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Worried about Ivy - do you know of any? Alternatives?

46 replies

scubastevie · 20/09/2012 10:19

Currently pg with dc1. DH and I have had baby names for boy/girl for years. Boys name I am happy with, however we wanted to call a girl Ivy as it was unusual, went with surname and both agreed we loved it.
I was so annoyed when I heard beyonce had used it in her daughters name - this plus the granny names becoming popular it is now aparantly in top 300 and I've seen lots of people suggest it on here. Even saw a birth announcement with Ivy and exact middle name we want on here!
So, do you know of any Ivys being born or toddlers?
Can you give me any alternatives Sad
I still love it I just don't want it to be popular.
Thanks all!

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korvonia · 20/09/2012 10:33

I met a baby Ivy eight years ago; haven't met one since. Definitely not popular.

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RillaBlythe · 20/09/2012 10:37

I've met one baby. I like it.

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Mama1980 · 20/09/2012 10:39

My nan was a ivy I love it Smile haven't met another one def not popular round here (the east)

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saffronwblue · 20/09/2012 10:39

Would you consider Iris?

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CaptainHetty · 20/09/2012 10:40

It's on our list for little one due in 11 days. Never met another one though.

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SirGOLDBoobs · 20/09/2012 10:43

I don't like the connotations - Ivy is a weed, and it destroys other plants. Not to mention my freaking fence property. How about:

Bryony (a vine)
Dianthe ("flower of the Gods")
Daisy
Heather
Iris
Jasmine
Poppy
Rosalind
Violet
Yasmin (Jasmine's flower)

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amck5700 · 20/09/2012 10:44

Ida
Ada
Ina
Ena
Bunty
Mina

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MaBaya · 20/09/2012 10:44

Pretty name. I know a five year old Ivy and two baby Ivys. I think Ivy and Iris are definitely very popular.

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BonnieBumble · 20/09/2012 10:47

I think it is pretty but I wouldn't use it because the old 60's song 'Poison Ivy' is always the first thing that comes into my head when I hear it.

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scubastevie · 20/09/2012 10:52

Oh it was all going well on the popularity front until MaBaya lol

I am fine with the connotations (weed, poison ivy) as I don't think you'd think that looking at a gorgeous little baby girl/child Smile

I would consider Iris but cannot get that it's a part of an eye out of my head

Thank you so much for the suggestions (keep em coming!)
Love Jasmine but too popular, have however added Yasmin and Bryony (which I love!) to the list to run past DH tonight.

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YouMayLogOut · 20/09/2012 11:07

Ivy is a lovely name. I don't know any little Ivys.

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CaptainHetty · 20/09/2012 11:10

Poison ivy isn't actually an ivy, so there isn't any relation if you want to get technical :o And I agree, how many people are going to look at your child and think 'invasive, poisonous plant' anyway? Hmm

I also like Lyra, Beatrix, Florence and Octavia, if any of those are any good :)

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scubastevie · 20/09/2012 11:21

Thank you both. Love Florence but friends cousin just been named and when I was a Brownie leader we had 3 Florences in 24 children!
I like the others but don't think DH would be keen.

Also quite like Marlie which I saw on here which DH likes. What do you think?

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Goldensunnydays81 · 20/09/2012 11:23

I love ivy it was my great aunts name and she was lovely too Smile

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chaosisawayoflife · 20/09/2012 12:09

How about Hazel?

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telsa · 20/09/2012 12:38

I think Ivy is lovely and know none. But as an alternative Eira (Welsh for snow?)

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Pasiphae · 20/09/2012 13:00

I much prefer Ivy to Marlie. Marlie will get Marley all the time, plus I find that name a bit "rough".

How about Marnie?

but Ivy is lovely and Beyonce's baby as Blue as a first name. If I read correctly Ivy is her middle name?

I personnaly have not met any Ivy baby or toddler.
It was number 168 in last year baby names tables, I don't think it will be in the top 10 next year.
I would say it is still a safe choice!

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burcham12 · 20/09/2012 13:08

I agree with SirG: this is a plant that cannot stand up on its own and is surely not a name to bestow on any woman in the 21st century. You are right to reconsider!

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MoonHare · 20/09/2012 13:11

We like Ivy too and are considering it for DC3 due next month.

We have a 4 yr old DD and 1 yr old DD already and so come into contact with lots and lots of little girls. I have never come across another Ivy.

It's rising in popularity (227 in 2010 in the tables up to 168 in 2011 and from 20 babies named Ivy in 2000 to 220 babies in 2010) but seems to trigger the 'marmite' response in so many people that I doubt it'll ever trouble the top 50 names, even if it continues to rise.

I didn't know Beyonce had called her baby Ivy, loads of people won't so don't let that put you off either.

Ivy is much nicer than Marlie but I quite like the alternative suggestion of Marnie.

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scubastevie · 20/09/2012 16:16

Not keen on Hazel, Eira or Marnie, but thank you for the suggestions. I think you've also put me off Marlie Grin
I think I'm a bit fussy really Confused and can't seem to find any more good names. Ones I like DH then doesn't and we've both loved Ivy for so long. When we found out I was pg DH went out and bought some beautiful light two coloured ivy and put it in the hanging baskets was lovely Blush feel bad if I change it now...

Where is everyone getting the stats about names? I always try and look and can never find!! Be grateful for link please.

Any more suggestions Grin

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scubastevie · 20/09/2012 16:17

Oh and yes it was Blue Ivy beyonce called her daughter but still Hmm

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MoonHare · 20/09/2012 16:56

I like this site for naming trends:

www.darkgreener.com

Google for the ONS 2011 boys/girls names lists - can't remember the link but it's very easy to find

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MoonHare · 20/09/2012 16:56
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PineappleBed · 20/09/2012 16:57

I like it, I don't know any, and top 300 is really not that common!

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Narked · 20/09/2012 17:13

Ivy is 168th. 310 babies were called that in England and Wales in 2011.

Iris is 147th. 376 babies were called that in England and Wales in 2011.

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