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Baby names

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

Original poster

Mavis or Rosalie

63 replies

AnaMRT · 09/02/2022 02:21

We have welcomed a baby girl last week and aren’t able to decide her name. We have siblings Olivia (nn Olive), Arthur and George. We can’t seem to decide between Mavis with potential nn Mae or Rosalie nn Rose/Rosie. Which one do you prefer? Family is very split between the two so all feedback very welcome.

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Loveisthere · 09/02/2022 18:17

Well I don't really know Rita

lovescaca · 09/02/2022 18:03

I like Mavis, I'm expecting a baby girl and quite like this name x

PlanetNormal · 09/02/2022 18:00

Rosalie by a mile.

I really don’t like this silly fashion of exhuming awful granny names, eg Mavis, Ada, Enid etc.

EezyOozy · 09/02/2022 17:55

NOT MAVIS

StopForAMinute · 09/02/2022 17:53

Rosalie

RuthW · 09/02/2022 17:51

Do you mind the two different pronunciations of Rosalie? If do choose Mavis.

IVflytrap · 09/02/2022 17:46

I love Mavis and think it's a pretty, sweet name, with a nice meaning to it, but I know I'm in the minority.

"Rose" type names are having a bit of a "moment" and the fact they'll date due to their popularity would put me off a little.

But ultimately, choose whichever you most prefer. Smile

TheresSomebodyAtTheDoorNeil · 09/02/2022 16:21

Rosalie.
My mum was called Mavis..... If she was still alive she'd be 77 yet she hated her old lady name. Even her shortened version was naff (( Mave)). Just no.

scottishnames · 09/02/2022 16:18

I like Mavis - and the meaning 'song-thrush/song-bird' is pretty.
It's a surprisingly modern name. Invented in 1895 by Marie Corelli - very famous popular romantic/fantasy novelist.

Personally, I think it's prettier than Olive, but I have no wish - obviously! - to criticise existing children's names. So please excuse me saying this.
I don't dislike Rosalie, but I prefer Rosalind/Rosamund.

babyjellyfish · 09/02/2022 13:47

I'd go with the nickname Rosa though.

babyjellyfish · 09/02/2022 13:47

Rosalie.

SummaLuvin · 09/02/2022 09:34

I have a cuddly toy orangutang called Mavis Georgiana (jaw-jay-nuh), it started as a joke as it is a frumpy name, but actually it has a real charm to it.

Rosalie is very pretty, however Twilight has ruined the name for me as it's my immediate association. I also think Rose, an obvious nn, is really bland.

AliceMcK · 09/02/2022 09:27

Going against the grain and say Mavis. But I’m someone who gave my child a name MN considers completely frumpy/old & ugly. Rosalie is nice but there are so many Rosies around these days.

ISmellBurnings · 09/02/2022 09:22

Rosalie.

Mavis is awful, ugly, frumpy. I don’t think she’ll thank you for it, if I’m honest.

Maeve is ok though.

Cocogreen · 09/02/2022 08:48

Rosalie yes.
Mavis no.
Maeve yes.

MintyGreenDream · 09/02/2022 08:09

I like mavis since the Hotel Transylvania films.Rosalie would get shortened to Rose

gogohm · 09/02/2022 08:08

Mavis just makes me this of coronation street

CaffiSaliMali · 09/02/2022 08:06

Rosalie is lovely and goes well with Olivia and your sons' names.

Rosa/Rose and Rosie are all good nickname options too.

Blueberry40 · 09/02/2022 06:49

Definitely Rosalie!

KylieCharlene · 09/02/2022 06:48

Rosalie.
If I had a sister called Olivia and I'd been called Mavis I'd be mighty jealous and peeved.
I'd be happy as a Rosalie though.

Roselilly36 · 09/02/2022 06:43

Rosalie, not a fan of Mavis tbh.

Oli5 · 09/02/2022 06:34

Rosalie congratulations!

ellesbellesxxx · 09/02/2022 06:29

Rosalie

KimDeals · 09/02/2022 05:11

I liked Mavis for about one minute too, now I think it’s pure ugly and a bit dopey. Whereas Rosalie is a great name! And lovely nicknames can come from it.

Rosieposie101 · 09/02/2022 04:43

Rosalie 100%