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Baby names

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Original poster

Miriam or Hester

37 replies

Donthackmenow · 31/07/2014 22:11

For our (currently fictional) 3rd child I really like Miriam and Hester for girls. I mentioned them to my husband this morning and he would need working on but didn't reject them. But what do you think? Are they nice names or do I need to think again?
I always find boys names harder, ds has an Old Testament name which means laughter but when pregnant I really liked Rupert (husband wouldn't back down on that one) and Edward.

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Gingerjv · 06/08/2014 19:59

Between Miriam and Hester of course Miriam. But if you change to Esther than i vote for Esther;-)

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 06/08/2014 19:41

Hester - absolutely love it.

mathanxiety · 06/08/2014 18:47

Rofl at 'our Hezza' Grin

I like Miriam better but I prefer the Maryam version.

MTWTFSS · 06/08/2014 16:10

squoosh Are you Katie Hopkins?!?

Guin1 · 06/08/2014 16:05

Love Miriam, nn Mim.
Also like Hester. The only one I knew used the nn Hettie.

Inapickle123 · 06/08/2014 10:31

There's a character in a John Irving novel called Hester; her siblings called her Hester the molester.

Just putting it out there....

Devora · 06/08/2014 00:03

I love both, but am particularly fond of Hester (used to be my MN name!)

Castlemilk · 05/08/2014 23:46

Um, not an x-post at all- why couldn't I see that last post until I'd just posted myself??? How odd!!

Castlemilk · 05/08/2014 23:45

Aha x-post Pootle!

There you go OP.

Hetty is lovely. Now that hadn't occurred to me-so I take it back, Hester comes above Miriam in the general niceness/usability stakes.

Castlemilk · 05/08/2014 23:42

Hester has no good short form, and that is always a disadvantage.

Hessy? Hess? Hez? Our Hezza?!

Miriam is ok, but nothing special.

pootlebug · 05/08/2014 17:18

I have a Hester. Mine is usually shortened to Hetty though. I love it and wanted to use it for about 20 years before we did Smile

Squirm · 05/08/2014 17:12

Miriam sounds so dowdy and frumpy.

Hester is great. Much much better than Miriam!

How about Mirabel?

motherinferior · 05/08/2014 16:52

Miriam. Miriams rock. Tough as old boots, too. Means 'bitter' or 'rebellious'.

DramaAlpaca · 05/08/2014 16:49

I like Miriam.

Not keen on Hester, but Esther is OK.

ElizabethArdenGreenTeax · 05/08/2014 12:34

yes agree with Awombwithoutaroof, if you'd said Miriam or Honor, that would be a tougher choice! Think I'd still sa Miriam but only by a hair.

ElizabethArdenGreenTeax · 05/08/2014 12:33

Miriam is lovely.

Hester is dreadful.

riskit4abiskit · 05/08/2014 12:30

I like hester sounds a bit watership down tho

maggiethemagpie · 03/08/2014 21:36

I like Miriam. hester not too much - sounds harsh

Frikadellen · 03/08/2014 20:07

I love Hester and never liked Miriam much to be honest

AWombWithoutARoof · 03/08/2014 19:38

I love Miriam. I prefer Honor to Hester.

steppemum · 01/08/2014 23:02

we chose Miriam because in the Bible she is a leader, very strong amazing women, from child to adult, and known for singing and celebrating too.

The first rl Miriam I ever met was a child who was the most amazing ray of sunshine and laughter.

So to me it is a very strong name, which needs a strong personality.

that is dd2 to a tee!

GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt · 01/08/2014 14:53

I like Hester. Sounds like an "alternative" type of woman. A more useable Hepzibah, perhaps.

squoosh · 01/08/2014 14:48

Um yes Shovetty, I'm familiar with the Bible but am more influenced by, y'know, real people. And all the real life Miriams I've known have been awful drips.

VampireSquid · 01/08/2014 14:44

My MIL is also a Miriam. She's lovely a lot of the time but definitely not spineless...

ShovettyMcShovetty · 01/08/2014 14:42

Miriam is such a spineless, weedy name.

Are you familiar with the bible squoosh? Miriam is anything but spineless or weedy to me because of the bible and also knowing one personally who is extremely determined, intelligent and fearless.