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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jemima, Sophie, Astrid, Annabel or Frederica

73 replies

RainbowFish4 · 27/05/2023 07:05

Feel like they’re all quite different, but would love to get some thoughts! TY in advance 😊

Jemima
Sophie (or Sophia, but I feel like that’s even more popular)
Astrid (maybe with Addy as a NN)
Annabel (Annie as NN)
Frederica (Freddie as NN)

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celestebellman · 27/05/2023 07:16

Agree, these are all really different...

Jemima - know a couple, not keen, bit twee and reminds me of Jemima Puddleduck.
Sophie - nice but dull, Sophia pretty but quite popular.
Astrid - great name, by far the best of your suggestions. Also like Asther, Ingrid and Esther which are similar.
Annabel - also twee
Frederica - don't like, but like Freda/ Frieda

Definitely Astrid from these options!

Fivemoreminutes1 · 27/05/2023 07:18

I like Sophie, and you’re right that it’s not as popular as Sophia. I think Annabel is my favourite. Not too keen on Frederica.

PlasticPotPlant · 27/05/2023 07:19

They are all pretty!

Astrid and Frederica are probably the most unusual if you are looking for a more unique name.

Annabel gives you the most abbreviated options - Ann, Anna, Annie, Belle - which may be good or bad - remember as the child gets older which abbreviation sticks will be up to them rather than you, so don't pick a name where you hate one of the abbreviations.

Astrid sounds quite 'sharp' name to me and makes me think of a stern person, but I'm sure thats just a personal thing.

dontdarepokethebear · 27/05/2023 07:55

I like your list. All lovely.

I had Frederica on my list. Influenced by my brother's friend at school with this name (nn Freddie). She was (and probably still is) a gorgeous and amazing individual.

I also like Astrid, it's cool. My best friend was deciding between this and Stella for her daughter. She went for the latter.

Sophie/Sophia are popular but but beautiful.

I wish I was a little braver in my choices.

YouHeardTheRumoursFromInes · 27/05/2023 08:09

I really like Jemima! I think my favourite on your list.
Sophie - it's a nice name. It's not particularly interesting but it will serve her well from baby to adulthood.
Astrid - I know a cat called Astrid so I think of it as a cat name which is absolutely ridiculous I know!
Annabel - again, harmless and inoffensive. Nice enough. Lots of nn options.
Frederica - initially I thought, God no. But then thinking on it, it's quite cool! Freddie is very popular among boys though so if she turns out very girly she may not like this.

MrsSamR · 27/05/2023 08:12

To be honest I like them all which rarely happens on these threads!

I think Sophie/Sophia and Annabel are the most common/plain so I'd avoid those.

I'd go for either Astrid (my friend chose this for her little girl) or Frederica which I've never really thought about but I love Freddie for a little girl!

SallyWD · 27/05/2023 08:13

I like Astrid and Annabel.

toastofthetown · 27/05/2023 08:20

Jemima - not a pleasant sound to me. Also very racially charged in America if that is something which concerns you
Sophie - so dull to me. I went to school surrounded by Sophies and its stil 30th most popular name. When you combine Sophie, Sophia and Sofia there are 1500 more of them born in 2021 than Olivia
Astrid - I love Astrid, though I don’t think Addy is an intuitive nickname. I prefer Astrid as a full name.
Annabel - I like Annabel, but prefer Astrid or Frederica
Frederica - I love this name, and Freddy as a diminutive for a girl.

Livingabroad12 · 27/05/2023 08:24

Jemima - love! But not sure I’d be brave enough because I do think Jemima Puddleduck when I hear it, but I think it’s such a pretty name!
Sophie & Sophia - I love both of these. My DH ruled them out because they’re quite commonly used but that wouldn’t bother me!
Astrid - love this, bit unusual but not too out there
Annabel - love Annabel and Annie as a nickname!
Frederica (Freddie as NN) - prob my least favourite but don’t dislike it

LadyWithLapdog · 27/05/2023 08:29

Not keen on Jemima but I like all the others.

Frederica was on our shortlist, though I remember Federica (no R) at the time and I can’t remember why specifically that. Funny how such obsessions get forgotten over time. It’s the name of Lady Susan’s silly daughter from the Jane Austen book, but that’s quite obscure.

DorisElward · 27/05/2023 08:32

Jemima is cute - showing my age but it makes me think of the Playschool doll!

Annabel is lovely and great for all ages.

BeethovenNinth · 27/05/2023 08:32

I like them all except annabel.

astrid is cool. Strong and not cutest. I also love Frederica. I know one and she is Freddie

Mummaluma · 27/05/2023 08:32

I have an Astrid. We often call her Asta or åsta. I do. However, have Nordic roots.

You would be surprised that amount of people.in the UK who seem to have problems with the name, though. Totally surprised me.

goldenlocks · 27/05/2023 08:34

OMG I love them all!!!! You have great taste. The one that stands out to me (as unique and cool) is Astrid 😊

(No to annabel as cutesy and also used in a horror film unless i am mistaken)

DiscoBeat · 27/05/2023 08:44

I usually hate all the names on these lists and I like all of these!
Astrid fave
Frederika is ok but I'm guessing very quickly you'll never hear the full name again and it will always be Fred/Freddie

RuthW · 27/05/2023 09:06

Jemima - lovely

Sophie (or Sophia, but I feel like that’s even more popular) definitely not. There will be three in a class

Astrid (maybe with Addy as a NN) I personally don't like but an acceptable name

Annabel (Annie as NN) same as Sophie as well as the Arabellas, Isabelle/as etc

Frederica (Freddie as NN) lovely

magnolia1997 · 27/05/2023 09:31

I know two Jemimas - both really cool girls.

One is known as Jem, the other as Mima.

pinkfrog55 · 27/05/2023 09:36

I like them all except Frederica for a girl

OdeToBarney · 27/05/2023 09:52

Prepare for Annabel to be constantly spelt "Annabelle". I speak from bitter experience! To me, Annabel is a great name that works for all ages and stages, whereas Annabelle is far too cutesy and I don't think it's so suited beyond the teen years.

RockStrangeNight · 27/05/2023 09:53

I love Jemima out of those

PollyVerano · 27/05/2023 10:01

I like Jemima and Annabel

user1492757084 · 27/05/2023 10:21

I like all your names.

I, personally, would use Sophie, Annabel, Astrid or Jamima.
I like them in that order.

I prefer Erica or Freda to Frederica

DuchessOfSausage · 27/05/2023 10:25

Jemima - like
Sophie, or Sophia - Sophie is nice but Sophia and Sofia too popular
Astrid (maybe with Addy as a NN) - Astrid is nice, doesn't need a nn and not Addy
Annabel (Annie as NN) - Annie is nice, Annabel is a bit too fussy
Frederica (Freddie as NN) - no

Comedycook · 27/05/2023 10:27

Love Annabel

Sophie is sweet but a bit dull

Frederica is nice too

Not keen on Jemima but it's fine

Astrid is absolutely dreadful...I imagine a middle aged tarot card reader who lives in Brighton who's house stinks of incense

Topazbutterfly · 27/05/2023 10:41

My favourites are Annabel and Sophie, I think they're both lovely names. I also like Frederica. Not as keen on Jemima, nothing wrong with the name, just not a fan personally and I don't like Astrid, probably cause I prefer more traditional names like the others on your list. Hope that helps 🙂