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Baby names

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

Original poster

I'm just going to call it "baby" and be done with it!

26 replies

PeaceLillyDoge · 21/02/2014 11:13

DD is due very soon and we can't agree on any names. I have a very common name and am keen that she isn't lumbered with the same fate of being "so-and-so number five" at school. DP on the other hand can't seem to get out of the top ten most popular baby names (and want lumbered with such a popular name himself). They're popular names for a reason, I get that, I'd just like something a little less top 100...

These are names I like and I'd love your opinions on them and any other suggestions. Surname is pretty standard and short.

Zoe
Hera (also love Juno but it doesn't work with our local accent)
Darcey (is this really making a comeback?)
Aria (love GOT so an fine with the reference)
Marika (my fave, and one we nearly agree on but we're not eastern European, does this matter?)

Help!

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Dingleinthevillage · 21/02/2014 11:18

Baby has been done. Dirty Dancing.

Original poster
PeaceLillyDoge · 21/02/2014 11:22

I know, so common :(

OP posts:
UriGeller · 21/02/2014 11:23

Zoe! S'lovely and not faddy.

lljkk · 21/02/2014 11:32

I like Marika best on your list. I think Darcey will be considered cooler in long run. I don't like Hera or Aria.

IHeartKingThistle · 21/02/2014 11:39

Zoe is gorgeous and timeless.

Mrsindecision · 21/02/2014 11:45

Completely understand your concerns re popularity but would also say that even the most popular names of today are far less used than in the 70's and 80's (ie the top names are still used by less than 1% of babies born, so statistically in a class of 30 it is unlikely that there will be others with the same name). Ironically, in my dd's year at school, the names that are duplicated are those that are statistically very unlikely to be duplicated, ie they were well outside the top 100 for their year of birth so you really can never can tell!
Fwiw, I like Marika the best from your list.
My advice would be to ignore the lists and choose a name that you both love. Good luck! Smile

Dovahkiin · 21/02/2014 11:47

My very dubious baby name book mentions the 'African' girls name 'Abebe' so you might be into something there...
More helpfully, I like all the names on your list. I loved Hera when she was a character in Battlestar Galactica, as cultured as I am. I'm not as crazy about Marika - prefer the less harsh-sounding Marina or Marissa.

elliebe13 · 21/02/2014 11:49

If ds was a girl he would have been anneka. Similar to marika but not so outlandish. :)

Springcleanish · 21/02/2014 11:50

Zoe, lovely name and timeless.

MummyBeerest · 21/02/2014 11:52

I love all these names, bar Marika (personal association.)

Use the list and wait til you see her!

Thurlow · 21/02/2014 11:52

I adore Hera, and wish I was brave enough to use it. And I only heard it in BSG too Blush

Zoe is really nice though - common and recognisable but not overly popular at the moment.

Marika - I don't know, for some reason without an Eastern European connection I don't like it as much, though I have no idea why

Original poster
PeaceLillyDoge · 21/02/2014 12:04

Some excellent feedback here, thank you :)

I'll keep mulling it over and hopefully she'll come out with a name tag attached do I don't have to decide!

(I'm also a massive BSG fan, hense the Hera reference)

OP posts:
Original poster
PeaceLillyDoge · 21/02/2014 12:07

And thank you Mrs that's a very good point that I hadn't considered

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/02/2014 12:08

I like Darcey. Sorry but the others aren't doing anything for me.

UriGeller · 21/02/2014 12:34

Hebe sounds a bit like "Baby" and looks a bit like Hera (a bit).

Habiba was on our shortlist, shortened to Biba (bit like Baby?)

Biscuitsneeded · 21/02/2014 12:41

Zoe is timeless and beautiful. It's a 'real' name ie not made up, but you don't meet many of them. It's pretty but unpretentious. I'd go for that!

JumpingJackSprat · 21/02/2014 12:53

Zoe is gorgeous. I met one that was about 18mo and it struck me what a beautiful name it is. Zara is quite similar?

Anniegoestotown · 21/02/2014 12:59

3 Darceys in dds primary school class. Dd had a top 5 name when she was born but is the only one in her school with it.

everythinghippie29 · 21/02/2014 13:23

I like them all but say go for Malika if you both like it. It is pretty and different. When you see baby you will know if she suits it!

I went with a very unique (but I think lovely) name for my son because both DP and I agreed on it.

It makes me smile when people ask his name as everyone seems to pause in surprise and then ask questions about it.

I, like you think it will be nice for him to have an uncommon name, although am prepared to be told otherwise when he reaches his teen years and decides he would rather go by his much more normal middle name. Grin

everythinghippie29 · 21/02/2014 13:24

*Marika

Innogen · 21/02/2014 15:28

Hera is my fave.

HyvaPaiva · 21/02/2014 15:33

Zoe - Don't like
Hera - Like
Darcey - Awful
Aria - Love it (And GoT!) but where I live it'd be pronounced 'Are Ya?' and that puts me off
Marika - I love it if pronounced MAR-ik-ah, dislike it if pronounced Mah-REEK-ah.

DitsyDonkey · 21/02/2014 16:38

Love Zoe and Hera!!

Though is Zoe not very popular....I could be wrong!

Astarael · 21/02/2014 19:49

Love Aria

I like Darcey but know 3 under one.

SilkStalkings · 22/02/2014 11:50

My PFB answered to the name Baby for 2yrs til her little brother was born and it all got a bit confusing.

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