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Original poster

Winnie - is it just waiting for unpleasant nicknames?

38 replies

foxcote90 · 08/12/2019 07:47

My husband loves the name Winnie for our first baby and the idea of alliteration in names (our surname begins with a W too).

I think I was quite fortunate in the schools I went to as a child so I don't think anyone named Winnie would have got any comments other than the odd Winnie The Pooh reference, but would love to know what other people think for a girl growing up now? Is it just opening up them to name calling or with so many unusual names about is it safe to use?

There are of course many strong Winnies, e.g. Winnie Mandela, so I like the idea what it could be both a gentle or more professional name as an adult...

Thoughts?

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Leopardprintboots · 09/12/2019 11:04

Winter is nicer than Winifred IMO

CaptainCabinets · 09/12/2019 08:26

Winnie Mandela as a ‘strong Winnie’ Shock

She did some utterly vile things.

Not a bad name though.

mathanxiety · 09/12/2019 06:15

Love it. I know one aged about 6. She is Winifred on the BC.

As long as your surname isn't Pugh, you're fine.

Thetimetravelerswife · 09/12/2019 05:27

There was a Winnie (short for Winifred) in mr school. No one bullied her...but then again she was a bully herself.

I do remember thinking the name Winnie was so ugly.

Perhaps Winnie short for winter is “cooler”. As Winter is now a “cool name”, so being Winnie short for winter wouldn’t cause issues.

But not sure about the lasting power of Winter...

Cbeebiesrehab · 08/12/2019 20:59

The bullying won’t be relentless. Kids won’t bat an eyelid-they are far nicer and more tolerant than adults. Winnie is a nice name and totally in keeping with names that are popular nowadays.

Winterwine · 08/12/2019 14:10

Hideous name.

PhoneLock · 08/12/2019 13:11

Winifred is nice. Winnie on its own is not.

georgialondon · 08/12/2019 13:02

She'll be called The Poo.

Scarletoharaseyebrows · 08/12/2019 12:55

It's The Wonder Years and my friends lovely granny to me. Cracking name

Scarletoharaseyebrows · 08/12/2019 12:53

LOVE Winnie!!

daisypond · 08/12/2019 12:50

Edwina?

Greggers2017 · 08/12/2019 12:44

My friends daughter is Eowyn, her nickname is Winnie. It really suits her x

roiseandjim · 08/12/2019 12:38

I looooooove Winnie!!! My DH won't let me use it though. I was in school with a Winnie who was from China years ago and I've loved it ever since

DramaAlpaca · 08/12/2019 12:35

The name Winnie makes me actually wince, it's so hideous.

MrsNoMopp · 08/12/2019 10:25

How about Winter, nickname Winnie?

user1493494961 · 08/12/2019 09:49

Not keen myself but I don't think she will be teased at school. I know a 5 year old Winnie and her name sounds quite mainstream compared with some of her classmates.

emilybrontescorsett · 08/12/2019 09:38

I doubt she will get teased, it's definately due a come back as it's an old lady name.

Leopardprintboots · 08/12/2019 09:12

I know a little boy called Woody. Never been teased.
Winnie is completely mainstream now. If a child is going to get picked on then it’ll happen regardless of their name

ElluesPichulobu · 08/12/2019 09:12

Winnie is absolutely fine. there is one we know, age 9 now, who doesn't appear to have any trouble with her name.

in the very first chapter of Winnie the Pooh the narrator and Christopher Robin have a specific conversation about the difference between Winnie as a perfectly fine name for a human girl being entirely different from Winnie The Pooh being an appropriate name for a male bear.

Answerthequestion · 08/12/2019 09:10

Winnie is cute. Winifred is hideous

SourAndSnippy · 08/12/2019 09:05

There are of course many strong Winnies, e.g. Winnie Mandela

Winnie Mandela might be 'strong' but not someone you would want to name someone after. 😱 She was convicted of all sorts of awful things.

Angie6868 · 08/12/2019 09:03

I'm not keen on it. And I think she'll be called Pooh at school. I wouldn't do it

Leopardprintboots · 08/12/2019 08:58

“The bullying will be relentless” 🤣🤣 Couldn’t help but laugh as there was over 150 babies born called Winnie last year - it’s on a massive upward trajectory so there will be even more next year. There’s all sorts of names at my sons school. Including 2 boys called Wolf

KindnessAlways · 08/12/2019 08:33

Don't do it, the bullying will be relentless. Children are cruel.

Leopardprintboots · 08/12/2019 08:33

Not even thought about Winnie the Pooh to be honest there’s a famous model called Winnie. It’s much more mainstream now I really wouldn’t let it worry you, it’s a great name and not that unusual these days

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