Please help, I?ve completely over-thought this and I?m sick of it, but can still not make up my mind.

We have more or less settled on Miriam as a name for dd2 due in two weeks, but I?m suddenly worried that it is too religious (we?re not) or something.

We also like Elise (dh?s favourite), Laura and Polly. Two syllable surname starting with Gar (like in garden). Is one of them obviously better that Miriam? Are they all awful? I am not overly sensitive about this so please say.

I?m open to other suggestions too.

I like them all - we considered all except Elise (which DH didn't like) for dd.

with a list that short you could wait and see what she looks like

have you a middle name in mind?

I like Miriam and Polly best.

Being dim here but I don't think religion when I hear Miriam.

Personally, I like Laura and Elise more, but all are nice names.

I like Elise best but they are all pretty

Middle name will a family name. Probably Maria (not with Miriam obviously), Anne or Ellen.

Thank you for replying!

Oh and sorry about the question marks and typos. Something strange happened there.

Miriam and Polly are lovely. Isn't Elise a brand of sportswear? Not so kken on that one.
Miriam was the main female character in 'Sons and Lovers' by DH Lawrence.

I like Miriam and Elise

I think the "religious" (ie Muslim) spelling of Miriam is Myriam.

I like them all except Polly which is a bit twee.

all beautiful - although wouldn't go for Elise as people might go a bit when you tell them
Miriam is my favourite

Funnily enough MIL suggested Miriam for my new baby....but it was a boy! I thought it was a very left field suggestion but maybe she is ahead of fashion! Actually I like it and I like Polly...not keen on the others.

They are all lovely. Miriam is Biblical, but so are many other names that are used in entirely secular contexts

Elise is particularly lovely IMO <puts it on 'hypothetical BeroGirl' list>

Muslim version of Miriam is Mariam.

I have a Miriam

Thank you very much for the input. I'm feeling more certain about Miriam again. Might go for Miriam Elise.

Miriam is a gorgeous and imo very underused name, I love it.

Miriam is lovely and unusual.
I like Laura.
I am afraid that I don't like Elise , it is too near my pet hate of Elsie (although better).
I am never very sure about Polly-parrot always springs to mind or 'Polly put the kettle on'.

I like them all....favourite possibly Elise, least favourite perhaps Laura, just because it was so popular about 15-20 years ago, maybe not ready for a comeback just yet.

I love Miriam. It has never struck me as religious. Go for it. I like it more than your other suggestions (although they are all nice).

I can thoroughly recommend Miriam. Mine is utterly delightful. The world needs more Miriams.

I might have to try for a girl now just so I can call her Miriam!! Love it and didn't even think of it for dd.

I don't like Miriam at all, it's just not sexy or cool in any way. Makes me think of a very old Jewish lady - probably because all the Miriams I know (all two of them) ARE very old Jewish ladies.

I think Elise is a bit chav - makes me think of the car Lotus Elise but Polly and Laura are lovely.

I surprise myself by thinking I like Miriam (although I do have bad-ish personal connotations of it).

I love Polly - this would be on my hypothetical shortlist other than the fact I wouldn't use it with my dd's name.

Nancy66 snap re the Elise thing (Lotus cars affordable by and owned by middle aged men springs to mind)

Elouise would have been a hot contender if I'd had a girl.

Love Laura but not usable for us and I know a lovely Polly or two.

Miriam is a bit "Jewish old lady" but it could be due for a come back. Look at Ruby with its old lady associations, now there's loads of little girls named Ruby.

rofl at choosing a name because it's 'sexy and cool'...

Miriam Elise is lovely

Elise a bit chav???? I don't agree. To me it's just a french girl's name.

How do people pronounce Elise in England?

I have three biblical names for my DCs (Benjamin, Rebecca and Jacob) and we are in no way religious. We just like the names. I like Polly best of your four choices though, and have always liked Laura too.

i like Miriam and Polly best!

I have never heard of the Lotus Elise so it doesn't mean anything to me -- I'm not very clued up on car names. Is it very bad then?

I like Miriam more anyway -- Elise is slightly "pretty" for my taste (which is probably why dh likes it). But it would not bother me in a middle name and Elisabeth is mil's name so appropriate in that sense.

Actually also agree with whoever said that Polly was a bit twee. I do like it though.

I like Elise the best not overly keen on Miriam sorry but names are so personal.

DD3 due in July is going to be Bethany which I found out is a religious Christian name (town where Jesus rose Lazerus from the dead) the things you find out.

If you really like the name then go for it.

Do people choose names to be sexy and cool? (Genuine question as neither occurred to me when I was choosing names, and they wouldn't now).

absolutely not! 'cool' becomes dated very quickly and 'sexy' is just wrong

Miriam is undoubtedly the nicest (my dd is Miriam). I loved her name from the moment I thought of it, and I love it more every time I hear it!

French version of Miriam is Myriam. Dd is very biblical as is Miriam Ruth!

Polly! I like Miriam too.

when I said Miriam was not a name that would ever be 'sexy or cool' I just meant that i (personally - no offence to any Miriams or mothers of Miriams) would lump it in with names like: Brenda, Joyce and Marjory.

Miriam is cool. It's cool because the masses don't get it. It's a bit like Nancy, Margot and Lois actually.

Polly for me (I've got one).

It is interesting how name associations work Nancy66. I do think Brenda, Joyce and Marjory all sound a bit dated, but I really wouldn't group Miriam with them.

The only Miriam I know is a very talented violinist (who also happens to be rather sexy) so in that sense I have only good associations with the name.

Elise is my favourite from your list, a beautiful French name, not chav in the slightest IMO. I also love Polly. Miriam Elise would be lovely.

Miriam is a nice sound. Doesn't scream religion. Elise is nice too.

I wouldn't pick Polly. A bit Blyton

I like Elise. It reminds me of a song by the Cure.

Elise is my favourite - even after years of listening to kids do "Fur Elise" for piano practice!

I'm afraid Polly (whilst pretty) just says "Fawlty Towers" to me and I can't help thinking of it in a Manuel accent - sorry .

I like Miriam. It's different but a name people recognise, iykwim.

Elise or Laura would be my choice - Polly is too much of a "pet" name/nickname to me.

Not really sure about Miriam - would prefer Mariam which is how it is spelled in most of the area it originates I think...

Laura is a favourite name for me, as well. If we ever get around to having another child and we have a daughter, Laura is at the top of the list.

I like in order of preference

Laura
Polly (could be Paulina shortened)
Elise
Miriam

WEssexgirl, I was wondering if Polly was originally short for anything. I know Molly came from Mary and Sally from Sarah because of French-speakers difficulties pronouncing the r. (not sure why french-speakers would have a baring on English nns though).

I can't think of any name that starts with Par or Por.....

I LOVE the name Polly though.

Joyce I dislike, but I love JOy. And Joyce will probably sound cool in about two years!!

Miriam makes me think of Miriam Stanley from the second series of the apprentice. She was one of the best contestants ever.

Elise makes me think of the car.

Marjory is not a nice sound. I don't care that it's dated. I love some dated names. Valerie for eg.

Polly, like Molly, was originally a pet name for Mary (which I suppose makes as much sense as 'Peggy' for Margaret). The nurse at our GP practice is called Polly too, but hers is short for Pauline. My Polly loves being the subject of so many nursery songs and rhymes - her sister gets quite jealous .

Laura

Polly came from Mary? Really? i wouldn't have guessed that. Daisy and Pearl were nns for Margaret too weren't they? It's a versatile name. Margot, maggie, Greta, Daisy, Pearl. you could name a basketball team with just Margaret.

I love that a 'Pollyanna' sees the best of everything. She's an optimist isn't she??

ElizabethB - just figured out a day or two ago who you used to be - glad to see you are still around! My memory is so crap I have actually forgotten what your previous MN name was but I know you had to namechange iyswim. Just thought I would mention this in case the person who caused you to name change is still lurking and also figures out your new persona.... if I can, they could. Might want to be a bit careful of what you say for a while

Thanks Grape! It's funny really. I had such a crisis over it. And now, a few weeks later, I think... well, I didn't say anything on here that I didn't tell everybdy anyway. the only difference is that in real life you only mention what's appropriate when you think that confidence would be welcome (if that's the right word). I mean, if my DC's teacher knows my situation. It's creepy not knowing who the person is. But I've dealt with worse!! It has made me more careful about what I reveal. Even if the lurker is on here and knows who EB is, I can deal with that now. I have a large g&t half drunk beside me. Maybe that's why I'm so cool about it right now!

Leda, I bet I know that same violinist - does her surname begin with D?

Miriam sounds very Jewish to me, Laura is nice but common, Elise is very pretty. Polly is OK but sounds slightly fey to me.

I would choose Elise.

Polly.

Miriam by absolutlely miles

Beautiful - soft - feminine without being silly or 'in vogue'

I like Laura (esp. La-oo-ra). I have a niece called Miruna (Mee-roo-nah), i don't know if it's a variation of Miriam, but I think it's lovely.

They are all lovely, but I do love Elise- complete bias as it is my best friend's name and she is absolutely beautiful!

Miriam is simply fabulous.

I am actually a little bit jealous that I didn't consider it for our DD.

who says La-oo-ra? lots of people in Europe say L-ow-ra (like Fowler) but have never heard La-oo-ra

Yes that would be such an eye-roller! Here is my daughter Laura, pronounced la-oor-a!

Lowra I like though. I had a Spanish friend called Lowra. Obviously written down it was still Laura.

I have a dd called Laura so that swings me but tbh I like them all apart from Elise.

Miriam is the name of the lady who helped to bring me up I love that name!!!

I am taking all the Miriam comments frightfully personally

All nice - and I don't often say that. I'd wait and see what she looks like.

i have a daughter laura, i think its a lovely name, its not too babyish or cute. and manages the transition from baby to lady very well.(shes 19 now.)
polly is sweet, but perhaps a little twee???? elise ok, not too keen to be honest, but miriam, imo is a religious "old" name like ethel. but its only my opinion!!!!
good luck with your baby. im sure whatever you decide, you will be thrilled with it, and thats whats important xx

lol sorry motherinferior

I like Miriam and Elise best out of the four.

I don't like Miriam as I know one who is soooooooooo beyond snotty and pretentious and so I associate it with her.

I really like Elise.

Oh I hope you are not offended by the thread Motherinferior.

I really think it is a great name: Plain without being dull, beautiful without being frilly. Most of the comments on the thread have confirmed this, I think.

And I actually find the really astonishing ease with which I've managed to dismiss all the more negative comments a good sign that I should just go with it.

I really appreciate everybody's input. I'm quite surprised by how useful this thread has turned out to be.

DS was supposed to be Laura! Didn't suit him though when he turned into a boy!

Am liking Miriam Elise a lot though.

Ah, you see my Miriam was my PFB so obviously I expect everyone in the entire world to think her name and everything else are utterly marvellous .

Actually I like Elise too.

elise is a tracksuit or a car
miriam stoppard
laura - ambivolent at best.

Polly put the kettle on - however its a pretty name

like Polly best...had a great friend called Polly and still think it's really pretty.

then Miriam, which would be unusual nowadays,and has a certain allure

not a great fan of Elise or Laura. Laura is a bit dull

MI - dd isn't a PFB, but a first girl, and I agree with you about expecting EVERYONE to think the name amazing! And most people do. However when we told my dad her name, he said 'you'll be using her middle name then...'

We have had loads of lovely comments about her name - a gran at school said to me the other day how every time she hears Miriam's name she thinks what a beautiful name it is.

I would choose Laura.

But agree - maybe wait and see what seems to suit her.

I think they are all lovely. Not very helpful am I

MrsBadger - in Romanian Laura is pr. LA-oo-ra, with the emphasis on the first a. It sounds lovely to my ears.

all brill, especially miriam and polly

Laura (Lauren, Laurel) and Elise were both in our top 5. I do think "Jewish" with Miriam - but that's not a bad thing, just a reflection of where I have worked/ lived.