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Baby names

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Original poster

Thoughts on these two names

33 replies

SemperIdem · 20/08/2022 18:40

Harriet and Maeve.

Just interested in how they’re thought of generally speaking.

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LadyMonicaBaddingham · 22/08/2022 17:32

Harriet a a great name and absolutely doesn't 'have' to be Hattie, although it is a nice nn. I like Etta, too. Or Arrietty (borrowers fan)

Greengreengrassbluebluesky · 22/08/2022 17:27

Not my kind of names but I prefer Harriet to Maeve which I don’t like at all.

KirstenBlest · 22/08/2022 17:25

I like Harriet but don't like Maeve.

Outlyingtrout · 21/08/2022 20:18

I like them both! They are very much my cup of tea. So on the off chance we have similar taste, these are the ones that made my short(ish) list if DS had been a DD:

Violet
Rowan
Anya
Josephine (Joey)
Erin
Bonnie
Verity
Daphne
Autumn
Lydia
Isobel
Seren
Chloe
Meridith (Meri)
Celeste
Olive
Mabel
Ruby

Kanaloa · 21/08/2022 10:34

I prefer Harriet to Maeve. I just think Harriet is nicer although Maeve is fine too, just Harriet is more lovely to me! I met a small Mabel recently which I thought was nice too.

SquigglePigs · 21/08/2022 10:32

I love Harriet. DD was very nearly Harriet. If I'm honest I'm never quite sure how to pronounce Maeve.

Original poster
SemperIdem · 21/08/2022 10:30

Interesting that Maeve is popular, possibly because of Sex Education. I’ve never watched it personally.

I do prefer unfussy first names (middle names are another story), my daughter has a short name. I don’t think names need to match per se but be of a similar sort of vibe. So suggestions welcome!

OP posts:
BanjoVio · 21/08/2022 09:45

Totally agree that Maeve is very trendy. It’s surely because of ‘Sex Education’.

Heckythump1 · 21/08/2022 09:28

Love Harriet/Hattie, don't like Maeve.

DogsAndGin · 21/08/2022 09:25

Harriet is nice, but I really don’t like Maeve

ButterRose · 21/08/2022 00:46

I like them both but prefer Maeva to Maeve

DramaAlpaca · 21/08/2022 00:10

Love both. Both strong, non-frilly, unfussy names.

MatildaJayne · 21/08/2022 00:09

I like them both. As an alternative how about Henriette? Loved the character in the David Tennant Casanova.

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/08/2022 23:59

Another vote for Maude!

Harriet is nice enough, if a bit twee.

I can’t stand Maeve, reminds me of Mauve. It’s just very tired and depressed.

Cas112 · 20/08/2022 22:10

I LOVE Maeve

Fivebeanchilli · 20/08/2022 22:09

Harriet is gorgeous and I love Hattie too.
Maeve is neither here nor there for me - a bit meh.

DeeDeeDaisy · 20/08/2022 22:01

I like them both and would consider using them!

BugsyDrakeTableScape · 20/08/2022 20:43

DD3 is Harriet, although shortened to Harry rather than Hattie by her sisters. Has had a very positive reaction (although I suppose it would as people don't tell you they hate your baby's name to your face)

17caterpillars1mouse · 20/08/2022 20:30

I really like Harriet. It makes me think of Harriet the spy from the 90s and I though she was pretty cool as a kid. I also really like Hattie as a shortening.

I also really like Maeve, though prefer Mavis or just May. Its a lovely name though

dmb91 · 20/08/2022 20:23

Love Harriet, hate Maeve

Whitewolf2 · 20/08/2022 20:02

I really like Maeve, the only thing is that as others have said it’s suddenly seems very ‘now’ and you might encounter a few the same age though there are none at my kids school yet.
Harriet always makes me think ‘ratty,’ sorry.

akittyisyou · 20/08/2022 19:44

Literally decided on Maeve for DD2 a few days ago (she’s been a week without a name now)

Look up the Wikipedia article on Queen Maeve (the historical one, not the TV one) it’s a serious girl power name

TheBirdintheCave · 20/08/2022 19:29

No issues with either of these. I have a small niece called Harriet nn Hattie :)

DaisyJoy1 · 20/08/2022 19:15

Maeve is lovely but very trendy. Every second baby girl being born recently is a Maeve - will date.

Harriet is a good classic British name, unlikely to offend but nothing special. If I heard of a baby Harriet I'd not think anything negative about the name, but wouldn't admire it either. Just be a sort of "oh okay" moment.

I'd choose Harriet as less likely to sound bad in a few years and nn Hattie is cute.

ThirtyThreeTrees · 20/08/2022 19:08

Much prefer Maeve to Harriet.