What do you think of these names?

[Cattenberg]

My unborn baby is probably a girl, and I didn't think I'd struggle to name her, but I'm really undecided right now. My ideal name would be fairly unusual, but still easy to pronounce and spell, and feminine, but not too "frilly".

What do you think of these names? Do you associate any of them with a particular age group/generation? (I can't find much name data for the UK that goes back before 1996).

Oh, and feel free to be brutally honest. One of my friends has successfully put me off a few names by claiming they sounded like certain diseases.

Antonia
Serena
Selina
Esther
Rosa
Raina
Lila
Nina
Rialita
Marisa
Jacinta

My neighbour, in her eighties, is called Jacinta (Jacy), I do quite like it.

Marisa.

My favourite is Esther (nn Tess or Tessa).

Also like Antonia, Lila and Marissa.

Dislike Raina, Jacinta and Rialta.

It's really interesting to hear the opinions so far. I had no idea that Rialta was a brand of motor home, it just reminded me of Venice! I didn't know that Jacinta is unfashionable in certain countries either.

I've found the ONS data that suggests Esther peaked in the early 20th century (so that one might be ready to come round again).

I'm still not sure if Antonia, Serena, Rosa and Nina are associated with particular generations. If you know anyone with these names, how old are they roughly?

I know a Nina in her early 30s. I know plenty of Roses/Rosies of all ages but I don't know any Rosas. I don't think these names are very common (where I live anyway). I am a secondary school teacher and can't think of any girls I've taught with these names either....if that helps!

Rialita and Jacinta are awful. Rialita doesn't sound like a name- it sounds like a disease.

I like: Antonia, Serena, Rosa, Lila, Nina and Marisa.
Serena and Lila are quite popular, modern-sounding names.

Esther is dull and Raina doesn't sound like a name. Why not just Rain, or Rana?

Okay, I love your list. Four of those names are on my list at the moment and there's two that I like but can't use on your list too.

My favourites are (in order of preference):
Rosa
Lila
Esther
Marisa
Raina
Nina

There was a Nina in school with me, she'd be late 40s now.

My DD18 knows a Rosa and Selina in her age group.

I know an Antonia aged 13.

I have a Leah. Might that suit?

I love Esther

My vote goes to Esther.

I like Esther and Nina (which might be swayed by knowing a lovely adult Esther and Nina)

(I don't really like Rialita, Raina, Lila or Selina and the others I have no strong feelings about)

I like Nina, Esther and Jacinta from your list.

I like Antonia, Rosa and Esther in that order.

Rosa! I have a 6yo one, never met another, hardly anybody has trouble with the spelling or pronunciation (aside from hcp when she was 6 weeks who called her Rozzer ). I love that it is strong sounding but feminine and has 'strong woman' associations. Mine is certainly living up to it with a very strong sense of justice already

Selina and Marisa are my favorites!

Antonia is perfect, even better with Nina as a middle name!

Esther, Nina, Serena all nice.

I'd prefer Sabina or Sabrina to your S names.

Rosa ok.

Most of the others, hmm, just don't hit the spot really.

Would add Melissa, Vanessa to your list

Like Serena and Esther. Rosa is ok but I know too many. None of the others,
How about Louisa, Erica, Alicia, Natalie?

Serena, Selina and Nina are my favourites- I love the 'eena' sound.

I know an Antonia who is around seven and a Nina who is about eight, also my mum has a friend called Nina so I guess in her sixties. I once worked with a Serena who would be in her late 40s now, and I don't know any Rosas.

Rosa is my favourite.

Alberta isn’t on your list, but very pretty I think

Rozzer

Esther and Serena are lovely! Definitely my favourites.

I dislike Nina and Rosa.

I don't think of Antonia, Serena, Rosa and Nina as having particular generation connotations. The only thing would be if Antonia were shortened to Toni (which would no doubt happen at least some point in her life) then that sounds to me like a current 40-50yr old.

I really like Rosa :)

Thank you all for your views and name suggestions. They've given me a lot to think about. It's always nice to find out beforehand that your provisional name is middle-aged/frequently confused with another name/a brand of washing powder.