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Baby names

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

Original poster

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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BasiliskStare · 18/03/2019 10:57

@Nocturnalpearl , I won't mention the actual names as they are recognisable to people who would know but for example

A friend of mine has a daughter who - let's say she was Penelope , older brother couldn't pronounce it and so said "Nell Nell" That has become her nickname and by which her friends know her because she adopted it as her name ( not the real example but I think you see my point)

My BIL who is mid fifties is known by a bizarre nick name which bears no relation to his actual name but is what my DH ( aged late 50s) called him when they were tiny - BIL is still know by that NN to this day

Both would introduce themselves in a formal environment as their full name - all friends etc call them their NN

I would not worry about Royal baby - if it a name you like - you thought of it first. Grin I have a friend whose son was Henry ( Harry ) she was quite annoyed when people asked her if he was named for PH - it doesn't matter - most classic names with some longevity will be used again and again .

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 18/03/2019 11:13

Claudia is the nicest.

PeterRabbitsBlueCoat · 18/03/2019 11:16

Claudia is the nicest.

It's well-known enough so that people have heard of it and can spell it; but not so common that there will be another 17 Claudias in her class at school.

Also it has no obvious nickname which I like. As someone with a long name, I get v annoyed when people assume nicknames of me!

PeterRabbitsBlueCoat · 18/03/2019 11:17

Also, I love Francesca and wanted it for DD1, but I hate Fran so just couldn't do it.

FiddleFaddleDingDong · 18/03/2019 12:51

Claudia. Gorgeous.

Original poster
Nocturnalpearl · 18/03/2019 20:13

I think Claudia is my favourite but Penelope is my husbands favourite.

OP posts:
BlueMerchant · 18/03/2019 20:18

Claudia.
Def not 'Fran' can't stand that nn.

yikesanotherbooboo · 18/03/2019 20:23

I absolutely love Penelope and close runners up would be Claudia and Francesca ( also Elizabeth)

glitterbiscuits · 18/03/2019 20:26

I knew a Claudia. She was very elegant and very bright. It's lovely.

Original poster
Nocturnalpearl · 18/03/2019 21:03

So Claudia means lame. Name meanings don’t really matter to me but wondered what others thoughts were on this?

OP posts:
Kaboodler · 18/03/2019 21:13

Well the meaning 'lame' came about because original Emperor Claudius was lame. So the name existed prior to his disability if you see what I mean. Either way, wouldn't bother me to be honest.

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 18/03/2019 21:14

Agreed, that’s not what it means, just that the name Claudius became associated with that emperor. Claudius/Claudia were around long before that!

Zogsyoungersister · 18/03/2019 21:17

Claudia and Penelope both beautiful classic names - you can't go wrong! Congrats Thanks

Didyeeaye · 18/03/2019 21:27

Love Claudia and Penelope!

Notso · 18/03/2019 21:30

Francesca is lovely. I'd love that to be my name and it has great options for nicknames.
Really like Imogen and Emmeline too.

I can't stand Claudia or Penelope. They sound very dated and Claud/Penny are dreadful shortenings.

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 18/03/2019 21:38

I like Claudia best.

starkid · 19/03/2019 15:36

I like Francesca most, out of your three favourites (I did like Emmeline too, but agree re. it getting confused with Emily). Really not a fan of Claudia, sorry! Penelope is ok but popular

17caterpillars1mouse · 20/03/2019 15:59

Love Francesca nn Cesca or Chess

And Emmeline nn Emmy

I struggle to picture Penelope on a baby it seems a very serious name

Same with Claudia actually

Imogen is ok

AndItStillSaidFourOfTwo · 20/03/2019 16:30

I'm not very keen on Claudia. This may be because it's a bit of a 'late-middle-age lady' name here in Germany - a bit like Janet or Barbara here. I do like both Penelope and Francesca a lot. I think if I had to choose between the two, Francesca would edge it.

PeterRabbitsBlueCoat · 21/03/2019 09:53

There is also another, more obscure, meaning of Claudia which is along the lines of "someone who does great things into the face of adversity". Due to the fact that Emporer Claudius achieved a heck of a lot, despite his gammy leg.

That said- does anyone really care that much about the meaning of names??

Blondie87 · 21/03/2019 12:53

OP I loved the name Claudia and if I'd had a daughter she would have been named that. I, like you, had a moment's flap about the meaning but as others have pointed out, it's more to do with the history. It's such a lovely name that I personally wouldn't be put off.

MollyHuaCha · 21/03/2019 13:12

Penelope - my favourite from your list
Imogen - love
Francesca - love
Claudia - nice
Emmeline - nice

Original poster
Nocturnalpearl · 21/03/2019 22:45

I don’t think I’d let the name meaning put me off. I had read the same about the history of the name and think I would place emphasis on that rather than what it says in the baby name books. I really appreciate everyone’s feedback x

OP posts:
aliceandkids77 · 23/03/2019 16:04

Ooh I just ADORE Emmeline! a gorgeous, classy, timeless name imo! all the others I am just 'meh'. for some reason I instantly thought you'd like the name Georgia, one of my favourites! x

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