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Original poster

Any thoughts on Petra?

38 replies

comeonbishbosh · 23/09/2012 20:50

Just mulling on it for expected new arrival. Unusual but no unheard of, shortish, easy to spell.

My DD is called Iris, if that helps. And we don't live in the NE, so not too many people being referred to as 'pet' round here!

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WynkenBlynkenandNod · 24/09/2012 22:16

It's my cousin's name and she is really lovely. Her's is pronounced Pey-tra rather than Pet-ra though, she's not from the UK. I used to hear them call the on Blue Peter and think they weren't saying it properly.

Twonker · 24/09/2012 21:58

Love it.

lottiegarbanzo · 24/09/2012 21:20

Ah, extensive research (Wikipedia) tells me that Petra the dog retired in 1977. So I only missed her by about a year. Didn't mean to be insulting people about their age!

DancehallDaze · 24/09/2012 21:01

"A rose-red city half as old as time"

lottiegarbanzo · 24/09/2012 20:34

But Selky, you might think of the dog but do you actually remember her? I'm 39 and, watching from about 5, saw the latter days of Shep and some years of Goldie. So maybe the cut off is 43... Anyway!

Selky · 24/09/2012 19:51

And I'm not 45+!

Selky · 24/09/2012 19:51

Sorry, that is the Blue Peter dog.

LillianGish · 24/09/2012 19:47

Classier version of Jordan!

Original poster
comeonbishbosh · 24/09/2012 19:42

Thanks everyone!
I think the dog connection is not a biggie for me. After all, in one memorable year when I was a kid, my dog's name was in the top ten girl's names, and my sister's name in the top 10 dogs names!

OP posts:
lottiegarbanzo · 24/09/2012 14:45

Love it, cute, cool and dignified.

The 'blue Peter dog' generation must be 45+ so maybe some teachers but few parents and no children will be aware. I think of Petra Kelly, German green leader (sticky end but inspirational in life) and generally just like it.

GoldenGreen · 24/09/2012 13:37

It's a lovely feminine but not twee name - rather like Iris, in fact. I like it.

MrClaypole · 24/09/2012 13:23

Really like Petra - very cool and quite unusual without being "made up".

Goes well with Iris too.

And I'm 39 and did not think "Blue Peter dog"!

Notnowcato · 24/09/2012 13:14

I know a little (7 year old) Petra: lovely girl. I think it's a nice name even though, personally, I think of the dog too (because I am so old). None of her peers (or indeed her teachers, or other mothers) do so, yes, go for it!

imustbepatient · 24/09/2012 09:13

Lovely name, knew a German one as a teenager and she was very cool and fun hence good associations for me!

Kelerina · 24/09/2012 09:06

I think it's a nice, not too commom name but the first though that went through my mid was petrified......mabe just me though!!!

sarlat · 24/09/2012 02:38

Love the name Petra and don't think of blue peter dog (32 btw)

But a good alternative is Petrina - really love this name. Good nick name potantial with 'Trina' etc

Badgerina · 23/09/2012 22:24

I really like it. It goes very well with Iris.

You could also use Petula?

numptymark1 · 23/09/2012 21:46

I went to school with a Petra -I'm 34 and no dog jokes as far as I remember

I later worked with a Petra but pronounced it Pete-ra

couldn't get my head around that one

IslaValargeone · 23/09/2012 21:45

Lovely name, very elegant.

TaperJeanGirl · 23/09/2012 21:42

I love it, its on my girls list for imaginary dd, I know a sweet little 6 year old Petra, didnt know it was the name of a blue peter dog...(I also have a dd with the middle name Iris)

Yika · 23/09/2012 21:32

Lovely name. I don't remember Petra from blue Peter even though im 45! I remember Shep but i don't suppose you'll be considering that as a name for your DD. Petra is beautiful, classic and international (I know several Czech Petras).

JollyToddler · 23/09/2012 21:30

There's a book called Ender's game which will be made into a film in the next few years. One of the characters is called Petra Arkanian.

I am 26, I had no idea Petra was a blue peter dog, so certainly none of her peers would make that connection!

SandStorm · 23/09/2012 21:27

I'm of an age where my first thought is Blue Peter too. Sorry OP.

stuffitunderthebed · 23/09/2012 21:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

apachepony · 23/09/2012 21:14

Nice name. Wouldn't worry too much about a dog that was around approx 40 years before her birth, doubt her peers will make a connection!