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Baby names

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

Original poster

Flora

38 replies

FloraNamechange · 09/08/2020 09:46

Namechanged for this as it’s obviously a bit outing.

My DH and I both really like the name Flora - but my name is Florence. Do you think this matters? Would it seem a bit conceited/weird, or would you not think twice about it?

I have never gone by Flo or Flora (always Florence), and a Flora would always be called by her full name too. Our first daughter also has a name that doesn’t have any shortenings, pretty but strong and not a frilly/girly/“ie”name. I think Flora has really similar vibes.

The other names we are considering are Margot or Theodora (nn Thea) but I can’t help thinking they are too posh sounding!

Any other suggestions of strong but pretty girls names also welcome.

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Mybrowneyedgal · 09/08/2020 09:47

I think it would be really odd to have two children with such similar names.

Mybrowneyedgal · 09/08/2020 09:49

Sorry just reread your post and that your name is Florence not the babies, that's a bit better but I still think it's a bit odd.

jessstan2 · 09/08/2020 09:49

Forget the 'posh sounding', it's snobbish to think like that. Margot and Theodora are both pretty and currently quite popular names but 'Flora' is my favourite of the three. I imagine when Flora goes to school, she will be called 'Flor' by her friends. I like names that can be shortened or made into a nickname, it's friendly.

barbrahunter · 09/08/2020 09:50

It's a lovely name and it doesn't matter in the slightest about your name

wintertime6 · 09/08/2020 09:52

What about Martha or Thea?

Nonestopcaberet · 09/08/2020 09:55

I know someone that gave her daughter exactly the same name as herself. Now that is weird.
Why should it be conceited? It used to be normal to give a son the same name as his father, or at least the middle name was his fathers name.
Flora is a lovely name, and if neither of you will be called Flo, then I don’t see any problem with it.
A lovely nickname would be Flossie.

Original poster
FloraNamechange · 09/08/2020 09:55

@wintertime6 I love both these names! But DH doesn’t like Martha, and he has a thing about the long version of the name being on the birth certificate, hence Theodora... (Fwiw I know that Thea is a name in it’s own right).

OP posts:
WhattheHhashappened · 09/08/2020 09:58

Do you like Fleur ?

AdaColeman · 09/08/2020 10:03

Flora is lovely, I don’t think it’s too similar to Florence.

Margot is my least favourite of the names you mention.
Have you considered Marguerite?

lampshadery · 09/08/2020 10:08

I like Flora but I think it's very frilly actually - funny how people get different vibes from names.

Not sure it matters too much that you are Florence - friend of mine is Laura and has a Laurence which has never been an issue.

Really like Margot.

What about

Megan
Martha
Olive
Philippa/Pippa
Emma

DateLoaf · 09/08/2020 10:09

Names with similar sounds: Thora, Dora, Cora, Laura, Maura, Nora, Orla, Zorah etc?

Agree that an ‘-ora’ sounding baby name sounds good together with Florence, if that is what you go by. But calling her Flora sounds a bit too much like a short form of Florence, even Flora is a completely different name.

Tlollj · 09/08/2020 10:11

What about the margarine though.
I think Flora is lovely not too close to Florence, one of my favs, but I think if margarine. Sorry.

Muppetry76 · 09/08/2020 10:23

Sorry not sorry Flora is margarine in my family, either that or some sort of 'good bacteria' growth in your guts.

Speaking as a teacher, go with something where they're not going to get called Marge or Lardy at school...

Crimblecrumble1990 · 09/08/2020 11:07

I love Flora and don't think it would be odd with your name.

Would like to use it if I had a little girl but would be slightly worried about the margarine digs as demonstrated above.

But I really do think that names just become names to children if you see what I mean, unless it's something that could sound rude/funny to kids e.g. Regina might be an obvious one to change to vagina etc.

I doubt many children born in 2020 onwards give two hoots about some brand of butter their parents might have bought.

MissHoney85 · 09/08/2020 11:40

I don't know why it's seen as so unusual for a daughter to have the same (or similar) name as her mother but quite acceptable for a son to have the same (or similar) name as his father. I say got for it!

newmum332 · 09/08/2020 12:06

I really don’t think they’re too similar at all!
Both nice names Smile

jessstan2 · 09/08/2020 12:11

Quite honestly I doubt anyone would think of the margarine. Flora is a lovely name.

Whatsyourflava · 09/08/2020 12:39

Flora is lovely and works fine with your name

Buzz22 · 09/08/2020 12:45

I dont think if margarine. But totally put off previously beautiful name flora by doctor talking about vaginal flora. Also gut flora on yoghurt adverts.

VinylDetective · 09/08/2020 12:52

Flora is a beautiful name. It’s timeless and will be appropriate at every stage of her life.

MikeUniformMike · 09/08/2020 13:00

Flora is lovely.
I don't like Thea at all.
Florence and Flora don't sound that alike.

MikeUniformMike · 09/08/2020 13:04

I'm not keen on Margot. The t seems pointless.

Tavannach · 09/08/2020 13:16

Flora = margarine to me. I discounted it for DD for that reason. I like Margot and Thea.

Amber0685 · 09/08/2020 13:22

My mil is a Flora, more common in Italy. Lovely name.

AntiHop · 09/08/2020 13:33

Too similar.