Thoughts on favourite names

[Harri165]

Hi all,

I think we have a top girls name and want opinions without sharing with my family. Also include our top 3 boys

We're thinking Safiya Rose (Rose as middle name, not double barrelled) I just think it's so pretty and actually goes with out surname which is bit unforgiving. Following that, Erica.

Boys names we have down to
Rowan
Freddie
Leo

I like Safiya. Do you have middle Eastern or North African roots? If not then I suspect she will be assumed to be Sophia? Safiya is such a nice name though - I prefer it with a heavy emphasis on the Sa sound. Rose goes well but I strongly dislike filler middle names.
Erica is lovely too but they have a very different feel. Erica feels very English.
Rowan - this seems so popular at the moment. I love it for a girl, think it's a bit meh for a boy. It's growing on me but I can't help perceive it as a bit wet. Also I know a lot of small Rohans and think there could be a lot of similar names around.
Freddie - nice, safe, pleasant
Leo - I really like this. It would definitely be my top choice. I slightly prefer Leon though.

Back to Safiya. I've heard it pronounced sa-FEE-er which I think will get mistaken for Sophia. Or SA- fee-er which is much nicer.

'Rose goes well but I strongly dislike filler middle names.'

This. Rose (along with Grace) is this generation's Louise - a lovely name completely spoiled by overuse as a generic middle name.
I think Safiya Erica is a lovely, unusual, cultural-fusion type name.

All your boys' names are nice (though I would go with Frederick for the birth cert), albeit moderately popular. Rpwan is my favourite.

*Rowan, of course. Sorry.

Freddie and Leo are incredibly popular, I only mention that because Safiya and Erica are less so so maybe it’s a factor for you.

All nice names. Personally I’d choose Erica or Freddie!

I think Safiya is beautiful, but I agree it only really makes sense if you have Arabic-speaking heritage

@Chilldonaldchill we're White British and whilst I do like Sophia too, I like that fact that Safiya can be shortened to Saffi or Saf as a NN.

Depends if popularity is a concern for you as all 3 of your boys names are very popular. Rowan feels more popular than it actually is as there's loads of "RoMan"s which is fastest rising boy name. Then Reuben, Rohan and so on. All merge into one a bit for me. I think Leo is probably my favourite of your list. Rowan I prefer for a girl but still not keen and don't like nickname Row.

@emmy239 this is my only reservation, will we be accused of cultural appropriation. On the other hand though, so many names have roots in different heritages and cultures, would people ask us if we have Greek ancestry if we chose Sophia instead? Some friends have called their little girl Anaya which I think is beautiful and that's a Hebrew name. Again, both white British.

I would assume a Safiya would have at least one parent with Arabic/North African ancestry as well. It's a beautiful name but she may get asked a lot if she has Arabic ancestry.

I have a Welsh name in England and get a lot of questions about it, where's it from, where are my family from, was I born in England etc. So I think it's likely that she would be asked this sort of thing too.

Saffron would also give Saffi/Saffy/Saf as a nickname option.

@Harri165 for me it's not so much about cultural appropriation, because you're right, people use names from all different cultures (although Sophia has been used by White British families commonly for decades so not sure if it's comparable).

It's more that if a teacher looked on the register, or a colleague at an email, an interviewer at an application etc etc, and saw "Safiya", they will immediately assume a Middle Eastern heritage, or Muslim. So that might lead to some awkward conversations for your daughter, and she might feel a bit fed up by it.

If you google "Safiya name" the first result is that it's a wife of the prophet Muhammed. So the association with a different culture may be a bit too strong.

If you like the nickname Saffi you could go for Saffron or Sapphire? Or Seraphina at a push?

I know quite a few Safiyas, various spellings, all Muslim families. So I would assume background on that basis. That said, I think its a lovely name.

I also really like Erica.

Your boys names all seem a bit run of the mill and boring in comparison!

I love Erica! Or Saffron. Your girls names are lovely and I do agree your boys names are not as strong and do feel a bit dull in comparison.

Rowan is my baby girls name so is a girl name to me though appreciate it's unisex. The similarity to Roman and other popular names does bother me and I don't feel like her name is as special as she is. If I'd have realised how popular Roman and Rowan are, I wouldn't have chosen and I hate the seemingly inevitable shortening to Row that seems to happen. Might not bother you of course.

How about Eric for a boy if you like Erica?

@emmy239 @CaffiSaliMali I love Saffron and that has been my secret baby name for years but my partner won't get on board with it 😭

@Harri165 Oh no :( Would your partner agree to just Saffie on the birth certificate? Saffina/Saphina? Saphira? Could still be known as Saffi day to day.

Nameberry also suggests Saskia as a similar name

What about Farah?

I love Erica and Saffron
You seem to be putting a lot of thought into girls names, your boys list strikes me as a bit of an afterthought. Do you suspect baby is a girl?
I like Freddie and Leo is ok. Rowan a bit too trendy for me and I know a few girls with the name too which would put me off using for a boy. The similarity to Roman with an M would also put me off.
If you like Leo how about Hugo? Milo? Otto? Otis?
If you like Freddie how about Felix, Nathan, Fraser or Edwin nickname Eddie?

@whatsyourflava we have definitely found it easier to think of and agree upon girls names. My partner is convinced it's going to be a girl which makes me think it will be a boy to make things difficult 😅

I think it's pretty, but will generate the Do you mean Sophia? or Do you have North African links? questions.

Use it.

Not keen on Saffron.

The boy's names are a bit overpopular.

@Harri165, I love Safiya Rose! And my favourite of your boys names is Leo x

I love Safiya Rose and wouldn't have known the origins of it, would just think it's a lovely name. I think whether people would make assumptions about her before meeting her would depend on your surname. Names have so many origins I really don't think it matters. Leila for example is Arabic but it used by so many white British families and is lovely.
I also like Saffron, I know a Saffron and it really suits her, or Sapphire.

Of your boys names I love Leo and Rowan. Does popularity bother you? Leo is very popular which put me off but it is gorgeous. Rowan is such a soft sounding name and I much prefer it to Roman. Everyone says it's super popular but I haven't met that many.
Freddie is too nicknamey for me so I'm not keen.

Safiya is nice enough, I do prefer Erica though, it's a fiesty sounding name and I like that. I just find Rose so dull and expected in the middle name spot

We considered Rowan so I love that. I love Frederick but dislike Freddie, Leo is nice but very popular

What about Seraphina or Serafina, nicknamed Saffy? I think it works.

Or does Persephone, known as Seffy, perhaps also appeal to you?

Safiya is pretty - but I agree with pp that I think many people would assume she had Middle Eastern heritage or was Muslim from the name, which could be awkward for her?

Saffron is cool though (bohemian or slightly upper class vibes) and Erica is nice (a bit 70's/80's but would be refreshing to hear on a little one now). I love pp suggestion of Persephone (Sephy) too!

Of your boys Rowan is my fave (Rowan and Saffron would make a great sibset!), but Leo is nice too. Freddie seems insubstantial as a given name to me (but nice as a nn for Frederick, Wilfred or Alfred). I also love pp suggestion of Erik as a boys choice - very Viking cool.

Leo’s so cute! My standout fave of your list 😍