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Baby names

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

Original poster

Nell, Nessa or Nora

52 replies

Carlos18 · 14/03/2022 18:12

Well my daughter is here and struggling to agree on a name.

We both like Nell (not shortened from anything), Nessa…and I like Nora but DH doesn’t.

Other possibilities i might throw in the mix are Flora, Fern and Rosa.

Just interested in thoughts as feeling a bit desperate now.

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LadyNell · 14/03/2022 21:26

Nell Wink

MsJuniper · 14/03/2022 21:27

I love Nora! Agree about Eleanor being a good name to leave shortened names open.

TeeBee · 14/03/2022 21:27

Nessa = Gavin and Stacey
Nora = Nora Batty
Nell = gorgeous!

Hobbesmanc · 14/03/2022 21:28

I love Norah. Nessa just seems a shortened Vanessa which is a dated name. Nell is sweet. What about Helena. With the diminutive Nell

LadyNell · 14/03/2022 21:31

I'm Eleanor

WaitinginVain · 14/03/2022 21:59

I love Rosa but don't like any of your other names.

I don't get the love on here for Nell but do like Helena/Eleanor. I think Vanessa is actually a really pretty name, much nicer than just Nessa - if it's dated it's due a revival.

doitbelieveit · 14/03/2022 22:12

I love Nell. Would probably go with Penelope nn Nell but on its own is still a fab name

Jellybean23 · 14/03/2022 22:15

Eleanor and Helen sound classier (to me) than Nell and you'd still have the option of calling her Nell amongst family.

Ff10n · 14/03/2022 22:19

Say no more

Nell, Nessa or Nora
Mumofgirls2017 · 15/03/2022 07:59

Nell! But like Flora and Rosa but obv depends on your OH view

Juno22 · 15/03/2022 08:52

Why not call her Helen and use Nell as a nickname. I have a cousin called Nell, short for Helen. Helen is a strong classic name.

beetree1 · 15/03/2022 08:59

I love Nell and Nora but Nessa makes me think of Gavin & Stacey.

What about Nola? x

solbunny · 15/03/2022 09:13

Agree with this, Penelope was my first thought when I saw your post! All your names are nicknames really so I'd definitely go with a proper name and then you can find the nicknames as you go.

Eleanor is a good one to leave you both options of Nora and Nell too Smile

Also think Helen or Helena would be fab for Nell

Ncwinc · 15/03/2022 12:41

Helena Bonham Carter has a Nell. I think Helen in its many forms is a family name for her.

sorryforswearing · 15/03/2022 13:03

Like Nell
Love Rosa
Like Flora
What about Fleur

sorryforswearing · 15/03/2022 13:04

Here’s the question mark . ? 😂

Meandthesky · 15/03/2022 16:40

I really like Nora

TheYearOfSmallThings · 15/03/2022 16:44

I love all of them - I would use Helena, Vanessa and Honora/Leonora on the birth certificate. Better still would be triplets called Nell, Nessa and Nora.

IDontLikeMondays88 · 15/03/2022 16:45

Love these names. I do like Nessa but the gavin and Stacey thing is unfortunate.

I’m also suggested Nellie or Etta.

deadlanguage · 15/03/2022 16:50

All of the N ones are awful, sorry. Nell is ugly and makes me think Nelly the elephant/not on your nelly. Nessa makes me think Loch Ness monster and Nora whilst it is an ok sound I’m put off by Nora batty and bloody Nora.
I love Fern and Rosa though! Flora is ok.

TatianaBis · 15/03/2022 16:53

Love Nell. Loathe Nora. Don't think Nessa works as stand alone name.

Flora, Rosa - meh loads of them.

Whatwouldnanado · 15/03/2022 16:55

Rosa

alwaysscared · 15/03/2022 17:16

Nell for sure. Was our choice for a girl but we never ended up having one

alwaysscared · 15/03/2022 17:18

We also loved Etta too

babynamelover · 15/03/2022 19:04

My daughter is named one of those so biased here.

I think the suggestion of Eleanor or Helena are great also partial to Nella and I like Nola too as suggested.

For me Nessa is too nicknamey could you go Vanessa and same with Nell definitely need a longer full name.