Thoughts on Fern?

[Sall23]

I like the name Fern but have previously been put off because it's the name of my next door neighbour's twenty something year old daughter and worry it might be bit weird...

Nice naturey name or a bit old and frumpy sounding?

I think I may still prefer Phoebe...

Prefer Phoebe too but Fern is alright

I like it but then I have a lovely friend called Fern

Not a fan

I like it. I also like Phoebe!

I really like Fern. It's lovely and simple. I much prefer it to Phoebe.

I much prefer Phoebe

I like Phoebe better. Also Juniper, Holly, heck even Myrtle if you're into nature names.

Laurel, Ivy, Briar...

Fern is lovely and I think more unusual than phoebe

It’s not for me but it’s a nice name. I appreciate your situation with the neighbour though. Alternatives could be a similar nature name like Hazel, or Fenella, Philomena, or Flora have a similar vibe to Phoebe

My niece has just been called Ferne, I love it as a name. My sister says the only thing she's noticed is that she has to spell it quite frequently as people don't know whether she's a Fern/Ferne/Fearn/Fearne but that wouldn't bother me personally (as someone who also has to frequently spell all three of my names and my son's!) I think with a baby's name you should honestly just go with what you like- you'll always have people that love it or hate it!

I love this spelling of Fern, like the little girl from Charlotte’s Web. Phoebe is really nice too, probably more popular though. I wouldn’t worry about the neighbour thing, might be a bit weird if they were similar ages.

I really like Fern and it ticks a lot of boxes - not too girly for a grown woman, no confusion over spelling, easy to pronounce and will travel well.

I like it but it's a bit 'of the moment' because nature names are popular so with Fearne and Ferne it might be overpopular. Add the Fayes, Fays and Freyas it gets a bit samey.

Love both. How about Phoebe Fern nn Fifi?

Fern is lovely. Names sometimes cluster; we have two Noahs in this road and two Edens in the playgroup.

I prefer Phoebe, but I do like Fern. It’s pretty without being fussy.

Phoebe.
There are a LOT of springer spaniels named Fern.

Gorgeous name

Love the pp's idea of Phoebe Fern nn. FiFi

It's on my list too it's the oldest plant, goes back to dinosaur times so actually a pretty I think

I prefer Fern over Phoebe, but that's just personal taste.

I love it. Pretty, easy to say and spell.

Save it for a boy (Felix).
Phoebe is lovely.

I prefer Fern.
Phoebe always makes me think of feeble.