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Baby names

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

Original poster

Henrietta?

42 replies

Mum2B36 · 22/04/2020 23:44

I think DH and I have settled on Henrietta for a girls name. However, I am aware Henrietta is very much a marmite name and I hate to think people will be disliking the name behind our backs. My gran will probably tell me to my face 🙈.

Most likely we will shorten it to Hettie or Etta.

DH vetoed Emilia which was my favourite and I vetoed Darcie which was his favourite. We both liked Matilda but this has been recently “taken” by a close friend and it wouldn’t be appropriate to copy. We have discussed Otillie but think it might be one step too far for us.

What’s everyone’s thoughts? Do some people really hate Henrietta and think we should re-think?

DH says I shouldn’t care what other people think when we like the name but it’s such an important decision.

Thanks

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rebeccaelle · 27/04/2020 16:24

I love it, my baby dolly was called Henrietta when I was a kid!! I work in a nursery and I've never come across a Henrietta in over 10 years!!

whatausername · 26/04/2020 21:07

Then certainly use it. Even those who have reservations will like it once they associate it with your DD. And those who don't know her (and thus might still dislike the name) don't matter.

Original poster
Mum2B36 · 26/04/2020 19:20

Thanks everyone. We do really like the name. I hope I am brave enough and don’t settle for something else. I do think I would always regret not using Henrietta.

OP posts:
Starlight1243 · 25/04/2020 10:42

Harriet or Heidi are more feminine names. I agree with the pp Henrietta sounds very masculine like you were expecting a boy but changed the name last minute but adding onto a previous name.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 25/04/2020 10:39

Friends sister called her daughter this- think everyone in the family wasn’t keen. But I guess like all names people become them.
Personally it’s probably my least favourite name, such a dated granny name, but that’s clearly my taste issue as I hate most of the traditional names that are coming back in fashion.

allaboardthesinkingship · 25/04/2020 10:36

Love this name! Love the NN Ettie

Fantasiaa · 24/04/2020 23:58

I actually like it but I wouldn’t use it at all. It’s a really marmite name and does unfortunately make me think chicken. I like nicknames like Etta far far far more.

Tillygetsit · 24/04/2020 23:42

It's not really my taste but perfectly fine as long as your surname isnt food...eg Henrietta Bun.

fauconberg · 24/04/2020 20:41

Absolutely love it.

My favourite book as a child was Henrietta’s House if you need even more convincing!

ritalia · 24/04/2020 20:34

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Mimilamore · 24/04/2020 20:26

Love it x

StatisticallyChallenged · 24/04/2020 20:23

I only don’t like it when there is another sister with a variant of a well known man’s name

Funny this was the main reason we vetoed it for DD2 (as I really like Henrietta) - we already have an Alexandra and two names from that family felt a bit odd. Philippa got binned for the same reason

daisypond · 23/04/2020 19:40

I really like it

Bitofeverything · 23/04/2020 18:35

I like it! I only don’t like it when there is another sister with a variant of a well known man’s name - eg nigella and Henrietta and Georgina - because it makes me think the family wanted boys - but that’s niche!

PainintheholeSIL · 23/04/2020 18:31

I don't think other people's opinions really matter @Mum2B36 my sister named one of her girls a name I have always hated. Absolutely detested the name. But I love my niece and I love her name. It really suits her and I obviously never told my sister that I had previously hated it.
Call her what you love and don't worry about other people!

Whatsyourflava · 23/04/2020 16:11

Prefer Harriet

bridgetreilly · 23/04/2020 15:04

I think it's lovely. I like Hetta as a short form, but Hettie and Etta are also sweet.

I really think you have to stop worrying about what other people think. For any name you come up with, some people will like it and some won't. Once people get to know her they it won't matter at all.

Original poster
Mum2B36 · 23/04/2020 12:20

Thanks guys I think we will go for it and use Hettie for short. Probably have a DS anyway after all this!

Thanks again for the reassurance everyone. I also know one Henrietta and she is super cool and nice.

I agree that people tend to just become their name and those around you forget any negative views they had.

Xx

OP posts:
Toomanydishes · 23/04/2020 11:48

One of the most amazing little girls I've worked with was called Henrietta, Hettie for short. I've always loved her name ❤️

Windyatthebeach · 23/04/2020 11:07

I knew a Henrietta. She was amazing!!
She was my chicken!!
Grin
Go for it op!!

WendyDarling888 · 23/04/2020 11:05

Awul (sorry). Harriet is also bad but not quite as bad.

But OP, this is your daughter. Call her what you like. If you love the name, use it.

I would say about Matilda, use it if you love it. No one can 'take' a name. Matilda is a very popular name now, your friend's Matilda will meet countless others. Friends come and go. Your daughter will have her name for life.

SoftBlocks · 23/04/2020 10:01

Do you like it? That is all that matters.

NoSauce · 23/04/2020 10:00

Gorgeous. Love it.

DoctorBambino · 23/04/2020 09:59

I hate it (and marmite Grin) but you will never find a name that everyone likes. You would probably hate the names that I love. Just because I dont like a name, I would never judge someone because of it and you get used to names over time and if you love the person you dont think anything more about the name!

Pemba · 23/04/2020 03:43

Sorry but I always found it a really long and clunky name. Harriet is so much nicer.

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