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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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LaVitesse2022 · 24/04/2023 18:26

Don't like any of them, but much prefer Mirren.

Ottoline sounds like a medicine.

Notgotanyidea · 24/04/2023 18:11

Mirren of the two, but Merryn and Morven are both beautiful.

YouWithoutEnd · 24/04/2023 18:05

What about Miriam?

You’ve Miri as a shortened option for a cutesy little baby girl.

Or Mireia - which I believe is a Spanish girls name.

Original poster
LizzieS88 · 24/04/2023 18:04

😂

OP posts:
Original poster
LizzieS88 · 24/04/2023 18:04

I do like Miriam a lot but I think Mirren swings it for me. It somehow has a simpler, cleaner sound? (I also knew someone called Miriam who I didn’t really like so this may be why!)

OP posts:
Thelastofbus · 24/04/2023 17:55

I think definitely LEEN (or how we would choose to pronounce it).

My brain wants me to pronounce it as LINE. I don’t find it particularly ‘frilly’. In fact I find it a bit stern. It could be Agatha Trunchbull’s middle name.

FroggoDoggos · 24/04/2023 17:45

I adore the name mirren but if that's not for you what about Miriam?

Sugarfree23 · 24/04/2023 17:43

BishopRock · 24/04/2023 17:39

I feel like I might see Ottoline in a bottle as a fuel additive

I was thinking the same!

Maybe that's what is making me think transport 'autoline' 'stenaline' 'trainline'

BishopRock · 24/04/2023 17:39

I feel like I might see Ottoline in a bottle as a fuel additive

I was thinking the same!

ourflagmeansdeath · 24/04/2023 17:36

Mirren is beautiful. Ottoline is too much of a mouthful to me.

EddieHoweisMYmanager · 24/04/2023 16:34

Love Mirren! My baby store is well and truly closed but if it wasn’t I think I would definitely consider it.

Threebeanburrito · 24/04/2023 16:32

I prefer Adaline or Merryn. But if I had to pick, Mirren.
Really dislike Ottoline (sorry.)

Sugarfree23 · 24/04/2023 16:25

Mirren by a country mile.
Yes it has the football link. But I don't think that's an issue.

Ottoline when said politey it sounds very grand to try and pull off.
Said with a Glasgow accent it sounds like some sort of transport company, train line or ferry, it's likely to get shorted to Otto,

If you really like the line ending Caroline sounds much better.

TinyTear · 24/04/2023 16:25

Ottoline has her own books...

For me Mirren reminds me more of a surname

Ottoline or Mirren?
BunnyFun · 24/04/2023 16:23

She might get called Saint Mirren

SoupDragon · 24/04/2023 16:10

I far prefer Mirren. Ottoline is far to "frilly" for my taste.

SammyScrounge · 24/04/2023 16:09

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...)

Definitely Mirren. My Dad always called me that

KirstenBlest · 24/04/2023 16:07

I don't like either of them, but if I had to choose, Mirren.
Mirren - football
Ottoline - otter line, and will get mixed up with Ottilie

Seas164 · 24/04/2023 14:32

I feel like I might see Ottoline in a bottle as a fuel additive on the shelf at Halfords, or being insufferable having come second at a showjumping event.

Mirren, yes in a bottle with the soy sauce, but infinitely better. I like it.

whatsinanameeh · 24/04/2023 14:31

Mirren

mathanxiety · 24/04/2023 14:31

Mirren, by a long shot.

ShittyPeasantsFromHampshire · 24/04/2023 14:27

Poor old Paisley. Was a hip and happening place in the 1820s.

midsomermurderess · 24/04/2023 14:26

What about Morvern, a beautiful Scottish place name. Mirren makes me think of Paisley.

Boughtitdownthemarket · 24/04/2023 13:56

I am calling my daughter Muireann when she's born next month. It means person from the sea. I love it.

Hadtocomment · 24/04/2023 13:51

Ottoline would be a very grand and eccentric name to pull off. Which could be great. But maybe not if the owner of it was very shy and retiring. With more Ottilies about, perhaps she could shorten to Otty and it would fit in with that trend if she didn't want to stand out. I feel I should like Mirren (and also Merryn) more than I do. But I don't really like either that much. I prefer Morven which is also Scottish. Or Marsali.

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