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

India or Cleo?

42 replies

undecided100 · 11/10/2022 21:26

Hi all! We're expecting a little girl soon and really struggling to choose between the names India and Cleo. Any thoughts welcome! Thank you xx

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seasunshine22 · 11/10/2022 21:27

India

Downandout01 · 11/10/2022 21:28

Friend just had a little girl last week called Cleo and I think it's such a lovely name! India feels a bit 'done' whereas Cleo feels very fresh to me. I've met a fair few Indias but never a Cleo!

SirSamVimesCityWatch · 11/10/2022 21:30

Cleo.

I agreed India is a bit over.

SunsetOverEasterIsland · 11/10/2022 21:31

I love India, our DS would have been India had he been a girl.
Cleo is nice and not a name I hear a lot.

caitlinrose · 11/10/2022 21:36

They are both beautiful.

I'd say India because Cleo seems to be getting more trendy and it also sort of sounds like Chloe reversed a bit so combines sounds of a formerly very common name.

Izzieloo · 11/10/2022 21:37

India I don’t like Cleo reminds me of a car.

villamariavintrapp · 11/10/2022 21:57

Cleo. Are you white British? If so, India isn't a big.. colonial..

Lilacsunflowers · 11/10/2022 22:03

India 🇮🇳? As in the country?

I much prefer Cleo(patra)!

DotDotDotDotDot · 11/10/2022 22:04

Cleo is a great girls names, I’d definitely choose this.
I really dislike India as a name, a definite no for me.

Margo34 · 11/10/2022 22:07

I don't like Cleo, probably because I know one aged 6 who is a PITA. It also reminds me of Gepetto's fish in Pinocchio 🤭

So I'd opt for India of the two choices. Prefer Indie though, no idea why.

Azandme · 11/10/2022 22:08

Cleo.

Calling a child after a country always seems faintly ridiculous. I suppose there are worse sounding options on the theme, like Norway, or Azerbaijan - but India is still too cringe for me.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 11/10/2022 22:11

I really like both, they have a nice bohemian vibe and a pretty sound. India does feel a bit more elegant and Cleo a bit more funky/cool to me though.

On balance I think I'd pick India (but then I have a soft spot for -ia names) - although you might get the odd colonial comment, even though it was in use as a name pre-British occupation. But then you'll get the odd car/pet name comment for Cleo, so you can't win!

bombemma · 11/10/2022 22:22

Cleo

ChagSameachDoreen · 11/10/2022 22:28

Cleo.

India is for 1980s Sloane rangers whose grandfathers were in the Raj.

Luredbyapomegranate · 11/10/2022 22:52

ChagSameachDoreen · 11/10/2022 22:28

Cleo.

India is for 1980s Sloane rangers whose grandfathers were in the Raj.

yep

whatwouldAnnaDelveydo · 11/10/2022 22:55

I've met quite a few Indias in playgrounds on Hampstead 10 years ago. It feels like a joke to give this name to a blonde rich girl.

MarshaMelrose · 11/10/2022 22:57

India is from Gone With The Wind. Mellie's sister-in-law. I loved that book.

Folicky · 11/10/2022 22:58

Clio, from Greek mythology

MarshaMelrose · 11/10/2022 22:59

Cleo is a car to me, no matter what it's spelling.

MarshaMelrose · 11/10/2022 22:59

Oops: its spelling.

AliBaliBears · 11/10/2022 23:27

villamariavintrapp · 11/10/2022 21:57

Cleo. Are you white British? If so, India isn't a big.. colonial..

'colonial' was my first thought too. I'd go with Cleo.

DramaAlpaca · 12/10/2022 00:13

Cleo/Clio, both fab.

I don't like India much, sorry.

ChillysWaterBottle · 12/10/2022 00:39

Both lovely but prefer Cleo x

MrsTuxedo · 12/10/2022 05:59

Cleo

Ravensclawdropout · 12/10/2022 06:02

Cleo is definitely going to be the new Chloe. Its a lovely name but is gearing up to explode and be massively popular.