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Baby names

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

Original poster

Our final (I think...) list

80 replies

Sexnotgender · 03/02/2021 18:07

We’ve finally got a top 5.

Joy
Julia
Penelope
Helen
Vivienne

Thoughts welcome, or ideas. Naming a human is HARD.

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danascully96 · 03/02/2021 20:59

Julia! I’ll probably name a daughter Julia someday. It’s so uncommon and classic and melodic. I’ve known Julias my age (I’m 24) and it’s never seen old on them. They just seem nice and their name’s fun to say. Also, it’s universal! As for Juliet, I’m not a fan because of its famous links to a teenage suicide and I don’t like the “ette” ending. It’s not as mellifluous as Julia and not as classic. Plus, there’s a spelling discrepancy (Juliet vs. Juliette).

Joy - no. What if she throws a temper tantrum, as kids are known to do? It’s be quite comical.

Penelope - “Pene” means penis in Spanish. Also, just don’t like the name unfortunately as it’s nasally.

Vivienne - bit much, but nice

Helen - Hell is not something I’d want in a name, so no

Onlinedilema · 03/02/2021 21:10

I like Julia and Vivienne.

CocoPark · 03/02/2021 21:14

I absolutely LOVE the name Julia! Classy, feminine, timeless, uncommon.

I dislike the rest.

HenriettaHeffalump · 03/02/2021 21:32

Penelope - “Pene” means penis in Spanish. Also, just don’t like the name unfortunately as it’s nasally

I did not know that! Wonder why Penelope Cruz's parents chose that then? No worse than Richard, William or Willa I suppose!

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 03/02/2021 22:16

My choice would be Julia (but then I'm biased - I've always liked my name (and got a few compliments on it over the years), it's rarely shortened and everyone knows how to say and spell it, yet I don't meet many others).

My second choice would be Vivienne - although this spelling seems very French to me, I prefer Vivien if you are in the UK.

Not keen on the others sorry, (although I like Helena rather than Helen).

Original poster
Sexnotgender · 04/02/2021 10:53

Julia feels like a winner. I do love it ❤️

OP posts:
WagnerTheWehrWolf · 04/02/2021 11:52

Julia and Vivienne are my faves. Plus those two names work best when you need to shout at them across a playground/shopping aisle/when you've caught them drinking cider in the park with their friends at 17

Jooooo-leee-AHHHH

Vi-vee-UUNNNNNNNNNN

finallychangedmyusername · 04/02/2021 12:20

Julia is my favourite by far. Very classy and beautiful.

Vivienne, although I prefer this spelling, I always want to accent the "ENNE" - "Viv-ee-ENNE". Joy is sweet. Penelope I've never been that keen on - Penny was a slang name for female genitalia for me growing up (strange, I know). Helen shortens to Hell, or Hells - neither are great.

Julia, all the way! Grin

YoniAndGuy · 04/02/2021 13:15

I'm not a massive fan of Julia actually - much prefer Juliette (spelled this way) but I agree it's probably the best on your list.

Like Helen and it's going to come back around again but it's not either of your faves.

Vivienne, Penelope - like both, Vivienne nn Vivi is great. But not your fave!

If I were to suggest one, I'd say Josephine, which gives you the J-name classic of Julia, but is longer (like Vivienne, Penelope) and less 70s than Julia. And it has a better range of short forms than any of them (I'd rather be a Jo or a Josie than a Jules or a Jue).

TinyCake · 04/02/2021 13:57

I love Julia

notawittyname1954 · 04/02/2021 14:16

My 4 year old granddaughter is Vivienne after my mum. But she is often Viv or Vivi. I think Angelina Jolie has a Vivienne.

Chambored · 04/02/2021 14:21

Vivienne nn Vivi

ofwarren · 04/02/2021 14:35

Julia is my favourite too.
Juliet was on my list but I've never had a daughter.

CuppaZa · 04/02/2021 14:38

Hot is nice, not keen on the others

CuppaZa · 04/02/2021 14:39

Sorry, JOY, not hot Blush autocorrect fail

blinkboo · 04/02/2021 14:58

All beautiful classic but not too common names!

bluechameleon · 04/02/2021 15:07

I love Penelope. Go with that. Helen and Vivienne are also nice.

Original poster
Sexnotgender · 04/02/2021 16:14

@blinkboo

All beautiful classic but not too common names!
That’s the aim😂
OP posts:
VenusClapTrap · 04/02/2021 17:11

Helen! I love Helen. Such an elegant, underused classic. It was on my list for dd.

I also like Julia, but prefer Judith.

17caterpillars1mouse · 04/02/2021 19:44

Joy - simple, beautiful name. I honestly don't know why it isn't more popular. It's a lovely name with a lovely meaning. My favourite of your choices

Julia - it's OK, just not my style. Also not a fan of Jules (unless on a boy)

Penelope - it gets a lot of love but I'm not a fan. I like Bell and I like Penny but something about Penelope puts me off

Helen - love it

Vivienne - lovely name and definitely the best spelling

MercyBodle · 05/02/2021 13:56

My favourite is Julia - lovely. I also like Penelope. Helen is okay. I'm not keen on Vivienne or Joy.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 07/02/2021 03:03

Joy - LOVE!
Julia - very pretty
Penelope - very pretty
Helen - nice but not as good as the others
Vivienne - really cool

I'd choose:
Joy Vivienne
Joy Penelope
Penelope Joy
Vivienne Joy

FixItUpChappie · 07/02/2021 03:05

I like Julia - classic but not overused and I love Jules as a nickname

WildCherryBlossom · 07/02/2021 03:19

How about using Joy as a middle name? I love Julia Joy.

Bilgepumper · 07/02/2021 03:21

Julia - so pretty ❤️

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