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Baby names

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

Original poster

Dilemma - Scarlett...

43 replies

4sophia · 29/03/2011 15:28

OK ladies, I really need some honest opinions here please.

Hubby and I were really liking the name Scarlett. We thought it a more unusual variation of Charlotte which is a lovely, classic, traditional type name.

So to the problem! I start looking at different baby name websites and happen to come across another well known, but obviously less superior, site. Well, I am then horrified to find an underage, 15 year old, teenage mum declaring her love for the name Scarlett, and stating that any future daughter of hers will be called this!!!

Is Scarlett REALLY the next Courtney, Lacey, Chelsea, Ella/Ellie-Mae type name? Are there any teachers out there with an opinion on the name Scarlett? What sort of person do you imagine to have this name?

Also, could you get away with using the nicknames Ettie, Etta or Lottie? I couldn't bare the thought of a Scar, Scarly, Carly, Scarla type nn.!

Thank you in advance!

4sophia

ps. I know that some mumsnetters have previously said about the Scarlett the harlot association. However, I really don't believe that harlot is a word in most youngsters vocabulary these days, so this doesn't really worry me too much.

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ragged · 31/03/2011 07:29

Scarlet is pretty. The only one I know is ten yo.
Chav-style teen mums are calling their kids things like Isobel, Lewis, Sophie, Chloe and Jessica, too -- does that mean nobody with sense and taste should use those names either?

CheerfulYank · 31/03/2011 06:01

It was a lovely name, cheese. I'm so sorry. :(

CheeseandGherkins · 31/03/2011 06:00

We called our daughter Scarlett Niamh, but then she was stillborn at 37 weeks in December so at least we won't have to worry about being judged for it being "common" eh.

yummymummyto6 · 31/03/2011 05:48

I think its a lovely name and its on our shortlist for our baby due in June. I think lettie is a lovely nn n will use that if we choose it :)

IWouldNotCouldNotWithAGoat · 31/03/2011 03:55

Don't do it. Every second girl is Scarlett now. It is really unoriginal and will feel really dated in a few years.

CheerfulYank · 31/03/2011 03:43

I think it's pretty; I've always liked it. Our surname makes it impossible to use, though! :) If you like it, go for it.

Original poster
4sophia · 31/03/2011 03:27

Thank you ladies for all your opinions. I guess we were really hoping for a more definitive answer, as the responses seem to be very mixed. Confused

Part of the problem is that neither of us know, or have ever met a Scarlett so it's very difficult for us to judge! By no means are we 'posh', however I'd like to think we give our daughter every chance when she gets to school and would hate to think that her name could put her on the back foot.

Why is this naming business so hard?!

OP posts:
Espoo · 30/03/2011 23:27

I love it but am slightly biased as my DD is a Scarlett. She is the only one in her nursery and the only one I know of in our area.

mrsgordonfreeman · 30/03/2011 23:19

I prefer Scarlett to Dilemma. Both nice imo.

muminthemiddle · 30/03/2011 23:16

I don't know any and think it is lovely.

Isthreetoomany · 29/03/2011 23:31

Five years ago I wanted the name Scarlett for my DD but was put off by the Scar nn. Then, more recently, I have felt glad I didn't use it as I'm afraid it does seem to be becoming a bit chavvy.

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 29/03/2011 22:11

I really loved it too but have also gone off it as it's popularity and chaviness has grown

applecakesarenice · 29/03/2011 18:18

I think it's dreadful and very much of the Chelsea / Ellie-Mae kind of name.

Underachieving · 29/03/2011 18:14

Being brutally frank here... Scarlett is the new Bianca. I am sorry.

Valinor · 29/03/2011 18:08

I used to really like Scarlett and had it picked out for dd2 until I got cold feet. It is becoming increasingly popular and a bit down market imo.

mrsSOAK · 29/03/2011 15:43

There are lots of Scarlett's out there. I really wanted to call my DD Katie Scarlett after main charachter from GWTW but decided against it when I realised that a few sleb's started to use it. we ended up deciding on a much more uncommon (but not unusual) name
If it being popular is not an issue for you then why not.
I have had the nickname Lottie and I go through phases of loving it and hating it!

BigChiefOrganiser · 29/03/2011 15:33

the only comments i see on here are that it is popular. i know one, about a year old. Her mother named her thusly as she was red, when born Confused and assumed she'd be darkhaired etc... she is now blond and blue eyed. Doesn't really suit, and she also went with the overly used Mae for a middle name.

So
a) if you don't mind it being popular, use it (Top 50 in both 2008 and 2009)
b) if your child will look like a scarlett, use it

amberscow · 29/03/2011 15:32

personally i do think Scarlett is becoming a little bit common and i wouldn't be suprised if there were a few more in her year at school as i know of 3 scarlett in the last 18 months. but my daughters names amber and guess i could have a similar issue.

also i think Scar is likely to be the nickname but you could get away with Lottie too, not sure of the others.

its still a pretty name and at the end of the day if your happy with it dont worry about anyone else