Down to the last 3....

[snowydrops]

We are trying to name DD2 due in a few weeks. We are down to three names.
DD1 has a 4 syllable name beginning with H, it's unusual ish and a strong name to live up to so we need something of a similar ish style. Surname is double barrel but quite short. The final three are:

Francesca (Cesca for short)
Philomena (Pippa for short)
Henrietta (Etta or Etti for short)

DD1 doesn't go by a nickname and so we want DD2 to go by it more as otherwise we have two very long names to call out!

Any thoughts? Or other suggestions?

Francesca by a long way. Lovely name.

Henrietta is a prim and purse-lipped Regency Miss.

I'd actually struggle to express how much I'm repelled by Philomena but that's because of my own cultural associations with the name. In Ireland it's a very common name among the over 60's. Philomenas are mad about Jesus, fancy the pants off their parish priest and their favourite pastimes are saying the rosary and spying on their neighbours.

Love Francesca ( also Fran as nn)
Henrietta is ok but no to Philomena

Henrietta is what I assumed your DD1 is until I saw the list - I quite like it and love Etta/Ettie, but think I would vote for Francesca. I wouldn't have 2 starting with the same initial.

Francesca is the best by a LONG way.

Henrietta and Philomena are quite ugly to my ear.

Prefer Frankie as a nn but Cesca is nice too.

Francesca by a long way

Francesca is wonderful. I love Frankie for a girl too - I know you said Cesca, but at least she has options.

Another vote for Francesca

Francesca by a country mile. Philomena - just no, for all the reasons squoosh so eloquently mentioned

Oh good to hear these opinions!! Think Philomena bit of a random one so was always least favourite. Will probably wait and see what she looks like then and decide.

I think Frankie is cool but prefer on an older girl / woman I guess but agree it would be a great option for her later on.

Francesca.

Francesca (I also love Chesca or Chessie as nn)

Henrietta is my favourite, followed by Philomena. Not keen on Francesca.

Francesca

Definitely Francesca. Lovely name.

I know a baby Frankie (short for Frances) and think it's really cute on a baby girl

Philomenas are mad about Jesus, fancy the pants off their parish priest and their favourite pastimes are saying the rosary and spying on their neighbours.

I like Philomena. Mena is a lovely shortening. I hate Francesca.

How about Thomasina?

I know a Henrietta and she always gets called Hen. You can't always plan nicknames as they come from everyone (family, school friends etc)
Francesca is a pretty name and I love Frankie! So sweet on a girl.

Another one for Francesca.

Don't mind Henrietta, but would avoid as DD1's name also starts with H.

Francesca is my favourite, with Henrietta a close second.

Philomena sounds too old ladyish to me.

Francesca. I really like Cesca.

Henrietta is nice too, but I think I'd avoid having two H names.

squoosh's description of a typical Irish Philomena is hilarious!

Francesca by a mile. Lovely name. I don't think you can be certain of choosing a nickname though, sometimes they seems to just happen. We picked one for dd when picking her name, but it just didn't stick somehow.

I prefer Henrietta, I think it's a bit more unusual than Francesca. Both are nice names.
I don't like Philomena.

If you like Pippa how about Philippa nn Pippa?