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Baby names

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

Original poster

Deirdre or Daphne, can't decide which. Deirdre Ann, or Daphne Helen.

118 replies

Sylviet · 17/10/2014 04:23

These are the front runners at the moment, would appreciate your thoughts.

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YonicScrewdriver · 17/10/2014 18:40

Darla? Drusilla?

Grin
YonicScrewdriver · 17/10/2014 18:39

I like Evadne.

Deirdre just hasn't "come back" IMO, neither has Mavis, say, but Matilda has.

Original poster
Sylviet · 17/10/2014 18:37

Nyree is a sweet name. Dana sounds like a brand of bacon.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sylviet · 17/10/2014 18:36

Love Daphne du Maurier! Evadne is an interesting name.

Enid, I just straight away think 'Blyton"!

Can I ask, how do you think people got called Deirdre at all, ever, if it is, as suggested here, just objectively an awful name?

OP posts:
AWombWithoutAFoof · 17/10/2014 18:32

Deirdre is just awful, it's clunking, plain and beige. Like Bridget, Una and Brenda.

Daphne you might just get away with if DD has a long neck, incredible poise and a habit of driving open topped sports cars about whilst wearing a chiffon scarf round her head. Otherwise you may as well name her Evadne or Enid.

bouncingbelle · 17/10/2014 18:13

I went to school (18 years ago) with two Deirdre's (actually, both Deirdre Ann!) and neither liked their name even then. It's just not a very pretty name IMO, especially nowadays when children have way funkier names than we ever did!

Daphne would also be laughed at where I live but acceot it could be quite cool in some circles.

What about Nyree or Dana?

Sophronia · 17/10/2014 17:49

Daphne Helen

RoseTheHat · 17/10/2014 13:22

Another vote for Daphne - I love it, has anyone mentioned Du Maurier yet?

You can be as cool and hipster as you like OP but Deirdre is a step too far Grin

Original poster
Sylviet · 17/10/2014 13:16

When did Deirdre become so unpopular!

Della, I dont like at all. Sounds like a cream cheese product.

OP posts:
Methe · 17/10/2014 13:14

Deirdre would be cruel!

Daphne is alright :)

Della is lovely.

TempsPerdu · 17/10/2014 13:13

Deirdre is awful - harsh sounding, and indelibly associated with Corrie for me (even though I don't watch it!)

Daphne on the other hand is really nice. Agree it's quite a lot to live up to, but I like the mythological link and it sounds quite cool and retro.

Daphne Helena is lovely (although personally I'd be tempted to reverse them, as I prefer Helena).

ireallydontlikemonday · 17/10/2014 12:13

I met an adorable Daphne the other week, hadn't ever considered it but loved it.

Deirdre is just awful, dreary Deirdre I'm afraid.

Original poster
Sylviet · 17/10/2014 12:09

I don't think anyone here at all likes the name Deirdrie. It's not often you get a consensus!

I've never heard of the agony column, where is that?

OP posts:
YonicScrewdriver · 17/10/2014 11:49

Or Della?

YonicScrewdriver · 17/10/2014 11:49

It's not just Corrie, it's the Dear Deirdre agony column. In the uk i think all would say deer-dree

How about Dervla?

FelixFelix · 17/10/2014 11:46

I really like Daphne. It sounds a bit retro to me. Deirdre is not good. I don't like it at all.

squoosh · 17/10/2014 11:45

It's less granny chic and more nosy neighbour who'd tell your mum if she saw you talking to a boy.

Yep!

Ludways · 17/10/2014 11:45

I have a friend Daphne, who has never had her name shortened. She is stunning so the name is pretty cool to me.

wigglesrock · 17/10/2014 11:41

I quite like Daphne, I don't like Deirdre at all. I wouldn't think of Corrie so much, but it's very old fashioned and not in it'll be cool again way. I'm in NI and I know quite a few, they all dislike their name - always did. It's less granny chic and more nosy neighbour who'd tell your mum if she saw you talking to a boy.

Jazzhandsrule · 17/10/2014 11:36
Shock
Original poster
Sylviet · 17/10/2014 11:34

I'm glad some of you like Daphne! Daphne Helena is definitely a possibility.

I would say we are a cool hipsterish family, yes. We don't watch TV and hadn't thought that a soap opera character could actually have so much clout ?

Do you think you all so negative about Deirdre because of coronation street?
We thought if it as an Irish name pronounced Deerdra.

OP posts:
squoosh · 17/10/2014 10:35

Deirdre isn't pronounced Deer-dree á la Corrie, it's actually pronounced Deer-dra. Not crazy about it though and if you're in the UK people would think you were naming here in honour of La Barlow. If you're in Ireland they won't.

jasper · 17/10/2014 10:06

Daphne Jean?

jasper · 17/10/2014 10:05

Daphne, utterly wonderful! you'd be bold to call a child that but I am all for resurrecting the name Daphne.

Daphne Broon is a LEGEND !!!

Wishyouwould · 17/10/2014 09:54

Neither. Probably the worst two first names I've heard. So many lovely names around too. Each to their own I guess.