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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ottilie or Mabel

54 replies

MostlyLurk · 13/07/2016 14:30

I know they are marmite names and you may well hate them both, but it's definitely got to be one or the other :)

(Apologies to anyone who knows me IRL and has had this endless debate with me, too - I just need to get a wider opinion)

So which should it be:

Ottilie - to be known as Ottie - or Mabel?

Surname is a pretty common English one that goes with most names

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SunglassesPink · 14/07/2016 01:13

Ottilie. I knew the most delightful little Ottie. Smile

squoosh · 13/07/2016 23:02

Ottie

Grin
CeeCee00 · 13/07/2016 22:45

I suggested both of these names when I was pregnant! Mabel is pretty trendy, that may be good or bad for you? I'd go for Ottilie. Ottie is a great shortened version too.

Original poster
MostlyLurk · 13/07/2016 22:43

But that's the German pronunciation.

Wouldn't it be kind of weird to do that? Like they would say charlotta for Charlotte, cloud-ia for Claudia, michayel for Michael, but we wouldn't?

OP posts:
florascotianew · 13/07/2016 22:38

Ottilie if pronounced in proper, original way: Ott -ill-ee-yah www.behindthename.com/name/ottilie . Anthing else, if not careful, just looks rather illiterate from bags of leaves (sorry, don't mean to give offence but ....).

LadyStarkOfWinterfell · 13/07/2016 21:05

Mabel
Ottilie butterly - ottilie sounds rubbish in an English accent. Mabel isn't a fave but at least it's a solid name. I really don't like beautiful European names that just get strangled by the English accent.

Liz09 · 13/07/2016 21:03

Mabel.

Because I've never heard Ottilie before; wouldn't have a clue how to spell it and I'm not even sure I'm pronouncing it correctly. Plus, as others have said, all I see is otter.

Perhaps Ophelia? Kind of similar to Ottilie, but more known.

MrsCaecilius · 13/07/2016 19:02

Ottilie! Love it.

Not keen on Mabel. Sounds dowdy to me.

NotYoda · 13/07/2016 18:41

Mabel

Ottilie is a bit "posh"

However, depending where you live (e.g. London) Mabel will become Maybaw

Nospringflower · 13/07/2016 18:25

Haha Madamepompom! Hate Mabel, think it is s really ugly old lady name so will have to go with Ottillie.

SimplyNigella · 13/07/2016 18:24

I had both names on my list had DS been a girl so clearly I love both. Why not use them both, perhaps Mabel as the middle name?

Sophronia · 13/07/2016 18:22

Definitely Mabel. Ottilie makes me think of otters.

ditsygal · 13/07/2016 16:39

Ottilie - Its a lovely name

MadameDePompom · 13/07/2016 16:36

This is like having to pick a favourite between Leadsom and May.

I'll go with Ottilie.

hels18 · 13/07/2016 16:21

If my baby is a girl, I'd love to use Ottilie! Although husband isn't as keen..

Raines100 · 13/07/2016 16:17

Ottilie is my fave. Mabel is let down by the last syllable being pronounced bull instead of belle.

LotsOfDots · 13/07/2016 15:41

Mabel. My favourite bel name I think.

caju · 13/07/2016 15:40

Ottilie doesn't even sound like a name to me. I like Mabel though.

welshweasel · 13/07/2016 15:12

I prefer it spelt Otilie but definitely better than Mabel. She'd end up being Tilly though.

DramaAlpaca · 13/07/2016 15:12

I much prefer Ottilie.

notamummy10 · 13/07/2016 15:10

Mabel makes me think of auntie Mabel from Come Outside Grin

I like Ottilie- I follow someone on social media whose daughter is called Ottilile! It's a pretty name Smile

orangebird69 · 13/07/2016 15:04

Ottilie. My friends DD is Ottilie and she's just gorgeous so I have lovely associations with that name. Mabel as a bit try hard imo.

TroysMammy · 13/07/2016 15:04

I prefer Mable but I love Maud.

PointlessUsername · 13/07/2016 15:02

Ottilie.
Pretty name.

Ilovenannyplum · 13/07/2016 15:01

Ottilie
So pretty Smile