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Baby names

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

Original poster

British opinions needed!

38 replies

MrsVik · 26/08/2009 09:26

Or in fact, opinions from anywhere else in the world too.

I moved out of the UK to Germany a while ago, and I'm fairly out of touch with naming fashions. We just found out yesterday that we're having a little girl, and I couldn't resist drawing up a name list last night!

The thing is - I don't know anymore which names are considered chavvy, poncey, in, out, over-used, old-fashioned, or have any negative connotations attached to them. So, instead of setting my heart on a terrible name, I thought I'd ask for advice!

We're planning on spending quite a lot of time in the UK once the baby is born so she gets to know the British culture etc, so it is important to me that she has a name which is not going to be weird in some way to other British kids etc.

So, here's my list - please slate as much as you like, that's why I'm posting

Alice
Isabelle
Lucia (we'd pronounce it loo SEE ah)
Tessa
Yasmin

Thanks for the time!

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MrsMattie · 26/08/2009 11:05

I really like Yasmin and Tessa/Tess.

Alice is pretty.

Isabelle is OK - extremely popular in the UK.

I really dislike Lucia with that pronunciation, sorry.

I don't think any of those names sound 'chavvy'.

GrimmaTheNome · 26/08/2009 10:45

All lovely, perfectly acceptable names.

Teladi · 26/08/2009 10:32

They are all lovely, though I am another that prefers Loo-chee-ah!

Original poster
MrsVik · 26/08/2009 10:26

Thanks for the feedback so far!

I'd pronounce Alice in the English way. My German DH tends towards pronouncing it half-way between 'Alice' and 'Ellis' but I don't think that sounds too bad, or too foreign - besides which, we'll be bringing her up bi-lingual so she needs to get used to the idea that some words just sound different!!

It's a shame Isabelle is so popular, that was my front runner. I'll have to give some thought to whether or not popularity in the UK will really affect us here, or will bother me.

Sorry diddl - I slightly prefer the 'loo-SEE-ah' pronounciation!

Tessa is the name of a little girl I used to teach. I've never come across the name before or since in its own right - she was such a little sweetie that I just have a nice feeling about the name.

Yasmin is about the most Germanified (making-up words is never a good sign, lol) name on the list. I don't mind any connections with the middle-east - I think it's a lovely name, and a perfectly valid one in Germany.

Tamsin is a name I love, but unfortunately a bit 'foreign' for the Germans to get their heads around! I don't want our daughter to stick out in that way, iyswim.

OP posts:
diddl · 26/08/2009 09:52

I wouldn´t go for Yasmin in the UK.
Lucia-only if it´s Loo chee ah!

thedollshouse · 26/08/2009 09:42

Alice - Lovely
Isabelle - Lovely but very popular
Lucia - Lovely
Tessa - Prefer Tess
Yasmin - Prefer Jasmine or Tamsin.

MmeLindt · 26/08/2009 09:40

Alice - nice but pronounced differently in Germany to UK. What pronounciation would you be going for?

Isabelle - lovely

Lucia - lovely

Tessa - not so keen

Yasmin - again different pronounciation.

Saying that, I have not lived in UK for 17 years so I am not that well informed on British names.

daisy78 · 26/08/2009 09:40

I quite like all of them! Isabella is very popular at the moment (as is Isabella), if that bothers you. I wouldn't have thought of Yasmin, but I think it is lovely. Tessa is probably my least favourite, but that's just my opinion - there is certainly nothing wrong with it

francagoestohollywood · 26/08/2009 09:40

All nice, and I especially love Tessa (mind you, I'm not english)

skybright · 26/08/2009 09:37

Lovely names. Congratulations.

suwoo · 26/08/2009 09:36

All lovely and IMO no negative connotations or chavness at all.

MrsBadger · 26/08/2009 09:35

all fine, none chavvy, poncey or especially old-fashioned, but Isabelle (Isobel/Isabella etc) is frantically overused IMO and will be frequently misspelt

I have only known Yasmins of Middle Eastern origin, which may or may not bother you

foxytocin · 26/08/2009 09:32

I like them all. no.1 is v good . would you consider adding Tamsin on your list seeing you also like Tessa and Yasmin.