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Baby names

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Original poster

Gwen or Mabel?

40 replies

birdofthenorth · 06/09/2012 15:30

These are currently the only two girl's names DH and I are both attracted to but I'm worried Gwen/ Gwendoline is a bit washy washy and that people in RL will think Mabel is ridiculous! What do you think?

I also love Iris, Rita, Greta and Violet but DH unconvinced. We both like Esme, Peggy and Tess but can't use for various reasons. Any similar ideas?

Thanks!

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VintageNancy · 09/09/2012 04:07

I love Gwen - I hear it in a lovely Welsh accent in my head.

How about Hetty? It was on my list but vetoed.

mathanxiety · 09/09/2012 03:37

I love Frida and Nora.

Narked · 09/09/2012 00:02

I'm really not keen on Mabel.

millymae · 08/09/2012 23:42

I love Gwen but am not so keen on Mabel. What about Freda, Nora, Myrtle or Dulcie. Not to everyone's taste I know, but I like all of them

herecomesthsun · 08/09/2012 23:24

I have a baby Gwendoline named after my late beloved mum. It is a beautiful name and I have had loads of compliments and also love how unusual it is. I am very happy that it is clearly Welsh and yet everyone can spell Gwen, even in our English neighbourhood. Not that I'm biased Grin.

BodyUnknown · 07/09/2012 20:42

If you do have a Mabel, I'd love to know what you choose as a middle name (or what you have in mind). My sister-in-law doesn't have a middle name, and I often wonder what would go nicely.

pickledsiblings · 07/09/2012 20:41

Neither.

BodyUnknown · 07/09/2012 20:40

I really thought Mabel was an old lady name that would never be due a revival until I met my brother's beautiful wife...Mabel... she is so lovely that I call her 'Ma Belle' :)

I'd use it... I like all your names except Gwen/Gwendoline. Not keen on the 'Gw' sound. I've always been fond of Rita, particularly with a Southern-style middle (Rita Jean, Georgia Lee, I love those kinds of names) but not sure I'd use it. When I mentioned it to people, they said it had a trashy sound (I disagreed...)

StormGlass · 07/09/2012 20:37

I like Gwen, I don't think it's wishy washy at all.

Mabel, on the other hand, is the name my rag doll had when I was little, so I have difficulty taking that seriously as a child's name.

CanYouGetDownPlease · 07/09/2012 20:36

I love Mabel, but has been flatly refused for any potential DD. There is something about it, just lovely.

Southfacing · 07/09/2012 20:32

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at the user's request

mejon · 07/09/2012 20:29

DharmaBumpkin - great taste Grin. I have a Gwenno and DD2 is Mabli.

Not too keen on Gwendoline/Gwendolyn but there are others and Gwen is a proper name in itself.

chinley · 07/09/2012 19:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HiHowAreYou · 07/09/2012 18:44

I really like Gwen! Of your other names I like Rita and Greta.

DharmaBumpkin · 07/09/2012 18:38

I know lots of younger Gwen's (live in NWales tho!)

Don't like Gwendoline, however there are other versions!

Gwenno
Gwennan
Gwenfair

All lovely :)

Kelerina · 07/09/2012 18:30

Gwen! One of my best friends is called Gwen so I can't use it for that reason but totally would if it weren't for her, also love Gwendoline!

RillaBlythe · 07/09/2012 16:46

Greta is lovely Grin

smileychicken · 07/09/2012 14:11

I know a baby Gwen and it suits her perfectly. Both perfectly good names.

amck5700 · 06/09/2012 22:30

Margaret, Mary or Mairi?

CandiceMariePratt · 06/09/2012 22:19

I know a 7 year old Gwen and think it's a lovely name

Machadaynu · 06/09/2012 22:16

Cerys

imustbepatient · 06/09/2012 20:14

Florence?

PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot · 06/09/2012 19:00

Martha is lovely.

Original poster
birdofthenorth · 06/09/2012 18:55

Hmm, on the whole this is confirming my fears! Back to the drawing board maybe.

Some great suggestions on hear - I love Honor. Love Martha too though DD's close friend is called this. Like Penelope but it rhymes with our surname a bit. Not sure we can pull off Mabli or Gwenllian being only 4th generation Welsh!

OP posts:
MoelFammau · 06/09/2012 17:52

I LOVE Gwen. Such a sweet little Welsh name. Go for it.

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