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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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Gonnagetgoing · 28/09/2021 12:21

@Dmsandfloatydress

If you want something out there go with a nature name like Barley, Wren, River or old lady chic like Rita or Joan. Not likely to be any others I the class.
Much better.

My name is very unusual and not even a name really so I’m always torn re parents wanting unusual names for their children.

Doglicks · 28/09/2021 12:20

Honestly? This won't go down well, but all 3 are proper chavtastic.

Gonnagetgoing · 28/09/2021 12:18

@witchlikehazel

No to all 3 from me, sorry. Harlow is a place. Nova means 'new' to me and doesn't seem like a name. Harper only going to be a Beckham name now (plus really it's a surname). What about Holly or Harriet or Clover.
Same… definite no.

Nova I think of Vauxhall nova Grin

Harper again the beckham’s daughter’s name and Harper Lee.

Harlow is a place ffs!

aSofaNearYou · 28/09/2021 12:17

@PorkPieForStarters

I love Nova, so pretty and has a lovely meaning (star shining brightly).

The last Vauxhall Nova was last made in 1993 so there'll be fewer and fewer people who remember the car model and probably none of her peers will even be aware of it!

I thought the same. I was born around that time and had never heard of the car. The next generation certainly won't have that association. I think of space when I hear it, not cars.
SuperstarDog · 28/09/2021 12:16

None are my usual ‘style‘ but I do really like Harper.

PorkPieForStarters · 28/09/2021 12:14

I love Nova, so pretty and has a lovely meaning (star shining brightly).

The last Vauxhall Nova was last made in 1993 so there'll be fewer and fewer people who remember the car model and probably none of her peers will even be aware of it!

Pinkypie86 · 28/09/2021 12:07

@tuxedocat

Craziness really isn't it? :)
I like Nora but, spelt like Norah - I think it looks less harsh with the H.

Good Luck finding the perfect name.

LocutusOfBorg · 28/09/2021 12:03

I love Nova

millzcrawf · 28/09/2021 12:02

I honestly really love them all..

Harlow is my favourite 💗

ElleStartingOver · 28/09/2021 11:53

Harper if it has to be any.

Nova is a car, and I am as far north as you can get almost and still know Harlow is a town in Essex.

TheWonderCat · 28/09/2021 11:51

Harper.

Nova is a car.

aSofaNearYou · 28/09/2021 11:50

Nova is actually the name I would pick if I could bring myself to be "out there" - so that would be my vote!

purplecarrot23 · 28/09/2021 11:48

Love Harper. I don't think it's a 'Beckham only' name at all.

Original poster
tuxedocat · 28/09/2021 11:44

@Pinkypie86 thank you - I was in two kinds but thought I’d be curious and whaddya know, curiosity killed the cat 😂

OP posts:
Pinkypie86 · 28/09/2021 11:41

People are so judgemental.
I have a Harper she's 7.
She wasn't named after the Beckhams daughter either.

OP - if you're looking for a name, don't ever post it on MN.
You will be bashed! :)

KezzabellaB · 28/09/2021 11:31

@Dmsandfloatydress

If you want something out there go with a nature name like Barley, Wren, River or old lady chic like Rita or Joan. Not likely to be any others I the class.
Love Wren! Don't like any of the others OP, sorry.
thesplashing · 28/09/2021 11:31

Harper

Dmsandfloatydress · 28/09/2021 11:29

If you want something out there go with a nature name like Barley, Wren, River or old lady chic like Rita or Joan. Not likely to be any others I the class.

myheartskippedabeat · 28/09/2021 11:27

@oldestmumaintheworld

Good Lord! Why would you inflict any of those on a child.
Exactly
Caspianberg · 28/09/2021 11:26

Nora rather than Nova?

ofwarren · 28/09/2021 11:25

Harper is the best of the 3.
Not really a fan of any though.

Original poster
tuxedocat · 28/09/2021 11:25

Ok so the general consensus for Nova is a no go - I knew this would likely be a marmite choice and I’m quite on the fence as I think it’s pretty (don’t hang me!) but I’m leaning towards a possible middle name.

Harlow again is another I knew would be torn. We are very far from Essex so not a connotation most would make but also respect that night not always be the case.

I do like Harper - I’ve never heard it as a surname and I get the Beckham connotation. I have a very popular name (top 10) in the last 5 years and I want something a little different for her.
I’m not really into the traditional names - any suggestions?

OP posts:
DebbieHarrysCheekbones · 28/09/2021 11:22

None of them they’re all awful

Blankscreen · 28/09/2021 11:20

Harper- wannabe Beckham

Nova - an old vauxhall car

Harlow - A town in Essex.

Sorry but they are all awful

witchlikehazel · 28/09/2021 11:20

sorry, another thought: Nova initially made me think of Ova = eggs (specifically in the ovaries). Sorry again for the negativity, but as pp says, people will think the same or worse in real life.