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Baby names

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

Original poster

Unusual and rare name advice needed.

110 replies

secretcove · 06/06/2009 19:51

I'm not ashamed to admit that want an unusual name for this baby, I don't want her to have the same name as anybody in her class or school. I know that this can still happen with a rare name but it's less likely.

So I need your wise thoughts on my names and more suggestions of rare names which are not likely to become popular in the future.

what do you think of the following:

Euphemia
Delilah
Juniper
Perdita
Isolde
Drusilla
Magdalen
Pandora
Cressida
Vi ola
Ismene

more suggestions please.

OP posts:
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bigstripeytiger · 06/06/2009 20:30

This thread from a couple of days ago had some pretty and unusual names.

link

lockets · 06/06/2009 20:28

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Message withdrawn

MrsMattie · 06/06/2009 20:27

Delilah and Magdalen are the only ones on your list that don't make me flinch.

Euphemia and Drusilla are unspeakably awful.

EyeballshasBackBoobs · 06/06/2009 20:27

The name is Viola as opposed to the instrument which is a viola isn't it?

MaggieBee · 06/06/2009 20:26

It was his daughter's name.

bigstripeytiger · 06/06/2009 20:25

Pablo Picasso was the father of Paloma Picasso.

yama · 06/06/2009 20:23

Chunkamatic - you are right, Paloma does mean 'dove'. I only know that because I googled it after your post.

I've just remembered that it's Picasso's first name.

Castiel · 06/06/2009 20:22

Ooh Hephzibah.

I know a Hephzibah Japonica.

rubyslippers · 06/06/2009 20:21

i do love Violet - more so that Viola

coffeecups · 06/06/2009 20:20

Sounds like the school role at my old posh school!

Love Isolde and Magdalen.

My DD is a Beatrice and I've yet to meet any others

MsTrilobite · 06/06/2009 20:19

Actually magdalen would also work in that way it you like Maggie.

MsTrilobite · 06/06/2009 20:19

I love euphemia, magdalen and isolde. I would probably go for isolde or ismene so as to give your DD the option of having a very common, everyday shorter version (izzy) if she doesn't like having an unusual name.

FaintlyMacabre · 06/06/2009 20:18

Juniper was our 'bump' name. I might have considered it as a middle name for a girl, but we had an Edward instead.

lockets · 06/06/2009 20:16

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Thunderduck · 06/06/2009 20:15

Ok in slightly more detail this time.

Euphemia No. Not a pleasant name at all.
Delilah No. Everyone will sing Tom Jones or The Plain White T's to her.
Juniper No. Too silly.

Perdita No.It makes me think of Perdita Pongo from 101 Dalmatians.
Isolde Not bad actually. It's rather nice.
Drusilla No. Too harsh sounding and makes me think of the crazy vampire from Buffy.
Magdalen Awful.
Pandora.No. Not the most pleasant sounding name, not awful though but I don't like the myth that's associated with the name.
Cressida. Bloody awful.
Vi ola Not bad but I don't think I could name a child after an instrument. It does have a pleasant sound though.
Ismene. Pleasant enough.

mrswoolf · 06/06/2009 20:13

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrswoolf · 06/06/2009 20:10

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warthog · 06/06/2009 20:09

Euphemia - euphemism
Delilah - samson and delilah - she going to be a hairdresser?
Juniper - bush - life of brian - suggestion of food
Perdita - lost one from jilly cooper book polo
Isolde - tristan und isolde - wagner opera
Drusilla
Magdalen - jesus' supposed wife
Pandora - ooooh that's a racey name
Cressida - model of a toyota car
Vi ola - musical instrument and flower name
Ismene

Chunkamatic · 06/06/2009 20:08

yama I think Paloma is very chic! Isn't it the spanish word for dove?

Chunkamatic · 06/06/2009 20:06

Hephzibah - my fantasy name for a fantasy daughter! It means "my love is in her2 or similar in Hebrew. Can be shortened to Eppie/Effie...

Of your list my fave would be Perdita but I think the most unusual is Ismene (only in that i've never heard of it!) Magdalen reminds me of that film the Magdalen Laundries

georgimama · 06/06/2009 20:06

Cosmo
Consuela
Honeysuckle
Ariadne
Juno

Thunderduck · 06/06/2009 20:04

No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No

MaggieBee · 06/06/2009 20:04

I reckon that Delilah is on the increase. Lila names are no longer unusual enough for the people who want unusual names, but people are inadvertently drawn to a version of a name that's popular.

yama · 06/06/2009 20:04

I like Euphemia.

What about Paloma? I heard a singer on the radio today talking about her singer flat mate called Paloma and I thought 'Hmm, nice name'.

And Breege or Bree? Both are Irish variations on Brigit.

EyeballshasBackBoobs · 06/06/2009 20:00

I love it but never think of Ursula although I went to an Ursuline school. Must mentally file it in case of DD2

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