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Baby names

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

Original poster

Pollyanna or Polly middle name Anna?

44 replies

Poycastle · 09/06/2014 15:57

I LOVE this name for my daughter (am 27 weeks pregnant). I loved the book as a child, it still means a lot to me and I think it sounds feminine and pretty.

However, I'm a bit worried about some negative comments I've had about it sounding "prissy".

So I was considering giving her the Anna part as a middle name as well as the other middle name I have chosen for her (Maria - this is a definite).

Or does breaking it in two sound silly?

She is a much wanted baby so I want to get it completely right.

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Original poster
Poycastle · 09/06/2014 17:31

there's a sentence I never thought I would write... oh, yay! one vote for Pollyanna!

OP posts:
Original poster
Poycastle · 09/06/2014 17:30

Ah, I understand you, poocatcher :)

OP posts:
burgatroyd · 09/06/2014 17:30

I mean pollyanna! Why not?

burgatroyd · 09/06/2014 17:29

Poll

burgatroyd · 09/06/2014 17:29

I like it.

PeachandRaspberry · 09/06/2014 17:28

It is RIDICULOUS. It is the HORMONES talking.

Polly Maria is lovely.

Only1scoop · 09/06/2014 17:27

Polly is nice
Anna is nice
Not together

And not hyphenated ever Confused

Original poster
Poycastle · 09/06/2014 17:25

I'm not completely sure about hyphenating to be honest, she would probably have to spell it out every time?
I understand the name will not be everyone's cup of tea, and I know in real life people would not be rude enough to say what we can say online (I don't mean this as an attack, just an observation - same as when you suggest names before a baby is born people always have opinions, where afterwards they tend to swallow it and just say "that's lovely"!) However, if it is to the extent that people will consider it RIDICULOUS, then I won't use it in case she was teased or judged for it.
Polly Maria could be a compromise, I guess.

OP posts:
poocatcherchampion · 09/06/2014 17:19

Polly maria is lovely. I'd probably leave the anna totally.

pollyanna is a bit daft and your Polly will be asked often enough if it is her name. she won't want to say yes. I should know. Grin.

squoosh · 09/06/2014 17:13

Please don't call the poor child Pollyanna. What an annoying, sickly sweet character she is. Also, it would just be ridiculous on an adult.

Polly by itself is lovely though.

spledge · 09/06/2014 16:41

I'm not saying I like the name (I don't). But it does appear to have modest popularity over the years

names.darkgreener.com/#pollyanna

SloanePeterson · 09/06/2014 16:36

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SloanePeterson · 09/06/2014 16:35

Honestly, can you imagine being an adult and being called Pollyanna? Apologies to any pollyannas out there, but it would be a source of massive embarrassment to me. It is really a dolls name. Not a name for an actual little girl

RAFWife12 · 09/06/2014 16:33

I like Pollyanna as one name. She can still choose to be known as Polly.
I don't like the hyphenating thing.

EyelinerQueen · 09/06/2014 16:32

Pollyanna is awful. It's a name for a doll not an actual little girl.

Polly Maria is infinitely better.

spledge · 09/06/2014 16:23

I wouldn't hyphenate. Not my taste at all (search past threads for opinions on 'the hyphen')

I'm not a fan of Pollyanna and other similar-type preachy, pious books of the time. But that's by the by. If you're naming in honour of the book then use Pollyanna. Who cares if people think it's prissy. Polly Anna would be a close second.

Original poster
Poycastle · 09/06/2014 16:13

As in Polly-anna? or capitalising both as Polly-Anna?

OP posts:
psychicpaper · 09/06/2014 16:04

sorry posted too soon

That way she can just go by Polly if she chooses, but you won't have people thinking you don't know about Pollyanna, by having two separate names

psychicpaper · 09/06/2014 16:03

hyphenate?

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