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Baby names

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

Roberta (nn Bertie)

89 replies

periwinkle86 · 29/08/2021 10:19

DP and I have been discussing ways of incorporating his family into our DD’s name when she’s born (both middle and surname will come from my side). His late grandfather was Robert and we were initially discussing Roberta as a second middle name, but are now actually quite liking it as a possible first name.

She would most likely go by Bertie day-to-day. We had been looking for a traditional name that’s heard of but not overly used and has cute nicknames. DP likes the family connection and I really like the connection to The Railway Children.

I know it’s not a “pretty” name as such (though I’m not a fan of anything too frilly anyway) but I do think the cute nickname options soften it a bit.

Am I going mad and this is pregnancy hormones talking?! What do people think of the name?

OP posts:
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KeyErro · 29/08/2021 10:30

I think Roberta is ok, Bertie is not great, and both scream out 'we really wanted a boy'.
Without knowing any of the other names in your DH's family it also seems a bit of a stretch - eg why wouldn't you use his mother or grandmother's name?
Also I see it as dated rather than traditional.
But it is quite unusual and it's the kind of name a child could grown into.

Hoppinggreen · 29/08/2021 10:30

I like it, which is why that’s what I called my (Male) dog

ShingleBeach · 29/08/2021 10:29

Will she have your surname?

HoldingTheDoor · 29/08/2021 10:29

That's why I said Have you considered Bertha. I was just on that thread.

RevolvingPivot · 29/08/2021 10:28

@HoldingTheDoor

Current thread...

Thoughts on Bertha www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/4335072-Thoughts-on-Bertha

Sportsnight · 29/08/2021 10:28

I really like it!

HoldingTheDoor · 29/08/2021 10:28

Bobbi is just as bad.

IVflytrap · 29/08/2021 10:27

Have you considered Bertha?

Grin

I like Roberta. It also makes me think of the character from the Railway Children, although she was Bobbie rather than Bertie. It's definitely more of strong name than a frilly one, but I'm a bit bored of frilly names these days. If you love it, go for it. Vintage nicknames are popular these days, I think a female Bertie wouldn't be that out of place.

VinoBianca · 29/08/2021 10:27

Makes me think of The Railway Children (Bobbie) - I like it!

periwinkle86 · 29/08/2021 10:26

Hmmm now I see Bertie written down (we had just been discussing it before, I hadn’t written it anywhere) I see what you mean - I’m less keen. Is it any better with Bobbi for short? Though DP is less keen on this…

OP posts:
NutellaEllaElla · 29/08/2021 10:25

Yeah it's not a nice name really is it, to be just a feminisation of a bloke. Robbie could be another nick name. Not really a fan.

OneAugustNight · 29/08/2021 10:22

I wouldn’t. Bertie is awful. Have you seen the Bertha thread?

HoldingTheDoor · 29/08/2021 10:21

No, seriously. Bertie is an awful name for a boy or girl imo but especially for a girl. Roberta is not an attractive name either. I'd stick to using it as a middle name personally.

HoldingTheDoor · 29/08/2021 10:21

Have you considered Bertha?

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