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Baby names

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

Original poster

Has anyone ever regretted calling their child a particular name?

39 replies

cherrypez · 12/08/2012 12:15

My baby has a name I love. It's not a name you hear very often, very British, quite old fashioned. BUT. I met a 20 year old with a name quite similar to hers recently and it just seemed...stupid on a 20 year old, IYSWIM, it's quite a cutesy babyish name IMO. As much as I love her name now I'm worried when she is a stroppy teen it will seem odd and not suit her :(

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Ephiny · 14/08/2012 14:14

It's fine. Makes me think of PJ Harvey (Polly Jean!)

I think Kitty works as an adult name as well. I'm not keen on cutesy/babyish names but I don't put those two in that category.

strugglingwiththepreteenbit · 14/08/2012 14:11

a certain stand-up comedian used my dds' names as an example in a very funny rant about pretentious, loud, middle class parents. Can't say I regret the choices but I did squirm. He's either been standing near me at some point or thought they were a safe option that nobody would really use.

WinkyWinkola · 14/08/2012 07:01

Polly is a great name. Stylish AND cute.

Polkadotfanatic · 13/08/2012 22:52

what Pickles said...

PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot · 13/08/2012 22:31

Now I really want to know your name!

missalarmclockhater · 13/08/2012 21:19

My dad regretted letting my mum have her way with my name ... so do I! Mine is abysmal, no one can pronounce it or spell it and it's unusual to the point of being a bit embarrassing, as it's similar to another more common name (though still unusual) so everyone just calls me that. But that name is HORRIBLE.

I always implore parents not to give their children weird names Grin

MulberryMoon · 13/08/2012 19:33

Polly is a fab name and would suit any age i think. I love my elder dd's name, but I do sort of regret it as lots of people say it is a name from the 70s. I didn't realise that when we chose it.

booflebean · 13/08/2012 13:49

I love Polly! Was on our list :)

DH wasnt sure though as our surname also begins with P.... Grin

messagetoyourudy · 13/08/2012 13:15

A friends little girl is called Kitty - and she is going through much the same thing as you - seems lovely on a little girl now, but as a grown woman what will it conjure up?

I think as others have said it will suit her no matter what her age as you will have laways known her as Polly.

Or Polly could be like my sister, who changed her own name age 16 and now we only ever think of her as the name she chose for herself!!!! A name doesn't have to be for life.

Badgerina · 13/08/2012 13:04

Polly is a great name. I'd be happy to be called Polly.

BeatriceBean · 13/08/2012 12:42

You can easily change a name upto a year old if you want to. We've thought about this and then added the name we would have used as a middle name...

itsjustmeanon · 13/08/2012 12:38

My Great Grandma was called Polly. I think her actual name was Mary, but everyone called her Polly. Great name, for any age.

Arabellasmella · 13/08/2012 11:56

I love Polly. If I ever have twin girls I'm going to call them Flora and Polly.
In answer to regrets, my first born is Barney and I do think it is a bit of a silly name especially for such a serious little fella..

Original poster
cherrypez · 13/08/2012 11:14

Thanks everyone, I do truly love the name, it was just a fleeting thought which I am over now, the name really suits her. Can't discuss this with DP as he hates the name Polly and would gloat but he got to name the previous DD with a name I don't dislike but wouldn't have chosen, with a HIDEOUS middle name after his nan lol.

OP posts:
Kaekae · 13/08/2012 09:23

When I was 17 I had a friend called Polly I thought it was a great name, I still do. Nice alternative to Poppy which seems overused.

Thingymajigs · 13/08/2012 08:40

I regretted calling my son Alexander within a few months of his birth. He just didn't suit the name but I thought maybe he'd grow into it. He didn't really and to top it off there are 5 Alexander's in his class. The next baby is only going to be named when I've had a lot of time to gauge his/her personality and no one will have the same name even if I have to make one up.

PipJoy · 13/08/2012 08:11

Have a mate in her thirties who is a Polly and super glam and cool - and it suits her very well

was on my shortlist until DH said he thought it was a bit parrot-y - men!!

its gorgeous and personally think even better on a teenager than a baby!

RibenaHasLeftTheBuilding · 12/08/2012 21:14

I was going to mention Polly Toynbee. Or Polly Vernon (journalist). It's fine for any age. Smile

HiHowAreYou · 12/08/2012 19:31

By Ok, I meant really nice!

HiHowAreYou · 12/08/2012 19:30

Polly is Ok for a teenager! I can picture her already. :)

lovechoc · 12/08/2012 19:22

It's a lovely down to earth name that's easy to spell and most people recognise it as a 'normal' name, not out of the ordinary and one that suits someone of any generation. Please stop worrying, it beats many of the names (IMO) that are 'on trend' at the moment!

drummerswife · 12/08/2012 19:18

i have a friend called polly she's 41 and tbh no other name would suit her
i think the old fashioned names grow with them its some of the modern names that i think will sound strange when people are older

Takver · 12/08/2012 19:15

Polly Toynbee hasn't done too badly for herself either . . .

bringbacksideburns · 12/08/2012 19:09

Not sure why you think that.

Polly is a very cool name.

Google P.J.Harvey.

CiderwithBuda · 12/08/2012 19:06

It's a lovely name.

I suspect your issue may be that you are currently only used to it on your DD at her stage of life - babyhood and toddler. But by the time she is a 20 year old Polly you will have gone through all the years in-between and be used to each and every one.

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