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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thanksgiving? It is too much?

212 replies

Cma1988 · 01/05/2021 10:12

Hiya, I’ve name changed here as I’m giving my child’s name so just using this username for this thread.
I’m due baby girl in a few days, (Dd3) and my DH and I are trying to pick a name.

We are really looking for a virtue name - we have Dd1 who is Honour, and we also had dd2 who sadly was born sleeping, due to lots of complications in pregnancy, who we also gave a virtue name.

We are looking for a name that marks the joy of having another girl after our loss and for what has been thankfully a good pregnancy.

We can’t use Joy though as a baby in our very close friendship circle has just been name Joy. Also can’t use Grace for a similar reason.

We are thinking ‘Thanksgiving’, as this conveys thankfulness and a sense of giving back for our blessing. DH loves it and wants it to be a done deal but I am thinking - it’s quite a mouthful and a big name to give to a little girl, what if it’s too much? And what would we shorten Thanksgiving to?

Can I have your thoughts on Thanksgiving, or if you think it’s too much, do you have any other suggestions?

We are Christians if that gives any context.

OP posts:
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Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 01/05/2021 11:42

i have a virtue name of the kind you have considered.
i've got to be honest, i have found it very difficult to live with. It invites comment all the time, people make jokes about it( often the same joke in various forms) and people think you should act/behave as your name.
I completely understand your sentiment but i really would think very hard about it.
I very much wish my parents had NOT gone down that road.

seven201 · 01/05/2021 11:41

There are lots of great suggestions on this thread. I strongly urge you to not name your child thanksgiving; she could be bullied terribly (I'm a secondary teacher).

Ecruelworld · 01/05/2021 11:41

Just noticed someone has suggested Trinity. I love that as it would be a reference to all three of your daughters.

Ecruelworld · 01/05/2021 11:39

I’m so sorry for your loss OP. I agree that Thanksgiving doesn’t sound like a name and would be hard to shorten and maybe lead to teasing.

There are some lovely suggestions so far. I love Faith, Blessing, Mercy, Eliana.

Other ideas:
Celestine (meaning heavenly)
Elisha (God is my salvation)
Eve (to live)
Gia (gods gracious gift)
Jessica (blessed)

StevieNix · 01/05/2021 11:39

I’m sorry for your loss but thanksgiving is one of the worst names I’ve ever heard.
How about Blessing (nickname blessy would be so lovely!) or other virtue names like Verity, Faith, Charity, Serenity, Constance (nickname Connie)
Or less obvious virtue names like:
Felicity (nickname Fliss) means happy/good fortune in Latin,
Blythe - means carefree and happy

Unsubscribed · 01/05/2021 11:33

What about Thankful as opposed to Thanksgiving. I agree Promise is lovely

ballsdeep · 01/05/2021 11:30

Sorry for your loss but come on op.
Thanksgiving?! That's not even a name . Please think of the poor child as it grows up.

popcorndiva · 01/05/2021 11:29

I would go with either

Blessing
Faith
Felicity

Unsubscribed · 01/05/2021 11:28

Heaven

Hexinthecity · 01/05/2021 11:26

@Lovebug06 Promise is lovely

Shutupyoutart · 01/05/2021 11:16

So sorry for your loss op x I have to agree about thanksgiving I think it lacks the grace and beauty of honour and hope and also opens her up to teasing kids can be mean. Faith is a gorgeous name I also love blessing. Or how about glory, bliss or destiny It wouldn't be too my taste but the girl I know with the name suits it.

jacinthalt · 01/05/2021 11:13

Well, this WAS a feast to read! Thanksgiving? I thought you were talking about the holiday! My children have what in my opinion are most sensible names. I suggest you delve into the world of Sarah's and Mary's.

minniemomo · 01/05/2021 11:12

Asher means thanksgiving I think. How about Trinity?

Lipsandlashes · 01/05/2021 11:10

I’m so sorry for your loss.
I think Faith is a lovely name and would really work with your other children’s names. My friend named her DD Faith, after experiencing problems conceiving.

elliejjtiny · 01/05/2021 11:09

I really wouldn't. My friend named her baby born after loss Mercy and I named mine Matthew which means gift.

BaronessBomburst · 01/05/2021 11:08

I think that Blessing would be perfect. It's a pretty name, and fits with your journey.

Councilworker · 01/05/2021 11:05

I've dealt with a lot of little girls called Blessing/Blessed, Miracle, Comfort and Gift from predominantly Black African backgrounds but from other cultures too. I think they are gorgeous names, you can just imagine the sheer love and happiness of the parents meeting their baby girl summed up in these names.
I'm more familiar with Hebrew/Old Testament names although a lot are also popular in Christian families too
Abigail means Father's Joy, Aliza means Joy,. Eliana means my God has answered me and Thea is gift from God.

I don't think that Thanksgiving is an appropriate name. It isn't a person's name for a start, it is an North American holiday. What about Faith as you already like it and then a name meaning Thanks or Joy as a middle name

Lovebug06 · 01/05/2021 11:01

I knew a little girl called Promise. I also like faith.
Sorry for your loss. Hope is a beautiful name Flowers

ElphabaTWitch · 01/05/2021 11:00

Ridiculous name. You’re setting your child up for a lifetime of misery with that name. Please don’t do that to her.

Hexinthecity · 01/05/2021 10:57

Felicity is a lovely name but I hate the shortened version of Flic so you’d have to be careful to nip that in the bud for her first few years.

crapbuttrue · 01/05/2021 10:52

I think Blessing is lovely.

BunnyRuddington · 01/05/2021 10:50

If you like Faith I'd go for that. It is a wonderfully underused name and will fit in beautifully with the two names for your other DDs Thanks

Original poster
Cma1988 · 01/05/2021 10:49

Thank you for all the sugggestions.

To those asking if it’s a joke, I get that the name is not to your taste, and I have admitted that I was cautious of it and thought it may have been too much, so I am not surprised by many of the replies, but to ask if it’s a joke is actually quite hurtful and rude. I don’t mind people not liking a suggestion but please don’t ridicule me. I have explained our story, which can show why we wanted a name to convey thanksgiving and gratitude and joy.

@TrickyBiscuits we are not of South African heritage, I’m of Caribbean heritage and DH British

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 01/05/2021 10:46

I like Faith or Felicity as I think they convey the meaning you want without being too obvious.

Thanksgiving is just plain weird.

ufucoffee · 01/05/2021 10:44

Try and think what it would be like for the poor child to be saddled with that for a name. They'll be ridiculed throughout school and will be forever explaining it for the rest of their life. It's not just about what you like, it's about the child too.