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Baby names

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Original poster

Maeve and Blythe - too similar?

37 replies

BeeKeeping · 28/04/2021 12:54

Pros-
I love old lady names.
To me it's soft but still strong.
Spells like it sounds.
One syllable
It means joyful/cheerful
Keen for something unusual but not unheard of....

Cons-
Too similar to DD1 name Maeve?
We have a long 3 syllable surname which is a popular androgynous first name- think Lindsay.... would it lead to a lifetime of people thinking she was actually called Lindsay Blythe? Is Blythe too popular a surname? We're in Scotland if that makes any difference.

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BergamotMouse · 28/04/2021 15:54

How do you pronounce it? Is it a silent th so Bli? I might be skewed as know people with that surname and you don't pronounce the th.

Either way, I like it and don't see it as too similar to Maeve.

notalwaysalondoner · 28/04/2021 15:48

How are they similar? I don't see them as at all similar, beyond that they go nicely together and have a similar vibe. I think they're lovely (and I don't even like old lady style names normally).

And the surname thing is a non-issue, as that would surely occur with any first name? I wouldn't worry about it, honestly.

Thatswhatmamasaid · 28/04/2021 15:47

I think they're both lovely names together and I don't think they sound too similar.

daisyducky · 28/04/2021 15:46

I don't think they are similar at all!

Blythe was on my list but DH said no. I love it!

FurrySlipperBoots · 28/04/2021 14:22

Far too similar! How about 'Blanche'?

YoniAndGuy · 28/04/2021 14:20

No, brilliant pairing. Love them both They ARE fairly similar in sound, but the actual names are very different.

ChairmansReserve · 28/04/2021 14:07

Yes they are much too similar.

MercyBodle · 28/04/2021 14:06

I love Blythe, (and Maeve!) so want to say go for it. However I do see what you mean about a similarity with Maeve. They are different sounds, but there is certainly a similar feel. Not sure it it's enough of an issue to cross it off though.
I don't think the surname issue is a problem. That wouldn't worry me.

Original poster
BeeKeeping · 28/04/2021 13:48

@FortunesFave Lindsay was a bad example- MacKenzie is a much better example.

My husband quite often gets called 'MacKenzie' rather than his first name as his surname is more commonly a first name in Scotland.

It's mostly a boys name but sometimes rarely a girls name so I worried picking a surnamy first name for DD2 would cause the same thing.... but hopefully not.

Glad people think Maeve and Blythe 'go'

OP posts:
Edenember · 28/04/2021 13:39

I don’t think they’re too similar at all. Yes they’re both monosyllabic and have the same vibe which means they go together, but they have a different sound.

halcyondays · 28/04/2021 13:31

Never heard of Blythe as a first name so don’t see it as an old lady name at all. Only heard of it as a surname as in Gilbert Blythe.
People may think it’s spelt Blithe.

FortunesFave · 28/04/2021 13:16

Lindsay's not got three syllables? But either way, Blythe is blinking GORGEOUS. Love it. Reminds me of the wonderful film Blythe Spirit...it's light and airy and pretty.

I mean...it means happy and carefree doesn't it? So nice.

But why would your surname make people think she was called Lindsay Blythe? If it's her surname they'll see it as Blythe Lindsay surely?

Like...Mackenzie....Blythe Mackenzie...that's a surname and first name.

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