Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Name delema, Dh and I can not agree.

38 replies

chocolateicecream · 09/02/2013 21:55

I have been struggling to find the right name for baby number three. We have two dd's and have agreed on a boys name but cannot agree on our girls name choices.

So far I like Mahala, Nina, Shona, Abrielle, and Heidi, but am very keen on choosing the name Jemima, a name that I have always loved.

My husband wants to call the baby Heidi if it is a girl. I do really like the name but it sounds like hidey hole, a phrase that I sometimes use when playing with the children, or referring to a pets hiding place. We both like Nina but it makes me think of ne na. I think that I may regret it if the baby has one of these names.

I would appreciate any input or advice with our name choices or help with how to get round this one get my own way. I have told my Dh that we need to wait and see what the baby looks like in order to deter him from thinking of this little one as a Heidi.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/02/2013 21:58

Heidi much nicer than the others.

Catchingmockingbirds · 09/02/2013 21:58

I don't like any of the names you've said.

amck5700 · 09/02/2013 22:06

That's a pretty eclectic list! My favourite would be Shona but I would expect the boys to have similar Scottish type names :) Heidi would probably be next, but I've heard a couple of Heidi's recently. Jemima is not my sort of name I'm afraid - it's a bit wet and sappy I think. Nina is ok, prefer Gabrielle to Abrielle and I have never heard of Mahala but it makes me think of an Indian takeaway - sorry!

chocolateicecream · 09/02/2013 22:17

Oh dear, may have to go back to the drawing board.

OP posts:
Princesspond · 09/02/2013 22:23

I thought from the title that you were suggesting delema as a name Grin

amck5700 · 09/02/2013 22:25

Sorry, I misread and thought you had 2 boys - what are your two girls called?

Ham69 · 09/02/2013 22:32

Me too, Princess!!
I have to agree with a previous poster about Indian takeaway as I immediately thought 'Masala'. Not keen on any of names except Heidi and Jemima. Like Heidi and really like Jemima so I think you should keep trying to convince your DH.

Narked · 10/02/2013 00:28

I agree with our DH. That's the best name by far from your list.

Narked · 10/02/2013 00:29

Your DH. Fairly sure we don't share one Grin

ladymia · 10/02/2013 00:31

Mahala? It's a slang word for free of charge. it's a Zulu word. How odd, I have never seen it used as a name. Although I obviously realise after googling it that it is a name and means different things in different languages Grin

DessieLou · 10/02/2013 01:38

Heidi & Jemima are both lovely. How about Ariella?

heidihole · 10/02/2013 01:47

Pick Heidihole!!

lottiegarbanzo · 10/02/2013 02:24

Jemima is nice. I like Nina too. Not heard ofMahala or Abrielle, am afraid I might think that was a misspelling of Gabrielle. What is the origin of Mahala? It sounds nice, does it mean anything?

Heidi is ok but very strong association with the fictional Swiss character. I would expect her to have Swiss or German connections.

mathanxiety · 10/02/2013 02:32

I know a Mahala, pronounced Moholla. Unusual name.

I like Jemima a lot, not so keen on Heidi or any of the others. I like Gabrielle but not Abrielle.

UterusUterusGhali · 10/02/2013 02:34

Nina is great. Recognised all over the world!

Heidi is great too. You both like it!

Greensleeves · 10/02/2013 02:40

how about Malalah after the brave, beautiful Pakistani girl who is campaigning for girls' education?

Mahalia is also a name, there's a singer called Mahalia Jackson

UterusUterusGhali · 10/02/2013 02:49

Yes, Greensleeves!

Id be proud to be named after her!

Isn't Obama's gal called Mahala?

lottiegarbanzo · 10/02/2013 05:18

I think Obama's dd is Malia.

Gwennan · 10/02/2013 09:10

I agree that your list is quite eclectic! It makes it hard to suggest names you might want to consider.

But, as you like Mahala, what about Malala (as in, Malala Yousafzai)?

MerryMarigold · 10/02/2013 09:13

I like Nina and Jemimah. I love the name Jemimah and wish I'd been allowed to call my dd that. I also like Heidi. I like your list! (except Mahala unless you have some obviously exotic roots).

JumpingJackSprat · 10/02/2013 09:39

i like nina and heidi the best. if you like jemima and always have done then id try and convince your husband or you migt regret not using it.

lottiegarbanzo · 10/02/2013 10:22

Ok, well I looked it up myself and wikipedia says 'Mahala is a name used in many languages and countries referring to Neighbourhood or Locality' (Turkish, Arabic, Easter Euorpean). 'In Bengali Mahalla pr Moholla also means an urban neighbourhood'.

lottiegarbanzo · 10/02/2013 10:23

Sorry, Eastern European.

TheDoctrineOfSciAndNatureClub · 10/02/2013 10:35

Nina and Heidi are both nice. Yes, there might be a phase where class mates replace with nee-naa or hidey-hole but most names can be made into something else if you try hard enough e.g.. Jemima = Jemima Puddkeduck to me!

sw11mumofone · 10/02/2013 11:21

Jemima is the best on your list imo. Gabrielle is nicer than Abrielle I think.
Heidi I really dont like and Kerry Katona has a Heidi so that would put me right off even if I loved the name!!