Beatrix Potter

As a mother, you read thousands of books to your children. Exciting, fun books, goodnight books, time to relax kids!

A childhood favourite of both my children and mine is author Beatrix Potter. We've all read them (I hope). Famous Peter Rabbit is my favourite. As a quick post, I thought that I would point out how cute some of these names were.

Well lets start with the author herself - Helen Beatrix Potter. Helen or Helena are beginning to come into use. Beatrix or Beatrice are names which continue to grow in popularity (though not too much). Its sophisticated and fun, and you have to love the nickname Bea!!

Jemima Puddle duck also has a lovely name. Jemima is a favourite of mine at the moment. Its oh so British I would say. Its great as a first or middle name.

She uses, in her books, distinguished boys names such as Peter, Tom, Benjamin and Samuel aswell. These are names which last through the ages, and can easily be teemed with a lively middle name, if you wish, to jazz them up such as Kingston, or Leif, or maybe Rafael?

What do you think?

No frills - Classic yet unusual.

Hay there! So I'm searching and searching and I still just can't find the right name. We've toyed with like so many names like Shiloh (its a girl), Clementine, Zelda and now we are thinking Seraphine. The middle name has to be Lucia because its a name passed down. Cheers!

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Thanks for your inquiry. I have gathered a couple of little gems that I think capture the no frills, classically rare style I saw in your other names. Good luck with your pregnancy and hope you like the names. Remember to tell us what you think?!?

Ottilie - O-til-lie is of french origin. I have been hearing this one alot lately and I think I quite like it.

Beatrix - Trixe, Bea, Trix, Bee, the nicknames are endless. Beatrix Lucia sounds just adorable!

Lavender - Whenever I heard this I think of Mrs Lavender Irving from the Anne of Green Gables Series.

Portia - Shakespearean names are pretty cool I reckon and this ones a fave of Laura's.

Cordelia - I have loved this since Anne of Green Gables. Same vibe as Clementine and Seraphine

Iolanthe - Strong, Classic, no frills. If you like Xanthe but find it a bit too made up this is perfect.

Zephyrine - Meaning west wind and originating in Greece. This is a name that is bound to stand out. Pronounced Zef-r-ine.

Olive - Another no fuss little name. A version of the highly regarded Olivia and recently used by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Royal Names Part I - Girls

If you want your little tacker to grow into a strong and driven character then it seem wise to give a same that they can grow into that reflects this personality trait.

Why not consider the name of a Royal? It was often these people that would bring about much change and fervour during their time, displaying much strength and drive. Therefore it makes sense to pick the name of a Royal for your baby who in your eyes is Royalty.

For girls may i suggest;

Claribel - So whilst Claribel is not technically a real-life Royal she is a Queen. Wife to the King of Tunis and Daughter to Antonio in Shakespeares play The Tempest, and we all know the Duke of Milan would have nothing but the best name for his daughter. Plus how cute is Belle for a nick name.

Elizabeth - A bit typical i know but there are so many cute dimunitives. Bess, Beth, Eliza, Liz, Eli and the list goes on. Queen Elizabeth I has been one of the most popular rulers of her day and whose face has now become a romantic symbol of a nations resistance to foriegn threat.

Blanche - Blanche of Castile who weed the Louis VIII of France first showed her value as queen when her husband attempted to claim on her behalf the throne of England. Despite a united nation against him she supported him. She also raised the now sainted, Louis IX having lost 6 of her 13 children already. Now wouldn't you be proud if your little Blanche accomplised all this?

Beatrice - This name is due for a revival and has been vastly popular in preivious times. I quite like Beatrix too with the cute nickname of Trixe. Whilst we all might have divided opinions over Princess Beatrice daughter to Fergie, you cannot deny that this is a family that has put up with much gossip and speculation. We shouldn't let that effect the adorability of the name. Good Luck to 'em.

Mathilda - How cute is a little tilly or tilda running around. Queen Mathilda of Scotland was also and inspirational figure. Famous for not wearing shoes to church during lent and kissing and washing the feet of the sick and poor. She later became known as Patron of the Arts for a use of poetry and music in her court. Gourgeous!