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Baby names

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

Original poster

In your opinion, can people with names like 'Posy', 'Kitty' or 'Dotty' be taken seriously?

391 replies

Stateofgrace · 03/08/2013 13:25

...I happen to think so, but my family and a few friends disagree. Strongly.

Almost every name I have considered is of the 'cutesy' variety - as well as the above three, I also like Polly, Lola and Nelly. I seem to just like girly names. My mother is fond of telling me ''You are naming a person, not a baby'' as if I am not aware that baby will grow up. Hmm

I know that you shouldn't tell people the names before baby is born and present the name as a fait acompli, but I really don't want to pick a name which everyone else seems to hate...

Any thoughts / experiences on this? My mother this morning has just told me that ''she wouldn't trust a Doctor called something ridiculous like Posy'', which is actually one of my favourite names. Confused

Any thoughts/experiences on this?

OP posts:
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PrincessScrumpy · 04/08/2013 13:33

Earl Spencer (princess Diana's brother) has a daughter called Kitty. Also I think one of Camilla's grand daughters is Lola. Both seem to be the proper names not nn (according to google).
after comments on here I was all prepared to defend or choice of names but actually never had to.
I think people get used to names, so people who know my family will be used to the name Kitty and it will be normal to them.
Dd has a Dolly in her class - lovely girl so I'd never look at her and think she won't amount to much. Mind you I'm a girlie woman and proud - not sure why being girlie is a negative thing. I like pink and sparkly things, but also had a senior management role before having children. Both can go together.

edam · 04/08/2013 13:30

Btw, a registrar told me she gets lots of names with crayzee cr8tive spelllings these days, but the funniest one was when a father told her he wanted to call his son a word she'd never heard before. She asked him how to spell it - and the father stripped his T-shirt off to show her his tattoo! Seems even the father didn't know... (She refused to tell me the name, though, spoilsport.)

LilBlondePessimist · 04/08/2013 13:28

No, although I wish I had his cooking skills (and bank balance). My son (one of four) is Buddy, my mates eldest is Bear. Smile

edam · 04/08/2013 13:27

Your mother would never know Doctor surname was called Posy, would she?

All those names do sound cute for smaller people, but I'd give your baby the formal versions on the birth certificate in case they want something more serious when they grow up. E.g. Katie/Katherine. If you just give them the shortened version, they don't have the same flexibility.

Twirlyhottoo · 04/08/2013 13:26

Are you Jamie Oliver? His child is Buddy Bear.

LilBlondePessimist · 04/08/2013 13:21

It's only people with attitudes such as yours who make it an issue.

One of my sons is named Buddy. You'd have a field day with that I'm sure.

Twirlyhottoo · 04/08/2013 13:21
Grin
LilBlondePessimist · 04/08/2013 13:19

You do understand that homophones have the same pronunciation but different meanings?

Twirlyhottoo · 04/08/2013 13:17

Hopefully his parents have the money and/or connections to make it a non issue.

Twirlyhottoo · 04/08/2013 13:15

It's such a selfish thing for a parent to do. Why would you hand a mill stone like that round your child's neck? It even makes Tiger sound reasonable because you don't have the homophone issue.

LilBlondePessimist · 04/08/2013 13:15

And by the very fact that several people are actually named it, so is Bear.

LilBlondePessimist · 04/08/2013 13:14

Oh and he doesn't need your pity, thanks anyway.

Twirlyhottoo · 04/08/2013 13:13

Bear makes every other name mentioned on this thread seem utterly beyond criticism. The names in the OP are all of a certain style. They're all names though.

LilBlondePessimist · 04/08/2013 13:13

Afraid you're not coming across as so mature yourself twirly.

PrincessScrumpy · 04/08/2013 13:11

Well I have a Kitty - not nn as it's a 16th century name in is own right and she was named after my great aunt. She's 2 so not sure of her job prospects yet but we are a high achieving family so don't see why she will be anything else due to her name. The other name we considered was Polly - the only other Polly I know is a barrister.
i've never had a negative comment about her name and it really suits her - classic but not common. All or girls names have literary connections - Kitty being in pride and prejudice.
Go for a name you love and can imagine saying.

Twirlyhottoo · 04/08/2013 13:09

I feel sorry for him. His parents are idiots.

LilBlondePessimist · 04/08/2013 13:08

One of my friends' eldest son is named Bear. It suits him. No one has burst out laughing yet when he's been introduced. But then thankfully the people he has met so far don't appear to have been ignoramuses.

Twirlyhottoo · 04/08/2013 13:06

Bear will still be funny. But not for Bear.

squoosh · 04/08/2013 13:04

Now you get it! In 30 years time there will be nurses/shop workers/teachers/estate agents called all manner of names that you deem strange.

Twirlyhottoo · 04/08/2013 13:02

Yes there are. Bear the quantity surveyor, Bear the nurse, Bear the retail manager, Bear the customer service call centre worker, Bear the estate agent, Bear the maths teacher...

Bowlersarm · 04/08/2013 12:56

Well, there are a lot if occupations that aren't in accountancy.

Twirlyhottoo · 04/08/2013 12:54

He has chosen to use that. It fits the fictional image of him as a rugged, at one with the elements type. He's not an accountant.

Bowlersarm · 04/08/2013 12:51

I'm not sure I do agree with Twirly.

I bet there aren't many people who would know, or care, whether Bear Grylls is using his given name or a nickname.

He's seems a burly grown-up who's name suits him. I doubt many people burst out laughing when he's introduced/introduces himself.

Alisvolatpropiis · 04/08/2013 12:46

What Twirly said.

Though I suppose Lama or Muskrat would get a tougher time in the playground than Bear. Just about.

Twirlyhottoo · 04/08/2013 12:39

The poor sod will be 45 and still have people burst out laughing when he introduces himself.