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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alternative to Mavis?

36 replies

sweetiepie1979 · 05/08/2013 10:10

My mothers name is Mavis, but don't know about calling baby that. I need something similar, Meabh/mave not an option, we already have one in the family. DH thought Mabel? What do people think of that? Is it a bit wacky? I don't want to be funky or wacky with names really...

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squoosh · 05/08/2013 13:07

I'm sure your Mum is a lovely woman but Mavis is just awful.

Give it as a middle name if you must. What about your Mum's maiden name or her favourite character from a book?

Anything just not Mavis! Wink

Original poster
sweetiepie1979 · 05/08/2013 13:04

Thanks got suggestions and I see what you mean. Well what do people think of Mavis then?

OP posts:
Onyabike · 05/08/2013 13:01

Ditto pp!

KittenofDoom · 05/08/2013 11:57

I agree with squoosh. If you don't call her Mavis, you are fooling yourself that you are naming her after your mother with any other name. Either call her Mavis, or pick something that you like.

JacqueslePeacock · 05/08/2013 11:13

I think the connection between Mavis and May would be much more obvious than between Mavis and, say, Mabel or the other suggestions. They seem like completely different names to me, whereas May is at least a proper shortening (and it's pretty as well).

JuliaScurr · 05/08/2013 11:11

has your mum got a middle name?
May is good too

squoosh · 05/08/2013 11:08

Without wanting to be rude, if you're not calling her Mavis well then you're not actually calling her after your mother are you? Just pick a name you really do like.

fl0b0t · 05/08/2013 10:45

Mabel is nice! Or Maisy, Mary, Ava?

Doilooklikeatourist · 05/08/2013 10:26

Mary
Maxine
Mefus ( is welsh for strawberry ) and I think it's pronounced like Mavis , but it looks nicer written down !

soontobeslendergirl · 05/08/2013 10:25

I love Mabel. I also know a Meryl which is nice too.

I don't think it is whacky at all. You could also have May or Mary?

PoodleFlavouredFreddos · 05/08/2013 10:21

Mabel is lovely