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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ava V Charlotte? Heart V Head?

68 replies

mimimomma · 02/03/2012 06:19

We're struggling to decide on a name for dd2 and caught between 2 names, but both are very different.

Ava- We LOVE. It's been a name I've loved for a few years, the link to old Hollywood glamour is right up my street. We nearly had this name first time around but backed out at the last minute because of the influx of Ava's, Eva's, Evie's etc. However, 3 years on we still love the name. The only negative for us is the popularity of it over recent years, it's quite likely to be the Claire/Nicola etc of her generation- but is that such a terrible thing?

Charlotte- Our sensible choice. It's a great name, solid, traditional, it's my mn and we like Lottie and Charlie as nn. We don't LOVE it, and we've had a fairly lukewarm reception when mentioning it to a few friends. Still a popular name, but more timeless than Ava.

What to do? Head V Heart?

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MilkNoSugarAndAShotofWhisky · 04/03/2012 23:26

Ava is absolutely beautiful :)

manicinsomniac · 04/03/2012 19:24

I think Ava and Charlotte are both beautiful names. I don't know which I prefer but Ava Charlotte is a lovely combination.

There's not much between them for popularity though (Ava ranked 11 in 2010 and Charlotte ranked 20). It's not something that would bother me in the slightest but, if you're looing for a less popular alternative to Ava I wouldn't choose Charlotte.

mrudagawa · 04/03/2012 19:22

It's not Myleene as an individual; just what she represents. She is one of the many people who've chosen what's now a very popular name.

fedupofnamechanging · 04/03/2012 18:22

Mylene Klass won't be famous for ever - I don't think you can avoid a name based on the fact that someone semi famous chose it for their child.

I think Ava is beautiful and I still think of Ava Gardner when I hear it.

More to the point you love it and I think that's the most important quality when choosing a name for your baby. If you decide not to use it because of its popularity, then think of another name you also love. I think you will regret going for a safe choice that you are a bit 'meh' about.

SayBoo · 04/03/2012 11:10

Charlotte

PrincessTamTam · 04/03/2012 10:55

I feel sorry for Myleene Klass... she's not that naff is she? Poor girl.
Ruby is nice, not so ubiquitous now.

birdofthenorth · 04/03/2012 08:37

Met another baby Ava yesterday. Almost said "another one!" outloud, thankfully stopped myself! I know 6 under two, and I don't know that many kids! 2 in DD's nursery class of 14 toddlers (2 Eva's, as well). Hard to get excited about it anymore, even though it is a lovely name. I loved Ruby before the giant rise to ubiquitousness, and it sounds great with our surname, but I'm so glad we named DD something more personal to her now.

belgo · 04/03/2012 07:20

'If you want bragging rights of "she's only 3 and she can write her name already" go for Ava.'
Grin

also far quicker to text Ava then Charlotte!

sashh · 04/03/2012 03:01

If you want bragging rights of "she's only 3 and she can write her name already" go for Ava.

Charlotte - I used to love this name, then the Mack Lads released a record and ............... well if you don't know it, don't google it.

Italiangreyhound · 03/03/2012 22:26

Go with your heart. Congratulations.

BeckyBrandonNeeBloomwood · 02/03/2012 20:41

I say go for Ava with Charlotte as a middle name. Love the idea of DD having the same middle name as you. Cute!
I know what u mean about Ava- it's my all time favourite name for a girl, but it does annoy me that it has been so popular in recent years. However my heart says it's still my fave name so if we are lucky enough to have a DD I will probably still call her that. Grin

scottishmummy · 02/03/2012 20:03

in that case use name you like best

Original poster
mimimomma · 02/03/2012 20:00

I don't think we mind if she is one of many Ava's or Charlotte's (otherwise I agree scottishmummy we wouldn't pick names in the top 20). It's more of an issue that Ava is so recently popular and may date compared with Charlotte.

I don't mind popular names, after all, names are popular for a reason.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 02/03/2012 19:57

names do become cliched and overdone esp all top ten names.and the fact of being poplar means they are oft heard,eventually becoming too grating.and so people drop in favour of next unique/retro/funky name

SlinkingOutsideInFrocks · 02/03/2012 19:51

It's not even about having others in the class with the same name, for me - I mean, you could still pick a very popular name and strike lucky and be the only one in the class (though chances of that happening in every class right through school, university and work are slim!).

It's more as time passes, and the name falls from favour.

It just starts to sound so dull and dated and blah. I mean, no-one can imagine their little Ruby or Olivia or Ava sounding dull or dated, because the names are fashionable now.

But this is exactly what all the parents of Claire and Joannes and Karens thought 35 years ago, as well...

scottishmummy · 02/03/2012 19:42

pick a top 10 name expect to have others in class
goes with the territory

EMS23 · 02/03/2012 19:18

My 15 month old DD is called Ava Charlotte and I think it's beautiful!
There is another Ava in her room at nursery but I don't really care.

allnewtaketwo · 02/03/2012 19:17

I like both. More so Ava. But I would probably be put off for the reasons you are - also Myleene Klass.

I've always like the name Charlotte.

whostolemyname · 02/03/2012 19:14

I think Ava is lovely. Charlotte is nice enough but a bit dull.

scottishmummy · 02/03/2012 19:10

it matters if one of aces Ava
Ava a, Ava b, Ava c at school
Ava I think mylene klass not reto glamour.at all

ninah · 02/03/2012 19:05

I have gone off Ava simply through working in early years and seeing a crop none of which you'd associate with 'hollywood glamour'
prefer Charlotte

DressTuckedInMeKnickers · 02/03/2012 19:02

Remember she will be the only Ava in your life, does it matter about the others?

scottishmummy · 02/03/2012 19:01

Ava is really overdone and obvious,but if you know it's popular and don't mind then do use it

PercyFilth · 02/03/2012 18:55

I would choose something a bit more unusual and have Ava as the middle name.

DressTuckedInMeKnickers · 02/03/2012 17:58

Go with Ava Charlotte, pretty and you know you love both names and keeps your options open.