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Baby names

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

Original poster

Anna, Emma or Elizabeth

56 replies

thickoozymudlongwavygrass · 03/02/2023 20:52

Which one and why?

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ODFOx · 03/02/2023 23:41

I prefer Ann (with or without the E) to Anna, though I couldn't tell you why.
I'd go for Ann, Elizabeth and Emma in that order.
They are all lovely.
Other short names you may like:
Jane
Mary
Laura
Alice
Louise
Charlotte
Claire
Rachel
Helen

xJoy · 03/02/2023 23:46

I like them all but at the moment Anna is a little more unusual than Emma (I think?) so I'd rank them
Anna
Elizabeth
Emma

but three really lovely names.

Holidayhomehell · 03/02/2023 23:47

All beautiful names.

I can’t chose my favourite as I like them all for different reasons.

Consufed · 04/02/2023 04:17
  1. Anna - classic simplicity
  2. Emma - still nice but a bit wimpy compared to Anna
  3. Elizabeth - dull and fusty, including most of the nicknames
LovePuffs · 04/02/2023 05:15

i have an Emma Elizabeth so I am biased. Funnily enough she’s often called Anna by mistake!

Fozzleyplum · 04/02/2023 05:48

Anna is my favourite, followed by Elizabeth.

I'm not keen on the sound of Emma, because, weirdly, it makes me think of a sheep bleating.

touterustome · 04/02/2023 05:58

Emma - simple and lovely

Anna - also simple and lovely but more boring

Elizabeth - just find it so stuffy and old fashioned but not in a good way

ScreamALullabye · 04/02/2023 06:35

Emma is my favourite, not keen on Anna or Elizabeth but I also like Emmie and Annie as alternatives

Indecisivemamabear · 04/02/2023 06:56

Depends how common you want her name to be. Elizabeth and all it’s many variations will be extra popular this year and next due to the Queen passing away

octoberfarm · 04/02/2023 07:13

Anna - just such a lovely simple classic. Emma to be sounds a bit dated now and Elizabeth has always felt a bit too formal for me (Sorry!). But really love Anna!

Dragonsandcats · 04/02/2023 07:16

I like Anna or Elizabeth. Although as pp’s have said, Elizabeth is likely to be shortened.

Sleepyblueocean · 04/02/2023 07:33

All lovely. My favourite is Elizabeth because of the choice of nicknames but you can't go wrong with any of them.

ItsJustASimpleLine · 04/02/2023 07:48

There are so many A names for girls in school at the moment they are very popular. I'd choose either of the other two.

piggijg · 04/02/2023 08:00

Elizabeth is timeless and international. I prefer Emily to Emma.

Phoebe
Rose
Clara

Lisbeth50 · 04/02/2023 08:01

They are all lovely. Emma so probably my favourite. Elizabeth has so many variants which is useful.

You could go for 2 of them: Emma Elizabeth or Anna Elizabeth or Elizabeth Anna all sound lovely.

Eliza is also a lovely name.

Theemptychair23 · 04/02/2023 08:37

I love them all, but would say Emma.

Anon778833 · 04/02/2023 09:46

Anna and Elizabeth both very nice.

loriat · 04/02/2023 13:10

We have a grown up Emma, so obviously biased. However, even though I still like the name, not sure I would name a baby that now, a bit dated. I'd go for Anna or even better Eliza, which I much prefer to Elizabeth.

TwilightSilhouette · 04/02/2023 13:11

Anna I find bland. I like Elizabeth or Emma.

Jayneisagirlsname · 04/02/2023 13:15

I love all 3 and order would be

  1. Emma
  2. Elizabeth
  3. Anna

My dd was nearly Elizabeth but she looked more like her name (Louisa). We would've used Bess as a nickname. There are so many lovely variations on Elizabeth. I personally really dislike Eliza / too much like lies.

KirstenBlest · 04/02/2023 13:40

I'm not keen on Eliza either and it's almost as long as Elizabeth and seems a bit whiny. Bess it terrific.

user1492757084 · 04/02/2023 14:05

Alice
Anna
Emma
Elizabeth
Claire
Ellen
Mary
Georgia
Lisa
Lucy

MrsSiriusBlack1 · 04/02/2023 14:08

Anna , very pretty and timeless

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 04/02/2023 14:11

Elsbeth

CharitySchmarity · 04/02/2023 22:52

This is hard - I really like all three. I think I might very slightly prefer Elizabeth, but there's not a lot in it. I also don't agree that you can't use both Emma and Anna - I've known sisters with those names. If anything I probably wouldn't use both Emma and Elizabeth as I wanted to avoid having siblings with the same initials, but it's not the worst thing in the world.