What do you think of these....

[smelltheroses]

Can I have your opinions please on my short list, any feedback very much appreciated. Thanks

Girls

Florence
Constance
Beatrice
Seren
Esther
Poppy
Felicity

Boys
Alexander
Sebastian
James
Andrew

Florence - like
Constance - like
Beatrice - like
Seren - not keen, a bit faddy among "original" types ATM. Prefer Serena
Esther - OK
Poppy - like
Felicity - like but don't like nicknames Flick/Fliss etc.

Alexander - like
Sebastian - OK but a bit prim
James - like
Andrew - like

How about Estella? Prefer it to Esther but has the star meaning like Seren.

Florence - like
Constance - lovely
Beatrice - OK
Seren - prefer Serena or Selene
Esther - no
Poppy - lovely
Felicity - OK

Alexander - lovely
Sebastian - OK
James - lovely
Andrew - lovely

For me all lovely, except Seren and Constance. I wouldn't be keen on Andrew for a boy myself, but just because it seems a bit dull. Not a bad name per se.

Esther & James for me

Girls

Florence - nice
Constance - just heard of one being born this past week, is it on the up?
Beatrice - not for me but OK
Seren - no doesn't look complete, like it needs anothe e on the end. I know it doesn't but you know what I mean?
Esther - like this one the best of your girl's names
Poppy - too little girl, not so good for a woman?
Felicity - nice

Boys
Alexander - not keen on this myself but it is popular.
Sebastian - nor this one but again it seems well received generally
James - good solid name and like Jim as nn
Andrew - love this and would have gone for it myslef expcept I am not keen on Andy

Girls
Florence - Okay, I feel it will soar in popularity very soon!
Constance - Don't like at all.
Beatrice - Beautiful
Seren - Very American sounding, don't like.
Esther - Don't like.
Poppy - Nice, but very popular at present.
Felicity - Okay, but I also hate the nn's Flick / Fliss.

Boys
Alexander - Lovely.
Sebastian - My absolute favourite
James - Lovely.
Andrew - Nice.

I'd go with Beatrice and Sebastian

Florence - v pretty, but have grown a bit bored of it now
Constance - dislike, although nn Connie is good
Beatrice - again, a bit bored of this now, although nn Bea is very sweet
Seren - gorgeous name!! with a lovely meaning!

Esther - like very much and you don't hear it everywhere either
Poppy - dislike for anyone over the age of 12 but it's better than Daisy
Felicity - dislike

Boys
Alexander - like
Sebastian - love
James - not fussed but like Jamie
Andrew - not fussed but like Andy

I seem to prefer nns to full names!

Florence - stodgy
Constance - beautiful, but I don't like Connie at all
Beatrice - beautiful, classic
Seren - beautiful, unusual and Welsh (= good)
Esther - beautiful, unusual
Poppy - too insubstantial
Felicity - too frilly

Boys
Alexander - nice
Sebastian - reminds me of skin conditions
James - ok, maybe a bit dull; Jimmy is a nice for a small boy however
Andrew - ok, maybe a bit dull

Thanks everyone. Me and my DH seem to have totally different ideas when it comes to names. it took us a while to get a shortlist.

He prefers...

Seren and Andrew

and I prefer..

Florence and Alexander

Can you think of any other names that have got a similar feel to the ones we have listed . I like Matilda but seem to be hearing loads at nursery a lately.

Similar(ish) to your girls' names:

Iris
Lauren
Iola
Tilda
Martha

Is this on the right track?

Laurel
Helena
Iolanthe
Tabitha
Marianne
Caroline
Frances
Carys
Charis
Clara
Elin
Leonora
Eleanor
Madeleine
Miranda
Katherine
Honor

Anthony
Nicholas
Conrad
Edmund

Im loving the suggestions. The ones that I like but havn't considered are:

Martha
Iris
Tabitha
Marianne
oooh and Edmund

I will suggest these to my other half. Thanks again

QuestionNumber - How would you pronounce Serena?

Is it Se-ren-a or Se-ree-na

I'd pronounce it Se-REE-na.

If you prefer Se-REN-a pronounciation though, you could use the name Serenna, i.e. with a double n.

'Se-REE-na' here (what a lovely name) though I've heard 'Se-RAY-na' too.