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Baby names

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

Original poster

gender neutral or classical

30 replies

deedeexx · 06/09/2023 11:25

Hello all..
Currently 34+3 with our first baby girl 🩷

So, I have always loved pretty, girly names and always thought that I was going to use either Daphne, Penelope or Cecily (CeCe) they have been top 3 for around a whole year...

HOWEVER, I'm suddenly finding myself extremely drawn to gender neutral names for her like Noa, Billie, Riley and Rorie.

What's everyone's opinion do I stick to my pretty 'girly' names or do you prefer the more modern gender neutral options.

I'm most drawn to Rorie at the minute for her!

For reference middle name is Rose as it's a family name🙂

Thanks everyone x

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cherryassam · 06/09/2023 11:32

What about Aurora with Rorie as a nickname? Then she’ll have the option of a more ‘girly’ name and a more unisex name

2424x2424 · 06/09/2023 11:36

cherryassam · 06/09/2023 11:32

What about Aurora with Rorie as a nickname? Then she’ll have the option of a more ‘girly’ name and a more unisex name

I agree, that's such a lovely name, Aurora-Rose nicknamed Rorie

FayCarew · 06/09/2023 11:41

Rorie Rose, Aurora Rose and Aurora-Rose are all awful, as is Riley Rose.
Billie is nice. Noa is ok but Noah is the most popular boys' name.
Daphne, Penelope and Cecily are OK

peaceinourtime · 06/09/2023 13:47

Riley is probably the best of the ones mentioned

WanderingWitches · 06/09/2023 13:50

I much prefer your original choices. They go with the middle name Rose much better in my opinion.

MariaVT65 · 06/09/2023 13:58

I love the original names. The gender neutral choices all sound like boys names to me.

I got put off gender neutral names when I saw colleagues having to put (miss) in their email signatures at work. But go with whatever you like :)

TeenDivided · 06/09/2023 14:03

Samantha Rose.
Then can use Samantha or Sam.
Or Alexandra / Alex.

MargotBamborough · 06/09/2023 14:06

I like your original names, especially Penelope Rose and Daphne Rose.

I think the gender neutral names are most likely a hormone induced brain fart that you would come to regret.

Notagains · 06/09/2023 14:19

Sorry but I don't like Rorie or Riley they don't sound like gender neutral to me Rory is a boys names and Riley also a boys name but mainly I see it as a surname, Billie sounds as though it is a nick name. I like Noa which I think is a Spanish name, but there are so many boy Noah's it may be confusing.

Marsyas · 06/09/2023 14:21

I am prejudiced by the fact that my accent makes it difficult to pronounce Rs, so Rorie would be an absolute no go for me.

I love Daphne and Cecily.

Twentytwo22 · 06/09/2023 14:27

Just go with what you like. Doesn't matter if it's gender neutral or a girly name.

Moveoverdarlin · 06/09/2023 14:29

I love your girly choices. I would never want anyone to be unsure about the gender of my child because of their name.

A distant cousin had a baby recently and put something on Facebook saying ‘welcome to the world River Bloggs’. Half the family assumed it was a boy the other half a girl. Everyone felt to awkward to ask. Turns out it’s a boy.

hattie43 · 06/09/2023 14:30

I don't like any of your classical names and personally wouldn't be fussed about gender neutral but I like nature inspired .
Sky
Fern
Hollie
Willow

Potatomashed · 06/09/2023 14:30

OP I went through a similar thing when pregnant with my first and almost used Rorie! I’m now glad I didn’t because although it’s super cute, I’m glad she and I don’t have to constantly discuss her sex! She was constantly misgendered until 2.5 as her hair took ages to grow, even when wearing ‘girly’ clothes…

CurlewKate · 06/09/2023 14:34

There's no such thing as a gender neutral name.

marshmallowfinder · 06/09/2023 14:35

Rorie and Riley are awful boys' names. I particularly dislike the 'roar' sound in Rorie. Noa is dull. Robyn is better.

shoopshoopdedoo · 06/09/2023 17:54

I love your original choices. Not so keen on your recent picks, although I’m not against unisex names in general, especially as nicknames (eg. Alex). I really dislike Aurora.

My vote is for Cecily (CeCe) Rose or Penelope Rose.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 06/09/2023 22:27

Your gender neutral names sound like names for pets to me. I love Daphne, Penelope and Cecily.

continentallentil · 06/09/2023 23:05

Bloody hell OP, please don’t call her Riley or Rorie, they really won’t help her in life.

Noa would be fine but not will all the Noahs. Billie is alright I suppose but Billie Rose is pretty naff.

Cecily is great, go for that.

minipie · 06/09/2023 23:10

Rorie is not a gender neutral name, it’s a boy’s name with a girlie spelling.

Alex, Sam, Robin, Lesley are gender neutral names.

Theoldwoman · 07/09/2023 00:10

Rorie Rose sounds ridiculous to me.

I like feminine pretty names for girls.

Penelope is my favourite.

SneezyEvie · 07/09/2023 07:40

100% your original choices. All beautiful names! Favourite is Cecily.

whatamidoinggg · 07/09/2023 08:36

I love the gender neutral names, Noa is absolutely gorgeous! I also love Blake and Drew!

I can't help but feel the girlie girlie names have been such a trend over the last few years, that I'm a bit over them. To me they all seem to just blend into each other and none stand out anymore. It's very personal as to what you want though, some like to have a name that fits in with the times and others :)

whatamidoinggg · 07/09/2023 08:37

I am a little obsessed with Cece though ❤️

CurlewKate · 07/09/2023 08:48

"I love the gender neutral names"
No such thing. Only boys makes being used for girls.