Sabrina? Miles?

[Nell96]

Hi, we're expecting baby no.2 - not sure if we're having a boy or girl. Our daughter is called Nia, which is a Welsh name. I love Welsh names and there are loads of beautiful ones out there, but either my DH dislikes my suggestions or the pronunciation just wouldn't sound right (we live in England), so I think we'll probably go for a Welsh middle name, but head in a different direction for first names this time.

So, the current favourite for a girl is Sabrina. Celtic origins, associated with the River Severn (I grew up near the Severn Estuary). It sounds melodic and magical to my ears, and is a well-known but underused name. 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' definitely springs to mind, but I don't think it's a terrible association, plus I know a girl called Sabrina and never really made that connection with her. My main concern is that the name sounds a bit too dated / 90s, or is possibly a bit too frilly / girly?

Second choice is Phoebe - beautiful name, but feels like a bit of a safe / boring choice? Quite popular. Other names I like but aren't quite right, for various reasons, include: Iris, Iona, Fern, Imogen, Sylvie / Sylvia, Ariadne, Liv, Daphne, Ada, Lucy, Camille / Camilla, Cleo, Thora, Kerenza, May - anything else I might like?

Our current favourite name for a boy is Miles. DH is a huge jazz fan and loves Miles Davis. Wasn't sure at first, but it's really growing on me. Classic but underused. Can't really think of any other boys' names I love. A few I quite like, but they don't seem right - Finley / Fin, Fraser, Jack, George, Orson, Ioan, Dylan...

Any thoughts appreciated x

Nia is lovely. Miles is okay, I'm just not very keen on the sound of the name personally. I like Eira or Seren and Ioan or Macsen with Nia but I know you said no Welsh names... so I much prefer Sabrina over Phoebe, which sounds a bit cute/fluffy to me for some reason.

I don't find Sabrina too girly/frilly, or dated (wasn't ever used enough to date), but I must admit even though it's an ancient name I first think of the teenage witch (followed by the Hepburn film, and the 80's singer) because I haven't heard of anyone else with the name - but these aren't bad things.

The similar Serena or Selena probably has less associations for me, as I've heard of more people with those names, but understand given the Welsh link why you like Sabrina with Nia.

@user1493494961

I like Miles and Phoebe is lovely, but I think Sabrina is a bit of a 'stripper' name.

Ha! Oh dear 😕 I think any name can be a 'stripper name' really - it's so subjective. Of course there are slightly more obvious ones (Candy, Crystal...), but I'm not sure that Sabrina sits within that group. I do want honest opinions though, so thanks for commenting 😊

Thanks @IamnotwhouthinkIam and @CaffiSaliMali - some interesting food for thought there.

Welsh names - my favourite for a girl is Eira (closely followed by Eirlys). The 'Ei' pronunciation can be difficult though. I would say 'ay-ra', but I know in South Wales it's sometimes 'eye-ra', plus I think it just doesn't sound as nice without a rolled 'r'. For a boy, I like Ioan, Gruffydd, Aneirin, Rhydian, Rhodri, Macsen - all good names.

Serena is pretty - I'll add to the list!

Eira is gorgeous but I know what you mean pronunciation wise - I prefer the northern pronunciation too.

I like Sabrina! Not so sure on Miles, I quite like Fraser of your other options though.

Another couple of suggestions- how about Miriam or Alasdair?

Sabrina is also top of our list for DD due in December, it was also suggested by my DH and is the name he loves above all others!
I like it but have the same reservations about the teenage witch, I don't want people to mention it every time I introduce her...
I don't think it's dated at all though. I think it's quite a spirited name and sounds happy!
If we go with it I like the nickname Bri (pronounced Brie) rather than Sab or Brina urgh!
Other names which are similar are Serena, Selena, Savannah?
Miles is lovely for a boy. I don't know many welsh names but one of my welsh friends is called Owen which I've always thought is nice

OP, you and I are kindred spirits as I love a lot of your names. Sabrina is gorgeous because it’s sophisticated (Audrey Hepburn) and it’s got a magical aura. Tinkling bells and whistling winds spring to mind. Also, Bri would be such a cute nn! I say go for it

Unfortunately I’m not a huge fan of Miles. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it makes me think of Rascal Flats for some reason? Miles is twang-y and cute, but seems a bit wet. However, Jack and Fraser are wonderful names from your list!

I prefer Serena/Sarina or Sabine to Sabrina.
Also Rowena has a similar feel.

I’m not sure about Miles, purely because I don’t like names that are also words. But objectively, it’s a nice name.

Sabrina is great. Rowena is also good, as pp suggested. I like Miles a lot. It’s much better than Milo, which will date, if it hasn’t already.

Thanks @whatsbinhappnin - not keen on Alisdair, not sure why, and Miriam - I like the nn Miri, but the full name feels a bit 'old lady' to me.

@Sunflower0000 - I'm becoming less concerned about the teenage witch thing. It's not a reference most kids will get and even if they do, it's not a bad association.

Thanks @danascully96, @JemimaTiggywinkle and @ShipOfTheseus - all useful comments 😊

Love Sabrina. It's a great name.

How about Tabitha, Cordelia or Beatrix?

I don't like Sabrina, reminds me of the teenage witch. Sorry!
I like some of your other choices though.
Miles I don't like and I don't like it when people nn it Milo. I know it is a nickname for it but I have a Milo and just can't stand the name Miles. Weird I know!

Sabrina is great and much nicer than Phoebe, which just makes me think of the word feeble!

I love Miles

I really like Sabrina but I think it's a bit similar to Nia. Phoebe is nice but seems super popular at the moment.
Fern is fab as is Kerenza.
Have you considered Carys, Cerys (sp?) from a Welsh perspective or
Miles is great although my association would be posh city boy rather than Davies tbh - like Miles from this life.

I have a Miles. He's 18. He was named after Miles Davis too. And a little nod to Miles Hunt from the Wonderstuff.

Nia is a very pretty name and Miles goes very well with it. But I'm not sure Sabrina does. It has the same sound and Nia could almost be a nickname / short version of Sabrina.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions everyone, really appreciate them 😊

@bubblebubblebubbletrouble and @BigusBumus - I hadn't considered that Sabrina might be too similar to Nia. I feel like the 'nia ' and 'ina' sounds are quite different, despite the letters being the same, but it's definitely something to think about, thanks.

Oh Sabrina is lovely! Nia and Sabrina go so well too - a very elegant pairing.

There's also Sabina, which is also good, but prefer Sabrina.

I'm not a massive fan of Miles. It's ok, but it seems a very corporate name to me. Love Magnus, why not? It's fairly popular now! Nia and Magnus would be ace.

No I don't think they're the same at all. I quite like that the last three letters of Sabrina spell Nia, but the sound is completely different.

What about Rory?

Thanks @YoniAndGuy. I like Rory - sadly DH doesn't. The search continues...

Roderick (Roddy)
Malcolm, Malachi (Mal)
Jonathan (Jonny, Jon, Jonty, Jos)

Sounds like something slightly more traditional, but not common is more likely to work for your DH, and for you - something with an interesting edge. All the above might mix the two?

Oh and Rufus!

Thanks for the suggestions @YoniAndGuy 😊 Not keen on Roderick or Malachi. Jonathan feels a bit bland. Rufus is quite cute, I know one, but I feel like it might be a bit too posh for me - along the lines of Rafe, Elliot, Guy etc. I like Malcolm, but I know one and I think the name is just too associated with him in my head. Why are boys' names so much harder?!

Thea
Ida
Elodie