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Baby names

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

We need help naming our beautiful baby girl!

68 replies

TwoTimeDaddyo · 27/03/2024 15:21

Hi everyone, we had our little bundle of joy on Saturday and we really hoped that upon seeing her one of our names would jump out at us (they didn't- we both still just like what we like). Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Just for a little background, baby is mixed race (white British and HK Chinese) and her surname is Ross. It would be nice to have a name that's 'not too white' if that makes sense. She has a big bro named Arlo James so hoping the name will fit in with his too. Here are a list of the names we had in mind including some of the dynamics and politics around them:

  • Isla Maeve (this one is my gf's favourite, I also like it but don't think it fully suits her as it doesn't seem mixed race and it's a bit over popular atm).
  • Mayda (this is my personal favourite, it just needs a nice middle name to go with. I thought Lucy but gf does not like it. Any ideas?)
  • Leila Maeve (she does suit this name and we both like it, however it's my grandma's name and people are constantly mispronouncing it [it's "Lee-luh" but she often gets "lay-luh"] and I don't want a name that people always get wrong [although I can certainly see why they do.])

Other names further down our list include:

  • Ada (why not Mayda, I say)
  • Ida (maybe a bit too severe sounding and short)
  • Josie (maybe a good middle name because its more of a shortened name than a full name in its own right)
  • Jade (my gf thinks this is chavvy)
  • Jodie (gf also thinks this is chavvy)

Let me know your ideas guys, we can't wait to sort her name :)

Ps. I'm also going to add a little poll for mine and my gf top choice, just for fun. Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
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QuaintPearlCritic · 27/03/2024 15:26

Congratulations! 💐

Mei?

ladygindiva · 27/03/2024 15:34

Leila Maeve, as you both like it. The family connection is lovely and it's gorgeous. Fwiw I think the Layla pronunciation is nicer.

ladygindiva · 27/03/2024 15:34

And I'm sorry but I agree with your oh about Jodie and jade.

Moreteaandchocolate · 27/03/2024 15:41

I love Isla or Leila (could you spell it Lila to encourage the pronunciation you like?)

I also like Ada, and quite like Mayda, Jodie and Ida. Not quite so keen on Jade.

Gorgeous names and congratulations!

YourWinter · 27/03/2024 15:44

Mayda Joy
or Isla May

Crochetablanket · 27/03/2024 15:45

Of all those I like

Isla ( but that is Scottish I think)

Mayda - sounds made up
Jade and Jodie nope

Leila is lovely but you will get the wrong pronunciation always

how about
Lyla
Libby
Serena
Violet

if you want to pair with Josie I think you need a name that doesn’t end in ‘e’ and not too long ! maybe

Alexandra Josie
Rachel Josie
Sophia Josie
Arabella Josie

PS i love Arlo!

Axx · 27/03/2024 16:00

Darth Mayda puts me right off.

Leila is nice, what about Lila or Lilah?

No to Jade or Jodie but I like Ada or Ida.

Sadie or Maybel? I like the y in it but some don't.

Illpickthatup · 27/03/2024 16:02

Lyla Maeve?

Lyla is a combo of Isla and Leila.

PickledScrump · 27/03/2024 17:29

If you want lee-luh then spell it leela. Other spellings will get lie-la or lay-la.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 27/03/2024 17:40

Iris Mei
Lyla Faith
Amy Joy
Nora(h) Eve
Nina Pearl

ShoesoftheWorld · 27/03/2024 17:51

Mae?

I'm not terribly keen on Mayda. It shouldn't matter, but people might read it as Mazda. Isla's nice but far too popular.
Leila is lovely, but I'm afraid most people will pronounce it Layla. Of course you can correct them, but it will happen at first, most of the time.

I really like Ada and Ida. Josie's very sweet.

You seem to like shortish names. Cara, Rosa? Or how about going retro with Mary?

Bluefell · 27/03/2024 18:08

If my DS had been a girl my list of names was Ada, Rya, Ray, Vida, Vie, Pemby. I hope you find a name you like!

JessyCarr · 27/03/2024 18:08

Rosa is a lovely suggestion.

From your list I’d tweak to Isla Josephine. Not at all keen on Mayda, sorry.

Congratulations!

KnitnNatterAuntie · 27/03/2024 18:31

I love Josie, either as a given name or as a shortened version of Josephine

Both seem to match nicely with your surname

Josie Maeve or Josephine Maeve

Many congratulations

GuessThatGranny · 27/03/2024 18:50

Mei is lovely, as is Li.

i I don’t love Mayda, but do like Isla, but Isla Ross is a very Scottish combo with no nod to your partner.

MerryChristmasToYou · 27/03/2024 20:34

Mayda makes me think of Maida Vale (Made of ale?)
Isla and Arlo are a bit too close in sound.
Arlo and Ada a bit too matching
Leila and Josie are my favourites

Apollo365 · 27/03/2024 20:36

Lyra?

NuffSaidSam · 27/03/2024 20:40

I'd make Maeve the first name and then use one of the others as a middle name.

Maeve Leila Ross is a lovely name. Arlo and Maeve goes well together too. It's not too popular.

I think Isla is too popular and Arlo and Isla sounds like a tongue twister.

Not keen on Mayda or Ida.

TenThousandSpoons · 27/03/2024 20:41

Mae

Mara

Amara

Lily

Lyra

Leila but let it be pronounced Layla so it’s same spelling as your grandma but dd doesn’t have the pronunciation problem

Yorkshirewithlove · 27/03/2024 20:42

Maeva Jade would be nice. Congratulations on your bundle of joy!

DontGiveADuck · 27/03/2024 20:45

I don’t like Ada at all, it’s really popular. To me it’s frumpy and also blends in with billions of Avas.

If you like Jade then what about Pearl?

Isla is over popular but then so is Arlo. Isla Ross does make her sound Scottish.

I don’t like Mayda. Leila is lovely but not pronounced Leela. I think you’d have to to spell it like that if that’s how you want it to sound.

Sandwichgen · 27/03/2024 20:46

Ming

FoxtrotOscarFoxtrotOscar · 27/03/2024 20:59

Mayda/Mayday SOS

Lena
Lara
Lois
Laura
Lily

ButtonMoonBlanketSky · 27/03/2024 22:09

Sophia
Paloma
Astrid
Rhea
Gaia
Camille
Meriel

Ikeameatballs · 27/03/2024 22:20

I like Ida Maeve.

I like Leila but it will get pronounced Layla every first time it’s said.

Pia Jade
Reeva Juno
Mischa Mei
Lois Violet
Esther Fern