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Baby names

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

Original poster

We've found the name but scared of people's reaactions

308 replies

Joeybee · 23/07/2019 21:45

Baby #2 is due in October. I already have a son, Stanley.
I'm fussy with names
Nothing in top 50
Nothing with strong R or W sound (clashes with surname)
Not ambiguous to say/spell
Vintage or classic name
Has nickname options.
Middle name will be Elsie

So after a LOT of researching a name came to me out of nowhere. It's very unusual and a vintage girl name. I love it and Husband does. However when I look it up on websites, it seems to be a name people either love, or hate.
So now I'm doubting myself.
Do I just go with the name that feels right, and that meets my criteria and brace myself for a few possibly insensitive/negative comments OR just go back to the drawing board again?

OP posts:
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Tartyflette · 23/07/2019 22:27

There's a writer/journalist called Minty Clinch, presumably she's an Araminta.
hope your surname won't make the same assonance as Ms Clinch's

LaMarschallin · 23/07/2019 22:26

Only come across it in "Araminta's Wedding", a children's book by Jilly Cooper.

Don't know if that helps or not.

RubbingHimSweetly · 23/07/2019 22:26

My 7yo declared the other day that we were to call her Araminta now. We just went with it, I assume she's read it in a book. I don't think it's as rare as you think! I quite like it.

SteeperThanHell · 23/07/2019 22:25

It’s a lovely name.

Ceebs85 · 23/07/2019 22:25

It's an awful name. Really snobby and the total opposite to Stanley but this is why not everyone has the same name. Different tastes. If you love it, go for it.

mollibu · 23/07/2019 22:24

I know an Araminta - But everyone calls her Minty. She's four Smile

boosterrooster · 23/07/2019 22:23

Your baby, your choice. F everyone else. Unleash your post baby hormones on anyone who has anything shitty to say.
Our choice for DC2 is a bit marmite and I'm already preparing myself for MIL standard shite /unnecessarily negative reaction.

Elmo311 · 23/07/2019 22:23

@ceecee32 I actually chuckled !

Alarae · 23/07/2019 22:23

I've only heard this name since watching Crazy Rich Asians, and while I'm not a massive fan of it, it's not the worst name in the world I've heard. I do like the nn Minty, as in the film, but probably Ara when older.

A lot of the popular names running round Mumsnet I absolutely loathe- recently Acacia and Saskia.

Only other suggestion I can make is Aria, which is similar but a bit less out there.

KatherineJaneway · 23/07/2019 22:22

Please don't name your kid Araminta.

BuffaloCauliflower · 23/07/2019 22:22

@ceecee32 it’s not made up, it’s a totally legitimate name just not well used.

I love it OP, it’s always on my long list for girls names. Go for it

ArtichokeAardvark · 23/07/2019 22:22

I like the name but really don't think it goes with Stanley. It's like Made In Chelsea meets a dad from TOWIE.

However it's entirely your choice.

CodenameVillanelle · 23/07/2019 22:22

It's not great but it's not made up. I think the nicknames are too cutesy and a 4 syllable first name is not great.

Nearlyalmost50 · 23/07/2019 22:22

My dd goes to school with an Araminta! They call her Minty. It is out there, but I quite like it!

DoNotWorry · 23/07/2019 22:22

Ignore the naysayers and go for it!!!

TankGirl97 · 23/07/2019 22:22

Araminta is lovely, reminds me of The Borrowers.

Luckingfovely · 23/07/2019 22:22

I really really like it. Stop worrying about other people for goodness sake, and just go for it!

One of my dc has a very, very unusual name. A few eyes were raised at first, and had a few comments, but a couple of years on, no one could imagine them being called anything else.

Don't sweat it. Have faith in your own convictions. Your baby, your choice.

Moondancer73 · 23/07/2019 22:22

Elsie is lovely. Araminta is awful - it reminds me of one of those dolls that sit on loo rolls, just flouncy and fussy.

Letthemysterybe · 23/07/2019 22:21

It’s fine. A bit frilly. Totally not what I was expecting from your list of requirements. I was thinking Gertrude!

TitianaTitsling · 23/07/2019 22:21

I love it! Remember it from a 'chick-lit' novel- The Trials of Minty Malone.

fruitbrewhaha · 23/07/2019 22:21

I know two, one grown up and one little, both called Minty.

Go for it.

Mabelchiltern1 · 23/07/2019 22:21

Good name! So is Stanley

DoNotWorry · 23/07/2019 22:20

Araminta is a fabulous name. I've only come across it in Helen Cresswell's book and childrens TV series 'Moondial', but I liked it then and still do.

ivykaty44 · 23/07/2019 22:20

That sounds awful - sorry it wasn’t meant to be - I was expecting something like Ethel
It’s a great name

NoSquirrels · 23/07/2019 22:20

I know a young Araminta. I think it's fine. Stop stressing. If your friends and family coped with Stanley they'll cope with Araminta.

I must say, though, that to me Araminta/Minty etc is Proper Posh, whereas Stanley is Proper Not-Posh. So as a pairing I don't think they're natural friends... but then I never quite understand the obsession over whether sibling names "go together".