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Baby names

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Original poster

[ Baby Gertrude? ]

108 replies

Cinderella812 · 20/04/2019 16:08

We are to name our future daughter after my DH's grandmother, Gertrude.

Not a particularly pretty name in my opinion (so sorry if that offends some lovely Gertrudes out there!)

She went by "Trudy", which I think is sweet.

However, is Trudy enough of a first name in itself? Could we just name our daughter Trudy, or is that too nicknamey?

I'm thinking of her future career etc... and children whose first names are just nicknames can be harder to take seriously professionally, especially little girls.

Does anybody think Trudy is alright as a stand-alone forename? All suggestions welcome!

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missmouse101 · 22/04/2019 13:49

Hideous. Trudy is sweet, but why do you ultimately have to use the grandmother's name? Surely, surely you can choose a name you love?

MagicKingdomDizzy · 22/04/2019 13:46

Have you thought of combining Gertrude and Isabella and going for Gabriella?

Milkn0sugar · 22/04/2019 02:14

I actually really like the name Trudy. I only know one other who is c45 and she's so lovely. She is sometimes nicknamed Trudes but she is mainly Trudy. I don't like Gertrude. There's a reason that it is a jokey name.

Kokeshi123 · 22/04/2019 02:06

Trudie is a lot better than Gertrude but that is really not saying much. I mean, do you HAVE to name her after great-grandmother? You don't actually sound very keen on either of these names (and I don't blame you)--why not choose something you like? I am assuming that your daughter is not going to inherit a fortune conditionally on having GG's name or something...?

Runkle · 21/04/2019 22:37

Why not give baby her own name in her own right?

ABitOTT · 21/04/2019 22:34

I don't see what's wrong with Trudy as a given name?

DS has a more formal first name (just in case he became someone who needed to sound responsible). He's now 23 & is known by his nickname whether he's being responsible or a complete drunken idiot.

Nowadays there's such a diversity of names that I don't bat an eyelid at most of them. If I'm honest I really don't like the name Gertrude as it sounds so ugly & clunky, but you may not like the names I picked? We used my grandmother's name as a middle name for DD. This did create its own problem because we then needed to find a first name that went with her middle name. Sometimes it's better to start afresh with a new name & honour an ancestor in another way.

Howtotrainyourhamster · 21/04/2019 21:26

I like Trudy.
I also like Gerda (from the snow queen) and Greta, though they might be a stretch.
I don’t think I’d be brave enough actually to use Gertrude - but do agree with pp that names that horrify us now will probably be very cool in 20 years time.

Sunlov · 21/04/2019 20:11

Nope. It's a hideous name.

Herland · 21/04/2019 20:05

Love love love Gertie. It's adorable. Not keen on Gertrude or Trudy though.

MikeUniformMike · 21/04/2019 20:03

Trudy is just about ok. I'd use it as a middle name.

Moomoomoomoomoo · 21/04/2019 19:53

Why can't it be her middle name? I honestly don't get the whole 'naming after family' thing .. especially if it's a name you don't even like

I don’t understand it either. I love my grandparents but have never felt the need to name my children after them, they are people in their own right with their own names and personalities.

The children certainly won’t thank you for giving them a hideous name. Gertrude is awful. However I did go to school with a Trudie.

Tiramisu1 · 21/04/2019 14:55

I wouldn't go with Gertrude because of Dirty Gertie,

Isn't it Dirty Bertie?!

MilkItTilITurnItIntoCheese · 21/04/2019 10:58

I’m a Trudi. Just that. Not shortened. I’m 45.

campion · 21/04/2019 10:49

Give her a name you genuinely like with no strings attached. She'll thank you for it.
There are many names that you like more than Gertrude,I bet?

AuntMarch · 21/04/2019 10:33

I'd use it as a middle name. Babies deserve their own names!

RuthW · 21/04/2019 10:17

I wouldn't go with Gertrude because of Dirty Gertie, however Trudie is fine as a name but I love Truda.

MercyBodle · 21/04/2019 07:22

I think Trudy is lovely and perfectly usable. I don't see it as too nicknamey or a career problem at all. I know a young Trudy and she is lovely and smart and I think her name is fresh and appealing among the ubiquitous Ellie/Ella/ Stella/Avas.

I also think Greta is gorgeous and cool, and another great way to honour Gertrude. Even if Greta doesn't come traditionally from Gertrude it works I think. And Trudy/Greta are much better than Isabella which is everywhere.

Rosesaredead · 21/04/2019 04:08

Also, both names are dated and not in a cool way yet, which means that in about 5/10 years they'll be totally in fashion and you'll be able to be really smug about how you were ahead of the crowd Wink

Rosesaredead · 21/04/2019 04:06

Trudy is cute! Gertrude reminds me of a Ms Trunchbull type. And it's often used as an example of a truly horrible name! So please go with lovely Trudy!

ChoccyBiccyTastic · 20/04/2019 22:54

Trudy is certainly the lesser of two evils, yes...

Ribbonsonabox · 20/04/2019 22:54

OMG I LOVE the name Gertrude!!!
It was on my lost bit my husband hated it... I think it's really cool. I love the nicknames Gertie and Trudy.
It's a classic name.
And Germanic sounding names are coming back into fashion.
Astrid, Jemima, Isolde, Beatrice... all quite harsh sounding but becoming very trendy

EtonianMother · 20/04/2019 22:52

Gertrude is awesome, OP. If I had another girl, she'd be Gertrude (nn Gertie). It's a completely fabulous name, plus it has the family link. Embrace it!

Tiramisu1 · 20/04/2019 22:49

I prefer Gertie! It's cute imo. I'm not keen on Trudy, it reminds me of Judy.

Butterfly84 · 20/04/2019 22:44

Don't go for Gertrude OP. Just awful. I agree that it's a comedy name. Probably one of the most awful names I can imagine being called.

Trudy on the other hand is great. A sassy, strong name. Go for this. I would love to be called Trudy.

grincheux · 20/04/2019 21:39

Gertrude, Trudy, Gertie, all horrible in my opinion but it's really up to you!

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