Anouk, Bethany, Fiona, Penelope.

[Psammead]

Could I have honest opinions on those names please?

My gorgeous 28 year old niece is called Penelope. It has been the perfect name...from a chubby cheeked, tiny toddler to the sophisticated History graduate she has become. It is one of those rare, ageless names.

Drat my sister for getting it first

Penelope is my all time fave

DH not so keen.

He likes Anouk, which I like too with the nn Annie.

Fiona is sort of a nice name but I don't know if it's quite dated.

all nice, but not so keen on Anouk, which sounds unfinished to me!

Like them all. Anouk is slightly mysterious or ethereal. Penelope and Fiona good strong names, timeless. I don't agree with Fiona being dated as such, just less used lately, dated makes it sound like you can't really use it but I think it's the type that can still be given to children pretty well.

I love Anouk.

Love, love, love it.

But if you use it, use it.

No need for Annie as a nickname. It's no shorter and a lot less nice.

Anouk would become Nookie

Love Penelope nn Penny, or could be Polly, Nelly, Ellie.

My DD (6) is Fiona. I agree its not currently used very often-I have not met another one under the age of about 40. But this means she has an unique name, without it being really unusual i.e everyone can spell/say it properly. We also call her Ona or Ones as a nickname.

Always loved Bethany. Brilliant name.
Penelope - like. Good choice of nicknames.

Fiona - not so keen.
Anouk - sounds like something out of Star Wars. Not so keen.

Prefer Anouska to Anouk

Penelope is lovely

Fionais dated and not ready for a comeback imho

Really not keen on Bethany

Fiona.

Great name. Fab name in fact.

i LOVE Anouk!! really nice, quirky and cool!

also like Penelope, it was on my list for dd.

Bethany is nice but very popular.

and i dont like Fiona, sorry, my mil suggested it when i was preg with dd and i just couldnt see it on a baby, but thats my hang up!

Don't like Bethany - it's been associated, permanently, for me, with a rather inelegant Brummie pronunciation - Beff-A-Nay. As has Kim-Ber-Lay.
Anouk is a bit self-consciously coolio - it's actually already a French diminutive of Anne.
Fiona is OK.
Penelope is elegant and timeless and as crunched says, will suit all ages. Not keen on Penny but not sure how you would avoid it.

Love Anouk, like Penelope, Fiona is meh and I absolutely hate Bethany - if any of them will date, it's that one.

Anouk - dont like at all (sorry)
Fiona - dont like (though marginally better than Anouk)
Penelope - not keen (though Penny is better)
Bethany - yes! I like one of your shortlist!! Do prefer Bethan though and think Beth is lovely!

My DD is Anouk, she loves it. She has a few quirky little nicknames in the family, but everyone else knows her as Anouk. We love it, but it does get mixed reactions... A bit of a marmite name perhaps.... But usually it's stuffy old people who turn their noses up. Kids love it. I do like Annie as a nn too. Good luck with your decision x

I like Bethany, Anouk and Penelope, but dislike Fiona.

Like Fiona and Penelope. What about Bethan instead of Bethany? Not keen on Anouk, makes me think Nanouk of the North.

Anouk is beautiful. I'm having a little girl in 4 weeks and we've chosen it for her. You have great taste! Good luck with your choice.

bethany firstly and then anouk are fab. the other two no so sure.

I went to school with Fiona and Penelope, which might cause some of you to condemn tham as dated , but I'd call both these names timeless. Never super-popular, but always in use (although situation re Fiona may be a little different in Scotland). I'd add that I personally have never met a Penelope who was known by the full name; Penny or Pen is almost inevitable.

Anouk always makes me think of anorak, and I loathe Bethan/y, sorry. Names with the -eth sound say 'death' to me.