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Baby names

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

Original poster

Please be honest!

123 replies

Ihateironinganything · 04/05/2019 08:10

Hello,

Growing up I’ve had to deal with people’s preconceptions of me because of my name. Upon just hearing my name people just assume I’m a “chav”, which infuriates me. However when they meet me they are surprised to see that I don’t fit their mental description.

My name is a well-known French name, but unfortunately here it has negative connotations. My name has given me such grief in my life that I’ve even thought of changing it. But now as I’m older it’s just too much paperwork.

I’m pregnant now, and will do anything to avoid giving my child the same fate. I could select a typical classic name like Sarah/Jane etc. Though at the same time I don’t really like those names.

Please could you tell me if any of my shortlist are even a tiny bit “chavvy”?

And trust me I hate this whole concept of “chav” but I don’t know how else to phrase it.

My shortlist:

Florence
Jasmine
Harriet
Lara
Flora
Clara
Madeleine
Anabelle
Lola

Thanks

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Haworthia · 04/05/2019 13:57

Elodie is lovely - why would it “backfire”?

I know one, and her parents are very French Smile

MikeUniformMike · 04/05/2019 13:57

Florence
Jasmine
Harriet
Lara
Flora
Clara - don't like the Cl bit. Cara is nicer
Madeleine
Anabelle - Annabel
Lola - No. It's nice but it's a bit downmarket.

pilates · 04/05/2019 13:56

Yes Lola from your list.

The rest are fine except Flora which I strongly dislike.

Aquamarine1029 · 04/05/2019 13:51

I would avoid Lola and Jasmine for sure.

Rosesaredead · 04/05/2019 13:45

I don't think Annabelle and Harriet are at all chavvy but I suppose it depends on who you know

Rosesaredead · 04/05/2019 13:43

Jasmine and Lola are questionable

MercyBodle · 04/05/2019 11:21

I was going to say take off Lola and Jasmine, which you've already done. I'm not in the UK but would see Talia/Thalia as borderline as it was extremely popular in the 1990s in Australia. Not sure how the Annabelle spelling is perceived in the UK, but here Annabel would be considered smarter.

I'm really surprised to see people suggesting Harriet, which I thought was the epitome of 'posh'. Matilda is fine I think, but much as I like Lily I wonder if its extreme popularity might now make it borderline.

MumUnderTheMoon · 04/05/2019 11:19

Lola and Jasmine are probably a bit "Chavy" Harriet, Florence, Annabelle, Madeleine and Flora are all becoming very popular. Lara is a bit blah bit Clara is lovely. That's just my opinion I wouldn't judge anyone for choosing any of those names though. I don't think you should worry about other people perceptions too much. If someone's going to be a dickhead about the name you choose then they aren't worth knowing.

Carpetburns · 04/05/2019 11:07

Lola is chavvy

SansaClegane · 04/05/2019 10:48

What mystery said - Maddison / Madyson / Maddisyn etc is very popular in a certain demographic and they all get shortened to "Maddie", so I'd avoid Madeleine.
However I love Elodie and can't see that falling into the chav camp! Amelie is also lovely but there are thousands of them.

Sessy19 · 04/05/2019 10:42

I think your interpretation of what is associated with a demographic will entirely depend on where in the UK you are. Where I am, most of those names will have been popular amongst those that might be considered ‘chavvy’. There’s just no warding off other peoples’ opinions, so you should give your baby the name you love the most and raise her to worry not about what anyone else thinks or says.

Not to my taste, but lovely list.

Grainedmonkey · 04/05/2019 10:14

Chantelle? could be worse OP. As you say it was probably perfectly credible when you were born. Does your mum know how you feel about your name, has she made any suggestions for the baby

mysteryfairy · 04/05/2019 10:13

There are many Maddies short for Madison around which possibly falls into the demographic you want to avoid. Madeleine shortened to Maddie could be heard as this.

IcelandicYoghurt · 04/05/2019 10:12

Given your concerns I would scrap Lola and Jasmine.

My favourite is Flora Smile

ChipInTheSugar · 04/05/2019 10:12

Amelie and Elodie (which autocorrected to Eloise - also a lovely name) should definitely be on your list - beautiful names.

IncrediblySadToo · 04/05/2019 10:11

Stop asking her her name! FGS show some manners.

Harriet is lovely, not at all ‘chavy’

Annabelle is fine, just a bit ‘sarah’ of this era.

Talia I dislike personally, but could be short for Natalia if you like it. I don’t like Lara either, but that’s just personal taste.

The only ‘chavy’ one on your list was Lola, but you’ve wisely ruled that out.

I’m sorry you’ve had issues with your name all your life. If I were you, I’d change it now still. A family friend changed hers when she was 50, she just decided she couldn’t take it anymore. If you’re going to do it, I’d do it now so your new name is on your baby’s birth certificate. 🌷

codenameduchess · 04/05/2019 10:08

Totally get where you're coming from op, it's unfortunate that people are judged on names alone but i understand why you'd want to avoid that for your child. I think it also depends where in the uk you are op, for example I'm in the north east and Florence, jasmine, Annabelle and Lola definitely have chavvy connotations but pps have said they wouldn't for them.

Lara and Flora wouldn't make my shortlist personally but there's nothing wrong with them, Clara possibly (only on the Dr Who connection haha).

itseasybeingcheesy · 04/05/2019 10:08

Harriet, Clara or Florence would have been my top picks from your list. All lovely names.

Britneysfa · 04/05/2019 10:06

Personally lola and Harriet has those connotations for me

AzraiL · 04/05/2019 10:03

I really like Harriet. As Lola has received mixed reviews would you consider Lilly instead?

cheeseypizza · 04/05/2019 10:01

Is it Chantelle?

MustardYellowJumper · 04/05/2019 10:00

I think all are fine, except maybe Lola.

From the OP's description I was also maybe thinking Chantal or Chantelle.

floraloctopus · 04/05/2019 10:00

Amelie and Elodie are lovely.

Original poster
Ihateironinganything · 04/05/2019 10:00

*british

OP posts:
Original poster
Ihateironinganything · 04/05/2019 09:59

My name has already been guessed on this thread, which goes to show how it’s such a well known “chav” name.

Even though I am of French descent I am definitely more brotish having been born and raised in the Uk, and my French is poor. I don’t want to name her something like Amelie or Elodie for fear it may backfire. I don’t think my name was initially thought of as “chavvy” when I was named.

I don’t want to give an overly posh name like Octavia or Antigone because it might seem pretentious especially when they find out her mother’s name!

I’m very shocked that Anabelle. Harriet , Thalia are being axed! But I guess name perceptions change overtime.

OP posts: