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Baby names

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

Original poster

Barbara

40 replies

pinkandyellowbutterfly · 03/12/2012 12:14

I would love to use Barbara as a middle name after my mum. I think I've chosen Lucy as a first name. What do people think of Lucy Barbara?

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Original poster
pinkandyellowbutterfly · 09/12/2012 20:33

thanks, i'm still not a hundred per cent but then my child's not born yet, then again, it could be a boy!!

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upstart68 · 07/12/2012 20:24

Just to me a Barbara-ish person. But probably not to anyone else.

I myself chose an incredibly boring name for my dc. Only because my dh wanted some ridiculous ones and it was the only compromise we could find.

So I do think different is good. All that matters is if you like it.

Original poster
pinkandyellowbutterfly · 07/12/2012 18:28

Ooh, I hadn't thought of Deidre Barlow - is her reaky name Barbara? or is she just a Barbara-ish person lol

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upstart68 · 06/12/2012 23:09

The only Barbara I know is lovely but she has been called Barbie by some people when she's nothing like Barbie.

It does conjure up a sort of Deirdre Barlow image for me - but then I think your perception of a name changes as you get to know the person.

It is initially a bit surprising when you meet a baby Mavis or similar but once you've got used to it it's lovely and individual.

I think it's quite nice, now I've got used to it.

Original poster
pinkandyellowbutterfly · 06/12/2012 22:57

lol pancakeflipper. Go 'team Barbara'!! I'm so glad the team is growing i was so nervous i'd be the only one!!

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Pancakeflipper · 06/12/2012 22:54

I know a 6yr old Barbara. I was a bit " oh" when I first heard what her name was ( she was 4 weeks old when we first met).

She is lovely quirky kid and going to be a real individual. She is the only Barbara in her school and has the strength of personality to deal with the looks from adults when they hear her name. I am on Team Barbara.

Original poster
pinkandyellowbutterfly · 06/12/2012 22:50

Thanks for your kind words, its a bit daunting to sharea the name you're stressing deliberating over, its nice to hear good feedback :-)

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notanotter · 06/12/2012 21:49

oh i LOVE it!!!!

Lavenderhoney · 06/12/2012 21:28

I love barbara:) in fact I was thinking today if I ever have another baby dd, it's the name I would choose:) and Lucy Barbara sounds nice too.

I know a couple of babs or barb, and they are lovely- generations apart too.

Dorothy is one of our family name and I like that as well, but not so much dot or dotty...

mathanxiety · 06/12/2012 20:13

There is the Irish version Bairbre which is a little fancier perhaps?

I like it as a middle name with Lucy. Has a nice ring to it and it is lovely to honour your mum this way imo.

EverlongLovesHerChristmasRobin · 06/12/2012 12:10

No chance! Not Barbara for a first name Shock

Hedwig3 · 06/12/2012 12:04

Another vote for Barbara Lucy! Xmas Smile

Great name, I do like Lucy too though.

AuntieShirley · 06/12/2012 11:28

I love Barbara, and prefer Barbara Lucy to Lucy Barbara, but both are nice.
I also love Patricia Moel so many cute nn's. I put it to dh once, but he was having none of it!

Cwtchbach · 06/12/2012 09:31

Can I just say that I hated my middle name growing up, it was very old ladyish and obscure, however I now love it and wish it were my first name (which I hate as it's a stupid 80s name). It has suddenly had a surge in popularity due to a character on Downtown Abbey. Similarly my friend hated her middle name being Ethel growing up but suddenly she is very trendy too :)

Which was a very round about way of saying that I would 100% use the name Barbara, some people may have misgivings now but it won't last.

Original poster
pinkandyellowbutterfly · 05/12/2012 20:56

Thanks for the positive feedback guysm its really kind of you :-)

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CocktailQueen · 04/12/2012 23:10

It's my middle name - named after my gran, and for that I love it. Do it :)

PickledInAPearTree · 04/12/2012 23:09

Fine middle name.. I think it's really nice to have one with a meaning rather than a common place one.

LadyWidmerpool · 04/12/2012 23:03

My middle name is my gran's and it's a very plain name but I like being named after someone, so I say go for it. FWIW I like Barbara a lot more than some of the current it names.

mrstowers · 04/12/2012 22:57

I don't actually like the name Barbara but I think the meaning behind you choosing the name is absolutely lovely and is reason enough for you to use it.

squoosh · 04/12/2012 21:55

I think Lucy Barbara sounds lovely, a bit Chalet School.

And as sure as eggs are eggs Barbara will be an uber trendy name 20 years from now. Go for it!

canuck43 · 04/12/2012 21:50

My little granddaughter is Barbara Virginia, it suits her, we love it.

Original poster
pinkandyellowbutterfly · 04/12/2012 21:45

Thanks for your comments guys, I love the name because it has lots of personal meaning to me and if I give it to my child, she's bound to love being named after my mum as shes such a special person and thats the most important thing :-)

OP posts:
MoelFammau · 04/12/2012 21:32

You're a different generation though. A generation ago, calling your kid Ethel, Norah or Maud was considered awful, yet it's pretty normal now. Barbara could easily be one hell of a cool name in 20 years.

hackneyzoo · 04/12/2012 21:10

It's my middle name, I hate it. Don't do this to your daughter! ( having said that, I think I went through a brief period, in about 1987, where I asked my parents to refer to me as Babs, I was about 8 at the time though Grin)

EverlongLovesHerChristmasRobin · 04/12/2012 21:08

If you must.

I doubt your dd will thank you though, sorry.