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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Please help! DD is 1 week old and no name.

87 replies

vik123b · 09/01/2014 14:05

Have a shortlist for girls names. The two names we cant decide on are Hermione and Betsy. Just interested to hear peoples views.

I love Hermione but DH prefers Betsey. Few things do put me off Hermione though - will it be a nightmare for her to learn to spell? people can't pronounce it (Hermy-won) and obviously Harry Potter (will she be teased and compared to Hermione Granger? Our surname also begins with a hard G). Love Betsey but worry is too cutsey and she may hate it when she gets older and don't want it shortened to Bet (she wouldnt be Elizabeth as my daughters middle name is Elizabeth so don't want to use again). We have quite kooky style so think either suit us as a family. Need to make a choice!

We like both names so whatever we choose for first name the other can be the middle name. We like Bluebell also for middle name (my other 2 children have two middle names) so would be either:

Hermione Betsey Bluebell

Betsey Bluebell Hermione

Also, if we chose Hermione do you think we could use Hetty as a nickname? DH lost his Nan yesterday whose name was Stella, not keen on Stella and doesn't fit with our names but Hetty has same meaning (Star) or could you think of some way to incorporate it into the name?

OP posts:

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domoarigato · 09/01/2014 19:48

Briony sounds like hermione

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/01/2014 19:40

Sorry to hear you're feeling rough.

newyearhere · 09/01/2014 19:39

Is it just pronounced as its spelt?

Yes it's just like seven with an r instead of the v.

ChilliQueen · 09/01/2014 19:29

Stella
Esme
Erin
Flora
Florence
Tabitha
Grace
Persephone (think spelt that right - though all my childhood when reading I pronounced it Purse-e-phone!)

Remember this small person will one day grow up and won't be quite so cute anymore.... I like Elizabeth, and shortened to Betsy.... though hate the idea of Bet... keep thinking Coronation Street! Not sure Betsy so great when you're in your 30's....

Names are a nightmare... but there's no rush. It's a great discussion though...

Original poster

vik123b · 09/01/2014 19:27

Seren is lovely, hmmm... Worth some thought. Is it just pronounced as its spelt?

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RosesOnTheWane · 09/01/2014 19:26

I like Betsy and Hermione, but the Betsey spelling is awful IMO and people will forever think that her parents couldn't spell.

thegreylady · 09/01/2014 19:21

My dgd has Betsy as a middle name,if it was a first name I think it would need to be Elisabeth.Her first name is Madeleine.

TalkativeJim · 09/01/2014 19:19

Was also going to say Hermione with Mimi as a nickname if you're into cutesy.

Betsy is just a bit meh! It's ok. I'd also say beware of it as it's a name which your H has suddenly 'discovered' and loves to bits - be careful, those are the names you go off a few months later and think - it's nothing special- WHY did I junk the name that we'd liked for longer! Beware of excited name fads at the last minute.

And definitely Betsy. Yes, it COULD be spelled differently- but 95% of the time it isn't!

I tell you what beats Betsy into a cocked hat. BLYTHE.

Hermione Bluebell Blythe.

newyearhere · 09/01/2014 19:08

Hermione is a lovely name, and nickname Mimi would be nice as well.

How about Seren as a middle name? It's Welsh for star.

Hermione Seren Bluebell

Original poster

vik123b · 09/01/2014 18:42

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie, you're right, should be joint decision. Just feeling sorry for myself I think, having as rough recovery day from the c-section.

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sarahquilt · 09/01/2014 17:52

I like Betty. Betsy is a bit cutesy. Don't like Hermione.

Anjou · 09/01/2014 17:48

Oh, Mini/Minnie is a great nn for Hermione, OP! And fits with your kooky requirements too.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/01/2014 17:44

Congratulations.

I like Hermione. Hate Betsey Bluebell though. Sorry but it sounds like the name of a doll in an Enid Blyton story.

And I don't think giving birth gives you the 'right' to the final say. If both of you aren't happy with a name, you need to think again and compromise.

Original poster

vik123b · 09/01/2014 17:40

Just looked up meaning of Elodie, is German and means wealthy! Maybe should reconsider it

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Original poster

vik123b · 09/01/2014 17:37

We have a short one syllable surname so do feel we can get away with longer first and middle names.

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Original poster

vik123b · 09/01/2014 17:35

I do like Bluebell but not sure about it as a first name, not sure our small town is ready for it . Like Clementine also as a middle name (quite xmassy - she was born NY Eve).

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Original poster

vik123b · 09/01/2014 17:33

Going back to the Stella/Star link, there is actually a large asteroid called 121 Hermione so could be argued it has a star link . Hermione also means travel which am hoping she becomes an adventurous girl and has a passion for travel (something I wish I had been and done). Betsy is a short form of Elizabeth which means God is My Oath. I do feel I identify more with the meaning of Hermione than Betsy but do people still choose names looking at their meanings nowadays?

Really wish I didn't over analyse/research everything/!

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ineedsomeinspiration · 09/01/2014 17:26

I prefer hermione personally but do like Betsey also. If you picked Betsey and she hates it when she's older she could also use one of her middle names, a lot of people do.
You seem very keen on Bluebell so why don't you call her that? She could be Belle or Bella(sounds a lot like Stella) for short.

Original poster

vik123b · 09/01/2014 17:25

Good point Yougratemycheese, my name ends in a ie sound and have never felt the need to change, I like my formal name but when I say it for things like the Doctors or hospital it just doesn't feel like it's me, feel like its someone else as I have never had my full name.

I like Elodie too but do think it is ranking below Hermione on the list and DH wont consider it as prefers Betsey/Betsy.

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YouGrateMyCheese · 09/01/2014 17:16

I worked with an extremely intelligent, competent, charming woman named Betsy. Her name didn't hamper her in anyway. If anything, it made her more memorable, and she has had astounding career success. I understand the need to want a more "formal" name when you get older, but I don't grasp the logic of having to shed your ends in -y/-ie moniker once you're over 18. I like having a cheerful, friendly - dare I say comforting? - sounding name. And people have always responded better to it than when I use my formal, more "adult" name. So you just never know.

AGoodPirate · 09/01/2014 17:14

Sorry. I like Elodie!

Original poster

vik123b · 09/01/2014 17:13

Other possible nickname but not sure if stretching it a bit could be Hetty which links in with DH Nan who passed away yesterday being called Stella as it also means Star.

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Original poster

vik123b · 09/01/2014 17:06

Cheese Toastie - friend has a girl called Edith. This is what happens when you have a child when nearing 40 (6 months of my 30s left!), most names are taken

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Tibby2 · 09/01/2014 17:06

I like betsey but i love cutesy names :) what are your other childrens names can i ask?

Original poster

vik123b · 09/01/2014 17:02

Sorry should say we might as well choose a shortened version THAN leave to her friends.

Am quite amazed at the lack of Harry Potter references , was rather worried everyone would say you can't use it because of HP.

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