39 weeks - time to make some decisions

[PollyIndia]

Firstly, can I ask a favour, that you don't just say you hate the names on my list as I have been through thousands and these are pretty much the only ones I like.

But it would be great if you could tell me which you like the best... I am starting to have doubts about all names, but the baby can't just be baby for the rest of his/her life. Though it worked for Baby Houseman, kind of.

I am nervous about opening my list up to Mumsnet, but here goes:

Girls

Ela (my grandmother's name)
Viola (though would kids maybe call her Vile Viola?)
Vivienne
Maud
Isis
Joan
Lyra
Theodora

Boys

Gilbert
Jude
Jago
Rafferty
Otis
Francis (nn Frankie)

I don't want anything that sounds pretentious or too 'islington' if that makes sense (which Jago may be....). Or anything too common or hard to spell.

Thanks for being kind, she says hopefully!

It can do polly. But not always!

You have a lovely list so just have a look when they arrive and see.

We didn't decide (short list of 2 though!) till he was handed to me! Then DH said "Xxxx then?" and that was that. Now can't imagine him being called anything else. My faves from your list (in order):

Girl: Ela, Joan, Isis
Boy: jude, Francis (frankie)

Ela - OK
Viola - lovely
Vivienne - don't like
Maud - a bit prim
Isis/Lyra - Islington
Joan - like
Theodora - like

Gilbert - a bit wet
Jude - like
Jago/Rafferty/Otis/Woodrow - Islington
Francis - like

Ps my child is not actually called xxxx, obv.

:o Happybunny12

Not Castlemaine as nickname then?

Vivienne - love this
Maud - like this
Isis - like this

Boys

Gilbert -like this with nn Gil.
Jude -like
Jago- ok
Rafferty - love this
Otis -love this
Francis (nn Frankie) -love this

I like Vivienne best from your girls list and Jude from your boys

Love Francis. Think it is classic but also a bit different.

Love Viola. I had a friend at school with this name and she was fab.

wouldn't it be Theadora rather than Theodora?

Really love Rafferty, Lyra, Maud and Viola from your list!

amck5700 I just googled and it can be both. I like the look of theodora more, but actually I've already rejected it I have decided as my surname is 3 syllables and I think it's too much of a mouthful.

Thanks picklesthepottymouthedparrot. Do you know a real life pickles the parrot? I'd love a parrot.

And thanks to the rest of you - looks like francis is surprisingly popular - no-one has said they hate it yet.... i think!