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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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DollyWilde · 07/09/2018 19:48

Ooh you and I have similar taste, both are on our shortlist (along with Iris, Bryony, and others).

I vote Tabitha, it’s unusual but it’s not ridiculous. Very biased though as I love it!

dracolovesharry · 07/09/2018 19:47

Tabitha

Ivy is awful

TheVanguardSix · 07/09/2018 19:45

Tabitha Rose

SpottingTheZebras · 07/09/2018 19:45

I love the name Tabitha.

steppemum · 07/09/2018 19:44

I love Tabitha, it is a pretty name.
Only thing is to me it is really a cat name, shortened to Tabby, and for a tabby cat.

I like it as a girl's name, but not sure I could get past the cat association.

grasspigeons · 07/09/2018 19:43

I prefer tabitha

serenmoon · 07/09/2018 19:40

I’d go with Tabitha, I think it’s much nicer than Ivy.

margaurette · 07/09/2018 19:38

Tabitha Jane!

shirleyschmidt · 07/09/2018 19:37

Love Ivy, simple and pretty. I don't like Tabitha at all - it sounds harsh to my ears somehow - but prefer Tabitha Jane to Tabitha Rose.

gggrrrargh · 07/09/2018 19:34

Tabitha is lovely!

Bluebiscuits · 07/09/2018 19:32

Definitely prefer Tabitha

JaretsGirlfren · 07/09/2018 19:32

Tabitha, I love it

changedagain67 · 07/09/2018 19:32

I like Ivy.

abbie7 · 07/09/2018 19:32

I prefer Ivy! Not too keen on Tabitha but I like Tabby as a nn x

Original poster
Rjd13 · 07/09/2018 19:31

Wow I wasn’t expecting this reaction - will def be getting my Mum to read this thread Grin

I don’t know any Tabitha’s and think it’s quite unusual in our area (s.wales) but as a FTM maybe it’s just unusual to me

OP posts:
BertBox · 07/09/2018 19:30

I love love love Tabitha - cant ever use it as it's atrocious with our surname, so use it for me!

Mindchilder · 07/09/2018 19:30

I prefer Tabitha, Ivy is getting pretty common.

ConsiderHerWaysAndOthers · 07/09/2018 19:30

Much prefer Tabitha to Ivy. But just my personal opinion, if you prefer Ivy then go with that. As for middle names I prefer Jane to Rose but it doesn’t overly matter; both nice names and middle names are so rarely said anyway!

CloudCaptain · 07/09/2018 19:29

I prefer Tabitha. Really don't like Ivy. But, once you've decided don't let on to the family until she is born. It's not their choice to make.

EmergencyUndercrackers · 07/09/2018 19:27

I love Tabitha. Not keen on Ivy at all and think it's very 'of the moment'.

Downeyhouse · 07/09/2018 19:27

I adore Tabitha Rose

Tabitha is much softer than Ivy.

Move2WY · 07/09/2018 19:26

Tabitha is lovely. I love it

Sleephead1 · 07/09/2018 19:26

I love Tabitha and would defiantly go for that

firsttime17 · 07/09/2018 19:26

I prefer Ivy... Not keen on Tabitha sorry x

sirmione16 · 07/09/2018 19:26

Ivy was our choice if it were a girl so I'm biased here. Both are beautiful though