Nearly there…Seren

[grosgirl]

I’ve posted before and got some amazing advice. DH and I have a DS called Julian and are due a girl in a couple of months: initially, the one and only name I really liked was Grace but DH was very resistant.

I also quite like Edith, Annabel and Eira.
DH has suggested Elizabeth, Catherine and Constance (nn Connie)

We have a 3 syllable surname.

DH is Welsh, although we live in London and won’t be moving to Wales at any time in the future, and when I was pregnant with Julian, Seren was on our list. We’ve since discounted it because we wouldn’t name a DD ‘Star’ in English…but if we’re never going to live in Wales, it’s not really the same is it? I love the way it sounds and prefer names that don’t end in ‘a’ sounds because they can sound quite ‘common’ in my rather unpleasant Thames Estuary accent.

What do you think? Any and all suggestions welcome!

Eira and Seren are both nouns and are equivalent to calling your child Snow or Star. Both are fairly new names - Eira tended to be used for baby girls born in winter or when it is was snowing

It's no different from calling your child Holly, or River, or Dawn or loads of other names that are also nouns.

Have you considered Siwan? (Shoe-ann)? It's one of my favourite Welsh girls' names.

I've checked, the boy was going to be Celyn.

Nova. (See my post at 10.25)

I think Seren is lovely. I think English people pronounce the second e as a shwar. I guess it depends whether that will bother you or DH. I have an Aneira. English people cannot get their tongues around it at all and to my ears it's quite straightforward.

That's so sweet

My name also means Light and my youngest boy's name also means "a gift from God"

OP Seren is a lovely lovely name. It's not naff and all names mean something; some are more transparent than others sure, but Seren sounds like a very "namey" name and not a "nouny" name if that makes any sense whatsoever.

My alternative suggestion just based on your son's name and your preferences listed would be Rowan

I think Seren is gorgeous!

Seren is lovely but very overused here. It's Olivia or Emily level popular here. Every class has several, throughout the school years. Just something you may want to know should you think you may come back one day. Just make sure she knows how to say it. I once spoke to a lady with a very traditional welsh name and her parents had found it in a name book and totally mangled the pronunciation. Please respect the language.

My DD must be in the only Welsh medium primary school in Wales without a single Seren on roll!

Just the one Emily. Two Isabellas (different year groups). Don’t believe there is an Olivia at all.

The lack of variety is on the boys’ side here. Stand in the playground and yell Harri/Harry, Connor or Joe and you’ll be mobbed!

I like Seren but it’s a strange combo with Julian

Ffion is a bit better, or Carys, Gwyneth and Gwendoline better still.

Welsh names aside from your list Annabel and Constance work best. Otherwise names like Edwina, Claudia, Cassia, Stella, Laurel, Serena, Marianne, Emmeline all go well. I love Edith but it’s very overused.

Ellis

@Luredbyapomegranate , Carys and Gwyneth seem very dated. Gwendoline isn't really welsh, it's an anglicisation of Gwendolen, which is pronounced Gwen-DOLL-enn, not GWEN-dolyn. Gwyneth will get misspelt a lot - Gywneth, Gweneth, Gwenneth, Gwynedd etc. Cerys would have people saying Serris, Cerise etc.

Julian and Gwendoline go well together

@RewildingAmbridge , @QuietYou , thanks. I couldn't say I like Nova or Celyn.

Adore Constance/Connie. The long name is so elegant, nickname lovely.

I know this post is years old but…. My daughter is Seren. Shes almost 8. Most definitely a SER-EN but is quite often pronounced ser-IN. It annoys me but it is what it is! Her name is beautiful and I still love it now,(unlike her attitude !!!) like I did when i accidentally found it! Her dad is actually Welsh, but English born, and was the only name we stumbled upon and both loved!! Since she’s been born we’ve only met one baby (when mine was 4!) called the same, and then a toddler in the hospital a few months ago who was almost called Seren!