What do you think of these names? (please judge these as harshly as possible. That would be really awesome)

[ChippieBeanAndHorro]

Carina
Susanna/h
Arielle
Ariella
Millicent
Helena
Eliana
Amynta
Serena
Louisa
Annabella
Annabelle
Erika
Antonia

FatOldBag

when I read the handrubbing I expected much much worse, tbh ;)

Antonia- Toni for short ...just like the 80ies, again!

Well, if the LO ends up being Ellie (at least in our family) then that's one lucky child. DH's family give each other the weirdest nicknames. Then again, it seems to be a think in England. So, I'll just take it as a charming English custom

DD is Chip/Chippie, after all ;)

What's wrong with being plan old Ellie, Kiki, Tori, Millie, Binky, Duffy, Buffy...? I'm genuinely curious, btw :)

Carina-Quite harsh sounding
Susanna/h-Nice, not too overused
Arielle-Just no
Ariella-Sounds like areola
Millicent-Very old, wears cardigans and smells of mothballs
Helena-Lovely
Eliana-Meh
Amynta-Prefer Araminta
Serena-My favourite from this list!
Louisa-Boring
Annabella-Boring
Annabelle-Boring
Erika-I sense a Little Mermaid theme here
Antonia-Nice but would get shortened to Toni

I sense a Little Mermaid theme here

I've actually never watched that movie!

But I used to have a picture book with the little mermaid original story of Hans Christian Andersen and I used to love it. Still really like that story, tbh...

Actually, I love fairytales in general. The original Grimm ones (or oother ones) are awesome and I tell them (like I remember them, I could read them, but it's different. Plus, having a book and a child in my arms... eh, nope) to DD when I have time;)

Daphne is nearly as bad as Millicent

Carina - I like this name a lot.
Susanna/h - ditto (definitely with the H)
Arielle - nice, unusual but not weird, easy to pronounce... A winner, IMO.
Ariella - nah. Too frilly.
Millicent - a silly joke name for a hen or comedy chambermaid
Helena - nice, but a bit too serious for a baby maybe. I'm thinking of the indominatable Helena Kennedy QC
Eliana - daft and made-up sounding
Amynta - a whatta?
Serena - love this
Louisa - a fine name
Annabella - v twee
Annabelle - nice enough but a bit daffy
Erika - she would spend her life correcting that spelling.
Antonia - LOVE

OP - have just read your cri de coeur on p 3 of this thread.

If you really like Millicent, but have - thanks to Mumsnet - been warned off because of its alleged disadvantages, including the very popular nickname Millie, then what about the French original of the name, which is Melisande or Melisende? A similar sort of name which would also go well with Clarissa is Corisande.

Early 20th cent English author J B Priestley wrote a book with the heroine's name as yet another variation: Melicent.

Is Daphne really that bad? The only Daphne I know went to law school with me (not in the UK). And she's beautiful, elegant and really really smart. So, I guess I just associate great things with that name?

pencil
Well, at least the chambermaid would have a pretty name? imo of course

flora (btw, I wish I could use that. But that name is absolutely and 100% taken in my family. Twice...).

Corisande is nice, but not that nice.

Melisande is nice. But Idk. I think Millicent is the prettiest one of these versions. And one with the least spelling issues. Hopefully...

Plus, I actually like the nn Millie. It's adorable imo

I love Daphne. It sounds delicate, ethereal.

I also like Elisabeth.

I have a Millicent, shortened to Millie. she's 10.5. She loves the name Millicent, and she is far from fuddy duddy, or twee.

I would have to have Elizabeth with the z

Forgot to say, of the rest of your list, I like Louisa. But have always had a soft spot for Louise. ( But I grew up when it was a very common middle name).

norma

Eh, nope. :) That's one thing where anybody could say as much as they want, Elisabeth wouldn't get a z (I'm not trying to be rude, I really appreciated anybody taking the time to comment. You are all so lovely and helpful!!).
But Elizabeth with a z sounds pretty bad in German. And German is my first language (the language I also speak with DD but admittedly not with DH...)so, if it sounds weird in German it's just not going to happen, tbh.

Yika I think so too. But not too delicate, if that makes sense.

raaah Louise reminds me of the film Charlotte & Louise, which used to be one of my little sisters favourites and I also really enjoyed it. (I was obviously too grown up to watch it alone. But this way I had an excuse... :) )

I think you should go for Millicent, you really seem to love it!

pencil
I unfortunately love all names that are still on my list. (and even those that were removed, tbh)

Currently my favourite is actually Aminta (but with an i). It's lovely, pretty unusual and still pretty easy to spell imo :)

What about Arabella? I think it works well with Clarissa and seems to be in your wheelhouse.

Unlike everyone on the thread most people, I really like Millicent. In fact it's the only name I do like on your list. It makes me think of Millicent Garrett Fawcett, which can only be a good thing.

The more I think about Millicent, the more I just love it. And here is the absolutely wonderful Millicent Fritton:

Grouchy

Arabella sounds lovely, I agree. So, I guess it should be in my wheelhouse.
But imo Arabella is the cat lady in HArry Potter (ok, she once hits Mundungus with catfood when he endangers Harry, but still). And I've only ever met one Arabella after moving to the UK, so that catlady assocation is still strong... (the HP books were how I studied English, so yeah...)
But thank you so much for taking the time to make a suggestion :)!

mother That's true, it's a very good assocation. Thank you for mentioning it :)

Elisabeth - Love it. Versatile shortenings, too
Susanna/h - Prefer with an H. Love it
Millicent - Millicent Garrett Fawcett was awesome
Helena - I like this, too.
Amynta - This is growing on me
Serena. Not keen. What if she wasn't serene?
Louisa - Another lovely name
Erika Erica Definitely with a "c"
Antonia Not keen, I don't know why
Daphne Not keen, reminds me of Daphne in Scooby Doo and Daphne in The Broons

Chippie Heh, is Mrs Figg Arabella? I never knew! I like her.

harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Arabella_Figg

Exactly, grouchy. Sure, she isn't too bad. But not one of my favourites.

I mean, if we're talking about favourite characters who also have great names I'd go with Nymphadora or Minerva. Narcissa (if there wasn't the meaning and the fact that eh... bit unsavoury).

What is this Scooby Doo?

I'll have to google that. Also Daphne in The Broons...

Excellent! Thanks for this thread OP, I've now learnt that my DD is a frilly boob princess and the MN massive hate her name

For what it's worth, I give zero fucks and everybody compliments her name. She goes by 'Ella' most of the time

Shoot. Sorrry!!! :( :(

I feel honestly awful. Well, I personally still love all the names that have ever been on that list, tbh.

I was told that DD's name (not on this thread, btw. When I considered it for her before she was born) was a "prissy, private school priness" or bitchy. ;)

Everyone has different opinions on names. As long as you love it - and it's not going to saddle your child with mockery as they grow up - then go for it.

My youngest is Arabella.