Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Tabitha or Vivienne

111 replies

Bruce2 · 27/11/2020 21:57

Always loved the name Vivienne but recently I've fallen in love with Tabitha and Bibi (bee-bee) as a nickname possibly at home. Not fussed on nicknames so it's not a deal breaker. Can take or leave them and open to variables.

Which do you prefer

Vivienne or Tabitha ?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Blueuggboots · 28/11/2020 00:00

Bibi is Mrs in punjabi I believe...

RaininSummer · 27/11/2020 23:57

Tabitha! Was on my list but was vetoed by her Dad.

GoogleWhacked · 27/11/2020 23:54

Vivienne for sure!

lakesidewinter · 27/11/2020 23:49

Tabitha.

Peacenquiet2 · 27/11/2020 23:25

Vivienne reminds me of the prostitute in pretty woman, aside from that I'm not keen on it anyway, would likely be shortened to viv too, and Tabitha is more of a fairytale witch name to my mind, so not keen on either, sorry op

Original poster
Bruce2 · 27/11/2020 23:22

@IamnotwhouthinkIam

OP I don't find Tabitha too childlike. Maybe you think that because one of the most famous Tabitha's was the little girl in the TV Series Bewitched?

But I think of Tabitha King the writer (Stephen Kings wife) and it was also the name of a popular fashion model when I was a teenager (who was constantly in Mizz, Just 17 etc) - so I tend to think of cool older women as much as younger girls.

Mind you with Vivien I tend to think of the Lady of the Lake (Arthurian Legend) , rather than Pretty Woman so I may just be a bit odd...

I like these references

Glad you mentioned them :)

OP posts:
janetmendoza · 27/11/2020 23:21

Vivien

Original poster
Bruce2 · 27/11/2020 23:21

Really is a split down middle on the names!
Must be quite a marmite type thing. Love one or the other

Yes I know what people are meaning on the Vivien vs Vivienne thing.
I agree I prefer Isobel over Isabelle for example so quite double standards for me to then want to use the fussier version....something to think about thanks.

OP posts:
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 27/11/2020 23:21

OP I don't find Tabitha too childlike. Maybe you think that because one of the most famous Tabitha's was the little girl in the TV Series Bewitched?

But I think of Tabitha King the writer (Stephen Kings wife) and it was also the name of a popular fashion model when I was a teenager (who was constantly in Mizz, Just 17 etc) - so I tend to think of cool older women as much as younger girls.

Mind you with Vivien I tend to think of the Lady of the Lake (Arthurian Legend) , rather than Pretty Woman so I may just be a bit odd...

DramaAlpaca · 27/11/2020 23:18

Vivienne, preferably spelled Vivien which is gorgeous and much less fussy.

I cannot stand Tabitha on a human. It's perfect on a cat though, the name of my favourite ever cat.

DeeandraReynolds · 27/11/2020 23:15

Tabitha. I'm not fond of Vivienne.

Firebird83 · 27/11/2020 23:12

Tabitha. I like Vivien but not Vivienne.

Takethewinefromtheswine · 27/11/2020 23:10

Tabitha. I had an Aunty Viv and she was awful.

Laburnam · 27/11/2020 23:09

Tabitha is a name for a cat.
Love Vivien

VenusClapTrap · 27/11/2020 23:08

Tabitha. I don’t like Vivienne.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 27/11/2020 23:02

Vivienne is pretty, but if you are in the UK it will have spelling issues all the time (eg. Vivian/Vivien/Vivienne). Tabitha is quirky but lovely and is easy to spell - plus has several cute nn's - Bee, Bibi, Tibby etc.

joystir59 · 27/11/2020 22:59

Vivienne but spelt Vivien please.

Original poster
Bruce2 · 27/11/2020 22:58

I think the only thing that I worry about with Tabitha is....can I imagine a grown woman in her m, say, thirties, going for a job interview saying "Hi I'm Tabitha"
Not sure if I can only imagine it on a younger girl or teenager.

Problem is I've never known any Tabithas my entire life.
Know a few Vivienne's of different ages so can picture it being a name for life.

So difficult isn't it choosing a name!

P.S @Nohomemadecandles
never seen Drag Race but obviously I'll be away to google what it is now!

OP posts:
Beamur · 27/11/2020 22:56

Vivienne.
Tabitha is a cat name. Tabby is not a nice NN for a child.

BiscuitsUnited · 27/11/2020 22:52

Vivienne

Tabitha is a cat!

ohidoliketobe · 27/11/2020 22:52

I love them both and were both on my girls list, but DH wouldn't entertain either one Sad
Not much help I know!

Nohomemadecandles · 27/11/2020 22:49

I love Vivienne but now think of Drag Race!
I also love Tabitha though.

CheshireCats · 27/11/2020 22:43

Tabitha. I don't like Vivienne at all.

TheVanguardSix · 27/11/2020 22:42

Love both names. My SIL is Vivienne (Vivi). I really love the name Tabitha though and would choose one that over the two.

MrsCrosbyNRTB · 27/11/2020 22:41

Tabitha 100%