Who wants to hear my friend's shortlist for her baby girl...?

[TurnThatFrownUpsideDown]

Posting with aforementioned friend's permission.

She knows her choices are 'unique' and won't be to everyone's taste, but would love more than just my opinion.

Anastasia
Ever
Lake
Marilyn
Starla
Ella
Rae
Tate
Haven

She says Marilyn is her favourite (which i actually love!), but also likes Lake and Ever (which i'm not so keen on).

Definitely not shaven Haven.

Think I'd choose River instead of Lake, for a girl.

Really like Marilyn actually. The rest are all a bit meh.

Ramona?

Ok, it is far too soon after 50 shades, especially with the film coming up to even consider Anastasia

The 50 Shades/Anastasis connection is just too strong atm, Haven is a holiday park, Ever sounds like a Cockney Heather, Lake is just awful, Tate is a boys name, and Starla sounds a bit TOWIE - the others are OKish.

I love Rae and now I come to think of it can't believe I didn't call my son Ray. Prefer Ana to Anastasia.

Christ, I live under a rock, don't I?!

I've heard of 50 Shades, but until this thread had no idea that the name Anastasia was connected with it.

Maybe I'm being naive. But I honestly think a name like Anastasia has the wherewithal to go the distance and whack the 50 Shades association into a cocked hat.

By the time a baby Anastasia has grown up, nobody's going to give a shiny one about a book popular in the early 2010s...

I like Lake (so long as the surname isn't Windemere....)

Starla is lovely.

I don't like Rae or Marilyn sorry.

I think some celebrity's son is called Ever, possibly that singer from the 90s Alanis morrisette. I'm not sure about it being used as a name.

Anastasia and Ella are nice names.

I quite like Starla.

Tate is quite nice. How about Tatum?

Haven and Lake are interesting nature type names and they might suit the girl/family well. How about River?

I haven't read 50 shades or made the association either.
I like Anastasia.

Hmm. They're VERY different!

Anastasia: I'd think her mam was reading a certain book when she conceived....not a connotation I'd want for my child, though there's nothing wrong with the name itself. It'd probably end up as Anna though - which is nice too, but obviously only if your friend likes it!

Ever: bizarre. Sounds like a mispronunciation. She'd have to correct people and spell it for the rest of her life.

Lake: Only heard of one person called this and he was male and weird, so bad connotations for me I'm afraid.

Marilyn: Manson/Monroe. Also quite oldy-lady. I wouldn't - but perhaps it's time the name came back round.

Starla: sounds like a 50's actress to me, not sure why. That's not necessarily a problem though! Depending on the surname, I could quite like it.

Ella: personally I HATE Elle/Ella/Ellie and think they're over-used.

Rae: charvy name if you ask me.

Tate: sounds blokey, but could work - especially if you can ensure that she's a strong and quirky character!

Haven: NO!!!!!

I think Haven is Jessica Albas daughters name - and I don't think there are many others floating about

Ever is a bit of a celeb baby name at the minute.

Anastasia is nice, I would let the book/film bother your friend that much.

I love Rae

wouldn't let

Anastasia - I like this and I've never read 50 shades so no connotations there for me, will get shortened to Anna
Ever - no
Lake - no
Marilyn - could work
Starla - I've only heard this name once (on a TV show) and the woman in question was a lush
Ella - I like this but know quite a few
Rae- could grow on me
Tate - no
Haven - no

another one who would think 50 shades when hearing anastasia on a baby these days, bit of a shame cos i do like it

Just to say I know of an Anastasia whose name is shortened to Tasie, rather than Anna, which I love, and is different from the 50 shades character.

Otherwise I like Rae and Starla, a bit meh about Marilyn and Ella and agree with most PP Ever, Lake, Tate and Haven are not really names at all.

Personally I have always liked Anastasia for the Russian princess connotations.

I think Marilyn although not to my taste is definitely due a revival.

Anastasia - Really love this. Agree that when baby has grown up the 50 shades of grey connection will have been and gone and nobody will make the link. Besides not everyone has read the book (I haven't) and I dont think its a particularly negative connotation anyway. Definitely my
favourite

Ever - bit faddy and celeby.

Lake - plain wrong.

Marilyn - Not my style but nothing wrong with the name. Definitely think it will fit in with name trends in the coming years.

Starla -is this a name? Dislike this.

Ella - Pretty, inoffensive but a little popular, not necessarily a bad thing though.

Rae - pretty, I like this

Tate - Would use this on a boy

Haven - caravan park, Jessica Alba and a shaven haven. Definitely not!

What about Ella Rae?

Rae makes me think of Mildred Pierce, so what about adding Veda to the list?

If Marilyn, Lake and Ever are her favourites, I would go for Marilyn. I am not sure if Lake would work, might, might not. I don't think Ever works though (pronounced as in, "have you ever?"). Is this how she is pronouncing it?

Love Marliyn. Like Rae. Dislike the rest and Haven would need a brother called Butlins

I really love Ever. Great for a middle name.

Hate Marilyn.

Anastasia, prefer Star to Starla - dont like the others

Shaven haven