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Baby names

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

Original poster

Help! Only 10 days to name baby and STUCK! Bethany maybe? Or???

79 replies

alrightbab · 05/05/2023 07:57

Hi everyone. Baby girl is coming next week and we’re not in the U.K. so only have a few days after the birth to register a name. Feeling the time pressure!

We’re really, really stuck for names. Husband and I can’t decide (or agree!)! His favourite is Emily, I don’t like it at all, I don’t know why (sorry Emily fans!). I like botanical names but loads of them don’t work with our surname. My favourite is Martha but husband doesn’t like it ☹️

The closest consensus we’ve got is Bethany but I don’t love it and I love the names we chose for our two boys (but maybe that’s because they’ve already ‘grown into’ them??)

Is it unrealistic to find a name I love? I don’t want to ‘settle’ for something and regret it later. This baby is our last (and only girl) so maybe I’m feeling/making a pressure that wasn’t previously there.

In no particular order this is our current list (though worth noting husband doesn’t like several of these and I’m feeling quite meh about many of them):

Estelle
Jemima
Mirabelle
Tabitha
Heidi
Rosemary
Emily
Lydia
Zoe
Bethany
Martha
Esther
Hazel

Middle name will be Madeleine. I’m not bothered about the first name flowing well with middle name, I find it more important that first and surnames go together. Our surname begins with T so first names ending in T or D don’t really work (imo).

Please help me with inspiration of other names we could consider. I’d really like something a bit more unusual but not off the wall (loads of us are trying to find that fine line, no?).

Thanks MNers!

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Dollmeup · 05/05/2023 07:58

Can't you just have Madeline as a first name instead? It's lovely.

TeenDivided · 05/05/2023 08:00

Of those I like Bethany, Zoe and Hazel the best. All lovely names but not over popular.

Beaniesmumsie · 05/05/2023 08:01

I think Bethany is very 2000, not a fan

NotABeliever · 05/05/2023 08:03

Julia
Audrey
Beatrice

Monkeytapper · 05/05/2023 08:04

Annabel

OneAndDon3 · 05/05/2023 08:08

My all time favourite girl's name is Alba

Mummyme87 · 05/05/2023 08:11

What are your boys names?

Newusername123456 · 05/05/2023 08:12

Zoë, Martha or Rose/ Rosa (not keen on Rosemary) are my favourites but lots of nice names. Best of luck!

Trixiedrum · 05/05/2023 08:13

Miriam
Miranda
Rosalie
Juniper
Olive
Flora

You have a nice list of names, I’m sure it’ll work out. Maybe once this thread has some responses note down any you like, then agree with your husband to think again in a few days. Your mind will be clearer when you can look with fresh eyes.

We decided our baby names once baby was a few days old and chose names that weren’t high on our final shortlist. I think it was the break that helped us choose, more than seeing the baby.

PurpleReindeer2 · 05/05/2023 08:14

Hazel is my favourite from your list.

Howmanysleepsnow · 05/05/2023 08:15

from your list I like Zoe

Or….
Sylvie
Faith
Briony
…. for the softer consonants

Ivy
Rose
Iris
… nature

SheilaFentiman · 05/05/2023 08:15

Briony
Brianna
Rebecca nn Becky
Naomi

(I also like Bethany)

JollyJellyCat · 05/05/2023 08:17

I like your list, especially Esther and pp suggested Miriam. What about Betony? It's a flower.

sunshineandmango · 05/05/2023 08:22

It’s so hard when you and DH have differing opinions. We’re in a similar position at the moment and the last thing you want to do is find a ‘meh’ compromise so I understand how you’re feeling! I do think a lot of names on your list are really lovely though. My favourites are Tabitha, Jemima, Martha, Heidi, Esther and Emily. I’m not a massive fan of Bethany, but there’s certainly nothing wrong with it, just feels a bit dated to me as a lot of girls were named Bethany of my generation. I actually prefer Bethan, think it’s more fresh somehow. Good luck reaching a decision!

BuffyTheCat · 05/05/2023 08:22

I think you have lots of lovely names to choose from there! I really like Bethany and I don’t think it’s too dated. Some other names to consider (or veto) which I think are similar to your list in some respects:

Kezia
Lilith (or Lily?)
Naomi
Miriam
Amalia

When I was naming my children it felt like a huge responsibility. But now they’re adults I think they would have grown into any of the names I was considering.

user1492757084 · 05/05/2023 08:28

Rose Madeleine TXXX
Eloise Madeleine TXXX
Heidi Madeleine TXXX
Alice Madeleine TXXX
Hazel Madeleine TXXX
Laura Madeleine TXXX
Sarah Madeleine TXXX

heymammy · 05/05/2023 08:30

Zara
Hazel
Stella
Rudy
Alex

Good luck deciding!

drumandthebass · 05/05/2023 08:36

Really dislike Bethany. Love
Madeleine. Can't you have madeleine as a first name?

StopFeckingFaffing · 05/05/2023 08:39

Briony Madeline

Dragonsandcats · 05/05/2023 08:42

I’d also have Madeleine as a first name. It’s lovely.

BeverlyHa · 05/05/2023 08:43

Maria Madeleine

SophiaLarsen · 05/05/2023 08:43

I like Zoe best from those names. Others that could work:
Zara
Lorna
Ada
Hannah
Emma
Anna
Katie

Truestorypeeps · 05/05/2023 08:48

I really don't like Bethany, sorry. Evelyn is kind of like a mix of two on your list, Estelle and Lydia, but I think it's a prettier name.

Have you looked at the top 100 girls names in UK/Australia/NZ to give you some more ideas?

OliverKitten · 05/05/2023 08:49

Bethia? A bit more unusual than Bethany.

Lovely name list though, you have good taste!

Hello223 · 05/05/2023 09:00

I know a couple of children with the names on your list and their siblings are called:
Daisy
Alba
Elise
Bonnie

If you share your boys names maybe we can also suggest some more. Good luck, I had this issue trying to name our second!