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Baby names

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

Original poster

Looking for a nice English classic that won’t date.

67 replies

Celiajosephine · 14/04/2019 19:01

Which do you prefer?
Also which is least “chavvy”? Sorry I know that’s controversial but this is first baby so don’t really know what the new chavvy names are...as I’m out of the loop.

Lily or...Lilian/Liliana (nickname lily) vs Hannah.

No other suggestions please as these are the only names my partner and I agree on!
Thanks in advance

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shaggedthruahedgebackwards · 14/04/2019 19:31

I suppose I don't see Lily/Lillian as being a timeless classic in the way that Alice/Hannah are as all the people I know called Lily/Lillian are either over 80 or under 20

Lily on its own is nice but all the little Lily-Maes & Lily-Roses have sadly tarnished it a bit for me. I don't know any Hannahs or Alice's that have been ruined by the dreaded hyphen!

Jenniferyellowcat · 14/04/2019 19:40

OP I actually prefer Lily but that’s a different question Smile

Please call your baby Lily if it is your preference. Sure there are a lot at he mo but it’s for a reason, it’s a lovely name. I am another who wanted Alice and DH refused! I think Lily is the same ‘type’ of name (my Gran who was called Alice had a best friend called Lily!)

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 14/04/2019 19:40

If you like Lily then use it. Just be aware that it is currently very popular. If this doesn't bother you, then go for the one you prefer. Hannah is a lovely name and my favourite of the two, but it's what you like that matters.
If you want classic English names, I think Catherine, Rachael, Sarah, Emily and Victoria are due a come back.

redexpat · 14/04/2019 19:41

Ive never met a bad Hannah. Good decent name for good decent people.

Lobsterquadrille2 · 14/04/2019 19:43

Totally team Lily. I would spell it Lillie as in Langtry. I'm not keen on Hannah, sorry, but would have gone with Alice if it went with my surname. I also know two families with an Alice and Lily.

DramaAlpaca · 14/04/2019 19:45

I like Lily, but I don't consider it a classic. It's a very pretty name though.

Hannah is more classic as it's biblical. It's OK, but I can't get excited about it.

As an aside, the word 'chavvy' is a very unpleasant, offensive way to refer to a name. There are plenty of ways to say you don't like a name without using that word.

Veterinari · 14/04/2019 19:56

I love Lily but it’s massively overused now and the rash of Lily-mae’s and Lily Rose’s have made it a bit ‘common’
I even know a dog called Lily Grin

Hannah is classic

Langrish · 14/04/2019 19:58

(Neither are English, shh!)

Calixtine · 14/04/2019 20:00

Hannah is lovely and timeless.

I find Lily bland but Lillian is quite nice, if a bit granny-chic.

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 14/04/2019 20:03

Lillian is gorgeous IMHO. Lil or Lily.

Hannah is dull

whitehalleve · 14/04/2019 20:06

Hannah

Smoggle · 14/04/2019 20:10

Lily/Lilly/Lillie-Mai/Lily-Rose etc are so common now, I would probably go for Lillian.

I prefer Hannah, less common now but was very late 80s (along with Emma & Rachel).

Clownfish123 · 14/04/2019 20:10

Liliana is beautiful and uncommon and means you can still use Lily (which is clearly your favourite) Lily is a classic name but it has been used a lot over the last 10 years which makes it feel less classic.

gotmychocolateimgood · 14/04/2019 20:14

Alice is my favourite. Hannah 2nd.

CadburysTastesVileNow · 14/04/2019 20:18

Lillias is the Scottish form of Lillian. Any good?

Original poster
Celiajosephine · 14/04/2019 20:18

How is Liliana viewed? I’ve never met a Liliana before...

OP posts:
JumpingFrogs · 14/04/2019 20:23

Anna
Rachel
Katherine
Elspeth
Frances
Julia
Marianne
Louisa

TanselleTooTall · 14/04/2019 20:23

No idea if it's traditional and classic but I like the name Dulcie. I recently read it when reading a new bedtime story book.

RangerLady · 14/04/2019 20:25

I am thrilled to see my name is so well thought of Grin
Liliana is pretty, I would assume she was eastern European for some reason?!
As my DH would say Hannah and Alice are from the " same shelf" in the name shop - they are classic names. Lily arguably is too. I don't actually know any Lilys but know a couple of Alice's and even a baby Hannah

daisypond · 14/04/2019 20:34

I would have said Lily 20 years ago but I suspect as it’s got popular its demographic has changed. Hannah doesn’t match with Alice at all. Anna is better by far if you want a similar vibe. I’d go for Lilian.

DarlingLittleBabyName · 14/04/2019 21:12

I like Lily as a stand alone name best. Liliana is too stuffy imo and Hannah is a bit plain, Anna is much prettier. gd luck x

Tiramisu1 · 14/04/2019 21:34

Alice is the most classic.

Hannah is very 90s and Lily very 2000s.

IckyTummy · 14/04/2019 21:48

The one Lily I know is quite possibly the most horrendous person I have ever met, and it has sadly tarnished the name for me. I'm sure if you choose Lily, your daughter will be wonderful - the name is lovely. Hannah is also lovely and far less common these days. Choose the name that you prefer... She is your daughter, after all!

BikeRunSki · 14/04/2019 21:52

Hannah
I know HannHs of many ages from 80s to teens.
All the Liliez I know are 12 or under.

Kokeshi123 · 15/04/2019 01:20

Lily and all variants are perfectly nice names, but they are definitely associated with the last 15 years or so.

If you want a name that does not sound like it is from any particular era, definitely go for Hannah.

Or how about: Catherine, Jane, Susannah, Rosalind, Laura, Rebecca, Rachel, Louisa, Abigail...