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Baby names

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

Original poster

Artemis, Penelope or Dorothy

106 replies

rachelrainbow · 04/02/2022 13:17

These are my top three names for dd no2. Her sister is called Primrose (nn Posy). Our surname begins with P and is 2 syllables.

  1. Artemis (nn Artie)
  2. Penelope (nn Penny)
  3. Dorothy (nn Dottie/Dotty)

What do prefer?

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BooksAndHooks · 04/02/2022 20:17

Penelope but I prefer Nel / Nellie as a nickname.

Artie sounds more of a boys name and in complete contrast to Primrose.

tearinghairout · 04/02/2022 20:13

I don't like Penny, though - it's too ordinary.

tearinghairout · 04/02/2022 20:12

I worked with an Artemis and I think it's a really fabulous name. The others are both fine but aren't all out fabulous.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 04/02/2022 20:08

Artemis is lovely, if somewhat uncommon - although I much prefer the nn's Emmie, Missy or Misty to Artie.

Sorry I find Dorothy still sounds so dated to me (although I realise it's now hipster trendy again) and although there's nothing especially wrong with Penelope, I've personally never liked it as all I can hear is the "pee" (shame as Penny or Nell are quite sweet).

SweetPotatoDumpling · 04/02/2022 18:58

I love Dorothy...I'm a 'Dottie' (although not Dorothy) so I my be biased ☺️

Penelope is sweet...prefer Nell as a nickname though.

Don't like Artemis at all, sorry OP! Just too 'out there' for my tastes..as a PP has said, it's a bit 'try hard'.

Isonthecase · 04/02/2022 18:27

I really like all three although possible slight preference for Dorothea over Dorothy as you have the Thea nickname then too. Not that that helps 🤣
When I suggested Artemis to my husband he immediately went 'farty?' though so might be worth a second thought.

Mumofgirls2017 · 04/02/2022 18:09

Love them all would go for Dorothy

Roselilly36 · 04/02/2022 15:47

Out of those three, Artemis. I really don’t like either of the other two.

Luredbyapomegranate · 04/02/2022 15:40

Artemis ! Fab name

I do like Dorothea w nn Dot or Dorey mind you, but think Dottie/Dolly is wet).

Penelope is OK, Penny is dull. Although Nell is nice.

Flutterflybutterby · 04/02/2022 15:38

I agree that Artemis doesn't 'go' with Primrose. I like Penelope and Dorothy though. Penelope wins as Posy and Penny is adorable

minipie · 04/02/2022 15:36

Not Dorothy as I don’t like Dotty

Not Artemis as it doesn’t go with Primrose (and IMO is a little bit try-hard)

So that leaves Penelope!

Although, if she will mostly be known by nickname, I would say Artemis nn Misty is a contender.

BuickMcKane · 04/02/2022 15:31

I think Dorothy matches better with Primrose than either of the others. Especially with a P surname. Posy and Dottie Smile

drivinmecrazy · 04/02/2022 15:26

Artemis without a doubt!!
One of our cats is called Artemis (or Artie when she is being infuriating)
Wish I'd have thought of it as a baby name many years ago when I had mine.
It's a really strong name with many shortenings to chose from as she grows.

ForkedIt · 04/02/2022 15:11

(Our Artemis would have been a Mimi)

ForkedIt · 04/02/2022 15:10

Artemis! My second was nearly an Artemis.
Penelope was also on the list but not keen on Penny.
Not keen on Dorothy but Theodora was also on the list with Theo or Teddy as nn. Decided against that as there’s so many boys called Theodore/Theo/Teddy and it wouldn’t have mattered that she was a girl, there still would’ve been a load of kids with ‘her’ name.

Mo1911 · 04/02/2022 15:07

I don't know any people called Artemis but I do know four cats and one dog with that name. I'd definitely avoid the same initial as surname and be careful of relying on nicknames as not everyone will use it and your child will have to go through life saying her given name but then telling everyone she's known as her nickname.

SilverOtter · 04/02/2022 15:02

Artemis definitely

MarshaBradyo · 04/02/2022 14:57

Artemis

ladygindiva · 04/02/2022 14:56

Dorothy... Esp if your surname is Parker. Posy Parker and Dorothy Parker.

stuntbubbles · 04/02/2022 13:41

All three are lovely, could you have a handful more children to use them all? Grin

Pemba · 04/02/2022 13:40

Dorothy is nice, or Dorothea?

BasiliskFace · 04/02/2022 13:39

Dorothy is my favourite overall, but I don’t like Dotty, so I will say Artemis, because I like the long and short versions!

Original poster
rachelrainbow · 04/02/2022 13:34

@elfran

Artemis for me. Penelope feels a bit matchy with Primrose, and Dorothy a tad twee. Primrose and Artemis seem to work together and are each special on their own.

I'll throw out Misty as a nn option though! Posy and Misty is a great sister set. 😄

I love Misty as a nickname!!!
OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 04/02/2022 13:32

Definitely Penelope/Penny.

Slavetominidictator · 04/02/2022 13:30

Ooh - Misty as a nickname for Artemis is gorgeous