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Baby names

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

Original poster

Harper or Nova?

107 replies

tuxedocat · 28/09/2021 11:03

We have a DD due at the end of the year and struggling a little on the name.

Harper, Nova and Harlow are my favourites but I know that Harlow gets a right dragging around these parts 😂

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SuperstarDog · 28/09/2021 15:39

What about Marlie?, Shelby? Bellamy, Noelle, Willow, Bailey, they might appeal to you, they have that modern unisex surname vibe but aren't quite so harsh.

I think they all sound far harsher than Harper, apart from Willow maybe. Bellamy? 😬

aSofaNearYou · 28/09/2021 15:38

They're all awful. What about Orla, sounds like it has something of the NOVA

This sort of strength of feeling always bemuses me. Why is Nova awful, but Orla isn't? I find Nova much more pleasing to the ear than Orla. What's the big difference?

ManifestingJoy · 28/09/2021 15:36

They're all awful. What about Orla, sounds like it has something of the NOVA and the Harlow about it. Parker is so ugly I can't. even. begin.

What about Marlie?, Shelby? Bellamy, Noelle, Willow, Bailey, they might appeal to you, they have that modern unisex surname vibe but aren't quite so harsh.

Original poster
tuxedocat · 28/09/2021 15:32

😂 I’m quite enjoying the strong opinions if I’m honest, I’m not offended at any of the comments. I knew asking MN would be interesting and it’s certainly been that!

Stella reminds me of the beer, not sure on Nora it reminds me of a bit of a granny name if you get my drift.

I do find it funny how we each have our own connotations tied to things where we assume judgment on names straight away!

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IamnotwhouthinkIam · 28/09/2021 15:31

Harper is super trendy now - to the extent people sometimes forget about Harper Lee and just think of it as a modern celeb name imo. Harlow is also heading the same way - it's not as popular as Harper but I think both could date your daughter (again people often won't think of Jean Harlow but of the celeb kids with the name).

Of the 3, Nova would definitely be my pick. While Nova is quite trendy and it's popularity is mostly celeb-led too, to me it's strong space imagery overcomes that - many people will automatically think of things like Super Nova's before they think of cars or celebs (so it feels a bit "classier" somehow imo Blush). It also has the benefit of being well -used in some European countries too.

SirChenjins · 28/09/2021 15:12

Ha! Poppy gets rounded slated as being a twee name that no grown woman should have. Hermione gets a no! It's forever a Harry Potter name.

There are no names on MN that get a universal thumbs up.

Magnoliamarigold · 28/09/2021 15:02

If you want to ask mumsnet you should suggest things like poppy and hermione.

Nova is cool - as in the astrophysics term

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 28/09/2021 14:55

None of these sorry!

ILoveShula · 28/09/2021 14:54

Harper - Harpie
Nova - small hatchback from the mid 1980s
Harlow - not the finest town in Essex. Spell it like Margot for extra meaning

HelebethH · 28/09/2021 14:48

I am a child of the fifties and I remember the Vauxhall Nova very well. Do not think about a car with the name but a Supernova.

DramaAlpaca · 28/09/2021 14:48

I like Nova.

The others get a big No from me.

jb7445 · 28/09/2021 14:47

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jb7445 · 28/09/2021 14:46

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Mymapuddlington · 28/09/2021 14:42

Why is nova so popular all of sudden? Only ever known it as a car and now I know 3 baby novas.

Harper is my favourite

Blubells · 28/09/2021 14:40

Harper

Originally a last name meaning someone who plays the harp.

FindingMeno · 28/09/2021 14:34

Nova is lovely.

bloominglovelyorange · 28/09/2021 14:30

I love Harper

ColdAsMice · 28/09/2021 13:25

Hmmm how about...
Sorrel
Etta
Lyra

I like Harper, but it's 100% Beckham now

ducksalive · 28/09/2021 13:21

They are all modern American names which aren't my favorite style.
I think Nova despite the car is the prettiest of them.

Other options are Piper, Avery, Madison, Riley, Aria, Addison, Savanah and Stella.

VoyageInTheDark · 28/09/2021 13:21

I like Harper and Harlow, they were both on my list.

Rosesareyellow · 28/09/2021 13:19

Nova is lovely. I only know one - who is actually a boy, I don’t think his mum realised it’s usually a girl’s name. I’m surprised it’s not more popular - or I was, having just found out people associate it with the car 😄
Harper is ok.
Harlow not so great I think - there’s something too random and try hard about that.

Original poster
tuxedocat · 28/09/2021 13:13

@imnotacelebritygetmeoutofhere

I actually think Nova is a great name, really pretty. A nova is the explosion of a new star being created! If I came across a child called Nova I wouldn't even think of types of cars. Mumsnet is really not the best place to test out your name choices.
Thank you, that was my thought too, and lesson learnt from me don’t worry 🤪😂
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SirChenjins · 28/09/2021 13:11

Nova - cheap car from Vauxhall
Harlow - Essex town
Harper - was nice until the Beckhams ruined it

It you want to be unique go for something truly different and really embrace it - Carol, Pauline, Alison, Nicola, Lorraine, that type of name. No-one calls their DDs those names any more.

imnotacelebritygetmeoutofhere · 28/09/2021 13:05

I actually think Nova is a great name, really pretty. A nova is the explosion of a new star being created! If I came across a child called Nova I wouldn't even think of types of cars. Mumsnet is really not the best place to test out your name choices.

Original poster
tuxedocat · 28/09/2021 13:04

@WhyDoesItAlways

Think Harper is the best if that lot but I wouldn't go with any of these if you have a surname that could also be a first name as people could end up accidentally swapping them around especially as some workplaces have lastname.firstname email addresses. Happens to someone I know, people forever thinking her surname is her first name.
I know what you mean - our surname is definitely a surname and not a name thankfully Smile
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