Dorothy or Arthur?

[TartyMcFarty]

Really early days here (7 weeks!!) but just indulging in a bit of baby-naming.

I have an Elizabeth (Betty). I love the name so much. Most people seem to get it, but some are a bit , not that that matters. I'm trying to think of suitable sibling names - I like old-fashioned, but nothing too popular.

So how about Dorothy (Dolly / Dora)? It's my gran's name, and Betty is DH's nan's name, so would be fitting.

Or Nancy?

I do love Arthur (Art) for a boy, but I can see the unfortunate rhyming opportunities with it (and Betty, but no-one had better dare!!)

Any more ... uh, Seth? My friend also loves this, and is due before me, but I also wonder if it's becoming too popular.

Love Fred and Frank but can't have those for obvious reasons.

Any comments or suggestions along these lines?

[squoosh]

Arthur and Dolly are quite sweet.

But Betty is FAB. Love that name.

[waitingforskinnyjeanstofit]

Dorothy is a lovely name, I like Dotty as a nn, although Dolly is very cute.
I wouldn't worry about the rhymes for Art...if kids are gonna be mean, they'll be mean whatever the name.
What about Albert with Al or Bert as nn?

[FilterCoffee]

Dorothy and Seth are nice.

Arthur a bit "old man" and Nancy a bit flippant-sounding.

[PercyFilth]

Arthur is a very noble name. I am of a generation when lots of old men were named Arthur, but I still like it. I have never personally heard anyone abbreviate it to Art, it sounds odd to me as the t in the name is part of a th sound so the natural shortening would be Arth. But I never knew anyone shorten it, they were all simply called Arthur.

I also love Dorothy now - it was a "mum's generation" name to me as a child, but having travelled and met younger people in other countries with this name or versions of it, I now appreciate it more.

I don't like Seth. It sounds like a hissing snake and rhymes with death. Not for me!

[iloveberries]

Dorothy and Arthur are Beautiful!

[TartyMcFarty]

I'm glad you generally approve and don't just think me weird or cruel! I do like Bert, but think Betty and Bertie would be a bit much!

[tiptoptally]

Personally, I'm not keen on Arthur or Dorothy (Dolly/Dotty etc too little-girly for me), but LOVE Seth and Nancy.

What about Edward (with Ned or Ted as a nn), Samuel, or Michael (I know it's not particularly 'old' but I think it's underused!). Or for girls, Bridie, Sadie, or Helena (nn Nell)?

[Minty82]

PercyFilth - what about Art Garfunkel?
I love Seth - reminds me of Cold Comfort Farm (in a good way). And Nancy's pretty.
I'd go with Dora rather than Dolly, esp. in combination with Betty, but that's purely personal preference!

[BitchyHen]

|I love Dorothy - my nan is Dorothy Rose. Arthur is a fab name. DD2 would have been Edward Arthur if she had been a boy.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I do really like Dorothy but love Nancy.

Don't like Arthur at all, sorry.

I like Seth and Ed/Ted.

[TartyMcFarty]

We're already closely related to Edward and Michael. I do love Nell - not sure about Helena, esp with our surname. Is there another name that shortens to it? It's important for me that there's a formal and affectionate version of the name for different situations.

I think I prefer Dora to Dolly too. Dorrie?

[TartyMcFarty]

Seems like Seth is getting quite common though - is it?

[Hulababy]

I like the name Arthur, it's good. I don't like the name Seth. I like the nn Albie for Albert although not sure about Albert as such. Shame as I do love the nn. DD suggests Albus - Harry Potter!!!

I am not sure about Dorothy but think Dotty could be a nice nn. Hmmm. Not so keen on Nancy.

[Minty82]

I think Nell's traditionally Eleanor, but presumably if Helena doesn't work with your surname that won't either? Or Penelope? Betty and Nell is a great combination!

[Bunbaker]

Sorry, but I loathe Dorothy. It is one of my middle names. Fortunately it is only on my christening certificate, not my birth certificate. Apparently after my birth was registered my dad wanted me to have Dorothy as well. My mum thinks it might have been the name of an old girlfriend.

[tiptoptally]

I quite like Dora/Dorrie, much more than Dorothy.

Nell could also be short for Petronella, Cornelia, Anelia, Anneliese?

[PercyFilth]

what about Art Garfunkel?

What about him, lol. Yes, I am aware of some famous Arts (mainly American), but what I said was that I have never personally known anyone called Art. All the Arthurs I've ever known have been called Arthur.

[FriedSprout]

How about Eileen?, sounds rather nice with Elizabeth
Love Arthur, but don't like shortening of it much

Congratulations by the way

[TinkerMaloo]

Nancy is lovely, I like it better than Dorothy.

Arthur is nice too. How about Stanley or Sydney?

[Leo35]

I really like Dorothy, but would have gone for Dorothea if DS2 had been a girl. I like the the old-fashioned-ness of it. Also get the option of another short nick-name.

On the nickname theme I thought Nell was 'short' for Ellen. Another name on the girl's list which we never had to use!

Really like all your choices, Seth and Ned/Ted are great. Enjoy the choosing!

[Hedwig3]

I hope it is twins... Arthur and Dorothy together = fabulous!

[TheRhubarb]

Arthur won't be shortened. But I don't think you should have it as we've already bagged it . We initially thought he'd be called Art and that appeased me as I thought Arthur a bit too "old mannish", but Art doesn't roll off the tongue, it sounds odd. No-one calls him Art. Sometimes Arth but mainly just Arthur.

It's not very common, although there is someone now at his reception with the same name so perhaps it's coming back into fashion? Still, his middle name makes up for any popularity his first name might get. It's Sherlock .

[Beans1977]

I like both those names. I'm only 10 weeks so ahead of the game as well, but we love Arthur if it's a DS.

I love Dorothy but my Dad had an aunt they all called 'mad aunt Dorothy' (I know, how nice of them!) so that's kind of spoiled it amongst our family. We are thinking maybe Stella, Alice, Gabrielle (after my grandma) or Elsa (after my great aunt) instead, but I don't feel as 'sure' about any of those as I do about Arthur!