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Baby names

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

Original poster

Orla, Nancy or Grace?

36 replies

mamahandm · 24/07/2022 00:57

Middle name will be Haf and/or Jill after close relatives who go by those names.

So: Orla, Nancy or Grace

And both above names as middle or just one?

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TooMuchGoogling · 26/07/2022 23:20

Orla.
Grace is too popular. I also think its along the same lines as Willow or Joy in that if they don't live up to their name it can be bully fodder. What if she's not graceful or a bit clumsy or heavy?
Just my personal opinion.

Ravenclawdropout · 26/07/2022 22:48

Not sold on any of them to be honest. My 2nd dds middle name is Grace and at her high school there were loads, so it seems overused to me.
If you like Nancy what about Naomi or Natasha?

Craftybodger · 26/07/2022 22:44

Please not Grace. It’s a lovely name but too popular for me, but more than that not everyone is graceful even if their name is Grace.

I love both the others.

ChagSameachDoreen · 26/07/2022 22:43

Orla is gorgeous.

Nancy = nancy boy.
Grace = such an ugly sound.

yikesanotherbooboo · 26/07/2022 22:36

See you have ruled out Nancy, it's my favourite. I like Orlaith too , Grace is sweet but ubiquitous.Find a second name from family

Original poster
mamahandm · 26/07/2022 22:33

Gah we are so torn between Orla and Grace.

Nancy I think is a no go.

Help!!!

OP posts:
SunshineAndFizz · 26/07/2022 18:48

Grace.

purplecorkheart · 26/07/2022 18:42

I am in Ireland and Orla is a well known name here. I like it (admittedly the Orlas I know are incredible people). Nancy is nice but a bit twee imo. I like Grace. Tbh honest though I am not sure how any of them work with the middle names you suggest without knowing the surname.

Rebelmcstreettuff · 26/07/2022 18:39

Love Nancy.
Orla OK if you are Irish.
Grace far too popular.

Titsflyingsouth · 26/07/2022 18:36

Nancy is lovely. Smile

LizzieAnt · 26/07/2022 18:29

I love Orla but prefer the Irish spelling

My Daughter is called Orlaith (Irish spelling)

There seems to be a bit of confusion about this.

The modern Irish spelling of the name is Órla.
Órlaith is an older spelling that's still used, but Órla is just as Irish. The only anglicisation that's happening with Orla (and indeed Orlaith) is the absence of the fada on the letter o.

I like Grace and Orla, OP.

User2145738790 · 25/07/2022 18:46

Orla is harsh and faddy (unless you're in Ireland.)
Nancy will always be a frumpy name.
Grace is popular and a bit dull but it's the better than Orla and Nancy.

KirstenBlest · 25/07/2022 09:45

Orla - dull and nothingy in a non-rhotic accent - Awla
Nancy - ok
Grace - overused as a middle name, ok otherwise but I'm not keen on the sound

bruce43mydog · 25/07/2022 03:25

Grace

Peach27 · 25/07/2022 03:24

Orla! Know a wee one in Essex who never has problems with her name.
Grace pretty but overused
Nancy a bit too twee and reminds me off “Incy wincey spider”

midsomermurderess · 24/07/2022 19:08

My favourite is Nancy. It’s got a bit of spirit about it. The other two are a plodding.

doubleshotcappuccino · 24/07/2022 13:36

Orla ! But maybe Nancy too !

motheroreily · 24/07/2022 13:30

I love Orla but prefer the Irish spelling

PortalooSunset · 24/07/2022 13:19

I'd prefer Orla from those 3. Nancy next choice.

Nap1983 · 24/07/2022 10:41

I love Orla (lots of different spellings too) and very popular. I like grace too. Really don’t like Nancy.

TwilightSkies · 24/07/2022 10:39

Orla is beautiful.
Grace is drab and over-used.
Nancy is sweet for a baby/toddler but not an older girl.

Nishky32 · 24/07/2022 10:38

Love all three so not particularly helpful I’m afraid

EssexCat · 24/07/2022 10:36

Love Orla - but have no Irish heritage so would feel a bit fake for me.
Nancy lovely, possibly getting quite popular now.
Grace. Timeless, but my fear would be they’d take after me and I’m really clumsy!!

AliBaliBears · 24/07/2022 10:33

I love the name Orla, my favourite of your three by far. Nancy is way too twee for me, I'd hate to be called that. Grace is nice.

Oh, and I don't get the 'Orla sounds like oral' thing at all. They sound nothing alike to me, a complete non issue in my mind.

Isthiswhereitstarted · 24/07/2022 10:31

My Daughter is called Orlaith (Irish spelling) we love it x

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