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Baby names

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

Original poster

Opinions on shortlist and suggestions!

29 replies

Januarybaby2019 · 16/12/2018 17:01

Hi all,

My due date is fast approaching (37 weeks today) and we are no closer on deciding on a name.

We don’t know the sex of the baby so suggestions for boys and girls would be welcomed. The name needs to work and be spelled/pronounced the same in both English and Flemish (Belgian Dutch) as we speak both at home.

I tend to prefer shorter names that are easy to pronounce and spell.

So far we are considering for boys:

Kit
Ralf
Otto
Miles or Milo
Emile
Jude
Teddy

And for girls:

Vada
Neve
Lena
Zadie

Girls names especially we are really stuck on so would love suggestions close to these - shortish international names that aren’t overly ‘frilly’ if that makes sense!

First baby so no sibling names to consider.

Thanks in advance!

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ExcitedForChristmas18 · 16/12/2018 17:04

Miles was my favourite for a boy, but or surname begins with M and ends in S, so it sounded ridiculous together. I love Miles though, it's such a gentle sounding name 😊
Not sure on the girls names 🤔

Original poster
Januarybaby2019 · 16/12/2018 17:05

I think Miles is my favorite too! I haven’t really fallen in love with any girls names yet because I feel all my friends and relatives have girls with great names which are all taken! It’s so hard.

OP posts:
Strictlyneutral · 16/12/2018 17:11

Emile for a boy. Miles is my second choice but I am over Milo. I like the rest but I think they're very of the moment.

I love all your girl names and find them more interesting. My favourite is Lena although I didn't use it myself because I wanted something that had less ambiguity re pronunciation.
My (close) second choice is Zadie.

Santababyclaus · 16/12/2018 17:18

I like Otto.

I was told by a Dutch friend that 'Neve' is pronounced Nev, is this correct? In English it's pronounced Neev.

Sam
Max
Seb(astian)

Anouk
Elin
Lara

Petalflowers · 16/12/2018 17:19

I see Kit as a nn for Christopher and Teddy as a nn for Edward. Love Emile and Otto.

Other suggestions
Luca
Filip
Piers
Lars
Henrik

Girls names - imdon’t really know any of your girls names.

Suggestions
Maria
Beatrix
Anna
Gretal

alsoliviax · 16/12/2018 17:22

I love teddy! I like short and sweet names so heres a few
Ella
Eva
Ava
Isla
Bella
One of my options if I'm having a girl is Elle :)

ZebraKid71 · 16/12/2018 17:27

Vada and Zadie are brilliant names!

BuzzyBeeper · 16/12/2018 17:30

I like your taste. Boys' names are hard for me. I like Miles, Emile and Jude best.
For girls, is Lena leena or layna? Anyway I like both. I like Neve but I'm in Ireland and it would be Niamh (gorgeous but there are lots)

moredoll · 16/12/2018 17:35

I like Jude. Quite like Otto. How about Sholto? Old Scottish name.

I like Vada and Zadie. Also Esme, Frances nn Frankie, and Rosalind.

Cosmoa · 16/12/2018 18:18

I do love Vada! Was it you who it was suggested to by someone on here named Vada? I just love it ❤️

Lobsterquadrille2 · 16/12/2018 18:22

I like Kit, Miles and Jude.

Girls: Elen, Else, Rosina, Sofia?

MrsFoxPlus4 · 16/12/2018 18:26

Jude, Otto & Veda are my favourites :)! Not names I hear being used often at all

Original poster
Januarybaby2019 · 16/12/2018 19:42

Santababyclaus We pronounce the e on the end so it’s a little more like Neva if that makes sense. DH is British though so prefers Neve like Niamh so that one might be out just based on having to constantly explain pronounciation to people!

Thanks all for the great suggestions- definitely will be mentioning these to DH for consideration.

OP posts:
curiositycreature · 16/12/2018 19:47

I love the name Vada! I want it on my shortlist but I’m too nervous... I assumed it would go down horrible elsewhere. It’s encouraging to see others who like it. Boys.... my vote is for Kit.

BuzzyBeeper · 16/12/2018 20:02

For girls I thought of Nia and Elise

Twisique · 16/12/2018 20:05

Vita

workshyfop · 16/12/2018 20:08

Girl: Veerle
Boy: Adam

Tobykins · 16/12/2018 20:13

Miles for a boy.

For a girl? Anna, Lara, Veronica, Liza, Eve, Sara, Freya, Lizbeth, Eloise, Marie, Elinor.

MyCatIsAFiend · 16/12/2018 20:22

Personally, I would avoid Emile for a boy if you're in the UK as it sounds too close to Emily.

Of your boys names, I like Jude best.

For girls, how about

Cara
Zoe
Mara
Mila (pronounced Meela)
Eva
Anna
Rosa

Anything ending in -a usually works well internationally!

AliCanTea · 16/12/2018 21:15

Now I want to know what your friends' girls are called :)

One of my favourites is Tova.

AliCanTea · 16/12/2018 21:17

And my favourites from your list are Ralf, Otto and Zadie - fab names.

Whyareallthegoodnamesgone · 17/12/2018 03:21

What great names!!!

Ralf - love but spelled Ralph
Otto - love
Miles or Milo - cute
Emile - cool but a bit feminine? Might not be a problem but kids can be mean
Jude - love
Teddy - love as a nickname

And for girls:

Vada - my only definite no on your list
Neve - love but prefer spelled Niamh
Lena - cute!
Zadie - amazing

Zazia · 17/12/2018 22:55

I'm not sure if all the names from your list would have the same pronunciation in both languages. Some suggestions:
Nick
Mick
Liam

Mia
Lana
Kim
Elise

Pinklily1 · 18/12/2018 09:40

I like all of your boys names apart from Emile, and all of the girls names apart from Neve. I think Jude and Vada would get my votes!

GemmeFatale · 18/12/2018 10:19

Love Vada.

Similar feeling names Velma, Ziva