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Baby names

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

Original poster

Velvet for a baby name?

140 replies

PlanetMJ · 10/09/2014 20:52

Hello, I am really loving the name Velvet for a girl. It has lots of lovely connotations for me from childhood being an avid fan of National and International Velvet and The Velveteen Rabbit.

I also love the Pixies song Velouria.

Am I missing something really obvious that will forever condemn future daughter to a life of cringe?

What do you think?

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Polonium · 11/09/2014 06:36

I think Velvet is lovely. Soft, cottony, luxurious and classic.

MerryMarigold · 11/09/2014 06:17

Personally I think it is cooler and more edgy than a lot of other try-hard names (yes, I think it's a bit try-hard, but hey so are many others imvho). Velvet Underground, red velvet cake, even tipping the velvet, all kind of cool associations and it does have a nice sound.

Use it as a middle name though.

BillieViper · 11/09/2014 02:29

Michael Jackson got away with Blanket.
Nicole Kidman got away with Satine.
Velouria is a fine song. I would use it as a middle name.
Velvet for me means guinness or cake. Both good.

Username12345 · 11/09/2014 02:17

Cringe.

Kittykatmacbill · 11/09/2014 00:11

No it's snort worthly awful - but you could go for a set of names Cotton, Denim or maybe nylon...

squoosh · 10/09/2014 22:59

I like it. It's the name of a heroine in a Mary Hooper book of the same name.

thewrongmans · 10/09/2014 22:59

I think there would be an awful lot of people that would make the cunnilingus connection.

Wadingthroughsoup · 10/09/2014 22:58

My first thought was: 'Don't be ridiculous'. But actually, it's growing on me a bit, to my surprise. Better as a middle name though, I reckon. However,
I guess the reactions on this thread give you an indication of the reactions you're likely to get in RL.

MrsBungle · 10/09/2014 22:52

I, too, think it sounds like a porn star name.

DinoSnores · 10/09/2014 22:52

First thought was 'National Velvet' but I thought that it was the name of the horse in the film. It has been a long time since I have seen the film, but I really hadn't remembered that Elizabeth Taylor's character was the one called Velvet.

I still wouldn't use it though.

RocksRCool · 10/09/2014 22:52

I don't like Velvet but I knew a little girl called Veloria and I liked her name (not sure of spelling). She was Italian

Footle · 10/09/2014 22:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WowserBowser · 10/09/2014 22:47

I like it

trainersandaches · 10/09/2014 22:44

I like it. I like Silver too (maybe I just want a horse!)

scarlettsmummy2 · 10/09/2014 22:38

No. Gimmicky and tacky.

MsBug · 10/09/2014 22:33

I don't like it.

I love violet, which sounds similar ish.

SouthBySouthWest · 10/09/2014 22:21

Since I was little, I have had a blanky made of velvet, so to me it has connotations of warm, um, velvety smoothness, that I want to cuddle with. All good stuff (for me) but not sure a baby (adult to be) would want that for a name.

Velma?

SanityClause · 10/09/2014 22:05

You know how lots of people hate the sound of nails down a blackboard? It makes them feel icky.

Well, velvet makes me feel like that. Just a bit uneasy.

RJnomore · 10/09/2014 22:02

I actually like velouria as a name.

FatherSpodoKomodo · 10/09/2014 21:59

A friend has a niece called Velvet and apart from thinking it's an unusual name I never thought of any of the things PPs have mentioned!

I think it's fine.

MrsCosmopilite · 10/09/2014 21:59

Velouria is an amazing song! But the name Velvet.... not so much as a first name. As a middle name, it doesn't sound so bad.

However, it is YOUR choice at the end of the day.

Laundryangel · 10/09/2014 21:53

I know a Velvet. When she was born, her parents sent the usual text around with name, weight etc. Within minutes I had several texts from mutual friends asking if I knew the actual name as predictive text had changed it to "Velvet" or that it was odd that they had announced the nickname as the actual name etc. It took us a few days to realise that Velvet was the actual name. The sniggering continues to this day. IMO, it doesn't work for all of the reasons listed above. I know a lot of babies/children with names I think are try hard & a lot with top five names and I always manage to go "how lovely [insert appropriate positive comment]" apart from with Velvet. I also try not to call her by her first name as I can't help but snigger and think"you're named after loo roll" and I'm normally quite mature!

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 10/09/2014 21:53

My mother wanted to call me Velvet, after the Liz Taylor movie. That gives a bit of a clue as to my age.

I am eternally grateful to my father who put his foot down and would not allow it.

I don't like the name I got because it's boring.

I think you can get away with more exotic or unusual names now, so I don't think it would stand out now, or attract piss taking.

ConfusedAboutStatements · 10/09/2014 21:46

My first thought was tipping the velvet

Quejica · 10/09/2014 21:45

My first thought was also tipping the velvet.