Mumsnet Talk

Finally I have found a girls name that I really like, Norah.

Then someone pointed out that a very close friend has a DD called Eleanor.

Is this too close? Am I name stealing?

Please if you have a view or experience on this, let me know:

- do you like Norah ?
- is it too close to Eleanor?
- and if so, does it really matter?

Thank you and best wishes. Of course I should really just ask my friend, but a steer from the Mumsnetters first would really help..!

I am sorry but to me Norah is one of the few names I really dislike. I think of Norah Batty and wrinkly tights! I know Norah Jones is quite popular and Nora Roberts is one of my favouritewriters but oh it is an ugly name for a child and no chance of a pretty nn either. Norah-ignore'er. Norah the snorer etc please don't. Sorry.

Firstly, don't tell people the names you're thinking of for your baby! You will encounter unwanted and unhelpful comments! IME people are less likely to pass such comments when baby has arrived!

I like Norah, but that's not important...what's important is what you wrote "finally I have found a name that I really like, Norah"

Go with Norah. It's not Eleanor! I thought opening this thread you must a,ready have a DD Eleanor and were thinking Norah for another DD...but it's a friend's daughter?! Then by all mean use Norah and don't let anyone tell you otherwise! We have an Anna and friends have a Hannah - none of us are remotely bothered in any way whatsoever. Be confident in your own choice. Your friend is a daftie! There is no such thing as name stealing, we do not own names!

I love Nora, although I can go without the 'h' at the end tbh. As long as your friend's Eleanor isn't nicknamed Nora I don't think it's a problem.

Don't see them as being even nearly close (unless, as previous poster mentioned, the friend's daughter is nicknamed Nora!)
Love the name Norah ... know a beautiful Norah. And Norah Jones, the singer - beautiful!

Norah is nowt like Eleanor! Go for it

thank you to both posters for coming on and giving your views. Names can be like marmite and it's good to know that it may not be universally liked! it is so personal isn't it....

I am expecting my third child and have no idea what the sex will be. But i do not want to go through the SIX weeks of name hell we had the last time, especially beacuse in-laws and others kept pouring cold water on our choices. this time there will be 2 names ready to go, on the day! and when you are sleep deprived and so on in the first few weeks a pre-decided name would be a little bit of security!

thank you for your advice x

I should say thank you for EVERYONE that posted!

thank you all.. I do really appreciate it. you have given me a bit more confidence.

And even if it was similar, I would still say go for it.

My oldest friend's DD1 has the same name as my DD2. They are two weeks apart in age. It is pure coincidence that they have the same name. We had already chosen our girl name when she announced hers and DH didn't like anything else. I asked her if she minded and she didn't but ours goes by a shortening of the name anyway.

I don't think it matters that friend's dd is Eleanor - but I don't like Nora much.

I was taught by a wonderful nun called Sister Norah, so I have great affection for the name, but only when owned by a kind catholic in a wimple!

I'm chuckling about the wimple!

I like this name because i had a lovely friend at Uni in scotland who was called Norah (previously i did not like the name due to an uncle's agressive dog called Norah and obvious wrinkly stockings connatations)

The Norah i knew was lovely and came from one of the Hebridean Islands where her family were from the fishing community.

so it makes (now) think of fresh air and the sea.

( i am not actually scottish so i have no claim to use it on that score!)

Norah is lovely. Too similar to Eleanor if they were siblings - they're versions of the same name, as Nora(h) comes from Eleanora. But for friends not a problem.

Hope i have not offended any scottish mumsnetters with probable misspellings and quaint sterotypes of islanders in scotland...

thank you for everone's input

I feel a bit braver now,

ta xxxx

I had a Nora in my life (no H) whom I really loved. I think it's a lovely name and not like Eleanor.

Nora and Norah in Ireland tend to come from Honora.

I have a friend with Norah as a middle name who has loathed and detested it all her life. Sorry!

I came on to post but popcorn has already said it

thanks everyone. all positives and negatives v gratefully recieved.

very very nice to have feedback, especially as i am in the not telling stage of the pregnancy.

Ooh I like Honora!

Honora good and miles away from Eleanor. a good compromise...

What about Leonora?

It has everything that is beautiful in a name.

Sounds gorgeous when said out loud.

Classic, timeless,little used yet easy to pronounce/spell.

Lots of good suggestions, thanks everyone.

still like Norah the best and will sleep on it for the next few months!

ta all xx

I was going to say it is too similar for siblings, but for family friends that's fine!

Eleanor and Norah are completely different. I honestly see no similarity.

I think Norah is a really lovely name

Norah is gorgeous.

I thought you were going to say you already had a DD called Eleanor, in which case it would be a bit too close for sisters, but a friend with an Eleanor should definitely not put you off!

It's not the same name and even if it were, she doesn't own it. Go with the name you love