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Baby names

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

Original poster

Winifred

90 replies

17caterpillars1mouse · 12/09/2019 16:06

Thoughts on Winifred shortened to Winnie.

I imagine most won't like it but I can just picture a little toddler Winifred. Not sure it would be liked as a teenager but Winnie surely wouldn't stand out amongst the Connie's, Millie's, Frankie's etc

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foxtiger · 15/09/2019 13:12

There were Winifreds on both sides of my family and my parents briefly considered it as one of my names, but decided it was just too awful. That was over 50 years ago and I wonder if its time might have come. There are little Mauds and Ediths, both also very old-fashioned until recently. I think Winnie would suit a little girl but using the full Winifred gives her the option of being Fred later if she want a more quirky sounding name.

milliefiori · 15/09/2019 09:53

Winfred was the dignified head girl who applied to Oxford or Cambridge in Malory Towers. I always admired her and wanted to be a bit like her.

Marcipex · 15/09/2019 01:01

Freddie is cute but Winnie is awful.
She’ll be called Pooh.

Treaclebee · 15/09/2019 00:56

I like it but probably prefer Freddie or Fred as I nickname.

WaggingKnife · 15/09/2019 00:46

It’s my colleague’s name and she goes by Freddie, which is cute.

CatteStreet · 14/09/2019 22:03

Winifred is the epitome of hipster, currently. And, for me, very strongly associated with the Ballet Shoes character who was the most talented at the Academy but never got the parts because Pauline Fossil looked better. Earnest and studious, but not someone life smiles on.

ThatFlamingCandle · 14/09/2019 21:15

I went to school with a pretty and popular Winifred, I think it's nice.

HepzibahGreen · 14/09/2019 21:08

I'm chuffed that I am achingly hip Grin

ladycarlotta · 13/09/2019 14:17

*Awful, but the achingly hip wannabes seem to be trying to reclaim it.

Ugly and old fashioned for a reason. See also Olive and Joan*

Why is it wannabe? What if some people just like those names? I actually think Olive and Joan are lovely too, and know little babies called both. You can associate certain names with great-great-aunts with too many cats and egg on their cardies, but those great aunts were sweet little girls and trendy young ladies once. Trends come and go. It's really pretty subjective.

Hope the poor OP hasn't been frightened off. OP, you do you.

22dontforget · 13/09/2019 10:37

I love it , just don't understand the haters I think it's really pretty.

Enko · 13/09/2019 09:19

I love it. Both Winifred and Winnie. However I was never much for
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NerrSnerr · 13/09/2019 09:09

I love the nickname Fred but that might have something to do with loving Angel.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 13/09/2019 09:06

There is a supermodel called Winnie Harlow but never heard a child called it irl.

Ilovewillow · 13/09/2019 07:44

Love it!!! But would go with Fred if you wanted a shortened version! It conjures up a little girl and woman with attitude in my head!

Astronica · 13/09/2019 07:39

I think it's coming back. I agree that it's in the same style as Millie, Frank etc. I don't mind it, but dislike nn Winnie. I do really like Freddie for a girl as nn for Winifred.

CassianAndor · 13/09/2019 07:33

Raaaah GrinGrinGrin

MaidenMotherCrone · 13/09/2019 05:09

No from me. Saint Winifred, virgin martyr, head chopped off, uncle Saint Bueno found it and stuck it back on and all was well again.

Her shrine in Holywell, Flintshire very much in use.

If I remember correctly the local primary school 'St Winifred's' sang that awful song back in the day 'Grandma we love you'.

It's a biddy name.

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 13/09/2019 04:48

Personally I am on the fence about it as to me Winnie makes me think of the despicable Winnie Mandela but I love Freddie

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 13/09/2019 04:47

Everyone saying it's cute or hip for a teenager - how about for a young woman in the workplace

“Welcome to PWC Winifred, before we introduce you to colleagues and clients, is it Winifred you’re known as or....?”

-“Everyone knows me as Freddie so....”

“Lovely, I’ll tell Karen in HR to note that for reference”

Voilà

Fifthtimelucky · 12/09/2019 23:14

The Pooh?

The only Winifreds I know shortened their names to Win or Freddie.

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 12/09/2019 22:41

Aw reminds me of my great Aunty Smile

Youmeandthesea · 12/09/2019 22:38

I like it! Winnie and Winifred

Lillygreen · 12/09/2019 22:33

I really like it! Prefer the nn Winnie. But Winnifred gives the option of Freddie, which I also love and is androgynous.

Raaaaaah · 12/09/2019 22:26

Cassian the name my Grandma chose to use instead was one of the names you reference. She may as well have stuck with Winifred Grin.

IreneWinters · 12/09/2019 22:21

I’m currently rewatching Angel with DD1. Fred is a very cool character. I was thinking the other day that her name has grown on me a lot. I’m not keen on Winnie as a nickname though - Winnie the Pooh and Winnie the Witch aren’t great connotations for small children.

That said, I said think my grandmothers’ names were pretty awesome - Ethel and Gertrude - so maybe don’t take advice on names from me.