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Baby names

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

Original poster

Polly or Martha

59 replies

Bluewedgeshoes · 02/06/2022 08:26

Hi everyone, due a baby girl next month and am so bored of debating names with husband! I have narrowed it down to-

Polly Elizabeth
Martha Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a family name. Is Polly too cutesy or Martha too drab?!

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SherlockTomes · 02/06/2022 22:56

I know a polly who has a sister Martha. Love them both.

Luredbyapomegranate · 02/06/2022 22:33

I like Polly but it is cutsy, so as an adult she mightn’t like it - it’s a diminutive of Mary, so how about Marianne or Maria nn Polly?

Martha is drab - biblical kitchen drudge plus the hand maids tale.

pitterypattery00 · 02/06/2022 20:26

Of the two, I much prefer Polly. I know a lovely one in her 20s, so it doesn't have cutesy child associations for me.

I find Martha a bit dreary. Prefer Marianne or Margot.

DramaAlpaca · 02/06/2022 13:27

Polly. I don't like cutesy names but I don't put Polly in that bracket. I really love it.

As for Martha, it's just so... drab.

Sisisimone · 02/06/2022 13:27

Martha is just absolutely dreadful, so dull
Polly I just immediately think Parrot

Newgirls · 02/06/2022 13:22

polly is cool like Pj Harvey?

martha also strong I think.

DuchessOfSausage · 02/06/2022 13:20

Polly is nice. I don't think I'd be glad to be called Pollyanna Smile

Hadtocomment · 02/06/2022 12:39

I like Polly and don't think it's cutesy as to me it seems like a name for child or adult. Its pretty established as a name in its own right. Martha is nice too but seems more used and like it's having a moment. When you say why isn't Polly used I think it's just cycles and probably will be soon. Its less older generation than Elsie and Mabel so perhaps not part of that fashion. I know a tonload of dogs called Molly and Poppy but none called Polly. I wonder if this is because Polly does have a slightly more sensible vibe to it? Which isn't bad. It makes me think of Polly in Faulty Towers who was brainy and sensible. Played by the wonderful Connie Booth. I'm quite fond of the name Connie as well. (Please no to Pollyanna though. That does sound cutesy.)

luckylavender · 02/06/2022 11:02

Polly, less common currently.

Amdone123 · 02/06/2022 11:01

I love Martha. I like Polly, even Pollyanna. But yes, wait til you see her.
Best wishes ❤

esoryelneh · 02/06/2022 10:56

I move Martha and I love Molly, I've never liked Polly I just don't think it sounds nice and a bit nothingy

Martha is great though!

(We have a mollianna at work and I love it)

DisforDarkChocolate · 02/06/2022 10:48

I love Polly (and Penelope (Penny).

I do like Martha but I can't stop myself imagining a Victorian kitchen maid.

ElenaSt · 02/06/2022 10:46

Martha.

KirstenBlest · 02/06/2022 10:42

Polly is a nickname for Mary @KylieCharlene

KylieCharlene · 02/06/2022 10:39

Isn't Polly a nickname for Margaret?

I don't dislike Polly but I do definitely prefer Martha.

Original poster
Bluewedgeshoes · 02/06/2022 10:37

Thanks all, food for thought. Seems like Martha maybe safer and Polly love hate. Think I'll wait until she's born!

OP posts:
Hiya Wishy · 02/06/2022 10:25

I have a Martha. Didn't know any when she was born. Midwife said what a brilliant name it was. I now know of another 6 in the local area.
Don't know any Polly's though. Just one Pollyanna.

AttilaTheFunSponge · 02/06/2022 10:21

I have a Polly Elizabeth, an adult now and doesn't find her name cutesy, in fact it's a strong element of her identity. Plus Martha Elizabeth is too 'th'-y.

ItisallPooh · 02/06/2022 10:19

Love both your names. I really wanted Pollyanna for my dd but DH vetoed. I think Polly is less used than Martha round here but neither are overly used.

toastofthetown · 02/06/2022 10:13

I love Polly. If it didn't sound dreadful with my surname I would seriously consider it. Martha is nice enough and I have a lot of good associations with it, but I far prefer Polly.

MissPocket · 02/06/2022 09:42

I prefer Polly.

balalake · 02/06/2022 09:41

I'd choose Martha.

Moonshine160 · 02/06/2022 09:40

I like both but would go with Polly.

Polly Elizabeth is a lovely name.

Needanotherholidayasap · 02/06/2022 09:37

We have a Polly. She is a ddog! Def prefer Martha for a dc...

SatinHeart · 02/06/2022 09:36

Martha

Not a fan of Polly at all tbh

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