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Baby names

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

Original poster

We have decided to go with Alison

92 replies

emmyloo2 · 17/05/2013 06:22

After much discussion, posting, more discussion, arguments etc, we have tentatively decided to go with Alison for DD due in 9 days.

I am still having a few wobbles but I think I would have that with any name. My main concern is I feel like it's a little dated because I know quite a few Alisons in their 30s. However, my DH really likes it and it's my late aunty's name and so we have decided family trumps trends.

I always envisages we would go with something old-fashioned to match DS (George) but this seems to be where we have landed.

Not sure why I am posting but any last minute thoughts or comments, encouragement or otherwise, would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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mulranno · 17/05/2013 17:40

Greta?

ZolaBuddleia · 17/05/2013 14:02

Margaret means Pearl, how about that?

Thurlow · 17/05/2013 13:57

I like it. I think it's actually pretty, in a way Barbara or Denise isn't. It will be relatively rare but not new or uncommon, so no one will have a problem with it. And as others have said, you can shorten it to Ally or even Lis. Ally's a popular shortening at the moment and no one would know what name it was for (Alexandra, Alicia, Alison).

Sometimes it's just not possible to get a name you both absolutely adore and you have to meet in the middle with a name you both like.

Is your DH against all the shortened versions of Margaret and Elizabeth? Would he agree with Peggy, Meg, Beth, Libby etc?

ZolaBuddleia · 17/05/2013 13:50

Hhm, if you look at it as a random word it looks like it would make a nice name, but somehow it doesn't, sorry OP. If you don't love it I'd think again, you're really nailing your colours to the mast as going for something different, but it really is like naming her Denise.

StellaNova · 17/05/2013 13:06

I know an Alison in her 60s, one in her 50s, three in their 30s, and a baby Ally so it isn't restricted to one age group IMO.

nicelyneurotic · 17/05/2013 13:03

I love it. Good choice!

Boggler · 17/05/2013 13:01

I'm sorry but its way too dated to saddle a tiny baby with, I agree with the others who say the same. It's not really classic name either if it was there would be lots of all ages not just in the 70's. you don't have to follow trends but its like calling a child Debbie or Jackie iykwim.

What about Alice - now that is a classic name.

MortifiedAdams · 17/05/2013 12:53

What names (apart from Alison), has your DH sugested?

mulranno · 17/05/2013 12:53

Alicia? - Alison to me is hum-drum, dated and dull like Janet.

I don't see it as and old name - (but worse) a "middle-aged" name - as all of the Alison's will be hitting 40, 50, 60 as your daughter grows up - bit like children who were called Sheila, Gloria, Barbara in my day -- you first thoughts are of bingo-wings etc.

However - maybe it is culturally stronger in Scotland - is it of Gaelic origin?

SlightlyJaded · 17/05/2013 12:36

You mentioned Josephine OP - that's nice...

everlong · 17/05/2013 12:27

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
emmyloo2 · 17/05/2013 12:23

Thanks all. I like all the other suggestions but all have been vetoed by DH. I.e. Harriet, Mary, Alice etc. All been requested and rejected. I do know what some people mean by having a dated name. I know a 35 year old Barbara and a 35 year old Denise. I would have hated to have those names. I don't what to do the same to my daughter. It really wasn't this hard to name DS!

OP posts:
everlong · 17/05/2013 11:11

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soontobeslendergirl · 17/05/2013 11:04

In the course of my work the other day, I came across a Dulcie and I thought there's a lovely name that you don't see about anymore. As I have said earlier, I really like Alison, I think it is a good choice and goes nicely with George but actually I think Dulcie might be nice too. It seems a bit closer to your favourites of Mabel etc but with a slightly "girlier" feel to it.

kmdwestyorks · 17/05/2013 10:55

I don't think there are so many old fashioned names anymore.

I do think Alison and Elizabeth are both lovely names, they can both be shortened, adpated or grown into as DD becomes the woman she wants to be.

If the name means something positive to you, the chances are your DD will love it, My own DD is quite proud of her name and the story behind it .

AvonCallingBarksdale · 17/05/2013 10:53

I'm not keen - we have an Alice but illogicaly I don't particularly like Alison. Prefer Elizabeth for that "era" of names. However its none of my business is it! :)

TwitchyTail · 17/05/2013 10:52

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BalloonSlayer · 17/05/2013 10:50

DH wanted the name Alison, he loves it especially the nn Ali mind you he also wanted the name Dolores

I vetoed it for some reason but actually I think it is really nice.

kelda · 17/05/2013 10:47

Also, I have a name from my parents' era. It is about 20/30 years out of date. It did make me self concious and is not a popular name at all in my age group.

noddyholder · 17/05/2013 10:45

One of my best friends is called Alison Good choice!

101handbags · 17/05/2013 10:41

I love Alison, but then I suppose I am biased, it was my Granny's name, it's my Auntie's name, it's my cousin's name and it's my middle name. So we have 3 generations of our family with that name. So in my mind Alison isn't old fashioned at all, just a classic, but currently unusual name. Every second little girl is Poppy, Milly, Tilly and Grace these days. Use it!

HollyGoHeavily · 17/05/2013 10:38

Alison is pretty and will be unusual at playgroup but to my (late 30's) ears it is a little dated.

How about Alice - it has a very similar sound, is a nod to your family history but is a classic with a contemporary feel about it.

I also love Elizabeth - a lovely name with plenty of great nicknames for a small child - Lizzie, Beth, Betty, Eliza etc....

soontobeslendergirl · 17/05/2013 10:32

If it helps too, I had an Aunt Alison (husband Charles) and my Dad was a George as was Charles' brother - so a perfect age wise match in my head. Other names from that generation as far as girls go, Elizabeth, Margaret (Rita), Henrietta (Hetty), Norma, Evelyn and Mary.

dreamingofsun · 17/05/2013 10:32

i have a name from my mothers generation and i hate it. basically i have an old person's name. oh how i would have loved to have had a more modern name.

kelda · 17/05/2013 10:31

Just seen upi've mentioned the name Elizabeth.

I lvoe that name. You really can't go wrong with it as a name. Everyone knows the name but it really isn't that common at all.

Eliza is lovely too.

Don't go with Alison if you aren;t that keen on it. Elizabeth Alison sounds like the best compromise.