Henrietta, Matilda, Charlotte, or Other?

[cttontail]

Second child. First DD Emily. I had a dalliance with Anastasia for her during pregnancy, but ended up going for my long term favourite name. Don't really have another established favourite if it's another girl. Is Henrietta the equivalent of Anastasia (am I mad)? They all have quite masculine shortenings/derivatives, but with options for more feminine ones, which I like. Only shorten Emily to Em occasionally at the moment, which I wouldn't have envisioned.

i don't like Henrietta because it sounds like a knock-knock joke.

Charlotte would go nicely with Emily..?

If you like Matilda :

how about - Miranda - or - Marigold

Any good ?

Mabel is lovely! How about Margot?

I agree that Charlotte is a bit bland. I think Henrietta is the best of your other options, and I do like it - it has some oomph and weight to it, and there's lots of shortenings, if you like those. I don't dislike Matilda, but I think it's having a moment, probably helped along by the musical, and I think it'll date badly.

Charlotte and Harriet both really nice. Matilda (or worse Mathilda) too twee. Henrietta just a bit too posh sounding these days.

Henrietta is so ugly and unfeminine.

While I do think Matilda is cute. I really think you should go with your previous choice of Anastasia. I like Tasia as a nickname as well as Ana.