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Original poster

If not Pippa...?

43 replies

yellowmelon · 09/01/2020 16:33

Please help! I'm currentl 38 weeks. We had settled on Philippa/Pippa for a girl (we don't know the sex), but I've been put off after recently finding out the numerous unfortunate meanings of this word across Europe. Dh still loves the name and isn't phased - he thinks it's still a beautiful name and she can simply use Philippa when travelling if needs be. Is he right? Can you suggest other classic, underused names with a lovely nickname that will age well? Time is ticking, so please help MN!

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Mandarinfish · 26/01/2020 19:51

I like Pippa, I also like Tess, Clara or Iris.

bridgetreilly · 26/01/2020 19:44

Philippa can also be Phil or Philly, or Pip or Pippi. It's a lovely name, and she'll be fine.

ravensoaponarope · 26/01/2020 09:01

In German wee is Pipi! It's not even pronounced similarly.

sel2223 · 19/01/2020 09:41

I like Pippa and Piper

Peanutty86 · 18/01/2020 17:31

I am German. Pippa does not mean wee. Pippi means wee. No one would associate Pippa with urine in Germany!!! I am currently pregnant and am considering Philippa/Pippa after previously considering it for DS1. The only name I wouldn't use (for my own child due to the German connection) is Jude - German for jew and that would be very awkward.

IVflytrap · 18/01/2020 11:53

Philippa nicknamed Piper? Or Pepper?

Alternatively:

Eleanor - Nell, Ella, Nora
Catherine - Kate/Katie, Cate
Coralie - Cora
Caroline - Carrie, Caro, Carly, Carla
Esther - Tess, Essie, Etta
Henrietta - Etta, Rita
Jemima - Jemma/Jem, Mina, Mimi
Margaret - Maggie, Meg, Megan, Margot, Peggy, Daisy, Pearl (the last two admittedly a bit obscure these days)
Elizabeth - Lizzie, Beth, Eliza, Ella
Giselle - Gigi, Ella
Penelope - Penny, Nell
Persephone - Sephy, Peri
Annabel - Anna, Belle/Bella

NoSauce · 17/01/2020 16:05

Are you sure about those translations OP? I can’t find anything to tie those words to the name Pippa.

LunaNova · 17/01/2020 14:28

I'm a Philippa that goes by Pippa and I've never had any trouble/sniggers when travelling within Europe. I'm 29 if that helps!

Ptgh · 10/01/2020 14:40

Definitely not pee in German. That would be Pipi. Pippa sounds totally fine.

OrangeHeadMummy · 10/01/2020 02:50

Calliope and Poppy as a nickname.

Penelope and Penny or Poppy as a nickname

Petra

Pepper would also be a nice nickname for the names listed above.

Poorolddaddypig · 10/01/2020 01:11

Agree with PP - great that your husband isn’t phased but it’s not really fair on your daughter if you live in a multicultural city - even if you don’t, the world is getting small, people travel more - of course you should avoid names that have horrible meanings in not just one but several languages. Sorry OP. I don’t like Philippa either. What about Tabitha, Jemima, Hermione, Clementine, Beatrice?

Poorolddaddypig · 10/01/2020 01:09

It means blowjob too Blush

PsychosonicCindy · 09/01/2020 23:17

Tiggy
Araminta (Minty)
Pippi
Holly
Abigail (Abbie)
Heidi
Peta

Tillygetsit · 09/01/2020 22:56

Susannah or Cassia. My girls ❤

Grinchly · 09/01/2020 21:37

Francesca springs to mind. Louisa. Imogen.
I love Philippa also

SoftSheen · 09/01/2020 21:10

Georgina
Cordelia
Talitha
Cecilia
Arabella

redexpat · 09/01/2020 21:04

Phillippa was on our list, along with Emily.

daisypond · 09/01/2020 20:51

Tessa
Polly
Molly

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 09/01/2020 20:39

It’s all very well him not being phased.
It’s not his name.
Penelope.
Cora
Delilah
Iris
Piper

vitaminC · 09/01/2020 20:15

I had a colleague in my last job called Pia, which is lovely (as was she!) and which could work as an alternative nickname for Philippa.

Original poster
yellowmelon · 09/01/2020 20:11

@maggiefs - yes, that's my concern. We live in a pretty international city so I don't think it's just about travelling necessarily.

OP posts:
MaggieFS · 09/01/2020 20:09

It's not just about DD travelling though is it, it's any time she might meet people from abroad. I've mentioned before about a colleague that hates her name Pippa for this reason. We work for an international company. Frequently when she has to say her name on a teleconference or even meets people out in bars in London she has to pretty much has to say 'yes, my name is Pippa'.

FWIW, I'll add allegedly 'blow job' in French to the list of unfortunate translations.

IsolaPribby · 09/01/2020 19:43

I really don't think that Pippa is vagina in Polish. Can't comment about the others.

Cbeebiesrehab · 09/01/2020 19:39

Not an issue, she can use Philippa when/if she travels, or Pip. I know a few young Pippas. My sons name doesn’t work in Germany-we still used it, he could go by his middle name if he moved there.

MsChatterbox · 09/01/2020 19:38

Penelope

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