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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Violet - wow what an unusual name

108 replies

Radicalfaces · 01/08/2022 04:06

I feel like I’m living in an alternate universe!!

We wanted a name for our DD that was a classic normal English name, easy to spell and pronounce. We went with Violet.

From the minute she arrived everyone from family, friends and the nurses/ midwives have been so surprised by our name choice and said how unusual it is, they’ve never heard of any Violet’s etc.

we are confused and feel like the reaction is akin to if we’d named her Larksong or something!

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LancashireButterPie · 02/09/2025 22:42

Really popular where I live.

ifyoulikealotofchocolateonyour · 02/09/2025 14:18

I've got a Violet. And it's not very unusual anymore...i think it's like number 40 on the top 100 list.

Sparklesandspandexgallore · 02/09/2025 07:53

I don’t think it’s common. Then again there is sooooo much variety now most names are not that common.
It’s not really out there though.
Perhaps the midwives are most used to really out there names.

Rituelec · 30/08/2025 14:09

Bella9992 · 12/08/2022 15:24

My 2 year old is called Violet. We loved that it wasn't unheard of but not that popular. We've had so many compliments on it over the last 2 years so very happy we chose it. Definitely suits her too.

This!

Everyone compliments it.

Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 15:46

Violet is so popular 10 years ago. I know 5 violets (15, 13, 12, 10, 8)

Bella9992 · 12/08/2022 15:24

My 2 year old is called Violet. We loved that it wasn't unheard of but not that popular. We've had so many compliments on it over the last 2 years so very happy we chose it. Definitely suits her too.

bluestarthread · 10/08/2022 17:46

Great choice! I have a Violet - she’s nearly 17. I still think it’s a really great name and still quite unusual.
We have met a few other younger Violets but it’s definitely still less common than Scarlett, Freya, Olivia, Poppy that there were multiples of in her school year.

Boybandfacedfannyfart · 10/08/2022 17:37

My grandmother was a Violet born in 1910.

GretaVanFleet · 10/08/2022 17:33

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 01/08/2022 05:21

My paternal grandmother’s name was Violet.

Same here.

whenwillthemadnessend · 10/08/2022 17:30

I know a girl who has violet as a middle name. It's a lovely name.

danascully96 · 10/08/2022 17:27

I’ve always adored Violet 💜 Please believe in yourself.

PoleFairy · 08/08/2022 17:51

There are a lot of violets here! South East England. I would go as far to say its very popular.

Luredbyapomegranate · 06/08/2022 22:15

It must vary around the country, there are many little Violets where I am.

PinkButtercups · 05/08/2022 14:57

My great aunt was called Violet in the 1940's.

OctopusDisco · 05/08/2022 14:55

It is a beautiful name. It is not unusual as in odd, just not massively over-used - which is a great thing.

My niece is Violet nn Letty and she is wonderful :)

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 05/08/2022 11:28

I think it's a generational thing. My parents would find a baby called Violet to be unusual. They'd probably segue into an anecdote about an old woman from their childhood called Violet who had a haberdashers and an angry pomeranian.

Fivebeanchilli · 05/08/2022 10:25

Violet was popular here about 10 years ago. I haven't heard of any little ones for a while but there were about 6 at primary school a few years ago!

PurpleFlower1983 · 05/08/2022 09:44

I’ve taught two in the last few years, both lovely girls.

Spidey66 · 05/08/2022 09:42

My 13 year old niece is called Violet. I like it.

Ciela · 05/08/2022 07:03

I don’t know any little Violet’s but I wouldn’t be surprised to meet one as I know an Ivy, a Thora and a Connie.

Violet is a beautiful name.

thegreylady · 04/08/2022 23:11

It is my 22 year old granddaughter’s middle name.

Mummytobe333 · 04/08/2022 10:49

Violet is a lovely name 💜 was on our baby name list. Has became really popular last 2 years. It’s currently number 17 most popular on Name Berry (people currently saving it on their name list) so be prepared for it to be a popular name over next couple of years - if you are wanting something more ‘unusual’ - but I think it’s sweet and nice!

DancingUnderTheLights · 01/08/2022 20:51

It's interesting as if you pay attention to name changes then Violet isn't unusual as it's in the top 100, however in real life most people don't pay attention so to them it's old fashioned if they don't know children with the name.

This was going to be the name we used if we had a daughter and my mum just said how old fashioned it is and just thinks we were being weird and quirky. I asked her for what names she likes and she gave me Olivia which she was completely unaware of it being the top name for so long.

Hobbesmanc · 01/08/2022 16:48

It's a fab name- Can't believe no one has referenced the Dowager in Donwton Abbey. Maggie Smith's phenomenally popular character.

I also think of Violet Elizabeth Bott in Just William- less attractive as a character

Original poster

Radicalfaces · 01/08/2022 16:01

Whattodonowadays · 01/08/2022 09:04

Violet was on my list as well, I went with hazel in the end. I think a lot more people are bringing the old names back now instead of using the same names that have been popular for the last few years.

@Whattodonowadays we also loved hazel but it didn’t go with our surname unfortunately! We must have similar taste in names!

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