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Baby names

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

Original poster

Opinions on Brontë

93 replies

Nearlywed2038 · 30/04/2023 22:45

Hello mumsnet!!

Currently expecting my first daughter, after 2 boys (Ralph and Henry).

Both my fiancé and I absolutely love literature and like the name Bronte, as a middle name for baby girl but, is it tacky?? 🙈

I do really love the name and it pays a nice homage to one of my favourite writers, but I can’t help but feel it’s a dog name..

Opinions/first names to go with it, thanks everyone :)

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Original poster
Nearlywed2038 · 01/05/2023 10:46

PaniniHead · 01/05/2023 09:42

Without the umlaut, I don’t think it’s going to be pronounced the way you think

To be perfectly honest I wouldn’t mind whether it was pronounced Bront-ay or
Bront-ee.

However we live in the Essex area of England so have a strong feeling it will be pronounced as Bront-ay!

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 01/05/2023 10:41

PaniniHead · 01/05/2023 09:42

Without the umlaut, I don’t think it’s going to be pronounced the way you think

How do you think it’ll be pronounced then?

sevenbyseven · 01/05/2023 10:40

I really like it and don't consider it tacky at all.

whathaveyoudonelately · 01/05/2023 10:31

Makes me think of current series Married at First Sight Australia - and not in a good way I'm afraid.

If I hadn't watched it I wouldn't have given it a second thought!

Outgrabe · 01/05/2023 10:14

Nearlywed2038 · 30/04/2023 22:51

I also quite like the name Georgina, which was the name of a character from Jane Eyre, I’m not sure if this name fits with the vibe of my boys names though.

Show quote history

The Jane Eyre character is called Georgiana, not Georgina, and she’s a vain, selfish, dissipated character.

Other character names from Brontë novels — Jane, Adèle, Blanche, Helen, Diana, Mary, Rosamund, Eliza, Bertha, Maria, Grace, Bertha, Leah, Amy, Shirley, Caroline, Agnes, Rosalie, Matilda, Nancy, Alice, Isabella, Nelly, Catherine, Frances, Zillah, Helen, Annabella, Peggy.

JadeSeahorse · 01/05/2023 10:07

Brontë is FABULOUS! 🥰

Luredbyapomegranate · 01/05/2023 09:56

As a middle name tribute it’s fine - just not as a first name.

kezziecakes · 01/05/2023 09:48

I know one and think it's nice - she does get half Bron-tay and half Bron-tee but she doesn't mind. Also as a middle name anything goes really, doesn't it?

Wonford · 01/05/2023 09:46

It's pronounced Brontee among my friends. I don't hate it

PaniniHead · 01/05/2023 09:42

Without the umlaut, I don’t think it’s going to be pronounced the way you think

Honeypickle · 01/05/2023 09:40

My daughter is Bronte but she’s named after an Australian Olympic swimmer not the literary family!

Wonford · 01/05/2023 09:39

It's quite a popular first name in Australia

SpringNotSprung · 01/05/2023 09:38

@Nearlywed2038 Georgia Ann goes beautifully with your boys' names and both take inspiration from the Brontes.

delilabell · 01/05/2023 05:45

I think its lovely and would have it as a first name.
If a middle name what about Rosanna for the first name?

TeenagersAngst · 01/05/2023 05:42

My DC's middle names barely get mentioned or discussed and I only really think about them when filling in forms.

My DS has an old family surname as one of his middle names (he has two) and no one has ever mistaken it for a double barrelled surname.

Moral of the story is... choose whatever middle name you like.

Spcd · 01/05/2023 04:29

I love it, go for it. (Tbh most people won't even know her middle name so even if it is often disliked it's really not an issue)

teezletangler · 01/05/2023 04:23

I like it, it has a very pretty sound and a great association. I believe it is more popular in Australia as a girls' name.

cornflakesandtea · 01/05/2023 03:12

I like it, even as a first name. I know one Bronte (ending in an ee sound) and she's really really lovely.

Kokeshi123 · 01/05/2023 03:07
(Victoria Wood as tour guide around the Bronte's house)

"Now, here's a portrait of Charlotte Bronte here, and she may look like a rather gloomy looking individual, but you must remember that these days, she would have had a perm or blusher, or I suppose even drugs might have helped her maintain a more cheerful attitude. In fact, she probably wouldn't be dead if she were alive today..."

OP, to your kid's classmates, Bronte is going to suggest brontesaurus, not literary inspiration. I really wouldn't. Use one of the sibling's first names instead (though perhaps give Branwell a miss!)

Victoria Wood - Haworth Parsonage Guide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkRlM1c5-NQ

MedievalMadness · 01/05/2023 00:15

Brontë - saurus. I’m not crazy about it as a first name. I’m a big fan of the Brontes’ books but as a name it sounds clunky imo. I love your DS’s names and Imo Georgina complements them nicely. Also love:
Ralph, Henry and Francesca
Ralph, Henry and Clara
Ralph, Henry and Anna
Ralph, Henry and Florence/Flora
Ralph, Henry and Matilda

Junebughustle · 01/05/2023 00:01

It's tacky. Some nice suggestions in the thread though!

Whiteroomjoy · 30/04/2023 23:58

The Brontë family was pretty doomed, brilliant stars that burnt brightly and then snuffed out far too young. Mrs died young, then all 5 sisters and 1 brother from relentless March of TB. They led an often pretty miserable existence in horrific boarding schools, governess positions and general dogs bodies of the parish acting to replace the missing parsons wife.

no way would I name a child after such doom and gloom - the whole family was wiped out in a few short years

sorry 🫤

PrettyMaybug · 30/04/2023 23:55

All I am thinking of is 'Married at first sight Australia,' and the Stepford Wife in it who is called Bronte. 😮

MindIfISlytherin · 30/04/2023 23:53

I like it as long as the first name isn't Charlotte or Emily!

FangedFrisbee · 30/04/2023 23:52

I'd go with as a first name!