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Baby names

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

Original poster

Maisie dilemma

36 replies

Bellyrub1980 · 16/09/2014 12:33

I'm pretty certain that we will call our next daughter Maisie. I've had mixed reactions (both online and IRL) due to it being 'cutesy/childish/nicknamey/mouse/dog' but the truth is we cannot agree on any other name.

DP's firm favourite is Madeline/Maddie, which I'm not really that keen on. My favourite is Jessie/Jess which DP likes but is not keen that on. After trawling through 3 A-Z books this really is the only name that we both immediately said 'Ooh I like that!'

One of the reasons I like it is because our surname is very masculine and not at all graceful. I feel Maisie helps to pretty it up a bit.

Plus I've always seen Maisie as an old traditional Scottish name (although I realise it has become very popular recently so people assume it's modern) so for me has never sounded Twee, but maybe a bit 'old lady' which I kind of like.

I guess my dilemma is that lots of people don't seem to like it. So I'm wondering if maybe I'm making a huge mistake?!

Jessie would be safer and I really love it (it has sentimental value for me), but I don't want to force a name on DP that he's a bit unfussed about.

Maybe if we went for Jessica Madeline?? Is that a bit of a mouthful?!

(I think I'm going a bit mental!)

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Vintagejazz · 18/09/2014 15:44

I always assumed my grandmother's full name was Margaret - shortened to Maisie. But apparently it was Mary Ann.
But I agree, it was traditionally a nickname for Margaret.

Original poster
Bellyrub1980 · 18/09/2014 07:10

Vintage, I don't think most people realise that it's an old traditional name. People assume it's short for Margaret, it's not, it's a derivative of Margaret. And because of it's sound (probably the ie ending) people assume it's a modern version of a made-up name.

I love the fact that it's an old Scottish name, it will fit perfectly with DP's very harsh/blunt traditional Scottish surname and lighten it up a bit.

I've been reading through other posts where other names I like are being given a total bashing so I'm not too worried about the reaction here on Maisie anymore. Each to their own. It would be boring if we all liked the same names. We'd all be called Olivia and Amelia!! I think we'll probably go for Maisie unless she really looks like a Madeline or Jessie :)

OP posts:
Vintagejazz · 17/09/2014 16:20

My grandmother's name was Maisie. I think of it as one of those 'old lady' names that has become very fashionable in recent years. It's just as popular as names like Lily, Ruby, Edie and Ethel and they seem to be very well liked on here.

OldCatLady · 17/09/2014 01:12

I like the name Maisie but I know a lot of people really dislike it. Have you thought about daisy? Similar in that it's pretty and same sound but I think generally is better received!

Original poster
Bellyrub1980 · 17/09/2014 01:00

Ok so fairly equal positive and negative reactions. Which is better than I had before to be fair!!

She will more than likely be a Maisie unless we look at her and she doesn't look like one. I'm sure she will make the name her own as she grows up... :)

Now just to find a middle name....

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Kaekae · 16/09/2014 23:59

I think Maisie is fine. I would never ever worry about the Madeline McCann issue if going for Madeline. It is a nice name and should be used.

DramaAlpaca · 16/09/2014 23:54

I'm another in the disliking Maisie camp. It's just too cutesy for me.

On the other hand, I love Jessica Madeline, or even Madeline Jessica.

If you like Jess & Jessie but not Jessica, what about Jessamine as an alternative?

Quadsontheway · 16/09/2014 23:44

Maisie is nice but I prefer Jessica Madeleine although some times it's better to have a shorter middle name if the first name is quite long. If you do choose Maisie I like Maisie Joy or Maisie Kate, Jessica Maisie is also super cute

I'm currently expecting quads at the moment but I'm yet to find out the genders so I am short listing from these names, I'm aware that some of them are quite unusual but I don't want them to be one of 4 kids in the same class with the same name. I'm open to all honest opinions before I choose the final 4:

Girls
Anarchy "Ana" "Annie" Jessica Ellen
Avia
Cara
Emilia Valentina
January "Jani" Nicolette
Josslyn
Joy-Anna
Kendall Kate
Madison "Maddie"
Nova
Rebel
Sophia

Tyler/Tylar
Vienna
Xanthe

Boys
Chai
Daxton
Felix
Gage
Jonah
Jedediah
Jeremiah
Kennedy
Palmer
Phoenix
Wyatt Jett Everett
Xavier
Zac

all the names need to flow with our surname Carter-Hunt

squeak2392 · 16/09/2014 23:25

Sorry, I'm in the camp that hates the name Maisie...

But let's be honest - Maisie has become one of those names that will probably be seen at least twice in every year in school. The people she grows up with will see it as a perfectly normal name.

Alternatively, it's an old nn for Mary/Margaret, so you could use something like that to stave the haters off and give her the choice of something less cutesie when she's older.

If you do decide against it - I love Madeline, and Jessica is nice. Jessica Madeline works very well.

In conclusion: I much prefer Madeline/Jessica, but if you do go for Maisie, I don't think it'll cause her any problems, except with judgemental parents/teachers. By the time she's old enough for a job interview it'll be pretty mainstream.

Lunastarfish · 16/09/2014 16:43

I think Jessica Madeline is absolutely fine. Maisie Madeline is better though!

cherrybombxo · 16/09/2014 15:54

JRT is Jack Russell Terrier. I have one of those too, but we call him our Jack Russell Terror Wink

Bowlersarm · 16/09/2014 15:49

Maisie is a lovely name.

Original poster
Bellyrub1980 · 16/09/2014 15:45

Is a JRT a type of dog?

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Original poster
Bellyrub1980 · 16/09/2014 15:45

I really like Jessie and Jess. Jessica is lovely too but it's Jessie for me.

My DP likes Jessie too but doesn't LOVE it. He loves Madeline (spelt that way too, not the French way). We both like Maisie, so I guess with that common ground it's the default choice.

I can see all the reasons for not liking it, I just don't share the same view I suppose.

It's strange, I literally don't know a single person or animal called Maisie. Maybe it's this area? So haven't ever been influenced by a particular person.

I really wish I liked Madeline more.

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chickensaresafehere · 16/09/2014 15:32

My JRT is called Maisie,or Maiz for short.
My 14 yr old daughter has a friend at school called Maisie,which causes lots of jokes when she says ,me,Karen,Vicky & Maisie are going to the cinema tonight'!!!Grin

AWombWithoutAFoof · 16/09/2014 15:30

I think Madeleine is beautiful, it reminds me of the doll in Bagpuss, serene and lovely.

Milmingebag · 16/09/2014 15:30

It's in the same category as Gertrude and Mavis.

How about reviving Queenie? Grin

squoosh · 16/09/2014 15:21

Personally I think Maisie is the least pretty of all the names you mention, it's got such a harsh sound.

Jessie/Madeleine are much, much better options.

cherrybombxo · 16/09/2014 14:39

My name is Jessica and I get called Jess - I love my name and people always comment on how pretty it is. I guess I'm biased on that one Wink

I know someone who has a daughter called Maisie and while it's adorable on a four year old, I can't imagine a high flying executive called Maisie. I think it's a cat's name, sadly.

Original poster
Bellyrub1980 · 16/09/2014 14:34

I don't think he can see beyond a little girl with ringlets singing nursery rhymes to be honest!! Haha!

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AWombWithoutAFoof · 16/09/2014 14:18

I love Jess but can't bear Jessica, for some reason.

I'd take your DP to task about wanting a 'cute' name, what happens if she grows up to be a hefty lump with a Jimmy Greaves chin?

Original poster
Bellyrub1980 · 16/09/2014 13:57

Aw that's lovely! Thank you for the positive replies! I am pregnant and due in one month so feel the pressure is increasing to pick a final choice!

Good to hear of some grown up Maisie's too (Hello to the Maisie who posted!)

Yay! Thank you x

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Lewismummy2202 · 16/09/2014 13:23

I think Maisie is lovely - go for it!

Legionofboom · 16/09/2014 13:04

If you love the name Maisie then go for it.

She will make it her own and once people start to associate it with her rather than a mouse or a dog and forget they ever didn't like it.

Tvseemstobemyhobby · 16/09/2014 12:57

I know a Maisie, just 1. Lovely name but the Maisy books may cause her some confusion later ha ha.
I really like Jessie actually. Sorry no help at all.