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Baby names

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

Really struggling with naming...

9 replies

Chunkychicken · 17/07/2012 12:02

This is DC#2 and we deliberately chose to not find out the sex, as we didn't with DD and wanted to have a similar experience. However, it seemed a hell of a lot easier to name DD than choosing a short list for this LO. I'm only 22wks so have got time, but DH & I are on completely different pages on this, & rather morbidly I suppose, I'm concerned if baby doesn't arrive safe & sound in November, we might need a name sooner.

I have the baby name book from my first pg and have started writing down all the names from then, but obviously I a) know a lot more children/babies of the same short of age, so I don't want to use the same names, b) need the name to work with DD's name - I'd hate to be calling both DCs on the playground & the names sound odd/wrong together, or even rhyme!!

Our surname isn't terrible, but it isn't the easiest & is,quite often mis-spelt, so don't want to condemn our DC to a life of spelling out his/her whole name either.

Oh, and, to add some extra drama, we want to avoid family names, as DH's parents are both remarried so don't want to cause upset if we appear to favour one 'branch' over another.

I've thought about websites, but sometimes there's too much choice iyswim!!

It feels like a massive minefield!!

So, really does anyone have any advice or ideas for this situation? What did you do? How did you choose your DC's name(s)?

Is this panic/problem normal??!! Blush

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anicecuppatea · 17/07/2012 12:10

Oh Chunky you made me shiver talking about possibly needing a name before November... (I'm 21 weeks so we're in a similar boat). What's your naming style? That's where i'd probably start. Do you like fresh/modern, older/classic etc? And would you be prepared to reveal DC1's name?

Viviennemary · 17/07/2012 12:15

Here's what we did. It worked for DD but not DS. But I got my way with DS by sheer nagging. Blush Each write a list of say 10, 15 or 20 names. Doesn't really matter how many. Don't consult. Exchange lists. Put tick by the names you like cross by the names you hate and OK by the ones you don't mind. Realise some folk might prefer a more informal method!!

Chunkychicken · 17/07/2012 12:44

Thank you both!! Love the suggestion Vivienne, think that might be something DH could go along with.

anicecuppa I prefer more traditional names I guess. I tend to think along the lines of 'would this name equally suit a Dr/Prime Minister/shop assistant/bin man?' sort of thing (hopefully without disparaging too many people/professions/names Confused ) If it can be shortened, that's fine, although we use my DD's full name mainly - which is Eleanor (middle name Niamh).

OP posts:
Stellan · 17/07/2012 13:30

Not the most representative sample but Eleanors whose mums and dads who announced their birth in the Telegraph have siblings named -

Alexandra
Alice
Alice Catherine Alexandra
Alice Dora Rosetta
Amber Bethany
Amelia
Amy
Anna
Anna Sophia Grace
Annabel Florence
Annabel Iris
Beatrice
Beatrix
Beth
Camilla
Catherine
Charlotte
Charlotte Elizabeth Anne
Clara Betsan
Clara Jane
Claudia
Daisy
Elizabeth
Emily
Emily May
Flora
Florence
Florence Rose
Frances Louis Motia
Francesca
Francesca Rose
Freya
Georgina
Georgina Elspeth Mary
Grace Henrietta
Hannah
Hannah Elizabeth Grace
Harriet Cecilia
Hermione Katherine Sarah
Hester Rose
Imogen
Iris
Isabel Winifred Theodora
Isabella
Isabelle
Isobel
Isobel Alexandra Rose
Isobel Emma Rose
Isobel Mathilde
Jocelyn
Josephine
Juliet
Leelee
Lillian
Lizzie
Loelia Lois-May
Lottie
Lucia Islay Alexandra
Madeleine
Madeleine Lucia Charlton
Mary
Matilda Cicely Rose
Megan
Megan Lucy
Mia
Mia Ann
Milly
Miranda
Molly
Olivia
Olivia Grace
Olivia Irene
Philippa
Phoebe Constance
Phoebe Florence
Phoebe Ottilie Rose
Rebecca
Rosalind
Rosemary
Sacha Christina
Sophie
Thalia
Theodora
Vere

Alexander
Alexander William
Alfred Northcliffe
Angus
Archie
Arthur Nicholas Ivo
Benjamin
Benjamin David Jonathan
Charles Theodore
Christian
Cosmo Benedict Buchanan
David
Dominic Joseph
Edward
Edward James
Edward John Muir
Edward Robert
Fergus Gordon
Finlay
Finn Forester Minton
Fraser
Frederick George Macaulay
George
George David Charles
George Robert
George Sidney Moore
George William Amherst
Jack
James
James Henry Martin
James Michael
Jamie
John Anthony
Hector
Henry
Matthew
Max
Michael
Oliver
Oliver Charles Temple
Oscar
Robert
Rory
Ruaridh
Rufus
Sam
Seamus
Ted
Thomas
Thomas George
Thomas James William
Thomas John Edward
Thomas Richard Benedict
Thomas Wilfred David
William Alexander Charles
William Finlay
William Ralph Joseph

Since all those mums and dads liked Eleanor too, you're bound to like a couple - might be a good springboard for your search!

dillnameddog · 17/07/2012 13:41

I bought this book, and read bits of it pretty much every night. I would read names out to DH and he would say 'no' 'hmm' 'no' etc etc. Occasionally I would jot one down.

www.amazon.co.uk/Dictionary-First-Oxford-Paperback-Reference/dp/0198607644

Chunkychicken · 17/07/2012 14:55

That's so helpful, thank you. :)

I will have to get that book, and DH will be pleased - Freya is one of his favourites but I wonder if its a little common-place now and wouldn't want Eleanor to struggle to get the usual named pencil/pencil case/plate/mug tat you inevitably get whilst her lil sis Freya gets it easily iykwim!! Hmm

It helps to read some names that people have obviously thought on a par/go with Eleanor.

OP posts:
amck5700 · 17/07/2012 20:24

Hester is nice, not heard that for a long time.......or Finlay for a boy - seems to be all Finn's now. Actually it's nice to see David out and about too

Chunkychicken · 17/07/2012 21:49

Not letting my DH get away with a 'Jr' so David is ruled out!! Grin

OP posts:
amck5700 · 17/07/2012 22:00

okay lol - I agree, my OH was insistent that his name *wasn't" used anywhere! Andrew is nice too.

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