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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Barbara is a lovely name.

317 replies

Misscromwellrocks · 02/01/2020 20:16

A friend's daughter has just called her new daughter Barbara. A few people have wrinkled their noses, but I think it's a lovely vintage Enid Blytonish name.

AIBU?

OP posts:
MashedSpud · 02/01/2020 21:00

It’s awful sorry. 😂

Herbalteahippie · 02/01/2020 20:59

There was a girl at my school called barbra all the boys called her bra face poor kid

Emmapeeler1 · 02/01/2020 20:59

Andromeda I know a very cool 40 something Valerie too! Admittedly neither is English.

Myheadisamess31 · 02/01/2020 20:58

I know a Barabra who likes to be called babs, this puts me off the name. Lovely lady though.

Emmapeeler1 · 02/01/2020 20:57

I wouldn’t use it personally, but I have a friend my age (40ish) called Barbara and she’s very cool.

Original poster
Misscromwellrocks · 02/01/2020 20:57

Yes I think Barbara in CTM typifies the name.

OP posts:
CaveMum · 02/01/2020 20:56

My 6yo daughter has a Winnie and a Constance (Connie) in her class at school.

It’s funny how names go in and out of fashion. I (a child of the 80s) had several Kevin’s, Tracey’s, Kerry’s and Helen’s in my class at school but you hardly hear those names today.

AndromedaPerseus · 02/01/2020 20:56

Now I’ve never met a Valerie who was younger than 50

FriedasCarLoad · 02/01/2020 20:55

Whilst I don't much like the name, I love that it's unusual (now) without being yoonique.

And I loved Barbara in Call the Midwife Smile

sue51 · 02/01/2020 20:53

I like it and think it’s due for a come back.

brownpurse · 02/01/2020 20:53

My mother has never been called Babs or Bar.Names don't have to be shortened. She's over 80.

Casmama · 02/01/2020 20:51

My 38 year old sister is called Barbara and she hates it- goes by Babs.
My 5 year old has a boy Brian in his class at school

BillywigSting · 02/01/2020 20:50

I've never met a Barbara who wasn't wholly and completely lovely but it's a sort of middle aged name to me. Think it could grow on me though

misspiggy19 · 02/01/2020 20:48

Hate it. Hate barbs even more. Urgh

MerryDeath · 02/01/2020 20:48

i think it's quite a common name in Brazil

TrainspottingWelsh · 02/01/2020 20:48

But of course Greater.

We built our own inspirational home from glass, scaffolding and woven lentils in the middle of an otherwise lovely rural area. And publicly forage for food and roadkill between Waitrose trips. The locals are so awed by how unique and special we are they barely speak to us.

The billy goats we tell people produce our milk cheese are called Phyllis and Judas.

sonjadog · 02/01/2020 20:48

I didn´t realise hating Barbara was a "thing" now. I'm not sure it would be on my shortlist, but I don't see anything wrong with it.

Original poster
Misscromwellrocks · 02/01/2020 20:47

I know a little girl called Janet. Her name really stands out in a sea of Amelias, Emilys and Sophie.

OP posts:
MerryDeath · 02/01/2020 20:47

i know a VERY sexy and stylish brazilian twenty something called Barbara, she's changed the association of it for me 💃🏻

nitgel · 02/01/2020 20:47

I think that too fenella.

I quite like the name tho.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 02/01/2020 20:46

I like Pamela. (Thinking more the book than Gavin and Stacey). I’ve got cousins Barbara and Pamela. They are both very 1950s60s names. And lend themselves to many —annoying— diminutives.

Shockers · 02/01/2020 20:45

Sorry- I don’t think I meant dull and stuffy- I meant sensible.

Twospaniels · 02/01/2020 20:45

A little girl asked me my dog’s name and after I told her, she said “my name’s Margo”. Made me think of Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life. The little Margo was about 4. Cute.

Likethebattle · 02/01/2020 20:45

She’ll get called ‘Babs’ my dad suggested it for me as it was his mother’s name. My mum said ‘over my cold dead corpse!’

Original poster
Misscromwellrocks · 02/01/2020 20:44

@TigerOnATrain. But how do you think that names like Lilly, Molly and Oliver came ba4into fashion? Names of a particular era become fresh and vintage to a new generation.

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