Zara, Francesca or something else?

[januaryy]

Hi,

Due baby no. 2 in a few months and just found out I’m having a girl.

I have a Hugo already. I like that Hugo’s name isn’t particularly common (where I am in the UK, anyway, I appreciate it is v popular in some areas), can’t really be shortened, suits a baby or an adult but isn’t old man-ish. Everyone I meet loves his name, as do I.

I naively thought girl names would be easier but it’s providing to be just as difficult!

The current top 2 names are Zara and Francesca. Zara obviously ticks a lot of the same boxes as Hugo whereas I don’t like any of the shortened versions of Francesca so that’s a clear downside. I do like the full name but I worry it’s too long for everyday use.

I’d be really grateful to hear any other suggestions you think might “go” nicely. Surname is uneventful, two syllables and starts with “Lo….”.

Thanks in advance.

If you like Francesca, how about Alexandra? Zara is a perfectly decent name but I prefer Lara.

I prefer Zara for the same reasons as you, Francesca is nice but Fran/Frankie are awful

Susannah/Susie maybe
Helena
Eleanor
Daphne
Lydia
Eliza

I'm not keen on Zara and I don't think it goes with Hugo at all. To me Hugo is posh and traditional whereas Zara is tacky and modern. I love Francesca and think it goes well with Hugo, but I do think it's likely to be shortened (not something I actually regard as an issue because I like the shortened versions but you obviously feel differently).

I'm perplexed by you saying Hugo can't be shortened though 🤔

Thank you all for taking the time to reply with your feedback and suggestions. It is much appreciated. 😊

Interestingly @user2848502016 Daphne was on my list for a long while but Scottish people (I’m in Scotland) do have a habit of calling someone a “dafty” as an insult, so I worry it’s a bit too close to that.

@EatingHealthy I’m curious to know what you would shorten Hugo to? I’ve never once heard it shortened or any suggestions for a nickname from it. I guess the natural “shortened” version is Hugh which isn’t actually any shorter by number of letters.

Hugh, Hewg (sp?), Hugs, Huggy, Hughie, Shughie...
If a name can't be shortened, it gets lengthened.

Zara and Francesca are both lovely. If you don't like any diminutives for Francesca, go for Zara. What about Frances?

A few other suggestions:
Livia
Tamara
Melissa
Chloe

Hugo and Zara sound ideal for siblings.

Francesca is gorgeous too.
Chesca and Chessy are sweet short forms that I have heard used..
Also Fran, Franny and Fanny.

I really like both Zara and Francesca. However, as you don't like any NN for Francesca, I think it has to be vetoed.
Other suggestions.. Hugo and..
Felicity
Gabriella
Nina
Serena
Lucinda
Verity
Claudia
Camille
Renee
Josephine
Louisa

Jemima
Eliza
Alexandra
Viola

Zara is lovely
ypu may also like
Zinnia
Adalyn
Florence
Delilah
Saskia
Mauricia