Which girls name would YOU choose?

[EasyCompadre]

Our DD1 is due soon, and it feels like we've been thinking of names forever! The only names we have agreed that we both like so far are:
Zara
Emmeline
Harriet
Sadie
We would like to use Emmeline as a middle name (as there is a little Emily already in the family and it sounds a bit same-y). I've liked all of those names for a long time, but now it comes down to choosing one to give to my child, one which I will undoubtedly say thousands of times over the coming years I just can't choose one, I'm stricken with doubt that I don't actually love any of them and there's a much better name out there somewhere. So which would you choose? Why? Do you know any babies/children/teenagers/adults with those names? What do they remind you of?

[Lutrine]

I'd pick Harriet. My DH wouldn't hear of using it though, he said it was too posh! Bah! Next time.....

[Keepthechangeyoufilthyanimal]

Just realised I have NC back to my pre-christmas name but as they are so similar I guess you will realise who I was!

[Keepthechangeyoufilthyanimal]

Hi Easy, sorry I have only just seen your reply!
Of course - here is my short list for a girl! (not so short actually, just a big list of names I like!)

Emmeline (obviously!)
Violet
Imogen
Mia/Mila
Rosalie
Lilia
Annalise
Hazel
Annabelle
Faith
Iris
Julianne
Evelyn
Hallie

I also love Ava and Grace but have discounted them because they are now so common :-(

[DalmationDots]

Zara
Emmeline
Harriet
Sadie

I'd call her

Zara Emmeline
or
Sadie Emmeline

DDs friend is a Sadie, it really suits her and is lovely.
I always think Zara is very trendy and under-used.

[jazzyjenbo]

Of ur names i like Zara the best... How about the alternate spelling Zarah.
I'm a childminder and recently looked after a Zarah and she was lovely. Also gets u away from the 2 vowel issue.

How about
Zarah Emmaleen... Spell both alternatively x x

[myrtleWilson]

easy such an exciting time for you! Whichever name you choose, whether on your list or a left field suggestion will be perfect! In answer to your question, she doesn't have any nicknames really. Nothing at school if that's what you were worried about... I use her first and middle names when I'm making a point and have on occasion (lazily) called her Sades but not regularly!

[EasyCompadre]

Thanks again for all the input, I really appreciate it, taking it all on board and considering all suggestions even if I haven't directly said so.

myrtle everything you said about the name Sadie is precisely why it has been a favourite for a long, long time... Wayyyyy before this pregnancy even. I think it's making a final decision which is giving me wobbles, despite at one time or another LOVING each one of the names on the list when dreaming of having a little girl.

Does your Sadie have any nicknames myrtle?

[bringonyourwreckingball]

If you don't 'love' one of them I'd advocate starting again with an open mind.

[Hulafox]

I am having exactly the same trouble deciding so I feel your pain!

From your list, I like Harriet the most... Then you have the option of Hattie (more girly) or Harry (more tomboy) if she does ever want to shorten later on. It's a lovely name in full too. It is a well known but not too common, easy to spell and pronounce, and works for a baby, child and adult which are our criteria. Good luck deciding!

[Tikkamasala]

Zara

[rockybalboa]

Harriet. Love it.

[Suzietwo]

Sadie is wonderful

[mum2jakie]

Sadie is a lovely name - strong and unusual but not outlandish. I love it

[muddylettuce]

I wanted Sadie on our list for dd but dp wouldn't allow me because it's the name of a local nominal. I love it though. X

[morethanpotatoprints]

The nn thing you can never be sure of anyway. My dd gets em or emmygems

[morethanpotatoprints]

Emmeline without a doubt. I really wish we had called dd this name, chose the more popular shortened version.
I really regret it now.

[looki]

If the nn Emmy is a foregone conclusion, I would dismiss the name Emmeline entirely and opt for Harriet nn Hattie.

[nocomet]

Emmy/Ems/Em are perfectly reasonable NNs.

And anything long will get shortened, I am and both DDs and DH all are and we don't have anything like as many letters as Emmeline (which I agree is pretty)

We are snowed under with Ellis and Izzys despite them being Elsie, Eleanor, Isabel, Isobel, Isabbelle and Isabella, they still prefer to be as confessing as possible, just as the Susanne, Suzanna and Susan's of my school days did. No idea why they and Lynnettes and the several Linda's all became Sue and Lyn, except to confuse me.

[looki]

Please don't ruin a beautiful name like Emmeline with a dull nn like Emmy. You might as well call her 'blah'

[myrtleWilson]

Sadie is nearly 11 and was pretty much always going to be Sadie, we contemplated Nina, I liked Nico in a Velvet Underground stylee but Sadie she was! DH had been reading a cyber feminist/philosopher called Sadie (dd's middle name is a nod to another female philosopher - there's a theme here!) but aside from that we thought it was a cool, strong, cute and sassy name. Good on a small child as not too twee but still a bit old fashioned yet kick ass enough be anything she wants to be when she grows up - Astronaut, Prime Minister or current favourites -Vet/Dogs Trust, teacher or chef.. I know it's a marmite name but it suits her, we've met only one other in real life although we have met several people say they had a great aunt called Sadie. The bbc tv series called Sadie J was aimed at dd's demographic so that made it very cool her in her eyes! Good luck in choosing and don't worry if the name doesn't arrive until after your lovely dd!

[KalamityJane]

Have you considered Clementine (pronounced Teen) instead of Emmeline? You could still use the nickname Emmie and there would be no confusion with Emily.

[RaRa1988]

Hehe OP, I'd love to be the inspiration for your DD's nickname

[justhayley]

Why don't you keep all four & when you cuddle your little lady you'l know which one her name is.
I like Sadie and then Zara from your list. What about Sienna, or Zoe similar but different to yours