2008 11:14

I'd go for Anna. But that could be because it's my name and, I think, a damn good name to grow up with!

PolinaDashkova · 21/09/2008 11:02

Find Lydia the nicest. But then I know two Lydias and they are both lovely women

ninedragons · 21/09/2008 10:59

Love Anna and Matilda.

With Iona, the risk is that she'll marry someone with a surname that's also a noun. Obviously she doesn't have to take her husband's name, but Iona Ball or Iona Toy would sound silly.

Hulababy · 21/09/2008 10:45

"Iona, Lydia, Matilda, Anna or Olivia!

I love the name Matilda.
Anna and Olivia are both pretty too.
I don't like Iona or Lydia.

pointydog · 21/09/2008 10:36

Iona - good name
Anna - good name
Olivia - no no, frilly pinafores
Lydia - orient express 1930
Matilda - quirky, ok, roald dahl

Peachy · 21/09/2008 10:34

Anna

Matilda

not so keen on the others but none of tem are awful

Pollyanna · 21/09/2008 10:33

Anna is my fave.

Also like Olivia but steered clear as it is v common where I live

pgwithnumber3 · 21/09/2008 10:33

Anna, gorgeous classic name.

TillyScoutsmum · 21/09/2008 10:33

I like Iona, Matilda and Lydia

MrsMattie · 21/09/2008 10:31

Anna and Olivia are my favourites, although Olivia vastly more popular. Dislime Iona.

TwoMore · 21/09/2008 10:30

I liked Iona a lot when pregnant but DH vetoed it because it sounded like 'I own a' and that put me off.

Lydia is pretty but Anna out classes the lot. Have you sorted out a middle name? Anna Olivia is nice.

FeelingLucky · 21/09/2008 09:16

Anna (but then I'm biased)

Chocolateteapot · 21/09/2008 09:14

Anna is my vote.