Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Hannah or Heather

79 replies

brightwave · 05/12/2021 19:24

Which one and why? I do like Heather, but I’m worried that it sounds too dated so Hannah is the safer option but it is quite a popular name

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
whatsagoodusername · 06/12/2021 08:29

Just FYI, Heather is mispronounced by nearly everyone who doesn't speak English as a native language.

The H is difficult, the TH is impossible, the R rolls. It's 'Edderr, 'Evverr, 'Efferrr, etc. Then there's the English people who can't say TH, and it's Hevver or Heifer.

If mispronunciation bothers you, go for Hannah. I do like Heather, but it's a very difficult name for anyone who doesn't speak English natively!

OrangeAndYellowAndBlue · 06/12/2021 07:45

I was born in the 80s and I know far too many Hannah's my age. I know a toddler Hannah and it's very cute on her, but it's just a bland to me now (sadly, as it is nice).

I'm not sure on Heather - for H nature names, I love Holly and Hazel, but not so sure on Heather.

I'm no help, sorry!

PermanentLockdown · 06/12/2021 07:04

Hannah is cute. Its feminine but unfussy. I like the symmetry of it. Works for an old lady and a baby. For some weird reason I like Hannah but dislike Anna

Robinkitty · 06/12/2021 07:01

I love Hannah. I like Heather but it would be pronounced hever around here.

oviraptor21 · 06/12/2021 06:59

Hannah is arguably more old-fashioned/dating than Heather.
I like them both but would definitely choose Heather.

Enough4me · 06/12/2021 01:34

Hannah

Ceramide · 06/12/2021 01:21

Hannah

3girlsmama · 06/12/2021 01:03

Much prefer Heather. I've never liked Hannah. (OP, do you know the song Heather by Conan Gray?).

midsomermurderess · 06/12/2021 00:45

I think Hannah is classic and timeless. Heather not so much 1980s, more rather lumpen Scottish girls.

MiddleEasternMummy · 06/12/2021 00:05

Both amazing lovely names . Nice to see someone not wanting to lumber their child with an awful made up off spelt name .
My little sis called hannah and she's a beautiful person so I'd lean towards that one ... oh but heather got a lovely sound to it ... no help sorry 😂

NovemberNovemberDarkNights · 05/12/2021 23:59

Hannah.

I really don't like Heather - sorry.
But you know what, she'll make the name perfect!!

Yika · 05/12/2021 23:55

Both lovely names, can’t go wrong!

SantasGoodLittleGirl · 05/12/2021 23:45

Hannah. I narrowly escaped being named Heather, and I am so glad.

Fivebeanchilli · 05/12/2021 23:44

I don't see Hannah as dated because I know about 500 ranging in age from baby to 30. It's the most popular girls' name in our local secondary school (Anna is second). I find it unimaginative and overused.
Heather is much nicer in my opinion.

RuthW · 05/12/2021 22:02

Heather

Hannah is dated imo

Whitewolf2 · 05/12/2021 20:49

I’d say Hannah is more dated, as an 80s baby there were loads at my school so to me it feels old fashioned. I prefer Heather.

dotsandco · 05/12/2021 20:48

[quote LumosSolem]@dotsandco you've just reminded me of Heather in Eastenders, Shirley called her Hev' all the time 😁[/quote]

Haha 😂 I'd forgotten that! 'Hev' is awful isn't it?

Helpstopthepain · 05/12/2021 20:48

I’ve never met an unkind Hannah!
Heather is ok but a bit frumpy.

TuftyMarmoset · 05/12/2021 20:46

Definitely Hannah. Hannah is classic, Heather is incredibly dated. It’s like naming your baby Pamela - just no. But Hannah is up there with Elizabeth for me, lovely name.

Luredbyapomegranate · 05/12/2021 20:41

Hannah is great

Heather just sounds dusty to me

Sexnotgender · 05/12/2021 20:32

Hannah! I know a baby Hannah and it’s a lovely name.

Chrissmasjammies · 05/12/2021 20:31

What about Hazel?

LumosSolem · 05/12/2021 20:29

@dotsandco you've just reminded me of Heather in Eastenders, Shirley called her Hev' all the time 😁

Twizbe · 05/12/2021 20:26

When you're down to 2, wait until baby arrives to decide.

One might fit her more.

toolazytothinkofausername · 05/12/2021 20:25

@Lndnmummy

Hanna
Palindrome Hannah is better :D