Romilda

[KookyAndSpooky]

My DH and I are struggling to come to an agreement on a girl's name for our baby that is due any day now. We don't know the sex but a boy's name is agreed. We have come across Romilda as a more unusual alternative to Matilda, what do you think? We like that Romy and Millie could be nicknames.

DH likes Sabrina and Romilly and I like Rosanna and Antonia. Matilda is a name we both like but we aren't a fan of Tilly and worry that it is quite popular.

Then again, you never know.

Hmm now I look at her Wikipedia she hadn't been in anything for a few years so perhaps not so well known now. Gorgeous name though! But understand about the mispronunciation worry. Big fan of Matilda too but it is fairly popular (not sure if that bothers you or not).

It's reassuring to hear that not every Matilda goes by Tilly. I like that Matilda is a strong name but Tilly sounds so frilly (excuse the rhyming).

But your job as a mum is to give your child choices and raise the child you get, regardless of the child you want. It's a good thing to have a name that gives options for strong and frilly. In case she's frilly OR strong. Or a combination.

There's a test for names. Try different jobs. Dr. Matilda Smith can run the hadron collider. Tilda Smith can drive a van. Tilly Smith can do ballet. Flexible, that's good. Don't shoehorn your child into your mental image.

@MrsTerryPratchett I see what you're saying. I suppose for me it comes down to the fact that lots of people have nicknames thrust upon them. We can teach children to firmly say what they like to be known as but there's been a few threads recently on people forcing nicknames on others and I think that just goes to show. Many male names have shortenings but rarely do they come across as frilly.

I have a DS called Maximilian (known as Max). He might be sensitive and creative as he grows up, so does that mean I've somehow potentially wronged him? Not really in my opinion. I guess he could be Maxi mind you!

I definitely don't have an idea in my head of forcing a DD into being a strong person. I'm a bit sensitive about names though as I have a trashy sounding name (think Porshe, Chardonnay) that is not spelt in a normal way. I spell it out all the time and I appreciate how a name can cast instant (often subconscious) judgement.

It's funny you say about imagining a child's name in various jobs - that is exactly my approach. Chardonnay would have a hard time and face judgement if she wanted to run a hadron collider and I'm very aware (maybe too much).

I had a friend at uni who called her daughter Romilly. Wasn't overly keen on it at the time but it's not the worst I've heard!

I've only heard Romilda via Harry Potter too, can't say I like it I'm afraid.

I love Matilda, nn Tilda, was on our list for DD. I'm also not the biggest fan of 'frilly' names. We chose a similar type of name I think, and she goes by full name most of the time, or the 'stronger' nn sometimes - but there's also a frillier nickname if she wants it! Matilda has that too, and I don't personally know any in the last 5 years despite it being popular.

Also quite like Romilly and Sabrina, and also Serena?

It’s a bit close to Brunhilda tbh - I imagine a fierce medieval abbess.. not that that’s all bad

Ramona maybe?

Sabrina is fabulous
Matilda is nice
Romilly is ok

Antonia is lovely, but I don’t like Toni
Rosanna is also lovely but she will be one of many Rosies

Allegra
Paloma
Fernanda
Saskia
Estella
Iona
Adela
Verity
Ianthe
Selene
Ione
Ismene
Leonie
Antigone

Might be others

Romilda sounds awful. Made up and like mildew. Poor child!!

Romi Lee

Sounds awful

Why not just call her Romy or Millie

I'm really don't like the sound of Romilda or Romola but if you do then thats what really matters.
Howabout Ramona?

I absolutely love Rosemary, with the diminutive Romy.

Rhea? Rowan? Robyn?

What about Romana?

Oh, I quite like Romilda but I do enjoy minor characters from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, hence my username!

I think Sabrina, Romilly and Rosanna are all nicer than Romilda though. I especially love Sabrina. Sabina and Sabine are also nice. What about Rosaline or Juliet for similarish vibes?

I know a child called Romila (row-me-la) which I thought was very pretty.

I am not keen on Romilda. It strikes me as overly fussy and gives me Harry Potter vibes.

Some alternatives could be:
Miranda
Mildred
Ramona
Milena
Linda
Natalia
Isadora

Awful.

Ramona
Roxanna
Natalia
Rolanda
Rosalind
Romana