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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

about really plain names for girls?

452 replies

MrsBadger · 07/02/2007 09:20

Now I swore I would never start a baby-name thread but I can't hold off any longer.

DH wants to give the impending BadgerCub a name that's been used in our families before. I'm fine with this - we have about 20 generations and 500 names to choose from.

The boy's names are generally fine by me (classics like Edward, John, James, Benjamin etc), but he always leans towards girls' names that I just find a bit... dull.

We have a short surname - think Stone or Rowe - and I can't help feeling that (eg) Mary, Susan and Jane don't sound especially nice with it.

Am I being overly picky or should I hold out for something longer and (oh the shame, never thought I'd say this) 'prettier', eg Eleanor or Susanna?

Come on, beat me with sticks now, I know I deserve it!

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBadger · 07/02/2007 20:35

adore Chloe but there's a surname conflict

OP posts:
JanH · 07/02/2007 20:37

Has anyone said Stella? McCartneys aside, it's very pretty (and means starry or something along those lines)

1800sarefab · 07/02/2007 20:40

I wouldn't expect you to like this but we named our dd1 Lula, a simple but pretty name popular in the States, particularly Southern, about 100 years ago.

our next dd will be Violet Belle, probably too frilly for your tastes.

How about Mabel or Harriet?
Or Meg, Juliet, Beatrice, Bella, Livia, Zora or Dora?

JackieNo · 07/02/2007 20:40

You could have Rachel Zoe (even though the Zoe's not pronounce like the first name) - good name for a style guru's daughter!

hatwoman · 07/02/2007 20:43

have you considered a hyphenated name? can make plain names into pretty ones. eg Mary-Sue, Mary-Jo, Mary-Jane (now I come to think of it I can't actually think of any that don't start with Mary...) and there's nothing wrong with Mary - which I think is a very pretty name

CocoLoco · 07/02/2007 20:53

Oops, didn't notice Chloe was on your reject list earlier! In that case, I vote for Alice. Pretty, simple, classic, not too common.

1800sarefab · 07/02/2007 21:03

OOps, this thread is too long so didn't notice you had already no-noed some of the names I suggested. I had an auntie Alice, like Zoe too, although less than Alice.

Just one word of advice about Fiona, not to use if you think dd may end up living in Tuscany, means big luscious fanjo in local dialect

CanSleepWontStarve · 07/02/2007 21:10

Does Zoe not rhyme a bit with the surname?

Zoe Rowe
Zoe Stone

hmmmmm

I of course vote for Philippa, as we have one of the aforementioned surnames and called our dd Philippa Rose.

Original poster
MrsBadger · 07/02/2007 21:13

the vowel sound is subtly different from either Stone or Rowe... but it begins with C

OP posts:
pointydog · 07/02/2007 21:27

"Mary-Sue, Mary-Jo, Mary-Jane"

So the surname's Walton

pointydog · 07/02/2007 21:28

Calton then

MrsJohnCusack · 07/02/2007 21:51

am PMSL at Tenalady's description of my name - "Georgina is average and would go nicely"

yep, that just about covers it

1800sarefab · 07/02/2007 21:53

My cousin Helen has done very well for herself, very creative, grounded and hard-working, pretty too. So I like the name Helen. How about Helena?

Helena Crohn? Is that the name?

QueenEagle · 07/02/2007 21:54

Eleanor Rowe sounds too much like All In A Row.

Go for Susanna but spell it Suzannah - brill name

MamaCampbellBlack · 07/02/2007 21:55

Alice is the best name

Original poster
MrsBadger · 07/02/2007 21:56

ok, ok, it's Cole

so fine with Eleanor

OP posts:
motherinferior · 07/02/2007 21:57

Oh no, with that surname you need Natasha, surely...

Sorry.

hana · 07/02/2007 21:57

has to be alice
fab name

hana · 07/02/2007 21:57

hmm
doesn't really go with cole tho

MrsJohnCusack · 07/02/2007 21:58

what about Alexandra

QueenEagle · 07/02/2007 21:59

dd shortens her name to Zannah, btw - she thinks it is the coolest name ever as no-one else has the same name.

Go on, it's not too soft - tell dh!

1800sarefab · 07/02/2007 22:00

Alice Cole is fine, isn't it?

TenaLady · 07/02/2007 22:00

Top of your pics for me it has to be Rachel Cole. Sounds nice for the register.

I went to school with Gina Cole, prettiest gal in the class.

1800sarefab · 07/02/2007 22:09

I think names with 3 syllables sound best with Cole.

Rebecca Cole. (Becky for short)
Miranda Cole.
Amelia Cole ( Amy Cole is nice, btw)
Suzannah Cole is good too.
Helena Cole.
Penelope (my mum's name)Cole.(ooh, that's 4)

Alice Cole is lovely though!

CocoLoco · 07/02/2007 22:14

OK, now we know the surname I think the 2 syllable names sound too plain, I'd go with 3 syllables - Alicia, Helena, Annabel, Fiona, Philippa, Julia, and I see you've rejected Lydia but I think it's a very nice name.