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Baby names

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

Original poster

I’m told names are too short

44 replies

Mrsangrypants · 28/03/2021 19:53

First DD is Penelope. We are now due DD2 and family are saying that our shortlist of names are too short and do not go. I’ve no idea why they need to ‘go’ together but what do you all think? Our names are: Evie, Elsie, Hallie

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KatherineJaneway · 28/03/2021 21:45

Why are you giving their opinions mind space?

Call your dd what you want to call her. You don't need permission.

EvilOnion · 28/03/2021 21:42

I'm baffled that people would feel hard done by because of they have a different sort of name to their sibling Confused

I only have 1 middle name, my brother has 2, my sister's have none. Should i feel "short-changed" because of that too?! Only on MN!

daisypond · 28/03/2021 21:35

Well, they’re right, I’d say. It’s not the length per se, it’s that the style is so extremely different. Classical dignified name from the annals of Greek history/myth vs shortened twee names. How about Elizabeth instead of Elsie? Or Zoe? It’s short, but is a full name, and it’s Greek. I’d feel very shortchanged if my sister was Penelope and I’d been saddled with Elsie.

MitheringSunday · 28/03/2021 21:32

PurBal, Elsie is faddy, as in the subject of a fad, at the moment. It's everywhere. And I'm assuming your nan wasn't Elsie on her birth certificate?

user1493494961 · 28/03/2021 21:23

I also think that compared with Penelope, Hallie will have drawn the short straw. I think that Hallie is this generation's Tracey.

partyatthepalace · 28/03/2021 20:56

@MitheringSunday

Tbph, if I were your dd2 called Evie/Elsie/Hallie (especially Hallie) I think I'd feel I'd drawn the short straw. Not just because of length, although that's part of it. Penelope is strong and classical, Evie/Elsie/Hallie are faddy and nicknamey.
Yep would agree with this - it’s not the length, it’s that Penelope is a beautiful name with a rich history... and your second choices are nns.

Think full name options would work well - Eve nn Evie, or Elizabeth/Elspeth nn Elsie (or even Elsa nn Elsie), or Harriet nn Hallie.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 28/03/2021 20:41

Possibly it's that Penelope is quite classical sounding and Evie, Elsie and Hallie as given names are more cutesy/nicknamey in comparison (although I've personally always liked Evie). Imo you can either decide having different style names don't matter for sisters, or use Eve/Eva, Evelina, Genevieve, Elisabeth/Elsa, Helena, Harriet etc on the BC with the nn's you like.

Theunamedcat · 28/03/2021 20:36

I've ended up with three fairly traditional names for mine my youngest is the shorter out of the three but it was my favourite naming children should not be by democracy people pleasing is the reason behind my middle child having two middle names which has been a nightmare from the start no tax credits because they were "looking for twins" no he is ONE child with TWO middle names he doesn't fit into official forms so they pick a middle name at random so at the doctors he is master XY at the school he is master XZ 🤦‍♀️

Hufflepuffsunite · 28/03/2021 20:10

Oh just ignore them! I love Hallie from your list.

HamFisted · 28/03/2021 20:10

Yeah, schoolboy error there- never share your names list with anyone prior to the birth of the baby.

PurBal · 28/03/2021 20:09

@MitheringSunday

Tbph, if I were your dd2 called Evie/Elsie/Hallie (especially Hallie) I think I'd feel I'd drawn the short straw. Not just because of length, although that's part of it. Penelope is strong and classical, Evie/Elsie/Hallie are faddy and nicknamey.
I wish my nan was still here. She was an Elsie and died at 93 lat year. I think she'd have appreciated being called faddy. Grin
EvilOnion · 28/03/2021 20:07

Hallie is lovely.

I don't get the obsession with sibling names "going' together. They're individuals who happen to share a home and/or bloodline not a part of a set.

My DC both have 4 letters in their first names, purely coincidental, and imaginary 3rd DC would have 9 letters.

MitheringSunday · 28/03/2021 20:06

Tbph, if I were your dd2 called Evie/Elsie/Hallie (especially Hallie) I think I'd feel I'd drawn the short straw. Not just because of length, although that's part of it. Penelope is strong and classical, Evie/Elsie/Hallie are faddy and nicknamey.

SummaLuvin · 28/03/2021 20:06

I don't love that they would both end in an 'eee' sound, too matchy for my personal taste. That being said, I don't think the names you suggested are too short to sound complimentary with Penelope, they are fine. Evangeline which others have suggested is on my names list, but I get it's not for everyone, bit of a mouthful.

FelicityPike · 28/03/2021 20:02

This is what happens when you tell people your choices.
Nothing wrong with your list.

Ladsladslads · 28/03/2021 19:58

I think I'd probably go for a longer version that you could use those as nicknames for, such as Evelyn, Evangeline, Elspeth, Harriett. Lovely name choices though!

Doyoumindfisithere · 28/03/2021 19:57

All three you suggest are nice btw

Doyoumindfisithere · 28/03/2021 19:56

What a load of rubbish!

Your child, your name choice. I would go with Su, Lu, or Jo just to piss the nosey buggers off!

topcat2014 · 28/03/2021 19:54

Well, the mistake there was involving anyone other than the other parent in the name choice :)

Just tell them you are going with "Evangeline" and pick something you like.