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Baby names

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

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Lucy or Marianne?

107 replies

Liana2021 · 17/01/2021 23:01

All right dear MN, I now believe after maaany hours debating that we have our winning duo for DD due in February:
Marianne
Or
Lucy

Which one do you prefer and why? What kind of little girl do you imagine for both?

Our surname is one syllable, both go well with it.

Thank you !!! ❤️

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funnyoldonion · 17/01/2021 23:50

Marianne is so beautiful, gives me folksy sixties vibes probably from Marianne Faithfull.

Find Lucy a bit 'meh'

Enidblyton1 · 17/01/2021 23:49

Both lovely, but I’d pick Marianne. Very pretty name, not too frilly, sounds particularly nice with a French accent Smile

IdblowJonSnow · 17/01/2021 23:48

I like both very much. Win win.

I did wonder about the Normal People association too but wouldnt let that stop me!

Wait til she's born as she'll probably suit one more than the other.

I only know of one child called Lucy. I think the name was slightly more popular when I was at school in the 80s.

GoLightlyontheEarth · 17/01/2021 23:48

Marianne. Love it. Lucy is a bit dull.

coronafiona · 17/01/2021 23:45

Lucy. Fresh, pretty, ageless.

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Liana2021 · 17/01/2021 23:42

@partyatthepalace also I’m French so it certainly sells Marianne to me :D

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Liana2021 · 17/01/2021 23:41

@painbrain that’s funny because I love the story but actually don’t particularly like Marianne in the novel and now tv show, a little bit too neurotic for me. But it hasn’t put me off the name! I expect it to become more popular but in the same way, might put off some people from it as she’s not universally likeable (not like Lucy from the Narnia novels that it would be difficult to dislike)

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AgathaX · 17/01/2021 23:41

Marianne definitely. I'm listening to Leonard Cohen singing in my head and love the sound of it.

lovablequalities · 17/01/2021 23:39

Marianne is lovely. Lucy is nice.

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Liana2021 · 17/01/2021 23:39

@partyatthepalace it’s a very good point I actually didn’t think of that

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painbrain · 17/01/2021 23:38

I read a news article just this weekend that predicted Marianne to be one of the most popular baby names for this year, because of 'Normal People'.

Obviously that doesn't matter if you don't mind, but it's something to keep in mind if you wouldn't want that.

Orphlids · 17/01/2021 23:38

Marianne is my favourite. It’s sophisticated and elegant. It’s a grown up name. The Leonard Cohen song is nice. Lucy is a bit ordinary by comparison. It’s perfectly pleasant, but pretty forgettable. But I’d be excited to meet a little Marianne.

I imagine Lucy would be a kind, honest, well behaved little girl. I imagine Marianne as gifted, intelligent, and maybe rather rebellious. I’d guess both came from fairly privileged backgrounds.

partyatthepalace · 17/01/2021 23:37

And if you are called something like Smith, then Marianne will lift that in a way Lucy will not.

Birdladybird · 17/01/2021 23:37

Just to add my girls name is Arianne, another alternative? I like both of yours so I’m no help!

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Liana2021 · 17/01/2021 23:36

Really appreciate all the comments thank you, keep it coming!
☀️

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partyatthepalace · 17/01/2021 23:36

Marianne - beautiful, underused, classic name. The French have it as their national symbol for a reason!

Lucy is nice but it’s very cutesy little girl, and is too commonly used to stand out.

So no contest.

DitherFlicker · 17/01/2021 23:35

Marianne is more interesting and imaginative...both the choice and maybe the eventual person. It's a good balance between being known, yet slighty unusual. I always think those names show more thought for the future. I like Lucy too, but it's practical and workaday and ten-a-penny.

CoffeeBeansGalore · 17/01/2021 23:34

A long time ago I knew a lovely Marianne. Have recently known a rather unpleasant Lucy. So I am biased towards Marianne. Or you could go Darling Buds of May with Mariette!

MiddleClassMother · 17/01/2021 23:33

[quote Liana2021]@MiddleClassMother I have a very normal surname (think Smith) but it doesn’t clash with either, it’s one of these ‘nothing’ surnames that is not particularly elegant but goes with everything.[/quote]
I'd go for Marianne then, it's elegant and a lot less common. It's beautiful in fact.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 17/01/2021 23:32

Marianne is lovely - elegant and romantic feeling (one of those Jane Austen Regency names for me.) I find Lucy very cutesy sounding, so for me it's no contest.

SorenLorensonsInvisibleFriend · 17/01/2021 23:30

I love Lucy (sorry) but

So long, Marianne by Leonard Cohen is wonderful, and Marianne Dashwood from Sense & Sensibility is quite good too.

Marianne!

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Liana2021 · 17/01/2021 23:30

@MiddleClassMother I have a very normal surname (think Smith) but it doesn’t clash with either, it’s one of these ‘nothing’ surnames that is not particularly elegant but goes with everything.

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Liana2021 · 17/01/2021 23:27

@DramaAlpaca me too!
DH is blond and I’m dark blonde while both my parents have very dark hair (go wonder!) so this might be a luck of the draw!

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DramaAlpaca · 17/01/2021 23:24

Oh I can't choose! You've got two of my very favourite names right there.

I think personally I'd have to go for Marianne, because Lucy doesn't go with either my surname or DH's.

If it helps, I see Lucy as having blonde hair and Marianne being dark haired. I don't know why.

MiddleClassMother · 17/01/2021 23:24

I prefer Lucy if you have a normal surname but if you have an elegant sounding one then Marianne would be beautiful. It's very elegant.