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Baby names

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

What do you think of the name Pippa?

68 replies

danbennett04 · 15/03/2019 07:11

For a girl. Or do you like Flossy?

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GrammerlyH · 16/03/2019 12:18

On the contrary, I think the more well travelled you are, the more you accept differences in culture and language. In real life I have never seen or heard any objections to the name Pippa in European countries. You say it’s much worse that Peter meaning ‘fart’ in French. Actually in Argentina, Pete is slang for blow job so it’s exactly the same. But mumsnet doesn’t go wild over it every time someone asks what others think about the name Peter (also a lovely, strong name). My point is that ‘Pippa is slang for blow job so don’t use it’ has become a go-to thing on mumsnet that everyone repeats without having any first-hand experience of how well the name travels. So I am just stating, for all those thinking about using the name Pippa, that I have travelled around Europe with a Pippa and really, it’s fine!

PinkieTuscadero · 16/03/2019 11:32

I know the Swedes had a good chuckle over Pippa Middleton's name when she was first in the press. I think it means 'fuck' over there. It's nice that people who know the name as a slang term are polite when they meet a Pippa I just don't know why you'd inflict a name with such unsavoury meanings (far worse than fart) on a child. But picking a name that travels well was a priority for me. It's not a priority for others.

Ribbonsonabox · 16/03/2019 10:51

I like Pippa as a nickname, I would think it was short for Phillipa... but i did know a girl at school who was just called Pippa.
Flossy IS a nickname, i really dont think it could be used as a name in itself. Short for Florence, Felicity or Fleur?

Disfordarkchocolate · 16/03/2019 10:49

I like Pippa, always make me think of a pleasant capable and attractive girl/woman. Flossy, just says pet name to me I'm afraid.

IVflytrap · 16/03/2019 10:47

@GrammerlyH

Absolutely agree. People can cope with the fact that we speak different languages, and just because a name means something different in another language, doesn't mean you need to cause problems for anyone with that name. Peter means "fart" in French and yet you don't see posters here suggesting it be avoided. Grin

Roomba · 16/03/2019 07:26

Poppa instantly makes me think of the bizarre way all the posh royals pronounce it on The Windsor Grin sorry. Its a lovely name though.

GrammerlyH · 16/03/2019 07:24

I have said this before on here but it still makes me laugh how every time someone asks opinions on the name Pippa (which is a great name, in my opinion), the whole of mumsnet erupts into ‘but it is slang for blowjob in Europe.’ I have travelled all over Europe with a friend called Pippa and never once had a raised eyebrow over her name. I think this is a case of people repeating what they read on here without having first-hand experience of it themselves. I’m not saying it’s NOT slang for things, I’m just saying it’s probably not that big a deal for people called Pippa in day-to-day life (in the same way that John being slang for the loo probably doesn’t have a day-to-day impact on too many Johns). They are both well-known and established names.

IVflytrap · 15/03/2019 23:29

Much prefer Pippa over Flossy (which does sound like something you'd name a poodle, sorry!)

I'm another one with a Florrie in my family tree. Not short for Florence, either. Grin

adayatthebeach · 15/03/2019 23:09

Neither sorry but I’m an American. So my opinion doesn’t count. Smile

PinkieTuscadero · 15/03/2019 23:03

It's a pony club name to me so I'm not keen. But the unfortunate meanings in other languages would make it a definite no.

Flossy only works as a nickname for Florence or Flora or some name along those lines.

Tavannach · 15/03/2019 22:51

Weirdly I had a rabbit called Pippa. She was really sweet.
Flossie is definitely a rabbit's name.

mistermagpie · 15/03/2019 22:45

Remember the person you are pregnant with will be an adult far longer than they are a baby, please don't call her flossy.

Pippa is quite nice though, I would go with Philippa on the bc though.

Yika · 15/03/2019 22:40

I like Pippa, it's quite classic, sweet and sunny but not too twee. Not keen on Flossie.

BestBeforeYesterday · 15/03/2019 19:56

Don't like either. Pippa is terribly twee and infantile and Flossie reminds me of dental floss.

3in4years · 15/03/2019 19:54

It's great.
Flossie is beyond awful.

ScreamingValenta · 15/03/2019 16:36

I like Philippa, which gives the choice of Pippa as a nickname, though I have to say all the Philippas I've known have gone by 'Phil' rather than Pippa.

Shadow1234 · 15/03/2019 16:33

Prefer Pippa to Flossy.

BlueMerchant · 15/03/2019 13:09

Prefer Pippa. It will suit a child as they grow better than Flossy would.

lunicorn · 15/03/2019 13:09

I quite like it. I know some nice Pippas. The word sounds a bit prissy/twee to say though.

Arowana · 15/03/2019 13:06

I really like Pippa. Both the Pippas I know (one adult and one 13yo) are just called Pippa, not short for anything.

Not keen on Flossy. It's a sheep's name!

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 15/03/2019 13:01

Flossie makes me think of dental floss.

Susannach · 15/03/2019 12:53

I love Pippa, but was put off using it by the rude meanings in other languages.

Flossy is far too cutesy and twee for a full name. Fine as a childhood nickname for Florence or Felicity though.

RuthW · 15/03/2019 12:46

As others said. Even my 22 year i
Old Florence is too old for Flossie. She's a Floss or Flo.

MercyBodle · 15/03/2019 11:42

I really like Pippa. I'm not so keen on Flossie, but it's okay as nn for Florence.

daisypond · 15/03/2019 10:27

Pippa is ok but Flossie is far too cutesy.

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