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Baby names

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

Original poster

Poppy or Tilly?

31 replies

nathanimate · 24/05/2014 07:54

We are expecting our first baby girl, and we can't decide between Poppy or Tilly (Matilda). We are mostly concerned about 2 things: Teasing at school, and also how the name would sound when our daughter would be an adult. I've heard one needs to imagine their baby as prime minister to check if the name would be proper for an adult! Any advice?

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Linguaphile · 27/05/2014 09:49

They're sweet names, albeit very popular right now. I know two Tilly's and four Poppy's, all under the age of 5. I suppose the question is whether you want a name that will most certainly peg your dd to this decade or whether you want something that is a bit more timeless. I agree with whoever suggested Ottilie and using Tilly as a nn! Ottilie (and Matilda, I think) are both a bit less faddish to me and can be used when Tilly starts to sound too '2014'. Poppy, however sweet-sounding, will have nowhere to hide once the name crashes out of fashion...

EugenesAxe · 26/05/2014 21:25

I couldn't think where I'd heard of Merope in a less than favourable way; I was thinking it was a tragic Greek history or something, but of course it's Harry Potter - Voldemort's sister.

Bonnie152 · 24/05/2014 17:10

I prefer Poppy, much prettier than Tilly IMO :)

Marcipex · 24/05/2014 16:01

Do you like Polly?
I think it's nicer than Ploppy (oh dear) or Tilly.

bouquetofpencils · 24/05/2014 15:40

They are both lovely. Poppy became common in the 1920's and to me has an elegant art nouveau look and sound, quite Gatsby ish.
Tilly is lovely too and lots of great ideas for longer names such as Ottillie and Tilda.

Twee-ness is subjective. I think names like Jessica and Victoria are a bit too sweet for me.

pilates · 24/05/2014 14:03

I prefer Matilda

UriGeller · 24/05/2014 13:55

I have a niece named Poppy and she gets called "Ploppy" all the time, she hates.

Tilly isn't a stand alone name. Everyone will assume her real name is Matilda. Anyway Matty is a nicer diminutive.

whattimeisitanyway · 24/05/2014 13:49

Matilda for me. Not keen on Tilly. Poppy is pretty but sounds a little twee to me. I prefer Daisy which is similar.

thegreylady · 24/05/2014 12:53

Ottilie nn Tilly :)

WhereHas1999DissappearedToo · 24/05/2014 12:48

Poppy defintaly.

Original poster
nathanimate · 24/05/2014 09:51

I have also heard some people using Poppy as short for Merope.

OP posts:
Montsti · 24/05/2014 09:32

I love Poppy but also like Tilly and think having the option of Matilda is better, but I love long names with nns...

Pebbles0934 · 24/05/2014 09:27

I think they are both nice but very popular. I know lots of Matilda's and Tilly's and wouldn't want her to be called Matilda number 3 in class?
But this may not bother you...?

And yes there are a lot of cats called Poppy for some reason?

ProfPlump · 24/05/2014 09:21

"Tilda" as in Swinton is also a nice shortening of Matilda.

I still think Poppy, although lovely, is too, well, flowery and diminutive in its very structure to be a grown woman's name. Violet, whilst flowery, doesn't have the childlike end sound.

Jellymum1 · 24/05/2014 09:02

poppy :) because I'm biased because I have a poppy and she is beautiful.

Alisvolatpropiis · 24/05/2014 08:33

Grin @ zippey

Coughle · 24/05/2014 08:28

Matilda!

musicalendorphins2 · 24/05/2014 08:24

Poppy!

bouncinbean · 24/05/2014 08:24

My vote is also poppy - just think it's nicer

Nunyabiz · 24/05/2014 08:22

Ugh see I much prefer Poppy. 3 close friends have 'Tilly's' (one Tahlia, 2 Matilda) and several in my DD's ballet class, and the name really grates on me. Poppy I think is very very sweet.

zippey · 24/05/2014 08:16

Both are nice. Or comprimise. Tillypoppy? Poppytill? Matildapop?

Sidge · 24/05/2014 08:13

Matilda.

I vaccinated 4 Poppy's in one morning at my baby imms clinic last week.

Alisvolatpropiis · 24/05/2014 08:12

Matilda nn Tilly.

TwentiethCenturyGirl · 24/05/2014 08:09

Why won't Poppy cut it when she's a grown woman? I really don't get this argument when the name in question is popular (as Poppy is at the moment).

In 25 years time there will be lots if grown up Poppys and Tillys and therefore a high probability that some of them will be doctors, solicitors and MPs. It will just be the norm.

Bowlersarm · 24/05/2014 08:08

Poppy.

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