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Baby names

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

Original poster

Emma, Anna, Kate or something else?

60 replies

porterwine · 06/04/2017 02:37

I love these names and have done for a long time. DH likes them but thinks they are a bit "dull." He grew up with a top 10 name and doesn't want his DCs to be known as " _ S" all through school. I wouldn't want that either but I feel like Emma and Kate aren't as popular as they were a few years ago and I personally know no babies called Anna.

If I like these names what else might I like? I quite like versatile, fairly strong names. I don't really like very girly-girl and am also put off by names that aren't obvious how to pronounce (my name is said differently to how you'd expect and I don't want my DD to go through a life time of correcting people!)

Oh and what do you think of Lana?? I really love it but DH said he knew a Lana at school who got teased once the kids started realising what it spelt backwards. It had never occurred to me but now I feel it's been slightly ruined and I can't think of another obvious way to spell it!

So-
Emma
Anna
Kate
Lana
Something else?

Thanks :)

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dollarstodonuts · 06/04/2017 23:43

Eliza
Vivienne
Martha
Beth

Fozzleyplum · 06/04/2017 23:44

Anna was on our girls' names shortlist. Had we had a girl (we didn't), she would probably have been Honor.

pieceofpurplesky · 06/04/2017 23:47

Lovely, classy and timeless - and not as popular as Esme, Amelia, Amelie etc. (Teacher of 20 years so seen all the trends)

3boys3dogshelp · 06/04/2017 23:48

Love Anna - it was on my shortlist but I didn't have a girl. I don't think it sounds dated at all, it's a classic. I like Emma and Kate too but not as much.
Another vote for Lara rather than Lana, but I much prefer Anna.

NoncommittalToSparkleMotion · 06/04/2017 23:51

I like them all but Lana, but for some reason, love Alana/Alanna. Might also steer away from the unfortunate backwards spelling.

AbernathysFringe · 07/04/2017 00:36

Your DH has spoiled Lana for me now too, in the same way Anais was spoilt for me 'if you give it a passing glance'. Sigh.
They are very 80s to me and I find them sort of blank, so many of them there are no preconceptions, no associations, no...flavour, i guess. If that's what you're after, i think Anna is the nicest.

Buntysoven · 07/04/2017 00:51

My sis in law has a Lanah due to the backwards thing!

Mrsknackered · 07/04/2017 16:29

Anna is timeless and gorgeous. Emma is my mum and great-grandmothers name and I do love it.
Kate I think is hugely boring.

SuperSix77 · 07/04/2017 16:37

Love Anna.
What about Alana instead of Lana to avoid the rude backwards spelling of mean kids in school?!
Rosa.
Cora.
Hannah.
Cara.
Calla.
All pretty.

Original poster
porterwine · 07/04/2017 19:02

Thanks so much everyone! Given me lots to think about :)

Something I love about Emma is the nn "Em"..I don't know why but I have always like Em just by itself! Anna I'd be a little afraid it would get nn Annie which I'm not a fan of and similarly Kate/Katie. I do love Anna though so perhaps could live with the Annie nn.

Maybe it'll be a case of seeing which fits when she arrives

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ChippieFishieHorshie · 07/04/2017 19:15

Anna is gorgeous. But it is a very religious name to me personally (not sure if that would be an issue for you).

I think it depends on whether DD will be ok with Annie. If she isn't she'll probably be called Anna or maybe Anne.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 07/04/2017 20:07

Love Anna, never known it to be shortened in my circle. Hope that helps. 😄

user1471552178 · 07/04/2017 20:52

I'm Kate and never went by Katie - I always corrected people if they called me Katie and still do - it's a completely separate name in my view and I don't like it!

TheDowagerCuntess · 07/04/2017 21:05

I have cousins called Kate and Anna. Neither have ever been known as Annie or Katie.

Just like I have other friends who've never been known by the default nicknames for their names.

Obviously you can't tell in advance what your child's own preference might be - you Kate might actually like Katie!

buttercup54321 · 07/04/2017 21:13

Katie
Hannah
Lucy
Sarah
Rebecca
Charlotte
Emma
Emily
Sophie
Victoria
Samantha
Claire
Louise
Fay
Elizabeth
Eliza
Laura
Katrina
Joanna

Leeds2 · 07/04/2017 21:35

Lucy
Elizabeth
Megan
Rachael
Clare

Bedsheets4knickers · 07/04/2017 22:00

I love Katie and Emma

rosy71 · 07/04/2017 22:21

I like those names too. :) I would also agree with Lara as an alternative to Lana, and Alana/Alanna.

I also like: Lucy, Zara, Rosie, Emily.

EweAreHere · 07/04/2017 22:42

I know a fair number of Emmas and Annas. I work in a primary school

Ojoj1974 · 07/04/2017 22:46

I love Anna. I know a few children under the age of 10 with the name but not many. I also love Victoria

Lala241280 · 07/04/2017 22:50

I have a 12 year old Emma
She is a strong , independent , clever , beautiful and loyal girl
Anyone would be lucky to raise an Emma
Biased I know but everyone agreed with me

Sunshineandlaughter · 07/04/2017 22:55

Go with Anna if she suits!
You could always go Annabelle or annalise or Annatasia and then have nn
I love em too - we considered Emelia to have em as nn

Sunshineandlaughter · 07/04/2017 22:55

Or Emily

Original poster
porterwine · 07/04/2017 22:58

Lala241280 funny you say that as one of the reasons I like it is that every Emma I knoware fab! all really kind but strong willed, very independent. 3 of my favourite tv programmes have leading lady Emma's and they are all so badass! It's just one of those names that has good connotations for me

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Original poster
porterwine · 07/04/2017 22:59

Sunshineandlaughter I love Emilia but worried it would always be mistaken for Amelia and she'd have a lifetime of correcting people. And its funny how only one letter can make such a difference as I'm really not keen on Amelia but think Emilia is lovely

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