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Baby names

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

non 'girly' girls names

63 replies

rezzle · 28/10/2012 21:47

Sorry for the vague title, I'm just really struggling to describe the type of name that we're after!

Ideally, we want a name that is subtly pretty, but not in your face girly so a future DD would have choices to suit her personality.

So if anyone has managed to decode what I mean through my sleep deprived, pregnancy brain jumble, please could you suggest some names that might suit? Currently considering Elliot, Eden and Asha.

OP posts:
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manicinsomniac · 29/10/2012 12:51

My instant though on 'non girly' was to go to the popular American type names (which I love btw, I'm not sneering at them). But there are also lots of more English sounding ones. I agree with whoever said avoid a and y endings for the most part, though there are some shorter names with a endings which still don't sound girly to me.

British/Irish tradition (sorry for any repeats):
Amber, Autumn, April, Aisling, Bethan, Bridget, Bronwen, Carys, Cerys, Constance, Cara, Cora, Claire, Dana, Diane, Emma, Erin, Edith, Eve, Ellen, Evelyn, Esther, Ffion, Faith, Frankie, Frances, Gemma, Georgia, Hannah, Hero, Hope, Iris, Judith, Joanne, Karen, Kiran, Kate, Katelyn, Kathryn, Lauren, Lois, Leah, Megan, Meredith, Morvern, Merryn, Miriam, Nicole, Nadine, Olive, Pearl, Quinn, Ruth, Rachel, Rhian, Robyn, Rowan, Seren, Stella, Shannon, Sian, Siobhan, Sinead, Tara, Tess, Tamsin, Yasmin

American/Modern style:
Ashlynn, Addison, Adelyn, Avery, Brooke, Brooklynn, Brogan, Brynn, Briley, Bailey, Cassidy, Cadence, Camryn, Carmen, Delaney, Dylan, Emerson, Eden, Emery, Ellis, Farron, Genesis, Hadley, Hayden, Harper, Jordan, Jayden, Kinsley, Kendall, London, Morgan, Macey, Marley, Madison, Paige, Peyton, Payson, Piper, Riley, Reese, Reagan, River, Sutton, Spencer, Sydney, Taylor

Viviennemary · 29/10/2012 13:38

Of the names suggested I like Elizabeth and Hael. I like Sylvia too. Or even Vivienne. Grin

iheartmycat · 29/10/2012 20:50

Keira/Kira/Ciara - I think this is feminine without being frilly
Keren
Harper
Logan
Evan

overtheseatocalais · 30/10/2012 07:53

Ellen, Jill, Petra, Ann, Viva ???

VintageRainBoots · 30/10/2012 08:03

Willa or Wilhelmina (Mina as a nickname)?

There's a girl in my daughter's class named Willa. She's a very sweet and very bright girl, and she has a cute name to boot!

baskingseals · 30/10/2012 21:03

love Hero and Juno.

what about

Ines

Kim

Jonquil

Blaise

Margot

Sally

Jay

Sky

MoelFammau · 31/10/2012 11:41

I have a Robin. She gets Bob (and recently Bobzilla because she's discovered how to be a stroppy toddler).

Nature names are generally non-frilly.

Fern
Wren
Bracken
Raven

AnnaKissed · 31/10/2012 12:47

Elliot is a boys name. What about Ellis?

Rebecaa · 31/10/2012 16:41

Rebecca (slightly biased ;)) I love how Rebecca can be girly but not frilly but is still a 'serious' name career wise. Can also be shortened many ways but I prefer it in full

rezzle · 31/10/2012 19:27

Thank you for all of these fab suggestions [hsmile]

I'm sure I will be back in due course with a fully compiled list!

OP posts:
BananaPhone · 01/11/2012 20:31

Sorrel

TittyBojangles · 01/11/2012 20:37

Sidney

qumquat · 01/11/2012 23:53

The common names among 30 somethings now are much less girly than their modern equivalents:
Sarah
Katherine ( in full or nn Kate)
Rebecca
Rachel
Laura
Elizabeth
Claire
Jennifer (nn Jen)

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