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Baby names

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Original poster

Is 'Monica' a classy name?

62 replies

NeedanIdea · 17/10/2021 01:19

I really love it, and I like that it doesn't seem too common. Is it classy or just dated/boring?

I also like Monika (Polish variant?) too.

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HeronLanyon · 17/10/2021 06:36

Uk here.
It’s not a name which is ‘classy’ in itself at all.
I’ve known one who was German (with a k) - lovely woman and has made me ‘not mind it’ as a name - feel very neutral about it. Very underused and dated.

HeronLanyon · 17/10/2021 06:37

Used to know a Donica ! Just remembered.

NoSquirrels · 17/10/2021 06:52

People habitually shorten it to Mon, which I find ugly. So I wouldn’t because of that.

elfran · 17/10/2021 07:26

I know an Italian Monica who is as classy as can be - but generally I'd say it doesn't have any real connotations in that sense, one way or another!

Agree that it's a great name that can go through life well. I think the nickname Mica/Mika gives it a fresh feeling too.

Noluthando · 17/10/2021 07:31

Nah, I know two Monicas, one was on Friends and the other was a matron of a care home and not a pleasant woman.

Stevearnottsbeard · 17/10/2021 11:47

I know a 11 year old monica, she's a bully, really puts me off the name

adrianmolesmole · 17/10/2021 11:48

@ThirdElephant

I liked it, but then found it literally meant name- like moniker- and it put me off.
It's named after a nun, Saint Monica. But I agree with @Atlas2021 that it's a strong and beautiful name. And international too! The Friends thing is obvious but that doesn't put me off, it's hardly a negative association, is it. There's also Monica Bellucci :) :)
adrianmolesmole · 17/10/2021 11:58

What about Danica as an alternative?

Actually a lovely name too, the only one I know of is Danica McKellar :)

FindingMeno · 17/10/2021 14:08

Or Monique?

Enko · 17/10/2021 15:14

I like it. Its a pretty name

FlowerArranger · 17/10/2021 17:06

@Enko

I like it. Its a pretty name
I agree. Who cares about Friends and Bill Clinton's POTS...

It has a lovely sound to it, it's slightly unusual without being way out, it probably won't date, and it can be shortened to Mona,

As in Mona Lisa Wink

AfterSchoolWorry · 17/10/2021 17:06

It's frumpy.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 17/10/2021 18:04

Not especially classy but not downmarket either to me (I personally tend to think of especially "classy" names as those very well used historically by royalty/aristocracy in the UK and internationally - but many names don't fit into this category and are still lovely imo).

Monica is nice enough - it's a name with long use and historical origins (so not the recently invented/trendy sort that could appear downmarket to some people). It's just perhaps a little dated - in English speaking countries the most prominent references tend to be "Monica Geller" from Friends or Monica Lewinsky, so more women in their 40's/50's than youngsters.

MatildaJayne · 17/10/2021 18:26

Sounds a bit dated and hasn’t come back into fashion, like Barbara or Amanda. Sorry.

scottishnames · 17/10/2021 18:37

It does not mean 'name', as in 'moniker', as previous poster suggests. That was not used until the 19th century: www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/moniker

The name Monica goes back for approx 2000 years.
See here: www.behindthename.com/name/monica

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_(given_name)

BlueFlavour · 17/10/2021 18:41

I really like Monica. Good name.

ThirdElephant · 17/10/2021 19:26

[quote scottishnames]It does not mean 'name', as in 'moniker', as previous poster suggests. That was not used until the 19th century: www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/moniker

The name Monica goes back for approx 2000 years.
See here: www.behindthename.com/name/monica

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_(given_name)[/quote]
Good to know. This is what I get for trusting baby name books.

Having googled though, apparently it means either 'to advise' or 'solitary/alone' so the meaning would still have put me off.

user1493494961 · 17/10/2021 19:39

No, not classy.

WeasilyPleased · 17/10/2021 23:13

It's a good strong name with a nice sound. I would shorten to Nic. Nice choice.

Derbee · 18/10/2021 01:33

Not classy. Very dated.

AnkleDeep · 18/10/2021 08:01

I remember a cockney Monica on a Hughie Green quiz show.

She had a sad life after showbiz so that may be why I don't like it.

QueenDanu · 18/10/2021 08:05

Neither up nor downmarket imo
I know only one and she is german so it is definitely unusual but familiar

TheYearOfSmallThings · 18/10/2021 08:08

It's not classy at all. But it is a perfectly good and longstanding name, nothing wrong with it.

WyncyG · 18/10/2021 12:14

I really like it.

I think references to Friends and Monica Lewinsky are themselves a bit dated, as this child isn't likely to come across either with great regularity.
There are far worse pop-culture reference/historical names being used.

GucciBear · 18/10/2021 12:27

Certainly not!