Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

three names left on our shortlist . which do you prefer and why ? .

75 replies

oldbutnotpastit · 04/04/2014 17:19

dd6 (dc 10) due in 3 months .
after much discussion we have a shortlist of 3 which we both agree on .
they are
miranda
hermione
miriam

we also both love the names
Winifred and Merewen but don't think they are quite right so have taken the off the shortlist but have left them as back up names .

so which do you prefer and why ?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 19:47

Miriam, because it's unusual and makes me think of a beautiful woman, and calm, rolled into one.

ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 19:48

If you were to go back up I love Winnie.

DealForTheKids · 04/04/2014 19:50

I love Hermione and I honestly think that not picking something because of a link to a film/book whatever is weird - every person I've known with a 'linked' name has always been that person to me as soon as I've known them. Very easy on MN to be abstract but attached to a live person you won't make that connection.

I always think of Miriam as being an older persons name, don't know why? I like Miranda - but my vote is Hermione!

Weegiemum · 04/04/2014 19:51

I prefer Miranda, but that might be because I know a lovely Miranda!

PsammeadPaintedTheLion · 04/04/2014 19:55

I love Miriam!

Weliveinabeautifulworld · 04/04/2014 19:56

Miriam :)

PickleMobile · 04/04/2014 20:01

I like Miriam but I love Winifred. helpful

Original poster
oldbutnotpastit · 04/04/2014 20:14

i wouldn't rule out hermione because of harry potter but we do have to choose one of the 3 and i really like them /love them all . so i'm trying to find reasons why to pick one name and why not too pick another . then all i need to do is decide which negatives i can live with and which are deal breakers if that makes sense .
I do really like hermione and the harry potter connection is something to consider but not a deal breaker .In fact in some ways it is a positive as people now know how to spell it and pronounce now .
winifred nn winnie no matter how many times i decide i can't use it . i still keep revisiting it . i know it's clunky /old fashioned etc and will definitely raise eyebrows but despite this i still really like it . i particularly love it's meanings .
finding a shortlist is relatively easy but actually choosing one from that list is impossible .
i don't want to leave making a decision until she arrives as we did that last time and chose the wrong name and then changed it latter . something i really want to avoid this time round.

OP posts:
CorusKate · 04/04/2014 20:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

picnicbasketcase · 04/04/2014 20:19

Miriam is lovely

Hermione nice but not as much as Miriam

Miranda is very wet sounding so that would be my last choice

CorusKate · 04/04/2014 20:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rtfairy · 04/04/2014 21:32

Hermione

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/04/2014 22:57

Love Hermione and Miranda. Don't like Miriam.

DramaAlpaca · 04/04/2014 22:59

Love Miriam.

Driveway · 04/04/2014 23:01

Miriam.
That was on my list for DC. Didn't get the chance to use it!

Dumplings4ever · 04/04/2014 23:03

Could I please go "off script" and throw Martha into the plan!!!

Love it.
OR
Ethel
Dorothy
Hilda

x

Dumplings4ever · 04/04/2014 23:03

OOOPPPS I forgot

Harriet

xx

CalamitouslyWrong · 04/04/2014 23:05

I like Miriam too.

I really wouldn't worry about the supposed meaning of names which is all bollocks. Apparently my name means something about intimidating grey fortresses and I can assure you that I am not a castle of any kind.

BluebellTuesday · 04/04/2014 23:05

I'm tending towards Miriam from that list. I know an older Miriam, who is kind and gentle; and a primary school age girl; was a bit surprised to hear that for a child but it has grown on me. Reading your short-list, it is definitely my favourite.

cityangel · 04/04/2014 23:19

Very biblical jewish - which you're clearly aware of so don't be surprised with assumptions when she starts Reception. Just don't move to North West London or she'll have to go by her surname initial as well, just like all the Jacobs, Josephs, Thomas' & Ethan's have to.

There are so many more options to give her a similar sounding lovely name, I'd reconsider one of those first.

stuckindamiddle · 04/04/2014 23:24

Miriam

cityangel · 04/04/2014 23:25

Hermione - too Harry Potter
Miranda - too Sex & the City - but the shortlist name I'd choose if I had to
Miriam - too biblical if you're not going that route

a less popular name will help her more later on in life

smokeandglitter · 04/04/2014 23:26

Miriam. Eloquence and poise as well as a good story. A truly lovely name.

bauhausfan · 04/04/2014 23:27

I like them all!

Original poster
oldbutnotpastit · 04/04/2014 23:34

i really like both Martha and harriet but dh vetoed them last them and is still says he dislikes them .
i have mentioned dorothy i love it's meaning . it is 7 year old ds4's favourite name but dh has said no to both it and dorothea . dh is very fussy and it really is a miracle we've found 4 names we agree on . last time he vetoed everything except one name .three names is therefore progress .
with regard to miriam's perceived jewishness we are in east scotland so probably less of an issue than if we were in parts of london

OP posts: