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Baby names

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

Original poster

DH wants to use the name Chelsea. Tack galore?

133 replies

DeanaPiana · 17/04/2017 12:46

Our daughter's first name will be Athena. I want Helen (my Mum's name), as her middle name. I highly dislike multiple middle names and so does DH.

He is set on having Chelsea as the middle name. He would've had it as a first name if I agreed.

Chelsea is his football club. Chelsea is where DD will be born.

AIBU to say it's tack galore? Do you think it's tacky? She'll be born in Chelsea and her Father is Chelsea. I cannot get passed it being terribly tacky and distasteful.

Sad
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FeedTheSharkAndItWIllBite · 17/04/2017 14:20

I love Athena Helene.

Did you change his surname to his? (Is your DD getting his name?)

In this case the middle name should imo be your choice/from your side of the family.

Your mother's name, your maiden name etc....

Not a fan of Chelsea. Especially not if used for these reason. Football? Shock

intravenouscoffee · 17/04/2017 14:08

I knew a girl whose middle name was Cantona (as in Eric). So it could be worse....

Sophronia · 17/04/2017 14:06

Athena Helen is lovely. I would try to avoid using Chelsea.

NameChange30 · 17/04/2017 14:05

What poster shop?!

FWIW I think Athena and Helen are both lovely names and they work well together.

KoalaDownUnder · 17/04/2017 14:05

I have no idea about the poster shop, but Athena doesn't sound remotely stripperish to me. It's a Classical Greek name.

DayGlo · 17/04/2017 14:04

Athena is beautiful and classy to my ear. Greek Goddess.

Nobody under 40 remembers the poster shop Grin

KarmaKit · 17/04/2017 14:04

Or Diane? Athena Diane is really nice IMO. I think it's not so much the number of syllables as where the emphasis is placed. Athena Helen doesn't sound right but Athena Diane is nice.

No way to Chelsea, especially since its after a football club. Tacky, and doesn't go.

UntilTheCowsComeHome · 17/04/2017 14:03

Chelsea is tacky yet Athena isn't?!

Helen is nice, Chelsea is ok, Athena is a poster shop. Or a stripper.

NameChange30 · 17/04/2017 14:02

Did you change your surname to his after getting married? Assuming you did and your DD will have his surname too, that's from his side of the family, so it's only fair that she has a middle name from your side of the family.

Plus - I might get flamed for saying this, but I don't care - you're going through the pregnancy and birth, so you shouldn't feel you have to give the baby a name you hate, even if it is just the middle name.

2014newme · 17/04/2017 14:01

Athena is also bad. Sorry.

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 17/04/2017 14:00

Both Athena and Helen are Greek (as is Diana!) I'm always a bit envious of Helen's-she was the most beautiful woman in the world after all! All of my children have at least one Classical Greek name. I think Athena Helen is lovely Smile

coxsorangepippin · 17/04/2017 13:59

Maybe a classic one-syllable middle - Clare, Joy or Maud perhaps?

MrsMeeseeks · 17/04/2017 13:59

Under no circumstances would I allow my child to be named after a football team

Athena Helen is lovely.

Northgate · 17/04/2017 13:57

Athena Helen sounds fine to me, I don't think it's too many syllables.

I wouldnt be keen on Chelsea either. Middle name after relative trumps middle name after favourite football team IMO, but then I'm not a football fan.

If he really hates Helen, would he go for other relatives names?

Isitjustmeorisiteveryoneelse · 17/04/2017 13:55

Make it less tacky with a 'different' spelling? Tchelseee maybe? I'm joking.......
Or if he really loves the club but you can't stand the name, what about Stamford? I'm joking there too btw, I'm not helping am I?

Original poster
DeanaPiana · 17/04/2017 13:53

Rae I agree with you, the double a sounding is awful.

Not keen on any of those three middle names though and none ring home as classy and timeless to me Sad

OP posts:
RaeSkywalker · 17/04/2017 13:50

I'm not sure that Athena Diana sounds right- it's the double "na" sound that jarrs for me.

I'd go with Helen I think. Other 2 syllable names-
Zoe
Kaitlyn
Ellen

Original poster
DeanaPiana · 17/04/2017 13:50

Definitely won't be just 'going with it' BigGreen as middle names and whole named are very important to me. I cannot stand Chelsea and know I'll dislike it forever more.

Athena will 100% be her first name, just wish I had a middle name sorted since Helen is too many syllables Envy

OP posts:
BigGreenOlives · 17/04/2017 13:46

As it's a middle name so will hardly be used just go with it for entertainment value. Dd was at school with an Athena but we've never met a Chelsea.

Original poster
DeanaPiana · 17/04/2017 13:45

Thanks for backing me up!

If not Helen then what else could I use? Names like Rose and Grace bore me to tears as they're so popular.

My grandmother's name is Diana. I suppose that's too long a sounding? Any suggestions for short two syllable names that aren't overly used/classy and timeless?

DH doesn't want Helen anyway.

OP posts:
KoalaDownUnder · 17/04/2017 13:43

Grandma's name trumps football club, surely.

Also, Chelsea is tack-tastic. Helen is loads better.

BertrandRussell · 17/04/2017 13:42

Or just call her Helen Chelsea. Helen is a nuch nicer name than Athena.

BertrandRussell · 17/04/2017 13:41

Use it but tell everyone it's because of Joni Mitchell. Much more acceptable.[ grin]

Dailymaildailyfail · 17/04/2017 13:41

Chelsea is tacky but not sure Athena Helen XX works either? Athena is a gorgeous name and needs something simple as a middle name with two syllables max. Grace, Rose sound better as middle names to me!

Popskipiekin · 17/04/2017 13:40

It's not brilliant is it. If he is adamant then tbh I think I might actually be persuaded to go for the multiple middle names, despite your objections. Athena Helen Chelsea X. Your DD can always choose not to use Chelsea. I believe she can also miss it off her passport if she likes? (Others may correct me here, but I've seen it said on MN). Yes it's a bit of a gimmick but I think it's slightly less awful if there's another middle name in there to soften the blow.