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Baby names

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Original poster

Four names I need advice on: Vanessa, Miranda, Haley (Hayley), Hadley

52 replies

caitlinrose · 19/10/2022 13:25

Maybe you'd like to comment on four names we are thinking about adding to our list:

Vanessa
Miranda
Haley (Hayley) - both said hay-lee
Hadley

All for girls.

Vanessa - husband suggested this. It fits my love for feminine, longer names (Isabella, Cassandra) but on the other hand I wonder if it might sound dated. Is the nickname Nessa too close to Ness/Nessie (as in Loch Ness?).

Miranda - I encountered this one. I like how feminine and classic it is (Shakespeare). The meaning is great too. But then it also feels a bit dated to me and I worry people might associate it with Sex and the City. How likely do you think this is?

Haley - husband likes Hayley (he also likes Kaylie). I think Hayley is a decent name but find it quite dated. Then I saw it as Haley and thought it looked more contemporary and classic that way. Somehow less dated even though it's pronounced the same.

Hadley - not sure about this but it does mean "heather field" which I find really pretty. It just came to mind when I thought about Haley. It's not my personal style at all but I do find it underused and not unattractive and DH loves it.

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Frazzled2207 · 21/10/2022 20:41

Miranda is good and the satc ref is too old to be bothersome

Vanessa- Nessa- Gavin and Stacey. Not good. That said Stacey is nice if you like Hayley.

soulinablackberrypie · 21/10/2022 20:39

I like Hayley the best out of this bunch and I'd spell it Hayley because that's how everyone would assume it was spelt anyway.

Vanessa and Miranda both make me think of rather intimidatingly posh people.

The only Hadley I've ever met was a boy.

chaotical · 21/10/2022 16:54

Vanessa is probably my favourite. I think it's a little dated, but not terribly so.
I've never been a huge fan of Miranda but it's a nice name and I doubt your child's generation will be watching the old TV show.
Hayley - Seems quite 90s to me and passed its peak. The Haley spelling will probably lead to confusion with Halle/Hallie.
Hadley - I only know of this name through Hadley Freeman. It doesn't appeal to me.

Smallonesaremorejuicy · 21/10/2022 01:04

Personally don’t like Haley names or the more popular Halle ( like Berry) makes me think of Halitosis!
Vanessa is the one I prefer

GoldenCupidon · 21/10/2022 00:55

I really don’t think teenage boys say “I’ve had…” meaning sex, that feels like a very long time ago.

i also doubt people would yell SUCH FUN at your Miranda en masse, for people her age it will be a really old show. I actually like the show Miranda and it’s never occurred to me until now to go and yell that at my friend Miranda…

GoldenCupidon · 21/10/2022 00:53

Miranda is a gorgeous Shakespearean name. Others from his plays include Helena, Hermione, Perdita, Portia, Juliet, Celia, Rosalind.

Not a big fan of Vanessa, it sounds a bit humdrum to me, I picture a middle aged woman who is rather tired. What about Virginia or Vivienne?

Haley and all it’s rhyming names feel very dated to me.

Hadley is unusual, I only know it from the woman who writes for the Guardian. If a friend named her daughter this I’d be surprised but I would like it.

SkiingIsHeaven · 21/10/2022 00:46

Miranda reminds me of that terrible sitcom. Sorry. People will just keep saying "Such fun" to the point she goes mad.

I really like Vanessa but not the other two names. Sorry.

Vanessa for me.

Rotherweird · 21/10/2022 00:11

Adore Miranda, I wish I could have called a child that name.

BleuNoir · 21/10/2022 00:09

Haley is very 1970s and in my opinion a bit low rent!

I don’t like Hadley. Sounds like a boys name.

vanessa, nope, that V is sharp when you look at it. It’s not a soft name it’s sort of got elbows. To me at least.

miranda definitely. Slightly posh. Perhaps almost too much.

definitely rhe best of the lot

pinheadlarry · 21/10/2022 00:05

I like the name Hallie pronounced "Ha Lee"
Instead of the usual "Hay lee"

AntiqueCestChic · 21/10/2022 00:03

Miranda and Vanessa are lovely.

Hayley / Haley very dated / 1980s

Hadley - I don't like surname names and i would assume it's a boys name?

AntiHop · 20/10/2022 23:57

Miranda is beautiful

Marcipex · 20/10/2022 23:32

I like Vanessa and Miranda.
Hayley is Hayley Mills to me and I rather like it. I don’t know many.
I’m not keen on Hadley. I imagine the teenage teasing of ‘ I’ve had Hadley’ etc.

Miriam
Mirabelle
Vivien
Veronica
Valencia
Hallie
Hollie

DramaAlpaca · 20/10/2022 23:12

Love Vanessa and Miranda.

I'm not at all fond of the other two. I don't understand the trend of surnames as names for girls.

Aria999 · 20/10/2022 02:03

I like Miranda too.

I actually like Nessa but not Vanessa, the latter has a kind of last century upper class vibe.

Not too keen on the others, don't mind Hayley.

SandyY2K · 20/10/2022 00:51

Vanessa.

I always wanted to give a daughter that name.

We didn't in the end, but I still like the name very much.

Ellmau · 20/10/2022 00:24

Miranda is one of my favourite names - not dated at all, a genuine classic, and sounds elegant, and both feminine and strong.

Vanessa has a lovely sound, but it does feel a bit dated.

Hayley is very dated.

I don't like Hadley at all. Much too surnamey.

Luredbyapomegranate · 19/10/2022 22:54

wishthiswasreallife · 19/10/2022 14:03

Some of you guys are so rude 😂 one of these is my name, I've never had a problem with it until now you need to have a think before the rude opinions! I'd also like to know your names please so I can pass judgement on them!

Lovely names OP,it's what you like best not random people on here.

Well you know this is how a name forum works. People ask for opinions on names, and then people give them.

MyHeadHurtsBecausePeopleAreStupid · 19/10/2022 21:24

Hadley.....NN Tony

Riverlee · 19/10/2022 21:10

Vanessa - first thought is Vanessa Feltz, but probably due a revival. Ness is fine for a nn.

Miranda - think of tv programme starring Miranda Hart.

Haley (Hayley) - both said hay-lee - to me, they are pronounced differently. If spelt Haley, she will spend her entire life spelling it out. Really like Kayleigh or Hallie as alternatives.

Hadley - dislike. Sounds like a town in Midsomer murders. Also sounds like a male name to me.

Original poster
caitlinrose · 19/10/2022 21:05

Thank you all so far!

I have only ever heard Haley as hay-lee and I met a few (all American). I thought that Hallie or Halley were hal-ee.

Thanks for suggesting Estella, I will think it through. I love the meaning.

I'd be a bit worried about Randy because I don't like it but I think most names are likely to be shortened using the first part so I think she's more likely to be Mira or something like that so I am not that bothered.

OP posts:
Jemimapinotduck · 19/10/2022 20:47

Vanessa- quite like but think if gavin and stacey
Miranda- think of the actress and comedy series
Haley (Hayley) - both said hay-lee- Haley I would pronounce ha-lee so different to Hayley, I prefer the latter
Hadley-just no

wishing3 · 19/10/2022 20:45

I like Miranda. Miri would be a sweet nickname.

DeeDeeDaisy · 19/10/2022 19:57

Vanessa - nice enough...Ness, Nessa, Nessie would probably only be a problem of you actually love near Loch ness. Maybe it is slightly dated but I think it's nice
Miranda - my little sister (15) has one in her year group. Only association I have is Miranda the sitcom, which I love!
Haley (Hayley) - what about Hailey?
Hadley - don't like this, sorry!

KirstenBlest · 19/10/2022 19:39

Vanessa and Miranda are both elegant. I think you'd need to think of a diminutive that you like. I know a Ness and a Vanessa (V), and a Min and a Miranda (Mindy), all are ok IMO.

Haley and Hadley not my cup of tea.