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Baby names

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Original poster

Minnie May - is this a bad idea? And why do so many people dislike hyphenated names with Mae?

104 replies

caitlinrose · 14/11/2022 13:52

Yesterday I watched "Anne with an E" for the first time and there was a character called Minnie May who was really sweet. I thought it was hyphenated because she was called by both names but google let met know it's not.

I thought it was kind of cute. What are your thoughts on Minnie May, called by both names? I think it's more of an idea right now and I wouldn't actually use it but I'd use May or maybe just Minnie.

What are your thoughts on just Minnie or just May? And Mae?

General question: why do hyphenated names with May, Mae seem to be disliked so much here even though May, Mae is a classic name? Does this apply to Mae, May on its own too?

Does it matter whether there's a hyphen or not? Is Minnie-May less popular here than Minnie May (called by both)?

And why do people seem to like May and dislike Mae (noticed this in a past thread)? To me they are both classic (Mae West etc.). Do you prefer Mae or May?

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Original poster
caitlinrose · 14/11/2022 20:37

Thanks so far!

I wasn't aware of the slang, so I'm very happy I asked. It was more of an idea because I found it so charming when I watched the show but I can see how it may not be great in real life.

I personally don't really see the difference between Minnie and other names that are really popular now such as Millie or Maisie. I think I even find Minnie a bit more mature sounding than Millie. But I guess it's just different for everyone and we'll probably not use it even though I do like it.

OP posts:
devildeepbluesea · 14/11/2022 20:20

Oh good god no. People are only cute little children for a maximum of 10 years (and that’s pushing it). I can’t imagine a barrister called Minnie-Mae.

BendingSpoons · 14/11/2022 20:14

I think the alliteration with the hyphen is a bit twee. I don't mind -Mae names but the first bit should ideally start with a different sound and not be too cutesy. Something like Lily-Mae can become Lily if the person chooses. Minnie-Mae is very cutesy and far too much IMO. I'm not a particular fan of Minnie on it's own but it's OK. Minnie Jones sounds far better for an adult than Minnie-Mae Jones.

BugsyDrakeTableScape · 14/11/2022 20:13

Minnie is my 96 year old Grandmother's name. She's coped with it alright! Although admittedly it's not common slang round these parts.....

TalkisChips · 14/11/2022 20:08

Fucking awful. No adult wants to be called Minnie May.

I came across a Maycee May. Poor kid.

Kikikik · 14/11/2022 19:58

Tbh it makes me think Minnie mouse too and is a bit twee.

Marcipex · 14/11/2022 19:37

I know the minnie thing in the SW; the other word commonly used is ‘fairy’.

Choose something else to go with May/Mae. There must be lots of options.
I know a Honey-Mae. The other kids don’t bat an eye.
Morwenna Mae
Miranda Mae
Lacey Mae
Marcia Mae

weaselish · 14/11/2022 19:24

It's not a name I'd choose - so many -mae names out there now, really common. Why not just pick a normal classic name?

EmpressaurusOfWitchesBackFromTheDead · 14/11/2022 18:37

Iguanainanigloo · 14/11/2022 18:26

Minnie is fine for a pet, but I'd find it really strange on a person, especially once they're an adult. And imagine, if she ends up, how do I say it... Not so "mini", not to sound cruel, but she could end up being the tallest in her class, or a larger plus size adult, and I'm sure she would cringe at having to introduce herself as "Minnie" when she's anything but. Plus, Minnie mouse, and vulvas, so yeah, I wouldn't do it.

I can see it would be tough for someone tall, but for someone short it would be horrendous! “Hi, I’m Minnie.” “Yes, I can see you’re mini!”

Paracetamol · 14/11/2022 18:37

caitlinrose · 14/11/2022 17:41

What a rude comment.

No, we are not sure what kind of name we are going for yet as we still have quite some time left and I enjoy thinking about the possibilities. Choosing a name for a baby is fun and I'm very much enjoying the process.

How creepy that you would go through my history to count my threads.

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I haven't gone through your history to count your threads. It says how many threads you have right at the top.

Minnie May is truly awful by the way. But I'm sure you knew that already.

Iguanainanigloo · 14/11/2022 18:26

Minnie is fine for a pet, but I'd find it really strange on a person, especially once they're an adult. And imagine, if she ends up, how do I say it... Not so "mini", not to sound cruel, but she could end up being the tallest in her class, or a larger plus size adult, and I'm sure she would cringe at having to introduce herself as "Minnie" when she's anything but. Plus, Minnie mouse, and vulvas, so yeah, I wouldn't do it.

soundsofthesixties · 14/11/2022 18:21

Imagine being called Minnie Mae when you're a teenager, poor kid.

aroman · 14/11/2022 18:18

I think both names are fine on their own, but personally I'd hate to be called Minnie May, so I wouldn't inflict that on a child.

Would you like to be called Minnie May, OP?

Rubyupbeat · 14/11/2022 18:17

Minnie also is a nickname for vulva where I live and for as long as I can remember and I am nearly 60. The same goes for Betsy, no one would name their child that because of the teasing.

Underroad · 14/11/2022 18:15

It’s far too cutesy and daft. Why not just use May (or Mae) on its own? It’s very overused as a middle name but sounds fresh and pretty for a first name.

StrictlyProfessional3 · 14/11/2022 18:13

A child in my daughters class is called. maisy-may 😳

fairycupcakes · 14/11/2022 18:04

If you want Minnie-May/Mae please only use it as a nickname!

Minerva has been a great suggestion!

Basecamp · 14/11/2022 17:57

Oh OP no, Minnie Mae is one of the worst names I've ever seen suggested on here. But I've had a good laugh so thank you for that!

I would also associate Minnie with a vagina.

holierthanthou73 · 14/11/2022 17:56

Urgh how hideous cannot stand -May -Mae -Rae -Leigh names

Billyhargrovesmullet · 14/11/2022 17:55

I think it’s cute as two separate names but personally really dislike hyphenated names they’re really chavvy

IceRink · 14/11/2022 17:53

It’s just way too cutesy and not serious.

I’m 45 and a senior leader in my organisation. I’d absolutely fucking HATE to be called Minnie May! Your DD won’t be a baby forever…

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 14/11/2022 17:50

I seem to remember that Diana got her name because there was a teacher boarding with them at the time and they allowed him to choose her name. Imagine just saying 'hey, lodger, why don't you name our precious first born?'. He did well though. Much better job than whoever named Minnie May. But if I recall there were a few peripheral Minnies (said the actress to the bishop) in AoGG, so it must have been a fairly common name for the time.

CliffsofMohair · 14/11/2022 17:46

HerculesMulligan · 14/11/2022 14:24

So funny, when I read your thread title I thought of Minnie-Mae Barry and the Ipecac. I think Diana and Minnie-Mae were both quite 'frilly' names (Anne certainly sees Diana's name as more on a par with Cordelia, whereas her own lacks romance), and now it's got additional mouse-related connotations. I think it's fussy for a baby and babyish for an adult.

Minnie-May and the croup was my first thought too!

Original poster
caitlinrose · 14/11/2022 17:45

Spookypig · 14/11/2022 14:49

Ummm is there a limit? I post like 30 threads a day 😂 baby names are fun and interesting to some people, especially when you’re pregnant! I love to hear other people’s thoughts even on names I’m not planning to use. Leave OP alone! She can post as much as she wants.

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Thank you!

OP posts:
HelensToenail · 14/11/2022 17:44

Not keen on Minnie for all the reasons above

How about Mimi?

Or Miriam?