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Baby names

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

Original poster

Penelope or India

55 replies

WillDoMama · 25/02/2018 22:57

Which one do you like?
I like both and recently became fond of Penelope.
DH loves India but not Penelope.

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JenniferMargaret · 26/02/2018 18:36

Today it's like I'm living in a different country. I've never met any matching kids, families with 4,5, 6 DC or any DC called Afrika.

JenniferMargaret · 26/02/2018 18:20

I haven't ever heard it. Major city, 2 DC in school. I just looked at it's not even in top 100, I would think it very unusual if I heard it.

FuckyDucky · 26/02/2018 18:08

I know siblings India and Asia. India is much nicer than Penelope.
I really don’t like the name Penelope (sorry Penelopes of the world)

Original poster
WillDoMama · 26/02/2018 18:02

JenniferMargaret We know three Afrikas, they spell it with a K and I was surprised to hear it as well but it is not unusual there at all. It is not the trendiest name like Sophia, Noa and Alba but an established name nevertheless

Ninjago point taken on those 2 name examples 😊 India though in the same sense originates from a word meaning river or stream in Sanskrit...

If this name choice though means we have to discuss this with many people around like here, then maybe it is not the one for us... isn’t it an established name though? Is it not a name that has been used for years in the UK? How about India Wilkes in Gone with the Wind. It is not that it is a name that people decided now in modern times to give to their children like Chicago surely

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Cosmoa · 26/02/2018 17:59

India is a lovely name, I know/know of quite a few India's from the UK. You certainly don't need a connection.. Other than liking the name! None of the India's I know are pretentious... People say the most ridiculous things on this forum!!!

Penelope is also a really lovely name... Im quite eclectic with my taste also. But if you both like India, go for that one Smile

JenniferMargaret · 26/02/2018 16:09

I dislike Penelope, but India just reminds me of that not very nice one that was on big brother recently and that bitch Katie Hopkins now.

NameChangeDestroyer · 26/02/2018 15:57

I'd much rather be called India than Penelope. I can't stand Penny or Nel

JenniferMargaret · 26/02/2018 15:04

Africa for example, a common name in Spain

Confused Never heard of it here.
2 DC at school, by far it's all Sophia, Alba and Noa.

NinjagoNinja · 26/02/2018 13:05

The name Florence isn't from the Italian city. It's a name in its own right, after St Florentia. It's from the Latin word florens meaning to flower or blossom.

The name Sienna is usually spelled with "nn". It is distinct from the Italian city. It means reddish brown. My dad had a car in burnt sienna - it was orange really.

India doesn't have a meaning distinct from the country. I'm sure it does means something, whoever gave the country its name must have had some inspiration but to all intents and purposes, the baby name simply refers to the country.

lynmilne65 · 26/02/2018 12:54

Indiana

Original poster
WillDoMama · 26/02/2018 12:13

PutYourSlippersOn I can understand your logic on India but I don’t think that people name their kids always because of a connection to a place or a person. I don’t think all the girls for example named Florence or Siena have been to those towns or even in Italy itself, they just like how a name sounds. I have also met many girls named Africa for example, a common name in Spain who have never been there either...

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PutYourSlippersOn · 26/02/2018 11:55

I'm not keen on India. If you have no connection to the country, I don't know why you would name your child after it.

Penelope is lovely but very popular at the minute in footballers' circles. It's a classic, pretty name but I think it's going to become very overused, just like Luna.

midsomermurderess · 26/02/2018 11:20

Penelope, for sure.

Sophronia · 26/02/2018 09:22

Penelope

Original poster
WillDoMama · 26/02/2018 07:34

Seems India is winning although it does sound like a controversial name too.
Windchimesabotage I know what you mean but there are also beautiful things about India too like beautiful textiles and colourful clothing and amazing food. It also means river I read so if we did choose it, that will be what we will choose it for. There is always a beautiful side to things too 😉
Ningago we are not Indian and do live in the UK. Our family though is from all over Europe and we are kind of an International family ifkwim.
I was not expecting people not to like Penelope though, as I thought it is more of a mainstream name that most people would love

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BedtimeTea · 26/02/2018 07:21

You both ought to like the name of your daughter.

sandgrown · 26/02/2018 01:13

Love the name India. If DS had been DD he would have been India.

MrsDrSpencerReid · 26/02/2018 01:10

I know two India’s, both very pretty, very smart and both incredibly good at sports! Smile

SuperBeagle · 26/02/2018 00:55

I don't like India at all. I agree with others that it's a bit of an odd name choice.

I like Penelope, but don't think you can have a name your husband doesn't like.

ChocolateCrunch · 26/02/2018 00:24

India is a lovely name. Not keen on Penelope, especially nn Penny.

scotchpie · 25/02/2018 23:52

MisMoo, why so nasty? Couldn't you just say you don't like the name!

lucylouuu · 25/02/2018 23:46

india! i love it but agree with pp with " india penelope "

windchimesabotage · 25/02/2018 23:45

I think Penelope is beautiful!
India sounds lovely but I am a bit against place names... especially non western place names on western kids (im assuming youre in the uk?) As it seems a bit, i dunno, 'off'
Particularly as India the country has had a somewhat troubled history with the uk... and also seems a bit off to use the name of a country which has some issues with womens rights as the name of a girl. I mean if you love i then use it but I think thats all something to factor in maybe. I know its also a very highly used girls name so it doesnt always make people think of the actual country.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 25/02/2018 23:41

. Penelope and India. You do have a very varied style of name choices. You couldn't get two more extremes if you tried.
However although they've very different I do think they compliment on an other.
How about using both names
India Penelope.

HuskyMcClusky · 25/02/2018 23:38

India.

I’m not a massive fan, but it’s by default as I loathe Penelope.