DD due 2 weeks and DH has changed his mind..

[Whyisitsosohard]

I won't say what the name we'd agreed on was as I'm still hoping to use it but I need some back up options in case he refuses.

I like:

Betty
Penny
Birdy
Bonnie
Connie
Saffy
Daphne

The issue is I don't always like the longer formal versions (Bridget, Saffron, Elizabeth, Penelope, Constance). I want something easy to spell and that works on an adult as well as a baby/toddler.

How about Annie? Very easy to spell, suits your style and is more of a 'recognisable' name than some of your shortened versions, not all of which I think can stand alone in their own right.

Or something like Lucy, Nina, Katy?

Your names are...not great! What's his style?
birdie, saffy, Betty are just ugh. Bonnie and Connie are ok but I disagree with you about not using the full names (though bonnie doesn't necessarily have one). I think it's odd to use penny or Connie for example as full names.

Sally, Holly, Lara, Rosie?

I like Betty but personally I would call the baby Elizabeth and shorten it to Betty. That way there are plenty of options for her as she gets older - Elizabeth, Betty, Liz, Lizzie, Libby, Beth - depending on her own choice and personality. Many of your names are cute for a baby but a teenager might not love them.

I agree. An Elizabeth can choose from so many other names, but a Betty will only be Betty / Bet.

OP your names are very of the moment, especially Birdy / Birdie and Bonnie, they're rising in popularity. They're very cute names for a small baby / toddler but an older child, teen or adult might prefer a name that gives them options as they grow.

He doesn't really have a style, the only name he likes on that list is Bridget because he's keen on Birdy. He hasn't made any other suggestions. I don't think those names are terrible obviously but it's a matter of taste. Nina I do like but feel like it sounds like a fire siren. Same with violet, I just hear violent. I really don't like Annie, Lucy, Katy etc. They just feel so plain.

Some short names without long versions:

Lena, Rosa, Anna, Ava, Greta

Shelley, Molly, Maisie, Daisy

Polly
Sadie
Nancy

You're not fussy, are you?

How about going full-on ahead-of-the-curve hipster? Winifred (Win or Freddie), Barbara (Babs), Marguerite (Maggie).

As an aside, I'm not sure a school child would thank you for 'Birdy'.

Haha, you're right. I am fussy. It's because I really like my own name and my eldest and I don't want to feel like I'm compromising on something so important or even to feel so-so about it.

Oh, Polly is a good call. I quite like Nancy too, being a Swallows and Amazons fan.

Good click bait thread title!

What's your eldest called?

I like Daphne, Connie and Bonnie from your list. All fine without longer version

Birdie is awful. Not keen on the others either.
Lyddie
Edie
Elsie
Averie
Effie
Emmie

Cassie (Could be Cassandra, Cassiopia)
Coralie
Rose
Rosalie
Theadora
Sophia
Juliet

Anita
Zara
Petra
Poppy
Molly
Millie
Rachael

Daphne is the only one I like on your list.

I don't think Lucy is plain,

Sophie
Amy
Chloe
Zoe
Alice or Alexandra, Allie for short?
Linnet or Lark could have a nickname Birdy?

Well that is a relief. I thought he had changed his mind about the whole lets have a child thing.

You could wait until the child is born to see what name suits them. With DD we had a shortlist of names. Boy names because we were told she was a he at the scan.

I wouldn’t give your dd a shortened name. Fine for a toddler. She may choose to always be known as the shortened version. But has the option to reinvent herself as a more grown up self.

I love Daphne

Here's something that worked for me and DH.

I grew the baby
I birthed the baby
I get to name the baby

Bonnie is lovely.
If you like Birdy why not name dd Robin or Wren and then use Birdy.
I like Bluebell which can be shortened to Belle or Bella.

Annie..

I love Daphne

Leonora - Nora
Isabella - Bella/bel
Amelia - Milly