Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

1 2 3

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Unity

58 replies

DorotheaPlentighoul · 13/10/2009 19:47

The more I think about it, the more I like this name for a DD, if this baby (due in spring) happens to be one. It sits nicely alongside DS's name, and goes with their surname. However, the Unity Mitford association is a big reason not to use it, and I am just wondering what people think about that aspect.

OP posts:

Report

LilianGish · 13/10/2009 19:48

Sorry - it just says Nazi to me.

Report

cookielove · 13/10/2009 19:53

do not like - sorry

Report

DorotheaPlentighoul · 13/10/2009 19:56

oh dear

Was hoping that people would think she was far enough back in history not to matter very much. Baby name book says it is a name used mostly in Ireland, which gave me slight hope ...

Anyone else?

OP posts:

Report

cece · 13/10/2009 19:57

How about Verity or Una, which are both similar?

Report

QueenOfFrighteningEveryone · 13/10/2009 19:58

Nope, sorry.

Report

DorotheaPlentighoul · 13/10/2009 19:59

I dunno, somehow Verity sounds more ... prissy. And I slightly know a Una in RL who is perfectly nice, but I just can't think of the name belonging to anyone but her.

OP posts:

Report

WineBeforePearls · 13/10/2009 20:03

I know a Unity and you honestly don't think 'Nazi' because she's dds friend and it's just a name.

It's like all these names, they have to be re-adopted by lovely sane people and then they lose their nasty historical connotations (with the possible exception of Adolf )

Report

KnickKnacksCauldronOfHorrors · 13/10/2009 20:05

I'm Irish and I've never heard of anyone called Unity!

don't really like it, sorry

Report

LilianGish · 13/10/2009 20:06

What about Eva? Actually when you come to think of it that has the same associations, but is quite popular. Maybe there is safety in numbers - it's the fact that noone calls their children Unity that makes us think of Unity Mitford (ds isn't called Adolf by any chance?)

Report

DorotheaPlentighoul · 13/10/2009 20:10

No, DS's name is very widely used and uncontroversial! But agree about the safety in numbers thing, eg (as someone said on old thread I just found) Myra will always be Hindley, but Rose doesn't make people think of Rose West.

I don't want to use Eva though -- we know two families with little Evas.

OP posts:

Report

florence2511 · 14/10/2009 02:50

Unity is a very pretty name, but I simply couldn't get the Nazi association out of my head.

The poor woman tried to commit suicide when war was declared on Germany as she was infatuated by Hitler and couldn't bare the thought of her beloved Britain fighting her beloved Hitler.

So, no, no, no. I couldn't name a DD Unity.

Report

SomeGuy · 14/10/2009 03:27

Unity is a ridiculous name.

And I say that despite being an ignorant bastard whose never heard of Unity Mitford.

Report

Cortina · 14/10/2009 03:33

I quite like it and I think most people would have no idea who Unity Mitford was.

Report

ClaudiaSchiffer · 14/10/2009 04:22

I quite like it too. It's kind of odd and unusual but in a good way.

I love the Mitfords, obv Unity isn't my favourite (all that Nazi unpleasantness) but who cares really. Lots of children have names of mass murderers/dictators and we don't really associate them with their namesake or expect them to follow in their footsteps

Report

mazzystartled · 14/10/2009 05:17

I immediately think Mitford

Even without those associations I don't like it very much. Sorry.

Report

nooka · 14/10/2009 06:19

Unity makes me think of the Matrix for some reason (was there a Trinity or something like that in there?). It does sound a little fascist to me, not because of any association, but just in meaning.

Report

seeker · 14/10/2009 06:40

Says Mitford to me too - but not sure whether that's just because I'm old.

Report

skihorse · 14/10/2009 10:12

Hideous.

Report

RealityBites · 14/10/2009 10:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

CristinaTheAstonishing · 14/10/2009 10:15

I didn't think of Mitford but first reaction was that I didn't like it. It seems a bit...pointless. Makes a statement, but what about? If it was on a child I'd get used to it but on paper it doesn't sound great.

Report

IMoveTheStarsForNoOne · 14/10/2009 10:18

Sorry, don't like it.

What about Trinity?

Report

pinkx4 · 14/10/2009 10:22

There was an actress called Una Stubbs. Similiar. Unusual yes, but not a name you'd forget.

I'm not going to say anything negative because I checked out a thread on my own name on here last night and the bitchy comments were awful! Went to bed feeling 'dull and boring'. I realise that this is a forum for getting opinions but a little senstivity doesn't go amiss especially when someone has set their heart on a name. If you like it, go with it. She may well thank you for your individual choice one day.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Email address

You've subscribed!

MissSkylar · 14/10/2009 10:55

I like it -and think that it is way better than Trinity! Guess a nickname could be June?

Report

NancyBotwin · 14/10/2009 11:30

No her nick name at school will be "you're nitty"!

Report

choosyfloosy · 14/10/2009 11:35

I think it's a lovely name although I couldn't personally get over the connections to name a child it myself.. I would be pleased TBH to know somebody with the name and a less awful history.

I think Robert is a good name despite Robert Mugabe etc etc so I would say use it if you love it. Possibly go for a slightly 'soft' second name - Unity Lydia? Unity Rose?