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Baby names

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

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Baby girl opinions pls

49 replies

Nocturnalpearl · 17/03/2019 22:23

Hi, I am due in 6weeks, sex unknown. Would be grateful for opinions on our shortlist for girls names. Thanks!

Penelope
Imogen
Francesca
Claudia
Emmeline

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mrsdavys · 17/03/2019 22:27

Penelope- absolutely love! And I normally hate nicknames but Penny is so gorgeous
Imogen- really not keen.
Francesca- really not keen
Claudia- not bad but I can only think of Claudia Winkleman when I hear it (not good).
Emmeline- a bit frilly and dainty to me but it’s not awful

Favourite is Penelope and least favourite is Imogen!

RoseMartha · 17/03/2019 22:32

The only one I like is Francesca.

Sal1977 · 17/03/2019 22:50

I have a Penelope but we shorten it to Nelly rather than Penny. I adore it!

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Nocturnalpearl · 17/03/2019 23:00

I prefer Nell/nelly as the nn for Penelope!

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BellMcEnd · 17/03/2019 23:01

Penelope is fab. Love it

Nnnnnineteen · 17/03/2019 23:01

Imaginary dd2 would have been Penelope nn Polly. Love it.

mathanxiety · 17/03/2019 23:22

I like Claudia and Emmeline best.

Penelope comes a close second.

Francesca a distant third.

Imogen bringing up the rear, way behind the others.

AdaColeman · 17/03/2019 23:36

All absolutely lovely.
My favourites are Imogen and Emmeline.

DramaAlpaca · 17/03/2019 23:40

I like them all with the exception of Francesca, which I really dislike.

Penelope is my favourite, followed by Emmeline.

Shadow1234 · 18/03/2019 00:17

Francesca with lots of nn options. (Fran/Franny/Frankie/Ceska)
Imogen a close second.

HappyGoLuckyGo · 18/03/2019 01:50

I like Penelope, Imogen and Francesca a lot.

Emmeline feels faddy- it's always being bandied about on here these days and if it's anywhere as popular IRL as it is on this board, it will date terribly. I also think it's a bit of an ugly name, personally. Claudia is also meh.

Tavannach · 18/03/2019 02:00

Francesca and Imogen are lovely.
Penelope seems dated.
Don't like Claudia or Emmeline at all.

dreichuplands · 18/03/2019 02:12

I really like Penelope.
Emmeline is interesting.
Not such a fan of Claudia or Francesca .

BasiliskStare · 18/03/2019 02:24

Penelope , by a country mile IMHO

& Nell is a nice nn although I think nicknames develop rather than imposed.

Rachelhaydenberk1 · 18/03/2019 04:05

Love Imogen and Emmeline. Have you considered Emogene? I feel like it kinda combines these.

I like Penelope and Claudia okay. Dont care for Francesca.

Pemba · 18/03/2019 04:08

I think they're all lovely, except Penelope which I'm not keen on.

Vestlandet · 18/03/2019 04:46

Penelope is my favorite from your list

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Nocturnalpearl · 18/03/2019 08:29

Thanks for everyone’s opinions, however I think I’m now more confused! 🤦🏻‍♀️😝

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MercyBodle · 18/03/2019 10:09

The only one I don't love is Emmeline, which is a bit bland and frilly to me. I adore the other 4 so much that it's really hard to choose. Do any of them sound better with the surname? And which if any short forms would be used? Possibly Imogen as first choice, then Francesca.

BasiliskStare · 18/03/2019 10:19

Oh just go for Penelope - it is the best name Grin

Emmeline reminds me of Germolene and having had a baby I got through buckets of it. ( I do also realise the Pankhurst reference )

The truth is , once you have called your daughter her name it will just become her name and you will spend so much less time worrying about it once she is with you than before . But still think Penelope is the best name you have chosen Grin

All best wishes whatever you choose

BeGoodTanya · 18/03/2019 10:24

Penelope always suggests to me a bossy, sweaty middle-aged woman. I get a distinct mental image of her on her way to a special occasion, grumpy about 'having to dress up', and trying to eradicate sweat marks on her dress under the hand dryers in a loo. I think she's a high-ranking nursing sister and barks at people. 'Nell' is a lovely nickname, though.

Imogen is for me the nicest of your names by far, but is it very popular? It certainly is around here, and DS (who is six) has three in his class of 24 children.

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Nocturnalpearl · 18/03/2019 10:31

Thanks for everyone’s lovely comments. I think I will strike off Emmeline. It was my least favourite and was concerned it would get confused with Emily and she’d spend her life correcting people so opinions have confirmed that isn’t the one! Confused by the rest! 🤣 Imogen and Francesca are late editions to the list but DH isn’t that keen on Imogen so don’t think it’ll be that one. So prob down to Claudia, Penelope or Francesca.
I’m not a huge fan of Penny as find it very girly and cutesy (not really my taste) but think it is the most natural nn for
the name and dont think you can really control nn. That’s what puts me off it. I love Claudia and name meanings don’t really bother me but know it’s not a very nice name meaning. I like that it’s unusual and think it carries well from little girl to adult. Same with Francesca!

Ahhhh - it’s so hard!
And then we’ve got the royal baby to name yet so don’t want to get too fixed on a certain name in case it’s the same as reckon we’re due within a week of each other! 🤦🏻‍♀️😬

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BasiliskStare · 18/03/2019 10:33

@BeGoodTanya - you have just made me properly laugh. You see Imogen sounds to me like an unsuccessful 1980s singer crossed with an app which failed to sell which does photographs you can enhance ( But then my mind is a place you do not want to go) - Oh but thank you for making me laugh.

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Nocturnalpearl · 18/03/2019 10:33

Didn’t realise how long that post was

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WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 18/03/2019 10:34

Claudia is lovely