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Baby names

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

Cool/tom boy/no frills - girls names

292 replies

Pippathenippa · 20/02/2019 12:01

Appreciate this style isn’t to everyone’s taste & ‘you won’t know what she’ll be like’ has been thrown around but then you don’t know if she’ll be sickly sweet when you call a little girl daisy? You may recognise me from the Connie or Frankie thread! Grin I still feel like I’m looking for that perfect cool name for our second little girl! Please give me all your amazing suggestions, you’ve all been so helpful so far!

OP posts:
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BeautifulName · 21/02/2019 13:45

Sorry if i’m barking up the wrong tree OP but if you were my friend, I would say to just pick a name that appeals to you Smile because as posters have said, your child is going to be who they’re going to be, whatever you call them.

There isn’t a term to use for a boy who likes ‘girly’ things that has the same positive values as what you expressed with looking for ‘tomboyish’ names for a girl. So the elephant in the room is why aren’t ‘girlish’ traits valued or encouraged in boys..? Why’s it a one-way-street only?

But these are way bigger issues than babynaming so if you are feeling a lot of pressure around naming the baby, please give yourself a break. Names aren’t so powerful as all of that.

But as with anything in parenting it’s worth trying to be as self aware as you can about why you make particular choices. Lots of us have internalised misogyny to the extent we can’t even see it in ourselves and others. It can be scary as a woman to really ‘see’ that elephant in the room around you. Becoming a mother can really help to reveal it.

Lots of us also want to protect our girl babies from the sexism we have experienced ourselves, so maybe we might feel like picking a ‘cool’ ‘tomboy’ name usually used for a boy or man (rather than an ‘uncool’, ‘frilly’ name usually used for a girl or woman) will help our girl child to escape it. If that’s how you are maybe feeling, then I totally get that, it makes perfect sense to me.

Anyway, all the very best to you both with whatever name you go with.

ifeellikeanidiot · 21/02/2019 13:50

Corey

TheDisillusionedAnarchist · 21/02/2019 14:08

Our alternate name for DD2 was Eris which is pretty strong (goddess of chaos). I’d happily choose a girl name for a boy too. DS has a ‘unisex’ name that mores commonly used for girls and DD2 would have been Hazel if a boy.

Pippathenippa · 21/02/2019 14:36

@longestlurkerever

I do get the premise, especially the point the boys are never given girls' names, but I do think people are being a bit harsh to the OP who didn't actually say she wanted a boy's name (her suggestion were Frankie and Connie) but something that didn't immediately conjour up delicacy and frills in her mind. I think that's fair enough. Names are an expression of taste and the image we have for our children and there is no reason why the OP must prefer a pretty, delicate name for her DD. I wouldn't pick Arabella or something for the same reasons. Not that I don't think an Arabella could run the world but it's such a frilly sounding name it just wasn't the style I would go for

You said it so much better than I could of. I’m not looking for a BOYS name I’m looking for a name that isn’t overly girly/delicate. Not because I don’t think girls are kick arse! DUH! I am one, & I have 2 daughters?! That’s just not my style of name! Please do not put the world issue of sexism on me for my name taste 🤦🏼‍♀️ - for the PP who asked what my elder DDs name is, I’m not positing that on MN. For privacy & also because I’ll get really defensive if people start being rude (as they do) she is my daughter.

OP posts:
RiverTam · 21/02/2019 14:50

so - you've already given one child a name that sparks less than polite/positive reactions?

These names aren't your names, they are your children's and they're the ones who have to live with them. Change your own name if you want to make some kind of 'tomboy' statement.

CoperCabana · 21/02/2019 15:05

Please don’t use the phrase ‘tomboy’ then and please stop describing girls names as ‘delicate’.

autumngazer · 21/02/2019 15:08

Malone
Billie

NerrSnerr · 21/02/2019 15:25

I think it's the use of 'tomboy' and 'delicate' that is making people think you're being sexist.

Twelve8Ts · 21/02/2019 15:31

I love unisex/not overly girly names. Hope you find something you love.
Some ideas

Sadie
Blake
Roxy
Robyn
Frances
Remy
Nola
Lois
Noelle

Chelseajunior · 21/02/2019 15:31

Leigh
Jamie
Robyn
Alexis
Cam

longestlurkerever · 21/02/2019 15:33

Names can sound delicate. Same as they can sound strong or whatever.

BettyUnderswoob · 21/02/2019 15:35

‘Tomboy’ should be consigned to the linguistic scrap heap.

Why is the interest in certain activities/interests etc. deemed to be a male or female trait? Can’t we all just like anything regardless of our sex?

‘Tomboy’ is based on old, outdated and frankly sexist stereotypes.

OP is not unreasonable to like the type of names she likes (she didn’t actually ask for male names; and I think the criticism on this thread was mostly aimed at those suggesting James and Michael, etc.), but to use “tomboy” and imply that it’s cool is irksome.

Twelve8Ts · 21/02/2019 15:36

People on here are so rude it’s actually embarrassing. If you don’t like the post then don’t comment or give suggestions.

BertrandRussell · 21/02/2019 15:38

“I think it's the use of 'tomboy' and 'delicate' that is making people think you're being sexist.”

Yep.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 21/02/2019 15:43

Vada. Like the kid from My Girl?

My daughter is very tomboyish and she’s a Lizzy but people would probably say that’s too girly.

Pippathenippa · 21/02/2019 15:47

@Rivertam
No there is nothing wrong with my daughters name, there’s a lot wrong with peoples attitudes on here though & im not going to make her centre of your next line of criticism. Is that alright with you?

Anyone taking time out of their day to get offended/moan about this thread need to get a life, I wish I had your problems. Embarrassing.

OP posts:
Pippathenippa · 21/02/2019 15:50

I really won’t care if my daughter is SUPER girly!! My eldest loves anything stereotypically ‘girl!’ But she still doesn’t have a girly name! Same for our second, she’ll be who she’ll be but I don’t want a ‘delicate or frilly’ (gasp) name for her.

OP posts:
Pippathenippa · 21/02/2019 15:50

@Twelve8Ts people like you give me hope 🙏🏼🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
RiverTam · 21/02/2019 15:57

The only problem I have is that it's a slow day at work. I'm not offended. I'm not moaning.

Tinty · 21/02/2019 16:47

How about Astrid? I don't think that conjours up a flowery image.

I think it is a strong name.

MamaDane · 21/02/2019 17:01

Personally considering Ember for one of our twins if they turn out to be girls.
I like how ember attacks can cause a bushfire and the strength in that.

In Denmark Storm is a really normal boys name but it is also occasionally used for girls.

Other names:
Sigrid
Runa
Freya
Sif
Thyra (tear-rah)
Thora
Astrid
Ingrid
Solveig
Saga

CountNaught · 21/02/2019 17:17

Isn't Astrid literally a kind of flower? Hmm

My DD's name is on this thread, as are the names of many friends' kids... Some of whom (like me) were a bit tired of the "girl's names must end in a vowel/vowel sound".

AlbertWinestein · 21/02/2019 17:23

I met a 6 year old girl called Finn yesterday and it really suited her.

BasiliskStare · 21/02/2019 17:25

Well - I personally wouldn't choose Charlie - but that is only me - this is a woman I know whose daughter is called Charlie - Ted talks - - Her mother is a very technical and able woman. I suspect Charlie ( daughter ) will end up well

CharlyAngelic · 21/02/2019 17:27

Jaye

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