Which baby name

[shdb]

Which name is your fave?

I was torn between Ruby and Miriam (Miri). I voted for Ruby because it’s one of my favourite names, but I think Miri is gorgeous too. I also like Vivienne, Maeve and Marnie. Efa would be too much hassle for me with the spelling / pronunciation confusions.

Hard to choose without knowing the context.
Efa - Welsh form of Eve, popular in Wales. I don't think it works outside Wales
Vivienne - Vivien is better, not keen on Viv.
Ruby - it's ok
Maeve - don't like it. Meadhbh (if in Ireland) or May is better.
Miriam - I don't like Miri. Miriam is nice.
Marnie - it's ok

I do think Efa might be a faff. People definitely won’t know how to pronounce it. I live in Wales and she would go to a Welsh speaking school but the area we live in has more English speakers than Welsh, so I think there would definitely be issues.

I like Marnie. It’s unusual but still lovely.

@shdb , people would get used to it, but you might find people not familiar with the name saying Eefuh or Effuh.

Vivienne - good choice, known but not overly used (cute short forms: Vee, Vi, Vivi); keep the full spelling otherwise it's just mispelled.
Ruby - not a fave for me; smacks of impertinent under parlour maid/uppity scullery maid/dodgy nightclub singer (but I'm terribly old fashioned)
Maeve - not one I like but that's just me ...
Miriam - needs a fun short form like Miri or Mimi or Mim
Marnie - a short form for Margaret so if you like this one, name the whole name and use that or one of the many others (Meg/Megan, Peg(gy), Maggie/Mags, Greta, Gretel, Margo(t), Margie/Marge)
Efa - will be known as Effa and spend her lifetime explaining. Pleaes use Eve/Eva if that's what you want. Otherwise you and your child and everyone else will waste time explaining what seems like a mispelling. As someone with a complicated name, I recommend not saddling your child with this lifelong issue: your lovely DD will grow up either bolshy, seething or cringing as she explains.

@tarheelbaby , I know some Viviens and that spelling is fine. Vee, Vi, Vivi are a bit naff.

Ruby or Marnie.
(Ruby is my favourite of the two)

I only like Ruby.

I think they are all good names!
I voted for Ruby.

Efa for me as it feels the most classic/timeless (I know Eva’s of quite different ages as it’s very international). I live in Wales too in an majority English speaking area - but I’ve met a few local little Efa’s and I don’t think they have any issues where we live (obviously yes, it will need to be explained in most other parts of the world, but then so do many Welsh names/spellings - she’ll get used to saying “Eva with an F/spelt the Welsh way”).

I find Maeve, beautiful though it is, is super trendy now- as is Marnie, and to a slightly lesser extent Ruby (more 2000’s) and Vivienne. I’ve only met ones under 25 (or quite elderly) which makes me think those names might date. Miriam is more timeless and fine, it’s just not my personal taste.

Have you considered Eve? Mix of Maeve and Efa but has never got quite as popular as those two- feels pretty timeless and doesn’t have any spelling or pronunciation issues. I like its elegant simplicity.