Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
MolesOnPoles · 09/01/2023 17:15

It’s not great.

It doesn’t honour an Alfie in the same way, but I really like Aphra.

WhisperGold · 09/01/2023 17:15

Have you watched the Walking Dead?

Original poster
paulinesmithson · 09/01/2023 17:15

Headabovetheparakeet · 09/01/2023 17:12

I wouldn't as it has other meanings to people which could make her life difficult. Maybe use it as a middle name?

Yes I feel so conflicted because it has other meanings, but I assumed since it has no negative connotations it might be ok. I'll consider it as a middle name but I really love it as a first name still

OP posts:
FlounderingFruitcake · 09/01/2023 17:15

Y3 is known as Alpha at my old school. So I wouldn’t and it sounds ridiculous to me.

Also irrelevant what the name is, if your DH doesn’t like it then it’s out. Names are unequivocally a to 2 yes, 1 no situation.

Pennyforthezombies · 09/01/2023 17:14

I like Alpha and considered it years ago for my DD. It certainly won’t be a common name.

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Aphra is a lovely, outdated and unique name (Aphra Behn was a female playwright in the 17th century)

KnitterNat · 09/01/2023 17:13

No, there are too many possible jokes, from alpha personality types to the alpha course. It also doesn't mean "new beginnings" in Greek, any more than A means "new beginnings" in English.

How about Aurora? Means "dawn" and is a name.

Headabovetheparakeet · 09/01/2023 17:12

I wouldn't as it has other meanings to people which could make her life difficult. Maybe use it as a middle name?