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Baby names

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

Original poster

Temperance

60 replies

ValleyOfTheTramadols · 15/03/2019 11:26

I am in love with this name for DD2. However, we already have a Constance, and I’m worried the two virtue names would make us sound like a harsh, Puritanical family! Thoughts? Also what are people’s thoughts on Temperance in general?

My alternative names are Cecily, Coralie, Nancy.

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cortex10 · 15/03/2019 18:05

'To Temperance' was my late grandfather's favourite toast when he had a drink.

TatianaLarina · 15/03/2019 18:01

Love Nancy.

theemmadilemma · 15/03/2019 17:54

I like it. But I am a Bones fan.

Tempe for short.

daisypond · 15/03/2019 17:28

I don't mind it as a name in itself, but I don't think you can have it alongside Constance. I'm not keen on Coralie - it doesn't seem to go with Constance at all. I like Cecily, and Nancy is OK, but it's a bit nicknamey alongside a grown-up name like Constance. Nancy is short for Anne/Anna.

AuntieStella · 15/03/2019 17:26

I'm imagining living the toddler tears with Tiny Temper....

If you want a virtue name, then I think one which is more used as a name might be better - Patience, Prudence, Verity, Faith or perhaps something like Joy or Grace

I'd cross Coralie off your remaining short list, as I don't think it would 'go' with Constance when yelling for the pair across a playground

Cookit · 15/03/2019 17:19

Often on here people will say (usually about quite cutesy names) can you imagine being a lawyer or the prime minister with that name? And I think the same kind of applies here in reverse. I can’t imagine introducing myself in a bar as Temperence (whereas “Hi I’m Connie is perfectly fine). I can’t imagine being at school as a Temperence and trying to fit in during the teenager years when you’re embarrassed about everything anyway.

TuppenceFaithfully · 15/03/2019 16:41

What about modifying it to Tuppence? Wink

BlueMerchant · 15/03/2019 16:40

I fear they would be laughed at by chidren and adults alike. It's a bit too much and as if you are trying too hard.
"Ohh here they come- Constance and Temperance"
Horrible.

Aquilla · 15/03/2019 16:37

No, it's awful sorry. What about when they do the Temperance Movement at high school...

Hazytimes · 15/03/2019 16:36

*love Cecily

Hazytimes · 15/03/2019 16:35

Also if you’re going to shorten it to TP there’s no need for it to be Temperance, just shorten something else to that

Hazytimes · 15/03/2019 16:33

I think it’s unfair to label a child with that name on so many levels! Your other names are just fine, I can’t imagine a teenage Temperance. As well as having a puritanical meaning, IMO it’s just got very different (odd) connotations compared to Constance which is a solid, slightly unusual but nice name.

GeorgeTheBleeder · 15/03/2019 15:15

Clemency ...

Cookit · 15/03/2019 15:13

Tbh even without Constance it sounds quite puritanical to me.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/03/2019 14:48

what if in the future DD enjoys booze and hedonism?

This.

I do find it a little odd to 'wish' virtues on your children. Especially temperance, which is essentially abstinence.

SarahLea3 · 15/03/2019 14:38

My friend has a niece called temperance and they shorted it to TP and I think its gorgeous. Other children only shorten names if you or the child let them. My daughter is Charlotte and if any if her friends call her lottie or Charlie she tells them no.... Its Charlotte. She allows a select few to call her char.

17caterpillars1mouse · 15/03/2019 14:25

I love Temperance and other virtue names (Prudence, Constance) but like you have a daughter with a similar in style virtue name and felt a second DD with such a name would be too much so chose something different in style

ReginaPhalange89 · 15/03/2019 13:59

I'm not keen on it as a name at all (never actually heard of it!) but definitely wouldn't have it with Constance .

jeanniebrownhair · 15/03/2019 13:57

I thought it was the name of a hotel.

SirVixofVixHall · 15/03/2019 13:38

I think “temper..temper” . All a bit Cold Comfort Farm together. Am not keen on Temperance really. Constance however is one of my favourite names and I slightly regret not using it for dd2.
Romilly as suggested by pp is lovely. Also Cecily which works with Constance. I have dcs with the same initial which I wanted to avoid, but couldn’t think if another name ( very stressful time in my life which didn’t help) but with Cecily you avoid the samey sound so it doesn’t matter.

Loopytiles · 15/03/2019 13:31

No, and what if in the future DD enjoys booze and hedonism?

Nancy goes best with Constance. Dislike Coralie, prefer Corinne, but too similar to Constance.

shivbo2014 · 15/03/2019 13:28

I love Cecily that was my choice if this one was a girl!

babysharkah · 15/03/2019 13:03

I love Constance. Temperance and Constance sound like you're from the puritanical biblical belt which you may well be but I wouldn't saddle my children with that in the modern day.

Susannach · 15/03/2019 12:57

It’s an interesting name but I definitely wouldn’t with sister Constance.

I like Cecily and Nancy... maybe Nancy Temperance?

Clemency feels like an obvious one to suggest but again, probably too themey. How about Thessaly or Romilly?

Zoeputthatdown · 15/03/2019 12:14

I’m worried the two virtue names would make us sound like a harsh, Puritanical family!
Sorry that did occur to me.
The other names work better imo.

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