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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ottoline or Mirren?

68 replies

LizzieS88 · 24/04/2023 09:59

We are having a baby girl and really struggling for names. The current favourites are Ottoline and Mirren...
Ottoline: we love but does it come with too much baggage - too posh / grand / pretentious (nb we don't like Ottilie as an alternative)?
Mirren: maybe not as pretty but it is unusual but not difficult to pronounce. Also it's Scottish, where I grew up.

What do you think?

(Other names we've considered are Charlotte but it feels a bit too common and I don't really like the royal family connection; and Rosamund, but we don't like Roz / Rozzie as she'd get called...)

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Erised21 · 27/04/2023 21:45

Ottoline isn't great, I would pronounce it Otto-Line, rather than Otto-Leen. Her nickname would probably end up being Otto, which is kinda cute...but no. Please don't call her that!

Mirrin is a sweet name, I probably wouldn't be able to spell it first time, but would be able to pronounce it at least!

Sugarfree23 · 27/04/2023 13:43

Definitely the right choice. Hope DH likes it too.
LO will be glad you didn't land her with Ottoline.

Whichwhatnow · 27/04/2023 12:07

LizzieS88 · 27/04/2023 07:27

Thanks so much everyone. I’m now really attached to Mirren, this has made me love it more than ever.

Definitely the right choice IMO, it's a really lovely name 😊

Original poster
LizzieS88 · 27/04/2023 07:27

Thanks so much everyone. I’m now really attached to Mirren, this has made me love it more than ever.

OP posts:
AnneShirleysNewDress · 26/04/2023 22:27

Mirren is lovely.

Luredbyapomegranate · 26/04/2023 22:26

Ishbel
Arran
Ailsa

I’d go with Mirren though

Luredbyapomegranate · 26/04/2023 22:23

Mirren is great

Ottoline is not.

RenoDakota · 25/04/2023 10:58

A few years back and until recently it was compulsory to have Ottilie on every girls' name list here. Mainly because one of those mum influencers (now disgraced) had one.
For me, for that reason, it sounds achingly try-hard and pretentious.
The other name is nice.

Belmondo · 25/04/2023 10:48

I like Mirren and Morven, and love Merryn and Miriam. I also love Maude, although I know it's not really the same wheelhouse.

Inkypot · 25/04/2023 10:45

Please don't saddle your child with Ottoline. Sounds like a fuel additive or medicine like others have said.
Mirren is really popular where I am but I am in Scotland so maybe that's why.
I prefer Morven as it's softer overall (with the Scottish accent) but Mirren is nice too. It does make me think of the football team every time though.

user1492757084 · 25/04/2023 10:43

Mirren

DejaVoodoo · 25/04/2023 09:59

I also prefer Meryn/Merryn to Mirren, which just reminds me of football.

Ottoline is awful! People would likely pronounce it as "line" rather than "leen" which isn't good.
Auto Line sounds like a used car dealership.

ClaraThePigeon · 25/04/2023 08:54

I think I prefer Merryn to Mirren though.

I agree. It's much nicer and doesn't make me think of football results.

Sugarfree23 · 25/04/2023 00:01

I've just noticed your last post - glad the baby has been spared from Ottoline.

Mirren is a good name, I know exactly what your mean it's softer than Morgan and Morven.

Sugarfree23 · 24/04/2023 23:57

Mirren is a fairly classic name too, St Mirin was born in 565, according to Wikipedia!

I don't see any risk in using the name Mirren.

Ottoline, I'd bin that suggestion, it sounds like some sort of transport to me, a fuel additive or a skin care product to someone others.

SoftSheen · 24/04/2023 23:07

Both Ottoline and Mirren are quite nice but I'd play safe and go with Charlotte, which is a classic and will not date. Don't worry about the royal connection.

Viviennemary · 24/04/2023 23:05

Ottoline is awful. Sounds like an ointment for a skin condition. Not overkeen on Mirren but its an acceptable name.

Original poster
LizzieS88 · 24/04/2023 22:31

TrishTrix · 24/04/2023 22:03

Scottish - not a fan of Mirren.

What about Morvern which is similar ( I know someone upthread also suggested it!)
Elspeth? Not really sure why I'm suggesting it but it's scottish, not used very often and I like it!

I don’t know why, but I find Morven a bit harsher a sound - a bit like Morgan. Elspeth I do like - but I’m Elizabeth and so it really is just my name recast. Thank you though! Any ideas are always helpful. I think I can safely say I’ve ruled out Ottoline at least based on this thread 😂

OP posts:
TrishTrix · 24/04/2023 22:03

Scottish - not a fan of Mirren.

What about Morvern which is similar ( I know someone upthread also suggested it!)
Elspeth? Not really sure why I'm suggesting it but it's scottish, not used very often and I like it!

myveryownelectrickitten · 24/04/2023 20:51

LOVE Mirren - so pretty and delicate! Merryn is a nice alternative too.

Not fond of Ottoline. Has dusty musty vibes, and I really don’t like either Otto or Otty as a nickname. I’d worry she’d get called Otty Botty at school or something!

IJustHadToLookHavingReadTheBook · 24/04/2023 20:47

Ottoline? I used to put this in my bath for my eczema.

Nap1983 · 24/04/2023 20:46

Mirren Is a lovely name!
Ottoline is absolutely hideous 🥴

Sugarfree23 · 24/04/2023 20:44

LizzieS88 · 24/04/2023 10:04

I think definitely LEEN (or how we would choose to pronounce it). I did worry that about Mirin, but I don't think that's a common association? I love the actress Mirren Mack.

Show quote history

You'd need different spelling to get Leen, Ottoline would get pronounced the same as Caroline, Stenaline, or they'll be forever correcting it.

To get Leen, it would need to be Leen it would need to be Ottoleen, bit like Eileen, or Windowleen.

AgnesGray · 24/04/2023 20:43

Another vote for Mirren. Ottoline is a bit ott...like I'd expect her to show up wearing a monocle and riding side saddle

ladygindiva · 24/04/2023 20:39

Mirren definitely. I find all the ott- related names a bit posh and try hard tbh.