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Baby names

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

Original poster

Etta, Effie, Anya, Nina, Iona, Eva, Ella

94 replies

SlimeSlimeEverywhere · 09/02/2018 10:34

When name do you like best? Which least? For a child growing up in the UK (London to be precise).

Etta, Effie, Anya, Nina, Iona, Eva, Ella

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NotAnotherEmma · 09/02/2018 17:46

Nina.

Songofthesouth · 09/02/2018 17:48

Ah no Jammy my Effie is an Evelyn!

Songofthesouth · 09/02/2018 17:48

Jammy Elspeth is lovely :)

Jammycustard · 09/02/2018 17:55

Thank you! We have good taste.

nooka · 09/02/2018 18:28

I really like Nina, so that would be my pick.

I don't like diminutives as full names so not Effie or Etta, not sure I like either as informal names either really. Effie is too close to 'f'-ing' and Etta seems just not enough to be a name, although I suppose it's not that different to Eva or Ella. My full name includes 'etta' and I've never considered it as a name option.

Eva is nice but I think still very common. Ella is OK. I think I prefer Anna to Anya. I've always though Iona needed a Scottish connection of some sort but it's a nice sounding name.

DramaAlpaca · 09/02/2018 20:54

I really dislike Etta because it sounds harsh and Effie because it's a bit wishy-washy.

The rest are all fine.

I think Nina is my favourite.

Ragusa · 09/02/2018 21:17

Nina and Anya favourite for me. Especially Nina. Don't like the E names.

RaspberryBeret34 · 09/02/2018 21:28

Etta, Iona and anya are lovely. Eva and Ella too popular and Effie sounds like it is short for sonething. I like the idea of keeping a few and seeing what she looks like when she arrives.

frostedfields · 09/02/2018 21:33

Iona, Etta and Anya are best (in that order). Not keen on the rest.

SuperBeagle · 09/02/2018 21:38

I like Nina and Ella.

Don't like the rest, but do like Ava, which fits in with the rest.

Countingsheeeep · 09/02/2018 21:41

Etta and Effie are definitely my favorites 😍

Ikeameatballs · 09/02/2018 21:44

I like Etta, Anya and Nina.

ozymandiusking · 09/02/2018 21:44

I like Iona, not Eva but Eve, but it has become very popular recently.

wetpebbles · 09/02/2018 21:47

Love Etta

autumnkate · 09/02/2018 22:11

Love Effie

KarineAimee · 09/02/2018 22:14

Anya and Nina are my favourites from your list - I just like them.

Ella and Eva least favourite- they seem unimaginative and likely to require your child to use their initial or surname all through school.

ihave2naughtydogs · 09/02/2018 22:25

Iona because thats my name 😊

Original poster
SlimeSlimeEverywhere · 09/02/2018 22:40

It’s interesting that Effie is coming in for criticisms as wishy washy. I hadn’t thought of that but now can’t unthink it.

Etta,Ella and Nina are all amazing singers who’ve influenced by own career so they are my favourites.

DH is Scottish and loves Iona and Anya.

I think Eva will come off the list. DH likes it but I keep thinking of Hitler’s mistress.

So that’s two odd the list.

I think our top three are
Etta
Nina
Iona

OP posts:
AnonEvent · 09/02/2018 22:45

From your short-short list: Etta is the winner for me.

I'm pleased you took Eva off, I know LOADS of baby Eva, Ava, Evies (South West London).

SoFancy · 10/02/2018 08:17

I’m going with Etta, then!

Etta and Nina are the best, Etta winning by a whisker.

Iona could be the new Isla methinks

daisypond · 10/02/2018 10:32

From your short list - Nina - I know a few, in their early 20s now - one is Italian and the other two are both Russian. Etta feels like a diminutive to me of a much longer name - Henrietta? Iona is OK if you've got Scottish connections.

Belindabauer · 10/02/2018 10:55

I like Effie and Anya best.

prettymess · 11/02/2018 14:02

What about Nita?

villainousbroodmare · 11/02/2018 14:41

Love Nina and Anya. Deeply dislike Effie, it just sounds like a stiff person getting out of a chair.

Jedigirl29 · 11/02/2018 15:08

I love Effie but I am biased as she is a character from the Hunger games series which is one of my favourite books