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Baby names

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

Original poster

Gretchen

31 replies

17caterpillars1mouse · 22/09/2018 09:15

Opinions on Gretchen? Possible shortening Greta

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KnotsInMay · 23/09/2018 00:15

I love Gretchen.
And Greta.

Fooferella · 23/09/2018 00:02

Sorry. When I was a teen and dabbling with smoking pot anyone who took more than their share on their turn was dubbed a 'Greedy Gretchen'. Otherwise I think it's a lovely name.

MoorMummy · 22/09/2018 23:59

Remember the classic Judy Blume book ‘ Are you there God it’s me Margaret ‘- one of her friends was called this! I don’t hate it, but nor do I love it.

MarcieBluebell · 22/09/2018 23:55

Think of real housewives gretchen weirdly.

Much prefer gretta or grettal

DramaAlpaca · 22/09/2018 23:51

It's harsh looking & sounding, and as others have said I don't like the 'retch' bit in the middle. Greta is equally hard but not quite as ugly as Gretchen. Sorry.

FogCutter · 22/09/2018 23:15

Don't like the Retch sound.

Much prefer Greta.

Singingitoverandoverandover · 22/09/2018 23:03

Recess anyone

Gretchen
EmmaC78 · 22/09/2018 22:59

Not keen sorry.

ifiwasabutterfly · 22/09/2018 19:30

Like Greta or Gretl not keen on Gretchen sorry.

Sungura · 22/09/2018 19:20

Greta is the better choice for reasons already mentioned. I have always disliked the retch in the middle of poor Gretchen. I want to like the name but just can't.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 22/09/2018 19:19

Real housewives of Orange County!

Awful name- Gretal is lovely though

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 22/09/2018 19:17

Meant to say, my cousins daughter is called Gretchen, nn Ettie.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 22/09/2018 19:16

I adore Gretchen, but it appears I'm in the minority.

LeeMiller · 22/09/2018 18:49

Just Greta is lovely. Gretchen is very harsh sounding.

NoSquirrels · 22/09/2018 12:56

I like it but I’m pretty sure it would get shortened to Gretch and that sounds ugly to me, so I wouldn’t as I’d know it would annoy me if others shortened it.

RedPencil · 22/09/2018 12:48

Makes me think of Mean Girls, and also 'retch'. Also for some reason brings to mind the names Gladys and Gertrude!

Greta is nice though

mistermagpie · 22/09/2018 11:16

I really liked Gretel for a girl but DH thought I had lost the plot. Gretchen is a bit heavy on the 'retch' for me.

Sunflower321 · 22/09/2018 11:13

Gretchen is the cute form of Greta so it would be weird nicknaming Gretchen Greta!

Sunflower321 · 22/09/2018 10:58

Absolutely awful.

Greta is nice but Gretchen is awful especially for a grown woman!

AnyaMoondial · 22/09/2018 10:50

I absolutely love it. Couldn’t convince dh sadly. Sigh.

ambostraw · 22/09/2018 10:24

Too harsh a sound for me I'm afraid.

Also, I'm in the 40+ bracket so also think of Ethel from Eastenders and her little Willy

MariaYouveGottaSeeHer · 22/09/2018 10:23

I really like it! Think it could be a bit marmite though.

lilax · 22/09/2018 10:14

First association is Mean Girls. It's an okay nameSmile

Noboozeforme · 22/09/2018 10:07

Prefer Greta or Gretel.

MinnieRabbit · 22/09/2018 09:27

My DH has never let me live down suggesting Gretchen, he refuses to believe it is a real name and really goes for it on the 'retch' bit.

I fear that your DD would face many children at school like my DH and that is what would put me off.

I still like it though.

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