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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:
Idontlikeithere1 · 03/01/2020 00:02

Not keen sorry!
On another note what does everyone think of Nancy!?? ( always loved it)

HairToday79 · 03/01/2020 00:00

All the Barbara's I know are lovely and I think Barbie's quite catchy Grin but I probably wouldn't associate a babies name with Barbara but then again I think it's awful to pull it to bits when there will be many of us with much loved family members here and also deceased with this name and I certainly don't think it's hideous

Thelastlittledragon · 02/01/2020 23:55

So I reckon names like Barbara, Jill, Susan and Anne are probably due a revival amongst the arty crowd

I think you're very very wrong.

Barbara is bloody awful, it will never make a come back just like Janet, Derek or Ian never will.

ILearnedItFromABook · 02/01/2020 23:50

I don't really care for it, myself, but I would try to hide my opinion from those who do. There's obviously nothing wrong with it, and it's the name of plenty of wonderful women. It simply doesn't appeal to me on its own merits.

In any case, I'm well aware that my own name has raised many eyebrows over the years. (My parents chose a traditionally masculine name, back when it was much less common to do so.) I'm sure little Barbara will be fine.

twinkledag · 02/01/2020 23:47

Horrible name - sorry!

user1471449295 · 02/01/2020 23:46

Hideous

Ozgirl75 · 02/01/2020 23:40

In my sons year at school there are a number of small Kevins, there is an Alan, Colin and a small Brian.

Their parents are of Chinese heritage though so maybe have missed the age related connotations.

Doman · 02/01/2020 23:39

@happyandsingle it's also my Mum's name and, likewise, I think there are some really offensive comments on here. Horrible assumptions about someone based on a name.

It's just a name, people. It might not be to your taste but there's no need to be so bitchy. Read back your comments and imagine someone saying those character traits applied to anyone with your name.

AWaspOnAWindowReturns · 02/01/2020 23:36

My lovely, lovely gran is called Barbara. She's 85. I'd happily use it as a middle name for future DD (or perhaps even as a first name, nn Bobbie). I also love Su, Yvonne, Constance, Edith and other popular names of that era. Much nicer IMO than all the flowery, floaty, same-y names that seem to be so popular now.

happyandsingle · 02/01/2020 23:34

It's my mums name so I find some of these comments quite rude and offensive.
You can't help what name your given so all these assumptions on what kind of person someone called Barbara would be are mean and uncalled for.

designonaut · 02/01/2020 23:28

No

DuchessMinnie · 02/01/2020 23:25

I like Barbara. But then I also like Margaret, Diane, Susan, Helen, Nicola, Patricia, Gillian... I have old-fashioned taste.

ICouldHaveTinsillitis · 02/01/2020 23:22

Belinda, Lesley, Gladys and Susan have all been mentioned upthread.

I know a Lesley in her 30s, a Belinda and a Gladys both in their 20s, and a baby Susan.

AhoyMrBeaver · 02/01/2020 23:19

It's the female equivalent of Kenneth. Brown velour sofa, brown shoes, brown blouson jacket for holidays.

It's not even an elegant word, and its associations are a bit negative. Barb, barbarian, barbary...

shinynewapple2020 · 02/01/2020 23:19

I think it's a nice name. It's my mum's name. She is 85, however.....

Thurmanmurman · 02/01/2020 23:16

Nope sorry. Should be kept in the past where it belongs.

tinytemper66 · 02/01/2020 23:08

I have a dear and fab friend called Barbara and whilst it is old fashioned it isn't awful!

Chocmallows · 02/01/2020 23:04

Sheila Fanny was a joke...I hope!

MamaGee09 · 02/01/2020 22:59

It’s a nice name ..... for your granny, not a new baby, not a toddler and definitely not a teenager!

olivesnutsandcheese · 02/01/2020 22:59

My DS is called Barbara. I have no idea what my parents were thinking. She got shit for it a lot. She goes by a nickname now that is so much nicer although my DM still calls her barbs on occasion. My other siblings and I got much much better names by comparison. Poor DS. I seriously hope it doesn't have a revival

TwentyViginti · 02/01/2020 22:59

Marianne is lovely but Marion isn't. Odd, really.

Lovelyloopyluna · 02/01/2020 22:58

Sorry but it's such an ugly name. Why would you when there are so many beautiful names? Just to be different?

TwentyViginti · 02/01/2020 22:57

CustomerCervixDepartment that pp was taking the piss out of being edgy and cool by giving kids old fashioned names.

userxx · 02/01/2020 22:57

It's awful.

littlebillie · 02/01/2020 22:56

I love Barbara, Greta and Ingrid

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