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Baby names

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

Original poster

Middle Name For Harlow

186 replies

Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 14:33

Please help me decide!!

Harlow Olivia
Harlow Livea
Harlow Livienne
Harlow Ameline
Harlow Amelie
Harlow Amelia
Harlow Avianna

I love Olivia with Harlow but it's so popular and trendy that I'm kinda like blah on it.

Livea is a legit name that has been around even before Olivia. I like this spelling because Livia looks like you're butchering Olivia but Livea kind of looks unique.

I love Livienne but some people say it looks made up. I dont know the history. I just heard it and liked it. But I worry it's too rhymey with other middle names I may want to use for future children. Is that crazy? Does it matter if middle names rhyme or sound similar?

Other considerations are honor names like Ameline. I dont like Amelia as a first name but as a middle name with Harlow it sounds kinda good. So does Amelie.

I love Avianna but does it sound good in the middle spot?

I clearly need help deciding!! Thank you for the help!

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Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 15:53

I clearly don't understand some of these references but I stepped into your world so if you get a laugh at my expense by all means ;) I get that you are poking fun. But like I keep saying, I understand you guys not liking Harlow. I happen to love it and its definitely more accepted here in the states, so I know you cant dissociate what you know but it's just way different here!

I do like Olivia with it fir this reason. Something more widely accepted to balance out. I do prefer Livea or Livienne alone on taste.

Ameline seems to be getting votes which actually surprises me but its an honor name so definitely not out of question!

OP posts:
brizzlemint · 16/03/2019 15:42

Bishop. Or go the whole hog with Bishops Stortford.

SummerHouse · 16/03/2019 15:41

I love Ameline and Amelie but if Olivia is your favourite you should go with that. Names come in and out of fashion but for a middle name I don't think that matters at all.

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 15:19

Thank you! Its definitely a more established name in the states. I do totally get it. It's an area there and not a nice one. It does make me take pause because I do love the idea as a well-rounded culturally accepted name! But I just fell in love with it. Sounds so good with our last name.

I love old Hollywood and maybe Jean Harlow is an inspiration.

I like Liv but it seems short and lacking. I'm not opposed to Livia but Olivia is just all the rage here right now that I dont want it to look like a cut off version. Even though Livia is technically an older name. I saw the spelling Livea and thought that differentiates more and it doesnt look like a dumb spelling to me. But what do I know? I'm naming my daughter Harlow ;) these people from the UK think I'm nuts Haha

I do like Livienne as well but if it seems made up, I want to maybe pass.

I may just stick with Ameline or Amelie.

I know middle names arent a big deal but I want one that I love! Thanks again to everyone!

OP posts:
JimJamJarmusch · 16/03/2019 15:13

I just love the bluntness and opinions and this site

God love you, OP! Grin

Given that most Americans won't readily associate the name with the town, it won't really be an issue. I like Olivia best of your middle names - it is popular, but given that Harlow is a touch unusual I think they balance each other out nicely.

OutOntheTilez · 16/03/2019 15:11

OP, I'm American too and associate the name with Jean Harlow. I can see how it works the other way, though, if one lives in the UK.

I think it's very pretty as a first name.

BakedBeeeen · 16/03/2019 15:10

I don't know why people are so bothered about middle names. You only ever hear someone's middle name at their christening or when they get married, so it's not really a big deal. I cant remember what many of my really close friends middle names are! Just go with whichever name/spelling you like the best and don't worry about what anyone else thinks!

wafflyversatile · 16/03/2019 15:10

I think they are all ok names but together with Harlow they are a bit of a mouthful. That is when I say them out loud I'm having to put lot of effort into making all the mouth shapes to say them properly if that makes sense. Something like Harlow Jude has more contrast too.

Littlechocola · 16/03/2019 15:09

How about just Liv? Surely it’s the obvious answer?

You are very polite by the way!

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 15:08

I understand!

OP posts:
BeGoodTanya · 16/03/2019 15:07

But OP, in the nicest possible way, we can't ignore the assocations of the placename any more than you could if we popped up on an American forum asking what you thought of our baby name Pittsburgh.

wafflyversatile · 16/03/2019 15:05

Harlow Jude

OutOntheTilez · 16/03/2019 15:04

I admit that the first name that jumped to mind was Jean (as in Jean Harlow).

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 15:03

I get it. I genuinely forgot Harlow is a rough area in Essex.

The name is quite established here in the US. And I'm not trying for anything too out there, I dont think. Because I agree, names too unique can sound very dumb. I was brainstorming Liv names. This is why I'm posting. To see if there are options for unique name that doesnt sound too off base.

But I can tell this isnt the right forum for this discussion! So I thank you for reading. I dont know what else to say! I like bluntness but to be really mean just because we have different culture name associations is just needless! You can just say you dont like the name, its really all good!!

OP posts:
BlueMerchant · 16/03/2019 14:57

I don't think Harlow needs a middle name.
It's more of a kind of 'statement' name that stands alone imo.

ColeHawlins · 16/03/2019 14:56

I just love the bluntness and opinions and this site!

You must do. The saga of this child's name has been going on forever.

SexTrainGlue · 16/03/2019 14:56

"Can we pretend there is no town called Harlow and just focus on the name itself?"

Not really, no more than you could really set aside the connotations of a name like Baltimore or Pittsburgh.

Yes, it's that bad, and too famously associated with 'harlot' - and as that's been going strong for 80 years or more, I doubt it'll be going away

SummerHouse · 16/03/2019 14:52

@Bigearings Grin
It was a genuine suggestion.
I have a very unusual middle name which did cause me some grief but I am proud of it. In all honesty I wouldn't go for Harlow but I would go for Myfanwy as a middle name or Gwendolyn.

RoseAndRose · 16/03/2019 14:51

Maybe you should call her Harlow Asquith, so that it's plain that you do know your Hollywood history and that very famous one-liner

Bigearringsbigsmile · 16/03/2019 14:48

Your child is unique because of being them. A made up name just smacks of uneducated parents.

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 14:48

I like the Jean Harlow association.

I know people do think of harlot but that word isnt often used here in the states. We are not nearly as sophisticated. ;)

OP posts:
CloudPop · 16/03/2019 14:48

I like Harlow Amelie

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/03/2019 14:46

I saw Livea on a name list and thought maybe it's better than Livia because I think people just think Livia is Olivia with the O chopped off.

I keep hearing Livienne so I'm just going with what I've heard. I do tend to like made up names. I dont know what it is!! I guess I like unique.

I'm open to suggestions too - thank you!

OP posts:
Whatdoyouknowwhenyouknownowt · 16/03/2019 14:45

Even if you don't associate it with Harlow the town, it's not a massive step to Harlot...

Bigearringsbigsmile · 16/03/2019 14:45

The other association with harlow is Jean harlow and the quote " margot with a silent treatment. ..like harlot"

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