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Baby names

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

Original poster

Malin for a girl?

91 replies

Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:08

Is this a bit ‘out there’ or too different? (I don’t know any youngsters with the name)

I’m half Danish, so the scandi link means it’s not completely odd, and I’ve always been a fan or the name. But I’d like honest opinions...

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RavenWings · 30/05/2018 17:54

I'm not against it as a name though, just wouldn't fly here.

ScreamingValenta · 30/05/2018 17:53

Shipping forecast name - which is no bad thing!

bridgetreilly · 30/05/2018 17:51

I would pronounce it with a short 'a' and assumed she was named after the shipping forecast.

RavenWings · 30/05/2018 17:47

The most northerly part of Ireland. I wouldn't use it because I live here and all the possible Malin Head jokes make it ridiculous.

PlumptiousBeauties · 30/05/2018 17:20

My family are Finnish, so I wouldn't think to associate Malin with the negative French connotation - I know a lot of Swedish-speaking Finns with that name. I like it.

ShmooBooMoo · 30/05/2018 17:18

I like it a lot. What do you think of Merle? I've always like that too (I think it translates as blackbird in French which is quite nice).

Original poster
Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 17:17

Thank you to those with a little decorum and class who managed to withhold themselves from completely embarrassing themselves.

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Original poster
Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 17:15

I think calling me a bitch goes beyond ‘honest opinion’ and into the realms of unnecessary rudeness. If you don’t like the name, it’s fine, I asked for opinions...not narrow minded cruelty-asking about names is often the business of pregnant and hormonal women, do a little common decency would save the reputation of this reviled site.

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MyOtherProfile · 30/05/2018 17:11

Clearly a lot of people associate it with malin in French, I guess because so many people here do speak at least a bit of french. If it was a positive or at least neutral connotation I would ignore it but it is so negative (mean, evil, nasty) that for me that would be a no.

AuntieStella · 30/05/2018 17:09

"Perhaps we could meet when she’s born and you could call me what you like to my face...? No? Toddle off then"

I think you misunderstand the value of MN baby names threads. It's where you'll get people's real opinions, not what politeness demands they say or do in RL.

I would manage to greet you and your daughter in such a way that you'd never know that I was wondering why you chose a shipping area.

MrsSchadenfreude · 30/05/2018 17:05

It means malignant, in French, I think. Also very close to the Polish word for raspberry.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 30/05/2018 17:03

Don't love it if I'm honest. My first thought was it sounds like a fish.

Original poster
Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:58

Sorry billybigballs123, I don’t understand what you mean. Thank you for your comment. It doesn’t mean ‘evil’ any more than the name Damien or Seth, which are both very popular names.

Your perspective comes from a fairly narrow view, but I understand. Bless you. It’s not necessary for you to resort to profanities, but I’m touched that you are passionate about how I name my child. Perhaps we could meet when she’s born and you could call me what you like to my face...? No? Toddle off then Smile

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TroubledLichen · 30/05/2018 16:47

Even if it is also a name in Sweden that doesn’t stop it from also being a word with a nasty (pardon the pun) meaning in France. It may not bother you, go ahead and use it if you like! But you can’t claim it’s not French as it is very much a word in the French language.

Clarabumps · 30/05/2018 16:43

A woman at my gym has a daughter called Mallin and I really like it. The wee girl looks Scandinavian so I think that helps. I love it.

Flexoset · 30/05/2018 16:41

Roseandrose GrinGrinGrin

BookThiefBlue · 30/05/2018 16:41

I like the name. A friend of mine has the same name but it's spelt, 'Mallen'. She is mainly known as Mal, and very rarely uses the full name.

Billybigballs123 · 30/05/2018 16:40

Nope. Means evil/devil so if you have a child and give it that name I’d say you’re a bit of a bitch. That child will have to live with that forever. I may be flamed (like a kid with that name would be tbh), but I believe in being honest even if it is brutal.

Madbengalmum · 30/05/2018 16:39

Reminds me, love island is on soon!

swimmerlab · 30/05/2018 16:37

When I say it out loud it sounds like marlin, so my association is with fish!

RoseAndRose · 30/05/2018 16:37

You could have a fishy theme - Shannon and Bailey would work nicely. Wouldn't advise Dogger

Original poster
Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:37

“Norwegian and Swedish short form of Magdalena. Pronounced: MAH-lin. The meaning of the name Malin is ''woman from magdala''

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Original poster
Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:35

Thanks all, even the rather derogatory comments have hardened my resolve! 😂 I love it even more!!

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Original poster
Sessy19 · 30/05/2018 16:34

It’s not French, so the French association to ‘nasty’ doesn’t bother me

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Flexoset · 30/05/2018 16:32

Sorry - I also read it as "nasty" in French or malign/malignant in English.