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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alba or Indie

89 replies

Emilywhitwam · 01/02/2022 05:37

Hi - which one do you prefer?

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MrsWooster · 01/02/2022 16:14

I know an adult Alba who is very cool indeed. Also those dismissing it on grounds of its Scottish meaning are being very parochial as it’s a meaningful word (with specific pronunciation) in many languages.

Mo1911 · 01/02/2022 16:13

I know two Albas and it's really not a great name to hear day you day. Even one of the mums is regretting the choice.

IKeptYouLikeAnOath · 01/02/2022 16:13

Alba is a gorgeous Spanish name. Go for it!

WithANameLikeDaniCalifornia · 01/02/2022 16:11

@ThatsWhatHeSayid

Am I the only one whose mind is blown that we can (presumably) share a set of islands and not know the names of the countries / land masses in their respective native tongues? Confused

Would you call a baby Cymru or Eire?

How can people not know "the Scottish connection" Hmm....

My mind is no longer blown by other people's ignorance. It's just one of those things you have to get used to.
WithANameLikeDaniCalifornia · 01/02/2022 16:02

Neither. They both sound silly.
Are there any other names you like?

cherryonthecakes · 01/02/2022 15:55

Willow is a brilliant name. I would go for another nature name personally.

cherryonthecakes · 01/02/2022 15:53

Alba is Argos budget electronics brand.

I'm not a fan of Indie whether the full name is India and Indigo because I hear it so often it's lost that cool, indie vibe. If you're Scottish then there's the whole IndyRef thing that might not appeal.

midsomermurderess · 01/02/2022 15:53

I like Alba. I also like Ailbhe (pn. Alva), but outside of Scotland that might cause consternation.

sunshinemamabear · 01/02/2022 15:49

Indie

Lockdownbear · 01/02/2022 15:46

It definitely has an extra sound in the middle but I'd have said it was more Al-a-ba.

Use BBC iplayer see if you can hear how either the Radio or TV stations are pronounced.

FelicityPike · 01/02/2022 15:43

@PrivateParty Thats (roughly) the Gaelic pronunciation.
You should Google it. It’s definitely not Al-ba though.

PrivateParty · 01/02/2022 14:56

[quote FelicityPike]@PrivateParty it’s like Ah-luh-pha[/quote]
Must depend on accent as I can't imagine this

DramaAlpaca · 01/02/2022 14:51

Indie is a bit twee but goes nicely with Willow.

Alba is one seriously ugly name, plus all the other associations mentioned above.

Liv999 · 01/02/2022 14:48

Indie is a fabulous name, really dislike Alba too similar to Alma which is not good

FelicityPike · 01/02/2022 14:45

@PrivateParty it’s like Ah-luh-pha

Figgygal · 01/02/2022 14:34

I always liked the name Alba as a scot living in england but English husband always associates the name with the budget electronics brand and wasnt on board with it. Now with the scottish independence party of same name around its a no no for me too

ladygindiva · 01/02/2022 14:30

I don't really like Alba, it reminds me of the old cassette player brand or the political party. I know an Alva though, and like it. Indie's nice.

PrivateParty · 01/02/2022 14:28

Alba. I've liked it since reading The Time Traveller's Wife. Plus it means Scotland.

PrivateParty · 01/02/2022 14:28

@FelicityPike

I’d use Alba if it was pronounced properly, but 9 times of 10 it isn’t.
How else is pronounced? Apart from exactly the way it looks?
StopForAMinute · 01/02/2022 13:38

I prefer Indie.

ISmellBurnings · 01/02/2022 13:12

Indie.

I just find the name Alba really ugly, plus it’s an electrical brand.

Synchrony · 01/02/2022 11:48

Sorry, that was in response to the pp who doubted anyone would equate Alba with electrical goods.

Synchrony · 01/02/2022 11:46

Plenty of people. It's the first thing I think of.

MazzleDazzle · 01/02/2022 09:23

in

MazzleDazzle · 01/02/2022 09:23

Congratulations!

I’m on Scotland. The first time I heard Alba as a name I was a bit surprised, but I know two of them now, both girls under 5.

I think Alba goes better with Willow.

Indie seems quite modern, but Willow and Alba are traditional.

I wouldn’t ask MN for opinions on names. Most people are scathing and seem to favour very traditional names that I never hear in real life.

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