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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ruth or Harriet?

42 replies

FessaEst · 18/04/2011 20:54

Our current girls' front-runners for DC2 our Ruth or Harriet. Harriet is a family name, but Ruth is one we both just like. Middle name will probably be Mary or Sarah (family names).

Others we also like atm are Emily, Imogen & Martha.

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CherryBlossom27 · 11/04/2012 11:29

I love the name Emily! I think Harriet and Ruth sound a bit grown up for a baby, but then we all grow into our names anyway.

mercibucket · 11/04/2012 10:19

Lol we can find out what the op chose!

WithACherryOnTop · 11/04/2012 10:10

This thread is a year old now.

Stellan · 11/04/2012 09:37

You can't go wrong with any of the names you're considering.

I really like the name Harriet but I think Ruth has a lot of charm. It's not a name you encounter that often on little ones but it's very nice.

Freebird87 · 11/04/2012 09:14

I'm Harriet Victoria. Love Imogen and Martha though. X

proudfoot · 24/04/2011 12:17

Harriet! All of the names you mentioned are perfectly nice though.

SE13Mummy · 23/04/2011 13:27

I have a Harriet Mary. She is never Harry or Haz but often introduces herself as Hattie. It's a great name.

I love the name Ruth but dislike 'Roof' which is how it's often pronounced round here :(.

MadameCastafiore · 20/04/2011 20:51

Much prefer Harriet as I have one myself - she has never answered to anything other than Harriet so is never called Harry or Hetty - although people have tried it.

Ruth always makes me think of a very very dour religeous woman with long hair and hairy legs - not that there is anything wrong with being like that of course.

pilates · 20/04/2011 20:45

Harriet Imogen sounds great to me.

Really don't like Ruth.

missmelo · 20/04/2011 19:19

I love Ruth and Martha, Harriet reminds me of an old lady.

chocadoodle · 20/04/2011 15:52

Harriet is nicer. Ruth sounds a bit boring.

smother · 20/04/2011 08:33

I know two sisters called Kate and Beth. I think Beth is absolutely beautiful - and similar to Ruth. anyway, i'll stop suggesting alternatives now!

GwendolineMaryLacey · 19/04/2011 23:44

I have a Harriet and she's never Harry. It's a fab name. My name is also one of the four you mentioned :)

Ruth is dull.

MamaVoo · 19/04/2011 21:38

To me Ruth is a very dowdy name. Harriet sounds like someone with a bit of spirit.

MelinaM · 19/04/2011 21:08

Kate and Ruth are lovely togetherSmile

smother · 19/04/2011 21:01

Kate is a gorgeous name - lucky DD1!!

What about Tess for DD2?

zozzle · 19/04/2011 19:16

Much prefer Ruth. But Harriet is nice too.

TheGashlycrumbTinies · 19/04/2011 18:40

Harriet is lovely.

Original poster
FessaEst · 19/04/2011 18:40

Thank you for mulling these over with me!

DD is Kate - she was so nearly Ruth and then it just didn't seem to "fit" her iykwim!

OP posts:
Bue · 19/04/2011 10:33

Both are lovely but Ruth is far less trendy, which makes me lean towards it. It's on my girl list too.

weedle · 19/04/2011 00:37

I know a lot of Ruths (all adults) who have always been Roo or Ruthy Roo. Worth remembering if you think it won't be shortened. But not so popular now. Don't know any under 5.

Harriets all shortened to Harry. Few more of them around.

I really like Imogon but don't like Immo which I've heard it shortened to. Was on my list but DH didn't like it.

Think Martha is really pretty for a baby but quite frumpy for a teen? And would be worried about them being called Marfa (daahn sarf obviously!)

Not much help sorry.

Oh and I'm not the personed doing all the nn shortening I promise!! :o

CarefulWithThatAxeEugene · 18/04/2011 23:44

And their sisters, Gainly and Gusted Grin

SolarPanel · 18/04/2011 23:34

Twins named Couth and Gruntled, now that would be different! :o

CarefulWithThatAxeEugene · 18/04/2011 23:11

Martha is the only one I like, too!

Ruth always makes me think ruthless so suggests a cruel person to me. I know this is illogical because 'ruth' means 'pity', but the word is never used, only its negative. (Like 'couth' and 'gruntled'!)

mathanxiety · 18/04/2011 23:06

I love Ruth. Harriet makes me think harridan.

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