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Baby names

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

Original poster

Should I name my daughter Alpha?

208 replies

paulinesmithson · 09/01/2023 17:09

first time poster, bit new to all this!
Recently my beloved grandfather Alfie passed and the entire family were devastated. About a month later we found out we were expecting our second child and I new right away that I wanted to name it after him. A few weeks ago we discovered that I am having a darling baby girl and after researching some names, I fell in love with the name Alpha. It's a greek name meaning new beginnings and it's so similar to my grandfather's name that it seemed perfect to me.

However my DH and a few other friends disagree and think that she will be bullied for this unconventional name and that I should consider something else. I want a name my husband and I can agree on but I can't think of any more fitting name than Alpha. I came on here to ask for other opinions on this?

OP posts:
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Calmdown14 · 09/01/2023 17:50

Alphia? It means first born so is this your first?

Alpha is very harsh sounding and I'd want to soften it

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 09/01/2023 17:49

Good name for a team on The Apprentice, not a great name (or even an okay name) for a child. You know how in the 16th century the Puritans would give their kids names like Fear-God, to show how devout they were? Alpha is the 21st century neoliberal's version of that.

AlwaysBelieveInYourSoul · 09/01/2023 17:49

I quite like it actually. And i like your associations. But if DH doesn't like it, it's a non starter.
But don't use Aviva- that's the financial / life insurance company

inappropriateraspberry · 09/01/2023 17:45

Alpha male, Alphabet, Alpha omega, Alfa Romeo, Alfalfa...
It's really not a good choice of name.

Bronnau · 09/01/2023 17:44

My teenagers use alpha among their friends as an insult. "He's a bit alpha" means he's big-headed, conceited, a misogynist. Think Andrew Tate. I think it would be really unkind of you to saddle your daughter with that name, given that it has such a horrible meaning to the younger generation.

I'm really sorry about your grandfather. It must be really hard for you. I hope you find a lovely name that pays tribute to him. [Flowers]

donthavekids · 09/01/2023 17:43

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FTM2022SS · 09/01/2023 17:41

WhisperGold · 09/01/2023 17:15

Have you watched the Walking Dead?

Strong believer in name you baby whatever you and your partner agree on BUT this was my first thought too lol ...

inappropriateraspberry · 09/01/2023 17:40

Her nickname could be Bett?

ShaniceObama · 09/01/2023 17:38

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Original poster
paulinesmithson · 09/01/2023 17:37

opoponax · 09/01/2023 17:34

If you like Aurora but don't like the Disney reference, what about Aurelia?

I really love that name, bit too far from Alfie for me but it's beautiful nonetheless

OP posts:
Oldnproud · 09/01/2023 17:36

paulinesmithson · 09/01/2023 17:30

I'm not a fan of Alfreda that many people are suggesting, it reminds me too much of pasta! I like Alfia and other names such as Aphra so I will likely reconsider and pick something similar.

Show quote history

Yes, Alfia sounds great - modern but not contrived, iykwim. I hope you and your DH can find something like that which you both love.

girljulian · 09/01/2023 17:35

OwwwMuuuum · 09/01/2023 17:14

Might make people think you wanted her to be “alpha” which means dominant in our culture (UK) eg alpha male.

Aphra is a lovely, outdated and unique name (Aphra Behn was a female playwright in the 17th century)

I was just going to suggest this! Aphra is a fantastic name.

UsingChangeofName · 09/01/2023 17:35

Frankensteinisamonster · 09/01/2023 17:24

I hope this isn’t serious, You can’t call your kid Alpha, you need to think of the child living with that. It’s about rhe child not your grandad,

if you want something similar try Frieda or some of rhe decent names on here,

I agree with this.

I mean, I don't like the name Freda, but at least it is a proper name, and a girl's name.

I'm glad you've agreed it needs to be something your dh likes as well, as it sounds like he is thinking about a person having to introduce themselves with this name for the rest of their lives - which should ALWAYS be the main thing to consider when choosing a name.

opoponax · 09/01/2023 17:34

If you like Aurora but don't like the Disney reference, what about Aurelia?

Overthebow · 09/01/2023 17:34

Please don’t call your child Alpha.

I actually really like Alphia though.

Derbee · 09/01/2023 17:31

From my link…

Aeverie
Aubrey
Elfie
Elvene
Elwyn

Upwiththelark76 · 09/01/2023 17:31

My dear MIL is an alphia and gets Alfie .

Scared201 · 09/01/2023 17:30

Have you considered Elphaba / Alphaba?

Stepuptowardsinfinity · 09/01/2023 17:30

You absolutely cannot call the poor child Alpha. It has so many psychological connotations: alpha female, alpha male etc. What if your little one turns out to be a bit thick and definitely a delta or a gamma? If you must do something yoonique then Alphia is passable but Sophia much prettier.

Original poster
paulinesmithson · 09/01/2023 17:30

Oldnproud · 09/01/2023 17:27

I would have slight reservations about Alpha for the reasons others have given, but personally I think that Alfie, your dear grandfather's name, would make a perfectly acceptable name for a girl as well as a boy. Originally, I'm guessing that it might have been used as an abbreviation of Alfreda.

Failing that, could you find, or even invent, a longer girls name that would be acceptable to your DH, but that could easily be shortened to Alfie for everyday use?

I'm not a fan of Alfreda that many people are suggesting, it reminds me too much of pasta! I like Alfia and other names such as Aphra so I will likely reconsider and pick something similar.

OP posts:
MilkshakesBringAllTheCoosToTheYard · 09/01/2023 17:29

Actually, just remembered I know a Fia which is close to Alfie.

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 09/01/2023 17:29

If you had Icelandic connections you could use Alfrun ("owl-froon"), I have a friend named that and it really suits her. But Alpha makes me think of wolf packs or something.

murasaki · 09/01/2023 17:29

@bringmetheheadofpastaalfredo it's not a name I've ever heard of, and was something I thought for the op, so effectively yes. If it is a name used, then so much the better.

Oldnproud · 09/01/2023 17:28

... or shortened to Alfa, your own preference.

Blahburst · 09/01/2023 17:28

alpha reminds me of alpha male. Sorry. Alfia looks like a mispronunciation of Althea.

I like Alva, Elfie, Elfrida, Alfreda as alternatives. Or just call her Alfie!