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Baby names

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

Original poster

Do I go with the safe or contentious name?

108 replies

Rjd13 · 07/09/2018 19:19

A few weeks ago I posted about the name Tabitha. It’s my favourite but the response on MN was mixed and the reaction from my nearest and dearest even worse.

My OH and I had originally picked the name Ivy before we thought of Tabitha, but we’re worried that it’s too common and similar to your Ava’s and Evie’s etc

So my question is do I go with the name that is a bit more unusual but often disliked, or the one that is more liked but also more used? We love both but we are struggling to settle!

Tabitha Jane/Tabitha Rose

Or

Ivy Elizabeth?

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minnierose3 · 08/09/2018 17:15

Ahh people can be mean on here, Tabitha is lovely go for it. Xx

Shadow1234 · 08/09/2018 16:07

Unfortunately, Tabitha would not be for me. I know 2 people
Who have cats called tabitha, and at a later stage it might get
Shortened to Tabby! (Which sounds even more like a cat!!!
So sorry, just my opinion. I have a niece called Ivy, and didnt like
It initially, but the name has grown on me a bit. Ivy out of the two, if thats what youve narrowed it down to. Good luck!

toomanyeastereggsurghh · 08/09/2018 13:42

I love love love Tabitha and Tabby as nn is super cute. Stick to your guns.
Not so keen on Ivy.

starsandstuff · 08/09/2018 13:36

Tabitha Rose is gorgeous and is clearly the name of a fantastically interesting and creative person. Do it!! Grin

ElioElioElio · 08/09/2018 13:29

I prefer Tabitha, and the nickname Tabby is lovely as well. Personally I find the name Ivy quite ugly. (sorry to any Ivys, it just has a rather harsh sound / connotation to me!)

KnotsInMay · 08/09/2018 13:19

I love Tabitha.

Don’t discuss baby names with wider family before birth!

Pebblesandfriends · 08/09/2018 13:17

I personally love Tabitha. It is beautiful and has character. Others may hate it. You should go with what you want, everyone has an opinion, but yours and your DH's is the only one that matters.

Cindie943811A · 08/09/2018 13:13

I prefer Tabitha.
I really can’t understand why Ivy is so popular because the plant is so unpleasant. It is extremely invasive and difficult to eradicate, breaks down fences and damages walls, the flowers attract wasps and I (and probably many others) are allergic to the pollen. If one leaf breaks off it can grow roots and take off. Plant/flowers names automatically make one think othe orig when you meet someone so surely you want a pleasant association? Plus there is the negative saying of “like a clinging ivy”

WhyIsntGeorgeCalledPeterOrPaul · 08/09/2018 12:25

The thing is, any well-liked name is obviously going to be more common. And any less common name is obviously going to be less universally liked!

If you want to use a not-so-common name, you have to accept some people won't like it. That's ok. Not everyone has to like it, and at the end of the day it's just a name.

My best friend gave her DS1 a name that in my opinion is not a nice name at all! (it's about 400th in the UK list). But it doesn't change my relationship with her or her son in the slightest. And I don't even think about it any more, it's just his name.

MountainsPlease · 08/09/2018 12:19

Tabitha.
In the nicest possible way your mum has nothing to do with naming your child. This is why people announce the name when baby is here. You can choose to call them “poopoohead” if you want and the response should be “that’s nice”. Honestly stop discussing and running makes past family.
You want Tabitha so that’s what she’ll be.

MikeUniformMike · 08/09/2018 12:16

Don't like Ivy

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 08/09/2018 11:54

Tabitha all the way Smile. Much classiet than Ivy.

kettleonplease · 08/09/2018 11:51

I do like the name Tabitha but I have to say it does remind me of a cat. Much prefer Tabitha Rose, Jane was the go to middle name for anyone born in the 70s/80s.
Ivy also a lovely name.

deptfordgirl · 08/09/2018 11:46

Love love love Tabitha. I was going to go for it for my little girl but like you was put off by the marmite reactions to it. In some ways I wish I'd stuck with it although there is now a Tabitha on MIC which might reinforce it's reputation as being posh. Ivy is very pretty as well but definitely on the up.

primoestate · 08/09/2018 11:30

Adore Tabitha

cttontail · 08/09/2018 11:01

Tabitha Jane (TJ) is a great name!

TatianaLarina · 08/09/2018 10:21

Tabitha hands down and stop involving your mum.

HollowTalk · 08/09/2018 10:03

Presumably your mum chose your name? She should let you choose your baby's name without interfering or criticising.

DameSylvieKrin · 08/09/2018 09:57

If both parents like it, it's not contentious. Naming your baby isn't a democratic process for the whole family. Do they all have perfect names, or are there some 70s/80s shockers among them?
Pick the name you love the most.

dancingunicorns123 · 08/09/2018 09:49

Tabitha

Plumsofwrath · 08/09/2018 00:55

Tabitha Rose is lovely.

I actually know an Ivy Elizabeth. She’s a 92yo great grandmother!

LucyFox · 08/09/2018 00:54

I far prefer Ivy! It’s not cutesy & will suit a child or adult yet isn’t as common as Rose or Daisy. My great-gran was Ivy so I may be a bit biased but I do think it is classier, especially paired with Elizabeth Tabitha is quite cutesy and far trendier than Ivy, though it really does depend on your surname.

yetanothernane · 07/09/2018 23:07

Ivy Elizabeth gets my vote!

Not a fan of Tabitha, but if you like it, You could always go Tabitha with a nn of Thea if you feel Tabitha is a bit unusual for your area?

Sophronia · 07/09/2018 22:56

Definitely Tabitha Jane.

strawberrypenguin · 07/09/2018 22:45

Tabitha. Great name, not very common but still well known.