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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts on Bertha

231 replies

Godwits · 29/08/2021 04:09

nickname Bertie, Thea, Bess?

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Palavah · 29/08/2021 09:19

Given that you keep suggesting 'nicknames' which are nothing like Bertha, are you trying to honour a Bertha? If so, use that as a middle name or second middle name and call your child something you would actually call them. If that's Bess or Thea or whatever then go for that.

Palavah · 29/08/2021 09:17

Berthe, then?

Or try Beata or Greta or Marta

AJumpedUpPantryBoy · 29/08/2021 09:15

Reminds me of the bit in one of the Anne of Green Gables books where Anne's late mother was called Bertha and her daughter has it as a middle name - she wishes it was her first name as it is so beautiful (she's called Marrilla known as Rilla)

cherryberrylicious · 29/08/2021 09:14

This has be a joke right? Absolutely no way

whenwillthemadnessend · 29/08/2021 09:13

Terrible Just have Bess or Thea

Beetlewing · 29/08/2021 09:12

Those just aren't nicknames for Bertha. I know there's a fashion for clunky names at the moment but Christ Bertha....BERTHA? I do know a sweet baby called Agatha which is similar but without the negative associations

ShingleBeach · 29/08/2021 09:11

No to Bertha, full stop.

It’s horrible, no child will want to write it down however lovely her nickname.

If you want Bet, call her Bet.

If you want ‘Birta’ by sound call her that or any other name for which Berta could be a Nn.

Why so keen, OP?

MrsMop1964 · 29/08/2021 09:10

I had a german friend at college who spelled her name Birte. That would sound the same without the associations. Ibet she always had to tell people how to say it though.

MangosteenSoda · 29/08/2021 09:10

It’s ok for a robot, not so much for a human baby (or adult for that matter).

Are you looking for a name that works in German and English? If so, there are tons of nice options. Bertha might work in German, but it’s brutally ugly in English.

twinningatlife · 29/08/2021 09:10

Awful and a prospective parent like yourself (if this is real of course) are the reason why there should be a government approved list of baby names like in Iceland 🤦‍♀️

IVflytrap · 29/08/2021 09:09

I'm not sure how Elizabeth is old fashioned but Bertha isn't? Grin (I actually don't like the name Elizabeth much myself, so you're not alone in that.)

Bertha does make me think of Bertha Mason. I don't think it's hideous but based on this thread it does seem to have mostly negative associations, which would put me off.

If you want Bet, I would call her either Betty or Bette.

If you want the German pronunciation, but you're in Britain (I'm assuming), then Berta or even Bertah could work.

Aspiringmatriarch · 29/08/2021 09:08

Awful, awful, awful. Please don't.

ElliottSmithsfingers · 29/08/2021 09:07

I never comment on baby names thread, but had to this time. Just thinking of this poor baby girl lumbered with such an ugly name. Please don't do it.

Runningincircles · 29/08/2021 09:04

I had a friend at school who had Bertha as a middle name. She was desperate to get to the age that she could change it by deed poll. She found it deeply embarrassing and hated having to fill out anything with her full name.
Call your baby what you like, just bear in mind that they might hate you for it.

Mybalconyiscracking · 29/08/2021 09:02

Give the poor little mite a chance, OP.
Why are you so wedded to such a terrible name?

HoldingTheDoor · 29/08/2021 09:02

I don't like Elizabeth before anyone suggests it. Too old fashioned.

Hmm And Bertha isn't?

Phyllis321 · 29/08/2021 09:02

It’s ugly in the ear. Reminds me of burp.

ClaryFairchild · 29/08/2021 09:00

Still no. It's just not a nice name, and will leave your child up for some horrible nicknames.

Original poster
Godwits · 29/08/2021 08:58

What about Bertha, nn Bet?

I don't like Elizabeth before anyone suggests it. Too old fashioned.

OP posts:
HoldingTheDoor · 29/08/2021 08:57

It's hideous.

RicherThanYow · 29/08/2021 08:56

“I'd be genuinely furious with anyone who inflicted a horror like Bertha on their child.

I get that it's cool to use the less obvious vintage names, but some names are redundant for good reason. Because they're very fucking ugly.

Bess and Thea are both lovely names.

Bertha IS NOT.”

…. 1000% this. Please don’t do it!!

Roberta, Beata, Beatrix, Bethan, Briony, or similar are all lovely alternatives. There are thousands of German girls names that aren’t Bertha.

MumDadBingoBLUEY · 29/08/2021 08:45

@Godwits

What about if I insist people pronounce it the germanic way: Berta?
Then do Roberta nn Berta?

What's the appeal specifically of Bertha for you?

Viviennemary · 29/08/2021 08:45

Its a dire ugly name. Please no.

LadyGAgain · 29/08/2021 08:43

@Godwits

What about if I insist people pronounce it the germanic way: Berta?
Then spell it like this. Bertha - there is nothing good to come of naming her this.
Givemethatknife · 29/08/2021 08:43

Big Bertha… NO
If you want it pronounced Berta - the only option is to spell it it like that
Or call her Alberta