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Baby names

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Original poster

Which name as first and which as middle? So torn!

60 replies

moonriver32 · 01/09/2020 15:51

Due my first and have narrowed girls names down to two, but can't decide which order to use them in?

Alice Fern (Surname) or
Fern Alice (Surname)

Have always loved Alice, classic and simple but is in the top 25 girls names and I don't see it going anywhere so wondering if she might be one of a few in her class at school.

Fern was always going to be a middle name no matter what first name we chose but I'm now wondering if it would be a shame not to use it as a first! Just doesn't give any room for nicknames being one syllable so she would always just be Fern.

Any opinions gratefully received! We've been backwards and forwards over many alternatives but always come back to these two so we're pretty set on the names themselves just not the order 😂

OP posts:
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morefun · 01/09/2020 19:33

Both good names. I think I prefer Fern.

Original poster
moonriver32 · 01/09/2020 19:37

All the answers have really valid points and are definitely helpful - needed some impartial opinions!

Seems like the general consensus is Alice - 14 votes for Alice vs. 6 for Fern! But I'm still so torn 😂 So worried about choosing one and then regretting it a few weeks later. Why am I so indecisive!

OP posts:
Puzzlelover · 01/09/2020 19:42

I really like Fern. Do remember that middle names barely get used except on registering births and marriages. So choose the name that you actually want to call her.

GirlCalledJames · 01/09/2020 19:46

Alice with a different middle name if there’s any chance you’ll have a second child. If you have another daughter you’ll regret not being able to use Fern.

WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat · 01/09/2020 19:47

I wouldn't say you're indecisive just can't make you mind up, or put another way, can't make a decision, or maybe can't make your mind up, or now I think about perhaps indecisive.

Prettybluepigeons · 01/09/2020 19:54

Have you ever seen the film baby boom where the prospective adoptive parents are going to change the baby's name to Fern and diane Keaton says that the childs life flashed before her eyes and she was living in delouth and working in a dairy queen and calling her husband sir?

user1493494961 · 01/09/2020 20:02

Alice.

ithinkiveseenthisfilmbefore · 01/09/2020 20:05

Fernalice runs together.

Alice Fern just sounds much nicer.

Crazypie · 01/09/2020 21:54

I much prefer Fern x

Britannah · 01/09/2020 22:03

Alice is a gorgeous name so Alice Fern gets my vote. Also I believe Ferne McCann is Ferne Alice (not that it makes a difference) although she obviously spells her first name differently x

Flymetothestars · 01/09/2020 22:50

Alice Fern definitely.

I really love the name Alice and its numbers have actually been falling the past few years anyway

SionnachRua · 01/09/2020 22:54

Alice Fern sounds nicer but I prefer Fern as a first name.

Liddell · 01/09/2020 23:06

Alice Fern, I think Alice is a really lovely name.

BikeRunSki · 01/09/2020 23:15

@GirlCalledJames

Alice with a different middle name if there’s any chance you’ll have a second child. If you have another daughter you’ll regret not being able to use Fern.
And if the OP does not have another daughter, she’ll regret not using Fern as part of her baby’s name now!

OP, I’m an Alice - the “who the f is Alice” gags are very few and far between.
Also, despite having 2 primary school aged children, I only know of 1 child Alice.

dinostars · 02/09/2020 00:26

I agree that Alice Fern flows better. I think both names are gorgeous! Smile

Oncemorewithfeelin · 02/09/2020 01:35

We had 2 names we loved for dd2. We were undecided and when she was born we looked at her and felt she suited one over the other.

user1477391263 · 02/09/2020 03:03

Both lovely names but Fern is so much more unusual. However, "Fern Alice" does not sound quite right.
Fern Alicia?

user1477391263 · 02/09/2020 03:05

Fern is not trending---it's one of those names which has always been very unusual. Though of course it's possible that it could suddenly shoot up due to all the nature names being used recently.

user1477391263 · 02/09/2020 03:06

names.darkgreener.com/#fern (sorry, forgot link)

GirlCalledJames · 02/09/2020 09:00

@BikeRunSki Given the relative importance of middle names (i.e. almost completely irrelevant) I would have thought that once source of regret would be much bigger than the other, but OP probably knows instinctively what she would regret more.
It’s easy to forget future children when naming the first but it’s a real gift to have a name you love equally to give the second.

SpaceSharkTea · 02/09/2020 09:42

Alice Fern 100%

IslandLulu · 02/09/2020 09:48

Alice Fern

Brighterthansunflowers · 02/09/2020 10:11

Alice Fern flows better and I prefer the name Alice

Original poster
moonriver32 · 02/09/2020 13:50

Thank you everyone! I think my gut says Alice Fern but there's the temptation of Fern being so much more unusual. Husband not helping as he likes both! Keep the opinions coming, I'm keeping a poll 😂

OP posts:
Firebird83 · 02/09/2020 14:03

Alice Fern, definitely.