Daniel, Lily, & Anna?

[danascully96]

Not pregnant, just wondering what you all think about this sibset? Daniel and Anna are classics I know, but Lily is more of a vintage that has recently spiked in popularity and is often deemed "cutesy" on here, which worries me. I think of Lily Owens from The Secret Life of Bees, Lily from Harry Potter, etc. To me, it sounds like a neutral name that can fit anyone -- lawyer, doctor, whatever it may be.

Thoughts much appreciated :)

Oh, and I've been listening to "Lily the Pink" and "Lily of the West," so those songs are also making me love Lily even more

I think these names are pretty although not particularly exciting. They are names that people would not think twice about. If you introduced your children by these names, I wouldn't think 'How awful!' and I wouldn't think "How lovely!", I just wouldn't really think about the names, as they are perfectly nice but very ordinary names. Plus side: they are 'safe' names. Nobody will hate them, I expect, nobody will cringe upon hearing them and nobody will say the Mumsnet class of "Well, I can't imagine a judge/doctor/lawyer with that name!" Downside: they are a little dull. They won't stand out. I doubt anyone will gasp with delight and exclaim "How beautiful!" Or "How unique!" Or "How insert compliment here" when you say them. They will also probably be one of about 20 in their class

Saying this, I do like them, they are fine, and while your child probably won't be particularly excited by their name (is anyone though) they won't be embarrassed either.

Thank you! I’m trying to pick names that are moldable to the person. I actually have extremely vivid images with these names — Anna from Killing Eve, Lily already mentioned above, and Daniel is cheeky and Irish ☘️

Love them all and they sound great together. I dont think Lily is cutesy. And even if it is, that's not a problem as it's so common these days. Perhaps it would be weird to meet a lawyer with a "nickname" type of name today but in the future there will be so many people with such names it won't seem out of place.

I would think what boring names. Very safe.

I like them. I’ve particularly always loved the name Anna.

You’re right I think about Lily. Vintage but a bit faddy now.. but it’s still beautiful. It actually peaked about 10+ years a go also so it’s not the Roman of girls names.

Daniel is cheeky and Irish

Daniel is a biblical figure and a name of Hebrew origin. It is not Irish at all.

Yeah, I meant in my association (as I said in OP, Daniel is classic). Daniel is one of my favorite Biblical figures, “... among them all was found none like Daniel.”

“Danny Boy” is what I was thinking of in particular when I made that comment 🥰

I would think safe boring unimaginative. However I'd not say how awful or similar they are ordinary names imo.

I don't personally get vivid pictures from them but if you do thats what counts isn't it?

I love Daniel. Strong name.

I love Daniel, Anna and Lily, they go so well together.

I'm always going on about how much I dislike cutesy names, but I don't put Lily in that bracket at all. It's a simple, pretty, vintage name in a similar way to Lucy.

I don't see Daniel as a 'cheeky' name at all, it's biblical and classic. It most definitely isn't Irish

Safe, safe, safe is what I get from them. Perfectly acceptable ordinary names - not necessarily a bad thing, though I've taught too many Lilys and Annas to ever pick those, they blend together imo. But I think they would suit someone of any age and don't come with many preconceptions attached. Would take that over a Paizlynn any day.

Daniel is a gorgeous name.

I like Lily, but I'd always go Lillian (or Lilith!) as a full name and Lily as the shorter version.
Unfortunately DH has had a cat and a cousin with the name so it's not on the cards.
I find Daniel and Anna a bit meh. Same old. But I think that's because they're quite 90s so a lot of school contempories with those names.

I like Daniel and Anna a lot! Lily is lovely too.

My children have similar names and I love them. I do not like unique names or old fashioned names - but traditional and timeless.

I used to like the name Lily until Lily Allen came along, but she has put me right off the name Lily. Anyway, maybe she'll fade into obscurity soon, so people won't make the same connection in a few years.

Daniel is lovely, Anna is nice too.

Boring isn’t the worst critique I could get, so I’ll take it

@DramaAlpaca. Thank you! Daniel is Latin, I know. I was just describing my association with the name like I explained in my earlier comment. I realize we don’t all have the same associations 😂

Would Laura be a better option that Lily? Quite like that as well

Than*

I do prefer Laura to Lily! Can only think of 1 Laura in the school I work at in the last 5 years compared to quite a few Lilys.

All lovely names. Not boring at all x

Yeah fine.

Has anyone here dealt with family not liking the names you like for your children? I am choosing plain, common names because I've always hated my unique name growing up, but I still respect my family's opinion and don't want to disappoint them. Did you just go ahead and name your children because you felt confident you were right?

Anna Windass, Daniel Barlow, Lily Platt. All Coronation Street characters.

Bizarrely I did once know a family with children called Daniel, Lily and Annie (not quite Anna but very close). They were a lovely family and of all the children I taught through my teaching years, these are three of the most memorable kids despite them having run of the mill (but still lovely) names.