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Original poster

Romilly / Romola - Opinions needed!

38 replies

cakegoblin · 22/02/2012 09:14

Our criteria:
Not too popular / Not ridiculously obscure
Has to contend with a 'Mc' three-syllable surname
Crucially - ideally would shorten to Molly - DH has been inexplicably smitten with this name since day one and won't let it go, i'm not in love with it but it's fine, it's just that I want to give our child a long name which can shorten to other things as she prefers, rather than give her a shortened name from the beginning.

Romola is my favourite:

  • Shortens to Romy which I love or Molly for DH
  • Means Woman of Rome which is strong and characterful (plus we got married in Italy so it seems to fit)
  • Romola Garai is the perfect 'celebrity' example of the name if there is such a thing, beautiful and talented and not tabloidy

On the other hand, Romilly:

  • Is really pretty
  • Could shorten to Milly as well as Romy - DH might be persuaded!
  • Definitely getting more popular now
  • We already know one so I'd be stealing the name really

So I'm weighing the benefits of giving the baby a name that's instantly recognisable to everyone but might become very popular soon vs a name that will stand out from the crowd. Which do you think and do you think Romola shortens to Molly easily enough?

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TheSurgeonsMate · 22/02/2012 11:48

ROm-olla Gary, I'll be looking out for her. Better than Cremola Gairy, I think.

Original poster
cakegoblin · 22/02/2012 11:42

Thanks so much everyone, some really good points made and I'm pleased Romola's not been universally slated as I feared! I still love it. Perhaps it's a bit less alien sounding now thanks to Ms Garai's recent tv and film success! Romola's pronounced ROM-olla (and Garai's pronounced Gary, fyi Surgeon's Mate!)

While we're on this thread any ideas for a middle name? Preferably once syllable and absolutely can NOT begin with M (had originally thought May as it's a family name but can you imagine Molly May McXXX? argh)

OP posts:
Ephiny · 22/02/2012 11:41

I don't think I'd shorten Romilly to Milly actually, that doesn't seem an obvious nickname to me. Assuming I'm pronouncing it right - I thought it was pronounced like Emily, which doesn't usually get shortened to Milly IME.

Not sure it really needs a nickname/short form actually, but if you did want one Romy would be the more obvious choice.

LiviaAugusta · 22/02/2012 11:34

Really like Romilly, the only thing that put me off it was the potential for shortening to Milly which I'm not keen on. Romola's lovely too.

MrsBovary · 22/02/2012 11:23

Prefer Romola, and it reminds me of the Eliot book. Think Romilly usage as girls' given name relatively modern, and I'm not a fan of Milly particularly.

TheSurgeonsMate · 22/02/2012 11:09

I like Romilly a lot.

Not familiar with Romola. Would have to say that Romola Garai seems to have a double whammy of mystery unpronounceable names, which may be why I've never heard of her, or maybe I have but didn't know it was all spelt Romola Garai. Does it rhyme with Cremola?

PerryCombover · 22/02/2012 10:58

Never heard of Romola

squoosh · 22/02/2012 10:54

I kind of like Romola. Makes me think of Romola Garai who is v elegant and talented.

Romilly seems popular these days not sure why, it always reminds me of General Rommel, the Nazi. Although I believe he was involved in a plot to kill Hitler if that helps!

Ephiny · 22/02/2012 10:40

I think I like Romilly better, but maybe just because I'm more familiar with it! How do you pronounce Romola?

I like Ramona too, which is maybe a similar sound, but not so good for the nicknames you want...

ripsishere · 22/02/2012 09:40

Don't like either TBH. Of the two, Romola is the better.

PopcornBiscuit · 22/02/2012 09:30

I prefer Romola to Romilly, and yes it shortens nicely to Romy and Molly. I think Romilly might go better with your surname though, and I prefer Milly to Molly too.

Molly is traditionally a nickname for Mary, but I guess Mary McSomething doesn't flow as well.

catinboots · 22/02/2012 09:20

Romilly is lovely

Romola sounds like some sort of weird foodstuff

peggyblackett · 22/02/2012 09:18

I love Romola. We almost called dd2 Romola, but were swayed by negative responses :(.

So we called her another unpopular name :o.