Melissa-I can't decide, anyone want to help out with their view?

[Belgrano]

I mean is it very 70/80s like Peter, Susan, Louise etc. how does it sound to you?

I want to use the name Minna for DD, due in Nov, but Dh thinks its not a proper name, so we have compromised a bit and are now considering Melissa to shorten it to Minna.
Other options are
Cora
Flora
Clemency
Claudia
Sasha

Thoughts please...
Thank you.

I quite like the name Melissa, but not sure how you get Minna as a nn from it iyswim. It doesn't seem particularly popular anymore (although the stats for 2011 are apparently out now, so you could check :) ) as I only know women in late 20s + with that name. But perhaps its due a resurgence??

Quite like Cora & Claudia as names, but, these seem very different in style/feel to Melissa. If you like those types of names, perhaps you are going for Melissa just to get the nn you like?

Melissa is a lovely sounding name. Beautiful and not overused these names.

(I'm less keen on Minna, sorry)

And Sasha is a boys' name to me.

I love Melissa; pretty, feminine, yet 'serious'. Means 'honey bee' (sweet!)

Sure, its 1970s/80s, so I know a few (born 1983) but it is such a lovely name :-) Go for it!

MammaT

Minna is not an obvious nickname for Melissa. Minerva can be shorted to Minne/Minna.

Two Melissa's at my work and neither have a nn, the thought of it being shortened to Mel might put me off, but like it otherwise

It's pretty but I don't like the nickname Mel and I think it might happen.

I know a Melissa and her nn is Mel - I don't like either sorry.

I like Melissa. But agree that Miverva would be a more natural name for the nickname Minnie or Minna.

I know a Melissa who goes by nn Min (but not Minna). It wouldn't be my taste but it is pretty so if you like it then go for it!

Of your other choices I like Clemency (Clemmie) and Claudia. Agree with the poster that said Sasha is more masculine. Flora puts me in mind of margarine (sorry), and Cora I'm a bit meh about tbh

Melissa is a lovely name. Also like Clemency from your list.

Perhaps Miranda, Minerva, Araminta, or Wilhelmina could potentially have nickname Minna?

Or how about Camilla or Milena with nickname Milla?

Love Melisssa. My DD has a name that can be shortened to Mel but it hasn't happened yet (not that i mind to be fair).

I love Melissa. Less keen on Mel. If you called her by the nn of Minna then most people would go along with that, but as she got older friends of hers might start to call her Mel.

I'm a Melissa, and am now called Mel by most people - it started at secondary school, and although I'm not too keen on it I can see why people do it.

I always introduce myself as "Melissa, or Mel if you like" as it avoids the (common) problem of people assuming my name is Melanie!

I absolutely love Melissa, but think Minna is a bit of a stretch as it doesn't have an N in it. What about Liss or Lissa as a nn?

Or Miranda is a good suggestion by Vol if you want Minna.

Melissa is definitely my favourite of your list of names. Cora is quite nice too.

Minna is short for Minette I think. Although I don't like that name any more than I like Melissa. I do quite like Minna, just to be contrary.

Melissa is quite 80s but will be more distinctive now. I think honey and melifluousness, which is lovely. I'd shorten to Lissa.

I wouldn't use Flora personally, as margarine and spooky child character in The Turn of the Screw.

How about Wilhelmina - nn mina / minna?

Sasha is the dimunitive of Alexander, so male, though could be used by an Alexandra.

'diminutive' (can't type!)

I love the name Melissa.

What about Mina? Sounds a bit closer to Minna?

Thanks everyone. Still no nearer making a decision but its good to hear general feedback on an idea. Might just go for Minna since it's what I really fancy.
I'd forgotten how nerve wracking it is to think of a name for a tiny baby which they are then stuck with forever! (It's my 3rd DC).

To be honest, I prefer your other names, especially Cora and Claudia. Melissa does feel dated to me - there were quite a few at my primary school in the '80s, and a very fuddy duddy work colleague of dp's has just named his 2nd child Melissa, so those are my associations! I do quite like Minna, and think it can stand alone.