There's something wrong with EVERY girls name I Like!

[BananaHammocks]

Martha - Too popular
Claudia - Means lame in Latin plus could have pronunciation problems
Tessa - I dislike nicknames as given names and this was originally a nickname for Teresa
Raphaella - Would probably get shortened to Ella which is a bit overdone
Valentina - Would get shortened to Val or Tina neither of which I like.
Athena - I'm not Greek
Paloma - I'm not Spanish
Henrietta - I like it but think it's a bit too posh/horsey, don't think I'd feel comfortable saying it!
Saffron - Love it but think it's not as classy as the rest.

Am I massively over-thinking this?

Do you have any suggestions for similar names?

Yes think you are over thinking it a bit!

Martha: is it that popular? Is this a problem?
Claudia: I can't see any pronoucination problems personally, meaning wouldn't bother me.
Tessa: I would consider this a name in its own right.
Raphaella/Valentina: I just don't like. Accept you have a point about nicknames.
Athena/Paloma: I don't think need to be Greek or Spanish.
Saffron: I think this is lovely.
Henrietta: bit horsey I agree.

I like all the names except for Saffron. All the other names are beautiful. And I wouldn't worry about nicknames or the foreign origin of some names.

Martha isn't too popular IMO. I have never met one in any of my dc's classes or activities. Just use it!

Martha isn't popular.

Lots of fab names on your list. What do you like best?

Absolutely love claudia, but I feel your pain. How about:
Meredith
Carmen
Tamsin
Renée
Verity
Alina
Pandora
Helena
Serendipity
All randomly generated

How about Marta as an alternative to Martha?
Please don't call her Serendipity.

I don't think Martha is too popular. Therefore go with Martha

yes you are overthinking it.

You say you don't like nicknames as given names but that's not entirely true because you like Tessa.

Saffron - Love it but think it's not as classy as the rest.

I understand what you mean by your comment after the above but its also the only name you said you love. Therefore, I'd be inclined to go with it.

If you are classy, your daughter will be classy. The issue you're concerned with only really arises if this isn't the case if you know what I mean?

Oh god, you are like me OP! I wish I could just like a name and go with it and not give a damn what anyone else thinks. I'm sure if it weren't for Mumsnet and the ONS baby names list I'd have called my children James and Emily - beautiful, classic names. But you do get sucked into thinking you have to find a unique name and believing all the MN posters who tell you they know 25 Persephones and 35 Geronimos under 3 at playgroup!

Btw, I adore Martha and Claudia from your list.

Fenella, Eleyna, Enya, Sorcha, Sienna, Florence, Orla, Esme, Ismay, Ursula, Marianne, Marina

Loads of lovely names on your list. I particularly like Paloma

Martha isnt popular.

Claudia is beautiful.

Prefer Tess to Tessa.

Really do not like any of the rest, they are too big and showy for me.

Just pick your favourite, or wait til she is here and see what you end up.calling her.

We kept calling dd the cats name for about a week after she was born

Martha - I don't know any.

Claudia - I know one, lovely name, what pron problems?? Clowdia rather than Clawdia? I think it would be fine.

Saffron - if you love it, use it nn Saffy? Kickass nn!!

I only know one Martha and she is 30. No little ones at all.

I'd use that or Saffron (you love it, and it's unusual),

I also like Claudia.

I don't like any of the others on your list but that's personal taste, there really isn't anything wrong with them!

Martha not too popular
Miranda?
Helena is lovely

I know a little paloma, they are not Spanish, but a v glam family and it suits her perfectly, she got called pea when she was little and now she's paloma. No one bats an eyelid that she's not Spanish, they just comment on what a lovely name she has.

What about Harriet?

I don't know any Marthas.

Love Claudia and Martha!
Saffron is nice too.

Flora
Scarlett
Octavia
Cordelia
Florence
Clover
Willow
Eden
Hermione
Lydia
Matilda
Thea