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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is this name too bonkers?

67 replies

EttieBettie · 09/01/2019 12:38

Hello
I really love the girl’s name Purdey (as in The Avengers). It feels cool and 70s and kick-ass to me.
What do you think? Does anyone know any one called Purdey?
Thanks!

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Sophronia · 09/01/2019 14:38

It sounds like a funny way of saying pretty.

Phebes · 09/01/2019 14:27

I know a Perdy, but she’s a cocker spaniel Grin

Not a fan for a human I’m afraid, it sounds like someone saying “pretty” in a silly voice to me. Not much substance to it.

YoloTF · 09/01/2019 14:01

It reminds me of that yellow cartoon bird, tweety pie. Loved that cartoon

PregnantSea · 09/01/2019 13:57

I've known a few dogs called Purdey, but tbf I think this is just because they were retrievers/gun dogs and obviously Purdey is a type of gun. I think most people would think of the gun when they heard the name, so I guess that's a good or bad thing depending on your own tastes/beliefs. Personally I think it's very unusual but a pretty cool name.

DramaAlpaca · 09/01/2019 13:53

I had the Purdey hairstyle back in the 70s

AshGirl · 09/01/2019 13:52

I know a Purdey, she is probably late 30s or early 40s. She is awesome Smile

overmydeadbody · 09/01/2019 13:49

It reminds me of the drink Purdeys, but that's not a bad thing and I doubt many people even know the drink.

TootTootPeanutbutter · 09/01/2019 13:43

Purdey is awful. Perdita is very nice though.

Tinty · 09/01/2019 13:39

See just to be contrary, (I love the name Perdita), but I would probably shorten it to Dita, which no one else has suggested yet. Grin

Purdey is also lovely.

GwenCooper81 · 09/01/2019 13:38

I like it. Go for it :)

tammytoby · 09/01/2019 13:35

Actually I'd probably not shorten Perdita at all - it's beautiful!

tammytoby · 09/01/2019 13:34

I'd choose Perdita with nickname Perdy.

IwantedtobeEmmaPeel · 09/01/2019 13:28

DERAIL, not detail obs.

IwantedtobeEmmaPeel · 09/01/2019 13:27

Emma Peel was cool. Did someone mention my name? Grin

I agree Purdey was not very cool. If you want cool you want Honor Blackman or Emma Peel, they were the kickass ladies in The Avengers.

Sorry to detail Op. I like the name Perdita.

Marmitelover24 · 09/01/2019 13:26

There’s a great classic children’s book by Nina Bawden called The Witch’s daughter where one of the 2 main characters is Perdita.

Cbeebiesrehab · 09/01/2019 13:23

I like it, Perdita nn Purdy. Nice long name, quirky diminutive. What’s not to like! :)

Bloomini · 09/01/2019 13:21

Love it! Hope this sparks a revival of the Purdey haircut too, it really suits some peopleSmile

Choccywoccyhooha · 09/01/2019 13:20

It's a lovely name, but Perdita is truly beautiful and will give her more options as she grows.

ReginaPhalange89 · 09/01/2019 13:18

I don't like it, sorry.
My first thought was 101 Dalmatians! Haha. I think the female dog might have been called Purdey? Or something very similar. That's all I can think about

Canshopwillshop · 09/01/2019 13:17

I think it’s great Smile

GrandmaJane · 09/01/2019 13:16

Urgh! You might as well call the child Pudsey. Purdey wasn’t a cool name or character even at the time. Emma Peel was cool.
Perdita is another matter entirely. Give the child a proper name, then mince according to your whim. She can revert to her proper name later.

Butternutsqoosh · 09/01/2019 13:05

Love it but my dog is called Purdey! Like the gun make (she's a gun dog) and I've met a few dogs called the same, however if you live in an area where there are no shoots, not so much a problem!

Perdiesmum · 09/01/2019 13:05

Name changed for this.

I have a Perdita. It's a Shakespearean name meaning 'lost'. A lot of people don't like the meaning but having read the play (which is where I found the name) in my youth, I know that Perdita was a beautiful long-lost princess who is found and helps bring two families together. She is known as Perdie but when people mention her full name, they often get it wrong. The UK pronunciation is PER-di-ta - but most people seem to default to the US one of Per-DEE-ta.

The name Purdey in The Avengers as someone said upthread was inspired by the traditional English gunsmith James Purdey and Sons. They're known for their shotguns and their shops is located in London's Mayfair. Since naming my DD, I have had a few people tell me that their cat is called Purdey.

We get mixed feedback about the name. People, but men especially, of a certain age (mostly 60+) get excited as they think about Jo Lumley and The Avengers. Shakespeare aficionados love it. Many people think it's quite a posh name (we're a bit posh so my daughter seems to suit it). Very few know it's literary background and I had some guy rant at me about newfangled made up baby names. I didn't tell him it's about 400 years old... So you can't win really!

HTH.

babysharkah · 09/01/2019 13:00

Love it.

Littlechocola · 09/01/2019 12:59

Perdita is the mummy dog in 101 dalmations. I love it.