Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

My shortlists

33 replies

Queazy · 01/05/2015 15:13

Your thoughts on these please - thanks so much Smile

Boys - Ben, Alexander, Robert, James

Girls - Alice, Otillie, Polly, Madeleine, Juliette, Felicity, Beatrix, Lucy

I like traditional/classic but not overly common names

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
ch1134 · 03/05/2015 10:27

I like Lucy and Ben.

IvoryMadonna · 02/05/2015 12:51

I've met a Dutch Paulina. I think it's a lovely name. Isn't there one in Shakespeare somewhere?

florascotia · 02/05/2015 12:29

Traditionally, Polly was a nickname for Mary.

I once met a very nice half-Greek Paulina.

I would pronounce Ottilie the original (ie German/Austrian) way: Ot-teel-ee-uh.

AndWhenYouGetThere · 02/05/2015 12:09

Juliet Alice and Robert Alexander.

I don't think you need the extra -te on the end of Juliet, that tips it over to frilly territory for me.

cherrypez · 01/05/2015 22:38

Great taste OP...I have a 7 year old Polly, wanted Juliet for this baby but DP vetoed so we have agreed on Felicity for DD due in July. Polly is classic, never been in fashion so can't go out of fashion, I've only met one other in my life and she's in her 20s.

CoodleMoodle · 01/05/2015 21:57

James and Alice, but biased as DH is James and DD's middle name is Alice Smile

longestlurkerever · 01/05/2015 21:30

Ooh a French Pauline could be very glamorous. Pauline was used as an example of a dated name unlikely to make a comeback on the Barbara thread. It similarly has a very different feel in a European accent.

IvoryMadonna · 01/05/2015 21:09

No, well I suppose it's because I used to know a Pauline whose Dad used to call her Polly as a pet name. French Paul- names do sound more like Polly.

heliotrope · 01/05/2015 20:22

It's usually 'Ottilie' I think. I like Alexander and Beatrix

longestlurkerever · 01/05/2015 20:08

Yes, sorry, I wasn't saying you shouldn't have suggested them. Just offering my (unasked for, admittedly) opinion about them. Am not mad keen on Polly personally tbh, but the OP is, and those names to me don't sound very similar in feel.

IvoryMadonna · 01/05/2015 19:56

longestlurkerever

OP asked the question "What could Polly be short for, or isn't it a shortened form of anything?"

I answered the question to the best of my knowledge. I wasn't recommending any of the names. Whether they are "great alternatives to Polly" or not is purely subjective. You clearly don't like them, but others might.

longestlurkerever · 01/05/2015 18:19

I know a little Penny (just Penny I think) and a little Penelope known as Poppy.

Sophronia · 01/05/2015 18:14

I like Beatrix (prefer Beatrice), Alice, Robert, James and Alexander.

Original poster
Queazy · 01/05/2015 18:13

Thanks again - I had thought of Penny but not sure if it is more old fashioned than classic? No offence intended to any Penny's. I do love the name.

I agree, if I want a Polly, I need to use that name. Not sure how it would go down with family, as it's pretty unusual. Most of my names are pretty mainstream.

This thread has made me realise I do like Robert more than I thought tho!

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 01/05/2015 18:08

There's nothing wrong with any of them. I like Alice best and Robert and Alexander.

longestlurkerever · 01/05/2015 18:05

Penelope could have short form Polly too maybe?

stillsingingintherain · 01/05/2015 17:59

I like James & Polly. Have you thought of Penelope (Penny)

longestlurkerever · 01/05/2015 17:57

Hmm. Those names aren't great alternatives to Polly though are tgey?I am all ffor alternatives if they are nice names but not if it means saddling your gorgeous newborn with a random name like Pauline that you never would have chosen if it didn't happen to be etymologically linked to your preferred name.

IvoryMadonna · 01/05/2015 17:53

Meant to add - Polly can be a nn for Pauline, Paulina, Paula, Paulette etc

IvoryMadonna · 01/05/2015 17:51

Pollyanna. (And yes, I do know one!)

longestlurkerever · 01/05/2015 17:50

queasy I read the other day that it's a variant of molly so is short for mary and (maybe?) Margaret. It's not obvious though. If you want polly to stick you might have to have just Polly.

Original poster
Queazy · 01/05/2015 17:42

Thanks so much everyone - really appreciate your responses, and ideas for de-frilling some names (that had worried me too).

What could Polly be short for, or isn't it a shortened form of anything?

OP posts:
MiddleAgeMiddleEngland · 01/05/2015 17:37

I prefer Benedict to Benjamin.

Robert is a lovely name.

Of the girls names, I like Polly best.

Blondie87 · 01/05/2015 16:51

Boys: Alexander and Ben (Benjamin)

I love Polly and Felicity!

TempsPerdu · 01/05/2015 16:33

Really like Alexander - strong and classic, lots of good short versions etc. Not a fan of your other boys' names though.

Of your girls' list I love Alice and Ottilie and like Juliet, but with this spelling (less frilly!) The rest are OK but not my style.