to think about giving our baby one of these names?

[gettheflagsout1]

We have a shortlist of names for our baby daughter who is due at the beginning of May. The names are Molly, Beatrice and Emma.

I love all of these names but, put together with our surname, DH has 'helpfully' pointed out that each one of them could sound a bit silly. Our surname is the same as the female TV presenter Zoe ....

Giving DD my maiden name is out of the question as I changed to DHs when we got married.

I can't get a clear perspective on this and sometimes think they sound ok then sometimes not. AIBU to give our baby one of these names? I would appreciate some MN views in order DD to avert a potential name disaster.

Three nice names but as pps have pointed out, certain accents can make them sound funny. What about a double name as a buffer? Like Emma Jane or Molly Ann? I also think Emily is a good option; it sounds right and avoids the 'I'm a ball' thing but you could still call her Emma.

With my accent Emma sounds the best but loved someones suggestion upthread of Emmaline - lovely and different.

Was going to suggest Izabelle, Isobella but when it's inevitably shortened it doesn't sound good.

Jessica? even shortened to Jess, Jessy with the surname doesn't sound bad.

Molly? Don't you think that will sound a little twee when the child is grown up. It's fine for a little girl but sounds a little silly for grown ups.

I wouldn't do the chee in Lucia unless you are Italian. It sounds far softer with a see in the middle. As in Lou-see-ah

Canthisonebeused - but the Anglicised version of Lou-chee-ah sounds like "Lou, see a ball" or "Loose your ball"! It's a pretty name, but I can totally see why my friend's parents went with the Italian version.

Sophia is a similar name without any pronunciation issues that I can think of.

So far, the ones I think would work well are: Lucia (Lou-chee-ah), Clara, Meredith, Jessica, Francesca, Rachel, Eileen, Harriet, Stephanie, and Charlotte.

Also: Helen, Ellen, Rosie, Leslie, Laura, Catherine and Katie.

I personally wouldn't go with Caroline - it'll almost definitely end up shortened to Carrie, which sounds like carry, which again is a bit comical with the surname.

Also, Isobel and Isobella sound a bit odd with the surname, to my ear at least - kind of "bouncy" due to the repeated "b" sound, which again is a bit comical with the surname.

Forgot to add Sophia to the "would work" list...

How are you doing gettheflagsout1?

I was about to come and add 'Sophia' and 'Sophie' to the list. But they end up sounding like 'so feeble'.

Sorry I missed the point they had the same surname I see why they chose it with a chee

Easily done, Canthisonebeused!

And oh gracious, MackerelOfFact, you're right! Naming really is difficult... I now understand why Lucia's parents didn't spot the issue with calling their poor elder DD Hannibal Hannah Ball...

Hmm, what about Amy Ball? The worst thing that sounds like is amiable, and that's not a bad quality to be associated with.

Ed Balls?

My DD is Beatrix B and we call her BB. I think it's cute as hell

Bea Ball would sound a bit like beach ball though.

Sorry for taking such a long time to get back - and thanks for all your replies. Arrrghhh! DH was right. It is the most impossible name.

We still haven't decided and now see the full extent of the problem of trying to find a name we both like and that goes with our surname. We are truly stuck at the moment. I don't want to give my little girl a name we're only half-hearted about. Tell me what to do MNers. Has anyone else had such a problem?